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davestapa(at)juno.com
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 Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:21 pm Post subject: Kitfox Crash-Latest report |
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Witnesses (non-aviation types) are reporting that the engine went quiet
at about 200 feet and the pilot tried to turn back, and went straight in.
The airplane hit about even with the end of the runway and several
hundred feet to the left. Apparently there is a golf course close by but
don't know where it is in respect to the runway. The airplane was one of
the first customer built Vixens. The builder received the manual in
installments as it was being written. Had a 80 hp 912. The pilot was a
ground instructor for Delta, recently retired and was or has built a
Glasair. He had been flying for 25 years. I met him and his son soon
after he bought the airplane. I remembered the encounter because his 12
or 13 year old son knew far more about the Kitfox than I did. Rattled off
all the specs. They wanted me to show them how to fold the wings because
they had never folded them. I can't help but think of that young lad now.
I had watched the first flight of this airplane at McCollum (RYY) in Cobb
County, Georgia several years prior (when did the Vixen come out-around
94?). To my knowledge there are three Kitfoxes built in my little berg of
Woodstock, GA. (Atlanta suburb)Now 2 have been involved in fatal crashes
in less than a year. (The other was the IV on Christmas eve allegedly
doing low level aerobatics with 2 aboard out west). The third Kitfox is
mine, which was signed off by a DAR last week. (anybody know the number
for Allied Van Lines-I'm moving). Anyway for political reason (re: the
ruler of my house) I'll probably wait a few more days to move my bird to
the airport. I have had calls from everyone I know who knows about my
Kitfox-Have you heard...? Its sad, I've been involved in aviation for
about 10 years and know far too many that have succumbed to this hobby. I
have the words "FLY THE PLANE" in big letters in front of the pilots seat
on the front spar carry thru. I just hope and pray if I am subjected to
an emergency that I will abide by that. But you never know until you are
confronted. The Kitfox can be replaced-I can't.
C David Estapa
Woodstock, GA
S5TD N97DE (first flight soon)
| Quote: | > Latest report suggests pilot (an airline retiree) lost power on
climb-out
> and tried to turn 180 degrees to the runway he'd just left.
.
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wingsdown(at)comcast.net
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject: Kitfox Crash-Latest report |
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Yep the fatal turn back. I am so thankful for those words I read in Rod
Macados books "fly the plane; fly the plane; fly the plane". They have
served me well several times. In the last event the fox was totaled but
I was fortunate to have made the decision not to turn back. It was a
real temptation and with the free wheeling prop major drag and increased
sink beyond any dead stick I had ever done. Great list. Lets keep each
other going. I too feel for his family and friends. My we never have to
know personally those that have paid the ultimate price. I hope we can
all remember we are human and subject to poor judgment, fatal
circumstances and chains of events that can capture us.
Rick
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