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Probe: Pilot died after repairing kitset plane with duct tape
AFP via Monsters & Critics ^
| May 06, 2007
Posted on 05/05/2007 6:01:23 PM PDT by jdm
Wellington - An official investigation found that the crash that killed crack New Zealand pilot John Borman, 60, occurred after he tried to repair his kitset amphibious plane with duct tape, it was reported on Sunday.
Borman, who had represented New Zealand in formation flying competitions, died in 2005 when he crashed into Lake Taupo as he tried to take off after makeshift repairs to the plane, which he built himself.
The aircraft had first been damaged when it hit the wake of a boat in a previous take-off attempt, according to an official report on the accident, published in the Herald on Sunday.
'After that damage, the aircraft was technically and legally unserviceable,' Civil Aviation Authority inspector Tom McCready said in his official report on the accident.
He said that Borman, whose wife survived the crash, patched up the damage to the nose of his high-performance Seawind plane with duct tape and a danger sign from a nearby construction site.
McCready said Borman may have developed a mindset known in the aviation industry as 'get-home-itis', adding, 'This is a situation in which normally conservative and capable engineers and pilots bend to the pressure of getting the aircraft home and make uncharacteristic decisions.'
TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: constructionsite; dangersign; ducttape; pilot
He said that Borman, whose wife survived the crash, patched up the damage to the nose of his high-performance Seawind plane with duct tape and a danger sign from a nearby construction site.
1
posted on
05/05/2007 6:01:27 PM PDT
by
jdm
To: martin_fierro; Petronski; cyborg; Charles Henrickson
Can’t-make-this-stuff-up ping!!!!
2
posted on
05/05/2007 6:02:18 PM PDT
by
jdm
To: jdm
outstanding. One of the Walton boys (Wal-Mart) did basically the same thing.
3
posted on
05/05/2007 6:07:21 PM PDT
by
txroadkill
( http://iraqstar.org)
To: jdm; Aeronaut
4
posted on
05/05/2007 6:08:27 PM PDT
by
Jet Jaguar
(Just say no to Brady Bunch Republicans.)
To: txroadkill
But did he use a "danger sign" from a nearby construction site for the "repair" as well?
Didn't think so!
5
posted on
05/05/2007 6:09:32 PM PDT
by
jdm
To: jdm; Aeronaut; Tijeras_Slim

John and the missus in pre-duct tape days.
To: jdm
you got me there, your dead guy is dumber than my dead guy.
7
posted on
05/05/2007 6:13:03 PM PDT
by
txroadkill
( http://iraqstar.org)
To: jdm
'get-home-itis'Not a disorder! And probably genetic.
To: martin_fierro
Is that a LaBatt Blue in his hand? :O)
9
posted on
05/05/2007 6:18:20 PM PDT
by
jdm
To: jdm
10
posted on
05/05/2007 7:02:23 PM PDT
by
Publius6961
(MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
To: jdm

Handyman's best friend.
Usually.
11
posted on
05/05/2007 7:07:53 PM PDT
by
JennysCool
("The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." -Mencken)
To: paddles
12
posted on
05/05/2007 7:16:59 PM PDT
by
RDTF
(R.I.P. Blue Angel LCDR Kevin Davis)
To: RDTF
Maybe it was a “hold my beer and watch this” situations!
By the way, 3M has came up with a new CLEAR tape they are calling “duct” tape. Marketing as stronger than the grey stuff. (readers digest add)
13
posted on
05/05/2007 7:47:35 PM PDT
by
9422WMR
("This will make parents, students, faculty and visitors FEEL SAFE on our campus")
To: RDTF
Maybe it was a “hold my beer and watch this” situations!
By the way, 3M has came up with a new CLEAR tape they are calling “duct” tape. Marketing as stronger than the grey stuff. (readers digest ad)
14
posted on
05/05/2007 7:48:28 PM PDT
by
9422WMR
("This will make parents, students, faculty and visitors FEEL SAFE on our campus")
To: jdm
The duct take alone probably would have worked...it was the construction sign that was his mistake.
/s
15
posted on
05/05/2007 7:50:27 PM PDT
by
bannie
To: jdm
The unanswered question in this article (there always is one) is; did the plane ever get airborne before it crashed?
16
posted on
05/05/2007 8:02:29 PM PDT
by
Pontiac
(Patriotism is the natural consequence of having a free mind in a free society.)
To: jdm; Slings and Arrows
Well, they used duct tape to help the astronauts on Apollo 13 make it back to earth. I thought duct tape could do everything.
17
posted on
05/05/2007 8:42:10 PM PDT
by
metmom
(Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
To: jdm
18
posted on
05/05/2007 8:42:56 PM PDT
by
metmom
(Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
To: metmom
I thought duct tape could do everything.There was a report a few years back that duct tape was reasonably effective at repairing everything but duct work.
19
posted on
05/05/2007 8:45:13 PM PDT
by
JCEccles
(“Politics ain’t beanbag” Finley Peter Dunne)
To: jdm
I’m no aircraft engineer, but this looks to me like a repair that requires drywall screws rather than duct tape.
20
posted on
05/05/2007 8:48:49 PM PDT
by
Redcloak
(The 2nd Amendment isn't about sporting goods.)
To: jdm
“Probe: Pilot died after repairing kitset plane with duct tape”
I read that headline and wondered how some one could die from using duct tape. Would have been better if they said he died from a plane crash after using duct tape for repairs.
21
posted on
05/05/2007 8:50:23 PM PDT
by
upsdriver
(DUNCAN HUNTER FOR PRESIDENT!!!!)
To: JCEccles
Nothing surprises me any more.
22
posted on
05/05/2007 8:51:44 PM PDT
by
metmom
(Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
To: jdm
This oughtta be an interesting thread, bump for later
23
posted on
05/05/2007 9:08:42 PM PDT
by
Kevmo
(Duncan Hunter just needs one Rudy G Campaign Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVBtPIrEleM)
To: metmom; MeekOneGOP; Conspiracy Guy; DocRock; King Prout; Darksheare; OSHA; martin_fierro; ...
Duct tape, construction signs...beer HAD to be involved somehow. And maybe a pickup truck.
24
posted on
05/05/2007 9:34:16 PM PDT
by
Slings and Arrows
("I AM A SEXY SHOELESS GOD OF WAR!!!" --http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0439.html)
To: Slings and Arrows
Nice little plane he had. You might get away with duct tape to secure a small panel for a short time or such. I can hardly think what he was trying to do with it.
25
posted on
05/05/2007 9:45:19 PM PDT
by
RunningWolf
(2-1 Cav 1975)
To: jdm
Using duct tape isn't the problem. It's how you use the duct tape....
26
posted on
05/06/2007 11:53:07 AM PDT
by
GoldCountryRedneck
("The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control immigration."- unknown)
To: All
I have a buddy that used to fly the Goodyear Blimp out of Houston.
They carried rolls of “Duct Tape” which they called “Hundred mile an hour” tape.
He said they hated to fly over to New Orleans ‘cause all the coon-asses would shoot at the bag, always came home with a hole or two patched with “hundredmileanhour”tape
27
posted on
05/07/2007 9:18:43 AM PDT
by
Robe
(Rome did not create a great empire by talking, they did it by killing all those who opposed them)
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