Accident in Manila
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Accident in Manila
About 1991 while working in Manila at MIA I witnessed a fatal accident at an air show at the airport. The incident involved a Lancair being demonstrated by I believe an American who owned the company manufacturing the Lancair or components in the Philippines. The aircraft flew down the runway at about 1000 feet then about a quarter of the way round a 180 turn the nose dropped and the aircraft went absolutely vertical,did a 90deg roll then continued until it struck the ground - still vertical. The Philippine authority did not produce any accident report that I could find - they were and still are not very competent. Having held a ppl in my youth and done a little aerobatics I understand how difficult it is to hold an absolutely vertical dive,left to its own devices the aircraft will pitch up with increasing speed - it may still hit the ground but not vertically. If I was asked my opinion I would say that it was not an accident but a deliberate act. I am hoping that someone out there has some further information. I was able to examine the wreckage - it was all contained in an area about the size of a large living room with the engine buried deep in the ground.A short piece of fuselage with the stabs,elevators and rudders still attached showed that the elevators had not become detached in flight.This incident has remained in my memory all these years as I viewed the pilots remains and have some personal video. I know it is expecting much but PPRuNe has surprised me on several occasions.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Scotland
Age: 80
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Some further research of a Philippine site [I am in Manila at this time] shows the accident took place March 9 1991 and the pilots name was Robert Schaeffer - he was CEO of the company. The description of the accident given on the website is incorrect,it was not a low level run and climbing turn, it was as I stated - my video shows the altitude.
