Fred Murrin Down

[Dave_Watts]

Hi all,

Spoke with Fred last night, he is still shuffling and stooped over. He said not only did he brake the ribs but some of them he broke like in four places....ouch!!!

We were chatting about the upcoming GWAA airshow. I think I have him talked into allowing me to set up the balloon busting again, but this time instead of letting them go, I'll keep them tethered so we can't have them too low, or too close to the crowd. The rules guys are really on top of us at this show! It will be safe!

Unfortunately Fred said he won't be flying his Dr.I, and it appears he won't be bringing it either. You guys may want to lobby him to bring it for display! I'd love to see it.

I'm trying to organize for a gas balloon to come to the event, as it would be very similar to a WW1 balloon, but they are talking something like $8000 to fill one up!

Best wishes,
Dave

[Russell Smith]

Dave, thanks for the update. I would imagine that, tripe or no tripe, Fred is going to be the man of the hour (or of the weekend) in Dayton, as many well wishers will be glad to see him there.

russ

[Jim Bruton]

I'll second that. Easier to get another beautiful reproduction/replica DR-1 than another Fred!

Continued progress Fred!

Jim Bruton & Ed Borkoski,
Connecticut

[jumpinjan]

Originally Posted by Dave_Watts

Unfortunately Fred said he won't be flying his Dr.I, and it appears he won't be bringing it either. You guys may want to lobby him to bring it for display!

Dave,
It takes about $1200 to rent a panel truck and someone's time & toil to load & unload everything. He can't even walk easily, let alone lifting DRI wings? Maybe some volunteers & sponsors might step forward, there might be a chance?
Jan

[Jeff Brooks]

Originally Posted by jumpinjan

Dave,
It takes about $1200 to rent a panel truck and someone's time & toil to load & unload everything. He can't even walk easily, let alone lifting DRI wings? Maybe some volunteers & sponsors might step forward, there might be a chance?
Jan

Phil and I are driving past there on the way ... got a time frame that might work out?

[Der Grüne Flieger]

Originally Posted by Jeff Brooks

Phil and I are driving past there on the way ... got a time frame that might work out?

Jeff,

I think that is a terrific idea! It would be a pretty easy detour for us too. I'm heading west tomorrow to go see Jim Appleby's Alb in San Diego, so I'll be away from the forum for a bit. I'm really looking forward to it, and the staff at the museum have given permission for me to search their photo archives for more details of the Alb.

I could call Al Cvelbar when I get back and see if there is anything we could do? Al and Fred are only about 20 minutes apart. Respond back by email if you need me to make the call.

Phil

[ulpilot]

Jeff,

Count me in on that, I'll volunteer to drive the truck too, if needed.

[Dave_Watts]

Hi all,

When I made my last posting I had offered to Fred to drive my 40 foot trailer up to his place and drop it off in Dayton for him, but he was cool to the idea. I really think he had his heart set on bringing the Sopwith Camel to the event. He doesn't understand his Dr.I is fantastic and not "old hat". Keep the pressure on him via Al Celvebar and Rick Bennett. I'd love to see it pulled out in the public area where Fred could speak and educate.

Best,
Dave

[FliegerJG1]

I found this story in the December 3, 2007 online edition of the Sharon (PA) Herald. FYI...

NTSB: Crashed WWI-replica plane’s tanks weren’t full


By Monica Pryts
Herald Staff Writer

GREENE TOWNSHIP —
The National Transportation Safety Board has released a report on the July 13 plane crash that seriously injured Greenville pilot Fred Murrin.
Murrin, 57, is well-known for building World War I replica planes. He spent nearly two weeks in the hospital after the crash and said in October that he was almost fully recovered.
According to the report:
At 8:45 p.m., Murrin’s experimental Sopwith F1 lost power after he aborted a landing attempt and tried to fly around the landing strip at Greenville Municipal Airport, Greene Township.
In a telephone interview with a Safety Board investigator, Murrin said that on the day of the crash, the plane’s fuel tanks were about a quarter full.
He left the airport for a pleasure flight and when he changed his mind about the landing, he tried to perform a go-around maneuver. Murrin applied full power but the engine didn’t respond. He pumped the manual fuel pressure handle a few times and the engine regained power for about 10 seconds.
The engine then lost all power and crashed in a cornfield near the airport.
Murrin said that during previous flights, he was concerned that the fuel system may not be able to provide enough fuel pressure to supply the engine. He performed flight tests in various phases, including go-arounds, and at various altitudes.
During those tests, he was able to achieve dependable engine performance and the fuel tank was full before each of those flights.
On the day of the crash, the quarter-tank of fuel on the plane didn’t provide the pressure that existed on previous flights, Murrin said. He designed the fuel system to replicate the original Sopwith F1 airplane.
Federal Aviation Administration information on the certification and operation of amateur-built aircraft says: “Amateur builders are free to develop their own designs or build from existing designs. We do not approve these designs and it would be impractical to develop design standards for the wide variety of design configurations created by designers, kit manufacturers and amateur builders.”
Murrin is currently in New Zealand helping a man restore a plane.
==========================================

The link below is for the official report.

NTSB REPORT PROBABLE CAUSE

FliegerJG1

[Kilian]

Thanks for the info Flieger