Dan Johnson Suffers Back Injury In Take-Off Accident
A Lakeland bound LSA
went down in Southern Florida Tuesday after a takeoff went awry.
The departure reportedly fell victim to a lack of power from
the four-stroke Rotax engine.
Aviation writer Dan Johnson, who had flown the aircraft
previously, was enroute to Lakeland FL, for a Fly-In, from South
Florida's Naked Lady Ranch when he went down at the side of the
runway in small trees and brush. Johnson suffered serious back
injuries, including a compression fracture, and is scheduled for
surgery Wednesday morning to repair the damage, though the
prognosis is postive for a full recovery.
No control difficulties or other issues appear to have
contributed to the accident. The aircraft involved, a Czech
Aircraft Works (CZAW) Parrot, had approximately 120 hours of time
in service.
ANN spoke to CZAW Parrot Manufacturer, Chip Erwin, a witness to
the accident, about the situation and Johnson's unfortunate injury.
Chip reported that the aircraft failed to make power on takeoff, a
fact reportedly confirmed to him by Johnson, developing only 4000
RPM or so on the Rotax 912 (where revs well above 5K are considered
minimum). Despite the lack of take-off power (audible to those on
the ground in the immediate area), Johnson attempted to continue
the flight, continuing most of the length of the runway, before
attempting a partial turn attempt to line up with a crosswind
runway -- a decision that was apparently aborted after nearly 90
degrees of turn was completed.
Attempting to turn back, the Parrot, a two-place high-wing
Certified LSA, settled into small trees and brush at the side of
the runway, injuring Johnson and pretty much destroying the
aircraft. Erwin noted that the airframe remained fairly well intact
throughout the accident, but that the attendant sink rate
contributed significantly to the damage suffered by Johnson.
Erwin and others rendered aid at the scene, and kept Johnson
hydrated until medical help arrived, whereupon Johnson was treated
for transport and moved to a St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm
Beach, FL.
The CZAW Parrot is a fairly new LSA. The all-metal Parrot
utilizes a fully-cantilevered metal wing, with surprisingly curvy
fuselage, a forward-hinged canopy, and a 530 pound payload. The
aircraft is powered by a single Rotax 912 ULS, offering
100HP.
ANN wishes Dan a speedy recovery, cute nurses, and a quick
return to flight status.