cloud9
04-10-2004, 10:07 PM
:o Ground Effect?
Monday, about 4:00 P.M. cool February 2004. I'm alone at a private east west 1800 foot grass runway that was only fifty feet wide. Every 100 feet on both side of the runway there are yellow runway markers. Barbed wire fencing on one side of the runway but water runoff trenches on both side of the runway. Actually, a narrow runway for PPCs flying. Especially when you take into consideration the width of a APCO 550 wing. I believe that the APCO 550 is a little more difficult chute to kite up than mose other parachutes.
Anyway, the wind was steady from the north about 7 to 9 mph. I wanted to fly, but, of course, I wouldn't with this much of a crosswind even if I were going to takeoff from a wider runway. But, adjacent and at one end of the runway a small open grasses field. All clear for about 500 feet NW, N, NE then a small tree right in front, then just to the right a creek, about 7 feet wide about 12 inches deep and a tree line. The trees were approximately 25 feet tall (I found out later they were full of thorns). Within the trees another barbed wire fence, then more open fields. Anyway, this open grasses area seemed like the right place to take off from, seeing that the winds were coming from the north.
There was one other thing about this grases area, it ran down hill. Not much, maybe 6 to 9 degrees for the first 200 feet then levels off. I really thought that this down hill might be a plus. I got all setup, my inflation was quick, the chute settle overhead just right, I applied full power, I did not look at my RPM at this time, but during pre-flight the rpm was 6340 also, the engine a 582 sounded good. I'm off the ground real quick, less than 100 feet. I'm about 20 feet in the air, but I'm not going up! I'm staying level.
Quick look at my chute, it"s inflated but slightly back somewhat. Then a slight drop in flight, something inside me said "shut down," then again a slight lifting, I'm going back up again. "I think I can make it!" The trees! Then that same little voice spoke again, "you're not going to make it over the trees, shut down." Well I shut the magnetoes off, the engine and the propellers stopped, (that's the only thing I did right so far) I mean I should have shut down sooner.
Anyway, the last few seconds before hitting those thorn trees and barbed wire fencing after shutting the engine off, there was this eerie quietness, also it was like I was in slow motion as I was trying to steer my machine though a small opening among the thron branches to a small grasses area, just big enough for my machine but on the other side of the creek. Dam! The sounds that I heard crashing into those trees, I don't think I will forget that sound for awhile. Then, the only other sound I heard was the water from the creek and my heart pumping loudly. What a mess! What a site! One end of my beautiful multi-color parachute draped over a 25 ft thorn tree, the other end wrapped around a barbed wire fence post that was holding my machine and me back from going into the creek. Tho, I was on the wrong side of the creek.
Anyway, I was OK. I was wearing all of the right stuff. My Infinity looked like it held up quite well. Only my CG tube was really bent badly (it really protected me from harm) and a few other support piping were bent. The propellers looked good and so did the prop-ring. Anyway, I cursed for a few minutes and then I calmed down. Something I learn many years ago from the Marine Corps:"Do what has to be done first, bitch and cry later."
Like I said, what a mess! Parachute flapping like a flag, could be seen for miles. " He's right here, the stupid PPC pilot." Anyway, getting my chute down before someone came along was really the first thing I wanted to do. The pride stuff was starting to come over me. Anyway, I was able to bring my Van and "T" trailer down to the creek. Had everything I would need on it. I had my Cell phone on me, but would not call anyone for help. No, I did this stupid thing all by myself and I'll get it out by myself. Or at least try. This was going to be my secret. This all happen in about 5 seconds.
With my battery operated reciprocating saw and a small latter I started cutting tree banches. Dam those thorns! Finally got one side of my parachute down from the tree then the fence post. Quickly put into the chute bag and into the Van. Next, to get my machine turn aournd and back on the other side of the creek without losing it in the creek. Luckily on my Van I had a rope and a ratche, which I had to keep moving from tree to tree until across the creek. Rough going for awhile, using the ratchet for awhile then hand move the machine then go back to the ratchet some more. Plus, I'm in a foot of water.
Well the last thirty feet and one more large rock. I could see now that I was not going to be able to do this all by myself. Couldn't lift the tire over the rock and use the ratchet at the same time. I'll have to leave my machine over night in the creek, because it would be too dark by time help would get here. Then a guy came along, the private owner's son-in-law. He became curious seeing my Van and "T" trailer down so close to the creek. Not being able to see me or my machine, he actually thought I was still in the air somewhere flying. I'm glad he came. I was exhausted, he offer his help. He use the ratchet while I lifted my machine over the last stone. Finally!
Loaded up and out of there.
Next day chutes shipped off to Mojo's (btw, they did a great job repairing my wing and miscellaneous other repairs.) In three days my machine was back in great shape. It took about three weeks to get my chute back, but, just in time for a fly-in in another state.
All total: in that 5 seconds, my cost approximately $1,000.00. Down time three weeks.
I only had at that time 78 hours flying time in PPCs. I believe going down hill my wing lost some lift for awhile. I was starting to go back up, just not fast enough. Ground Effect?
Any other opinions, suggestions, remarks or any other theory of what someone believes what really happen, please feel free to post your remarks.
One more thing! This accident was avoidable, (we know that 95% of them are) but, it was not intentional on my part. I was the pilot-in-comman. I'm responsible for all my actions. I was not showing off or in a hurry. I love flying my Powerd-parachute "Cloud9". I love our sport. I would quit flying rather than give our sport a bad image. Or, cause more regulations to be imposed on us. I know not one pilot can make all the mistakes for us to learn from. We must share in our experiences and mistakes and we will make fewer mistakes when we do. That's why I'm sharing this mistake and it's the only reason I'm sharing this information with my fellow PPCs pilots.
Fly Safe!
Richard P. Sr. Anderson
P.S. Linda, my wife of 36 years, after I got home, after about 2 minutes, knew something wasn't right, I did not keep my secret long! :D
Monday, about 4:00 P.M. cool February 2004. I'm alone at a private east west 1800 foot grass runway that was only fifty feet wide. Every 100 feet on both side of the runway there are yellow runway markers. Barbed wire fencing on one side of the runway but water runoff trenches on both side of the runway. Actually, a narrow runway for PPCs flying. Especially when you take into consideration the width of a APCO 550 wing. I believe that the APCO 550 is a little more difficult chute to kite up than mose other parachutes.
Anyway, the wind was steady from the north about 7 to 9 mph. I wanted to fly, but, of course, I wouldn't with this much of a crosswind even if I were going to takeoff from a wider runway. But, adjacent and at one end of the runway a small open grasses field. All clear for about 500 feet NW, N, NE then a small tree right in front, then just to the right a creek, about 7 feet wide about 12 inches deep and a tree line. The trees were approximately 25 feet tall (I found out later they were full of thorns). Within the trees another barbed wire fence, then more open fields. Anyway, this open grasses area seemed like the right place to take off from, seeing that the winds were coming from the north.
There was one other thing about this grases area, it ran down hill. Not much, maybe 6 to 9 degrees for the first 200 feet then levels off. I really thought that this down hill might be a plus. I got all setup, my inflation was quick, the chute settle overhead just right, I applied full power, I did not look at my RPM at this time, but during pre-flight the rpm was 6340 also, the engine a 582 sounded good. I'm off the ground real quick, less than 100 feet. I'm about 20 feet in the air, but I'm not going up! I'm staying level.
Quick look at my chute, it"s inflated but slightly back somewhat. Then a slight drop in flight, something inside me said "shut down," then again a slight lifting, I'm going back up again. "I think I can make it!" The trees! Then that same little voice spoke again, "you're not going to make it over the trees, shut down." Well I shut the magnetoes off, the engine and the propellers stopped, (that's the only thing I did right so far) I mean I should have shut down sooner.
Anyway, the last few seconds before hitting those thorn trees and barbed wire fencing after shutting the engine off, there was this eerie quietness, also it was like I was in slow motion as I was trying to steer my machine though a small opening among the thron branches to a small grasses area, just big enough for my machine but on the other side of the creek. Dam! The sounds that I heard crashing into those trees, I don't think I will forget that sound for awhile. Then, the only other sound I heard was the water from the creek and my heart pumping loudly. What a mess! What a site! One end of my beautiful multi-color parachute draped over a 25 ft thorn tree, the other end wrapped around a barbed wire fence post that was holding my machine and me back from going into the creek. Tho, I was on the wrong side of the creek.
Anyway, I was OK. I was wearing all of the right stuff. My Infinity looked like it held up quite well. Only my CG tube was really bent badly (it really protected me from harm) and a few other support piping were bent. The propellers looked good and so did the prop-ring. Anyway, I cursed for a few minutes and then I calmed down. Something I learn many years ago from the Marine Corps:"Do what has to be done first, bitch and cry later."
Like I said, what a mess! Parachute flapping like a flag, could be seen for miles. " He's right here, the stupid PPC pilot." Anyway, getting my chute down before someone came along was really the first thing I wanted to do. The pride stuff was starting to come over me. Anyway, I was able to bring my Van and "T" trailer down to the creek. Had everything I would need on it. I had my Cell phone on me, but would not call anyone for help. No, I did this stupid thing all by myself and I'll get it out by myself. Or at least try. This was going to be my secret. This all happen in about 5 seconds.
With my battery operated reciprocating saw and a small latter I started cutting tree banches. Dam those thorns! Finally got one side of my parachute down from the tree then the fence post. Quickly put into the chute bag and into the Van. Next, to get my machine turn aournd and back on the other side of the creek without losing it in the creek. Luckily on my Van I had a rope and a ratche, which I had to keep moving from tree to tree until across the creek. Rough going for awhile, using the ratchet for awhile then hand move the machine then go back to the ratchet some more. Plus, I'm in a foot of water.
Well the last thirty feet and one more large rock. I could see now that I was not going to be able to do this all by myself. Couldn't lift the tire over the rock and use the ratchet at the same time. I'll have to leave my machine over night in the creek, because it would be too dark by time help would get here. Then a guy came along, the private owner's son-in-law. He became curious seeing my Van and "T" trailer down so close to the creek. Not being able to see me or my machine, he actually thought I was still in the air somewhere flying. I'm glad he came. I was exhausted, he offer his help. He use the ratchet while I lifted my machine over the last stone. Finally!
Loaded up and out of there.
Next day chutes shipped off to Mojo's (btw, they did a great job repairing my wing and miscellaneous other repairs.) In three days my machine was back in great shape. It took about three weeks to get my chute back, but, just in time for a fly-in in another state.
All total: in that 5 seconds, my cost approximately $1,000.00. Down time three weeks.
I only had at that time 78 hours flying time in PPCs. I believe going down hill my wing lost some lift for awhile. I was starting to go back up, just not fast enough. Ground Effect?
Any other opinions, suggestions, remarks or any other theory of what someone believes what really happen, please feel free to post your remarks.
One more thing! This accident was avoidable, (we know that 95% of them are) but, it was not intentional on my part. I was the pilot-in-comman. I'm responsible for all my actions. I was not showing off or in a hurry. I love flying my Powerd-parachute "Cloud9". I love our sport. I would quit flying rather than give our sport a bad image. Or, cause more regulations to be imposed on us. I know not one pilot can make all the mistakes for us to learn from. We must share in our experiences and mistakes and we will make fewer mistakes when we do. That's why I'm sharing this mistake and it's the only reason I'm sharing this information with my fellow PPCs pilots.
Fly Safe!
Richard P. Sr. Anderson
P.S. Linda, my wife of 36 years, after I got home, after about 2 minutes, knew something wasn't right, I did not keep my secret long! :D