The Crash of the Galloping Ghost-Update

The trim tab came off prior to the plane's violent nose-up at almost 90 degrees.
That would equate to about 15-20Gs at 450+ knots.
The pilot obviously blacked out (it's always hard to see these pilots anyway with
the modified canopies). Look at Strega from the side at full-speed pictures.
Look at these pics, and you'll see all control surfaces are neutral.
No one was flying this plane when it went in, and it was just luck that it did not kill
many more people.
A broken seat bracket in a plane as tightly fitted to the pilot as that would not have
made it impossible to fly. It did not even get into the main part of the turn before
it nosed up.
On these planes, they redesign the trim tab for more surface area and deflect
them past the design limits (down) just to fly level. I hope the only muddling the
NTSB does for this event (let's pray they dont cancel it altogether), is design
upgrades to make the elevator and trim structure as redundant as possible.
Numerous of these beautiful planes have crashed because of a lost tril tab at full
speed.

RIP to everyone who was killed, and a speedy recovery to those injured.

Aviator: There is another photo of the crash itself showing what appears to be the seat flying up from the impact. The seat and back appear to be in line rather than the normal "L" shape. The seat was possibly 60+ years old, like the original aircraft. There would have been no reason to replace it. As I recall, fighter seats are typically made in two parts, seat and the back, bolted together via brackets. Many years of high-G turns in races and other maneuvers could have fatigued the structure and caused it to fail as Jimmy entered the pylon turn at speed. As he fell back, he would have pulled the stick back with him, pulling extreme G's in a violent pullup. He would have quickly released the stick, hence the aircraft did not loop. The tailwheel might have come down due to G-force, but I doubt it. I think he grapped at the gear lever--sticking up next to the seat and operated by pulling back--in an attempt to pull himself up after actuating the seat belt/harness quick-release, but he didn't make it.

Even if Leeward had blacked out, he would still have been held upright in the seat by his harness, with his head down. From the photo, this is clearly not the case. He is completely out of sight. In most of these prop fighters, there is space behind the seat to stow a bag for cross-country flights. (This is not the case for most jets as engine components are back there. There is usually a compartment or space somewhere else for luggage. In the F-86D that I flew, it was above the rocket pod.) Thus, the broken seat back could have flopped flat in that space.

I still believe the trim tab broke off as a result of aerodynamic force due to the extreme elevator deflection as Jimmy fell backward yanking the stick. The fact that it was oversize simply makes that more likely. This could have happened before the aircraft responded.

Thank you for your comment, Flyboy, and welcome to my little blog.

Could it be that Jimmy pushed the envelope a bit too far by making what he
describes as "extremely radical" modifications? At least one veteran racer seems
to think so:

"Pilot Ray Sherwood of Placerville, Calif., who raced at Reno from 1986 to 2005,
said he's convinced that the crash was caused by modifications leading the trim
tab to snap off."

This comment of Jimmy's doesn't inspire a lot of confidence:

"The systems aren't proven yet. We think they're going to be OK."

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/18/140584054/plane-in-reno-crash-had-radical-
changes-to-compete

I know this is off-topic, Al. I know you have limited free time, and you don't read other blogs. I was reading some recent posts from one of my favorite younger Christian philosophers (Paul Manata) and this made me think of you. It's a quick read, and worth the time:

http://analytictheologye4c5.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/going-meatless-and-spouseless/

May God grant me the strength to tread the road you walk should providence deem it so. You inspire me, Al. God bless.

Trucker: Thank you for the reference. It's an interesting read. I think, however, that "deep thinkers" tend to overcomplicate subjects. Let me tell you a short story to illustrate where I'm coming from.

The morning after our wedding day, I rose early while my new wife slept in. (She is night people while I am day, one of our many accommodations.) I stood looking out the motel window and tried to comprehend what had just happened. I was struck by the realization that for the first time in my life, I was responsible for another person. I had vowed a commitment to my new wife, which I freely accepted.

That commitment--mutual to my joy--has endured for 52 years, growing stronger with each storm we weathered, and there were many, a few real blingers. We weathered them all, and we will weather this last one. Many nice folks have congratulated me on what I am doing, caring for her in her home. Joan is profoundly disabled and can do virtually nothing for herself, including being able to speak. That does not have anything to do with the commitment. All I am doing is keeping the vow I made that day long ago, to the only love I have ever known. I will do so as long as God permits. I have no choice, nor do I want one.

Sir: I do not believe the loss of an elevator trim tab could have caused the violent pullup and subsequent loss of control. I believe it broke off due to extreme control surface (elevator) deflection at very high speed. The aerodynamic force was probably too great for the tab attachment to withstand. There are reports that the tab came off before the P-51 pulled up. There would have been a momentary inertial lag after the elevator deflected before the aircraft responded, during which the tab broke off.

Trucker wait ! With that kind of thinking one could conclude that eating a sentient
being is OK (human) ! For it is allowed in the flora and fauna area first talked about .
I am sorry but I am not willing to believe in this kind of thinking . Some might see it
as only our spirits . But that woud go against the second point that was read . lol....
Is it not grand to have other view points ?

"I think, however, that 'deep thinkers' tend to overcomplicate subjects." - Al

True; it was a long winded explination for what a covenant relationship should be. You, my friend, are living that covenant relationship.

"I have no choice, nor do I want one."

That's because you know there are no "takebacks" in a covenant. If only more people thought that way...

It still made me think of you. :)

Irked, irked, irked...

That's why I figure I'm safe (barely?) talking politics with you, but choose to stay out of the theological/philosophical arena (which isn't a bad thing).

If you go back to that site, there really is alot of good online resources and a blogroll in the sidebar. ALOT. Check out Edward Feser's "The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism". Alot of other good stuff.

You make me laugh, that's why I like you... ;)

Two didn't clear the filter? I give up.

Rt , It was all in jest . Just like the clown in the back of the class . I do not have that
much time to look in to some of those yet . May be when I am bed ridden . Until
then please do not feel as if I am attacking or demeaning anybody . Most of it is just
quick thoughts. That I throw out there to produce conversation . I then work as I
listen to what people write . Love the new gadgets .

Al - Check out the website www.787testflight.com. The wing stress test is especially awesome. 150% deflection beyond anticipated loads and no sign of stress.

@irked…Your last post explains a lot.