Any news on Kevin Manion's Accident Report?

[bobthebuilder]

Hi Vernon,
The group returned from an early morning flight safely. While the guys were packing up, the lodge owners kid was interested in the trikes and asked if he could go for a flip. Kevin volenteered, and went out alone with the pax. The accident happened on whilst on a scenic flight with the pax. One of the neighbors contacted the lodge after someone on the ground saw the smoke.
As far as I am aware, there were no real witnesses.

This accident has haunted me for years, because trikes dont just crash for no reason.
I am not interested in the speculation, but would like to find some form of closure.
Who at the CAA would be able to assist?

[vernon11]

Byron, thaks for the explenation.
As for anyone at CAA to give information. I dont have a clue.

Vernon.

[Bundy]

Alex Rudd heads up MISASA's safety portfolio, and as far as I understand was involved in this accident investigation. I will ask him to try and get some more info for us on the status of the report.

[bobthebuilder]

Thanks Alan

[Blue Max]

Some of the MLP of Groblersdal were on the accident scene moments after the accident happened.
For the sake of everybody it is better not to relate what i was told, but it will be a relief for many to know what exactly went wrong.

[Loco]

Alex Rudd heads up MISASA's safety portfolio, and as far as I understand was involved in this accident investigation. I will ask him to try and get some more info for us on the status of the report.

Hi did you manage to ascertain anything from him?

[Bundy]

Hi Anthony,

I saw Alex this weekend and we had a chat about this accident. Alex was indeed involved with this accident investigation and has handed his findings over to the relevant people at CAA. The matter still lies unresolved with them and the reasons for that are unclear?

We have to go through official channels here, and I will now ask Braam (our Misasa Exco who handles CAA matters) to investigate further...

I will let you know as soon as I have some concrete information Sir.

[Loco]

Many thanks Bundy

[bosbok]

Any further news about this accident ?

[Bundy]

Morning guys,

I'm afraid I am to blame for not following up on this!

I did send a mail through to CAA at the time but did not follow up after not recieving any answer. I hope you will forgive me but I got sidetracked by our own misfortune with DBP.

I will try and get some answers from CAA this week.

I again invite Leprechaun to give us his opinion though? Alex you were the investigator, surely you can tell us what the findings of your investigations were? Or are you not allowed to comment until the final report is issued by the CAA? If that is the case then can we have the CAA contact with whom we can correspond in this matter? It will just save time...

Families and friends of accident victims deserve the Authorities best efforts to try and get to the bottom of these unfortunate events. It really does not appear that this is the case with respect to this specific accident.

[lamercyfly]

The manner in which our accident investigations are swept under the carpet is so reflective of our passive society.

You will hear nothing. You will get nothing. And when you probe you will be labelled a 'stirrer'.

I have read reports from FAA. They are labelled PRELIMINARY. They are issued within a few weeks. They are issued to help families and interested people get some form of closure. They are usually very accurate, but are subject to final findings.

All we get is "the CAA are investigating". What a ruddy joke.

Alex, if you were the official MISASA representative to this accident, and a Pro Tem accident investigator, then I for one insist that you copy your report to CAA onto this forum. There is NO SECRECY to a preliminary finding. Was the helmut found far from the wreckage? Was there or were there unexplained tears through the fabric showing inlet on the underside and outlet on the upper surfact ? In what direction was the break of the leading edge tubing ie did it show a break in flight or on ground impact. There is SO MUCH a keen knowledgeable eye can see within minutes..

If you feel that you can not comment, then please tell us, but remaining silent is not an option.

Kind regards.

Good luck to those looking for closure.

[Bundy]

I have mailed the following to Braam this morning...

Hi Braam,

I am hoping you can point me in the right direction here.

Kevin Manion was killed in a WCM crash in March 2008. No report has ever (to my knowledge) been issued in regard to this. Where can I make enqieries WRT this accident?

A lot of our members (MISASA) have asked questions about this and I’d like to follow up on the CAA’s progress.

Many Thanks,

Alan Hussey
MISASA

[Loco]

Thanks Bundy...

[John Young]

Hi Guys,

The leading edge failed during normal flight. It broke at or just outside where the flying wires connect.

In total, six XT's have experienced leading edge failure during normal flight - 3 in Aus, 1 in NZ, 1 in SA and 1 in Hawaii - all fatal.

The manufacturer insists that the wings were abused in terms of excessive negative loading - cod wallop

I don't see how a trike can exceed +6 / -3 G loadings. In any event, Kevin was in a gaggle - if conditions were that wild, the other pilots would have reported this.

The leading edges are under-spec'd on the XT's.

Q.E.D. ===>

Regards
John

[Bundy]

Can someone give me the exact date of the accident and registration no of the aircraft please? It was mentioned earlier that it could have been the 1 Mar 2008? Need some confirmation for CAA...
Thanks guys,

EDIT: Does anyone have the link to the original Accident thread? I cant find anything on a search??