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Marv here is really what happened.  I don't know if you want to post it
from me for others have probably sent you the same info. Anyway this info
should be put out to the builders for it has a lesson that will say to anyone that flies to keep your common sense about you when in a plane . Go around! and get some type of stall device indicator for the plane.  I prefer the A.O.A. of Jim Frantz's and I believe that if is imperative that us older pilots have this info in front of us.  I almost lost a friend from not having a stall device onboard.  What is your life worth, not to mention others in the plane as well as people on the ground.  .

Bill Maddox


-----Original Message-----
From: N934td@cs.com <N934td@cs.com>
To: brakes1@bentonrea.com <brakes1@bentonrea.com>
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 8:56 AM
Subject: Fwd: Moraine accident


Return-Path: <dmerrill@SWN.com>

Tony, here is the account.  I leave it to your judgement for posting on
AVSIG. Glad to hear they are going to be ok.

Dick Merrill
Houston



Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 12:55 AM
   Subject: Crash of Lancair at Moraine, i73


   > Hi folks;
   >
   > I witnessed the downside of flying this morning.  A LancAir hit a dike
   that surrounds the runway and crashed.  The craft hit the runway very hard.
   The bottom of the fuselage was crushed and the sideview profile was
   significantly reduced in size.
   >
   > Those of us that saw what happened ran towards the crash site.  I would
   guess it took close to a minute to get there.  As I ran, I didn't see anyone
   exiting the plane.  The pilots door was open but no one was getting out!
   Naturally, I was concerned about FIRE.
   >
   > As I approached the plane, it burst into flames.  The plane hit the
    ground
   so hard that it burst the fuel lines.  The craft was gushing fuel as it slid
   to a stop.  The entire fuselage was engulfed in flame immediately.  I was
   horrified at the thought of watching people die by fire.
   >
   > I think the occupants were stunned by the impact and the fire must have
   revived them because the pilot leap from his door, over the wing, and to
   safety.  His head was ablaze.  I concentrated on the 18 year grandson that
   kicked out the windshield and came out over the cowling.  He couldn't see
   where he was jumping because of the wall of fire that surround the plane and
   fell off the cowling into the pool of burning fuel.
   >
   > Several of us pulled him to safety and, with his help, rolled him on
    the
   ground.  The fire, particularly on his feet, wouldn't go out.  The fuel had
   soaked his shoes and socks and they acted as a torch.
   >
   > We had moved the grandpa and grandson about 20 feet when the wing tanks
   exploded.  The concussion almost knocked all of us off our feet.  It was
   like a nightmare with the huge fireball and chunks of burning wreckage
   flying everywhere.
   >
   > We all were very lucky because no one was hurt in that blast.  I would
   like to say that I have never witnessed an explosion such as this from a
   fuel tank.  Never get near a burning aircraft where the tanks may be
   involved.  It's so much more powerful than you can imagine.  The blast was
   felt blocks away.
   >
   > The young man commented on his escape as an awesome experience.  He was
   alive.  He wasn't going to burn to death.  Later, the shock wore off and he
   was in pain and shook uncontrollably.  All we could do was comfort and try
   to keep him calm.  I heard that the ankles of the victims were broken from
   the impact with the runway.
   >
   > The older gentlemen said he stalled on approach.  Had he stalled just a
   fraction of a second sooner, they would hit the outside of the dike headon.
   A little later, the nose and wing would have dropped and they would have
   cartwheeled down the runway.  In both case, survival would have been
   doubtful.
   >
   > The grandfather and grandson came to the flyin from the state of
   Washington.  I don't have names or a tailnumber.  There is nothing left of
   the plane.  I pray that they all make it and that they are not family
   members of those of you reading this.  I pray that I can put the vision of
   this mornings accident out of my mind.
   >
   > I hope I never see anything like that again.  It doesn't dampen my
    desire
   to fly but my wife said she won't fly with me anymore. (not sure that's all
   bad)
   >
   > If you hit hard, don't delay on exiting the craft.  A second in time
    can
   the difference between life and death.
   >
   > Best Regards,
   > Allen
   > N2999C
   >

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.

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