Thank You from Fred Murrin

Taz · 21 July 2007, 01:24 PM

I just spoke to Fred Murrin 5 minutes ago and he wanted to express his heart-felt thanks for the cards, flowers, and calls. His collapsed lung still has a tube in it, but is slowly getting better.

Fred also wanted me to tell everyone what happened. He was making an approach and saw that he was going to land long so decided to go around. When he pushed the throttle up, he had lost fuel pressure and the engine would not pick up. He had tested fuel tank pressure earlier on test flights and had no problems with it. He tried to use the hand pump to pressurize the tank, but did not have enough altitude or time. The engine started to pick up, but too late to recover. When Fred saw he was not going to make it, he decided to pancake the aircraft in to land at the slowest forward velocity he could. Pancaking (dropping the aircraft in on its belly while stalled) would do the least damage to himself and the aircraft. This he succeeded in doing and, although hurt badly, he survived and will recover completely. A less experienced pilot might have killed himself.

So thanks again from Fred and the rest of us can breathe a sigh of relief.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Sreiko · 21 July 2007, 01:47 PM

In Monday I will sent my air mail to him. Good that he had survive accident like that.

Regards!

Kilian · 21 July 2007, 02:16 PM

I sent him today but not with airmail

Barrett · 21 July 2007, 03:47 PM

I don't know Mr. Murrin but certainly wish him well.
What type aircraft?

Russell Smith · 21 July 2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrett

I don't know Mr. Murrin but certainly wish him well.
What type aircraft?

Barrett, Fred owns (owned?) 2 exquisite replicas - a Sopwith Camel and a Fokker tripe, both of which, I believe, he built himself. He was flying the Camel when he had his accident.

Russ

Taz · 21 July 2007, 10:43 PM

Barrett- Fred's Camel was one of the most authentic repros ever built and had an original 160 hp Gnome 9N.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Barrett · 22 July 2007, 10:39 AM

Just looked him up and found several online pix. Exceptional craftsmanship. Wow. he's doing what the rest of us only think about.

Google Image Result for http://www.popularaviation.com/PhotoGallery/900.jpg

pmirl · 23 July 2007, 08:11 PM

Fred,

Our prayers are with you! Glad you were not hurt too seriously and that you'll be up and flying soon.

One weird way to look at it, when in the hospital bed and the attractive nurse asks you what happened, not many people living today can respond with, "I survived the crash of my Sopwith Camel!"

Paul M

CodyPaul · 25 July 2007, 12:34 AM

Maybe he should tell the nurses that he took his Snoopy impression too seriously.

Seriously though I hope he's out and about quickly and am glad he's ok. ( At least until he gets out and his family lets him have it for scaring the bejeezus out of them...)

Sreiko · 25 July 2007, 01:47 AM

Hope he will get my mail very soon