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From: "Steve Colwell" <mcmess1919@yahoo.com>
References: <list-3086818@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-3086818@logan.com>
Subject: some thoughts on accidents
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My wife and I attended Jeff Edward's Lancair Accident forum at Oshkosh this
year as we have for many years.  The statistics and the analysis behind the
accidents show it is usually not a airframe or engine problem, it's the
pilot.  So let's focus on pilots, rather than shift the blame.  Cockpit
weather, stall strips, AOA are a plus but not the answer. 

Fast glass people are for the most part achievers.  They have to be, to
afford and or have the tenacity to complete one of these things.  This
personality type is more likely to accept risk to overcome an obstacle
(weather, airplane problem, marginal operating condition).  

Then add in the capability of the airplane.  They are almost euphoric to
fly.  Bystanders tell you how great they look, ask you how fast they are,
and support the image we all enjoy (whether you admit it or not) that we
have one of the most envied planes in the sky.  It is a real ego builder.  

Now we have these airplanes and the self image supported by others.  More
pressure to perform when the little voice in your head is saying "this is
not a good idea".  

To obtain performance we accept a higher wing loading, higher stall speed
and reduced useful load.  That means you have far less UH-OH margin compared
to the lesser performance planes that most of us have been flying.  Push the
limits and the penalty is swift and probably unforgiving. 

Jeff had a sobering summation of his forum attended by about 25 people.  
He asked us to look around at the other people.  
Then he said someone there would not make it through the next year.
  
Statistics are tough to argue with when they are done right. 

From Jeff's forum:
LANCAIR ACCIDENT ANALYSIS
"146 Serious or Fatal accidents total"
"121 Fatalities total"
"17 Fatal or Serious accidents since OSH 2007"
"14 Fatalities since OSH 2007"
If this does not get your attention, you ought to get rid of your airplane.
(my comment, not Jeff's)

My answer is:
Get regular training from a qualified instructor.
Don't fly in marginal weather.
Don't stretch your fuel.
Don't let your ego push you into flying when you know you shouldn't.
Don't accept anything that will push your or the airplane's limits (weather,
loading, runways, range, etc..)
Don't show off. 
If anything is questionable about the airplane, find it and fix it.

Simply put, from a old Ercoupe buddy's last item on his Dymo Label check
list, "Don't do nuthin stupid" 

Follow this advice and I think you will remove about 95% of the gotcha's.
(statistic unverified)  We have gotten acquainted with a number of Lancair
people over the years.  I really don't want to lose a friend when it could
have been prevented. If we don't make some changes the odds aren't good. 

By the way, we're taking our own advice.  Even though we completed our
initial training with Josh of HPAT in March, we have signed up for
additional HPAT training in October at the Napa Fly-In.  


Steve Colwell  Legacy N15SC