Rear engine in a crash question

BernadetteTS wrote:

I've been reading through the BD-5 thread and have a question.

I guess this is an opinion thread but what happens to a rear engine
mounted directly behind the pilot in a crash? In something like an
ultralight, BD-5, Cutiss pusher or Vari-EZ does an engine have a
tendency to rip loose and go through the pilot due to inertia in a
sudden stop? Or in many crashes is the direction of flight not straight
ahead, like if the aircraft was in a stall when it contacted the ground?
The force is down not forward through the cockpit.

Bernadette

The force is forward.

Pusher aircraft may incur a weight penalty because the airframe
requires more structure to ensure the cockpit is not collapsed
by the engine. A clever design, would use other parts of the
airframe already in place. As anothe poster has mentioned
some of the ultralights do not have enough strength to restrain
the engine in a bad crash.

--dan