willpeacock
Member
FYI---In flight accident see pictures at www.RV10-416EC.com
I'm curious what caused the big dent directly under the VS, just to the left of the crack in the skin.
.....
.....All damage noted caused by the door separation. Also, note the attachment point of the hinges on the door pulling out rather clean, with out retaining a hunk of the door frame. This result to me is an indication the surface area of the hinge is not large enough to with stand higher stress, but just pulling out of the door also indicates weakness in the door frame around the attachment point.
I'd be surprised if Van's is not back to the drawing board to come up with a door that can not cause an accident.
Great to see all the interest, and comments---
As you noted mike, this is my 1st posting, obviously, serious business here.
Answers to your questions:
It is my plane, had approx 300hrs AF/IO540Eng,
Inclosing doors would often seem necessary to reach back and pull the aft point while simultaneously turning lock handle.
Never found the door so can't say as to the configuration of the locking pins when door separated. However, judging from the pilots side they were either misrigged or became so with use--the locking handle always seemed deficient, not robust enough.
Door close green light indicator was on--logic indicates that the mag sensor tolerance(travel distance between on/off) might give a "green" if the pin is only partially in position, e.g. just behind the Teflon block?
Crack in front of windscreen "appears" from inspection to be the result of the hard landing, note the alternator pully dug into the cowl, that is approx 1.5" travel.
The gear springs are fine but all strut fairings separated on impact.
All damage noted caused by the door separation. Also, note the attachment point of the hinges on the door pulling out rather clean, with out retaining a hunk of the door frame. This result to me is an indication the surface area of the hinge is not large enough to with stand higher stress, but just pulling out of the door also indicates weakness in the door frame around the attachment point.
It wouldn't surprise me to see someone come out with a front hinged door modification. Sure, a front hinged door would still pop open (slightly) if not latched, but would only open a few inches and probably wouldn't depart the aircraft.
Is there some advantage offered by the top hinged door that I'm missing?
Inclosing doors would often seem necessary to reach back and pull the aft point while simultaneously turning lock handle.
Andre, where did you get the componets for your latches? Are you going to make kits? I'll take two!
Also curious about the Green Light.
I know Jesse has changed a lot of things, but if the design of the latches has been changed (not saying it has), perhaps that should be re-visited a bit. Same with the green light...wondering what that's all about...
Thanks,
Stein
Stein, I also put in green LEDs instead of the red ones-------and deleted the relays----
I have a "Push to test" button, two green "Door latched" lights, and a very simple wiring set up for this. Straight series wiring, hot lead to switch, through LEDs to reed switches (series), to ground.
Vans uses a setup where the circuit is always hot, the door switched energize a relay to open the NC contacts turning off the red light.
I just didnt like using a constant electrical flow, to turn a light off. Just aint right
In my setup, the door checking takes an active action by me, and is going to be part of my pre start check list.
I suspected a lot of interest about the doors being accident prone, but didn't think there was that many accident related incidents!
You seem to be on top of this matter Re configuration, safety. Is any one to your knowledge leading a concerted effort for a remedy(ies), other than reporting in to Van's!!! I spoke with Ken Krueger on my door and he was in one word, "nonchalant". I understand their need to be reserved on comments but this is a situation where there will be a fatality I'm afraid.
Will Peacock
I suspected a lot of interest about the doors being accident prone, but didn't think there was that many accident related incidents!
You seem to be on top of this matter Re configuration, safety. Is any one to your knowledge leading a concerted effort for a remedy(ies), other than reporting in to Van's!!! I spoke with Ken Krueger on my door and he was in one word, "nonchalant". I understand their need to be reserved on comments but this is a situation where there will be a fatality I'm afraid.
Will Peacock
Hi Will,
Were you flying the plane when this happened? Also, was there (or could there have been) any previous structural damage to the airplane prior to this door incident - from something like a hard landing?
Just so I'm clear....you're saying ALL of the damage in the pics was a direct result of this incident and no previous incidents?
Again, just curious.
Cheers,
Stein
Hi Will,
Were you flying the plane when this happened? Also, was there (or could there have been) any previous structural damage to the airplane prior to this door incident - from something like a hard landing?
Just so I'm clear....you're saying ALL of the damage in the pics was a direct result of this incident and no previous incidents?
Again, just curious.
Cheers,
Stein
The silence is deafening.....................Where's Paul Harvey when you need him?
I,ve been in the casinos at Tunica, Ms the last 3 days, had trouble getting the net out there, just got home or would have responded then. Im open to discussion of any thing on anyone's mind.
snip...Im open to discussion of any thing on anyone's mind.