VH-XXX,

Yes, well, when the general media intentionally seeks out people to say bad things after a plane crash, you can only expect that things like this will get published. Flying lawnmowers, huh? We ought to organise the Airtourer Assn to do a mass flypast of Point Lonsdale. That would freak them out!

Now more seriously. Martin gave me a lot of help with a feature article about 12 months ago, and it was greatly appreciated. Some of his views were not shared by many in the industry, including me, but people who put are prepared to put in as willingly as he was are rare. His contribution to aviation was considerable, and it will be hard to find someone to fill his shoes.

Thanks, Martin.

Walrus

I don't believe that is correct is it?
Although amateur built I don't think it classifies as an ultralight.

It can't be an ultralight at present as the stall speed is too high at a quoted approximate 49 knots, however a good mate of mine flies one and he quoted me speeds more like 65 knots stall.

Midget Mustang Specifications

I guess I ought to have said they (as in this mustang) isn't considered by the public as a proper plane but an ultralight, something very dangerous obviously to 'them'.


Wmk2

Media photos show there was no fire. Witness reports in media claim there was no smell of "petrol" at the wreckage site.

Wonder why the engine failed ?

The investigation will no doubt tell us the reason in due course.

That's a valid question & yes hopefully the invetigation will found out but lets not speculate too much here too quickly, these threads often degenerate into a slanging match about such statements then the Mod/s slam it shut.
I feel for the whole Tyabb flying community right now, confusion & utter sadness must reign.


Wmk2

The petrol thing on-site is always an interesting one. As Avgas evaporates so quickly if the tank(s) were ruptured the Avgas wouldn't last long on a hot day before evaporating. The MM has a very small fuel capacity anyway, possibly less than 2 hours total in practice. A little too soon to speculate on that given the lack of credible witnesses.

Myths to be busted:

- Aircraft don't always explode when they crash even with fuel on board
- Aircraft don't fall out of the sky when the engine stops

There are also very few electrics on the MM and if I'm not mistaken, it's cranked by hand which could explain the lack of a fire, not taking into consideration exhaust heat etc as a source of combustion.

There seems to be a perception perhaps that all aircraft carry several thousand litres of fuel.

Question - what was the soil at the crash site ? near a beach a high probability of it being sand.
Spill fuel onto dry sand - will you get a puddle ?

We have good aircraft crash investigators in this country, methinks we should let them work it out.

Unfortunately being experimentally registered, they may not look too closely. Hopefully they do.

Ultralight? If only that were true.
Experimental? If only that were true.

"Next!"