Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #29418
From: David Leonard <wdleonard@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [SoCAL-RVlist] Anatomy of an almost crash.
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 18:05:53 -0800
To: <SoCAL-RVlist@yahoogroups.com>, Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>, Rotary Engine <rotaryeng@earthlink.net>


On 1/16/06, Dan Checkoway <dan@rvproject.com> wrote:
Would be interested in hearing "what I'd
do differently next time."

)_( Dan
RV-7 N714D (773 hours)
http://www.rvproject.com
 

Ok, here goes:  hindsightovision...
1) I would have remembered to replace that lost antifreeze so freezing would never have been an issue.  I should have done it for the corrosion protection anyway.
2) I would have kept the high pressure radiator cap in place.  Changing the cap was a change that was unproven in my installation. 
3) I would have done a few laps over the field at Mammoth to make sure everything was working well.
4) Knowing what I know now I would have turned off the engine at the first sign of a serious cooling problem.  This would have allowed some engine run time in order to fine adjust the off airport landing site.  It may also have saved my engine.  But at the time, with the info I had, I think I made a good decision to milk the engine as that would probably have allowed me to be in range of the airport if only I could have stopped the prop from windmilling.
5) I would have left the master power on along with my flight instruments but turned everything else off.
6) Although I turned off the fuel pumps, I forgot to turn off the fuel selector.  Unlikely to make a difference, but I should have done it.
7) Should have tried to give the tow truck guy my AAA card and saved myself the $420 towing fee for going 5 miles to the airport.  :-)
 
More things may get added depending on what I find when I tear it down.
 
There are several improvements in general design and installation that I plan to improve including increasing the radiator size by 50% and adding additional ducting, and changing out most  (if not all) flared aluminum tube for hose.  That stuff has given me nothing but grief.  I think I can tolerate the weight and expense.
 
I would also like to redo my panel, electrical system, and engine mount allowing for a different turbo and more under cowl space, move the engine forward, remove the offset, and build a new custom cowl....  but that is a story for a different day.  Those things are going to have to wait until I retire.  :-)
 
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