Posted on 09/18/2011 4:05:10 PM PDT by Petruchio
Thanks. I'll look for it, but it seems pretty far-fetched. Planes aren't cars with crumple bumpers - they're not built for how they destruct. Especially racing planes. Weight, yes. Flammability yes, but only for typical leaks like punctures. But crash diving into the tarmac is not even remotely part of the design plan, and there's always highly combustible fuel to be ignited. People say there wasn't much fuel because of qualifying rounds, weight for racing, LOL... okay, let's say he was stupid enough to fly 400 miles an hour with a single gallon of aviation fuel left. Even a single gallon would explode into quite a fireball, and then ignite the vaporized oil and hydrolics and everything else.
But here? Nothing.
Strange indeed.
It was a terrorist attack and the Feds are going to cover it up like Flight 800. /s
Give it a rest. Not everything is a conspiracy.
No visible fire. I read in one of the articles that some of the spectators were burned. It could have been from boiling coolant, chemical burns from fuel, or maybe like in indy racing the fuel burned with such a light flame it could not be seen. I really don't know what he was using for fuel.
Good point. I didn’t think of that light blue-type flame from chemicals. If it was acidic it could be chemical burns like you said as well. Lots of possibilities besides an oil/fuel fire like we’re accustomed to seeing.
I was also thinking that the dirt track that was blown about could have smothered a few sparks as well. That was a pretty thick cloud of dirt... But, I don’t have any idea how likely that would be in this situation.
Thanks.
I would guess it would be mixed with the fuel, wouldn’t it? Maybe sprayed at different times, but sprayed with both?
Another possibility: I don’t know enough to know if it makes a difference, but the engine block did bounce away from the crowd on impact. Maybe a lot of coolant was contained in the block and sprayed in a different direction?
http://www.warbird.com/voodoo.html
I think we have our answer.
I understand what you’re saying - I found it an interesting comment on the other thread. I wonder if it’s just the make-up of the material at that speed and angle. I’ve seen crash tests on a big commercial plane that they fly into a wall. It absolutely disintegrates...
I don’t think there could possibly have been a lack of fuel. On this thread just above this post I mentioned that there seemed to be a lot of dirt during the impact.
Also, there are reports that the spectators were covered in fuel/coolant. Another possibility - it could have been an “invisible” flame as there are reports of people being burned, but whether it’s from fire or chemical burns is not clear.
Seems more like a miracle to me... Lucky, lucky people in many respects - both the survivors despite horrific injuries, and those a little further away. I would have expected people to be consumed in a huge fire myself. But, think it’s more of a “there by the grace of God” moment than anything else.
Lots more explanations on this whole incident as people and the feds learn more and examine tapes and such...
Moron.
Noah Joraanstad, 25, said he watched in horror as the vintage plane came hurtling toward where he was sitting in the VIP section. He started running, then was blown off his feet.Flying shrapnel hit his in back, barely missing his spine and kidney. He had nine stitches in his head and was covered in aviation fuel that burned his skin as spectators tried to wash it off.
Not sure what to make of it. Maybe chemical burns, maybe something else.
Nope, not in this case. Galloping Ghost used a boil-off system. Coolant in the wing tank was sacrificed by boiling it off to cool the engine. (Note no air scoop for the cooler).
Likely. Ever have a zippo lighter leak when overfilled in your pocket, and your leg will burn for a day or two. Gasoline (even Av gas) will do the same.
I’m going to get the full-resolution image off AP in the morning. It should show exactly what is seen through the canopy. I’m tired of this conspiracy crap.
What do people think? Did the pilot teleport out of the aircraft in the fraction of a second from when he lost control to the moment he was heading toward the earth?
I don’t think there is any conspiracy. I think the seat broke when the plane pitched up and the pilot was flat on his back, knocked out, and never came to.
Your argument was danger to the spectators. I proved your argument to be incorrect so you moved the goal post.
Another poster here who was at the event said they think the seat probably collapsed on the initial pull up due to high G. The pilot was probably unconscious well before the plane even did the roll.
Yes, I suspect the coolant and fuel mixed and probably prevented a fire. On Friday night I saw three cylinders of the engine sitting about 130 feet from the main impact area on the side opposite the grandstand. Some very lucky people there.
I wasn’t arguing, I was reporting what a top naval aviator who personally experienced the Races said.
Reporting added facts isn’t moving the goal posts.
47 years without hurting any spectators
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