Cessna 421 Unresponsive Over Gulf of Mexico

TFaudree_ERAU said:
Do GA autopilots have that "protection" built in. I don't even know if the STec 55 in a Cirrus does, much less an old Nav-O-Matic (assuming that's what was in this bird and hadn't been upgraded)
Click to expand...
That's a good question. I highly doubt it though.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
Do GA autopilots have that "protection" built in. I don't even know if the STec 55 in a Cirrus does, much less an old Nav-O-Matic (assuming that's what was in this bird and hadn't been upgraded)
Click to expand...
Most GA autopilots don't have "stall protection", but at some point the nose up load on the servos will cause it to disconnect.
 
Not an unprecedented accident. Geography aside, the accident of the Cessna 441 that killed up and coming LSU coach Bo Rein in 1980 is very similar. Night flight from Shreveport, La to Baton Rouge; ended up at FL410 and far out into the Atlantic Ocean, with ANG F-4s and USAF F-106s in chase and escorting. No frosted-over windows seen, as well as no structural damage noticed; though being night, it was difficult to see. No wreckage or bodies ever recovered.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
Do GA autopilots have that "protection" built in. I don't even know if the STec 55 in a Cirrus does, much less an old Nav-O-Matic (assuming that's what was in this bird and hadn't been upgraded)
Click to expand...
AP stalls were (or should be) part of a Cirrus checkout. Both the Cirrus and a 201 I flew with a 55 or 55x were capable of stalling in VS mode, but I don't know if this would apply to any other installation, servo differences, etc.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
Then I guess that's why I don't know if it does or not...o_O
Click to expand...
Sorry should have qualified that better - important for pilots who need to reconcile reality with their dream of GPS direct/VS with altitude preselect 'set it, forget it and start reading your book' mentality.
 
MikeD said:
Vertical crush damage, and torsional damage around the vertical axis; to varying degrees.
Click to expand...

But I'm assuming not enough for a) it to sink right away, and b) the news reporter to see pictures and report that there was (what they would consider to be) major damage
 
Depending on how/when it impacted in that particular accident. My description was that of general damage seen in the average flat-spin impact.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top