crash at duxford today [2011]

[mazex]

Originally Posted by RocketDog

Some pics of the P-51 pilot bailing out here: http://forum.keypublishing.com/showt...=110391&page=3 (scroll down a bit)

It looks like the Skyraider wing hit the underside of the fuselage between the wing and tailplane (nearer the wing) and put a huge dent in it, perhaps damaging the control runs to the elevator and rudder. The BBC video shows the P-51 being almost knocked out of control by the force of the impact. The pilot's parachute deployed with only seconds to spare.

Combining the damage in this post with the "cut" in the fuselage:

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showp...0&postcount=77

With this drawing showing the control cables:

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showp...&postcount=174

I would say there is a big risk he lost the control cables... Bad luck as the damage to the airframe was not that bad otherwise? At the other hand, when managing to bale out at that altitude it feels a bit picky to talk about bad luck... Impressive to make that decision so fast and manage to get out in a few seconds.

Further speculation (would not speculate if someone got hurt!)...

Looking at the high res Youtube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qME7VefLxFw

there is something weird with how flat the P-51 breaks away compared to the Skyraider and the other P51? Could he have gotten some engine problem that made a steep turn impossible? I guess the Skyraider pilot was confused that he could not see the P-51 while baking away hard - as the P51 had almost stopped turning at that point and went rather straight out after turning 60-70 degrees? May be fooled by the angle though...