PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Arrow PA-28 Experienced In-Flight Break-Up
Old 14th Nov 2007, 12:19
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dublinpilot
 
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If I remember correctly the accident investigators, investigating the UK arrow accident, had to try extremely hard before they could get sufficient g forces to break the wing.

The took the cruise speed (which is above Va on an Arrow) and applied a sudden and abrupt full control deflection, but didn't get anywhere near the needed forces. So they then tried a sudden and abrupt control deflection from one extreem to the opposite, and got nowhere.

So then they tried a sudden and abrupt full control deflection in two axis, and got nowhere. Then they tried a sudden and abrupt full control deflection in two axis from one extreem to the other and got nowhere.

In the end, the only way they could break it was, a sudden and abrupt control deflection from one extreem to the other, in two axis, and then and instant full and sudden reversal back to the opposite extreme.

If you try hard enough you can break an airplane, but the Arrow is by no means an easy aircraft to break.

dp
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