Dragonfly Crash - page two
On the morning of February 27, the wind was dead still. We again met at the abandon field, east of Brenda. Denny was not
satisfied he had the steering lines adjusted right. He wanted to fly the Dragonfly one more time, make some final adjustments and
then I would get to fly. He tied the lines tight, making knots in the excess line and taping the ends. Then he took off.
satisfied he had the steering lines adjusted right. He wanted to fly the Dragonfly one more time, make some final adjustments and
then I would get to fly. He tied the lines tight, making knots in the excess line and taping the ends. Then he took off.
The E280 Thunderbolt Parachute is one of the
easiest chutes to set. The E280 has a safety line
on the steering line. To set the chute, you
simply make the steering line the same length as
the safety line. This is the neutral position. I
watched Randy at Buckeye install two E280
chutes in late April. He tied them off this way,
flew them and needed no further adjustment.
I wish I had know this in Arizona. I had no
knowledge of how to set the chute and was
relying entirely on Denny's extensive knowledge
and experience.
The picture at right is an enlargement of the
photo above it - of Denny taking off. Notice
how much tighter the right steering (blue) line is
than the safety (yellow) line. It should be
slightly loose - it's 20 inches to tight.
easiest chutes to set. The E280 has a safety line
on the steering line. To set the chute, you
simply make the steering line the same length as
the safety line. This is the neutral position. I
watched Randy at Buckeye install two E280
chutes in late April. He tied them off this way,
flew them and needed no further adjustment.
I wish I had know this in Arizona. I had no
knowledge of how to set the chute and was
relying entirely on Denny's extensive knowledge
and experience.
The picture at right is an enlargement of the
photo above it - of Denny taking off. Notice
how much tighter the right steering (blue) line is
than the safety (yellow) line. It should be
slightly loose - it's 20 inches to tight.
Denny took off and flew around for a while, making several passes by my
position on the ground. Notice in the photo at left, he has left foot bar
extended and is pulling left steering line to compensate for the right line being
to tight.
In the enlarged photo below the plane is flying toward me. You can see the
right excess safety line has wrapped around the steering line while the left
safety line is snug.
position on the ground. Notice in the photo at left, he has left foot bar
extended and is pulling left steering line to compensate for the right line being
to tight.
In the enlarged photo below the plane is flying toward me. You can see the
right excess safety line has wrapped around the steering line while the left
safety line is snug.
To the right is a photo of Denny coming in for the landing. He has
full brake (flair) in this photo.
Below this photo is an enlargement of the same photo - the section
that shows the steering lines. Notice the right safety line has a lot
of slack and is wrapped around the steering line. The left safety
line also has some slack, but this is from applying full brake.
After he landed, Denny said, "We need to take the right line in 10
inches". We measured off 10 inches and tied the right line off that
much shorter.
Denny was confused and made an serious error.
We should have let the right line out, - not take it
in.
full brake (flair) in this photo.
Below this photo is an enlargement of the same photo - the section
that shows the steering lines. Notice the right safety line has a lot
of slack and is wrapped around the steering line. The left safety
line also has some slack, but this is from applying full brake.
After he landed, Denny said, "We need to take the right line in 10
inches". We measured off 10 inches and tied the right line off that
much shorter.
Denny was confused and made an serious error.
We should have let the right line out, - not take it
in.
As he started to take off again, the right corner of the chute was pulled down. The
chute kited up and he took off in a severe, uncontrollable right turn. He lifted off about
50 feet. In the severe right turn, the chute lost lift and he crashed nose first
Denny hit on the nose wheel and tumbled two or possibly three revolutions. It
happened very fast. It was hard to tell in the ball of dust. The plane landed right side
up. I just knew Denny was badly injured or worse. Denny unstrapped and stepped out.
chute kited up and he took off in a severe, uncontrollable right turn. He lifted off about
50 feet. In the severe right turn, the chute lost lift and he crashed nose first
Denny hit on the nose wheel and tumbled two or possibly three revolutions. It
happened very fast. It was hard to tell in the ball of dust. The plane landed right side
up. I just knew Denny was badly injured or worse. Denny unstrapped and stepped out.
This photo was taken immediately after
the crash. The dust hasn't settled yet.
Denny is still dazed and hasn't fully
comprehended what has happened. My
ICOM-6 radio is in his hand. He must
have grabbed it to hang on and ripped
the zip ties loose.
About this time, it dawned on Denny
what had happened. The first thing he
said was, "I should have let the right line
OUT, not take it in".
I thank God, Denny was not seriously
hurt. He only had a few sore ribs.
the crash. The dust hasn't settled yet.
Denny is still dazed and hasn't fully
comprehended what has happened. My
ICOM-6 radio is in his hand. He must
have grabbed it to hang on and ripped
the zip ties loose.
About this time, it dawned on Denny
what had happened. The first thing he
said was, "I should have let the right line
OUT, not take it in".
I thank God, Denny was not seriously
hurt. He only had a few sore ribs.
My beautiful new Dragonfly that I saved up and worked so hard for is a total wreck.
I NEVER GOT TO FLY IT.
Denny crash tested the Buckeye Dragonfly and it came through in flying colors. From
my prospective, the most likely accident in a PPC is a roll over from an unexpected
gust of wind on landing or takeoff. I know some guys like to fly the open planes or
those with one bar down the center. As for me, I want to be in that aluminum cage. I
feel a whole lot safer, especially after watching this crash. That cage saved Denny's
life. The wooden closet rod reinforced bottom tubes held up - they didn't bend.
The PPC Community and Caravan Group, organized by Bill and Suzi Vietti and Dana
and Cindy Hollister took up a collection to help me with this disaster. A total of $3,330
was collected to help me rebuild. I am grateful to those who contributed - thank you.
This has allowed me to rebuild and fly the Dragonfly.
I NEVER GOT TO FLY IT.
Denny crash tested the Buckeye Dragonfly and it came through in flying colors. From
my prospective, the most likely accident in a PPC is a roll over from an unexpected
gust of wind on landing or takeoff. I know some guys like to fly the open planes or
those with one bar down the center. As for me, I want to be in that aluminum cage. I
feel a whole lot safer, especially after watching this crash. That cage saved Denny's
life. The wooden closet rod reinforced bottom tubes held up - they didn't bend.
The PPC Community and Caravan Group, organized by Bill and Suzi Vietti and Dana
and Cindy Hollister took up a collection to help me with this disaster. A total of $3,330
was collected to help me rebuild. I am grateful to those who contributed - thank you.
This has allowed me to rebuild and fly the Dragonfly.
There are a number of lessons to be learned from this accident. I hope you enjoyed this photo presentation - and learned from it.
Click Here for Rebuilding the Dragonfly
Click Here for Rebuilding the Dragonfly