Marmite!! Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) Only surviving WWII Hurricane MK IIB crash-lands... six weeks after its £1.5million three-and-a-half year restoration is completed. A unique £1.5million World War Two fighter plane crash-landed today just weeks after its owner completed a three-and-a-half-year restoration. The Hawker Hurricane MK IIB - nicknamed the 'Hurribomber' - ended up on its nose after the undercarriage locked on touchdown. Its pilot was unhurt in the crash. The extent of the damage to the plane - the only one of its kind still flying - is not yet known. But at the very least, it is going to need a new propellor Restoration work was only completed six weeks ago. Witness William Page, who works at the neighbouring Essex Motorcross site, said: 'I watched the plane do a couple of fly-bys, and then it began its approach to land. 'Everything seemed to be going fine until it touched the ground - it looked as though the brakes suddenly locked on and I saw the nose hit the ground and the tail-end flip up.' A spokesman for Hawker Restorations in Milden, Suffolk, said the owner had taken the plane for its first flight on January 27 and North Weald was its home airfield. The spokesman said: 'It's quite a unique plane in as much as it is the only flightworthy hurricane bomber, it is set up with guns and potentially can carry two bombs. It is the only one like that flying in the world. 'They don't usually land propeller first and apparently it bunny-hopped down the strip.' He added: 'Planes like this are worth in the region of £1.5million and take about 30,000 hours to restore. 'We are not very happy. We are waiting to see the damage.' Five fire engines were scrambled to the airfield in North Weald, near Epping in Essex, at 11.40am along with paramedics. 'The pilot was the only person on board and he walked away from the incident,' said a spokesman for the county's fire and rescue service. 'Fortunately no one was trapped in the plane and there was no leaking fuel.' The plane, built in Canada, was shipped to besieged Britain in 1940 and used for escort and reconnaissance work from Tangmere, Sussex, during the war. It is owned by a group called Hangar 11. Along with the Spitfire, the 340mph Hurricane - fitted with Browning machine guns - was credited with helping win the Battle of Britain. Hanger 11 website http://www.hangar11.co.uk/ Edited March 11, 2009 by Marmite!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretfixer Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 oops! That looks expensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowtracdave Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Just shown it on the local news & they are saying that the only serious damage is to the prop...... Lets hope so ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Just shown it on the local news & they are saying that the only serious damage is to the prop......Lets hope so ! When a prop hits the ground like that, the crankshaft normally has to be inspected, let us hope that there is no internal damage and it is flying again soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Not just the crankshaft! All rotating componants and indeed bearings and crankcase may need to be looked at. Unfortunately, our RV9 tipped on it's nose on saturday and the engine is going away tomorrow for a shock load strip and inspection. £3000 plus parts...... £2000 for the prop..... these pale into insignificance compared to the equivalent Hurricane items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave C Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 A few more photograpes can be viewed here curtesy of Essex Fire and Resuce. http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=5&id=38&folder=531 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanter Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hello can any of the mods change the title from crash lands to tips over please? The hurri didn't crash it just had a bit of a problem with the brakes on landing after a normal safe approach, luckily the pilot wasn't hurt but as has already been commented with a propstrike like this, with metal prop blades, a lot of damage can be caused to the engine. But the owner can consol himself with his spit, p40, mustang or jeep in the meantime. Hope to see it back in the air soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Hello can any of the mods change the title from crash lands to tips over please? The hurri didn't crash it just had a bit of a problem with the brakes on landing after a normal safe approach, luckily the pilot wasn't hurt but as has already been commented with a propstrike like this, with metal prop blades, a lot of damage can be caused to the engine. But the owner can consol himself with his spit, p40, mustang or jeep in the meantime. Hope to see it back in the air soon. Quote: Essex Fire & Rescue Hurricane plane crash lands http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=5&id=46 Title stays as is... I had a problem with the brakes on my van years ago, lucky I never crashed & I just parked the van safely on it's roof:coffee: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanter Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Ok not trying to cause problems, I was just thinking of the poor owner, anyway he says fingers crossed for june flights for this magnificent aircraft. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saracenstump Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 hope its back in the air soon,lovely piece of kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I agree with Steve, it didn't 'crash land', and describing it as that suggests a far more serious incident. Just because Essex fire and rescue described it incorrectly, does that mean we should? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 I agree with Steve, it didn't 'crash land', and describing it as that suggests a far more serious incident. Just because Essex fire and rescue described it incorrectly, does that mean we should? Don't think we are.. crash-land verb 1.to land (an aircraft), under circumstances in which a normal landing is impossible, in such a way that damage to the aircraft is unavoidable. Think it fits that description.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rlangham Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Not really - there weren't any circumstances in which a normal landing was impossible, it wasn't like it had to land wheels up or with one undercarriage leg down etc. It landed and then, at a very low speed, tipped up onto it's nose. There wasn't any 'crash' involved, you wouldn't describe a minor scrape between two Land Rovers at an event as a major collision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsfotos Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Absolutely agree. The aircraft didn't 'Crash Land'. For one reason. It was already on the ground when the accident happened. It would appear that the brakes grabbed. So definitely NOT a crash landing. But then again, Britain these days is full of newspaper speak. Such as when a tennis player 'crashes out' of a tournament. How does a tennis player crash! The actual expression is that they 'lost' or were 'beaten'. Peter who owns the Hurricane, along with a P-40, P-51D Mustang 'Jumpin Jacues' and the world's only airworthy Spitfire PR.XI is a personal friend and he is gutted at what has happened. Anyone who saw the 'first flight' video that was doing the rounds, will have seen how emiotional he was about getting the Hurricane into the air and will understand also his feelings at the moment. However, this gorgeous aircraft will be back in the air for the majority of the season, though one of the first public appearance - which was due to have been at the Abingdon Air & Country Fayre on 3rd of May will be missed. I have no doubt that he'll be bringing along one of his other 'toys' from his 'toyshop' as he calls his hangar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I suggest another hoary old saying should be borne in mind, 'Any landing you walk away from is a good one!' Fortunatley that happaned, metal can always be fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Here's a report posted by Pete Teichman on his Hangar 11 website about his Hurricane incident. "Hi mates just a brief note to say that I am absolutely fine after yesterdays upsetting incident in the new Hurri Bomber :-( In short I took my first flight after her 3 year restoration this morning after several days of weather related delays. The flight involved a departure to the East and transit to the Black Water where I had loads of fun , looping and gently aerobating this wonderful old lady around the sunny Essex skies. After stalls, low speed manoeuvres and getting comfortable with the flight envelope and flying characteristics, I returned to Weald; couple of passes for the snappers and then break into a left hand circuit to land. Gear came down snappily , flaps, downwind checks all text book as was the following curving approach to runway 20 in a light westerly wind. The speed was spot on as was the 3 point touchdown right on the numbers. Sadly at that point, just as the main wheels touched I knew I had a big problem as the brakes appeared to be stuck on causing the aircraft to lurch forward and in spite of my best efforts to keep the stick back and wrestle the controls, she gently nosed over and came to rest on the prop. Thankfully I had landed at the minimum speed commensurate with a 3 pointer and was carrying the least forward momentum, otherwise she may well have flipped over with obvious consequences. Clearly we had a mechanical failure associated with the brake relay system as the skid marks on the runway demonstrate but luckily I managed to keep her on the centreline and the damage is really pretty minimal, even the spinner is untouched. Prop is trashed and the motor will have to come out for test but I am 100% fine and hey we can fix the plane. Best estimates are with the help of all our supporters, we will be back in the air by June 2009. Sincere thanks to all of you who have called and showed so much concern, I am trying to put this down to the rich tapestry of life." Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormin Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Makes me wonder how common this type of incident was during operational use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Here's Pete Teichman over Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury, a couple of years ago, he was unaware he had a problem with his landing gear until a quick telephone call was made to North Weald, he cut the display short & returned home & made a safe landing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I have flown with Peter in the past and I found him his WWII Jeep that he has based down at the Hangar at North Weald. He is a very competent pilot with many hours flying experience and (unlike some of the proto-typical warbird pilots), always has time to stop and talk when you see him at various shows up and down the country. Maurice Hammond rebuilt the engine for Hurri-Bomb and I did manage to see it during the various stages of its rebuild at EyeTech Engineering. Here is a couple of picture's of Peter making a text book landing at Maurice's airstrip in Norfolk and I am very relieved to know that he wasn't injured and the damage to the aircraft was (relatively) minor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Good to hear the damage isn't to extensive. Still a obvious dissapointment for the people involved. I wish them all the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsfotos Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Have to agree with M5Clive on this. Peter is one of the nicest guys that I've met during my years of photographing airshows. Thing with him is that he just loves his 'toys' and it shows both in the way he flies them and in his attitude to everyone who wants to take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanguru Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 I have read the history of this aircraft, and I was amazed to see it was recoverd during the 90's. Can anyone provide details of how it managed to stay hidden all that time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsfotos Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 I will try and find some details for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Accident Summary: The aircraft tipped forward onto its nose whilst landing on Runway 20 at North Weald. The pilot, who was uninjured, reported that the approach and touchdown in a three-point attitude, were normal. When the mainwheels contacted the runway, the aircraft’s tail lifted uncontrollably, causing the propeller to strike the ground. The pilot was able to maintain the runway centreline. Subsequent inspection of the pneumatically-operated wheel brake system identified a defect in a brake control valve. This had allowed air to leak into the brake activation bags, causing the brakes to be partially applied prior to the landing. Full report published here - http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Hawker%20Hurricane%202B,%20G-HHII%2007-09.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowtracdave Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Anybody know if it is now back in the air ? Just asking as just as we got back here last night around five o'clock a Hurricane came over the yard low and banking hard to port , did another circuit a few minutes later then headed off in the general direction of North Weald . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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