Replica Spitfire accident at Watts Bridge 29/8/15
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Replica Spitfire accident at Watts Bridge 29/8/15
I witnessed the last half of this accident sequence; I heard the impact and saw the aircraft sliding off the runway on its belly. Fortunately the pilot was uninjured although the aircraft appeared quite badly damaged.
I was subsequently nonplussed to find that this was the lead item on Channel Nine's 6pm News; using such emotive phrases as "the aircraft plunged from the sky" and "the crowd fled in panic". Oh, come on Ch 9! Given the degree of damage (aircraft intact although much distortion/rippled skin evident) it can't possibly have "plunged" and I saw no evidence of people running away in terror - quite the opposite in fact.
Yet another example of the media getting it all wrong?
I was subsequently nonplussed to find that this was the lead item on Channel Nine's 6pm News; using such emotive phrases as "the aircraft plunged from the sky" and "the crowd fled in panic". Oh, come on Ch 9! Given the degree of damage (aircraft intact although much distortion/rippled skin evident) it can't possibly have "plunged" and I saw no evidence of people running away in terror - quite the opposite in fact.
Yet another example of the media getting it all wrong?
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Interesting video, thank you. Looking repeatedly, I think Warped Wings' and Aldee's version of events are probably correct.
It was the sound of the power being chopped that got my attention, so I only saw the events from then on. I was standing on the fenceline perhaps 30m upwind of where the aircraft came to rest (gulp).
Actually I thought the ground handlers/marshallers did a good job throughout the day, and starred here. Certainly the fire brigade were quickly in attendance.
Still can't reconcile this with the Channel Nine reporting...
It was the sound of the power being chopped that got my attention, so I only saw the events from then on. I was standing on the fenceline perhaps 30m upwind of where the aircraft came to rest (gulp).
Actually I thought the ground handlers/marshallers did a good job throughout the day, and starred here. Certainly the fire brigade were quickly in attendance.
Still can't reconcile this with the Channel Nine reporting...
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Cannot agree more re possible cause.
A few bits of info regarding the Spitfire replica from a VERY reliable source.
The owner only had it 2 or 3 weeks, but was expierienced.
There is no true dual control trainer, as there is a weight C of G problem with pax in back seat, above a certain weight.
The aircraft has a nasty envelope corner regarding stall/ spin, which needs to be respected, as with Gympie accident in same type....think it was a base to final stall/spin.
And since this is a rumour network, there is a rumor, not confirmed, that the airframe type cannot be insured, but obviously there would be a pax/ground liability available.
Shame it happened, as the replica looked good , but nobody was seriosly hurt , the pilot was home that night, and the " men in orange jackets" did a great job after the incident.
Looked like PB leading the charge.
A few bits of info regarding the Spitfire replica from a VERY reliable source.
The owner only had it 2 or 3 weeks, but was expierienced.
There is no true dual control trainer, as there is a weight C of G problem with pax in back seat, above a certain weight.
The aircraft has a nasty envelope corner regarding stall/ spin, which needs to be respected, as with Gympie accident in same type....think it was a base to final stall/spin.
And since this is a rumour network, there is a rumor, not confirmed, that the airframe type cannot be insured, but obviously there would be a pax/ground liability available.
Shame it happened, as the replica looked good , but nobody was seriosly hurt , the pilot was home that night, and the " men in orange jackets" did a great job after the incident.
Looked like PB leading the charge.
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Only posting to try to learn something.
I've watched the video over and over looking for the things people have mentioned in comments.
I won't bother tagging people....
1st comment of note, was "Looks to have pitched up quite aggressively & dropped a wing"
Appears to me the aircraft has actually become airborne in the 3 point attitude, and then dropped the wing. I just can't see a pitch up, which would validate a stall spin.
2nd Comment " Looking at the video it looks like asymmetric flaps has been the issue here."
From the video, there is ZERO evidence to support this, other than the aircraft's behaviour once becoming airborne. Even the replica use the original split type flap which from the angles in the video makes then invisible, until the final few seconds when the aircraft comes to final rest, and no flaps are down. yes it may have been torn off.
On a positive, the pilot can come in here and tell us what happened. Kudo's to him, he realised it was going pear shaped and opted out.
I've watched the video over and over looking for the things people have mentioned in comments.
I won't bother tagging people....
1st comment of note, was "Looks to have pitched up quite aggressively & dropped a wing"
Appears to me the aircraft has actually become airborne in the 3 point attitude, and then dropped the wing. I just can't see a pitch up, which would validate a stall spin.
2nd Comment " Looking at the video it looks like asymmetric flaps has been the issue here."
From the video, there is ZERO evidence to support this, other than the aircraft's behaviour once becoming airborne. Even the replica use the original split type flap which from the angles in the video makes then invisible, until the final few seconds when the aircraft comes to final rest, and no flaps are down. yes it may have been torn off.
On a positive, the pilot can come in here and tell us what happened. Kudo's to him, he realised it was going pear shaped and opted out.
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lift off in 3 pointer attitude, low airspeed, throw in a bit of P factor and torque effect. aircraft has un-commanded roll to the right, pilot pulls power and slides to a stop. 
Holy crap - the crowd is very lucky he cut the power when he did - I think that was a very good move. Perhaps he misread the ASI and lifted off a tad early or there was a control/trim issue for it to get airborne too soon... I assume these things normally don't take off from the "3-pointer" position?
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Apropos my earlier question, (post #9), having now seen the much clearer video posted by Pseudonymn, it appears to be a Supermarine Aircraft Mk26.
Would that be correct?
Would that be correct?
Hard to tell but it doesn't look like much left aileron unless I'm mistaken....?
Looked like he had full left aileron in pretty much as soon as it started rolling right, from what I could see - good actions with closing the throttle and pancaking it back down. As for the cause of the roll, interesting to find out what went on. It seemed like a fairly smooth affair rather than an abrupt wing drop.
Screenshots tell the story, I reckon;
Thread Starter
Top screen shot - is that RIGHT rudder input (note the position of the balance horn)?