Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Missing its tail, pointing almost straight down, a Van’s RV-7A single-engine, two-seat homebuilt plummeted out of the blue and into the rocky ground. This wasn’t the first Van’s homebuilt to experience an in-flight tail separation. In most cases, some type of aerobatics with an increase in airspeed preceded loss of control.

True Airspeed 87

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 87

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Missing its tail, pointing almost straight down, a Van’s RV-7A single-engine, two-seat homebuilt plummeted out of the blue and into the rocky ground. This wasn’t the first Van’s homebuilt to experience an in-flight tail separation. In most cases, some type of aerobatics with an increase in airspeed preceded loss of control.

True Airspeed 86

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 86

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. Without knowing the horizontal wind direction and speed at this point it is impossible to say what his indicated airspeed was. He expedited his landing trying to fly out of what was likely epic sink.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52