[Mat_Helm]

The Extra 300 is designed for +/-10G flight. It has a very large stab and trim tabs designed for +/- 32 deg. of deflection. They have a 2mm design tolerance with the controls locked. I think they will look to see what failed on the Ghosts tab (bowden cable wire, hinge, linkage bolt). I would not question the use of tabs on the Mustang but would concentrate on flutter, wake turbulence from the other planes, and that interesting photo on post 100 showing skin warping and flex. Not sure if that is normal in a Mustang under normal circumstances.

[I cannot think of a name]

“but would concentrate on flutter”

One of the things that concerns me is something printed after the crash of “Ms Ashely II” due to flutter a few years ago. In the aftermath they reported that the aircraft had been flutter cleared by having a pilot dive it to 400 miles and hour and do control stick raps. In my opinion that's not at all adequate for this high performance of an aircraft. Control stick raps can't simulate anything higher than 10hz.

These aircraft are flying in close proximity of other higher performance aircraft. Who knows what kind of strange gusts and upsets they are subject to. I'd want to see them install a shaker and clear the plane to at least 450 knots and at least 32hz. Of course that's expensive testing, and maybe they just can't afford it. After this incident, I'm not sure they can afford not to.