4 ms·

If you read the crash report, it's pretty clear that Denver was both aware of this design flaw and failed to adequately fill the tanks. https://www.avweb.com/f

by greedo 4y ago

If you read the crash report, it's pretty clear that Denver was both aware of this design flaw and failed to adequately fill the tanks. https://www.avweb.com/flight-safety/close-up-the-john-denver-crash/ https://www.avweb.com/flight-safety/close-up-the-john-denver...

w10-1 4y ago
John Denver failed to fill his gas tank -- twice. Multiple Long-EZ's that failed over water ditched without injury. About 95% of all private plane crashes are due to running out of fuel or flying into clouds. It is ridiculously easy to do neither: fill your tank, and turn around. As for design changes, builders have tried hundreds of modifications to the Long-EZ design, and many of the successful ones are now the standard of care. Indeed, unlike software generally, there is usually a strong and clear standard of care for each experimental plane model, as voiced by the builders with the most cogent explanations coupled with their own flying safety record (benevolent dictators eating their own dog food). The experimental aircraft community differs precisely in that everyone who flies their own plane is not the chicken but the pig (and builders who talk a great game are ignored).
- aidenn0 4y ago
  > About 95% of all private plane crashes are due to running out of fuel or flying into clouds. It is ridiculously easy to do neither: fill your tank, and turn around. Denver was told by a technician that the tanks had "less than half in the right tank and less than a quarter in the left tank" These are each 26 gallon tanks. The technician was wrong because the gauges were non-linear (and had no markings). Denver should have checked himself (and hopefully knew the gauges were non-linear), but either didn't check or didn't know. 10+ gallons (what he likely thought he had in the right tank) is more than enough for the flight he was attempting.

by greedo 4y ago

w10-1 4y ago

John Denver failed to fill his gas tank -- twice. Multiple Long-EZ's that failed over water ditched without injury. About 95% of all private plane crashes are due to running out of fuel or flying into clouds. It is ridiculously easy to do neither: fill your tank, and turn around. As for design changes, builders have tried hundreds of modifications to the Long-EZ design, and many of the successful ones are now the standard of care. Indeed, unlike software generally, there is usually a strong and clear standard of care for each experimental plane model, as voiced by the builders with the most cogent explanations coupled with their own flying safety record (benevolent dictators eating their own dog food). The experimental aircraft community differs precisely in that everyone who flies their own plane is not the chicken but the pig (and builders who talk a great game are ignored).

aidenn0 4y ago
> About 95% of all private plane crashes are due to running out of fuel or flying into clouds. It is ridiculously easy to do neither: fill your tank, and turn around. Denver was told by a technician that the tanks had "less than half in the right tank and less than a quarter in the left tank" These are each 26 gallon tanks. The technician was wrong because the gauges were non-linear (and had no markings). Denver should have checked himself (and hopefully knew the gauges were non-linear), but either didn't check or didn't know. 10+ gallons (what he likely thought he had in the right tank) is more than enough for the flight he was attempting.