The late, lamented KISS just saved a plane today

[Tim Wescott]

My third and final flight of the Atlantis today, before I had to pack up and go to work.  I was in a hurry because the tank's barely big enough for a full pattern, so I didn't check the lines as closely as I should have.  Took off, and everything was wrong -- it turns out that one of the line clips was bound up and cockeyed.

I did NOT try to fix it in flight, because I crashed Mike Haverly's KISS doing just that.  I did, in fact, spend several laps telling myself not to touch that @#$% clip -- and I managed it, and the plane came in to a beautiful landing after a bit over six minutes of very boring laps.  So, that old plane crash saved a Really Nice plane today.

[Tim Wescott]

How did the kiss crash messing with the clip, did it come off or just go down from pulling on the line?

The line clip was cockeyed on the handle, right in front of my face.  So I tried to straighten it.  I managed to make five attempts at a fix without crashing -- the sixth was the end of the KISS.  And I can't tell you how hard I was arguing with myself this morning about how easy it would be to get the thing fixed with just a little bit of work.

[Steve Helmick]

It's all in the details, for every flight. ALWAYS check the line clips (at both ends), on the way to the handle.

If you have a buddy launching, make sure he always checks. If you are launching for your buddy, ALWAYS check the clips at the leadouts before you let go da plane. This is one of the hazards of using a stooge, which I suspect you were.    Steve

[Dave Royer]

The stooge checked the clips at the airplane but his aging eyesight failed to detect the problem at the handle.

[Steve Helmick]

The stooge checked the clips at the airplane but his aging eyesight failed to detect the problem at the handle.

Ah! So, it was all Tim's fault again, as usual...  Steve

[Tim Wescott]

Ah! So, it was all Tim's fault again, as usual...  Steve

It was.  I was in a hurry, didn't pay attention, and it happened.  Fortunately I didn't lose the plane.  I post my mistakes so that others can avoid them (and to make up, somewhat, to Mike for crashing that nice plane he gave me when I really needed one).

[Mike Haverly]

Tim, Steve gave you the plane.  I built it and you got a Tower .40 from me. 

I have had cocked clips before and sometimes one hook may come undone.  I now use surgical tubing on my clips at the handle.  JCT approved by the way!  Many others use tubing also, it definitely fixes the problem.

[PJ Rowland]

Had a similar discussion on FB recently.

Ive seen this happen to Top5 guys.. Ive seen it at World champs..

My point is it can happen to anyone take care.. go through a pre flight routine 100% of the time. Clean and check the lines when the plane is running.