Fatal Crash, Replica Mustang, Emu Gully Airstrip, Queensland
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Fatal Crash, Replica Mustang, Emu Gully Airstrip, Queensland
From ABC News
A light plane has crashed at Helidon Spa in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane.
Emergency services are on their way to the crash site.
It is unknown how many people are on board or the extent of any injuries.
The crash has caused a grass fire along Twidales Road.
Light plane crashes west of Brisbane - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Update from Courier Mail
WITNESSES have told of seeing a light plane plunge into trees and explode after apparent engine failure on take-off near Helidon today.
The male pilot, who was a plane buff and well-known in the area, is believed to have died in the crash about 9.30am today.
"My husband was riding his horse on the arena. He saw it take off,'' a nearby resident told The Courier-Mail.
"It was going off to the right a little bit then the motor just cut out and it started spluttering.
"It sounded like the motor blew up then it just went down into the trees and there was a big explosion.
"We rang triple zero straight away but it was a big explosion so I don't think whoever was flying it would have had any chance.''
The plane was a P51 Mustang replica and had crashed near the Emu Gully airstrip near Helidon, only about 20m to 30m from Whylaway Boarding Kennels.
A triple zero call about 9.35am on Saturday reported a single-engine plane had crashed at Helidon, east of Toowoomba, the Department of Community Safety says.
It is believed the pilot was the only occupant and has died in the crash.
The plane had exploded on impact.
A man aged in his 30s suffered minor burns to his legs and smoke inhalation trying to assist the pilot.
The crash sparked a large grass fire which was brought under control by 11am
Very sad
RIP
Fly Safe
R W
A light plane has crashed at Helidon Spa in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane.
Emergency services are on their way to the crash site.
It is unknown how many people are on board or the extent of any injuries.
The crash has caused a grass fire along Twidales Road.
Light plane crashes west of Brisbane - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Update from Courier Mail
WITNESSES have told of seeing a light plane plunge into trees and explode after apparent engine failure on take-off near Helidon today.
The male pilot, who was a plane buff and well-known in the area, is believed to have died in the crash about 9.30am today.
"My husband was riding his horse on the arena. He saw it take off,'' a nearby resident told The Courier-Mail.
"It was going off to the right a little bit then the motor just cut out and it started spluttering.
"It sounded like the motor blew up then it just went down into the trees and there was a big explosion.
"We rang triple zero straight away but it was a big explosion so I don't think whoever was flying it would have had any chance.''
The plane was a P51 Mustang replica and had crashed near the Emu Gully airstrip near Helidon, only about 20m to 30m from Whylaway Boarding Kennels.
A triple zero call about 9.35am on Saturday reported a single-engine plane had crashed at Helidon, east of Toowoomba, the Department of Community Safety says.
It is believed the pilot was the only occupant and has died in the crash.
The plane had exploded on impact.
A man aged in his 30s suffered minor burns to his legs and smoke inhalation trying to assist the pilot.
The crash sparked a large grass fire which was brought under control by 11am
Very sad
RIP
Fly Safe
R W
Last edited by Rotor Work; 3rd Nov 2012 at 03:44.
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Terry Kronk Mustang Replica Crashes in Lockyer Valley
Aviation community in shock after deadly crash
Sat 03 Nov 12, 22:24pm AEST
The aviation community on Queensland's Darling Downs is in shock after a second deadly crash involving a replica plane in as many months. On Saturday 52-year-old Terry Kronk, a pilot with more than 15 years experience, was killed when his light plane crashed at Helidon Spa in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane. Mr Kronk's replica mustang, which he built himself, came down seconds after taking off from the Emu Gully airstrip about 10am AEST. Witnesses rushed to the scene but were pushed back by flames. One 30-year-old man who tried to rescue the pilot suffered minor burns to his legs. The pilot was killed instantly, and is survived by his wife and two daughters. He was on his way to Toowoomba to show off his plane in an air show. Mr Kronk's friend Matt Handley says he was pro...
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ABC News Article
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Aviation community in shock after deadly crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Sat 03 Nov 12, 22:24pm AEST
The aviation community on Queensland's Darling Downs is in shock after a second deadly crash involving a replica plane in as many months. On Saturday 52-year-old Terry Kronk, a pilot with more than 15 years experience, was killed when his light plane crashed at Helidon Spa in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane. Mr Kronk's replica mustang, which he built himself, came down seconds after taking off from the Emu Gully airstrip about 10am AEST. Witnesses rushed to the scene but were pushed back by flames. One 30-year-old man who tried to rescue the pilot suffered minor burns to his legs. The pilot was killed instantly, and is survived by his wife and two daughters. He was on his way to Toowoomba to show off his plane in an air show. Mr Kronk's friend Matt Handley says he was pro...
to read the full story on your mobile please use this link
ABC News Article
to read the full story on a PC or Mac please use this link
Aviation community in shock after deadly crash - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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particularly taken with the following paras:
Queensland Police Inspector Richard Kroon says it is too early to say what caused the crash.
"Police will be conducting an investigation covering all aspects including any possible mechanical malfunction of the aircraft," he said.
PTSB?
Queensland Police Inspector Richard Kroon says it is too early to say what caused the crash.
"Police will be conducting an investigation covering all aspects including any possible mechanical malfunction of the aircraft," he said.
PTSB?
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Given the experimental nature of the aircraft they will likely be the only ones investigating, so yes, PTSB.
From the witness reports it has been told the redrive failed. Not the first time and won't be the last unfortunately. An automotive engine with a rubber drive as a gearbox doesn't cut the mustard in my books as a go anywhere reliable and safe aircraft.
From the witness reports it has been told the redrive failed. Not the first time and won't be the last unfortunately. An automotive engine with a rubber drive as a gearbox doesn't cut the mustard in my books as a go anywhere reliable and safe aircraft.
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XXX.
None taken, I should really use emoticons! (but I feel they are juvenile...)
The response was based on an old Motocross Magazine from the USA where the guy who solved mechanical issues used it in ALL his replies to readers questions:
"you really should have known"
So if it's an experimental category, there's no ATSB involvement?
What if it had a Lycoming engine? Would that still be the same procedure?
None taken, I should really use emoticons! (but I feel they are juvenile...)
The response was based on an old Motocross Magazine from the USA where the guy who solved mechanical issues used it in ALL his replies to readers questions:
"you really should have known"
So if it's an experimental category, there's no ATSB involvement?
What if it had a Lycoming engine? Would that still be the same procedure?
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There seems to be no precise formula for the involvement of the ATSB in experimental crashes and fatalities. One can assume it's to do with available resources at the time so what happens next is anyone's guess.
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after checking out some redrives and some you tube footage of the aircraft I would say that is a highly stressed drive on that powerplant.
Most redrives I have found are rated at 200hp max.
Those belts last forever on a Harley final drive but that replica absolutely hammered...
Most redrives I have found are rated at 200hp max.
Those belts last forever on a Harley final drive but that replica absolutely hammered...
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I read that it was scratch built, but was wondering if it was a commercially available kit? Hats off to anyone that could scratch build an aircraft like that from a pile of sheet metal.
The problem is that the red rive, engine and propellor may all be perfectly satisfactory on their own.........but when you put them together as a system there is the possibility of resonance even with certified aircraft.
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Sunnie,
That is true, however the most common problem with any toothed belt drive, and I have some considerable experience here using these in industrial application, is the alignment and hence belt tracking.
Unless the two shafts stay perfectly aligned the belt will track, often the pulleys have a flange either side, but I have seen many where alignment is such that the belt forces the flanges off the pulley.
I have no idea whether this is the item that caused the power loss, to the prop, but if so I would take a wild guess at tracking. Flexing of the mountings only needs to be minimal.
The concept of a few hundred HP at those RPMs is not uncommon for a Gates PolyChain or even the older HTD drive belts. The belts rarely give trouble, often in shocking conditions. But misalignment is another matter.
Who knows? Unless there was some prior history or tracking problems or otherwise, we will never know as the evidence is most likely destroyed.
RIP TK
That is true, however the most common problem with any toothed belt drive, and I have some considerable experience here using these in industrial application, is the alignment and hence belt tracking.
Unless the two shafts stay perfectly aligned the belt will track, often the pulleys have a flange either side, but I have seen many where alignment is such that the belt forces the flanges off the pulley.
I have no idea whether this is the item that caused the power loss, to the prop, but if so I would take a wild guess at tracking. Flexing of the mountings only needs to be minimal.
The concept of a few hundred HP at those RPMs is not uncommon for a Gates PolyChain or even the older HTD drive belts. The belts rarely give trouble, often in shocking conditions. But misalignment is another matter.
Who knows? Unless there was some prior history or tracking problems or otherwise, we will never know as the evidence is most likely destroyed.
RIP TK
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"It was going off to the right a little bit then the motor just cut out and it started spluttering.
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And you believe in the tooth fairy?
I may be wrong......but since when do you believe eye witness reports unless well qualified ?
Inside info so far suggests otherwise......but until I have heard otherwise, the drive train is usually the issue.
I may be wrong......but since when do you believe eye witness reports unless well qualified ?
Inside info so far suggests otherwise......but until I have heard otherwise, the drive train is usually the issue.