WIX Archives

Re: Future Warbird Ops Limits?

Posted by Jason Pence on Wed Oct 22, 2003 03:32:45 PM

In reply top Future Warbird Ops Limits? posted by Ryan Harris on Wed Oct 22, 2003 12:20:32 AM

Ryan:

According to the NTSB report, and what I was told by someone who witnessed the Wildcat accident:>>" Witnesses, who were traveling on a nearby roadway, reported observing the airplane approximately 200 feet agl on approach to Ellington Field trailing a twin-engine bomber aircraft. Several witness stated the airplane had executed a series of 360-degree steep turns to allow for spacing between the slower aircraft that were on approach to the airport. During a right turn, the airplane pitched nose up, the wings "wobbled", the airplane descend and entered a partial spin. One witness stated it appeared the airplane, approximately 50 feet agl, attempted to level off; however, then impacted the terrain in a nose down attitude. Another witness stated the propeller was turning and did not notice any problems with the airplane or engine. The witnesses did not observe any smoke or fire from the airplane prior to the impact."<<

So, what does this mean? It means that the Wildcat pilot wasn't doing low-level acro. 360 turns for spacing are done by every airplane out there as a normal part of ops. So if the "restriction" was in place prior to the Wildcat's accident, it still would have crashed.

I really am against any restrictions from governmental agencies on ops of Warbirds, since it's only a short jump from "some flight restrictions" to a wholesale grounding.

Regards

Jason





then this weekend the Wildcat to low level manuevers and it just really makes me wo
: nder.
:

NTSB Prel Report

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