With all the latest flurry I feel the urge to report an incident that
happened recently.  Since I don't personally know of the details and what I
heard was second-hand I'll cover the highlights.  A local builder of a S-51,
after building for 9 years recently got the plane in the air.  I don't
personally know him, but as far as I could tell he had a reputation as a
competent, experienced pilot.  A hired pro took the first flight and the
owner then took over.  After a month or so of flying the plane the owner was
practicing "power-out landings."  I personally would question why one would
practice this as I expect the plane flys like a brick with gear down and no
power.  Power-off approaches, yes, but all the way to the ground?  At any
rate he apparently got slow on one of the approaches and was unable to
arrest the descent.  The resulting damage was such that I heard the plane
may not be repairable.  Did he have an AOA?  I observed the construction for
a long time and I don't remember seeing one, although it could have been
there.  I'll bet that he didn't have one as I don't see how he could have
gotten into the predicament while being aware of an AOA indication.  Serves
him right, as he should have been aware of the condition?  Wrong - we all
need all the help we can get and I wonder if we might have his absolutely
beautiful S-51 still in the air if there was an AOA on board.

Again, partly speculation as I don't know all the details.

Gary Casey