hummel ultracruiser crash

The design can be built straight from plans up to, and including a full kit. This, combined with the affordability of the UltraCruiser, makes it the most popular among the Hummel Aircraft Company fleet. The pilot was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Intended for first time buiders as well as first time pilots, the UltraCruiser is an easy to build and even easier to fly aircraft. News & Video on Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot Kits, and Ultralight Aircraft, February 17, 2004 by Dan Johnson 5 Comments. Takeoff roll start is surprisingly energetic for a small 4-stroke engine. Share on linkedin. Ask Hummel Aviation for details. However, I cannot verify the very slow touchdown speed he reports and Im aware most gauges are not accurate at such low speeds. A good list of parts is available Hummels Internet site offers photos of the prefabricated parts you can buy but you must obtain much of your own metal and perform a significant amount of basic fabrication. Cons Four-strokes dont spool up as rapidly as 2-strokes, something to keep in mind if you need a quick burst of power, say on approach to landing. Only simple shop tools are required," clarified Hummel. This, combined with the affordability of the UltraCruiser, makes it the most popular among the Hummel Aircraft Company fleet. If you are larger than that, the H5 would be a better choice. Very limited cargo area. The UltraCruiser is a joy to fly. This is a place where we learn what not to do next time. I once considered a Zodiac as my first kit plane. I once considered a Zodiac as my first kit plane. A Tampa pilot is recovering after the plane he built by hand crashed into a Zephyrhills cow pasture. Morry Hummel originally build the Hummel Bird because he had survived a bad crash in a Minimax. One builder indicated that he invested $3,750 in a VW engine conversion, close to $3,000 in materials, and a year of his time (and the latter reflects some prior experience at building). It felt very stable on the ground. Ran well. There's no word yet on the cause of the crash. Plans, UltraCruiser quantity. He writes, Flip the prop over once, and the Half VW comes to life. Hummel wrote, "I crashed my miniMAX on July 19, 1995. Recently completed Ultracruiser from kit (240 build hours) with the following add-ons: Canopy, Throttle, Cabin Heat, Spinner. Great mechanic and attention to detail. It's far from the first crash he's seen after years in aviation but this was the first to, quite literally, hit this close to home. JavaScript is disabled. Hummel Aviation The wing folded in flight. Designed around 4-stroke power, which many pilots prefer. Pros Very precise and responsive tailwheel response. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Toxicology was positive for blood pressure medications that, by themselves, should not have degraded the pilots ability to safely operate the airplane but with other factors, could have resulted in low blood pressure, dizziness, or even unconsciousness. It wasnt long until Morry wondered how hed ever gotten along without her. There he met Myra, a widow from Arkansas, who was to be on the same flight. Monday - Friday 08:00 - 6:00. The war effort dictated no more 450 Prat & Whitney engines, which caused Howard Aircraft to close. People like me need a throttle. That company is very safety conscious. I had this new plane in the back of my mind for some time. This is a part 103 legal UltraCruiser assembled from a kit. However, this same feature which I like on general aviation aircraft intended to cruise in a straight line made formation flying for photography somewhat harder. All parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and designed to make construction easy and streamlined for new and experienced builders. Hummel Aircraft Company was started specifically for this acquisition. Kate passed away in 1989 after suffering a stroke. Weekends All business should be conducted between individuals, and everything sold is on an "as is" basis. Plans and Manual for constructing the UltraCruiser. For those who want to hold their investment as low as possible, Hummel indicates that their step-by-step manual is very complete with all materials listed as well as addresses for where to buy off-the-shelf items. folded She is the best. [1], Data from Kitplanes and Hummel Aviation[1][3], "The Airfoil Adventures of Harry Riblett", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hummel_Ultracruiser&oldid=1118545666, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 October 2022, at 16:16. LiFePo 16Ah battery with charger for panel and secondary ignition. The UltraCruiser is named Gods Giftbecause I am only 85 years young and flying again.. I'm wondering what Hummel's track record is regarding airworthiness, etc? After he sold several kits, he sold his plane and the dealership. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAR PART 103 COMPLIANT? Your email address will not be published. Reading about the Zodiac has me thinking. The wreckage was subsequently moved to a hangar for further examination. New Prince 54x28 Carbon Fiber E-Tip Prop. Usable on Hummel Aircraft Company designs. Circumstances prevented me from flying one of the intriguing little aircraft in the past, but when factory helper Jon Jacobs brought the UltraCruiser to Floridas South Lakeland Airpark, I was ready. My test UltraCruiser went too fast, but the prop can easily contain the machine, assures Hummel Aviation. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Stalls broke only modestly and with good warning. Its designer, Morry Hummel, was not a young engineer with a passion for flying ultralights. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 249lb (113kg). Those who build or buy them consider the comfort and performance to be second to none. God had spared my life for a reason. The heart weighed 420 grams (normal range for a male of this weight is 281 - 489 grams). The overall control experience was satisfying. Attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. And probably most of all, my wife Deb. Witnesses reported no engine power changes until impact. Test aircraft had a cockpit choke control. "I crashed my Mini-Max, July 9th 1995. Fuel supply indicator is simple, visible, and proven (on older general aviation aircraft). The plane went down around 2:30 Monday afternoon less than five miles from Zephyrhills Municipal. The UltraCruiser warned me with mild aileron buffet and it simply mushed. He reports that all he did was to release backpressure and the ultralight resumed flying. $18,000. UltraCruiser is built using full-size parts shown on plans. Moderate slips work well. to 75 feet from The airplane was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. External Antenna with coax and control stick PTT, Yaesu FT-450L Radio, Kolb KA1 Headset. Stall recovery and characteristics; Dampening; Spiral stability; Adverse yaw qualities. Hummel Aviation has a Website with a good deal of information that prospective buyers may want to study. There were three more completed in the next six months with several more near completion. No other negatives. Approaches can be done down to the 40-mph range. No other details were released about the incident, including the identity of the pilot or went wrong with the aircraft. Steering is via a foot bar, that is, a solid bar that pivots much like that go-cart you made as a kid. Kits and plans for the UltraCruiser are available from: Hummel Aviation 16288 County Rd D Bryan, OH 43506 Telephone: 419-636-6700 Email: info@flyhummel.com Website: www.flyhummel.com. He suffered a broken left leg, a broken jaw, crushed face and lost his right leg below the knee. The plane was destroyed by fire after it crashed, Bergen said. Some builders will yearn for more panel space for goodies. The aircraft's recommended engine power range is 28 to 45hp (21 to 34kW) and standard engines used include the 37hp (28kW) 1/2 VW four-stroke powerplant. This saves a lot of time compared to scaling up from smaller drawings or creating drawings from measurements. New ready-to-fly Ultracruiser. James Morris Hummelwas born on August 5, 1915, in Bryan, Ohio. I found no tendency for the UltraCruiser to drop a wing at stall, another desirable characteristic. July 9, 1995 was a day that changed Morry and Myras life forever. Morry then went to work for Curtis Wright in Columbus, Ohio for four years during WWII where he worked in the experimental department, gaining valuable experience. This time however, a bolt broke on the aileron control system, causing Morry to crash and nearly lose his life. Is Florida getting another Buc-ees location? The wreckage path angle of decent was about 60 degrees, heading approximately 290 degrees, and the wreckage came to rest in a dense thicket approximately 200 yards from the western edge of the airport property, approximately midfield. Fire crews say there are no hazards reported from the aircraft. The crash occurred during the 3rd circuit. He said the two hardest things he had to do were getting the bulkheads lined up on the building beam, and remembering to stop working on it and go to bed! He made these options available for his kits. Hummel Half VW 4-stroke engine, cantilever wing, monocoque construction, mostly enclosed cabin, detachable wings, steerable tailwheel, all-metal coverings. With the help of Bill Spring, who drew the plans for Morry, the Hummel Bird became available as a plans-built design in the summer of 1983. The plane was a single-engine, amateur-built experimental Hummel H5 aircraft, according to Kathleen Bergen of the FAA. Pros Half VW engine provides surprising pep on takeoff runs, which are about 150 feet. This should be the final word on this subject. The UltraCruiser rounds out very cooperatively and sustains height above the runway very well. ZEPHYRHILLS A pilot suffered minor injuries when their plane made a force landing in a field on Monday afternoon, according to the Pasco County Sheriffs Office. [1][2], The Ultracruiser is a development of the heavier Hummel Bird, designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254lb (115kg). The report identified extensive fibrosis and scarring throughout the heart muscle, suggesting previous coronary artery blockage event(s); but with no further details of the scarring and no microscopic examination. Hummel-Ultra Cruiser Plus, privately owned and operated, N245AP: Accident occurred October 15, 2018 near Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (KZPH), Pasco County, Florida The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. A spokesperson with Pasco Fire Rescue says the NTSB has been notified. Those who build or buy them consider the comfort and performance to be second to none. Developed from. Matt has over 35 years in aviation which includes being certified to pilot in various aircraft, flight and ground school instruction, flight simulator design and build, instructing aeronautics at the University level, and of course, building ultralight and experimental aircraft. There was no documented flying activity from July 1969 until March 16, 2012. He received a letter from the FAA shortly thereafter, requesting that he no longer fly a certified aircraft, as he had never renewed his medical after his heart surgery. I found the UltraCruiser adequately roomy for my average-sized body, but larger folks could look into the UltraCruiser Plus, though it cannot fit inside Part 103 weight limitations. The UltraCruiser was born under rather unusual circumstances. Pasco Fire Rescue says no one else was on board. ", "So the UltraCruiser is named "God's Gift" because I am only 85 years young and flying again. Roll rate is better than the average ultralight, perhaps due to small wing and short span. A Tampa pilot is recovering after the plane he built by hand crashed into a Zephyrhills cow pasture. The Hummel Ultracruiser (also variously called the Ultra Cruiser and UltraCruiser) is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed by Morry Hummel and produced by Hummel Aviation. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilots impairment or incapacitation due to the effects of medication, worsening cardiac disease, or cardiac arrhythmia, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane. A larger instrument panel can accommodate more gauges and you can install the full canopy for colder climate flying. Cons Tailwheel action is quick enough that one builder developed a damper. But, like all pilots, I make my share of mistakes. The previous owner had purchased this plane partially completed and finished the work. Matt and I have spent the better part of two years improving the products and services which Morry Hummel brought to life. Quality and quantity for: Coordination; Authority; Pressures; Response; and Coupling. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Harley Hargrove tells ABC Action News, it's time for her husband to take a break from flying. He liked the design, but wanted to make some modifications to the plans. Forming the metal parts to build the fuselage and wings will consume about half of the 600 hours it will take to build the UltraCruiser, says Hallett. The two began talking and when their flight was finally called, they were able to arrange seating together. His story identifies how he found the time to create the UltraCruiser and, in particular, why the ultralight is fully named UltraCruiser, Gods Gift. Landing touchdown is very easy due to potent ground effect. Roy He married Kate in 1938 and they had two children. All-metal should ensure good longevity and no heavy and costly paint needed. The original Hummel Bird was designed for: 5-foot, 7-inch pilot weighing 160 pounds. He installed a canopy on his Mini-Max and put a VW engine in it. The aircraft is supplied as a kit or plans for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft. While I was in the hospital for 5 months, I had time to think. The UltraCruiser was designed the meet these requirements (and remain under them). 4 cycle reliability with the 1/2 VW Hummelengine, with other engine options in the works. Taxi steering is quite precise with the tailwheel and the UltraCruisers braking was more than adequate. Hummel wrote, "I crashed my miniMAX on July 19, 1995. It is so good, he says, One hardly needs to S-turn.. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. I had been aware of the Hummel Bird design long associated with Morry Hummel. My faith has opened so many doors over the years. My checkout pilot, Jon Jacobs, also posted a few comments. God bless you all. " NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. Contrarily, Hugus finds the ground steering very brisk, which suggests a rudder size issue, not a rudder pedal linkage one. iLevil 3 AW or 3 AP as primary flight instruments, Instruments / Avionics / Electrical System. The UltraCruiser Plus still uses the 37-hp Half VW engine but you can carry more fuel in its 8- to 10-gallon tank. CALHOUN, Ga. (AP) Police and federal officials say a single-engine plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff in northwestern Georgia. After exchanging telephone numbers they went on to see their families. Throttle and mixture were at full power positions and the carburetor heat control was found in the full cold position. In July of 1982, the plane was featured in an article written by Jack Cox, of Sport Aviation. If you would like to sell something on this page, please, - 37 H.P. What do you think about a homebuilt designed Ercoupe? . According to a responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, witnesses reported that the airplane took off from runway 17 with engine sounds, ground roll and departure all "normal." Hallett says he got involved to help upgrade the drawings and he ended up purchasing the enterprise. The engine and firewall sustained heat damage, and most of the center section aft of the fire wall was consumed by fire. $ 260.00. It sounded like two automobiles running into one another at 50 miles per hour, Porter described the crash. 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