Wind got me too!!

[Harbi]

I got a call from my friend today, that everyone dreads. "Hey Wade, down here at the airport and your plane is on it's back" I was driving home from work at still had two hours to think about what happened. Yep, forgot to tie the tailwheel down. Amazing how a 1.50 piece of rope can save a fella thousands of dollars!

Wade

[Dano"T"]

Re: Wind got me too!!

I was down on my dock last night babysitting my plane through a T-Storm with very strong winds. I had it tied good and it would have made it through without my help....(I Think) but 60 mph winds were cranking through and I was damn well gonna be keeping an eye on things. If I had left it on my boatlift...I think the whole works would have flipped over.....lift and all!

[hangarb7]

Re: Wind got me too!!

I'm not sure I could have stood there and watched!

About five years ago I got a call from the airport where my airplane was tied outside and they asked if they could move the tail between two hangars and tie car tires on the top of the wing (to break airflow), as a big, big hurricane storm was coming up the east coast.

I took off work and flew it 60 miles farther inland to a hangar that day.

Seriously, what would you have done if something would have started to happen?

Jack D
N44057

[Dan Mahalak]

Re: Wind got me too!!

just two days ago the same thing happened to me. I was at work when I got the call that the storm had broken my moring and I was flopping in the breeze. Bent the former for the strbd wing and put a few holes in my floats.....and gravel on top of the wing. I feel for you man.

[NJL]

Re: Wind got me too!!

Wade, sorry for your loss. I too learned the hard way that is hard to be over careful when tying down a light airplane. Spring winds are taking a heavy toll. Nick

[Harbi]

Re: Wind got me too!!

Took the wings home tonight for a good look over. I think I may have come out pretty good. The spars look real good and the ribs too. My radio antenna bent the left butt rib a bit when it went over. The bottom cowling got dinged up a bit, but I have a sheet of alum, and am hoping to build a new one. Prop got scratched up prettty good, but we are hoping it can be reconditioned. I guess the worst damage is to the end of the leading edges. That nice formed piece of alumimum that forms the curve on the leading edge got really dented on both tips. Of course, If any of you guys might know where these might be acquired, let me know.

Thanks Fella's
Wade

P.S. Check those tie downs!!!!

[Peter Collin]

Re: Wind got me too!!

Wade.
Sorry to hear about your plane, I was heartbroken when I read your post. I whish I was closer so I could give you a hand. Hope you get back in the air soon.

Peter