RV-3 accident yesterday (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)

rockwoodrv9 · #1 03-31-2012, 07:48 PM

Has anyone seen the accident report for the accident RV 3 in Iowa? Photos of the plane look like it should have been a survivable off field landing, but it tipped over. I am not familiar enough with the RV 3 to know if there is any type of roll bar to protect the pilot.

It caused me to look over the plans for the 9a I am building to see what protection it had. It looks like a pretty substantial roll bar at the top of the windshield, but how has it performed in past tip over accidents? With the "a" model, Im sure it has been studied. I tried to search this site and there are tons of posts about the canopy and roll bar, but not much about how strong it is. NTSB has records for the 6,7,9, but trying to find out how well the roll bar performed is difficult to pull from the reports.

Does anyone building a 9a, or a 7a for that matter, have an opinion on how well we will be protected and if anyone has made the roll bar stronger? I am really not interested in the argument of a front or back wheel, just how strong the roll bar is and if it is necessary and possible to make it stronger.

Thanks for the info. This had me concerned and I would like to know if I am over thinking the issue. I just see the picture of the 3 with minimal damage and a guy that isn't going home.

Stump · #2 03-31-2012, 07:59 PM

http://www.argusleader.com/article/2...nclick_check=1

n5lp · #3 03-31-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9

...Does anyone building a 9a, or a 7a for that matter, have an opinion on how well we will be protected and if anyone has made the roll bar stronger? I am really not interested in the argument of a front or back wheel, just how strong the roll bar is and if it is necessary and possible to make it stronger...

All RVs, including the RV-1 have roll bars or strong roll-over structure and having looked at many accident reports I can't recall roll-bar strength being an issue. Even with a strong roll-bar you can end up upside down inside a canopy with no easy way out. A slider is not going to slide in this situation and a tip-up is not going to tip-up and a tip-over is not going to tip-over. If you are on your back the canopy is likely going to be broken and that makes it easier to kick your way out if you are in a condition to do that. Not perfect, but the roll-bar gives you a pretty good chance.

rockwoodrv9 · #4 03-31-2012, 08:11 PM

Larry,
Have you seen the picture of the 3?
http://www.argusleader.com/article/2...xt%7CFRONTPAGE

Is their a roll bar on the 3? It makes me wonder. Maybe it is like the Dale Earnheart accident, not much damage, but just the right trauma.

n5lp · #5 03-31-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9

Larry,
Have you seen the picture of the 3?
http://www.argusleader.com/article/2...xt%7CFRONTPAGE

There is a roll bar on the three and it appears to be intact in that photo although a poor photo can't show that for sure. An intact roll bar is not assurance of survival in a flip accident though.

Koven · #6 03-31-2012, 08:40 PM

A clearer picture of the roll bar is available here. It clearly shows the roll bar in front of the pilot was ineffective in protecting him. Please notice this RV-3 was built as a slider, so I do not know if that roll bar is designed for protection in the event of a flip, or if the structure behind the pilot is intended for protection much in the way the tip over RV-3's are built. I watched him fly the crosswind and downwind leg of the traffic pattern and was profoundly affected upon hearing the outcome. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

Joe Parish · #7 03-31-2012, 08:45 PM

The accident happened about 15 miles east of me. My understanding is the airplane made a wheel landing on a grass strip, tailwheel still up when the airplane veered sharply to one side out into a cornfield. He regained control but then the airplane flipped. My understanding is he hit his head, possibly broke his neck. This just what I have heard but cannot confirm. RIP

Koven · #8 03-31-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Parish

The accident happened about 15 miles east of me. My understanding is the airplane made a wheel landing on a grass strip, tailwheel still up when the airplane veered sharply to one side out into a cornfield. He regained control but then the airplane flipped. My understanding is he hit his head, possibly broke his neck. This just what I have heard but cannot confirm. RIP

As one of the first people on the scene, that is my understanding of the situation as well, although no one saw the accident actually occur.

rockwoodrv9 · #9 03-31-2012, 09:21 PM

My heart sank when I saw the photo and how little damage. I had heard that it was a pretty reasonable landing, then flip. Neck injuries are something I am very knowledgeable about. I have had 2 fusions and know how fragile the neck actually is.

Am I correct in that a slider has more protection from the roll bar than a tip up? I don't want to start a war here on slider or tip up. I am planning a slider because of the roll bar, but is that a reasonable assumption? I need to look at both in person. Im going to find both and take a good look.

The doctor who was in the 3 sounds like a good guy. I am so sorry for his family and wish them the best. Maybe we can learn something here to help improve the survivability of our planes as a tribute.

KatieB · #10 03-31-2012, 09:34 PM

The RV3 rollbar is an option. If it's a slider, the windshield edge is not strong enough to function as a rollbar. It's much smaller than the beefy windshield edge tube / roll structure on an RV8. If installed, the rollbar on a 3 is usually a triangular structure behind the headrest. Looks like the airplane in question has the roll bar that's specified in the plans.

Thoughts go out to the family.