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Pure coincidence with the exact same name and both pilots...........
Go figure.For now I stand corrected.Both Kevin's carry them around in wheel barrels then
Last year I told Kevin, the Relentless pilot, that it was cool seeing him fly the P-51 at the NAS Fallon show. He said thanks, but that it was the other Kevin flying.
A person can learn a lot from a guy that's lost a prop while going ballz out. Great job Kevin, glad you made it down safe to race another day.
While not the best picture I have ever taken... it is one of the most intresting. Right place, right time.
great pic stevo and as the say any landing you walk away from is a good one glad to hear that kevin got down safe and sound and hopefully he can repair or rebuilt relentless but the main thing is that he is safe and yes the man must carry them around in a dump truck
I'm not positive that all the blades did leave at the same time-something caused the hub to want to leave the flange.
Overspeed (prop) followed by
asymmetric blade departures would likely put that kind of a load on the fasteners/crank, causing total attach failure.
This sure would want me to have a counterweighted prop that wouldn't
go to the fine pitch stop if I lost minimum oil pressure from the govenor.
Stevo--SON OF A BITCH,What AN AWESOME Shot!
Kudos Buddy!
Had a good look at Relentless and recovered pieces this morning. Also took in Kevin's response to many questions (including a couple of my own).
Kevin and crew believe a line to the oil cooler failed first which caused a loss of oil pressure. The loss of oil pressure allowed the composite prop to go "flat" (low pitch angle/high RPM) resulting in an engine over speed (WAY over speed). Result of the over speed was the shedding of prop blades, disintegration of the accessory case, and what appears to be a connecting rod or two out the top rear of the crankcase. The propeller hub broke off cleanly between the blade attach area and attachment to the engine crankshaft flange. The engine also backfired in a big way blowing the induction system apart.
In Kevin's own words, "That happened in the first half-second."
A small oil fed fire erupted after landing which was quickly extinguished by the fire department. All notable damage is firewall forward. The engine did not leave the mount. There's damage to the upper cowl half likely caused by departing propeller parts.
A lot more was said but I've tried to stick to the technical side as there seemed to be a lot questions and speculation, but not much information.
Stevo's picture captures it visually, but the sound was something else. I would describe it as a loud, high pitched, attention getting "BRAAPPP!" ending with a distinct "POP", then silence. And Kevin was right, it happened in the first half second.
Kevin did a great job handling the emergency. It took skill and a huge dose of cool for the successful outcome.
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