Jim Tobul's Corsair flipped on landing. Jim is ok

[marine air]

I like how they say the plane will be flying again in one day! I have images of a crew of sailors and lots of NOS parts from N.A.S. Atlanta changing that engine, prop, canopy, vertical fin and rudder and right wing overnight, LOL.

[over/out]

Bomberfan, I THINK Marines Dream stood on it's nose a couple of months ago on landing. It DID'NT flip over.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Jim is okay and it's just some bent metal. Best outcome in this situation.
"Marine's Dream" incident was late lat August.

[Mark Allen M]

Sad news indeed. Glad the outcome wasn't tragic other than a pranged Corsair. Nothing else to add that hasn't already been discussed.
Below is a similar event from back in the 50's that clearly shows some toughness on the part of the Corsair design around the cockpit area. This pilot walked away as well.

[Robbie Stuart]

Sad news indeed. Glad the outcome wasn't tragic other than a pranged Corsair. Nothing else to add that hasn't already been discussed.
Below is a similar event from back in the 50's that clearly shows some toughness on the part of the Corsair design around the cockpit area. This pilot walked away as well.

They are tough!

[Ken]

I was so very sorry to see the news of this when checking WIX this morning. Very thankful Jim will be okay, as will the airplane in time.

This is something I've been thinking about in the T-6, etc. Last week I was re-reading the Hilliard & Doan reports in an attempt to learn from those unfortunate accidents and, given time, maybe some useful knowledge will come out of this incident as well. The Skyraider manual talks about the likelihood of flipping the airplane when leaving the prepared surface and recommends raising the gear to collapse the airplane on its belly instead. As a pilot, I know this makes sense on an operational level, however having the presence of mind to actually do this in the heat of the moment and counter that little voice that says "Don't be the guy who put this thing on its belly when it may have just rolled onto the grass" is a strong set of conflicting issues to reconcile. Like the gentleman who bailed out of Big Beautiful Doll after the Duxford mid-air, practicing the motions and having made the decision well ahead of time are key.

I don't know Jim well but I've met him and think highly of him. To be clear, I'm not second guessing anything he, or anyone else may or may not have done. I'm simply glad he's okay and, if there's any discussion when the time is right, I'd hope there's something to be learned.

Respectfully,
Ken

[Hemiman]

Sad news indeed. Glad the outcome wasn't tragic other than a pranged Corsair. Nothing else to add that hasn't already been discussed.
Below is a similar event from back in the 50's that clearly shows some toughness on the part of the Corsair design around the cockpit area. This pilot walked away as well.

That Corsair was being flown by my good friends father-in-law Lt Jg James Goeppinger. He lost an arm from injuries received in the crash. His daughter believes the accident occured at Norfolk NAS around 48'/49'. Later became a Criminal Court Judge in Tulsa, Ok.


and the reason for the crash:

[Mark Allen M]

Another shot of that mishap.

[K5DH]

Very sorry to hear about the airplane being damaged, but VERY, VERY glad that Mr. Tobul is gonna be okay!!! We can replace airplanes (all we need is a dataplate, right?) but we cannot replace people.

[over/out]

Deleted, in respect for Jim & his family. Hope for the best.

Last edited by over/out on Mon May 19, 2014 8:48 pm, edited 6 times in total.

[Mark Allen M]

Mods, just my .02 cents, maybe, WIX should have a policy that if any of us wants to report an accident, we should notify one of the mod.s First, & let them be the first to post it.

Why? there's nothing wrong with this thread and no reason to believe anyone did, or is doing anything wrong. Robbie had an issue he feels is valid and he stated his thoughts about it. No big deal! I can certainly understand where he's coming from and Bryan did nothing wrong with his posting of what several of us already knew about earlier. Nothing disrespectful that I've seen and no reason not to post thoughts and concerns about it here on WIX, as I believe has been stated in the past, I'd rather read it here than most other places. For every one post that's a tad bit rough around the edges, there's several that are nothing but well wishes, thoughtful concern and valuable insight. Just what this website is based upon right? We're supposed to be grown ups who are capable of respectful contributions regarding ALL warbird matters. I think it's been pretty darn good around here for a long time.

Anyone upset perhaps it should be towards me, I've posted some photos that possibly detract from what this thread's intentions were mean't to be. if so sorry fellas.

M

[RobbieH]

Sad news indeed. Glad the outcome wasn't tragic other than a pranged Corsair. Nothing else to add that hasn't already been discussed.
Below is a similar event from back in the 50's that clearly shows some toughness on the part of the Corsair design around the cockpit area. This pilot walked away as well.

I have in my possession more pictures of this crash. Seeing as how it was my fathers plane you are showing I thought I would enlighten you a little on what really happened. The plane had been down due to maintenance issues. It was to be flown by the maintenance officer, but he was not present at the time. My father James P Goeppinger was the "safety officer" (his title)at the time. He flew the plane instead of the maintenance officer. The plane had problems as my father was flying over navy housing rather then bail out he stayed with the airplane to land it at the field. He landed the plane unpowered, it bounced on its gears then up on its nose then flipped over. Don't know if he actually walked away but he was in the navy hospital with injuries. He ended up getting gangrene in his left arm leaving the only option but to amputate.

The maintenance officer was not very well liked, he was very hard to work for. When they examined the plane they found other decencies with the plane. Cut lines, missing clamps, detached hoses, and bad things in the nacelle. Things a pilot would miss in his walk around, because the panels would be closed. This was not an accident, it was intentional.

I registered so you all could know the true story behind these pictures. Thank you for offering up that the pilot walked away(lived). I am proud of my father for how he tried to land the plane and saving live by not bailing out over housing. I am also proud to say I was the first female to work on planes in the 70's at my squadron. This story was always with me as I worked on the TA-4J Skyhawk.

Have a nice day everyone!

[zorro9]

RobbieH/MarK

..on the contrary pictures tend to capture & tells us of what really happened after an accident. Yes F4Us were built tough, built to last & take lots punishment. I'm glad for both pilots to have survived such an accident. Jim & his F4U will come back in due time.

p.s Marine Dreams flipped but not over awhile ago, Mark's B/w shows a flipped over accident with lots of foam on the aircraft, was it catching on fire?? Jim's F4U shows no foam in the area. Lots of factors in these kind of accidents. To illustrate F4U-4 FAH 612 Buno 97288 c. 1968 after a forced landing due to engine failure. The pilot landed at the nearest available farm field & also walked away!

Last edited by zorro9 on Sat May 17, 2014 6:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[RobbieH]

RobbieH/MarK

..on the contrary pictures tend to capture & tells us of what really happened after an accident. Yes F4Us were built tough, built to last & take lots punishment. I'm glad for both pilots to have survived such an accident. Jim & his F4U will come back in due time.

p.s Marine Dreams flipped but not over awhile ago, Mark's B/w shows a flipped over accident with lots of foam on the aircraft, was it catching on fire?? Jim's F4U shows no foam in the area. Lots of factors in this kind of accidents.

Loose clamps on fuel lines, fire in the nacelle, foam was usual routine with fuel on the ground to keep the fuel from going up. Mark's B/W are of my fathers aircraft.

[zorro9]

RobbieH:

Do you have a pic of the V/Stab area of your Dad's plane?? was that aircraft rebuilt??