View Single Post
  #7  
Old May 31st 06, 01:01 PM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Starduster Too, first flight, busted prop

Any BLOOD? Might have hit a bird!

"Al" wrote in message
...
Well, a friend finally got his starduster too in the air. He finished
it this last winter, and has been preparing for his first flight, The
flight went well, apparently normal until shutdown. There was about 6 " of
prop missing from each end, and what was left was shattered back another
6-8". His landing was in full stall attitude and no pieces were found on
the runway, no one heard anything, so we've pretty much ruled out a ground
strike. The videos show a perfectly normal flight although in one of the
low passes, one of the observers heard a whistling sound. I've got
pictures heading this way, and should have them posted by tomorrow. The
pilot was as surprized as the rest of us by the lack of vibration, and
evidently what was left of the prop continued to produce thrust.
This is a Starduster Too, with a continental 200hp radial, and a
Sensenich wooden prop(72" I think). While I don't think the prop was new,
it was in perfect shape, and the aircraft/engine/prop were inspected by a
number of very qualified folks, and no one saw anything amiss, until after
the flight. The aircraft was thoroughly checked for ground clearance
before flight, and from the test I think the attitude required to strike
the prop(even with compressed gear), would scare any still living pilot.
Has anyone seen anything like this before?

Al