REFLECTOR: INCIDENT PHOTO

[Ann DaSilva]

I have had the misfortune to have made 2 off airport landings due to engine
failures one in a retract into a muddy field. I elected not to put the gear
down and the only damage was a scratched belly. the second was in a fixed
gear into a field with gulches which were covered with grass it tore the
nose gear clean off and broke the canard bulkhead and canard spar If I had
not had wheel pants on the mains which kept the mains from falling into the
ditches the whole back end would have been torn off. Had it been a retract I
would not have put the gear down and would have minimal damage, a scratched
underbelly. My  experience, your choice as to which you do.         But in a
( VELOCITY) I'm with Tom .                        Sam DaSilva
  -----Original Message-----
  From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On
Behalf Of David Bertram
  Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 3:45 PM
  To: reflector at tvbf.org
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: INCIDENT PHOTO


        I am glad things worked out for you.  However two years ago I had an
engine failure and landed in a plowed field that was rutted and rough.  I
put my gear down and the only thing damaged was my gear doors.  I have been
flying since 1960 and have always been taught to get all the gear down you
can except when ditching.  The gear will absorb some of the impact.
        Dave Bertram
        N350TX

        -------Original Message-------

        From: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
        Date: 08/25/07 13:11:08
        To: Velocity List
        Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: INCIDENT PHOTO

        I think my recommendation for ALL is NEVER lower the gear in an
off-airport
        landing unless you have a very smooth surface.  I think the thing
that kills
        people is sudden stoppage from snagging the gear (especially the
nose or
        various combinations of gear legs collapsing causing an uneven
situation
        where the plane cart wheels or spins or breaks apart.

        I am now convinced that the Velocity fuselage can withstand almost
any
        impact and slide-out ... If the plane is kept flying straight ahead
with a
        constant bleed-off of speed until settling in.  I realize you have
to have
        terrain that will cooperate.

        Tom

        On 8/24/07 9:17 PM, "mmerskey at sbcglobal.net"
<mmerskey at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

        > Tom:
        >
        > If you had a spam can the results would have been tragic.
        >
        > I have a replacement prop for you. Call or write me
        >
        > Milt
        >
        > 214 845 1699      miltonm at airmail.net
        >
        > -----Original Message-----
        > From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org
[mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
        > Behalf Of Alex Balic
        > Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 12:00 PM
        > To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
        > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: INCIDENT PHOTO
        >
        >
        > Looks great even sitting there like that Tom...........
        >
        > -----Original Message-----
        > From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org
[mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
        > Behalf Of Tom Martino
        > Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 11:01 AM
        > To: Velocity List
        > Subject: REFLECTOR: INCIDENT PHOTO
        >
        > OK ... Here it is.  Hope the attachment goes through.
        >
        > Tom
        >
        >
        >
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