HEY PIF, let me start by saying today was a great day for flying the ole LT-40. My first flight was great I had a very very good take off with a slow rise to just above the tree tops I made a nice slow banked left turn and flew a pattern around the field about 6 or 8 times then made a slow left to lined up on approach and made a perfect landing right down the center of the runway no bounce or anything taxied down the runway, turned around brought the plane up to me and killed the engine. On the second flight the take off was again very very good up just above the trees slow left turn, brought the LT back up the side of the runway and about 40 yards past me the ole Saito 56 quit but I managed another good landing on the runway, I walk down and brought the LT back. The third flight is where it gets interesting. Again the take off was nice slow climb to just above the tree tops, made about 5 laps and decided to do a low pass and as the LT got closer I realized it was coming straight at me and I paniced and started to walk backwards (I've been told I can't walk and chew gum at the same time) well while I was backing up I must have give it down elevator because I nose dived into the ground.
That's not the the only LT that bit the dirt today my Uncle Ed had an LT just like mine, same engine and everything ,and his tail came off and destroyed his plane also. I think both of our engines are ok, I'll check them in a couple of days
to see. Here's some pics.
NOW I HAVE A QUESTION, IS THERE SOME KIND OF CLUB THAT HE AND I GET TO JOIN LIKE A CRASH CLUB?
OH AND SOMETING ELSE I RECIEVED A CHECK FROM SSI FOR ALITTLE OVER $14000.00 A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. WOULD IT BE CONSIDERED PAYING IT FORWARD IF I BUY HIM A NEW LT-40? BECAUSE THATS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO. Thank you,Mike
PS This was a PIF airplane

sorry about the crash. You guys have a nice field by the way.

HEY it happens to the best of us. I have had my trainer come at me and for some reason it was like a magnet and I froze but kept control, throttled down and ducked to make a nice landing. From that point on I learned to make and imaginary line in order to always keep the plane in front of me about 3-5 feet.

Sorry for your loss put I hope you two recover quickly and get back in the air ASAP .

Hey nice field. Sorry for the crash. I hope you rebuild. You can join the SAD (Society of Aircraft Destroyers).

Mike,

There were still some big pieces left.

Sorry to hear about your crash. I also fly an LT-40 and it's a sweet plane. I just got back into flying after about a 5 year hiatus. the guy that was helping me knock the rust off recommended on long final actually fly the plane at you. This will help you adjust on short final for the runway. It also makes the plane turn away from you on short final up to landing, giving you more of a warm and fuzzy. I tried it and it worked great!

Talking to a few people, the tail becoming a TFOA (military jargon for Things Falling Off Aircraft) is a common issue with the LT-40. When I built mine I followed the directions and used CA to attach the tail. I was doing taxi practice in high winds and the plane flipped, snapping off the tail. My instructor recommended using epoxy to reattach the tail. Haven't had any problems since. I've also read of some people who have added some reenforcement to the tail. Just some ideas for the next one.