Pietenpol-List: Brodhead 99' and some sad news
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:30 pm
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.
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.