RV-6A off field in Comox/Courtenay, BC

[Snowflake]

Reported to be an attempted takeoff following a fuel starvation event.

https://www.reddit.com/r/comoxvalley/comments/1lpkzdv/plane_crash_in_comox_canada_day

Followup news story with video of the airlift out.

D'oh Canada: Plane takeoff goes very wrong on Vancouver Island beach on Canada Day

Bystanders helped push the plane across the muddy beach to shore, where it was lifted out by helicopter on Wednesday

vancouversun.com

 

[71459]

Fortunately no injuries, but get-home-itis cost him an airplane.

 

[rv6builder]

I keep my plane at Courtenay and I cannot fathom trying to take off from those mud flats, even in a cub on tundra tires. Amazing he landed safely in the first place.

 

[DeltaRomeo]

Thankful to read that the pilot wasn’t seriously injured.

 

[Snowflake]

Fortunately no injuries, but get-home-itis cost him an airplane.

Engine and nose gear at least. Prop looks undamaged, maybe he was able to shut it down. If the helicopter didn't bend anything lifting it, the airframe is probably intact.

 

[PaulvS]

Engine and nose gear at least. Prop looks undamaged, maybe he was able to shut it down. If the helicopter didn't bend anything lifting it, the airframe is probably intact.

The reddit post comments seem to suggest that the plane survived the rising tide, before it was lifted out. It's fortunate there were no casualties in the flip!

 

[Dan 57]

no casualties in the flip!

Ain't really a flip, but rather a rear up?

OTOH loved the usual, excited laughs and the highly funny, intelligent, and educating expletives of the watching crows. Not.
As to the decision to even try to take-off, maybe not the best, hindsight or not.

 

[JonJay]

When I see a post title “RV down”, I assume an accident in flight, not a take off attempt gone wrong….. no matter.
I wonder what it cost to have it “helicopter’d” out. Ouch!
Thx for posting Rob.

 

[PaulvS]

Ain't really a flip, but rather a rear up?

OTOH loved the usual, exited laughs and the highly funny, intelligent, and educating expletives of the watching crows. Lovely people really...
As to the decision to even try to take-off, maybe not the best, hindsight or not.

Yep you are right, I watched it again and it didn't actually go over. Also, the nose gear was still intact when the helicopter picked it up.

 

[Snowflake]

Yep you are right, I watched it again and it didn't actually go over. Also, the nose gear was still intact when the helicopter picked it up.

Noegear was twisted to one side, unfortunately. The leg likely needs replacing.

I was surprised to see the propellor still looks straight, like the engine stopped before it went up. I was wondering if the excursion through the puddle ingested water and stopped the engine?

 

[nickw9815]

How does one helicopter an RV6? What are the hoist points?

 

[rv6builder]

Looks like they use the prop hub or crankshaft and maybe rear spar? Or maybe just slung under the fuselage behind the wings.

 

[- Poindexter -]

How does one helicopter an RV6? What are the hoist points?

It’s actually pretty easy for most smaller planes (but will vary). Sling the front and sling the back (front & back of wing). Stable controls.
How do I know? Back in 1987, had an engine out in a Mooney (Mags failed). Landed in a field (no damage). Helicopter picked it up, flew it to the local airport, with shop, fix and in the air again. That plane is still operating today, with a happy Texas owner.

 

[rv6builder]

It’s actually pretty easy for most smaller planes (but will vary). Sling the front and sling the back. Stable controls.
How do I know? Back in 1987, had an engine out in a Mooney (Mags failed). Landed in a field (no damage). Helicopter picked it up, flew it to the local airport, with shop, fix and in the air again. That plane is still operating today, with a happy Texas owner.

I guess the point would be... where to sling it that it doesnt cause further damage to the airframe....

 

[PaulvS]

Noegear was twisted to one side, unfortunately. The leg likely needs replacing.

I was surprised to see the propellor still looks straight, like the engine stopped before it went up. I was wondering if the excursion through the puddle ingested water and stopped the engine?

Looking at photo in post #10 now the nosegear certainly needs replacing. It is a miracle and fortunate that the plane did not flip. And that the prop appears to be undamaged when it would've been turning at takeoff rpm.

 

[rv8ch]

I guess the point would be... where to sling it that it doesnt cause further damage to the airframe....

Every aircraft is different of course - I watched some guys hoist a Falco like this after a gear-up landing - lots of padding on the rear, and there was no issue. Photo looks strange as I removed some PII.