Not the end of the world but sad news for me...

[hangarb7]

Greetings. I walked away from it, but I damaged N44057. In a nutshell, I have always been slow in adding power on the approach or missed approach. Had I added a touch of power when I flaired too high, I could have made a wheel landing or even a go around. It wasn't in the cards. I bounced hard on one wheel and the airplane veered rapidly, I was in for a groundloop (I think), straightened her up but it was too late, I mowed down an intersection sign and a portion of a VASI. Stupid, I know. The airport was using the downwind runway but winds were calm although my hangar partner said that it was a rear quarter tailwind. No excuse. I didn't maintain control. So very sorry now that although the damage looks light, they have totalled the airplane. It did have a prop strike so my A65 is due a teardown, and the last 5" of the prop is bent forward. Nosebowl dented and the induction cowl will need remade. I could do it all but the wife wants me to walk away. I am sick about it. What a lovely airplane and I killed it. They made me a low offer to keep it but I do not want to do the salvage myself. Sad news, but as I said, not the end of the world with how others suffer in this life.

Jack
Pittsburgh, PA

[Hank Jarrett]

Drop me a line Jack and let's see if someone would take her for a project. She was too pretty a plane to let die.

[Robert Lees]

Hey Jack.

As long as you are safe & well; that's all that's important.

The rest is just metal.

Rob

[Hank Jarrett]

And a bit of wood and fabric.....maybe some plastic and glass, and a couple decades of memories. Once we knew Jack was safe it became time to see if the memories can be saved.


Trust me, this plane can be saved. Just need someone who is as crazy as the rest of us to do it. No one who saw my 45 once I got the fabric off thought she would ever come back. Just is hard to imagine her being scrapped out by the insurance company. Anybody know someone who wants to take on a project?

Hank

[Kerbs]

That's a tough one but a reminder none of us are immune. Good thing is you were able to walk away from it. Sorry to hear about the rough day.

[Bird]

Sorry to hear this, do you mind telling us what they offered you to keep it?

[wmfife]

My research tends to show airplanes outlive their owners. My Dad's Champ was "totaled" during a biennial check ride (had taken on water and no one checked the tail drain- ) and both were in hospital but recovered.
Last I checked plane was all restored and flying in CA. Who knew-? More than I can say for my Dad. 70 at time of accident, lived just two mos.short of 91.
None of us has forever and mine has outlived at least two owners already.