Fokker Dr1 Replica Crash

Ritter von Fear · 19 May 2005, 01:32 PM

Does anyone remember hearing of a replica Fokker Dr.1 Triplane (painted like the Red Baron’s) going down at an air show in Britain sometime around 1996-1998?

As I remember from the news, apparently the rudder 'jammed' on landing and the pilot had the choice of either colliding into a crowd of people, or into a crops of trees. He did the latter and the results were fatal.

Anyone have more details?

franzkait · 19 May 2005, 02:16 PM

in Germany was a crash with a Dr1 and a rudder problem.

19 May 2005, 02:35 PM

Photographs of the Dr-1 (originally built in 1989) at an airshow in September 1991 in the UK (prior to the accident) can be viewed at the following website:

http://cloudancer100.tripod.com/id5.htm

The few accident details that I have been able to locate are at:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/748213/L

Hope this is of help!

"Prost!"

Fokker210 · 19 May 2005, 06:50 PM

Here a a few Triplane crash reports from the FAA detailing some U.S. mishaps over the years - didn't find much about overseas accidents.

https://extranet.nasdac.faa.gov/pls/portal/STAGE.NTSB_BRIEF_REPORT?EV_ID=20001206X00813&AC_VA R=FALSE&ENG_VAR=FALSE&INJ_VAR=FALSE&FT_VAR=FALSE&O CC_VAR=FALSE&WTHR_VAR=FALSE&PNARR_VAR=FALSE&FNARR_ VAR=FALSE&CNARR_VAR=FALSE&NARR_VAR=

https://extranet.nasdac.faa.gov/pls/portal/STAGE.NTSB_BRIEF_REPORT?EV_ID=20001213X31016&AC_VA R=FALSE&ENG_VAR=FALSE&INJ_VAR=FALSE&FT_VAR=FALSE&O CC_VAR=FALSE&WTHR_VAR=FALSE&PNARR_VAR=FALSE&FNARR_ VAR=FALSE&CNARR_VAR=FALSE&NARR_VAR=

https://extranet.nasdac.faa.gov/pls/portal/STAGE.NTSB_BRIEF_REPORT?EV_ID=20020917X02866&AC_VA R=FALSE&ENG_VAR=FALSE&INJ_VAR=FALSE&FT_VAR=FALSE&O CC_VAR=FALSE&WTHR_VAR=FALSE&PNARR_VAR=FALSE&FNARR_ VAR=FALSE&CNARR_VAR=FALSE&NARR_VAR=

Jim Bruton · 20 May 2005, 04:12 AM

Thanks for the FAA reports Fokker210. Did you all read these? Interesting revelation about the handling of ORA's wrecked Fokker. Please read about the YAW characteristics- I wonder if we need to begin a new forum here- on the HANDLING of the DR-1. Wouyld require the more sage of us to contribute!

THE PLT WAS MAKING HIS FIRST TAKEOFF IN A FOKKER DR-1 TRI-PLANE. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE HE YAWED RIGHT, THEN LEFT, FOLLOWED BY THE ACFT NOSE FALLING BELOW THE HORIZON. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED IN THE CRASH LANDING WHICH FOLLOWED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE FIRST YAW WAS INDUCED BY WIND SHEAR. PLTS FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE ACFT STATED THAT YAW MUST BE CONTROLLED BY DIPPING THE WINGS RATHER THAN THE USUAL METHOD OF RUDDER ACTION. THE ACC PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED THIS INSTRUCTION. HE LATER STATED THAT IF HE HAD KNOWN THIS ACFT WAS PRONE TO RAPID LOSS OF AIRSPEED WITH RUDDER USE HE COULD HAVE AVOIDED THE ACCIDENT. NO CFI WAS INVOLVED IN THIS OPERATION.

Jim Bruton · 20 May 2005, 04:15 AM

From the 3rd report- take note!
AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PRECRASH, MECHANICAL FAILURES. SOME FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS OF THE OWNER'S DESIGN. WITH THE AIRCRAFT IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE, THERE WAS 3/4 INCH OF FUEL. BUT WHEN IT WAS TILTED TO ABOUT 10 DEGREES NOSE DOWN, THE FUEL RAN FORWARD LEAVING NO FUEL PICKUP POINT.

20 May 2005, 04:25 AM

Fokker210,
Thanks for the reports. Interesting reading and cause to consider investing $ rather than going cheap and using a "home made" fuel tank."

Jim,
It would seem prudent for those pilots with experience on certain types of WW I aircraft to share the "quirks" of each with the rest of us who are either interested in the historical perspective of how they handled or as future pilots of these aircraft ourselves. I vote for the addition in the interest of safety.
Happy Landings!
Flaps.

20 May 2005, 04:35 AM

Quote:

From the 3rd report- take note!
AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PRECRASH, MECHANICAL FAILURES. SOME FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS OF THE OWNER'S DESIGN. WITH THE AIRCRAFT IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE, THERE WAS 3/4 INCH OF FUEL. BUT WHEN IT WAS TILTED TO ABOUT 10 DEGREES NOSE DOWN, THE FUEL RAN FORWARD LEAVING NO FUEL PICKUP POINT.

Another "hotshot" trying to fly without fuel again!

I studied "Aircraft Accident Investigation" for a semester while punching away at this degree of mine... And it never ceases to amaze me how many accidents occur because of fuel related issues! This one was really dumb... What kind of pilot puts an "untested" fuel tank in his crate and then "goes for a spin?" Really, it boggles the mind!

"Prost!"

Scottie · 20 May 2005, 06:22 AM

The answer to the original question is:

Redfern Replica Fokker DR1, G-BEFR 20th July 1995

Try this link and it will give you the full AAIB report:

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:ze_IVMKdxUAJ:www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_avsafety/documents/source/dft_avsafety_source_501546.doc+g-befr+crash&hl=en

David_Layton · 20 May 2005, 07:51 AM

The Rhinebeck crash was when an author and F-14 driver was allowed to try out the Dreidecker and stalled on takeoff. (Stuck the nose up) The pilot was saved as the Fokker hit some phone lines prior to hitting the earth. I recall Lothar hit phone lines once.

The plane was rebuilt by the USAF Museum with a non-functioning rotary and is in the museum in Jasta 19 scheme.