Pietenpol-List: Brodhead 99' and some sad news

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Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-pietenpol-lis
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Brodhead 99' and some sad newsThose were the days! That trip by far was the most memorable I've made in an airplane. It literally brought me to tears when I realized I was on my first return leg home after Brodhead 99'.Now for some more tear shedding...I've put off writing about this for almost a month, but my Aircamper NX7229R has been mortally damaged in a landing mishap. The poor thing has had its back broken. I sent it to live with my brother in south of Tucson for the winter and on Dec 20, he called to say that he was OK, but the piet was badly damaged when he pancaked it onto the runway. A non-pilot airpark resident had run a stop sign on the bisecting access road, and stopped in the middle of the runway when he saw my brother coming. Instead of simply rolling on through he jammed it in reverse and backed up. This distraction caused my brother to let the plane slow, stall and drop to the runway. The longerons and the crossbrace at the front gear/front lift strut attach point was crushed and buckled. The fittings were pushed together about 4-5 inches. The wings sagged down as the gear splayed, but somehow the prop remained untouched except for a small dent on the leading edge when it hit a mesquite tree when the poor piet left the runway. The lower cowling was damaged and the gascolator deformed. Gas spilled, but thank heavens there was no fire. There were no injuries to the solo pilot. The crash was witness by an off duty officer and pilot, but since it occurred on private property no citation was issued. The driver has denied any responsibility and offered nothing in reparations. Only thing left to do is file a lawsuit, but that really isn't in either of our natures. We are trying to decide if the 10 year love affair with Aircamper 29R is over, or simply another chapter is to be written as we build up or repair the damaged fuselage. My brother has said he will buy me out and rebuild. I still have the Stinson to fly, but can hardly imagine being without a low and slow open cockpit airplane. Something in my head is whispering 0-200 powered? Maybe a new Rotec? What about a 120% scale Piet with the 140HP LOM?Steve 'E'Spanish Fork, UT.

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Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
I think I'm going to cry too. Sure glad your brother is ok.Chris TracySacramento, CaWebsite at http://www.WestCoastPiet.com ----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
Steve:I am sorry to hear that your baby is broken. A rebuild is definitely in order. There is a ready built fuselage on ebay right now I think quite reasonably pricedIt may just be the way to go.see Item number: 320204694335 Michael in Maine ----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: "Don Emch"
Steve,Oscar is right. Rebuild it and continue to enjoy open cockpit flying! Even if you have to build a complete fuselage structure, you won't have to build all the other stuff that takes so much time. And you can incorporate little modifications, based on the experience you have gained, to make an even better Pietenpol.Go for it! Good luck,Graham Hansen (Pietenpol CF-AUN in chilly Alberta)________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Brodhead 99' and some sad news

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Original Posted By: "Dick Navratil"
Steve,I'll join the crying too. Once again the Piet structure pulled through to protectthe pilot. That's really great your brother was okay. Like Graham said buildinga fuselage might not be a bad idea. The structure itself does go togetherpretty quickly. The ambition can get kinda low after something like thatbut I'll bet if you give it a little time the desire will really burn to getit going again! You and your plane have created it's own legend over the lastseveral years!I say go for it too!Don EmchNX899DERead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

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Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
SteveVery sorry to hear of your loss. If you would seriously like to consider re-building and take a vacation at the same time, we can build you a new fuselage in the Wood shop at Sun n Fun. In one week you could have a basic fuselage. All you would have to do is provide the basic materials. We are always looking for projectsI will be out of town getting Sun next week so no return posts till then.Dick N. ----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: Michael Fisher

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Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Darrel Jones
Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Brodhead 99' and some sad newsDarrel,Thanks for the generous offer! I'll let my brother know. I'm sure he is goingto rebuild it.Steve E-----Original Message-----

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Original Posted By: "Phillips, Jack"
Hey Steve, It's been a long time and I've only been back on the list for a few weeks, so I saw your heartbreaking post about your Piet. I'm not sure I'd have the gumption to rebuild after a serious crack-up, heck, I'm having trouble getting through the initial build, but I agree with Mr. Cuy (hey Mike!) and everyone else - I sure hope you do. You have a ton of good reusable parts and I've heard that the second time through is much easier with all those building smarts you have now. So if it were up for vote, I'd cast my as an AYE in favor of the rebuild! Hey everyone else out there in Piet-list land - it's been awhile, but I'm back and building again and it's fun again. I took a break from aviation for a few years there, but I'm back now. I guess I'll go back out and make a ton of obnoxious metal screaming noises and try to finish all those steel parts that seem so inconsequential when you look over the plans, but yet to painful for me to actually finish! Jack Phillips - I have the picture of your Piet in front of your hangar as my wallpaper on my workstation at work. It's a beautiful plane and a non-stop reminder to keep at it. Mike Cuy - I STILL watch your video (VHS- and heck, you still look as young there!!!) on my tv in the bedroom and it's STILL great and I'm STILL married!! What a gal!!Take care everyone and good luck Steve in whatever you choose to do. Gary Meadows Spring, TX_________________________________________________________________Make distant family not so distant with Windows Vista=AE + Windows Live=99.http://www.microsoft.com/windows/digita ... ___Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Re: Brodhead 99' and some sad newsDate: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:58:40 -0500

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Original Posted By: "Phillips, Jack"

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Original Posted By: Tim Willis

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Original Posted By: Jeff Boatright

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Original Posted By: Tim Willis