Sean Tucker Bails

[339A]

Just recevied this from a friend of mine.

http://www.aero-news.net/

Looks like he had a control stick issue, took so time to figure it out after takeoff and then bailed out over an empty field. I was looking foward to watching his routine this week at Sun N Fun.

Scott Mills
N339A

[arffguy]

****, what a shame. Thank God he survived such a failure. Sean and Wayne Handley (Raven) is/was the most interesting airshow pilots to watch in my opinion. (Whooeee!) Those two got together and invented some really wild maneuvers. I hope to see Sean in a new airplane soon. Wayne, unfortunately for airshow fans, is retired from airshow flying but still flies an Extra 300L, provides aerobatic instruction and does seminars.

[cjensen]

yeah, this is really a shame, but i'm very happy he's is fine. he is probably the best i've seen (jim leroy being a close second). they can build a new airplane...

[airtime]

When I first saw this thread I had one question - "did he hit the tail again".
The news release answered that question. "despite getting temporarily hung up on the tail"
This is not the first time Sean has encountered the tail on exit, something we have in common.

Rob H

[RV7Factory]

What a shame, but glad he is OK.

I trained at Sean's school a few years ago. It was during the off season and it was amazing to see the plane get completely rebuilt over the course of two months. It is truly an amazing aircraft. They fill the fuselage with nitrogen and Sean has a small pressure gauge in the cockpit. Any decrease in pressure means a tube/weld is cracked somewhere and its time to stop flying.

There is an in-cockpit video somewhere of Sean keeping his cool as the prop flys off a Pitts he is flying (IIRC, giving a ride to a reporter). You see the prop fly by in a puff of smoke and the passenger starts freaking out. He remained calm and put it on the ground safely.

[gmcjetpilot]

Go up to a safe altitude and with out using any pitch input, just rudder, aileron and elevator trim, try to fly your plane, NO REALLY! I wounder how it would work. I think its doable, however landing? Doubt it. Obviously that was Sean's idea. Does this mean a parachute can save your life? Yea sure that is why I wear one. Here is a more direct link:

Sean Bails from the Oracle


Also in aero-news a LSA goes down with an aviation writer due to LOW POWER from the little ROTAX. Don't let people tell you that high performance aircraft are more dangerous. Obviously the engine was not at 100% power for some reason, but when you are Rocking only minimal power you can't afford to loose any:

Light Sport Airplanes have low HP by design and Regulation. Is that good?

George

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

...Also in aero-news a LSA goes down with an aviation writer due to LOW POWER from the little ROTAX. Don't let people tell you that high performance aircraft are more dangerous. Obviously the engine was not at 100% power for some reason, but when you are Rocking only minimal power you can't afford to loose any:

Light Sport Airplanes have low HP by design and Regulation. Is that good?

When I fly an aircraft with a fixed pitch prop, my first check after applying power on the takeoff roll is to ensure I have the expected RPM. If not, I chop power and stay on the ground. From what this article said, this guy didn't do that. I think a similar problem could happen with any engine on any aircraft. I was happy to read that it seems his prognosis is good.

[339A]

Here is a link to the local news story about the crash.

http://www.ktbs.com/news/local/25748...?video=YHI&t=a

The plane is completely destroyed. Won't be flying that plane anytime soon.

Scott

[cjensen]

wow. good link, and the media wasn't too bad on that report!

[keen9a]

These are all from Oshkosh 2003-2005 (click for full size). Sure glad Sean is OK.

UPDATE: Fixed Links (I hope!)