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Aftermath: Impatience

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A builder-pilot of a Van's RV-10 died when his engine lost power due to an improperly installed electrical connection, made hastily the night before a family trip to relocate batteries.
  • The pilot exhibited extreme impatience and a headlong eagerness to complete the experimental aircraft, rushing its build and test-flying process while knowingly operating it with numerous uncorrected critical deficiencies and ignoring warnings.
  • Despite admitting he was "out of his depth" with the complex systems, he continued to fly the aircraft and made a last-minute, improperly crimped electrical modification that led to the engine shutdown.
  • The article presents the accident as a tragedy, where the pilot's admirable energy and ambition were undone by his lack of patience and restraint, leading to his downfall.
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(July 2011) In November 2007, the builder-pilot of a Van’s RV-10 was killed when his engine apparently lost power at low altitude. He had relocated the batteries the night before to move the CG forward, and was checking the airplane before departing on a planned trip with his family later that day.

The accident raised a flurry of interest in the RV-10 community. The pilot had been an active participant in online discussion groups, and had been conspicuous not only because he was not using the usual Lycoming engine but also, perhaps, because he radiated so much boyish passion and headlong eagerness.

Peter Garrison

Peter Garrison taught himself to use a slide rule and tin snips, built an airplane in his backyard, and flew it to Japan. He began contributing to FLYING in 1968, and he continues to share his columns, ""Technicalities"" and ""Aftermath,"" with FLYING readers.

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