My friend's 750 (0-200) nosed over on take-off after hitting the ground from 3 feet height and with the wheel turned 15 degrees to the right as he was in a crosswind. The fork didn't hold up,the plane turned to the right,,,the wing touched the ground and the plane flipped over.
The seatbetls did the job, so he was okay with a little scratch on his head. The struts, and rudder got ripped off like paper.
SAD,SAD SAD but at least the pilot is fine.The fuselage is intact and still salvagable other than the landing gear which needs to be changed.
He will rebuild his plane with all of my parts I had made for my 750....I couldn't stand looking at him so depressed....hahaha Like I told him....it's only aluminum and time...the joy of scratch building.

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Comment by Brian Fitzpatrick on October 18, 2014 at 1:42pm

Hi Mark:  Yes I'm still building. Got the fuselage and tail finished.  Now doing modified scratch wings. Don't ask me any questions. I have no answers.

I wonder if you or others could tell me how much travel a 750 main gear wheel will rise on a heavy landing before the aluminum spring stays bent?  Tough question.

I have extensively reinforced the nose gear but I'm still thinking I should move it forward by attaching it to the engine mount.  If I could afford floats all these undercarriage issues would fade away.  Enjoying the build.

Comment by Mark Maltais on July 11, 2012 at 8:21pm

Hey Andre...how was the fly-in?

"Talk to Dan ...he made a new fork and the plane will disintegrate way before the fork gives out ...-:)"


I'm curious as to what Dan came up with! :D

Comment by RANDY L HALLOCK on July 2, 2012 at 11:37pm

All that aluminum, guess I should stop throwing away all those Budweiser cans and donate to the cause.

Comment by Andre Levesque on July 1, 2012 at 7:29am

Okay...enough typing.  I'm taking off (driving) for the Fly-in   in Sherbrooke, 2 hrs drive from my place.

"Les faucheurs de Marguerittes"   http://www.lesfaucheurs.com/

Comment by Andre Levesque on July 1, 2012 at 7:24am

Bob, I guess Dan's plane will be ready to go soon at the speed parts are coming in...-:)

Now we need to talk him in taking a checkride on a 750.....before we run out of Aluminum..hahahaha

Comment by Andre Levesque on July 1, 2012 at 7:22am

Replying to all BOB's  .... yes it is indeed a great family this airplane building stuff !  -:)

I made more friends in the last 2 years that I didin the last 20....lol

Bob Mc   ... we can't wait to see those floats on your 750..taking off from water.....that will be amazing. 

They are so HUGE.

Comment by Bob McDonald on July 1, 2012 at 6:01am

Uncle Bob & Andre... your helping out another builder get his project back on the rails is what being a aircraft builder, pilot and good friend is all about. Many of my friends have helped in my project completions over the years, their skill and friendship is valued as much as the project we are working on. Good stuff guys :>)

Comment by Robert Pelland on July 1, 2012 at 4:25am

Mr. André Levesque!! When I say fishey, I mean a vehicle ( read that as being an airplane ) that will be used principally to travel to our Great White North, in order to bring back trophy fishies.  As for Dan's new fork, I was the one who pressed it into shape on my set of front wheel fork dies. Too bad I don't have a set of dies for the rear wheels, I could make a set for you :o)

BTW Andy, I have already made his wing root and tip parts, and picked up 40 ft. of 1" spar caps from my supplier yesterday.  If all goes to plan, we will be riviting his new main spars, sometime next week.

Uncle Bob

Comment by Andre Levesque on June 30, 2012 at 8:21pm

Mr Bob Pelland!!  When you say fishey ?  what do you mean??? -:)

I worked on my friends plane for a little while and I had the opportunity to see the his plane taxing on the grass on his personal airstrip and I got a bit worried with lateral flex in the fork setup. Being that he's using an O-200 at 225lbs or so...i could just imagine a Radial at 265lbs if not more. The lighter the enginethe the better for the 750 I  really believe not to mention useful load.  Talk to Dan ...he made a new fork and the plane will disintegrate way before the fork gives out ...-:)

Comment by Andre Levesque on June 30, 2012 at 6:42pm
Well.. actually I decide to part with the 750 because I decided to kit build a tailwheel aircraft that can accommodate a Radial engine 150HP and more useful load to carry all my camping and fishing gear. Where I plan to land up North is not really prone to a front wheel. I'ts my personal preference and i'm sure others wouldn't mind front wheel. I will kit build the next one and get Training for flying a Tail wheel. Should be interesting. I wanted to finish the 750 and sell it...but my friend Dan needs the parts NOW !!! -:)

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