-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Ed Anderson" <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>

> Thanks for the first hand account, Gaylen
>
> Really sorry to hear about your mishap - but very glad it ended with no
> injury. Making the right decision in fractions of seconds is always to be
> commended. You clearly did - as you walked away uninjured and no innocents
> endangered. As hard as it must be to see your baby dented and crumpled,
> airplanes can be rebuilt (or new ones built).
>
> I had a somewhat similar incident happen to me about 6 years ago. Aborted
> take off due to engine problem immediately after lift off. Made the
> decision to try to set it back down on the 2200 ft runway as there was no
> suitable off-field landing area (always easier to make a decision when there
> is no ch oice). Touched down around 75 MPH 300 ft from end of runway and
> was certain I had made the wrong choice as the end of the runway hurled at
> me. Fortunately with a nose wheel up front I could apply maximum braking
> and left 300 ft of rubber on the runway before ending up 12 ft off the end
> in the grass about 60 ft short of a ravine. Fortunately only nerves and
> seat cushion damaged. The HALTECH ECU I was using at the time ended up
> failing completely one week later, fortunately during a ground run up to try
> an determine the initial problem.
>
> There is no doubt using experimental engines does add an element of risk -
> on the other hand, its not like Lycoming powered aircraft have not
> encountered similar situation a number of times.
>
> Best Regards and thanks again
>
> Ed
>
> Ed Anderson
> Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered
> Matthews, NC
> ; eanderson@carolina.rr.com
> http://www.andersonee.com
> http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW
> http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gaylen Lerohl"
> To: "Rotary motors in aircraft"
> Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:54 AM
> Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Gaylen Okay?
>
>
> >I can flesh out the accident report a bit. After a normal runup and
> >take-off roll on Runway 31 the engine failed about midfield. The airport
> >property comes to a point just SE of the end of the departure end of 31
> >with a highway on the east and another on the south side of the airport
> >fence. The prop wound down in about 2 seconds and stopped. I was too high
> >and fast to land on the remaining runway and too low to glide beyond the
> >roads off the end of t he runway. Landing straight ahead would have put me
> >on the road. Turning to the right and getting to the ground as soon as
> >possible to try to stay within the airport fence seemed my only option.
> >(Yes I know, landing straight ahead is the only acceptable procedure but
> >dumping it on the busy road would assure injuries to innocents as well as
> >myself )
> >
> > I rolled in full flaps, put the nose down and rolled about a 50 degree
> > bank. I held 70 kt to the ground pulling as much turn as I dared to avoid
> > a stall, attempted to level, touched down right wing low in two feet of
> > snow, and skidded about 125 feet to a stop 100 feet from the fence. I
> > quickly shut off the electric busses and exited the airplane. The right
> > wing is bent and the right fuel tank ruptured. The gear splayed outward
> > but was still supporting the airplane . Both fuel tank leading edge attach
> > points pulled free as Van designed them. The five point harness, pulled
> > snug, held me firmly in place. Crushing of the gear towers absorbed the
> > shock and I had no injuries.
> >
> > The airplane has flown about 80 hours and 20 hours ground running. I have
> > run diagnostics on the engine and do not know why it failed. The tanks
> > were full, I had normal fuel pressure as I began the TO roll. The pumps
> > still maintain fuel pressure. Using the diagnostic modes, there is still
> > ignition and the injectors click normally. The prop is broken so I
> > haven't attempted a start. I will not purchase the salvage to rebuild the
> > airplane. I am fortunate that there were no injuries nor property damage.
> >
> > Gaylen Lerohl
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Bulent Aliev"
> > To: "Rotary motors in aircraft"
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:35 PM
> > Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Gaylen Okay?
> >
> >
> >> NTSB Identification: CHI08CA057.
> >> The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please
> >> contact Records Management Division
> >> 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
> >> Accident occurred Sunday, December 30, 2007 in Alexandria, MN
> >> Aircraft: Lerohl RV-8, registration: N5093F
> >> Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
> >>
> >> The pilot reported that he conducted a preflight and run-up of the
> >> amateur-built experimental airplane, and he reported that it was
> >> operating normally. The airplane had climbed to 200 - 300 feet at 90
> >&g t; knots when the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to
> >> the airport property. The airplane landed hard and the main landing gear
> >> collapsed. The airplane and engine were inspected but the reason for the
> >> loss of power was not determined.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Homepage: http://www.flyrotary.com/
> > Archive and UnSub:
> > http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/flyrotary/List.html
>
>
> --
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