The genius of Neil Williams

[FleetFlyer]

Was just perusing the AAIB accident reports when I came accross this report. I recognised the type was one flown by Neil Williams at the time so had a read.

Although he was perhaps a little remiss for practicing aerobatics without a parachute (though he probably thought that his practice height meant that one would be useless anyway), he more than made up for it with an awesome display of airmanship to save his neck.

Have a read at:
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/15-1971%20G-AWAR.pdf

[Dawdler]

As a result of his superb airmanship in getting the aircaft back on the ground in the condition that he did, Another 100 aircraft were found to have similar fatigue cracking and (presumably) were rectified. This single accident could have prevented many more.

[FleetFlyer]

Indeed.
For those who haven't yet read the report, he had a spar failure in one wing that left the aircraft in an uncontrollable bank. He inverted it and the wing moved back to its normal position allowing 'normal' inverted flight. He then flew an inverted circuit and approach, and then rolled upright at the last moment before landing.

Now thats airmanship.

Damn shame he was lost ferrying that Heinkel bomber.

[Zulu Alpha]

The British Aerobatic Association National Aerobatic championship trophy is a silver Zlin in Knife edge with one wing touching the ground.

It represents Neils incident. When he rolled erect from inverted to land, he was so low that his wingtip made a groove in the ground and this is faithfully reflected in the trophy.

http://www.aerobatics.org.uk/images/Web_Sywell%202010%20(3).JPG

The man himself wrote this report
Zlin wing Structural Failure Report - Neil Williams (http://www.aerobatics.org.uk/repeats/zlin_wing_failure.htm)

[cats_five]

Had a parachute been carried I would have climbed as high as possible and used it.

Did he take to wearing a parachute after this event?

[Zulu Alpha]

I don't think the seat in the Zlin had space for one.

[bubo]

negativ, all seats in all Zlins X26 are ready to have one. either you put a cushion there or parachute - the old style one, the one you sit on....and BTW, I never saw number of 100 aircraft with similar cracks - this is rumour.

[Sir George Cayley]

Saw Neil Williams flick roll a Bucker Jungmeister at Sywell once.

So what I hear you ask?

Well it was after a deliberate bounce on landing with a landing straight after.

One of my heros.

SGC

[Dawdler]

I never saw number of 100 aircraft with similar cracks - this is rumour.Rumour? It is in the AAIB report. Are they in the business of circulating rumours?
No THIS is wrong. I have re-read the report. is states "Out of approx 100 aircraft inspected TWO were found to similar cracks" Sorry to have sent up a red herring, I am now doing one hundred lines......

If so, can we believe any report from them?

With regard to Sir George's observation, there is an eye witness account of the incident here.
Airliners.net forum: Bob Hoover -- As Much Of A Badass As Yeager? (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/military/print.main?id=96891)

About halfway down the page.

[stiknruda]

I have a couple of his books on my shelf which I revisit from time to time and generalley enjoy. There are still a few in the BAeA and CAA who knew Neil.

Aviation is still active in his family, his brother Lynn designed the Flitzer Flitzer Sportflug Verein (http://www.flitzerbiplane.com/)



Stik

[David Roberts]

And his son David flies gliders...and had more than his fair share of accidents which he has survived, thank goodness.

[fireflybob]

Neil Williams - one of the greats of aviation - watched many a display by him years ago in absolute awe - his book "Aerobatics" is a masterpiece on the subject.

[chevvron]

Pity he was lost in such a senseless accident.
He was ferrying back several aircraft from Spain to Blackbushe. I visted Blackbushe one day and old Reg, the FISO, ruefully told me 'I can't give out a QFE now 'cos the governor (Doug Arnold) has pinched my altimeter for Neil to use on a ferry flight'.
This was only a few days before Neil flew into a mountain in Spain; I wonder to this day what altimeter he was using.