Dominator HELP !

[gyroplanes]

I received this e-mail (excerpt) from the FAA inspector charged with investigating the recent fatality in Nebraska:

So we are trying to find any information we can on the aircraft? So any information you can provide will be very helpful as to our understanding of these aircraft. Any information on the performance or max gross weight will also help as the Ernie down at Rotor Flight Dynamics is on vacation as of today so its a little hard to get performance numbers right now?

The Accident gyro was a standard looking Dominator with a SUB 4 Subaru engine, reduction drive and the big, Ora Cook seat tank. It should have had plenty of power.
Regarding the accident, this is all I have at this time:

he was taking off in calm conditions and didn't reach altitude and hit some power lines and took out both rotor blades?

Please help with Dominator performance numbers if you can.

ALSO. I was just told that the family can not find his log book. Anyone know if and with whom he trained? Joe Swanton?, Ron Menzie? are locals who come to mind.
Tom

[automan1223]

Just spit balling here.

The sub 4 should have been making about 100 hp. Depending on atmosphere, load, etc. Should have made between 600 and 1200' a min with ~ 26' rotor.

They are not super high performance machines. They range somewhere in the middle of the performance envelope. I believe the 582 dominator is a snappier performer due to better power to weight.

Not 100 % sure on empty weight with fuel but guessing around 550 lbs.

I believe the Ora cook tank can hold 18 gallons.....

Sorry to hear about this. Things have been quiet for some time until recently.

Jonathan

[gyroplanes]

Only one reply? Please help the community and the FAA

[mark treidel]

Tommy,
I left you a phone message at wk. Give me a call. I may be able to give you what you need. Too many variables to list here.

[Early Bird Dave]

And I E-mailed you but no reply.

[mark treidel]

Tom is not an easy man to get ahold of (but he is a busy one) as I recall from previous threads. Give him some time & he will come around. He is reliable.

[gyroplanes]

HI, I was out of town certifying a couple of Rotorway Execs.
I needed something I can cut and paste to the FAA inspector via e-mail.
I sent him Ernie's Specs and Jonathon's info above.
He replied that he would really like to know if and where the deceased got training.

[mark treidel]

Tom,
Check your email.
I sent you a copy of the POH.
Hope that helps,

[gyroplanes]

Thanks Mark,
Ernie will be back from vacation in a few days, that should give the fed all he needs.
Still wondering about instruction and if he had any?

[Trez]

Still wondering about instruction and if he had any?

**********

Tom,

(I'm not asking this to be funny.)

If I get hit and killed by a train while riding my bicycle across a train crossing, would anyone ask where I learned to ride my bike?

[gyroplanes]

Hours and training are part of any fatal aircraft accident investigation.... you know that Trez.
He's just a fed doing is job. He had very nice things to say about the pilot and his family.
I like to assist to try to quell strange notions. This investigator said the pilot would probably be alive if he had some sort of firewall on his Dominator.
One newspaper article said the pilot had burns consistant with a wire strike across his chest.

[reed somberg]

Curious how a firewall would have prevented the chest wire burns . Also how would the firewall have saved this man?

[AirScooter]

Probably a dumb question, but how would he have a burn from the wire if he weren't grounded to anything? Or was it really high voltage that jumped to ground when he hit it?

[Lee Scatt]

Hey Scott, I've seen the results of wirestrikes. When the 13,200 volt wire parted, my fathers arm was the conductor for a few milliseconds. It fused gold links on a bracelet he was wearing, and blew a hole in his titanium joystick. He had severe nerve damage and flash burns on his chest and arms. Really scary.