lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

I use a Schroth 5-point aerobatic harness (model 4-01) in my Chipmunk that has a tab at the top to release both shoulder straps without releasing the rest of the harness. After switching tanks or doing whatever the ends are simply reinserted into their slots. It’s not obvious in their catalog but is an option that can be chosen in the spec sheet used for ordering. -Bill Wade

From: PETER WILLIAMS

Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 12:08 PM

To: lml@lancaironline.net

Subject: [LML] Re: ACCIDENT INFORMATION IS USEFUL

paul

the issue was that the pilot had no restraint because he had undone the shoulder belt to reach the fuel selector
you are right in the case where you are near the panel you would be in the same danger zone;
but
the second that you sit up straight, you are protected again by the shoulder belt.

sure, if you had a Nascar type five point belt you would be better protected...but..you would have to undo the belt to reach the fuel selector, which was the issue in this situation.

someone has answered about the circumstances;

the owner know of the tank problem and the ferry pilot moved the plane to have the problem corrected. sadly, only one of the two problems was solved. and as a result not all of the fuel was available. one could argue that the repair shop should have done a fill and drain to confirm the success of the repair.

peter

To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2013 07:42:04 -0400
From: pjdmiller@gmail.com
Subject: [LML] Re: ACCIDENT INFORMATION IS USEFUL

Something doesn't make sense. I'm calibrating a new fuel probe in my Legacy and I can't do that unless I get zero fuel, add my 33g or reverse the procedure and get 33g out. How does someone calibrate a fuel gauge that shows 14g more than is inside the tank with never having drained the tank to zero.

And I don't think inertial reels are the answer in this example. No longer are they considered the best solution for high speed crashes. If you had bent over and extended the inertial reel to deal with an issue when the aircraft impacted, you might be in the same condition as not being restrained. the best solution in racing is now fixed belts of shortest length possible, with multiple points to prevent arms, head, feet and legs from flailing especially a crotch strap to prevent sliding down to the rudder pedals.

Granted, you are just relaying the article but I'm guessing there's more to this story.

Cheers,

Paul

Legacy

On 2013-06-03, at 2:25 PM, PETER WILLIAMS <peterpawaviation@hotmail.com> wrote:

fuel and the gages showed fuel available.(and we can assume that according to fuel flow and time, he perceived that he still had fuel in the tanks)

his head hit the panel

the pilot had unhooked his shoulder belt to operate the fuel selector switch mounted on the floor.