Hide/Show Archive Navigation.

All News

August 27, 2012

NTSB Says Trim Tab Separation Caused Reno Accident

Modifications To Galloping Ghost Weakened The Airplane Structurally

The NTSB determined at a meeting Monday in Washington, D.C. that deteriorated locknut inserts found in the highly modified North American P-51D airplane that crashed during the 2011 National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, allowed the trim tab attachment screws to become loose, and even initiated fatigue cracking in one screw. This condition, which resulted in reduced stiffness in the elevator trim system, ultimately led to aerodynamic flutter at racing speed that broke the trim tab linkages, resulting in a loss of controllability and the eventual crash.

Legendary Lee Bottom Flying Field, Damaged By Tornado, Needs YOUR Help

Lee Bottom Flying Field, a near legendary airport favored by grass roots aviators the world over, will hold the $100 Hamburger Tornado Relief Fundraiser Fly-In on September 29th, 2012. On March 2nd, 2012, the Indiana airport (as shown below, in better times) suffered a direct hit by a Tornado -- and the results weren't pretty. When the winds died, every piece of equipment, and every building, was either damaged or destroyed. Soon thereafter, it was realized the facilities no longer existed to host their well known annual fly-in, The Wood, Fabric, & Tailwheels Fly-In. This gave rise to the idea of a much-needed fundraiser.

Nick Donner Wins Coveted Top Spot

Few pilots get to wear the title of "World's Best" in any aspect of this overtly complex business, but in the case of a US Balloonist, one pilot can now proudly note that he truly is the best on/over earth. Nick Donner of Fischerville, KY is the new World Champion Hot Air Balloonist. Donner claimed the title Saturday after a week of competitions in Battle Creek, MI. Defending World Champion John Petrehn finished 2nd while Yudai Fujita of Japan was 3rd. Donner's younger brother Chase, finished 4th as Team USA claimed 3 of the top 5 positions. Uwe Schneider of Germany rounded out the Top 5.