What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

[tim]

What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

[GRNDP51]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

Mayday yesterday, didn't get fixed, no qual time, full field, probably can't race, sucks...

[tim]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

Mayday yesterday, didn't get fixed, no qual time, full field, probably can't race, sucks...

[supercub]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

Stopped by the hangar, they are out for the year. Still don't know what's wrong with it. Said they were starting to prepare for next year.

[W J Pearce]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

There was a prop over-speed on Blue II as John was taking off to qualify on 9/12. The over-speed caused an engine failure, which started a fire that damaged various electrical components. John made a 180 and deadsticked it back in hot, without any damage to the airframe.

The task of putting in a new engine and rewiring much of the firewall forward was deemed too much to accomplish in the 24 hours or so that were available (but it was considered).

[Lon Moer]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

What causes "prop over-speed"?

[W J Pearce]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

What causes "prop over-speed"?

I believe there were prop governor issues.

[W J Pearce]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

Below is video of the flight. Issues start a second before liftoff, and get worse from there.

https://youtu.be/qlaGLWHBYCI

[Desertdawg]

Re: What's up with Blue Thunder 2?

Can really feel for the team and John, what a heart break.

Watching the troubles start while over Swan lake, made me think that having a Search and Rescue boat on the lake was a good idea.

Thanks for sharing this video and your insight.