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I believe the technical term for this type of incident is...

Posted by Lynn on Thu Apr 04, 2002 09:41:56 AM

In reply top Re: KingCobra Crash at Biggin Hill - AAIB posted by Bradburger on Thu Apr 04, 2002 03:38:29 AM

He f***ed up, pure and simple. Here's the smoking gun, so to speak:

"The maximum continuous operating limits for the aircraft engine as stated on the Permit to Fly were 2,500 RPM and 40 inches manifold pressure (MP). These were also the limits used for carrying out aerobatics. The takeoff limits were 3,000 RPM and 46 inches MP. The recommended entry speed for looping and other vertical manoeuvres was 250 kt."


"...Just before pulling up into the first manoeuvre from which a loss of control resulted, the speed was 210 to 230 kt. After this manoeuvre airspeed was not again measured to be above 200 kt. Later in the display, on the crowd flypast before the final manoeuvre, the speed was measured by two separate methods at 192 kt. The engine speed was also calculated at this point from recorded sound at 2,750 RPM."

So, you need 250 kt. to pull off a vertical manouver, and you enter at 192 kt... and you're stressing the engine trying to get your momentum back, but also trying to "stick to the plan"... and you pay for it with your life.

What a shame.

Lynn

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