Jose Lopez final flight of this majestic bird. I wasn't going to post this video. I just don't post the bad and ugly side of RC flying. I sent Jose a copy of the flight for his personal use. After a couple of days, I got a text message from Jose, that he had come to a conclusion regarding the cause of the accident. After talking with him on the phone, he wanted the video posted. So, here is the video.
I am going to summarize what I understand happened. After takeoff, one the first landing gears retraction. The main gears did not complete a full retraction. The pneumatic system was adjusted after the second flight. The landing gears system had been functioning normal on the ground tests, but with air loads was hanging up while trying to simulate a scale like retraction/extension. On this flight the mains failed to retract fully on the first attempt. The second attempt resulted in a full retraction of all three gears. The flight carried on with several rolls, loops and low passes. Setting up for landing pattern, all three gears down and locked. Jose entered his downwind base leg. About 3/4 through his downwind of approach pattern the aircraft began to pitch over, soon becoming more pronounced. Jose said he could not stop the pitch over. The awesome F-4 disappeared into the treetops followed by the sound of impact.
A quietness befell the pavilion area, as we took in what had just happened. Jose and a couple of guys got in the Kawasaki Mule and headed off to the area of the downed Phantom. In a surprising short period of time, the Mule with the recovered Phantom made its way to pavilion parking area and Jose trailer.
I elected to stay in the pavilion area, not wanting to see the remains. Jose placed the Phanton's pieces in his trailer. After several minutes of conversations with people of his lost and what caused it. Jose prepped his Elite Aerosport Havoc SS for flight. And fly he did, Jose got in a relaxing flight on his Havoc to move forward with his day at the field.
Skymaster ARF Plus Pro McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II 1:6 Scale Jet. Wingspan: 2100 mm (82.7 inches), Fuselage Length: 3120 mm (123.5 inches), Dry Weight approx.: 25-28 Kg (55.11-61.72 lbs.). Powered by two Swiwin Turbine SW140B. Diameter: 99 mm (3.9 inches), Length: 250 mm (9.84 inches), Weight: 1250 g (2 lbs. and 12.1 oz). Thrust: 140 Newtons (14 kg/31.47 pound-force). Turbine RPM Range: 38,000-130,000. Max Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT): 700°Celsius (1292°Fahrenheint). Fuel: Jet A1 or Diesel. Max Fuel Consumption: 380 g/min (13.40 oz/min). Lubrication: 5% Synthetic Turbine Oil mixed in fuel. Maintenance Interval: 25-35 hours. Guidance: Futaba T18MZ Transmitter. Stability: Bavarian Demon Cortex Pro Gyro. Power Management: PowerBox Systems PowerBox Mercury SR2.