Any news on Kevin Manion's Accident Report?

[bobthebuilder]

Does anyone know if the CAA has released an official report regarding Kevin Manions fatal accident.

[DarkHelmet]

Eish bob! You made me skrik with the subject! I edited it a bit, thought we had another one!

[bobthebuilder]

Thanks.

This accident occured years ago. At the time, there were plenty of theories about the cause of the accident floating around. As time passed, things went quiet.
Maybe Leprechaun can shed some light?

[John Young]

Hi Byron,

This has been debated hotly around the world.

Six of these trikes have had fatal mid-air break ups. Leading edge breaks in the region of the flying wire area.

The manufacturer has blamed wild maneuvers, negative G's and called concerned pilot's "a bunch of fish-slapping wives at the local market". Utter bollocks.

Kevin's break-up was witnessed - conditions were good.

A "lid" appears on Kevin's case - RIP.

Regards
John

[Bundy]

What type of trike was this? What year did the accident happen? I'll try and find the report.

EDIT: On a previous topic in relation to an accident in Hawaii Bob, you mentioned that Kevins accident happened in 2009? I cannot however find any reference to an Airbourne edge in the CAA Occurence reports in either 2009 or 2008.

Regards,

[Big-D]

If I remember correctly the accident was 1 March 2008

A dark day and I actually stopped flying for a couple of months after this tragedy.

RIP Kevin Still makes me very sad thinking back on that time

D

[Bundy]

I checked the Occurrence Reports for that period 1st Feb to March 31 2008....nothing?

Whats strange is that 01/03/2008 is not included in the Occurence reports from 2008 on the CAA website???

Dates run from 22nd to 28th Feb and the from 2nd to the 8th of March??? Maybe thats why I cant seem to find it?

[bobthebuilder]

David is correct. I am unsure of the exact date, but it was early in 2008. The trike was an Airboure Edge. Kevin only bought the trike a few weeks before the accident.
The Microland gang went out to Groblersdal for the weekend. It broke up in flight as per John Youngs post.
I was not there, and have heard the facts from several people, so I am not sure of the accuracy.
There were no witnesses.
I remember that there was a theory about a helmet going through the prop too. It was found some distance from the crash site. The leading edge of the wing was broken where the spreader bar connects.
I remember that Alex Rudd investigated the accident at the time.

[bobthebuilder]

I can't believe the manufacturers attitude..... BS!

[Air Hog]

Alex can maybe put some pressure on CAA to make this report public.

[DarkHelmet]

Hi Folks, lets keep general discussion in Hangar talk, I have moved the request to Hangar Talk and merged the convo's. this conversation does not belong in Accident Reports and incident reports. Keep requests for reports to hangar talk and the other for Reporting actual accidents and incidents.

Let's be open minded and not put products down without proof.

Keep to the facts.

10 of one aircraft were built, 1 of them crashed due to some unforeseen circumstances.

100 of another type was made, 10 of them had weird accidents of similar nature.

Both had a 10% fatality rate!

[Bundy]

As soon as I read this heading I knew I'd seen that name before....there is a picture of him in the Lapa at MLand. I did not know Kevin, my condolences to all who knew him.

Air Hog, you are quite correct, we should not label any aircraft without fully understanding the circumstances and facts. What is contributing to this however is the enormous amount of time it takes to get these Accident Reports finalized. This Occurred nearly 4 years ago?? Surely an interim report would be justified at least?

An In Flight structural failure (in any aerie) is right up there with the worst possible things that can happen whilst flying and will naturally cause everybody to sit up and take notice....but 4 years without any offical findings does not help the manufacturer, the Pilots family and friends nor the rest of us at all.

[Air Hog]

Hi Bundy
I have edited my post, it was only going to start a fight that was not worth fighting. The thing is, there is no proof that this was a structural failure. I have seen the wreck and I investigated this because I was flying the Airborne myself and you need peace of mind. Because of my investigating, I maybe now more about this accident than others and until this is made public, all I can say is, don't speculate if you don't know the facts.

[bobthebuilder]

Thanks for moving the post DH

Airhog ... I think that Airborn have a fantastic product. I am certainly not knocking their offering.

[vernon11]

Byron.
I don't want to drag this on, but In your post, you say there were no witnesses. John says several witnessed the break up. Hell I am confused
Vernon.