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Probe: Pilot died after repairing kitset plane with duct tape
AFP via Monsters & Critics ^ | May 06, 2007

Posted on 05/05/2007 6:01:23 PM PDT by jdm

Wellington - An official investigation found that the crash that killed crack New Zealand pilot John Borman, 60, occurred after he tried to repair his kitset amphibious plane with duct tape, it was reported on Sunday.

Borman, who had represented New Zealand in formation flying competitions, died in 2005 when he crashed into Lake Taupo as he tried to take off after makeshift repairs to the plane, which he built himself.

The aircraft had first been damaged when it hit the wake of a boat in a previous take-off attempt, according to an official report on the accident, published in the Herald on Sunday.

'After that damage, the aircraft was technically and legally unserviceable,' Civil Aviation Authority inspector Tom McCready said in his official report on the accident.

He said that Borman, whose wife survived the crash, patched up the damage to the nose of his high-performance Seawind plane with duct tape and a danger sign from a nearby construction site.

McCready said Borman may have developed a mindset known in the aviation industry as 'get-home-itis', adding, 'This is a situation in which normally conservative and capable engineers and pilots bend to the pressure of getting the aircraft home and make uncharacteristic decisions.'


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: constructionsite; dangersign; ducttape; pilot
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He said that Borman, whose wife survived the crash, patched up the damage to the nose of his high-performance Seawind plane with duct tape and a danger sign from a nearby construction site.
1 posted on 05/05/2007 6:01:27 PM PDT by jdm
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To: martin_fierro; Petronski; cyborg; Charles Henrickson

Can’t-make-this-stuff-up ping!!!!


2 posted on 05/05/2007 6:02:18 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm

outstanding. One of the Walton boys (Wal-Mart) did basically the same thing.


3 posted on 05/05/2007 6:07:21 PM PDT by txroadkill ( http://iraqstar.org)
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To: jdm; Aeronaut

ping


4 posted on 05/05/2007 6:08:27 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Just say no to Brady Bunch Republicans.)
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To: txroadkill
But did he use a "danger sign" from a nearby construction site for the "repair" as well?

Didn't think so!

5 posted on 05/05/2007 6:09:32 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm; Aeronaut; Tijeras_Slim

John and the missus in pre-duct tape days.

6 posted on 05/05/2007 6:12:21 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: jdm

you got me there, your dead guy is dumber than my dead guy.


7 posted on 05/05/2007 6:13:03 PM PDT by txroadkill ( http://iraqstar.org)
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To: jdm
'get-home-itis'

Not a disorder! And probably genetic.

8 posted on 05/05/2007 6:14:20 PM PDT by JoeSixPack1
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To: martin_fierro
Is that a LaBatt Blue in his hand? :O)
9 posted on 05/05/2007 6:18:20 PM PDT by jdm
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To: jdm

BUMP!


10 posted on 05/05/2007 7:02:23 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: jdm

Handyman's best friend.

Usually.

11 posted on 05/05/2007 7:07:53 PM PDT by JennysCool ("The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." -Mencken)
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To: paddles

just shaking head ping


12 posted on 05/05/2007 7:16:59 PM PDT by RDTF (R.I.P. Blue Angel LCDR Kevin Davis)
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To: RDTF

Maybe it was a “hold my beer and watch this” situations!
By the way, 3M has came up with a new CLEAR tape they are calling “duct” tape. Marketing as stronger than the grey stuff. (readers digest add)


13 posted on 05/05/2007 7:47:35 PM PDT by 9422WMR ("This will make parents, students, faculty and visitors FEEL SAFE on our campus")
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To: RDTF

Maybe it was a “hold my beer and watch this” situations!
By the way, 3M has came up with a new CLEAR tape they are calling “duct” tape. Marketing as stronger than the grey stuff. (readers digest ad)


14 posted on 05/05/2007 7:48:28 PM PDT by 9422WMR ("This will make parents, students, faculty and visitors FEEL SAFE on our campus")
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To: jdm

The duct take alone probably would have worked...it was the construction sign that was his mistake.

/s


15 posted on 05/05/2007 7:50:27 PM PDT by bannie
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To: jdm

The unanswered question in this article (there always is one) is; did the plane ever get airborne before it crashed?


16 posted on 05/05/2007 8:02:29 PM PDT by Pontiac (Patriotism is the natural consequence of having a free mind in a free society.)
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To: jdm; Slings and Arrows

Well, they used duct tape to help the astronauts on Apollo 13 make it back to earth. I thought duct tape could do everything.


17 posted on 05/05/2007 8:42:10 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: jdm

Darwin Award?


18 posted on 05/05/2007 8:42:56 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: metmom
I thought duct tape could do everything.

There was a report a few years back that duct tape was reasonably effective at repairing everything but duct work.

19 posted on 05/05/2007 8:45:13 PM PDT by JCEccles (“Politics ain’t beanbag” Finley Peter Dunne)
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To: jdm

I’m no aircraft engineer, but this looks to me like a repair that requires drywall screws rather than duct tape.


20 posted on 05/05/2007 8:48:49 PM PDT by Redcloak (The 2nd Amendment isn't about sporting goods.)
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