I have had damage from rocks in the past on the stab but nothing like this, hence my post about fenders. While doing some take offs and landings on the in field (between the pavement and taxi ways) at Nervino I took a rock on the leading edge. I had made several landings and take offs that morning on the short 330′ section (I land there almost daily) and the 660′ section. On my last “attempted” take off I rolled into the very long (over 1500′) section to depart. As I was rolling and gaining speed I heard a very loud bang. Having a lot of field to go I immediately throttled back and slowed down to taxi speed and pulled off and onto the taxiway at the far end of the airport. I shut the aircraft down and stepped out only to notice that my horizontal wasn’t what it should look like…
I think the photos will explain that one. As said above, I have had rock damage in the past but then there is rock damage. This was almost unreal. Anyhow, thought I would share.
I am having a hard time calling this an "accident" as it was far beyond my control but "Substantial" damage is what it is. Ok, I could have small tires and fly pavement daily but....
The reports have been filed and the photos will speak for themselves. Thankfully I had a couple witness flying their own planes to see all of this go down. My new stab and the other needed parts are in route from Skywagon city. Hopefully I will be back in the air in the next two weeks or so. Trying hard to make Johnson Creek and the fly in. Fingers crossed…
Mud flaps? Not certain these would have helped but...
AKT
Glad that you played it safe and aborted your takeoff!
