Stampe G-BEPC had an unfortunate episode at Goodwood today when it jumped the chocks at a high throttle setting, and raced off unattended.
It performed numerous circles at ever-increasing speed, whilst bystanders attemped to catch and stop it, but eventually it reached sufficient speed to get airborne.
Having climbed to about 30 feet it impacted a tree, and wrapped itself into a ball. 🙁
By: Propstrike - 8th April 2009 at 23:29
This aeroplane was imported in the ’70’s by the celebrated aviator Maurice Kirk, and for which he was prosecuted for offering joyrides whereby he performed vigourous aerobatics, though the airframe was ”riddled with woodworm” and unfit for flight.
By: barnstormer - 8th April 2009 at 20:03
The article also informed that:
“xxxx xxxxxxxx, who owns four Stampe aircraft, told the Daily Mirror: ‘It’s not that unusual for these things to start racing around with their pilots galloping after them.” :eek::eek:
What a goodwill ambassador of aviation! I think I see a mob of angry townfolk with pitchforks and torches, on the way to your local airfield, right now…
By: oshawaflyboy - 8th April 2009 at 18:01
Hi folks; Heard the trees were very cross!:mad:
By: CaptChaos - 8th April 2009 at 12:09
I understand the previous Stampe he wrote off 6 months ago is being rebuilt at PPS. This one will need a lot of work.
By: Propstrike - 8th April 2009 at 10:29
A bit more, + photos
By: Newforest - 6th April 2009 at 08:20
‘Witnesses’ ,don’t you love them, reported the plane is a write off. Some wit suggested it crashed into a ‘plane’ tree.:D
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4268565.Plane_crashes_into_tree/
By: galdri - 6th April 2009 at 01:05
Exactly. These things are never “write offs” as long as you can use the data plate. They are “simple” to rebuild and provided someone has deep enough pockets, they will always resurface later. It has to be a labour of love thought, as flying examples will always be a cheaper option for the prospective buyer of the type.
By: Propstrike - 6th April 2009 at 00:36
I am not aware of the extent of the damage, but almost without exception, aeroplanes of this vintage become someone’s restoration project, and do rise again.
By: Fouga23 - 5th April 2009 at 21:57
Is it repairable or a total write-off?
By: Brian Doherty - 5th April 2009 at 21:35
UNFORTUNATE
Hmmmmm – last time I saw one of these it was a Comet 4B tangling with a hanger & two Tridents – ended up with the houchin GPU still connected and running standing in a pool of JP4 from the ruptured tanks. Did’nt do the Tridents much good either with two hanger doors bought down on them. Is there anyone out there with a picture of this – BEA – LHR – Sixties – Maintenance base.
Cheers Brian.
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April 5, 2009 at 8:31 pm