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Bad News Crispy Critter
Crispy Critter is now Crispy Crunch!!!!
June 9th,2007. Crispy suffered a major setback when she left the parking apron (unmanned)and went over a 20 foot embankment landing on her nose. I really don't have the heart to tell the whole story and prefer it remain that way for now. Also embaressment lead me to tell a couple of people different stories because they insisted on an explanation that I was not prepared to give at that time.Anyway,the who thing was beyond any human control and it happened. I did have insurance and they did pay quickly and generously.Even thought that will help with the financial part of things it doesn't help the emotional part very much.I have a few pics that were taken after she was towed back to the hanger and the engine removed. I will post them on the gallery with a link added her later....maybe one of these days Rob Lees or someone can teach me how to post those large size pics directly on this board or maybe he can pull them from the gallery and do it for me.
As for the damage....this items were destroyed,lower cowling that I put so much time into making from scratch,nose bowl,both gear legs(thanks to Safe Air Repair I already have a brand new set.Very nice but NOT CHEAP!),engine mount,intake spider(carb is ok),prop,exhaust,airbox,were all also destroyed. The firewall will straighten but is bent around the bottom thrid,boot cowl might be able to be reused but it will never look very good because of all the wrinkles so I will replace it also. The fuslage is bent up pretty badly from the front gear attach brakets forward. It could be rebuilt but one would need a factory jig to do so(if anyone knows of a factory jig or one that is as perfect as a factory jig please let me know).It pushed both the upper and lower right tubing intersections back where the engine mount bolts to the fuslage,as a result it bent the lower longeron between the firewall and the gear also misalining the forward gear fitting.It bent 2 of the tubing pieces that go up through the windshield on the right side.It bent the tube that runs along between the fuel tank and control yoke tube.It slightly bowed both the pieces of tubing that goes across the fuslage between the lower longerons,one that the brake pulleys attach too, and the other that runs directly under the bungee's that the gear bumpers attach too. As for the wings,luckily they never touched the ground BUT,the impact on her nose was hard enough to split the left rear main spar at the attach fitting. The right wing appears to have taken the blow without damage but I will uncover and check it more closely when the time comes. There was not strut damage at all either.
I am going to go post pics to the gallery now and cry.....This time I plan on doing a full photo documetary with pics and video as she comes apart and back together so that everyone can have a very detailed workbook one the disassembly,reassembly,and rebuilding of a taylorcraft. It will be free to T-craft members.
June 9th,2007. Crispy suffered a major setback when she left the parking apron (unmanned)and went over a 20 foot embankment landing on her nose. I really don't have the heart to tell the whole story and prefer it remain that way for now. Also embaressment lead me to tell a couple of people different stories because they insisted on an explanation that I was not prepared to give at that time.Anyway,the who thing was beyond any human control and it happened. I did have insurance and they did pay quickly and generously.Even thought that will help with the financial part of things it doesn't help the emotional part very much.I have a few pics that were taken after she was towed back to the hanger and the engine removed. I will post them on the gallery with a link added her later....maybe one of these days Rob Lees or someone can teach me how to post those large size pics directly on this board or maybe he can pull them from the gallery and do it for me.As for the damage....this items were destroyed,lower cowling that I put so much time into making from scratch,nose bowl,both gear legs(thanks to Safe Air Repair I already have a brand new set.Very nice but NOT CHEAP!),engine mount,intake spider(carb is ok),prop,exhaust,airbox,were all also destroyed. The firewall will straighten but is bent around the bottom thrid,boot cowl might be able to be reused but it will never look very good because of all the wrinkles so I will replace it also. The fuslage is bent up pretty badly from the front gear attach brakets forward. It could be rebuilt but one would need a factory jig to do so(if anyone knows of a factory jig or one that is as perfect as a factory jig please let me know).It pushed both the upper and lower right tubing intersections back where the engine mount bolts to the fuslage,as a result it bent the lower longeron between the firewall and the gear also misalining the forward gear fitting.It bent 2 of the tubing pieces that go up through the windshield on the right side.It bent the tube that runs along between the fuel tank and control yoke tube.It slightly bowed both the pieces of tubing that goes across the fuslage between the lower longerons,one that the brake pulleys attach too, and the other that runs directly under the bungee's that the gear bumpers attach too. As for the wings,luckily they never touched the ground BUT,the impact on her nose was hard enough to split the left rear main spar at the attach fitting. The right wing appears to have taken the blow without damage but I will uncover and check it more closely when the time comes. There was not strut damage at all either.
I am going to go post pics to the gallery now and cry.....This time I plan on doing a full photo documetary with pics and video as she comes apart and back together so that everyone can have a very detailed workbook one the disassembly,reassembly,and rebuilding of a taylorcraft. It will be free to T-craft members.
At least no one got hurt....little consolation I know.....I had an engine failure on takeoff and crunched my 1940 BC-65 almost 20 years ago....I feel your pain. I came out completely unhurt.....but oh my pride....how she suffered so. 
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