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Re: Europa-List: AAIB report G-HOFC

Subject: Re: Europa-List: AAIB report G-HOFC
From: DuaneFamly@aol.com
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 15:38:24
To All,

I am sorry to have started this question. It seems to have scratched a raw  
nerve. That was not my intention. I have all the respect in the world for  
builders, inspectors, and the public agencies that we deal with. But the bottom

line is, and will always be the pilot. If you build an aircraft, do so with the

 notion that it's gonna be your "Butt" in the seat if anything goes wrong. 
That's  why it's called "Experimental" or "Homebuilt".

Here in the USA we do not have the dogged restrictions that seem to be  
evident in the UK and Europe. The FAA figures that you built it, if the  
paperwork

is right, and there are no really glaring problems noted, then you  have the 
God given right to risk your life to fly it. No amount of inspection by  a 
third party can remove that responsibility.

Now I asked the question because I thought the initial failure mechanism in  
this accident was the disengagement  of the tailplane drive pins. That is  why

I thought Mods 73 and 74 were instituted. But with the realization that a  
wing's rear drag/lift pin failed first, my concern is with the original  
problem. I don't see any mods dealing with the drag/lift pin? If the  original

failure placed severe stresses on the tailplane, and that caused it's  failure,
then 
I don't want to get into a mode of finding the weakest link in our  aircraft, 
beefing it up, then go on to the next weakest link, etc. Next thing  you 
know, you won't be able to find an engine with enough power to lift that  "tank"

off the ground.

I agree with Bob, that if this discussion is to be continued then it should  
be done off Forum....in a private chat amongst those wishing to know what 
"they"  might have to do in order to feel better about "their" build. Without 

accusations of blame or slander......open, honest, and respectful.  

Mike Duane  A207A
Redding, California
XS Conventional Gear
Jabiru 3300  
Sensenich R64Z N
Ground Adjustable  Prop


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