Briegleb 12B - Opinions?

Earlier, someone named Al wrote:

Did'nt one of these come apart about
4 years ago when the flaps failed and
seperated inflight
the pilot a young man was killed IIRC.

Yes, it's a matter of public record. It was one of three fatal BG-12
inflight failures in the last few years. The accidents of note a

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?e...12X21782&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?e...08X08572&key=1

http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?e...08X07996&key=1

The first of those three is the one "Al" cites. The NTSB determined
that the probable cause was excess speed beyond the flap deployment
speed. I worked at the 2003 Standard Nationals with the late pilot's
father, and our conversations had no small impact on my way of
thinking about the safety and nature of homebuilt soaring.

The second accident was due to the failure of a control push-pull tube
element on a ferry flight, the impending nature of which would
probably have been evident even in a very casual inspection. One of
the conditions of the ferry permit was an inspection of the aircraft
by an A&P or similar, but there was no evidence that the inspection
was performed.

The third accident was a wing separation after several pitch
excursions at relatively high speed. The aircraft was substantially
heavier than max gross, with a CG out of the aft end of the CG
envelope.

Dont buy this junk there are better ships
out there that are less dangerous.
These 60/70's homebuilts are cheap
for a reason pay some more and live
longer!!

There are also better ships out there that are more expensive and
_more_ dangerous.

But that aside, I have to agree with the general consesus that the
social and economic landscape of soaring has changed so that many
homebuilt gliders are very far out of their original context. These
days, a walk through the ocean of most souls would scarcely get your
feet wet.

Thanks, and best regards to all

Bob K.
http://www.hpaircraft.com/hp-24