Janus CM Motorausfall führt zu Außenlandung nahe Sheffield
Am 14. Oktober 1996 erlebte ein Schempp-Hirth Janus CM Motorsegelflugzeug einen Motorausfall in der Nähe von Südwest-Sheffield, Großbritannien. Der Pilot konnte den Motor nicht vollständig ausfahren und verriegeln, was den Luftwiderstand des Flugzeugs erhöhte. Nach einiger Zeit im Hangflug versuchte der Pilot eine Außenlandung, um Stromleitungen zu vermeiden, geriet jedoch in einen Strömungsabriss, was zu einem 20-Fuß-Sturz führte. Das Flugzeug erlitt erhebliche Schäden, aber sowohl der Pilot als auch der Passagier blieben unverletzt. Eine Inspektion ergab, dass ein Sicherungsstift im Motormechanismus fehlte, was das ordnungsgemäße Ausfahren des Motors verhinderte.
- Ridge-soaring flight: After a weather-related diversion from Longmynd to the Camphill area, the pilot spent about one and a half hours ridge-soaring before intending to use the engine.
- Engine fails to extend: When the pilot attempted to raise the engine, it would not fully extend and lock into position, and then became jammed in a partially extended, unusable state that increased drag.
- Mechanical roll-pin loss: A roll-pin securing the upper end of the engine extension/retraction spindle had fallen out, allowing the upper spindle pivot to unwind and preventing full engine extension and locking.
- Continued ridge-soaring, field selection: The pilot continued ridge-soaring while searching for and selecting a suitable upslope field across a valley for an outlanding.
- Approach over power cables: On approach to the chosen field, the pilot noticed a line of power cables late and decided to fly over them rather than adjust the approach path.
- Stall avoiding cables: During the manoeuvre to clear the power cables, the aircraft was stalled and dropped approximately twenty feet into the field.
- Outlanding - damage: The aircraft impacted the field heavily, causing minor nose damage and complete disruption of the tail, but the pilot and passenger were uninjured.