Terrible disaster

[golfbravo]

I have just finished watching a very informative video produced by NASA regarding tailplane icing and tailplane stall. I'm not implying that this was necessarily the cause of the crash of the Colgan Air aircraft - I think we should let the NTSB complete their investigation and determine the probable cause. I do however think that we can learn from this video.

The video is about 23 minutes long, and may be found at:

http://www.part135.com/TailplaneIcing.html

Again, I have posted the link to this video because of it's informative nature, and am not implying that this was the definitive cause for this accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of all who perished in this terrible event.

Gerald Byrne
GA Cockpit Project currently in an economic holding pattern!

[Michael Carter]

They are leaning toward that cause after the flaps were futher lowered with reduced airflow over the horizontal stab.

After lowering the flaps to 15, the aircraft was reported to be pitching rather badly.

[Matt Olieman]

Gerald,

Excellent information/video. Icing always has scared the royal hill out of me. I'd rather go through a thunderstorm then be caught in icing conditions (not that I want to).

Didn't know about the tail icing effect as mentioned in the video. Good stuff!!!

Thanks again for the video link

Matt Olieman

PS Gerald, I noticed you're from Ocoee, my wife works there

[golfbravo]

Matt,

That's quite a drive to go to work (from Ocala to Ocoee)! I hope she drives a small car with great gas mileage (I see gas prices creeping up again, even though crude oil is still quite low - I heard that the refineries have cut production to keep prices higher).

Sorry to get off-topic!

Gerald

[Tony Hill]

Tragic news indeed, my thoughts are with those who lost friends and loved ones.

Let's hope they find the cause soon, it is better for everyone that way,



Darryl