I hate it when that happens...

Warbirdnerd · **Joined:** Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2923

Quote:

Plane takes off without pilot at vintage airshow
A runaway aircraft took off on its own when the pilot could not get into the cockpit on time after swinging the propeller. The classic biplane ran in circles on the ground at speeds of up to 60mph before taking off and flying on its own for 200m. It then crashed into trees at the edge of Goodwood airfield on Sunday.
Had it cleared the trees it is believed the plane, which was headed towards nearby Chichester, West Sussex, could have flown for around 150 miles on a full tank of fuel.
The small plane had just been refuelled before the incident and its pilots had 'swung' the propellers to restart the engine before getting inside to fly it.
But the aircraft - a 1940 model built in the style of a Tiger Moth - began moving before the pilot had a chance to board it.
Goodwood staff sprayed the plane with foam to stop it catching fire after the crash.
The Stampe was one of a number of aircraft at the airfield for the Goodwood Breakfast Club - a monthly event which displays vintage cars, motorbikes and aircraft for enthusiasts.
Malcolm Phillips, 67 of Emsworth, Hants, was at the event and took pictures of the plane coming down to the ground behind the trees.
The retired aircraft engineer said: "There were hundreds of people there watching as the plane ran amok, haring round in circles.
"We didn't know which way it was going to go and it was worrying that it could head towards the crowd, other planes or the clubhouse."
Mr Phillips said he thought there were about 400 people watching when the plane took off at 11am on Sunday.
He added: "Normally the idea is that you swing the propellers and have the handbrake on and chocks under the wheels.
"You also need to make sure the throttle is only set at low revs.
"Something clearly went wrong and it jumped over the chocks - I suspect what might have happened is that the throttle became loose."

Found it here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... rshow.html

jet1 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:29 pm

it was a fighter base and at one time they supported meteors. the old tower is still there and I got in it and the hair stood up on the back of my neck! it was very strange...like i didn't really belong there till the ghosts found out I was a pilot then the sensation went away....not that I believe in ghosts of course. There is a not to be missed pub very close to the old base (walking distance) and it is a full on WWII aviation pub and well worth the visit.

take the train from London to Chichester then a short cab ride to Tangmere (just east of Chichester)

50°50'43.82"N
0°42'50.86"W

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:44 pm

There's a photo somewhere on the net of a Piper light twin in Australia that looks like it went through a deli meat slicer. Apparently somebody hand-propped a Cessna, and it merrilly taxied itself across the ramp, wiping out half of a local flight school's fleet.

When I first saw the pic, the caption claimed the plane had been attacked with a chainsaw by a jealous husband. :roll:

Of course, we all know that everything posted on the interwebulator is absolutely true!

SN

skybolt2003 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:15 pm

why in the world would you self prop an aircraft at an airshow? insane.
there was a video floating around-it was an FAA video I think, of a 170 going around in circles with a guy hanging on the strut. It wound up running over him.

John Dupre · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:46 pm

In twenty seven years in aviation I have only hand propped once outside of school engines. I do have photos of a Bonanza, no less, that was handpropped at Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA. The owner wouldn't pay for a mechanic to do it. His wife didn't know what to do when the engine revved up.... so it took out about 5 aircraft including a high wing Piper from the wing tip straight down to the door.

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