RED HOOK, N.Y. -- Authorities say a World War I replica biplane crashed shortly after takeoff at a New York aviation museum known for its air shows. No one was hurt.
The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office says Saturday's accident at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook happened around 3 p.m.
They say the Avro 504K replica was up about 300 feet when the engine stalled. The plane crashed in a swamp on museum property.
Both of the biplane's top wings collapsed. The lower two were damaged.
The plane was being piloted by a 50-year-old Ancramdale man.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is marketed as a "living" museum with one of the largest collections of airplanes in the world.
Sunday shows feature World War I dogfights. Visitors can take biplane rides.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Last edited by womenfly2; 10/19/0904:11 PM.
Gateway FX7026 Quad core 2.5GHz, 7.1 Audio, 8 gig ram Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Bose Champion-5 sound system Samsung 2493HM LCD 24" monitor NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 250 w/ 1 GB GDDR3. Direct X10 In the process of building a full size J3 Piper Cub! .. the L-4 version.
Good to hear no one was hurt. Why have there been an increased number of crashes recently though? I don't know about the early history of ORA so I'm unsure if there's been a disproportionate number of crashes recently.
The sound made by the crash is eerie ... gave me the shivers.
Very glad the pilot walked away and no fire!
Gateway FX7026 Quad core 2.5GHz, 7.1 Audio, 8 gig ram Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Bose Champion-5 sound system Samsung 2493HM LCD 24" monitor NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 250 w/ 1 GB GDDR3. Direct X10 In the process of building a full size J3 Piper Cub! .. the L-4 version.
Looks like he tried to get back to the runway after the engine quit?! Isn't that the classic beginners mistake that killed hundreds if not thousands of WW1 pilots? It's difficult to judge from this small piece of film, but it looks like it may have actually glided for a bit longer if he had just kept his course...
Do a Goggle Earth and look at the North end of the runway, not many places to set her down. Lots of trees and a small field to the west with a house.
At 300 feet these planes do not glide very far, high drag, loose airspeed very fast hence why the steep nose down.
Making a steep turn at 300 feet, not a good idea. Best to stall her onto the tree tops, maybe?
I would really fear fire.
Gateway FX7026 Quad core 2.5GHz, 7.1 Audio, 8 gig ram Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Bose Champion-5 sound system Samsung 2493HM LCD 24" monitor NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 250 w/ 1 GB GDDR3. Direct X10 In the process of building a full size J3 Piper Cub! .. the L-4 version.
Well, few people get to ride in a WWI era airplane. Far fewer get to crash in one and talk about it afterward!
Not sure what's beyond the tree line, so it's a tough call regarding what the pilot could have done differently, other than avoid the trees all together (while in a vintage aircraft with an aged rotary in it).
Saturday the AVRO 504k Piloted by Bill Gorden Suffered engine malfunction causing the engine to stop in air. Mr. Gorden skillfully maintained control of the aircraft despite strong headwinds and low airspeed, and was forced to land in the trees several hundred feet from the runway. He was uninjured. Sunday morning the FAA preformed an inspection, and supervised the removal of the aircraft from the woods. The 504 is in relatively good shape, and the FAA is aware of the cause of the failure, and will be releasing a report as to the cause.
Gateway FX7026 Quad core 2.5GHz, 7.1 Audio, 8 gig ram Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Bose Champion-5 sound system Samsung 2493HM LCD 24" monitor NVIDIA® GeForce® GTS 250 w/ 1 GB GDDR3. Direct X10 In the process of building a full size J3 Piper Cub! .. the L-4 version.
Looks like he tried to get back to the runway after the engine quit?! Isn't that the classic beginners mistake that killed hundreds if not thousands of WW1 pilots? It's difficult to judge from this small piece of film, but it looks like it may have actually glided for a bit longer if he had just kept his course...
That was my impression too. Glad he beat the odds.
Saturday the AVRO 504k Piloted by Bill Gorden Suffered engine malfunction causing the engine to stop in air. Mr. Gorden skillfully maintained control of the aircraft despite strong headwinds and low airspeed, and was forced to land in the trees several hundred feet from the runway. He was uninjured. Sunday morning the FAA preformed an inspection, and supervised the removal of the aircraft from the woods. The 504 is in relatively good shape, and the FAA is aware of the cause of the failure, and will be releasing a report as to the cause.
Strong headwind, bunch of drag, none-feather-able prop, low speed and low altitude. I'll say good job on the pilot.
#2883038 - 10/20/0907:48 AMRe: AVRO 504 down at ORA ....... !
[Re: Sim]
Well, it's good to hear that the pilot hasn't injured and maybe even the plane can be re-built again. After all, I would still have a bi-plane ride. :))))
