Warbird Information Exchange

Spoke to the owner this morning (friend of mine and fellow CAFer) and all is as well as can be excpected. He said at one point while he was surveying the damage in his L-39 they considered the bailout option. After some more looking they decided to belly it in. Jack (the pilot) did an outstanding job. Nice guy too, he checked me out on starting the aircraft when it was on display for our annual hangar dance. I hope they get her repaired and back in the air soon. When this airplane flies it is fun to way for sure!

Real shame it happened to Art's plane. He is a real nice guy. This "castering" of MLG has been a problem in two BT13 accidents. Anybody have any insight into why it happens? I've heard that the BT accidents were blamed on broken scissor links. I'm just curious as the BT wouldn't take a landing as well as this Yak did with a similar problem...

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

Nasty Thing to happen,

Glad no one was injured badly. Abit of sheetmetal...a few new parts and a prop...she'll be back. Course the engine may need a bit of TLC but that would be normal in a belly landing.

I saw a belly landing once...T-28 at Oshkosh a few years ago. Flew around with the Main gear stuck in the up position....burned off some fuel and tried it once with an abort....but when the pilot did put her down....it was with amazing precision. Right down the centerline of the runway...no fire...no nothing. And while I grant you that I was about halfway down the runway away from it...I NEVER saw a pilot run so fast in my life..... I was very greatful to God for no severe damage or injury/loss of life.

Here's to hoping this one will be back in the air soon.

Respectfully,

Paul

John:

If the "scissors"/trunnion link on a BT-13 breaks, the gear won't fold. What'll happen is the wheel will rotate around, kinda like that JetBlue Scarebus. That's preferable to the other potential, which is the lower leg departing the airplane.

With Art's Yak, I would *guess* that the upper mount broke, which on landing would allow the gear to fold back and under the airplane, rather than being cocked 90 degrees to direction of travel.

When ya gonna come get the rest of yer parts?????????? Bring a carryall with ya, I'll take care of it for ya!!

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Regards,

Jase
www.b26marauder.com
"I'm having a BLAST!!" 2007 CAF Wing Staff Conference

RIP Gary Austin..always in our hearts

Here are some pics from an article. Looks like he did a good job. Hope it is back in the air soon.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/st ... 02&tref=po

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Blue Skies,
Dan
http://www.flytoanothertime.com