The pilot of this incident graciously agreed to share this video for our collective education. Please analyze and consider without casting aspersions. Be willing to learn, and do not think yourself above the posability.

Wow, that was pretty benign. Sure isn't cheap to fix though, I'm sure. I wonder if pitching down would have saved it. There wasn't much space between him and the ground and with that wing dropping, he might have gone into that pickup.

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Some right rudder could have helped.

I think that's why he was willing to have this video posted, to show that he made a mistake by correcting with the aileron instead of rudder, and that (an obviously) highly qualified competition pilot can accidentally make that mistake while flying in competition.

It takes a damn good person to allow their mistakes to be made public, just so that someone else can benefit from the knowledge.

Another thing that is clear in this video is just how advanced the airflow management and aero design is on that airplane... wow.

Rudder opposite the roll versus aileron is always a good plan at high AOA.

Unfortunately, he was really deep into the AOA when it broke and rolled and I'm not sure all the rudder in the world would have changed the outcome very much.

But, full opposite rudder and unloading the wing with nose down elevator would have been the things to do once it broke.

Better approach would be to not get that high an AOA that high off the ground, unless he was really high off the ground.

Glad he wasn't hurt and I'm also glad the plane wasn't damaged any worse than it was.

MTV

The apparent rate of closure approach doesn't get max pitch up with the necessary additional power until just before touchdown. Perhaps not named thus, I see it used by some of the more standard power and stock class of airplanes​.

EZFlap wrote:I think that's why he was willing to have this video posted, to show that he made a mistake by correcting with the aileron instead of rudder, and that (an obviously) highly qualified competition pilot can accidentally make that mistake while flying in competition.

It takes a damn good person to allow their mistakes to be made public, just so that someone else can benefit from the knowledge.

Another thing that is clear in this video is just how advanced the airflow management and aero design is on that airplane... wow.

I can learn from this, as I don't think I'm immune to making this mistake.

Glad it wasn't worse!!

One of the more useful training exercises is a falling leaf, or walking the rudder. When I was instructing, the way I'd do it was have the student stall the airplane, then I took the yoke so that it would remain neutral full back. The student's job was to keep the airplane upright using rudder alone. While this doesn't work for all airplanes, it does for most trainers. What it really teaches is that control surfaces lose effectiveness as you spell EAR. First that goes is the elevator (which is obvious--it's in a full up position but the airplane's nose goes down); next the ailerons; but the rudder retains some effectiveness, even in a full stall, very slow situation. That's why lifting a wing with rudder works so well, most of the time. Of course, that's not a guarantee that it would have worked here, but undoubtedly it had a greater chance than using ailerons.

Cary

Cary wrote:One of the more useful training exercises is a falling leaf, or walking the rudder. When I was instructing, the way I'd do it was have the student stall the airplane, then I took the yoke so that it would remain neutral full back. The student's job was to keep the airplane upright using rudder alone. While this doesn't work for all airplanes, it does for most trainers. What it really teaches is that control surfaces lose effectiveness as you spell EAR. First that goes is the elevator (which is obvious--it's in a full up position but the airplane's nose goes down); next the ailerons; but the rudder retains some effectiveness, even in a full stall, very slow situation. That's why lifting a wing with rudder works so well, most of the time. Of course, that's not a guarantee that it would have worked here, but undoubtedly it had a greater chance than using ailerons.

Cary

Sounds like a great exercise Cary. I'll try that next time I'm out goofing around.

I was taught the falling leaf during training as well. I still do a couple a month in the 172 , just to keep my feet working. You never know when I might have to drive a taildragger.

Willing to share? HA! It's plastered all over the internet along with a Go Fund Me account that has been set up to help him fix his plane.
Fly close to the edge and it bites you, then ask for charity? What a bunch of shit!

It looks to me like he was 1) too high, and 2) tried to let his plane float down for a three pointer. He should have crossed the end of the runway much lower with power on and eased back on the throttle and let her settle down the last few feet. That high up, I think I would have swallowed my pride for botching the final approach and gone around for another try. That said, I am glad he is alright and his plane is not totaled. I guess this is one of those situations where any landing you can walk away from is a good landing (even if not the best).

akgreg wrote:Willing to share? HA! It's plastered all over the internet along with a Go Fund Me account that has been set up to help him fix his plane.
Fly close to the edge and it bites you, then ask for charity? What a bunch of shit!

He didn't set the account up or ask for it. Some of his friends did.


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Asta wrote:It looks to me like he was 1) too high, and 2) tried to let his plane float down for a three pointer. He should have crossed the end of the runway much lower with power on and eased back on the throttle and let her settle down the last few feet. That high up, I think I would have swallowed my pride for botching the final approach and gone around for another try.

From the text in the vid, it wasn't a short landing attempt, it was a slow flight competition. 17 MPH is pretty amazing, regardless.
-DP

I wonder if he had enough rudder authority at that speed. Looked to me like he ballooned a little and may have come out of ground effect. Still very cool flying, but so close to the edge that I think we all know that this could have happened. Wish I had the budget to play there.

akgreg wrote:Willing to share? HA! It's plastered all over the internet along with a Go Fund Me account that has been set up to help him fix his plane.
Fly close to the edge and it bites you, then ask for charity? What a bunch of shit!

I feel the same way... We share MANY mutual friends, and I feel for the guy, but a Go Fund Me account? What a time to be alive...

How unfortunate with the incident, it could have been a lot worse, and I'm glad he didn't get hurt.

That video is now an excellent training aid to all students regardless of level. It shows what NOT to do during any type of stall by the ineffective usage of the ailerons instead of the rudder.

With that said, I've only donated to Go-Fund-Me to people who actually needed the money, i.e. hospital bills, children's school supplies etc. I find his GFM account completely inappropriate.

I appreciate the post, the humility of the event and the opportunity for the community to learn.

As others have indicated, the GFM account is a step to far.....

Fly Safe

I'm just glad he is ok...

I know Tom, I filmed with him when I was in Alaska a few weeks ago before any of this happened. I wasn't going to say anything but the negative posts have forced me to chime in. He's getting some undeserved shit.

It's my opinion that the people who've posted the video stand to gain exposure for their business by uploading the video to Youtube and spearheading the GoFundMe thing on Tom's behalf, knowing that this was going to be a viral baby. Maybe that's a clever marketing tactic, but not at the expense of a good guy's reputation. Maybe I'm being overly harsh and they do have the best, albeit naive intentions. Tom's not the kind of guy who would ask for money from the public. He's a do-it-yourself pilot and aircraft builder. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my impression.

Now, in the scenario where you're maybe not a super savvy internet PR guy, and someone says "do you want some free money? We'd like to help out" after they've arranged a GoFundMe campaign for you, you might say yes, not having the foresight to know that keyboard warriors on the Internet are offended super easily with minimal facts and pass judgement more easily than a dry fart. Most of the critics out there on social media have never even flown a taildragger and they're suddenly experts on rudder usage.

The court of public opinion requires no evidence and considers you guilty until proven innocent. Well, this guy flew around for us for a few hours, gave my buddy a ride out to the location and back, and didn't accept an offer of gas money. I'm sad to see him bend an airplane but I'm glad he's okay. He'll have some beautiful scenes in our next short film: