crash at duxford today [2011]

[Zorin]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

the P-51 control and trim cables run alongside the fuselage on double sets, the point of impact was where they do run, which probably severed them.

Considering the pilot's age (64), he acted incredibly fast and managed to get out of it almost unscathed. Hats off to Rob Davies!

Why is a 64 year old allowed to fly a warbird? That would be like allowing him to drive a F1 car...

[Zorin]

Originally Posted by cheesehawk

Who would have more experience in the type? A 64 year old, or some 20 year old simmer? Also, ownership probably has a big say in who flies the aircraft.

Experience won't get you anywhere, lower reaction times and physical limitations are well known facts of age and should lead to a flight ban. Simple as that.

He should use his experience to train new pilots and not hang on it for vanity's sake. Plus, he wrote off several million dollars there... not very smart.

[Mysticpuma]

Originally Posted by Buzpilot

http://player.vimeo.com/video/26291756?

Looking at the slow speed part, the P-51 looks undammaged, Skyraider lost part of wing, but managed to land.
Did P-51 pilot panic, or was elevators uncontrollable?

Wow impressive video and I am sure of great use to ACI.....good-job someone decided to keep videoing!

Thanks for the link, cheers, MP

[kristorf]

Found this picture


hosting images

A mate who restores warbirds thinks the control cables were severed

[Bryan21cag]

wow im no ghoul lol but i too was instantly frustrated by the clips that stopped recording, only because i could not see the extent of the damage to BBD.

After watching that last vid with the slow motion I have to say That might have been the most level headed bit of piloting i have seen in a while.

Stern or the other heavy iron pilots can correct me if im wrong here as I have no experience in these types of aircraft but looks to me like A second after the collision he jetted his canopy in preparation for what he may have to do (very quick thinking), and then spent several more seconds trying to get the nose up and as far as i could tell it never responded to what ever inputs he was giving it (possibly the control cables were cut as previously discussed) and then made yet another split second decision to get the H. E. double hockey sticks out of there.

It seemed like while she still had a bit of up attitude left in her he was still working the controls trying to get a response but then when she started to go nose down and she still wasn't responding he made the call to bail.

I guess the investigation will show what it shows but that's what my untrained saw in that last video anyway

WoW i bet his first Beer that night never tasted so good

Cheers and thanks for that last video whom ever made it and posted it

[Al Schlageter]

Originally Posted by kristorf

Found this picture
A mate who restores warbirds thinks the control cables were severed

Have your mate look up where the control cables run on the P-51D. He might change his mind.