6 Seater Crash @ Geraldton..??

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Reported on 6PR this arvo, and again here......

Pilot injured in Geraldton plane crash (http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/pilot-injured-in-geraldton-plane-crash-20130918-2tzjw.html)

Just for info...Hope pilot recovers OK...

:ok:

[ParkingHell]

Was a Lancair, single pilot with serious burn injuries and conveyed to Perth tonight by RFDS, a rescuer has also suffered smoke and minor face burns is also being sent to Perth by RfDS tonight.

[Towering Q]

Most of the media outlets are reporting it as a 6 seat Cessna, (although I realise the media call all light aircraft Cessna's.)

The best shot I can find of the nose section is here....

Plane crashes at Geraldton - The West Australian (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/18994871/plane-crashes-at-geraldton/)

Appears to have occurred on the overshoot to RWY 32. With the strong westerly winds lately, that runway has been the favourite for light aircraft arriving at Geraldton.

[onetrack]

The crashed aircraft is a Lancair Legacy, VH-ALP, belonging to Gerry Gould, a prominent local businessman. Gerry is in intensive care with 70% burns.

As a 50 yr old, his prognosis would not be good, as any burns specialist would know.

Looking at the remains of the aircraft doesn't give one any real comfort as to the survivability of a composite fire.

VH-ALP was powered by a Continental IO-550-N-10.

http://legacy550.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/d8e21556c-800x533.jpg

Businessman critical after plane crash - The West Australian (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/18999443/businessman-critical-after-plane-crash/)

[onetrack]

VH-ALP was built in the U.S.A. by Robert (Bob) Lindner of Fallbrook CA, between early 2001 and early 2003. Its S/N is L2K-142. It was first registered as N995CB.

The aircraft was sold to Gerry Gould in early 2010 and the registration N995CB was cancelled on 06/11/2010.

Lancair Legacy S/N L2K-142 was first registered in Australia as VH-ALP on 12th August 2010.

Lancair Legacy N995CB - Bob Lindner (http://eaa1279.org/oldwebsite/Member%20Photos/MphBobLindner/MPBobLindner.htm)

FAA registry - Lancair Legacy S/N L2K-142 - FAA Registry - Aircraft - N-Number Inquiry (http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=995CB)

I have found no accidents/incidents on the FAA database that involve this aircraft. This is not to say there haven't been any - just that the accident/incident database contains no records involving this aircraft.

[onetrack]

I'm saddened to report that the pilot of VH-ALP, Gerry Gould, lost his fight for life from this crash, and died in Royal Perth Hospital this (Friday 20/09) morning from his severe injuries sustained in the crash.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Sad news indeed.....

Pilot dies after light plane crash in WA (http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/pilot-dies-after-light-plane-crash-in-wa-20130920-2u4on.html)

R.I.P.

[mostlytossas]

Always very sad to hear about one of our fellow pilots loosing their lives doing what we all love to do.
Does ask the question though about composite aircraft. Do they all burn in the case of fire ( there are non flammible plastics used in many industries) or is it more to do with the location of the fuel tanks, such as in the fuselage behind the cockpit that I have seen in many homebuilts etc rather than in the wings as with your average Cessna ,Piper, Beech etc?
Don't want to sound morbid about the accident but lessons need be learnt to help prevent a re occurance.:sad:

[laurabutler11]

This is the most accurate article on the crash we have seen so far. Gerry is actually my partners step dad, we were directed to this forum by someone in the industry. We just wanted to say thank you for you kind words, we know how tight the aviation industry is and were hoping to find a new angle on the whole thing.

@onetrack The photo of the legacy you posted actually shows Gerry in the passenger seat. what a beautiful photo, thank you. It must of been taken not long after it arrived.

Been a tough few days, but i have to say the professionalism of all the medical staff involved has been second to none, absolutely amazing. From start to finish we cant fault anyone involved. If he had a chance to make it, he would of. Truth is its incredible he was alive long enough to get transported to perth.

Obviously a few months before the official report comes out, but like i said so far from everything we have been told, this article is the most accurate.

Thanks again!!

Rescuers battled fire, heat to free pilot - The West Australian (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/news/19017273/rescuers-battled-fire-heat-to-free-pilot/)

[Mick.B]

Just trying to work out how the canopy opened like that. It is hinged from the front, so if it did come undone it should stay shut. Look forward to the release of the accident report. RIP :sad:

[onetrack]

Mick.B - From what one would expect is a reasonably knowledgeable witness statement (Rick Pederick's statement, as a fellow Mid West Aero Club member) - then one has to consider the possibility that the canopy broke free at its leading edge (broken hinge or hinges?).

Laura, it's always hard to know what to say when a compatriot in the aviation industry meets an untimely end. However, it's a dangerous occupation, and many a good man and woman has met an untimely fate due to circumstances beyond their control. It's obvious that Gerry was well-liked and held in high regard in the area where he operated - and I trust he left a lasting legacy. One can only hope that Gerry didn't suffer too much.

I trust the investigators can find something in the wreckage that assists in identifying the cause, and any possible problems with the design. However, I fear that the intensity of the fire may possibly defeat them in their attempts to define precisely what happened.

The photo of VH-ALP came from the following website, where there are more photos of VH-ALP.

Flying the Lancair Legacy | legacy550 (http://legacy550.wordpress.com/category/flying-the-lancair-legacy/)