On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:50:20 +0100, "W.J. \(Bill\) Dean \(U.K.\)."
wrote:

There was also the U.K. based Nimbus 4 in Spain.

This makes it 4 accidents in the last 23 years.


The ASW20CL on 11th January 1987 was an overspeed accident. It did not
break up, control was lost and it hit the ground at very high speed.

Interesting case - is there a detailed rport available online?


I should have thought there was a case for an optional tail chute on
machines such as the big Nimbus and perhaps the Duo Discus, it was fitted to
the Janus and the Nimbus 2.

The ASW17 was available with a belly chute.

I agree 100% - a tail chute (or better a belly chute) might be a good
idea.
I would not regard it as a primary Vne-avoidance device, but rather a
useful help to keep the speed down after an inflight breakup (e-g.
after a collision with loss of wing or tail), giving the pilot more
time to get out and maybe even stabilizing the falling wreckage.


Bye
Andreas