Aztec crash near Bagby 6 July'23.
The aircraft did indeed go to France, back to Ireland and then towards Bagby.
I have been told that the heater did not work on the previous flight and at least one
passenger complained of a strong smell of fumes on arrival in Ireland.
One of the four owners was not impressed with the lack of door seal.
The four owners are all involved in the racing industry.
I have been told that the heater did not work on the previous flight and at least one
passenger complained of a strong smell of fumes on arrival in Ireland.
One of the four owners was not impressed with the lack of door seal.
The four owners are all involved in the racing industry.
Either fuel fumes or maybe even CO if it was running.
I disliked those things.
The ‘66 I flew had it disabled fortunately.
With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have one but for recreational purposes not depending on transportation.
Especially at lighter weights it’s a big baby on one engine, relatively speaking.
Last edited by B2N2; 22nd Jul 2023 at 21:10.
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If it had a janitrol heater it may have been leaking.
Either fuel fumes or maybe even CO if it was running.
I disliked those things.
The ‘66 I flew had it disabled fortunately.
With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have one but for recreational purposes not depending on transportation.
Especially at lighter weights it’s a big baby on one engine, relatively speaking.
Either fuel fumes or maybe even CO if it was running.
I disliked those things.
The ‘66 I flew had it disabled fortunately.
With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have one but for recreational purposes not depending on transportation.
Especially at lighter weights it’s a big baby on one engine, relatively speaking.
There is enough evidence from the newspaper image to show the stabilator is in one piece, as is the trim tab. The control linkages are pretty simple for an Aztec, I would be looking at the control continuity, but there is no external evidence of pitch failure. To lose pitch control on the aztec is I would postulate relatively remote scenario, either trim or elevator control run is sufficient to easily fly the plane. A jam is always a possibility in any control system, even iPads and yaw pedals etc.
Recreational yes, depending on it for transportation no as it’s too limiting with weather conditions.
Get a Cheyenne or a KingAir.
If it had a janitrol heater it may have been leaking.
Either fuel fumes or maybe even CO if it was running.
I disliked those things.
The ‘66 I flew had it disabled fortunately.
With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have one but for recreational purposes not depending on transportation.
Especially at lighter weights it’s a big baby on one engine, relatively speaking.
Either fuel fumes or maybe even CO if it was running.
I disliked those things.
The ‘66 I flew had it disabled fortunately.
With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have one but for recreational purposes not depending on transportation.
Especially at lighter weights it’s a big baby on one engine, relatively speaking.
Regarding the aircraft's age I think it must probably have been one of the best maintained for its 'vintage' and I believe she featured in a 'Pilot' assessment not too long ago.
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You said “With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.” which is a statement to not buy an aircraft exclusively based on age.
If you were suggesting that an aircraft be purchased based on capability in your earlier post, it would have made sense to talk about airframe capability rather than just airframe age.
That being said, I see the pilot was in his twenties, so experience may be an issue. Perhaps he was building up experience(and enjoying doing so) toward an eventual Cheyenne or King Air aircraft.
On the 4th of April 1976 I had a runaway trim on a Aztec VH-MBU. If I remember correctly the trim cable was a nine strand affair and seven strands severed and poked through the cabin ceiling lining. The nose went down and the only way I could regain control was to lower the flaps (way outside the flap limit). With reduced power and flaps I was able to make a safe landing. The Aztec had a large nose up pitch tendency with the application of any flap up to the 'E' model. Piper then redesigned the tail plane on the 'F' model to eliminate this. If I had been in an "F' I probably wouldn't be here.
Part of the redesign of the tail plane included small horns on the leading edge and these would love to collect ice causing the control column to pump in and out. Interesting to see the accident aircraft here is an 'E'.
The janitrol heater required careful operation and would pop the circuit breaker if outside its temperamental parameters. I never liked that design.
Part of the redesign of the tail plane included small horns on the leading edge and these would love to collect ice causing the control column to pump in and out. Interesting to see the accident aircraft here is an 'E'.
The janitrol heater required careful operation and would pop the circuit breaker if outside its temperamental parameters. I never liked that design.
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Actually, I read your post extremely well. Not sure why you would suggest otherwise.
You said “With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.” which is a statement to not buy an aircraft exclusively based on age.
If you were suggesting that an aircraft be purchased based on capability in your earlier post, it would have made sense to talk about airframe capability rather than just airframe age.
That being said, I see the pilot was in his twenties, so experience may be an issue.
You said “With the owners having the disposable income for racing makes you wonder why they fly such an old airframe. Last Aztec was built in ‘78.” which is a statement to not buy an aircraft exclusively based on age.
If you were suggesting that an aircraft be purchased based on capability in your earlier post, it would have made sense to talk about airframe capability rather than just airframe age.
That being said, I see the pilot was in his twenties, so experience may be an issue.
Right….
No matter how immaculate it is maintained there will always be 50 year old components in the aircraft with 50 years of fatigue on them.
I’m fairly certain trim cables need to be replaced every 10 years or so together with rudder cables but I’m pretty sure items like the flap torque tube do not.
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No matter how immaculate it is maintained there will always be 50 year old components in the aircraft with 50 years of fatigue on them.
I’m fairly certain trim cables need to be replaced every 10 years or so together with rudder cables but I’m pretty sure items like the flap torque tube do not.
I’m fairly certain trim cables need to be replaced every 10 years or so together with rudder cables but I’m pretty sure items like the flap torque tube do not.
Aztec seems just fine to me. One just needs to operate it well within its capabilities.
Capabilities of the aircraft and of the pilot.
Any machine no matter how benign can kill if operated outside of its intended, engineered and proven envelope.
Was this aircraft turbo charged?
The C model used rajay turbochargers, and was still a straight IO-540, the D & E were excellent aircraft, and the rest were darn good.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said this week: "We have made three arrests in connection with the light aircraft crash which occurred on Thursday 06 July 2023 at Bagby Airfield near Thirsk. Sadly, a man aged in his 20s died following the incident. Three men aged 37, 55 and 68 were yesterday (Tuesday 12 September 2023) arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The men were interviewed and have since been released under investigation. The investigation is led by us at North Yorkshire Police with support from the Civil Aviation Authority."
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How very sad to see a young man die doing something he loved. I flew "JW" a lot in the 80's from Southend with Routair/Expressflight often with Alan Williams who I remember as a very friendly gentleman. The Aztec was a solid old bus of an aeroplane, but us humans operate in an alien environment up there which can bite hard no matter how good we are. I just hope the pilot was not under any pressure to fly beyond his experience or capability, thats all. Phil S.
How very sad to see a young man die doing something he loved. I flew "JW" a lot in the 80's from Southend with Routair/Expressflight often with Alan Williams who I remember as a very friendly gentleman. The Aztec was a solid old bus of an aeroplane, but us humans operate in an alien environment up there which can bite hard no matter how good we are. I just hope the pilot was not under any pressure to fly beyond his experience or capability, thats all. Phil S.
