Pilot injured after a Hummel Bird ultralight plane crashes at Serpentine Airfield south of Perth, Australia

Photo: The plane crashed into bushland shortly after taking off at Serpentine Airfield, near Baldivis. (Supplied: 7 News Perth)

 

JULY 24, 2015

By Laura Gartry

Updated about an hour ago

A pilot suffered serious head injuries when his small plane crashed shortly after taking off at an airfield in Perth's south.

The crash happened at Serpentine Airfield, near Baldivis, about 60 kilometres south of Perth.

Police said the plane crashed into bushland at the end of the runway shortly after 2:00pm.

The male pilot, believed to be Norm Stokes, aged in his 60s, was the only person in the plane.

He had a gash to the head and was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital, where he is said to be in a serious but stable condition.

The private airfield, about 60 kilometres south of Perth, is owned by the Sporting Aircraft Builders Club [SABC].

SABC president Shirley Harding said she believed Mr Stokes, the plane's owner, was flying the rare type of Hummel Bird aircraft. 

She said the 300 members of the club would be distressed by the crash.
Ms Harding said no-one witnessed the incident, but a member on the ground alerted another in the air after hearing a "spluttering".

The airborne person spotted the crashed plane in bushland at the end of the runway.

The Hummel Bird was described as a single seat, single engine, aluminium plane.

South East Metropolitan District Acting Inspector Mark Tobiassen said the pilot had a lucky escape.

"I've seen a photograph of [the plane] and it's had some serious front end damage ... Any opportunity where a pilot is able to walk away from a plane crash is very lucky," he said.

Recreational Aviation Australia is expected to investigate the incident.
Ms Harding said the club had a good safety record.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-24/small-plane-crash-at-serpentine-airfield-south-of-perth/6646760 

Date:	24-JUL-2015
Time:	14:00+
Type:	Hummel Bird
Owner/operator:
Registration:
C/n / msn:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Substantial
Location:	Serpentine Airfield (YSEN), Perth, WA -   Australia
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	Serpentine (YSEN)
Destination airport:

Narrative:
The aircraft impacted bushland terrain shortly after takeoff from Serpentine Airfield (YSEN), Perth, Western Australia. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot onboard received serious injuries.
Sources:
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/man-injured-in-plane-crash-at-serpentine-airfield-wa-20150724-gik0nu.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-24/small-plane-crash-at-serpentine-airfield-south-of-perth/6646760

http://www.flyhummel.com/hummel-bird

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Hummel Bird

(LSA legal and very efficient)

Introduction to the Hummel Bird

The Hummel Bird is of all metal construction.  Bulkheads are mounted on a simple wood beam, with rivet holes located in flanges of bulkheads, skins are wrapped around and holes drilled back through.  Sheet metal is simplest, fastest and most economical way to build an aircraft as Art Rempel has proven with his building a Hummel Bird and engine in three months building time. Construction is very rugged and is stressed for 6G's, (5G's with Witman wing tips).

     The complete set of plans contains 26 large (D size) drawings with all bulkheads, wing ribs and skins full size.  A 30 page step by step manual is very complete with all materials listed.  Only simple shop tools are required to build the Hummel Bird tri gear or tail dragger.  Rigid and shock absorbing gear is shown on the plans.  For grass field operation, the shock gear is recommended.  Since this is a short build time and quite simple, it is a good project for first for first time builders.  Average build time is 1200-1400 hrs if built from scratch. Though a complete kit is not available, al of the welded and many of the complex parts are available.

     Flying the Hummelbird is very enjoyable. Turns can be made using very little rudder, as ailerons are differential.  The roll rate is in excess of 250 degrees/sec.  It is light on controls and flies hands off in smooth air. Stall speed, without wing tips is 42 mph power off and as low as 32 mph power on.  There is roll control after the stall which many planes don't have.  With the tri gear, its very easy to land in cross winds--when other planes are being put away because of high winds.

     The 1/2 VW engine has an excellent track record for reliability and fuel economy.  Engine plans or complete engines are available.