RCU Forums - View Single Post - Harmon Rocket elevator failure
View Single Post
Old 03-21-2010 | 01:19 PM
  #2  
manks
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Mississauga, ON, CANADA
Default RE: Harmon Rocket elevator failure

I had an elevator failure a couple of years ago, all 4 hinges let go on a touch and go, the plane became very hard to control all of a sudden, the only thing holding the elevator was the throw rod, I had to hold full up elevator to maintain somewhat level flight. I took it around with three or four guys watching me thinking I was going to loose it. Came in pretty hot for landing, and was not able to flair it. Landed hard, breaking only the prop. When I went to the plane I was shocked to see that the elevator was fully detached save for the throw rod.

I was a new pilot, and got very luck I did not kill the plane. I am now much better at checking all the control surfaces before flying.

I was much luckier than you were I guess. Time for a new plane anyway!