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<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
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Gentlemen:
I have read some comments regarding the accident which took Tony Durrizzi
from us and I would like to thank Brent for some very valuable insights
which I will forward to the NTSB/FAA as I too think this fuel capacity/usable
fuel issue may be a real possability as being a cause and should be looked
into.
I note that there have been some critical comments regarding mentioning the
plane that crashed was partly built by John Kerner and that he and Tony
worked on trying to solve a fuel capacity problem similar to what Brent just
mentioned. This was stated so that (i) it would be very clear that this was
NOT the plane Tony built and (ii) that this WAS the same plane which I had
been reporting problems with to this forum and Tony was, in his capacity as a
professional test pilot, helping to sort out. The thought was that the
expertise available through this forum could contribute to the investigation
by pointing out areas which are worthy of further examination.
As a matter of clarification the aircraft was started by Pat O'Brien who went
out of business and was completed by John Kerner who took it through first
flight and stayed involved thru pressurization and de- bugging the fuel
capacity problems mentioned earlier on this forum. The aircraft was
registered by Rod Schultz who was one of John Kerners employees and worked
under his supervision on the aircraft.
Furthermore, I was notified yesterday by NTSB Operations SW that a new
investigator had been assigned. This new investigator was the person who
investigated the crash of the Lancair which had the modified fuel system with
left-right-both positions as well as the Lancair that crashed into the
hillside in IMC conditions near SFO. Both these planes were built either in
whole or in part by John Kerner and now with 424E it makes three planes he
has been involved with which have crashed resulting in death in two of the
incidents and serious injuries in one of them. This represents a high
percentage of all Lancair IVP accidents which I am told is somewhere between
5 and 7 crashes total.
It has also been noticed by the investigators that in the two fatal accidents
the pilots were ATP's with thousands of hours yet the accidents were caused
by what appeared as very basic problems such as fuel starvation and being
unable to control the aircraft in IMC conditions. I gather it is very hard
for the professional investigators to believe that someone like a
professional airline pilot would fall victim to either and they are looking
for patterns which could connect the incidents. While there may be no
"smoking gun" they are interested in how this statistical improbability has
occurred.
For the record John Kerners building practices were NOT specifically cited by
The NTSB as the primary cause of the accident in either or the previous two
crashes and no report has come out on 424E. No one should conclude that
John has any fault whatsoever and it may well just be a coincidence. I
personally found John to be very honest and hard working and I know from
speaking to him he is taking this loss very hard.
But if any of you think the name of who built this plane or any other details
on the incident should be hidden until the official report comes out, I would
suggest to you that you accompany me to the salvage yard in Phoenix and SEE
the wreckage, SIT in the mangled cockpit and IMAGINE what a horrible final
ride it must have been. Then and then only can you really be in a position
to comment.
If you still think factual information should be witheld until the official
report is published, I will pay for your ticket.
Regards,
Dave Riggs
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LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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