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Re: Spitfire XVI SL721 Accident press cutting wanted please

Posted by Neil Medcalf on Sun Aug 11, 2002 08:01:47 PM

In reply top Re: Spitfire XVI SL721 Accident press cutting wanted please posted by PeterA on Sun Aug 11, 2002 01:53:12 PM



Peter this is what I have on it. Via Herman DeRidder of SIW-

I just cut and pasted this so I hope it works! I'll send it direct as well. Neil

**** 9/11/01 Preliminary Accident/Incident Data Record 4 ****
A. Type: I Mid Air: N Missing: N Entry date: 9/11/01
From: TRANASPORT CANADA

B. Reg. No.: 721WK M/M: STFR Desc: 1945 VICKERS SPITFIRE MARK XVI
Activity: Unknown Phase: Landing GA-A/C: General Aviation
Descr: ACFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON LANDING, OTTOWA, CANADA.
Wx: UNKN
Damage: Minor
C2. Injury Data: # Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
D. Location. City: OTTOWA, CANADA State: Country: CA
E. Event Date: 9/10/01 Time: 2144
G. Flt Handling. Dep Pt: OTTOWA, CANADA Dep Date: 9/10/01 Time:
Dest: OTTOWA, CANADA Last Radio Cont: UNKN Flt Plan: UNK
Last Clearance: UNKN WX Briefing: U
Other:


Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Rough landing for Potter
Cognos founder unhurt as Spitfire landing gear fails

By ANDREA LANTHIER, Ottawa Sun

COGNOS founder Michael Potter averted tragedy yesterday when the landing
gear on his classic WWII airplane failed, sending his Spitfire into a
dramatic skid across an airport runway.

"It was a good flight but then when I landed the gear collapsed beneath me,"
said Potter, who was enjoying a leisurely flight over the city before the
rough landing.

After successfully easing his plane onto Runway 25 at Ottawa's
Macdonald-Cartier airport, the landing gear folded back into the body of the
aircraft, sending it into a spark-filled skid.

"It's actually surprising how easy it was, it skidded and landed on its
belly," he said. "There's certain things you can do when something like this
happens, like shut off the electronics and the fuel, but that's it."

The bumpy landing snapped the ends off the four blades of the propeller,
scratched the undercarriage of the sky blue plane and damaged its landing
gear.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene but were unnecessary. There was
no fire nor fuel leaked. Potter walked away slightly shaken but unhurt.

Airport traffic was rerouted for two hours as crews cleared the scene and
cleaned the runway from debris.

NAV Canada spokesman Louis Garneau said the airport rarely sees such
incidents.

"In Ottawa, I can't recall the last time this happened. It's a rare
occurrence," he said.

A Transportation Safety Board representative was to arrive from Toronto this
morning to investigate the incident. The plane will be examined for
mechanical problems, a spokesman said last night.

Potter, who has been flying for more than 30 years, is known in the Ottawa
area for his unique collection of classic planes. His Spitfire is a
favourite among the four he often flies in local airshows. The classic is
one of only 50 in the world and was made in 1945 just after the war.

This isn't the first time the Spitfire has caused problems for the former
head of Cognos. The plane had engine difficulties two months ago, when
Potter made an emergency landing in Gatineau.

"With older airplanes, you can have problems," he said last night, adding he
plans to return to the skies soon. "I wouldn't hesitate."

The crash is an unwelcome addition to Potter's troubles. He is in the midst
of an expensive divorce with wife Alana Kainz, who is demanding a lump sum
payment of $15 million and monthly payments of $300,000.

"It's been a bad day," he said, later adding, "I need a beer."

Arguably one of the most famous and remarkable airplanes to fly in World War
II -- and one of the most effective fighters of its time -- the Spitfire
became the stuff of legends.

Designed and crafted by the British, the sleek and graceful plane has been
credited with deciding the outcome of the Battle of Britain and changing the
course of World War II.

Easily recognized by its sleek design and unique, thin, oval wings, about
22,500 Spitfires flew in World War II and afterwards.

Some Spitfires, like Potter's, have been lovingly refurbished and
rehabilitated by classic aircraft lovers and still fly today.

Herman de Ridder
Spitfire Information Worldwide
www.xs4all.nl/~amureau



: I tried all means possible to me at that time to acquire a
: press cutting and pic of this incident for my records. Ma
: y I ask please if you could give me details of your cuttin
: g so that I might back track to the photos. Regards PeterA
:

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