The BGA test pilot chose (rightly) to parachute out of the still flying
AC4 turbo (not self launching) after hearing a noise following the
'Vne' part of the test flight. Subsequently it was found to be an
airbrake issue that made the noise for which an AD was released
and additionally the VNE was lowered to 87 knots (if I remember
correctly). There was some discussion at the time that the ASI
might have been reading incorrectly due to the change of position
of the pitot for the turbo version? For what it's worth I am a huge
fan of the AC4 as a light weight soaring glider, not sure I would
personally be happy with one with a vibration creating engine
however, but many people have been very happy.

Chris


At 18:36 21 January 2014, Luke Szczepaniak wrote:
On 01/21/2014 12:55 PM, Kevin Neave wrote:
AC5M broke up during flight testing for BGA CofA in the UK.

Interesting, is there a write up of the event? "broke up" is rather
broad...

Cheers,
Luke Szczepaniak