It could be worse. See this thread - https://forum.flitetest.com/index.php?threads/still-up-a-tree.68321/
What did you crash today?
- Thread starter dylanbeaudette
- Start date
william Metge
Well-known member
Yeah, mine only lasted 30 mins, glad I was able to get it.
Robert S
Well-known member
(Im going to say that this is more of a controlled emergency landing than a crash.)
I heard the engine make a weird "distressed" sound and also watched the the A/C shimmy a bit. I figured that wasn't good and that I should set it down to see what was going on.
I cut the throttle way back back for fear that I was having a brown out, due to a dieing battery, so that I could keep the control surfaces working.
Just as i was about to land, at about 5-8 feet of of the ground and right when I killed the motor, the motor fell off of the back of the A/C!
I was still able to slide it into the grass but it was still quite the "WTF?" sort of moment.
I didn't put thread locker on as I normally due because I was still dialing it in and thought I might need to take it back apart. Also, because LW'PLA is soft, I was perhaps too cautious about how tight I torqued the screws.
Luckily there was no damage and she should be back in the air in no time.
I heard the engine make a weird "distressed" sound and also watched the the A/C shimmy a bit. I figured that wasn't good and that I should set it down to see what was going on.
I cut the throttle way back back for fear that I was having a brown out, due to a dieing battery, so that I could keep the control surfaces working.
Just as i was about to land, at about 5-8 feet of of the ground and right when I killed the motor, the motor fell off of the back of the A/C!
I was still able to slide it into the grass but it was still quite the "WTF?" sort of moment.
I didn't put thread locker on as I normally due because I was still dialing it in and thought I might need to take it back apart. Also, because LW'PLA is soft, I was perhaps too cautious about how tight I torqued the screws.
Luckily there was no damage and she should be back in the air in no time.
Burnhard
Well-known member
A dead battery is scary! Happened to me twice that the battery ejected and I watched the aircraft coming down with no control whatsoever. With a motor falling off, at least you still have controll over the glide ;-)
Robert S
Well-known member
The motor lost its mounting bolts but the wires were still holding so the motor and prop were dangling and spinning a few inches under the plane. It was quite a sight and would have been gloriously catastrophic had I not been landing.
I think it happened when it did because I had the motor running and therefore the motor was being pushed up against the fusalage. Once I cut the throttle, nothing was holding it in place anymore and it fell off.
I think it happened when it did because I had the motor running and therefore the motor was being pushed up against the fusalage. Once I cut the throttle, nothing was holding it in place anymore and it fell off.
Rhinopilot
Member
Good info
Maidened the new Staggerwing this morning. Perfect conditions - almost no wind, bright sun and an entire waist high soy bean field to cushion any hard "landings". The plane climbed out to the left, landed in the road behind me and was instantly run over. Maybe in a few days I'll feel better about this - but not right now. It's what I get for spending that much time on an FB plane.
Last edited:
dylanbeaudette
Active member
Tragic. Good luck on the repair or your next model!
mastermalpass
Master member
Oohft that sucks! I hope you're able to salvage most of it into a new one.
CrshNBrn
Elite member
My Whit Me-110 came to an untimely end today. Weird loss of control at low altitude and she went in...hard. It flying just fine then I went lower behind a large industrial-sized mower that was running closer to me. The plane started pitching around on all axis with no control whatsover and crashed and burned.
Could a big mower kick out enough electrical interference to mess with the transmitter signal?
I'll probably strip it for parts. Maybe rebuild another one with the fancy FT waterproof foamboard sometime. Makes me sad- it was such a good flyer.
Could a big mower kick out enough electrical interference to mess with the transmitter signal?
I'll probably strip it for parts. Maybe rebuild another one with the fancy FT waterproof foamboard sometime. Makes me sad- it was such a good flyer.
Attachments
mastermalpass
Master member
I must say the skin has held quite well following what was evidently a hard slam. Could be fixed - the decision now is to repair it and let its scars be a mark of its legacy or, scrap it and build an upgraded version / build one of the many planes on the build list. Shame to see this one go, but you built it back in 2020 didn't you? It's had a good run.
As for mowers, I think they can kickout quite the Electromagnetic field. Probably not enough to jam everything within 50 metres of it, but if it is directly between the Tx and Rx then maybe.
I've never considered it myself. I started the hobby just as 2.4Ghz was used everywhere and people said Spektrum never fails so I've just never worried. I often forget to range check new models as well.
CrshNBrn
Elite member
Carnage today at the flying field.
A bad toss and a weird thrust angle did in my Mustang. It was due for a rebuild anyway. Then, in some fun air combat with a buddy, my old Corsair and Bf-109 collided about 100 feet up. Unfortunately no video, but I claim victory (I was flying the Corsair) as the his crepe paper streamer we were using for battle was totally wrapped around my motor. It was awesome!
A bad toss and a weird thrust angle did in my Mustang. It was due for a rebuild anyway. Then, in some fun air combat with a buddy, my old Corsair and Bf-109 collided about 100 feet up. Unfortunately no video, but I claim victory (I was flying the Corsair) as the his crepe paper streamer we were using for battle was totally wrapped around my motor. It was awesome!
Attachments
Burnhard
Well-known member
Interesting elevator angle on the Mustang.
luvmy40
Elite member
But that is the beauty of Mr NCT's Stagger Wing(and many other designs), They are easy to build and only require a a few dollars in material. As long as you don't invest too many hours in decorating, "Build, Fly. Crash, Repeat" is not so egregious.
That IS the key. The next one only took a week allowing for minwax and paint to dry. No comparison to my last balsa plane that took 6 months to build and two flights to crash thanks to a bad solder IN the new transmitter I bought for it.
Similar threads
