REFLECTOR: Al, are you ok? How bad is the damage?

[Scott Derrick]

Wow!! Your guardian angel was at post that day!

I've always wondered if the plane was flyable sans door, assuming the
door didn't take the prop out on the way. I think a Catto would survive
a door hit, but I'm sure any of the CS or adjustable pitc props would not.

Glad to hear you all are OK.

Scott

Al Gietzen wrote:
>
> Chris; et. al.,
>
> Of course I was very disappointed not to make the fly-in, and other
> stops planned on the trip. But I don’t want anyone to be alarmed – I’m
> fine, and I flew the plane back home today with an improvised door.
>
> We were about an hour out, cruising happily along at 9500’ and 170
> KTAS, when suddenly there was a noise and lots of wind blowing and the
> pilot side door was gone. I have no idea why it came unlatched – I had
> a double detent spring which had always kept it solidly in the latched
> position.
>
> It took only a few moments to determine that the plane was
> controllable (meaning the door had departed), and that there was no
> prop vibration meaning there was no prop damage. With a few moments to
> adapt to the new aerodynamics; it was a matter of flying to the
> nearest airport about 10 miles away. Only when we got there, we found
> it was a small strip (looked like dirt, although I found later it was
> paved) in the middle of the desert with no structures of any kind
> anywhere in sight. Since the plane was flying stably, I decided to
> head off to another about 20 miles away; and made a normal landing.
>
> Upon landing we noted that the rear window on the passenger side had a
> large hole in it. Apparently as the door ripped off it was swung over
> the top, and the strake extension slammed into the window; and from
> there the door bounced clear of prop. The front hinge mounting pad was
> torn out; the rear hinge separated at the pin. The prop had a couple
> of minor marks on it apparently made by pieces of the plexiglass from
> the window.
>
> The plane was about 150 miles from home; and it is now safely back in
> it’s hangar. All in all, the damage is not too bad; just a lot of work
> to do to replace the door with my custom strake extensions, etc.
>
> Al
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]
> On Behalf Of Christopher Barber
> Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:10 AM
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> Subject: REFLECTOR: Al, are you ok? How bad is the damage?
>
> Al,
>
> Please, I know you must have many distractions between weighing your
>
> options and counting your blessings, but, if you get a chance, let us
>
> know what happened on your way to the Texas Rotary Round-up.
>
> I was so excited to hear you were coming and dumbfounded at the third
>
> hand report of a problem.
>
> Was it the co-pilot door that came open? Reportedly it ripped
>
> out/damaged the structure between the doors, but the reports are VERY
>
> sketchy, except that you are ok, so please forgive my ignorance.
>
> Anxiously awaiting details.
>
> Thanks, and of course, thrilled you are ok.
>
> All the best,
>
> Chris Barber
>
> Houston
>
> >
>
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