-------------- Original message from "Gaylen Lerohl" <lerohl@gctel.net>: --------------


> 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 the 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 procedur e 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 t he 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
> > 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.
> >
> >
>
>
> --
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