G-ONCS crash in Essex

[chrisroe]

Hi all,

Whilst walking in the RSPB nature reserve in Tollesbury Essex I came across this Nipper after it had crash landed on Monday evening.
They were in the process of removing it on Tuesday morning when I went past, the pilot had a lucky escape as it had filpped over in the marsh, the pilot had to be freed by emergency crews.

[Mr.Tipsy]

That's awfull news...

I for sure hope that Neil is OK.

[chrisroe]

I am sure he is, the pilot was there helping get it ready for transport.

[chrisroe]

A bit more info here

http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news ... 3A56%3A660

[Pat Blenkinsopp]

God Neil,
what a piece of bad luck. Still the main thing is that you are ok.
I am sure in the fulness of time you will let us know what happened.
Meanwhile all the best and let us know if there is anything we can do to help
All the best
Kind regards,
Pat ASXI

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your kind words.

A rather disturbing occurance, normal spin entry and the spin went flat. Having never done any flat spin training was rather at a loss as to what to do to recover (normal spin recovery techniques don't work in a flat spin). However, a quick review of spin aerodynamics on the way down gave me a few ideas, one of which obviously worked. The engine stopped during the spin (22 rotations) which meant an outfield landing in a rather inhospitable area. The main wheels caught the two top wires of a barbed wire fence in the flare which both decelerated the aircraft and flipped it on its back. I spent 20mins waiting for the emergency services to turn up (pretty good I think) The police air support heli' landed close by and 2 crew lifted the tail so I could open the canopy and step out. Absolutely no injuries except my pride.

I am in "correspondance" with the AAIB, so cannot say too much now, except:
If you are going to aerobat your aircraft:
Get proffessional spin training and keep current
Learn how to get your aircraft to spin flat, then you will know what not to do
If you are going to spin it make sure your entry height is sufficient
Check that the W&B of your aircraft is current
If the W&B is more than a couple of years old get it weighed
CHECK THE CofG
Dont spin an aircraft when the CofG is close to the aft limit.

I would recommend everyone to review their W&B, I have some of the old ones and there are discrepancies in all of them.

G-ONCS is a bit dog eared, we did a pretty thorough inspection today, unfortunately the crank is bent, so the engine will need a strip.

Take care, AND GET SOME PROFESSIONAL TRAINING ON ABNORMAL SPINNING AND RECOVERY, I will be before I aerobat any aircraft again. A spin can be entered from just about any manouvre, particulary if it goes wrong.

When I can I will pass the report from the AAIB to you.

Please may I have some info' from your W&B schedules:
what you have for the pilot seat distance from Datum
where your CofG lies with 3.5 gals
empty weight
empty CofG

Thanks again,

Neil

[David H]

Glad to know you're OK Neil and G-ONCS is pretty well in one piece.

All the best,
David