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Monday evening July 7 a air burst or Line Squall flipped my 701 over,it was tied down
The line squall hit about 9:30pm last Monday evening. It ripped the struts from the wings along with the brackets
riveted to the wings. the plane landed on the cabin are breaking the windshield and bent the frame. The fusalage buckeled where it is attatched the cabin frame.The rudder is crushed and the brackets holding horz stab are bent..Funny thing the tailropes held withe eyebolt i replaced the 90'' alluminum.. The wings are crushed on the pass side and part of the skin on the pilot rivets failed.. Much more..thanks for listening.
Ron
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Comment by RANDY L HALLOCK on July 24, 2014 at 11:41pm
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I hurt for you Ron, things can change in a second and things can get better, good luck.
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Comment by James R Depfer Sr. on July 20, 2014 at 8:27pm
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I forgot to mention that in planes I previously rented they always put a bungee around the stick to the brake pedals. I've been doing that too. It apparently didn't help in my situation.
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What Rick George describes is exactly what happened to me recently. My plane was tied down on the asphalt, and the airport people came in one windy morning and my tail was touching the ground. No damage at all. The airport people put it upright and put wheel chocks on the mains. I had chocks in the plane but hadn't even thought of using them. I too wish I had a nose tie down. I asked the airport people if maybe I should turn my plane around and tie down the nose wheel, but they didn't advise doing that due to normal wind direction at that airport.
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Comment by Ron Cola on July 17, 2014 at 10:08am
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Sorry to hear that James,its a tragedy.Seems like part of your life is missing...We have had many line squalls here at LostNation airport but this one must have been the worst ever.
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Comment by James Cameron on July 16, 2014 at 5:01pm
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Ron, Sorry to hear this. The same storm got my plane too (CH2000) here in Kansas City.
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Comment by Rick George on July 16, 2014 at 1:22pm
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Sorry to hear this. I have been thinking about the location of the tie down points on my 750. The wing hard points are very close (fore and aft) to the center line of the wheels. With it tied down at the tail and wings I can pull (push) the tail down, which increases the angle of attack. It appears to me that if a strong wind blows fore to aft, and if you have the elevator neutral or up, it could push the tail down and increase the angle of attack, which would create a worse condition causing more lift and pressure on the wing tie downs. It appears to me that one should tie down the nose wheel also. which would be ok in grass, but no one has nose gear tie downs on asphalt. I would like to hear others thoughts on this subject......
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Comment by John Marzulli on July 16, 2014 at 12:22pm
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My condolences. Bad things should not happen to good airplanes.
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Thankyou,all . have to take the wings off and bring it home. I dont know where to begin or if I can rebuild. I wish Zenith was closer I would like them to give me their thoughts ..I have pictures on my phone but I need to learn how to send them...(my grand kids r out of town lol)
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Comment by Bob Pustell on July 16, 2014 at 9:45am
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Ouch! Rest in peace, little airplane. May many of your parts fly again in the new, improved version. Most importantly, you are ok, Ron -- that is a far better way to loose a plane than in a flight accident that involves your body. Hollow comfort, but we all trying here to provide you with comfort. Good luck in picking up the pieces, both literally and figuratively.
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Comment by Zenith.Aero on July 16, 2014 at 9:41am
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Wow. Sorry to hear that. Let us know how we can help you rebuild...
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