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Date: Sat, 29 May 1999 10:23:49 -0400
From: Marvin Kaye <74740.231@compuserve.com>
Subject: Lancair Crash G-FOPP
Sender: Marvin Kaye <74740.231@compuserve.com>
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 >> Date:  28-May-99 13:45:31  MsgID: 866-23584  ToID: 74740,231
From:  "Dr Michael A Fopp" >INTERNET:michael_fopp@csi.com
Subj:  Lancair Crash G-FOPP
Dear Lancair Listers,

With great regret I have to tell you that the first flight of my Lancair
320 G-FOPP resulted in a crash today here in the UK. The CAA Chief Light
Aircraft Test Pilot, Bob Cole, carried out the test. His report states that
everything was:-

"normal with no directional control problem. Just after 65 KIAS the stick
was eased back slightly prior to rotating at 75 KIAS. The nose wheel
started to shimmy violently and dipped. I was aware that the propeller had
struck the ground. The throttle was closed, stick held back until the nose
came down".

There were no injuries or fire and the aircraft has been recovered to its
hangar.

It appears the shimmy was so violent that something broke.  However, it is
by no means clear exactly what broke first.  The Gear Hydraulic Cylinder is
bent at 45 degrees and the drag link assembly only broke after it had bent
about 20 degrees.  Needless to say I now have a good few months of work
ahead of me to re-build the front end!

All the best to you,

Michael

[That is really bad news, Michael... sorry to hear it.  Fortunately the
plane is repairable, and more importantly, no one was injured.  When you
finally figure out just what caused the failure, please let us know.  

Don't give up now.      <Marv>     ]
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