Hangar collapse.

Joined: Sep 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 208
From: Toronto
Flat roofs are especially vulnerable. A number of Ontario glider clubs use culvert sections for the roof so heavy snow will slide off.
It's not so much the snow itself as that any subsequent rain will be absorbed and add to the weight
Get up on those roofs and start shoveling.
It's not so much the snow itself as that any subsequent rain will be absorbed and add to the weight

Get up on those roofs and start shoveling.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Midlands, England
I seem to remember a similar collapse last year in the US, I think, searched but can't find anything.
Anyone got a link ?
Cheers
Found it !!
http://www.pprune.org/biz-jets-ag-fl...nger-roof.html
Anyone got a link ?
Cheers

Found it !!

http://www.pprune.org/biz-jets-ag-fl...nger-roof.html
Last edited by coldair; 2nd December 2010 at 21:03.

Joined: Sep 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 208
From: Toronto
There was a hangar collapse last year in upstate New York. If you are not flying a plane for whatever reason, it's a mistake to completely drop insurance; you do want to maintain Ground Risk cover.
Something to keep in mind if you're about to buy a plane and keep it in storage until the flying season, or need time to arrange transport.
Something to keep in mind if you're about to buy a plane and keep it in storage until the flying season, or need time to arrange transport.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 120
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From: purley
Yes, also does anyone remember the hangar collapse at Headcorn in Jan 1990, after the aircraft outside had been blown over in Oct 1987, many people thought maybe inside a hangar was safer.
I am now getting worried about our hangar at Biggin Hill - the green one
between Falcon and Baldyne --- anyone got any news about Biggin Hill ??
Normally my RV6 is in the middle and gets wet from the drips from the ridge top that has air gaps ?? Probably the weakest part will be the clear panels
which are half way down the pitch of the roof.

I am now getting worried about our hangar at Biggin Hill - the green one
between Falcon and Baldyne --- anyone got any news about Biggin Hill ??
Normally my RV6 is in the middle and gets wet from the drips from the ridge top that has air gaps ?? Probably the weakest part will be the clear panels
which are half way down the pitch of the roof.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,479
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From: Surrey Hills
Wouldn't cost more than a few litres of petrol
Surprised flat roofed hangars don't have a suitable wooden or metal pit prop to be centrally set up during snowy weather and tied off so it can't fall on any aircraft.

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 59
From: At home
Fabric Bessonneau hangars had snow poles which are lowered between October and March to support the roof at part span. They didn't save our one at Odiham last winter though (fortunately empty at the time), as for some daft reason they were not attached to the nodes (joining points of structural members) but part way between them. The principle is sound though.
Some sort of snow pole to support the middle on these low roofed, wide span hangars has got to be the answer, Making the unsupported structure sufficiently strong for four feet of snow could be prohibitively expensive . It could be a fixed piece which hangs down from the roof to 'top of door' height, then a removable piece to fill the gap once the toys are in place. A few things they would need to take into account:

Some sort of snow pole to support the middle on these low roofed, wide span hangars has got to be the answer, Making the unsupported structure sufficiently strong for four feet of snow could be prohibitively expensive . It could be a fixed piece which hangs down from the roof to 'top of door' height, then a removable piece to fill the gap once the toys are in place. A few things they would need to take into account:
- Snow poles would have to be light enough to be man handled into position and removed, whilst having enough compressive strength to do their job.
- The floor beneath the base of the snow pole would have to be strong enough to take the point load imposed
- Aircraft would need to be positioned to allow room to install the snow poles without risk of damage. Its no good waiting until snow is forecast as the manpower may not be available to move aircraft around to make room.

Last edited by Mechta; 4th December 2010 at 18:08.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 165
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From: Yorkshire

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 59
From: At home
...and internal shots of the collapsed roof here:
BMAA Forum
Heartbreaking photos. A big setback for flyers in that part of the world, particularly if anyone had aircraft being restored etc. and wasn't insured at the time.
It makes one wonder how many other UK hangars came within a few snowflakes of a similar fate?
BMAA Forum
Heartbreaking photos. A big setback for flyers in that part of the world, particularly if anyone had aircraft being restored etc. and wasn't insured at the time.
It makes one wonder how many other UK hangars came within a few snowflakes of a similar fate?




A big help on a portal framed building is an adjustable cable between the eves on each portal to stop any spread under load.
