Jon Meyer wrote:
The thought had occured to me Kevin, but I suspect
that a flat spin puts very little strain on the airframe
compared with other manouvres.....provided it doesnt
continue all the way to ground level that is.

I think that thing was just never glued together properly
at the back end, considering the fact that after the
accident you mention, they found that none of the frames
in the tail section were bonded to the fuselage skins.
French engineering at its best!
Considering the way that thing was built I think all
of us who flew it should just be glad that it didnt
break when we were flying it and that, when it did
break, nobody was hurt.

By the way, could you explain us what French engeneering has to do with the
Puch or the SF34 ? I have seen particularly badly engeneered French gliders,
notably the Bijave and the Javelot, but here i am really wondering about
what glider you are speaking. Incidentally we have heard recently discussions
about poorly glued wings from the most prestigious German factory, while
this did not occur, up to my knowledge, with the *much* cheaper Pegase.






--
Michel Talon