Probe: Pilot died after repairing kitset plane with duct tape

AFP via Monsters & Critics ^ | May 06, 2007

[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.'

[upsdriver]

“Probe: Pilot died after repairing kitset plane with duct tape”

I read that headline and wondered how some one could die from using duct tape. Would have been better if they said he died from a plane crash after using duct tape for repairs.

[metmom]

Nothing surprises me any more.

[Kevmo]

This oughtta be an interesting thread, bump for later

[Slings and Arrows]

Duct tape, construction signs...beer HAD to be involved somehow. And maybe a pickup truck.

[RunningWolf]

Nice little plane he had. You might get away with duct tape to secure a small panel for a short time or such. I can hardly think what he was trying to do with it.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Using duct tape isn't the problem. It's how you use the duct tape....

[Robe]

I have a buddy that used to fly the Goodyear Blimp out of Houston.
They carried rolls of “Duct Tape” which they called “Hundred mile an hour” tape.
He said they hated to fly over to New Orleans ‘cause all the coon-asses would shoot at the bag, always came home with a hole or two patched with “hundredmileanhour”tape