Fatal Lockheed 12A crash 15th June 2024

[OD/NG]

Dan's posted a video to Facebook from his hospital bed. He looks like he's done ten rounds with Muhammad Ali but that's to be expected. He's even promising to post a Sunday update!

I know some folks don't have much love for Dan but I really like the man. He says what he sees and is short on BS. Thoughts to all and get well soon.

Wow, a couple of revelations from Dan's post. Pretty horrific on his injuries - I hope he doesn't lose his foot. He was filming in that Lockheed 12A to make a video on checklist usage and flap settings in response to the Chino crash and what his investigation has already concluded as to the cause.

He's going to post video of his crash on Sunday and talk about what he thinks happened. He says that the aircraft experienced a left brake lockup/seizure and that caused the swerve off the runway and resultant collision with the tree. That crash could have been a LOT worse. Apparently there was 100LL all over the place and he couldn't shut one of the engines down after the collision and it was backfiring quite a bit. Thankfully there was no fire.

[ZRX61]

He's going to post video of his crash on Sunday and talk about what he thinks happened. He says that the aircraft experienced a left brake lockup/seizure and that caused the swerve off the runway and resultant collision with the tree.

Juan's video is up, right at the end there is video that shows the tail wheel wasn't locked:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQhA-R2kKbo

I guess the lock could have broken right at touch down...?

[quemerford]

I can't see that a shimmying/unlocked tail wheel would prevent differential braking overcoming any waywardness. Anyone know better?

[Cvairwerks]

If I remember correctly from crewing an L-10, the POH says no 3pt landings under any circumstances, and to verify the tailwheel is locked prior to touchdown. There is a speed region where the flaps and wing will blank out the tail for a moment.

[Hooligan2]

I can't see that a shimmying/unlocked tail wheel would prevent differential braking overcoming any waywardness. Anyone know better?

It's quite a narrow little strip, maybe 90 feet between the trees and the bank off the west side:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ow86VQEMVsrPvyvT9

[OD/NG]

Wow, things are heating up. J.B. (Blancolirio) posted a detailed analysis of what he thought happened in Gryder's accident and the root cause of the runway departure - a "seemingly unlocked tailwheel" as shown in the landing video. D.G. is now upset with J.B. and says that the unlocked tailwheel had nothing to do with the accident. Those 2 used to be very close friends and appeared in each others' youtube channels several times over the years. I don't think that will be the case in the future. I'm also shocked that Gryder posted video of himself sexually harassing the nurses at the hospital. Any good lawyer would tell him to shut the hell up and not talk about this accident at all. At some point, all of this will be used against him and probably to his detriment. Whether it's legal, FAA or NTSB woes, it just goes to show that Gryder is his own worst enemy and brings it all on himself.

[quemerford]

Dan and Juan often have disagreements, but they get over it. It's what we all used to do....

[Matt Gunsch]

I looked at a POH for the Lockheed 12 and the tail wheel must be locked for take off and landing, same as any other multi engine tail dragger I know of. If the tail wheel is not locked, it can make things very exciting, such as seen in the video of the tail wheel rotating, it can cause it vibrate, or cause you to explore parts of the airport you did not intend to visit, like a tree.

[JohnH]

Wow, things are heating up. J.B. (Blancolirio) posted a detailed analysis of what he thought happened in Gryder's accident and the root cause of the runway departure - a "seemingly unlocked tailwheel" as shown in the landing video. D.G. is now upset with J.B. and says that the unlocked tailwheel had nothing to do with the accident. Those 2 used to be very close friends and appeared in each others' youtube channels several times over the years. I don't think that will be the case in the future. I'm also shocked that Gryder posted video of himself sexually harassing the nurses at the hospital. Any good lawyer would tell him to shut the hell up and not talk about this accident at all. At some point, all of this will be used against him and probably to his detriment. Whether it's legal, FAA or NTSB woes, it just goes to show that Gryder is his own worst enemy and brings it all on himself.

I had heard of stuff like some of the EAA incidents w his DC3, where he was asked to leave , and the theft of the light from that accident scene involving the tower. I also knew of the million dollar libel loss, because that's a client of a friend's. But until this week I had never actually goggled Dan's other issues. Stalking , the airport incident that led to him losing his Delta gig. The guy has serious psychological issues. He just cannot stay out of trouble.

[Hooligan2]

Don't forget the Cessna 150 full flap go around, er, crash with two largish guys aboard...

[quemerford]

I had heard of stuff like some of the EAA incidents w his DC3, where he was asked to leave , and the theft of the light from that accident scene involving the tower.

Having heard all sides, I disagree that Dan was guilty of theft of the light. Since the accident investigation team seemed unable to understand that they were being gaslighted, all Dan did was preserve evidence before it 'disappeared' - and at some time after all investigation had supposedly been completed. He seems to have been totally open about his actions and keen to supply the light to the relevant authorities, if they ever get their heads out of their backsides.

[PinecastleAAF]

D.G. is now upset with J.B. and says that the unlocked tailwheel had nothing to do with the accident.

Oh, how ironic.

[ZRX61]

He's going to post video of his crash on Sunday and talk about what he thinks happened. He says that the aircraft experienced a left brake lockup/seizure and that caused the swerve off the runway and resultant collision with the tree.

That's now changed to complete failure of the right brake, the one they just had apart.

[Bradburger]

For those interested, Dan's Sunday video is up now, followed by a live update on his accident in the Lockheed 12A : -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j9aXVX_UF4

Cheers

Paul