Triplane incident at Old Warden – pilot OK

Aeronut-the tractor in question was the Collection’s own Ferguson-it’s used to tug aircraft about normally!

Why would he say that? Nobody was on anyone else’s land, the incident happened on the airfield.

If he’s anything like the framers I know, his first words would have been. “Geroffmylaaand, look at the damage you’ve done to my gate”

I’d like to praise the volunteer fire service for their prompt action: http://www.avfs.org

Video of the accident shows two Land Rover crash tenders rushing to the pilot’s aid within seconds – only to be beaten to the post by a tractor! Amazing that farmers can frustrate those forced to follow them at a snails pace, yet at Old Warden, an old tractor can beat two fire engines in a race to save life, limb and timber! :0)

Hopefully the government investigators have the sense to use the “let’s learn from this” mentality

As noted above it is highly unlikely that the AAIB will be involved in any way other than to request a report from the pilot, then interview him, probably by telephone, before publishing his account in the bulletin.

Field investigations are now mostly restricted to incidents involving loss of life.

Even so they look for lessons to be learned, not blame apportionment.

Moggy

Is that a radial or a rotary engine? Ed

Its a Rotary, which means the whole engine, bar the crank shaft is spinning.

Richard

Is that a radial or a rotary engine?

130hp Clerget. 🙁

Is that a radial or a rotary engine? It looks like a radial, but those who live there can tell us. Next: I have heard the reply of moving fences etc numerous times in my life, but how far do you move them? Biggleswade? The only person who can answer the question as to where were you aiming for is the pilot. Hopefully the government investigators have the sense to use the “let’s learn from this” mentality as opposed to the “lets hang ’em”. Thus the pilot tells us ‘yes, I cut it too close’ or ‘the engine missed a beat’. Aviation (amongst pilots) has always had a let’s learn attitude. At first viewing it does look close, but there is a reason that aircraft accident investigations take months to evolve. The news media “airheads” are the worst offenders.
Douglas did NOT wake up that morning and say I think I shall mangle an aircraft. However ‘pilot training-thought process’ should be included in the investigation. (no matter if it be pro or con).
And lastly; the cost of covering an aeroplane is very very expensive. One of the higher costs of a project. So be nice.
Cheers,
Ed

Just a thought, but I wondered if collectively as members of the Aviation Forum we could raise a fund to help with costs of repairing the Triplane. Not sure how to go about it myself but would gladly contribute. Thoughts anyone?

Have a look at http://www.svasweb.org/what.php The society has donated hundreds of thousands to the Shuttleworth Collection and as a registered charity, I imagine that any donations could be gift aided to further increase the amount.

Side slipping into the undershoot fence is simply poor airmanship! There is no need to touch down just in side the fence as the runway is plenty long enough to make a normal landing. An important aircraft has been damaged in my mind by sheer stupidity. My heart goes out to those who now have this extra job of repairing the aircraft.

Jeez.

You go hang your head in shame.

You clearly do not have one iota of an inkling of what the word “Airmanship’ encompasses. Nor of piloting an old aeroplane.

Do you post such comments merely to sit back and watch the fun develop? Probably.

Idiot.

Dear Sir Madam,
May I respectfully request if you are rated on that specific aircraft?

… the comments about ‘rough’ running of the engine are incorrect the black smoke and popping and farting were due to the triplane with a much more powerful engine having to slow up on the inside turn of a formation with a slower aircraft …
Steve Panter.

I too thought that the pilot of the Triplane was blipping at first, but I’ve never heard a rotary make that sort of noise; not ever. I have heard a Merlin do it though!

It will be interesting to read the report when it’s published.

Regards

When did the Be’s fly? I had to leave after the Hunter due to tiredness.

around 18.15

Well said. I’m looking forward to the next ‘match’ at OW, so I can see very capable pilots display the unique aircraft of the Collection.

When did the Be’s fly? I had to leave after the Hunter due to tiredness.

There’s 27,000 + members of this forum, even allowing for inactive ones that’s probably half the attendance at a major Premier League chavball match.

What do you think are the chances of there not being a good few gentlemen in such a crowd who think they know better than the manager, the ref, the pundits etc.?

Same here.

It is unlikely to change.

Propstrike has summed it up as ever

Moggy

Well said

Broadly speaking, that is probably the best policy in the event of a mishap.

It is not some ‘cover up’ conspiracy. It is just that no good can realistically come from spotters/historians/enthusiasts et al castigating pilots for their prowess, but plenty of ill-feeling can be generated.

Very true words, the comments about ‘rough’ running of the engine are incorrect the black smoke and popping and farting were due to the triplane with a much more powerful engine having to slow up on the inside turn of a formation with a slower aircraft, only post I’m putting up about this as really fed up recently with ‘experts’ on this forum talking out of their orifices.

My opinion as an individual.

Steve Panter.

No one on this forum should ever criticize the pilot on his airmanship, .

Broadly speaking, that is probably the best policy in the event of a mishap.

It is not some ‘cover up’ conspiracy. It is just that no good can realistically come from spotters/historians/enthusiasts et al castigating pilots for their prowess, but plenty of ill-feeling can be generated.

Glad he walked away from it, time will tell what happened, the important thing is they survived and anything else is repairable, if it was built by man, it can be repaired by man.