Anderson Ed wrote:

Paul, not for certain.  However, the TailWind plans offer the option of
using a Buick 260 (V-8 I believe) aluminum block (1960-70 vintage) still
used by Land Rover in their vehicle.  The block is mounted upside down
(oil pan on top - and you think us "Plugs Up" 13B guys are radical) and
requires some modifications (drilling new holes) to the oil galleys and
sump.  I had purchased the plans a while ago, and just did not like the
modifications called for on the engine. If I were to hazard a guess, I
would suspect that the lubrication system may have something to do with
the rod failure.

Ed Anderson

As far as I can tell the FAA/NTSB designates someone to go out and look
at
the crash. They freqently are not knowledgeable enough to tell what
kind of engine they are looking at. I don't know yet if this was
an aircraft engine or auto engine. 

For example: in the following NTSB prel. report they are not even sure 
about the type of airplane!


"NTSB Identification: ATL98LA108

                          Accident occurred AUG-08-98 at BAINBRIDGE, GA
                      Aircraft: Dean R. Fellows RANS RV-6, registration:
N245DF 
                                      Injuries: 1 Serious. 

 This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain
errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final
report has been completed.

On August 8, 1998, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Dean R. Fellows
Rans RV-6, homebuilt airplane, N245DF, collided with terrain during an
emergency landing in Bainbridge, Georgia. The airplane was operated by
the commercial pilot under the".....snip.....

They also frequently mention that a flight plan was not filed..... like
that
had anything to do with it. One begins to doubt their competence.

The final reports seem to be better. In some cases they take months.
I am still waiting for the final report on the Thunder Mustang crash
that happened last May.

Paul Lamar
 
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