XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
05-27-2008, 01:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Las Vegas,
NV
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
After about 150 flights, assembling and disassembling, hauling in a giant gas gusseling van it was decided that the XL must have the size reduction procedure. The results were fantastic! Even our Iron Man test pilot gives it a thumbs up...well if he had hands (or arms for that matter)! Now we can bring the XL to the field in the trunk of our Gold Wing or our compact car...
We think the results speak for themselves!
We think the results speak for themselves!
05-27-2008, 03:52 AM
#3
My Feedback: (3)
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
Now this is an Ugly sight. i had a similar experience once with my SM F-15 which caught fire during flight. Although turbine burned, recovery of same was possible....
Sorry for your loss. How did this happen??
Regards.
Sorry for your loss. How did this happen??
Regards.
05-27-2008, 04:26 AM
#4
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SevenoaksKent, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 5,193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
Why is it that in all the crash and burns it's always the cheapy damn pilot that escapes unharmed! [&:] 
Oh, and sorry for the loss [&o]
Oh, and sorry for the loss [&o]
05-27-2008, 11:38 AM
#5
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Las Vegas,
NV
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
Actually, it was not my XL but a friends...
I will leave the details for him to tell....
What I can say is that there was three of us up at the time, trying some loose formation flying...two XL's and my Elan...I did not see what happened as it was out fo my field of view...I just got word for my caller that there was a problem and to stay east of the field. Word is it was something to see!
I will leave the details for him to tell....
What I can say is that there was three of us up at the time, trying some loose formation flying...two XL's and my Elan...I did not see what happened as it was out fo my field of view...I just got word for my caller that there was a problem and to stay east of the field. Word is it was something to see!
05-27-2008, 08:17 PM
#8
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
ORIGINAL: schroedm
Why is it that in all the crash and burns it's always the cheapy damn pilot that escapes unharmed! [&:]
Oh, and sorry for the loss [&o]
Why is it that in all the crash and burns it's always the cheapy damn pilot that escapes unharmed! [&:]
Oh, and sorry for the loss [&o]
05-27-2008, 09:29 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Las Vegas,
NV
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
The ejection seat worked fine! As F-18Diamondback stated, I'll leave the details to the pilot who was flying the now "reduced size Boomer", but it was one of the most unusual incidents I have seen in my 25+ years of flying.
05-30-2008, 01:06 PM
#14
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Las Vegas,
NV
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
Well, gave a week for the owner to comment...<G>
I di dnot see it as I was flying but....In stright and level flight the right wing, outboard of the boom, exploded....the rest is history. No idea what happened or why...complete failure of the right panel is al I know.
I di dnot see it as I was flying but....In stright and level flight the right wing, outboard of the boom, exploded....the rest is history. No idea what happened or why...complete failure of the right panel is al I know.
[&o][&o]
]
05-30-2008, 04:03 PM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oshawa,
ON, CANADA
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
My XL exploded the left outer wing panel while doing a banking turn . for no apparent reason other than being assembled with hot glue.
05-30-2008, 08:52 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
OK guys, sorry it has taken me a while to get on here. I was in mourning 
Anyway, here's the real scoop on what happened.... The XL had 100-120 flights on it with not so much as a single problem. It was powered by a Jet Central Rhino. I've never had any problems with the plane or turbine, both had performed flawlessly. Making smiley faces with my smoke-equipped aircraft has become my little weakness. I try to do at least two on every flight (I have to practice for that Sin City Jets Smiley Face Award!), along with a variety of snaps, tail slides, and whatever else the airframe would let me get away with.
It caught up to me.
After completing a smiley face and accelerating to full throttle in preparation for a high speed pass, the right wing half suffered from a spontaneous increase in internal pressure, causing an un-scheduled ejection, and ultimate shredding, of the right wing. The plane entered an un-recoverable right hand roll. All I could do at that point was kill the turbine and pray it didn't hit anyone. By the grace of God, it didn't.
The pictures below show the crash site and "survivors". A small fire ensued which was contained with our fire extinguishers and eventually put out by the Clark County Fire Department.
Bottom line, I over-stressed the aircraft and it caught up with me. The lesson, even with as wide as the flight envelope is on the Boomerang, even as forgiving and well-built as it is, it is not indestructible. I have to accept full responsibility for the break-up and eventual crash. I'm just glad no one was hurt and no one else's property was damaged.
I plan on replacing it with another Boomerang!
Anyway, here's the real scoop on what happened.... The XL had 100-120 flights on it with not so much as a single problem. It was powered by a Jet Central Rhino. I've never had any problems with the plane or turbine, both had performed flawlessly. Making smiley faces with my smoke-equipped aircraft has become my little weakness. I try to do at least two on every flight (I have to practice for that Sin City Jets Smiley Face Award!), along with a variety of snaps, tail slides, and whatever else the airframe would let me get away with.
It caught up to me.
After completing a smiley face and accelerating to full throttle in preparation for a high speed pass, the right wing half suffered from a spontaneous increase in internal pressure, causing an un-scheduled ejection, and ultimate shredding, of the right wing. The plane entered an un-recoverable right hand roll. All I could do at that point was kill the turbine and pray it didn't hit anyone. By the grace of God, it didn't.
The pictures below show the crash site and "survivors". A small fire ensued which was contained with our fire extinguishers and eventually put out by the Clark County Fire Department.
Bottom line, I over-stressed the aircraft and it caught up with me. The lesson, even with as wide as the flight envelope is on the Boomerang, even as forgiving and well-built as it is, it is not indestructible. I have to accept full responsibility for the break-up and eventual crash. I'm just glad no one was hurt and no one else's property was damaged.
I plan on replacing it with another Boomerang!
05-30-2008, 11:29 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: XL Boomer goes through size reduction procedure
I appreciate the condolences. Fortunately the only thing hurt was the pocket book. The fan unit is a smart-fly turbo regulator, which seemed to be the only piece of electronic equipment that somewhat survived. It was disposed of for obvious reasons.
I don't know what was the direct source of ignition for the fire. I don't "think" it was the lipos because they seemed to have been somewhat thrown from the wreckage. I don't know if just the heat from the turbine, that had been running at full throttle at cut-off, would be enough to ignite the soon to be vaporized kero. I just really don't know.
One thing is for sure, it burned and burned hot!
I don't know what was the direct source of ignition for the fire. I don't "think" it was the lipos because they seemed to have been somewhat thrown from the wreckage. I don't know if just the heat from the turbine, that had been running at full throttle at cut-off, would be enough to ignite the soon to be vaporized kero. I just really don't know.
One thing is for sure, it burned and burned hot!