SonexBuilders.net

Hi all,
Just happened to run across this dated may 8 on http://www.kathrynsreport.com. Hope not too much damage and John can get his jet flying again. Aircraft on landing gear collapsed.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

Interesting.

So there are what, 5 Subsonex jets that have more than a few weeks on them since first flight (another just made its first flight within a couple weeks) and of those, 3 for sure have ended up on their belly...

Direct link at http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2017/05/j ... urred.html

Hello SonexBuilders.net,

We have been in-contact with the owner/pilot of this aircraft. He escaped the incident unharmed and is working with his insurance company to repair the aircraft. With his permission, we are free to tell you a little about the incident: The pilot neglected to latch the canopy prior to takeoff, and it opened on climb out at approximately 100 ft AGL. He continued his climb to approx. 200 ft AGL while successfully making a 180 degree turn to land downwind on a parallel runway. The downwind landing and urgent situation caused the pilot to force the aircraft onto the ground after an initial touchdown and float in ground effect with excessive speed. Forcing the aircraft back onto he runway caused substantial damage to the gear. The gear and connected airframe components did a tremendous job in absorbing the energy to protect the pilot, while keeping the aircraft's primary structure in very good condition.

This incident, along with the 2 previous SubSonex gear-up landing incidents, underpins the importance of adhering to checklist procedures on all flights, no matter how routine the operation of your simple aircraft systems has become.

Fly Safe everyone!
Regards,
-Mark
--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
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Hi all, mark,
Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear and see of this. Good to hear no injuries, and plane will be repaired. John wish u speedy repairs, and back to flying!

WaiexN143NM
Michael

As the story goes, there are those who have landed gear up, and the rest of us who one day will. ;-)

I watched the LODA video last night ... man the sound of the turbine in that thing is cool as hell. Hope the airplane in question is back in the air soon.

Fastcapy wrote:3 for sure have ended up on their belly...

Sounds like less an airplane problem than a pilot issue.

Sounds like less an airplane problem than a pilot issue.

Funny, I don't recall saying it was either.

Either way it is not a good record. Just found the number that have been on their belly already quite interesting.

I hope the FAA doesn't look at it and say well this LOA deal for this thing isn't working so we are pulling it/making it so difficult to get that it isn't worth it.

No idea of the prior experience of those who landed wheels up. It just reinforces to me the need for developing and following both the normal and emergency check lists, especially in a SubSonex.

If nothing else, GUMP could be used, Gas, Undercarriage, Maneuvering speed, Propulsion

Cheers