Posted on 09/18/2019 1:24:00 PM PDT by Rebelbase
Mike Patey and his wife Chandra are uninjured after Draco, the incredible turboprop STOL plane Mike Patey made, ground looped and was destroyed. Patey was taking off in very gusty conditions at Reno Stead, with winds registering to greater than 40 knots with a big crosswind component. The plane ground-looped as it was taking off, going off the side of the runway and spinning around, catching a wing and raising a cloud of dust.
Patey in another video blamed the crash on his own mistake in attempting the takeoff in the conditions.
Our hearts go out to Mike and his family on the loss of an incredible plane. At the same time, the biggest news is that no one was hurt.
Video at link or here on youtube.
Here's a video of him after the crash accepting full responsibility for attempting to fly in sketchy conditions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfctWAoDXvs
I’ve seen a few of his videos.
He made a big deal about the arched bands of steel installed under each wingtip, claiming they’d probably save the plane in the event of a groundloop.
Looks like they didn’t work as he’d hoped.
But he didn't ground loop. He got blown over by a severe crosswind while taking off.
But he didn’t ground loop. He got blown over by a severe crosswind while taking off.
And when his right wingtip hit, he groublooped, then smacked the left wingtip, destroying the central spars.
Hell of an Airplane, seen it up close a few times.
Started off as a Polish PZL 104 Wilga, already a very capable short takeoff and landing plane, and he went nuts from there. Added a jet turbine, bigger gear etc, etc, adn.
Too bad. Cool plane. He should rebuild it it.
would any pilot attempt to take off in such strong crosswinds absent a life threatening emergency?
“would any pilot attempt to take off in such strong crosswinds absent a life threatening emergency?”
Overconfidence in the airplane, and your own ability. It’s called “Ego”.
Not if the pilot has any air sense.
There are old pilots and bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots.
Depends on the type airplane.
Tricycle gear, low wing,heavier...is one thing.
High wing tail dragger is something else entirely.
It wasn’t a ground loop, and Patey himself didn’t call it that.
The plane was off the ground and was caught by a wind gust when the left wing was up. Patey described it like being a kite, and having no control.
I forgot to mention runway type and condition: surface, width, all are to be considered.
A ground loop is when the wheels stay on the ground. They weren’t, the plane was off the ground. Patey doesn’t call it a ground loop, he says the plane was like a kite.
It's only a ground loop if it happens on a landing.
Here’s Patey describing the accident; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfctWAoDXvs
Wonder why he didn't take off in to the wind. He knew better.
That’s got to be one of the shortest take offs I’ve ever seen.
Looked at the video again. Note the ridge to his right.
If this is where it happened there was more to it than the crosswind.
Downwind from a ridge like that, high winds do more than blow. There are all sorts of weird and wild currents.
Think of the air as being similar to water flowing over rocks and forming rapids. Much different than the same rate of flow in deep water and no rocks.
Wind over mountains or ridges acts exactly like rapids.
On a nice wide runway in flat country with the right aircraft is not the same as a really windy day in the mountains.
So there is no one answer to the “would you” question.
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