[NSRCA-discussion] Inadvertent Start - shorting plugs....

[brett terry]

If the battery is plugged in, I treat the plane as if the engine is
running.  Most of my electrics are small parkflyer types but even 120 watts
into an APC prop can cause serious damage.  The bigger ones are
exponentially more dangerous.  2000+ watts into a 22" prop might remove your
entire hand, and the electric motor won't stop when it contacts an object
the way a smaller glow engine would.

Perhaps we would be wise to guarantee easy access to battery connectors, so
the plane could be unplugged and "absolutely disarmed" before moving it?
Also, never I leave the battery plugged in unless I am actively flying.

The other day I witnessed somebody starting a DA 150-powered 40% Extra by
standing with his left leg blocking the left wing at the wing root, right
leg outboard and forward but aft of the prop arc, and spinning the 32"
carbon prop with his right hand.    No helper, no restraint, and nothing
would prevent the plane from pivoting around his leg which would bring the
tip of the prop within striking distance of sensitive areas.  I couldn't
even imagine the damage if for some reason his throttle servo was reversed,
etc.  Needless to say he was "exposed and vulnerable".

Immediately after this he taxied out onto the runway as I was turning on a
short final approach (left-hand carrier approach).  I had to abort my
landing approach, go around, wait for him take off and land again.  I was so
flustered by the whole thing I executed a perfect landing 10 feet into the
weeds and broke my prop.  I guess my "little" 32% plane was as
inconsequential as the .40-size planes he also ignores.  He is an extremely
nice, shirt-off-the-back type of guy, and a very good pilot (competes in
Advanced in IMAC) but he can afford to (and does) lose several large
airplanes a year due to component failure, pilot error, etc.

I don't like to become exposed to risk by another person's ignorance.

We can't be careful enough!  Minimization of risk is a constant pursuit.

Brett





>  ----- Original Message -----
>
> *From:* Ron Lockhart <ronlock at comcast.net>
>
> *To:* NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 08, 2006 7:55 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Inadvertent Start
>
>
>
> Agree, a mechanical/electrical connection sort of thing would seem best.
>
> And have it located to be easy for all to see.
>
>
>
> Later, Ron Lockhart
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>
> *From:* John Ferrell <johnferrell at earthlink.net>
>
> *To:* NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 08, 2006 4:42 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Noxville Contest??
>
>
>
> I personally witnessed an instance of electric starting unexpectedly at
> the Nats. Since I was only around Masters & FAI I believe it safe to dismiss
> the problem as lack of experience.
>
>
>
> I feel it essential to implement some kind of safety device to prevent
> this from occurring. I would prefer a mechanical lockout of some sort or at
> least an arming plug.
>
>
>
> The airplane was being carried back to the pits when the failure occurred.
> The handler was on top of the problem but it could have happened after the
> plane was parked.
>
>
>
> It is a disaster waiting to happen.
>
>
>
> John Ferrell    W8CCW
> "My Competition is not my enemy"
> http://DixieNC.US
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>
> *From:* J.Oddino <joddino at socal.rr.com>
>
> *To:* NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 08, 2006 12:53 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Noxville Contest??
>
>
>
> Another reason to go electric.
>
>
>
> Jim O
>
>
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