Video from inside the cockpit of plane crash

[First Lady]

Did a couple searches and don't think this has been posted yet.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

There are two videos, one is without sound from within the cockpit and the other is the news report where Nathan (pilot) explains what's happening in video.

I'm very glad they are both escape with only cuts and bruises..

....Especially since I have poker game scheduled with Nathan this weekend .... j/k

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Lucky SOB...I'd be careful playing poker against him...either that or he has used up all his luck.

[Beerfest]

Wow, good to hear they both are alright!

[Bigtime]

I know the reports say that he "abandoned takeoff", but am I the only one that sees that is not likely the case?

Density altitude definitely played a role in this accident, and it sure looked like he ate up a huge amount of runway before finally getting airborne (and maybe only into ground effect and no more). In the video he narrates he says he established a "positive rate of climb" but it looks to me like that plane is not gaining anymore altitude than just after liftoff.

I can't see any evidence of the "downdraft" the pilot made reference to in earlier reports, in fact if that was the case I was expecting to see them pass over a nice big black field that could have caused that scenario, but nothing materialized.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I know the reports say that he "abandoned takeoff", but am I the only one that sees that is not likely the case?

Density altitude definitely played a role in this accident, and it sure looked like he ate up a huge amount of runway before finally getting airborne (and maybe only into ground effect and no more). In the video he narrates he says he established a "positive rate of climb" but it looks to me like that plane is not gaining anymore altitude than just after liftoff.

I can't see any evidence of the "downdraft" the pilot made reference to in earlier reports, in fact if that was the case I was expecting to see them pass over a nice big black field that could have caused that scenario, but nothing materialized.

That's totally what I was thinking.

[Bigtime]

Ok, I hate to be "that guy" that appears to rush to judgement and armchair quarterbacking. So glad I'm not the only one!

He did do an impressive job hopping the plane over that road, but something tells me if he did a density altitude calculation and checked his performance charts he wouldn't have needed to do any of that. Because he wouldn't have attempted to takeoff in the first place.

[Bigtime]

Preliminary report of what happened:

A11W0107: After the private Murphy Renegade Spirit, C-IGPG, took off from a farm strip west of Balzac, AB and climbed to 75 feet, it settled back, and would not climb under full power. The aircraft flew under a power line, over a road embankment, and landed heavily in a field. The landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft overturned. The two occupants, who were wearing four point harnesses, sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged.

Yup, definitely sounds like a density altitude and performance issue and nothing to do with a "downdraft". Pilot error all the way on this one.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I know the reports say that he "abandoned takeoff", but am I the only one that sees that is not likely the case?

Density altitude definitely played a role in this accident, and it sure looked like he ate up a huge amount of runway before finally getting airborne (and maybe only into ground effect and no more). In the video he narrates he says he established a "positive rate of climb" but it looks to me like that plane is not gaining anymore altitude than just after liftoff.

I can't see any evidence of the "downdraft" the pilot made reference to in earlier reports, in fact if that was the case I was expecting to see them pass over a nice big black field that could have caused that scenario, but nothing materialized.

Bolded portions forbid you from making any further judgement!

Black fields tend to produce thermals (strong updrafts) not downdrafts. Most downdrafts are caused by terrain (mountains, buildings) or microburst (cumulonimbus)

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Preliminary report of what happened:



Yup, definitely sounds like a density altitude and performance issue and nothing to do with a "downdraft". Pilot error all the way on this one.

Ok now you are just trolling. This thing is a piston powered ultra-light, there are numerous factors that could result in the lawnmower engine not producing spec performance, one of hundreds if not thousands of possibilities is pilot error. Armchair crash investigators are the worst, might have to pay a visit to the gear grinding thread.

Had a similar argument following the F-18 crash in Lethbridge where someone was certain that it was pilot/control input error. That turned out to be a mechanical issue and the pilot was found to be without fault.

[Bigtime]

So let say his engine wasn't performing to spec, why continue the takeoff then? Can you seriously look at that video and claim that the aircraft went any higher than ground effect? Would you continue a takeoff after a roll that long? Did he have a takeoff briefing in which he goes over all his options for failures that can occur during the phases of the takeoff (including inability to climb out of ground effect?).

Maybe I'm wrong on the black field part (probably confused it with a body of water that takes in heat during the day and then releases it later), excuse my knowledge as I haven't been reading up on that stuff for about 6 years or so.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

So let say his engine wasn't performing to spec, why continue the takeoff then? Can you seriously look at that video and claim that the aircraft went any higher than ground effect? Would you continue a takeoff after a roll that long? Did he have a takeoff briefing in which he goes over all his options for failures that can occur during the phases of the takeoff (including inability to climb out of ground effect?).

Maybe I'm wrong on the black field part (probably confused it with a body of water that takes in heat during the day and then releases it later), excuse my knowledge as I haven't been reading up on that stuff for about 6 years or so.

Yes 75ft is well above any ground effect cushion. The aircraft is low-performance, a long take off roll is likely the norm in high temperatures. The angle generated by the cockpit video is quite misleading granted it never looks like they achieve 75 feet but according to the release they reached that before encountering what they describe as a downdraft.

I would suspect during the takeoff roll/rotation everything performed normally or you are right he would/should have aborted.

I wouldn't pilot a lawnmover powered aircraft so your question about the takeoff roll isn't applicable. As stated above a long take off roll (by your estimation) is likely normal for this flying chevette with two grown men in it.