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.'
Can’t-make-this-stuff-up ping!!!!
outstanding. One of the Walton boys (Wal-Mart) did basically the same thing.
ping
Didn't think so!
John and the missus in pre-duct tape days.
you got me there, your dead guy is dumber than my dead guy.
Not a disorder! And probably genetic.
BUMP!
Handyman's best friend.
Usually.
just shaking head ping
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)
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)
The duct take alone probably would have worked...it was the construction sign that was his mistake.
/s
The unanswered question in this article (there always is one) is; did the plane ever get airborne before it crashed?
Well, they used duct tape to help the astronauts on Apollo 13 make it back to earth. I thought duct tape could do everything.
Darwin Award?
There was a report a few years back that duct tape was reasonably effective at repairing everything but duct work.
I’m no aircraft engineer, but this looks to me like a repair that requires drywall screws rather than duct tape.
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