Is this the crash???It says muncie Indiana And I can hear Heli's in the background...
05-15-2008 01:38 AM
cmartin Veteran Location: Kouts IN
yup
05-15-2008 01:42 AM
Jdonovan Senior Heliman Location: Louisville, Ky
Yes that was the crash at ircha I was in a vendor tent and witnessed the crash.
05-15-2008 01:44 AM
phattalon Senior Heliman Location: Muncie In
Yes this crash happened at ircha. The pilot was taking a friend of mine Jc Zankl for a ride when the motor quit way to low to auto it down. Jc and the pilot walked away from the crash. Somewhere online there are up close photos from the crash.
Jason Russell
05-15-2008 05:25 AM
legoman67 Elite Veteran Location: Nanoose Bay B.C, Canada
wow, ive watched that vid afew times, and its not till you pointed that out that it clicked! jeez! where are these close ups?
Wow,Ive seen that video 10-15 times also and it never crossed my mind untill I heard the helis in the background,Then I remembered the old thread...Sounds like jc Had the ride of his life..At least nobody Was hurt...Or worse...So Does the pilot still fly? Has AMA banned fullsize helis from events?
05-15-2008 06:38 AM
kcordell Senior Heliman Location: O Fallon, MO
The Bell belonged to Jerry Conley (I believe that's his last name) of Wildcat fuel. He had spent two years going around the country and buying original Bell parts to refurbish the helicopter. A couple of years before that, Jerry bought a BD-5 jet (remember from the James Bond movie?) and had displayed at the Toledo Show that year. He was talked out of trying to fly that and I think that is when he got the Bell. Jerry is a great guy and was very lucky that he and JC walked away without a scratch. The Bell was only about 40 foot in the air when he had engine failure. I was there and watched in horror like many did. He had already done several passes down the flight line taking video earlier in the day.
Team Futaba, Miniature Aircraft Pilot, YS Engines, VelTye
05-15-2008 12:22 PM
Swoop Veteran Location: Newark, DE USA
I was looking at the closeups and noticed that it appeared to have wood blades. Did not know any full size used woodies.
05-15-2008 12:28 PM
bcrector Heliman Location: muncie, IN
no auto?? seems like the guy must have freaked and stalled the rotor
05-15-2008 02:04 PM
GyroFreak Key Veteran Location: Florida ... 28° 50' N 81° 16' W
Thanks, that has some interesting info. BTW was just stating what seemed to be the obvious (before presented w/ more info).
05-15-2008 03:43 PM
bcrector Heliman Location: muncie, IN
I wonder why no further investigation on the engine was officially done?
05-15-2008 03:48 PM
GM1 Elite Veteran Location: Tallahassee, Florida US
InvestigationNTSB did investigate and it turned out a timing gear fractured and shut the motor down. At the altitude and speed he was traveling, only superior piloting skills AND a lot of luck let them walk away from this one. Gordie
On a dog sled team, if you're not the lead dog, the view never changes.
05-15-2008 05:05 PM
AirWolfRC Elite Veteran Location: 42½ N, 83½ W
Two curious things about the NTSB report; The takeoff was from AMA property, not Reese airport. - - - not that it matters - - - I was there The "autopsy" of the engine was brief indeed.
