Rudy Frasca - Frasca Air Museum

retroaviation · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 8:34 am

A2C wrote:

Quote:

retroaviation wrote:
Yeah, that was certainly one of the most unfortunate situations to happen in the aviation world.

Gary
Joe Frasca did an awesome aerobatic routine in the P-40 at Oshkosh one year, including a loop with a snaproll at the top. Low and very impressive. He also flew his little aerobatic plane rather impresively. That guy sure could fly!

What happened to him?

I don't recall the specifics, so the details may be a bit off here (I couldn't find anything on the Internet about this either)......

Joe was flying back from the U.S. National Aerobatic Contest, many years ago, when he encountered aileron flutter. The airplane started shaking itself apart, if I remember correctly, and he bailed out. The big problem was that on cross country flights, he would tend to leave the leg straps on his parachute unlatched, as they can be quite uncomfortable. Well, when he deployed his parachute, it opened as it should have, but simply slid off of him, resulting in his death. Obviously a terrible mistake, but one that gets repeated often in both the Warbird and Aerobatic communities, so it has at least been something for others to learn from.

He was a heck of a good stick who was very well thought of. It just goes to show that even the best pilots out there can make mistakes that can be disasterous.

Gary

richkolasa · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:15 am

I've just really started having a problem with how many darn good people lose their lives based on an innocent mistake, yet the newspapers are filled with heinous criminals committing "mistakes" over and over and never getting their "come-uppance". It just ain't right.

Rich

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:56 am

Tks for sharing the pics

What's with the G46 snout ?

Related to the original italian engine serviceability & parts availability ?

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:57 am

NTSB Identification: FTW91DPG21 .
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 45623.
Accident occurred Saturday, September 28, 1991 in JOHNSON, AR
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/26/1993
Aircraft: JOSEPH P. FRASCA ASTROCRAFT, registration: N999JF
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
DURING A DAYLIGHT FLIGHT OVER AN AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND OUT OF CONTROL TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARACHUTE TO SAFETY; HOWEVER, THE PARACHUTE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE PILOT AND THE PILOT FELL TO THE GROUND.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

THE LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, AND PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT NOT FOLLOWED, WHICH RESULTED IN PARACHUTE SEPARATION.

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:19 am

What is the Italian aircraft? A Fiat of some sort?

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:49 am

Fiat G46...with a small radial

retroaviation · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:54 am

The engine for the Fiat appears to be a firewall forward setup off of a Yak 55M. If nothing else, it certainly appears to be the M-14P engine with the MT prop installed. I know it's not original, but it sure looks like a nicely done installation.

Gary

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:36 pm

It used to have a inline (inverted?) engine and 2 seats.
It looked better in the before photo!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:45 pm

BTW the FM-2 is painted has ace Lt Joe McGraw's from VC-10 on the USS Gambier Bay

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:31 pm

Quote:

Funny how no matter which collection you look at, there is always a Cub!

Rudy is pushing 80 now I believe, and I was told he sticks mainly to flying the smaller stuff these days. He returned from his day's flight in the Cub about the same time David was pushing the P-40 back into the hangar.

Quote:

the FM-2 is painted has ace Lt Joe McGraw's from VC-10 on the USS Gambier Bay

Here's a better look at the fuselage markings on the port side (kind of).

[img][img]http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo40/corsairguru/aircraft/Frasca%20Air%20Museum/dsc00418-small.jpg[/img][/img]

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:46 pm

Capt Joe lived in Oak Harbor and I visited him a few times when I was stationed at NAS Whidbey.
His son I believe was a F-18 pilot and retired also has a Capt.
BTW also at Oak Harbor was NAP ace Paul Mankin.

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:13 pm

Thank you for sharing the photos, Rob, and posting an update on what is happening with the Frasca 190. Here are some additional, yet random photos I took of their Wildcat at Oshkosh in '05, collecting details at the time. It is nice to learn of the history behind the markings! I hope they bring their Spitfire back to Oshkosh again one of these years - I just missed it by a day the last time it was there.

tex-fan · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:36 am

saw naked fanny in the back ground there. where is she based out of now? thanks

stearmann4 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:05 am

tex-fan wrote:

saw naked fanny in the back ground there. where is she based out of now? thanks

She belongs to Rick Morrison and flies out of Mongomery Field (MYF) or Ramona (RNM) in San Diego, CA.

Mike-

tex-fan · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:11 am

I thought she was probably not in the Texas aera. I was just thinking I might get to see her someday, who knows maybe she will come to a airshow in Texas. Thanks for the info

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