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Hi group,
The "Beech Duke Crash" we are talking about
took the life someone I consider a good friend. I will not mention
his name. Many of you know the man. We have been working together
over the past several months and I learned to respect him very
much. Among other engineering projects he was in the process of
developing a 40 gal belly tank for the IVP turbine. I intended (intend) to
utilize this tank on my aircraft. I currently have a Walter 601 engine in
my shop he sent for me to use so that I could fit my cowls,
etc.so I wouldn't have to have a turbine sitting around corroding
while I complete remainder of my airframe. I felt this was way
beyond the call of duty. But he offered and he did this at no
cost. Not because he had to but because he was a man of vision who's
goal was the advancement of aviation.
He was very excited about the V8's in the
Duke. He said the cruise speed was "amazing". Much faster than the
standard Duke. He said the following in an email to me on 10/02/02
"I just got back into town, we flew the Duke with a pair of V8's to
Canada... and she goes really good." The engines utilized the
standard duke cowls. He went on to say he would have preferred to use
Walters but they would not be appropriate for this aircraft.
I am not sure if the rest of the company (mostly
family members) will be continuing this man's work. I certainly hope
so. If not I will be continuing the fuel tank project myself with the help
of some engineering consultant yet to be chosen.
I do not know the other soul on board. It
appears there has been quite a lot posted by local newspapers about him.
I personally think we should not only focus on the
cause or fault of these tragedies - although safety must be our prime
objective. We should also remember the men we have lost.
Joe Trepicone
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