'Wings over NZ' reporting Spitfire accident. No injuries

Glad nobody hurt,Unfortunate incident to occur , I hope damage is not bad at all. This is one Spitfire that needs a bit of luck.

Hope she flying again soon.

Hasnt even dinged the spinner.

There have been a number of similar incidents over the years, that havent required an engine strip. Wooden blades have their uses!

Bruce

They would be unwise to avoid an engine strip. 🙁 I somehow don’t think they will get away with that one.

Very sad, especially following an act of courtesy like this.

Probably the sort of incident that wouldn’t have raised comment 70 years ago, other that a b*ll*cking for the unfortunate pilot!

PV202 was even more ‘uncomfortable’ on a trip to the continent not too long ago, and that flew home 48 hours later !

Keep the Faith !

S*** happens.

Glad there doesn’t seem to be much damage – examination pending, of course.

Dave Homewood has reported the following on ‘Wings over NZ’:-

“I have just had a call from an insider at Ardmore who has given me the story as it actually occurred and has asked me to post it. This has apparently been sanctioned by Avspecs staff to be posted here to clear up the rumours and innuendo from the armchair experten.

Firstly there was NO groundloop.

I am told that Doug Brooker had landed fine, and was taxiing on the hard taxiway. He was aware there was a line up of aircraft behind him so he decided to pull off the taxiway onto the grass to let them go by, out of courtesy.

The grass was boggier than he expected, the wheels bogged down and the aircraft simply tipped gently onto its nose, possibly aided by the wind.

Three propeller blades were broken as they impacted the soft ground, damaged beyond repair. The fourth has a ding probably from debris off the other blades. The Avspecs team are not even that sure they need to strip the engine to check its shockloading and will make a decision very soon. It may just mean sourcing replacement blades, fitment and back to flight.

This is an unfortunate incident that could have happened to anyone in a tail dragger. End of story.”

Mark

I certainly would never knock the chap. He has achieved two things I have not (one I might….the other….never)

Flown a Spit, Flown his own Spit.

OOPS yeh, got the two incidents back to front.

Look closer guys. Much more damage than you think. Like, where are his main wheels? Still in the wings by the looks of things. If that’s the case, there’ll be radiator damage as well.

I think your looking at photos above of one or two of its earlier incidents, this one is apparantly a nose over during taxi-ing in wet/soggy ground, the mainwheels are clearly extended and holding the wings and radiators clear of the ground, damage is likely to be limited to the prop and perhaps the engine?

regards

Mark Pilkington

Look closer guys. Much more damage than you think. Like, where are his main wheels? Still in the wings by the looks of things. If that’s the case, there’ll be radiator damage as well.

Will this require a shock load strip inspection of the engine or do the wooden blades offer enough protection?

Richard

Well, I don’t own a spitfire, so I’m not going to criticise the guy!

Looks like an easy fix…..

Oh dear… 🙁

Well, as has been said, it doesn’t look too bad, so that’s a blessing at least.

Taking a positive view, in each incident the prop is a bit less shredded than the occasion before !

Maybe he’s getting beter at it!! A great shame that its broken yet again.

Taking a positive view, in each incident the prop is a bit less shredded than the occasion before !

Doesnt look to bad compared to the previous 2 incidents.

Must be gutting for the owner. Maybe a change of paintscheme and a change of luck?

More info and photo here:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10731880

I wonder if it looks like this, or maybe this…:(

Maybe he’s going for the Sir Tim Wallis Award for the Continuing Existance of the Spitfire Restoration Business? 😉

So that is the third time now for this aircraft. I am glad no one was hurt but I would dread the insurance renewal quote coming in!