Engine fire is a very good reason to shut off the fuel supply. With no engine power, you are flying a glider. The only reason for a stall-spin following engine shut-down is lack of training. Of course, a no-engine landing off-airport doesn't have a guaranteed good outcome either, but it sure beats a stall-spin.

> To: lml@lancaironline.net
> Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:25:34 -0500
> From: ronlaughlin@gmail.com
> Subject: [LML] Re: Legacy Crash Watsonville?
>
> > Just guessing, but it would appear that he busted an oil hose, which caught
> > the engine on fire, then the engine seized due to lack of oil before he made
> > the airport.  Someone reported he was spiraling in and smoking.  He must
> > have lost control of the plane after the engine quit??
>
> Horrible tragedy. I didn't know him but I'm sorry for grief that his
> friends and family must be experiencing. I've lost 4 pilot friends in
> home-built crashes in the last 5 years. That's too many.
>
> I wish he had had an airframe parachute. He might still be with us. I
> guess he opted for Rob's extra 10 gallons of gas that gave him soooo
> many more options....
>
> RonL
>
> --
> For archives and unsub http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/lml/List.html