[NSRCA-discussion] Ideas on radio beserkness-cause of crash??

[vicenterc at comcast.net]

Gray,

Sorry about your lost.  It think the biggest chance of failure were those parts that were new.  I think there is a good chance that you have infant battery failure.  I know that the chances are low but it could happen.  I assume tha you checked the TX battery and it is OK.   

--
Vicente "Vince" Bortone

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Gray E Fowler <gfowler at raytheon.com> 

Guys 

Yesterday on my 4th flight of the day my PCM Stylus went nuts. PCM program was set for idle throttle and about 5-6 clicks(trim wise) of up elevator-all other surfaces neutral, and this was tested as such by turning off the transmitter.  As I passed by center I noticed that I could not gain altitude and the the throttle started going from idle to high...then ailerons started oscillating small left-right deflections. I cut the throttle to the kill position but the engine persisted up-down bursts. I was able to do a 180 degree turn with aileron coming back to center...never losing altitude, but unable to change the altitude,elevator seemed unresponsive. As I passed by center again I was losing more and more control. The plane flew over the wooded area south of the field at about 200 feet high, I could not turn and the ailerons rolled the plane upside down and it went straight down into the trees. This whole episode last about 45 seconds. Cannot find the plane, and remnants of Gu
 stav a
re headed my way. 


Plane was new had about 10 flights on it. 

New battery..NiMH 5 cell pack -no regulator (ran 5 cell packs for years, no regulator) 
Reciever-1999 Stylus PCM-never crashed, wrapped in foam 
New switch 
Transmitter-1999 Stylus, never been serviced, never had problems 

What would cause a PCM receiver to do such a thing? If I had and intermittent signal, once the receiver did get a signal the only two throttle signals should have been idle (PCM hold) and off (transmitter).  I am going to send the transmitter in just to get checked. 

Thanks guys....


Gray Fowler
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer
Radomes and Specialty Apertures
Technical Staff Composites Engineering
Raytheon 
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