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Post by renard80 on May 2, 2013 23:51:48 GMT 1
I complete all the pre-flying checks. Everything is as it should be. So, I do my usual rolling take-off, with the right stick slightly back and throttle gently increasing. But instead of soaring steadily forwards and upwards as a well-behaved aircraft should, she decides to rise sharply and to one side. I knock off the throttle, she recovers slightly but isn't gaining height - and heading for trees. Just a tad more throttle to get her lifting. But again she responds sharply, rising vertically before falling backwards, legs in the air. Off throttle again. She completes her loop but still hasn't achieved height. In fact, she is now lower than previously. So, slight throttle again, only to see her rise too steeply once more and begin another backwards somersault. She is too near the ground this time, and despite my efforts she hits the dirt with a helluva thump. Worst damage ever. And the wing is snapped nearly in half.  What do you think, guys? Is she worth pasting together? Will mending that complete break lead to a twisted fuselage / undesirable flight characteristics? Or shall I follow my gut instincts, give her a decent burial and buy a new fuselage and wing? ALSO: WTF should she suddenly play up like that? Any ideas? (Other than 'time of the month' . . .  |
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Post by renard80 on May 2, 2013 23:54:56 GMT 1
Sorry the pix didn't come out. Try again:   |
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Post by flydiver on May 3, 2013 1:04:08 GMT 1
Test the motor and electrics since that's part of the repair package. The foam looks like an easy rebuild.
There is often a taste of failure and discouragement after an incident like that and a tendency to want to bury the evidence. Give it a couple days to settle down, get out the whiite Gorilla Glue and have at it.
It's problematic AFTER a crash but it seems clear you were having issues that led to the crash. You really need to figure that out or you may have a repeat. It sounds like an elevator issue. I'd check the servos first.
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Post by iandhunt on May 3, 2013 7:43:02 GMT 1
That is total fixable.....remember my L4 crash post from a month ago? It isn't a crash, it is working out the kinks!
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Post by Crazy Horse on May 3, 2013 9:06:25 GMT 1
Sorry to see the lady in such a predicament.
As Ian says, totally fixable, they look like good clean breaks to me. Bamboo sticks and epoxy, plus a little tape. I hope you find the source of the problem and get her in the air soon.
There is no such thing as broken, just something slightly misaligned.
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Post by renard80 on May 3, 2013 20:57:22 GMT 1
Thanks for all the advice, everyone.
I will have a go at rebuilding. My hesitation was due to the major damage at a rather flimsy area - much worse than any of my previous accidents.
Fly - as stated, it was when I increased the throttle slightly that the aircraft rose sharply upwards and veered to the side. You say it sounds like an elevator issue and recommend I check the servos first. Remembering that my technical knowhow is abysmal, please can you elaborate on how operating the throttle might affect the elevator servo? Or am I missing something? Thanks.
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Post by flydiver on May 4, 2013 17:59:20 GMT 1
Why would it suddenly rise up? Here are some speculations, but not necessarily exhaustive. At low throttle and speed, control surfaces are less effective. As speed picks up they become more effective. If your servo was malfunctioning or not glued in properly it might have showed up with more throttle. You may not have noticed it but you likely added elevator when you increased throttle. If the elevator horn was loose the acceleration might have affected it. Those look like Hex 900? I had one go bad on me and the aileron (in this case) simply flapped down about 30*. No warning at all, simply failed in flight. It was fine on the ground before take-off. Almost lost that plane.  Any servo can do this any time. Murphy's law insists that it will be in flight, not on the ground.  You also may have had a broken firewall or motor mount. Al low throttle it held OK. At higher throttle it pulled partly loose. This would likely make it pull up and to the side. After a good crash like that it's hard to tell because everything is busted up. Did it happen before the crash and was the cause, or after? Hard to figure out. CHECK EVERYTHING! All parts are now suspect. You put some carbon or bamboo across those 'flimsy' broken areas when gluing and it'll be stronger than it was. This is one of the areas I like carbon flats. Make a slit, glue it in edge-wise across the break and into solid anchor foam, and it's almost invisible. But since it's no longer 'pretty' you can just gouge a trough and glue cheap bamboo skewers in too. Cover with colored tape or fill with light Spackle to make it look better. If you want a new pretty one...have at. ;D |
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Post by renard80 on May 4, 2013 19:34:09 GMT 1
Thanks v.much for all that great information, fly. I will certainly be checking everything thoroughly as you recommend while attempting rebuild. I bought some more Gorilla and bamboo skewers today  |
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Post by gdoginya on May 10, 2013 2:17:50 GMT 1
very fixable..my crash was worse than yours..my cub ids still flying
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Post by spindeepster on May 12, 2013 2:13:04 GMT 1
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Post by renard80 on May 12, 2013 21:46:58 GMT 1
Thanks for the words of encouragement, spindeepster. I still haven't got round to repairing her yet - too many less-important matters keep requiring my attention.  |
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bpj1980
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 75
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Post by bpj1980 on May 22, 2013 13:52:28 GMT 1
So any update? how does she look now? repaired yet? fingers crossed all went/goes smooth for the operation and a quick recovery and she is back in the air soon,
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Post by Crazy Horse on May 22, 2013 16:33:36 GMT 1
Come on Renard, give us an update please.
I sincerely hope she will be flying again soon.
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Post by toff on May 23, 2013 23:42:43 GMT 1
Ooh. Not good, but totally fixable. Hot glue, epoxy, and some carbon rod will make it good as new. Use 2mm carbon on the nose, 4-6mm on the wing break. Not sure at the moment what the weather is like 'down sarf', but , I've been working in Brighouse today, and it was snowing! Rain squalls, heavy rain, snow, hailstones, heavy rain, drizzle, then bright sunshine!
But windy as well. Good luck with it Ian!
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Post by renard80 on May 29, 2013 2:04:17 GMT 1
OK, here is how the fuselage looks now. I used Hold The Foam for the foam. It seems firm enough. Bamboo sticks have added strength, I hope. The yellow is hot melt glue from previous repairs. I wish now I hadn't used it - it is heavy and unsightly. Wow, my poor old gal looks really battered after her adventures over recent months. Now to rebuild and to investigate the reasons for her erratic behaviour. Many thanks to everyone who encouraged me during my period of despair following that severe crash.    |
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