5 RV Accidents in the last Month (April/May 2019)

[gmcjetpilot]

Pursuant to the discussion of what kind of airplane is safer in a crash, the one that absorbs the energy and doesn't transferred it to the occupants. Composite, wood, steel tube air frames tend to be very strong but also ridgid. Aluminum semi monocoque construction of Van's Aircraft tend to deform and absorb energy. However they're very small planes, and there's not a lot of extra structure to deform and absorb energy.

What I really like about Vans aircraft when I became aware of them, when the RV6 came out in the mid-80s, was the low stall speed. Low stall speed in a controled crash is going to be more survivable, and the handling characteristics of the airplane are excellent (aileron control into a stall without much adverse yaw).

Bottom line any airplane in a crash can be fatal.

During the flight test phase you do find a few little things. What I found in the following few hundred hours you started finding things that are going to crack early, rub or chafe. Once you resolve those, reinforce, reroute, modify, the plane becomes more robust or at least you know what to look for and when.

Statistically commercial airline flights are far more safe than GA. However when you look at the cause of many GA accidents involving poor pilot judgment, weather, fuel or poor skills, loss of control, failure to maintain A/S, the statistics do not apply, if you don't make those mistakes. Mechanical failures and general aviation are higher as well than commercial, but fairly low. Again that's in your control to some degree. I agree flying to Oshkosh in a brand new home built with five hours has some risks with it. At least if there's some repairs you need to make away from home base, it could be problematic.

[rocketman1988]

"...I know it any crash can be fatal I just like my odds a lot better with more protection around me and lower speed if I had an emergency..."

The perceived odds...again, an individual's risk assessment.

We had a C-172RG have a catastrophic engine failure some years ago. The pilot, a 110 hour private, did a wonderful job putting the airplane into a clear cut logging area (no place else to go). Totaled the airplane but both he and his passenger walked away. Upon recovering the aircraft and disassembling it to part it out (that's another long story; the insurance DID NOT PAY), we found a 4 inch diameter pine branch had penetrated the fuselage structure just below the pilot's seat. It stopped about 2 inches short of the lower seat cushion. In this case, the metal skin and structure probably saved the pilot's life...

[flyinhood]

" Upon recovering the aircraft and disassembling it to part it out (that's another long story; the insurance DID NOT PAY) "

Thread side note:

Can you share the cliff notes version of why the insurance didn't pay?

I was just curious. The only times I have heard of this happening was in unique cases like illegal activity or unauthorized modifications to certified airplanes.

Thx

[gmcjetpilot]

For perspective in 2018 there were 24 RV incidents and accidents. 2019 it is 8 incidents/accidents to date, including one foriegn RV. So actually we are better than last year? I guess we can't eliminate all accidents, but fly safe. (numbers are ball park)

[rocketman1988]

"...Can you share the cliff notes version of why the insurance didn't pay?..."

Yes. Long story short is that there was an exclusion buried in the policy about "catastrophic" engine failures. The policy was written on our flight school aircraft...several C-172s, the RG, and a a C-421.

The mid time engine failed due to a complete loss of oil. When the engine was manufactured, the main oil galley was drilled, the the end is threaded and plugged with a flush pipe plug on the prop side of the engine; this plug is basically supposed to be permanent and never removed, however, it came out during that flight. The oil was then pumped overboard and immediately covered the windshield. A short time later the engine seized due to lack of oil, followed by the off airport landing, which destroyed the plane. All maintenance was up to date and complete on the aircraft. I will see if I can find the pictures, and post some of them...

Point is, make sure you READ the policy COMPLETELY and understand what is and is not covered. At the time, the aircraft was valued at $55K...we got a tiny fraction of that back by parting out what was left of the aircraft...

[mciaglia]

This just came across my news feed.
Scary and sad.

Fatal mid-air collision...
(29/May/2019)
- United States of America
A private experimentally built Van's RV-4, registration N319RL, experienced a mid-air collision with another private experimentally built Van's RV-4, registration N203DD, near Green Cove Springs-Haller Airpark, Florida.

The first RV-4, N319RL, was destroyed after crashing into a wooded area, the sole pilot on board was fatally injured.

The second RV-4, N203DD, impacted open field terrain and the sole pilot on board received serious injures.

[10builder]

Originally Posted by mciaglia

This just came across my news feed.
Scary and sad.

Fatal mid-air collision...
(29/May/2019)
- United States of America
A private experimentally built Van's RV-4, registration N319RL, experienced a mid-air collision with another private experimentally built Van's RV-4, registration N203DD, near Green Cove Springs-Haller Airpark, Florida.

The first RV-4, N319RL, was destroyed after crashing into a wooded area, the sole pilot on board was fatally injured.

The second RV-4, N203DD, impacted open field terrain and the sole pilot on board received serious injures.

Details in this thread: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=171949

[Jetj01]

I?m insuring a new airplane and was shocked by the increase in premium for just 6 months ago! I?ve had my RV-4 insured now for 10 years. My last premium was lowest ever. Speaking with the insurance agent yesterday ALL insurance rates are going to increase dramatically because we HAVE had a large increase in accidents and incidents resulting in near record insurance payouts. The agent ?blamed? it on low fuel prices and the big rise in student training since airline/corporate jobs are paying better and the ?pilot shortage? increasing people desire to join the flight work force. Also more dormant/former fliers are flying again thanks to lower prices. In my case my insurance quote on a $150,000 dollar hull coverage increased $1,100 over the same quote last November 2018. The agent also said parts for our aircraft are increasing in price.

It is imperative to all us RV pilots, experimental airplane drivers, or certified planes users to be smarter and more careful out there. It does impact us all. And as you know, it takes longer for ages to decline than it does to rise. No one plans to have an accident/incident. But we call all work on being safe.

[SabreFlyr]

Originally Posted by Johnnybgoode

What exactly are you implying by your last statement? That your 500 hours - or however many you have - result in a safer operation than the professionals who man the controls of the ship on which you've CHOSEN to purchase a ticket? Just curious. The airlines have flown many more hours and haven't lost 5 birds this last month. Just saying... They're both my communities, hence my interest in each one.
Patrick

Sorry, the remark is not a reference to safety. The airlines have done an excellent job and are just about the safest way to travel. My reference was more to the whole sardine can experience/cattle car experience.

BTW/FYI, I have a little over 10k hours, mostly corporate turbine time.

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by SabreFlyr

Sorry, the remark is not a reference to safety. The airlines have done an excellent job and are just about the safest way to travel. My reference was more to the whole sardine can experience/cattle car experience.

BTW/FYI, I have a little over 10k hours, mostly corporate turbine time.

What mode of transportation is safer than the U.S. commercial carriers?