From: N295VV@aol.com
Message-ID: <344dd432.24869258@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 09:57:44 EDT
Subject: Re:Preliminary Observations from a Recent Crash
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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From: n295vv

Last nite I saw first hand video and still shots of a very recent NON LANCAIR 
crash scene involving an experimental.  The govt has not released any 
findings because it is very recent, but i have some observations.....

Firstly, the Hartzell prop and hub is one strong piece of machinery.  I 
watched as a skid loader dropped a chain to the bottom of a four foot hole 
which was approx  8 x 8 diameter.  At the bottom of the hole was the engine, 
just barely seen, covered with dirt.  The loader proceeded to pull from the 
bottom an object covered with mud, which became apparent to be the engine.  
As it emerged, the props could be seen folded back around the cylinders, 
almost intact.  One cylinder had been cleaved by the still intact prop, and 
the hub was intact.  One very tough prop......

Secondly, the trim actuator had been run out to full down trim.  This coupled 
with the very large trim tab on this particular plane was being looked at 
closely.  The pilot was found to have a 100% heart blockage, but a second 
pilot was in the cockpit, and the full down trim situation was being looked 
at as the major contributing factor to the disabled pilot.  The stick had 
micro switches on the grip which run out the trim by the slightest touch....

Which brings me to my conclusion.  Be sure your trim servos have adjustable 
pots inline so you can slow down trim action.  If tapping your trim buttons 
gives you huge movement, they are too fast and can dump you.  If you have 
stick grips with sensitive buttons, AS I DO, inadvertant gripping of the top 
of the stick in an emergency may change your life forever, and you may 
consider modifying them some way.

I know this for a fact, for when I made my first flight in my IV, i did just 
such a thing, and ran my trim to full stop, just because I was unfamiliar 
with the stick and very tense.  It almost dumped us, and my instructor 
recognised it, knocked my hand off the stick, and saved the plane and us.  

After the flight I made an aluminum collar to keep from sliding my hand up on 
the grip too far.  I use it still today.  But a disabled person leaning 
against the top of the grip, well......

I am going to rethink the whole assembly now and try to figure out some way 
to protect the buttons from inadvertant actuation.  I do like the grip, and I 
would not like to substitute any other.  A hinged cover, perhaps.....

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