He said the guy then wrapped it up into a tight
left hand turn to try to get back to the runway, but half way through the turn
he started coming almost straight down, but in a level attitude and pancaked
into the trees. It crashed into the group of small trees just off the left
side of the departure end of 24. I've been wondering why he wasn't able to
glide to a farmer's field because I know there are a lot of them around St
Elmo. Now I know why. I feel terrible, seems so senseless, but
I guess the urge to turn back and save the plane can be a powerful one.
This should have ended in an off-field landing with only bruised egos.
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Ouch, that is terrible if true. Eyewitnesses are
anything but 100% reliable. If it is true, it points up one thing. We all have
that unbelievable urge to make it back to the field.
This sounds more plausible then the notion about
one wing dropping and going past 90 degrees which sounded like a wing stall. The
wing should never stall on the canard, but the canard would and explain the
flat pancake. Then the thing is with pushers, all that stuff coming along
behind is going to smite you if you land in unforgiving terrain. I've flown UL's
(Kolbs) with engines behind and high. Currently trying to teach a parapeligic
friend to fly in an Odessey with the same arrangement.This just seems like a
killer in an accident.
Bernie, Rusty come to Slobvovia if only for a short
time!