VERY UNFORTUNATE FOR AN SBACH'S MAIDEN FLIGHT

I mostly post good news on this channel but alas, today is not one of those days.

Ian had his lovely 50cc Sbach along for a maiden flight but unfortunately things did not go according to plan.

After very carefully checking and re-checking the model, the time came to 'bite the bullet' and go for the maiden.

The take off was uneventful requiring only a couple of clicks of aileron trim but on the downwind leg the plane appeared to do some slow aileron rolls.  Looked as if Ian was doing the manouver as the rolls were tidy and slow.  But then the nose gradually lowered and in she went; crashed into the field.  Very, very sad.  Ian commented he "had no aileron or elevator control".

Ian will  examine the telemetary stored in the transmitter, and hopefully it may reveal what caused the accident.

We all have had a plane crash.  Some crashes are 'pilot error', but not in this case.  It is destressing and unsettling (especially with a model such as this) and if the cause cannot be determined, one's in for a few sleepless nights thinking, what could have possibly gone wrong!

The lads who witnessed the tragic loss of this lovely Sbach expressed their heart felt condolences to Ian.  Given time and a few stiff gins (?)  I'm confident the same man will bounce back with another 50cc'er.

TD43