>> ...then made a claim about a Europa that experienced collapsed main gear on
>> landing during the initial test flight. The Europa reps said no Europa
has
>> experienced collapsed gear. Who is right? Of the Europas that
>> have been completed, how many are still in the air? What is the
collective
>> damage history of the completed planes and cause behind said damage?
There have been "gear-ups" in at least the UK. Go to the UK's Aircraft
Accident Investigation Branch website (www.open.gov.uk/aaib/aaibhome.htm).
There are two indcidents documented there, one apparently due to builder
error and the other probably mere failure to put the gear down.
Regarding accidents/incidents in general, the most common cause by far
involve pilot technique (take-off/landing) in the monowheel. But this
is true of all tailwheel designs. Also, the few that have totalled the
plane were nonfatal, due to the ruggedness of the fuselage.
Hope this helps...
Regards,
Fred Fillinger
Europa #A063
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