SonexBuilders.net

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/226759

Rollover. Don’t know circumstances. Hope he’s ok.

Best, Gordon

Looks like Jake, Waiex 217. Hope he recovers.

A quote from one of the articles linked above:

"According to Virginia State Police, the plane was taxiing on the runway about 8:40 p.m. when it inadvertently left the ground, came back down and skidded off the runway."

That would lend a person to surmise that it may have been a "high speed taxi test". You would be surprised how many homebuilt aircraft have been damaged or destroyed while performing high-speed taxi tests. I know of several just around this area alone!

High-speed taxi tests are fraught with peril, and should be approached VERY carefully. ALWAYS be prepared to fly the aircraft! It's amazing how little power it takes to keep an aircraft moving at a given speed once it has attained that speed. Most people don't reduce power enough, then are totally surprised when the aircraft leaves the ground. Don't be that person! Be prepared!!

Food for thought. Forewarned is forearmed.

Hi all,
Update and posted this am on www.kathrynsreport.com
If someone could post a direct link that would be great.
report says jake is in critical condition in VCU ICU

be careful out there.
Thanks joe........

WaiexN143NM
Michael

Jake is still in ICU on a ventilator but family reports he is improving slowly. Pretty beat up for what I hear. It was a taxi testing operation that got airborne unexpectedly. Jake is a good guy and we are all praying for his rapid healing.

I hope he is OK and recovers. I hate seeing people hurt.

High speed taxi's on new airplane designs by professional pilots often reveal flight critical issues before actual flight. Things like good air data, braking efficiency, expected rotation speeds, etc could all prove critical to a heavy, fast, or unproven design.

None of these are critical to most of our homebuilt airplanes. We should have plenty of runway for our first flight so braking should not be an issue. If we lift off and don't have good airspeed data or even an altimeter, it should be no big deal, even to a nervous homebuilder turned amateur test pilot.

I have flown or been involved in over a dozen homebuilt first flights. These things are all briefed and practiced. As a Flight Advisor and CFI, I usually don't recommend high Speed taxi tests. If the airplane and pilot are ready, go to the end of the runway and take off! If you are not 100% confident, do what it takes to be so even if it means getting another pilot to help.

I think this should work:

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2019/07/s ... utive.html

How's he now? Hope he's recovering fast.

Jake is doing better, and is going to be released from the hospital soon. I received an email from his daughter saying that he was home with her for Thanksgiving and was able to help out around the house and with the cooking. She sent a few pictures and he looks much improved from his injuries. I'm sure he still has a way to go in his recovery, but it's good to know that he has a strong support network and family nearby to turn to.

Best wishes to him and his family, and my hopes for continued recovery.

Jeff

Thanks for the update Jeff. Wish him the best for the holidays.