AV8ORJWC
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 1149
Location: Aurora, Oregon "Home of VANS"
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 Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:30 pm Post subject: [LML] FW: turbines |
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Many RV-10 builders believe the lessons learned from Lancair aircraft have little or no bearing on how they build their personal aircraft. I am clearly vocal on the issues of safety and continued cheap insurance rates. I regularly participate “on an ongoing and annual basis” with High Performance Aircraft Training. I commend Rick Sked and Bob for their efforts to help kit builders seek lower rates.
Just a few days ago, another aircraft was lost with possible Fuel Starvation at 21,000 feet. The pilot broke through an overcast level at 4,000 and immediately set up for a recoverable landing on a Georgia Freeway. The aircraft and pilot did not recover. I hope some of you are listening.
Thanks for the bandwidth.
John Cox
Do not Archive as insurance companies and attorneys use such information for the benefit of their individual clients.
From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml(at)lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Joe Bartels
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2006 10:42 AM
To: Lancair Mailing List
Subject: [LML] FW: turbines
Joseph C. Bartels, CEO
Lancair International, Inc.
From: Joe Bartels
Sent: Fri 11/10/2006 5:33 AM
Subject: turbines
Marv:
Please post the following:
Listers:
Lancair turbine crashes are as varied as the pilots involved in those crashes. I am extremely upset by each and every one of those incidents. We send representatives to virtually all of the crash sites and assist the FAA and NTSB in the investigations. It is never easy to be part of that process, but, it does help us all to better understand what happened so that we can all further learn from the facts of that incident.
Years ago I began the process of working with the insurance industry to put forth certain standards that would reduce the number of accidents involving our aircraft. Those standards include 1) building the aircraft at Lancair [i]OR[/i] following its completion, having it inspected, for insurance purposes, by one of our Lancair approved inspectors; 2) that the systems remain stock, that is, that there are no modifications to the airframe which are not pre-approved by our engineering staff; 3) that the owner/operator receive training through our Lancair sponsored flight training program (HPATS). That program includes a) initial training; b) recurrency training 6 months thereafter; c) recurrency training 6 months thereafter; and, d) annually thereafter. This was not a singular system thought of by myself or anyone at Lancair for the purpose of limiting the experimental enjoyment of the airframe. It was so that AIG Insurance would provide coverage to a series of aircraft that, to that point, had not and would not have received airframe coverage.
While training does not guarantee safe operation of an aircraft, it greatly improves the chances that the pilot will fly as he has been trained, and in the face of an emergency will survive.
What happened in Georgia?
Simply put, there was a fuel starvation problem that should have resulted in a safe landing when following standard training taught by HPAT.
What caused the fuel starvation problem?
This aircraft had a non-standard fuel system which incorporated two fuel control valves and a rear mounted auxiliary tank.
Was this system approved by Lancair?
No it was not.
Did the pilot receive HPAT training?
No he did not. It appears that he was in control of the aircraft until he became too slow and stalled/spun into the ground. While I do not have all of the information at present, it appears that should he have not have stalled, he might have survived the accident.
Was his aircraft powered with a factory overhauled or new engine?
No it was not.
While none of these facts could singularly be determined to be the reason for the crash or the fatality, all of these facts can be interpreted as supportive of why Lancair and AIG insist on inspection, training and conformity. It is not to control you or drive you from experimental aircraft. It is instead to give you the best chance of continuing to enjoy the finest high performance kit aircraft in the world!
Joseph C. Bartels, CEO
Lancair International, Inc.
[quote][b]
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