Gossip - Strictly unconfirmed.
The recent fatal accident at Heck's Field, (Jacobs Well) has got my curiosity bump active. The lack of 'posts' on the UP adding to the itch. Usually, amongst the usual clutter there are some details mentioned, at least aircraft type; nothing? I caught a whisper on the breeze that it was a Pipistrel – mark and model unknown.
I tracked down an article in 'Plane and Pilot' – HERE – which discusses one variant, and may be of some interest.
“Perhaps the biggest design consideration of any powered aircraft is the engine, and Pipistrel from the start conceived the Panthera as being somewhat engine agnostic. Tine conceived an aircraft could accommodate many types of “power eggs”—piston, electric, hybrid and turbine units—all of which would meet up with the firewall without requiring major surgery. When the project started, Pipistrel’s engineers were thinking of a 2+2. Then their thoughts turned to a full four-seater built around the six- cylinder 220/330hp Rotax that was then undergoing tests. This unit promised low fuel consumption on mogas and reduced weight in comparison to the existing American aero engines. However, for financial and strategic reasons, Rotax abandoned the project, forcing the engineers at Pipistrel to rethink. In 2009, they settled on the relatively modern 210 hp Lycoming IO-390. Lycoming promised to modify and certify this engine with “iE-2” (Electronic Fuel Injected FADEC), allowing it to run on mogas. But at the start of 2014, Lycoming announced that it was abandoning the project, obliging Pipistrel to plan for certification with the 260 hp Lycoming IO-540, a dinosaur of an engine but bullet-proof—and capable of using motor fuel. Nevertheless, if there’s sufficient demand from clients, Pipistrel will propose an IO-390 STC.”
As this was a fatal and engine failure may be involved, the ATSB are obliged to enter the investigation, but who will carry the burden of the report to the Coroner? How much of the Qld Police and RA Oz qualified (ATSB approved) investigation team input will make through to the final report is of some interest. A curious side bar is the liability and legal intricacies of the RA Oz 'consultant' investigators position, when push comes to shove. There is potential trap inside the workings of that particular arrangement which could do with a little judicious digging. MTF on that topic. We must hope the local 'Plod' can keep it all straight. A fatal and an engine failure must demand proper, holistic, impartial investigation and a detailed, published report.
That's it – whispers on the wind – nothing substantial.
Toot – toot.
The recent fatal accident at Heck's Field, (Jacobs Well) has got my curiosity bump active. The lack of 'posts' on the UP adding to the itch. Usually, amongst the usual clutter there are some details mentioned, at least aircraft type; nothing? I caught a whisper on the breeze that it was a Pipistrel – mark and model unknown.
I tracked down an article in 'Plane and Pilot' – HERE – which discusses one variant, and may be of some interest.
“Perhaps the biggest design consideration of any powered aircraft is the engine, and Pipistrel from the start conceived the Panthera as being somewhat engine agnostic. Tine conceived an aircraft could accommodate many types of “power eggs”—piston, electric, hybrid and turbine units—all of which would meet up with the firewall without requiring major surgery. When the project started, Pipistrel’s engineers were thinking of a 2+2. Then their thoughts turned to a full four-seater built around the six- cylinder 220/330hp Rotax that was then undergoing tests. This unit promised low fuel consumption on mogas and reduced weight in comparison to the existing American aero engines. However, for financial and strategic reasons, Rotax abandoned the project, forcing the engineers at Pipistrel to rethink. In 2009, they settled on the relatively modern 210 hp Lycoming IO-390. Lycoming promised to modify and certify this engine with “iE-2” (Electronic Fuel Injected FADEC), allowing it to run on mogas. But at the start of 2014, Lycoming announced that it was abandoning the project, obliging Pipistrel to plan for certification with the 260 hp Lycoming IO-540, a dinosaur of an engine but bullet-proof—and capable of using motor fuel. Nevertheless, if there’s sufficient demand from clients, Pipistrel will propose an IO-390 STC.”
As this was a fatal and engine failure may be involved, the ATSB are obliged to enter the investigation, but who will carry the burden of the report to the Coroner? How much of the Qld Police and RA Oz qualified (ATSB approved) investigation team input will make through to the final report is of some interest. A curious side bar is the liability and legal intricacies of the RA Oz 'consultant' investigators position, when push comes to shove. There is potential trap inside the workings of that particular arrangement which could do with a little judicious digging. MTF on that topic. We must hope the local 'Plod' can keep it all straight. A fatal and an engine failure must demand proper, holistic, impartial investigation and a detailed, published report.
That's it – whispers on the wind – nothing substantial.
Toot – toot.