In your experience what's the most common cause of a crash?

[David Ashby - Moderator]

An idea I had on a long train journey last week and a question we haven't run yet. 

I guess pilot error will cover a lot from inexperience to over-confidence. If you can think of anything under 'Other' then please say in the thread. 

 

 

 

Edited By David Ashby - RCME on 09/05/2013 19:35:20

[Concorde Speedbird]

Although it is pilot error, I think that there should be an option for getting the controls wrong when the aeroplane is flying towards you. I think it must be the no.1 cause of crashes!

CS

[Rob]

I have two main reasons for crashing, they are in no paticular order.

1.The ground was to high up.

2.Ran out of sky.

Option one but don't tell anyone.!!!

Cheers

Rob

[Greybeard]

I generally find that the ground getting in the way is the most common.

[Les Littleton]

Gravity !

[Alwyn Gee]

Dumb Thumbs. That's why I've changed to holding the sticks between thumb & forefinger.    Hopefully the fingers have a link to the brain.

Alwyn

Edited By Alwyn Gee on 09/05/2013 19:50:27

Edited By Alwyn Gee on 09/05/2013 19:51:01

[Bill_B]

I voted "other" because although pilot error is a significant contributor IMHO, 'human' error is more usually the cause whether it be from an accidental wrong input from the pilot, bad preparation, poor building or poor flying skills (or all of the above!)

After many years of model flying I've all but eliminated bad preparation and building skills, but must admit to having the odd case of a flight induced brain f4rt! I guess that comes with the ageing process.

[MikeS]

Most of the time pilot error such as when I crashed my Whizzza last week. You never blame your tools.

[Paul Marsh]

I said engine failure. As long as there is power, there is a chance. Flew a model last weekend and the engine quit. Didn't quite make the strip on landing (cut low/downwind) and had to land downwind.

Only minor damage - ripped out u/c, but looking at other incidents, like losing engine after take-off or in awkward situations doesn't help. Not happens often - usually get down ok.

[Erfolg]

To be completely honest all my crashes have been pilot error of some sought. Even those some would put down to equipment failure.

Examples are, push a motor so hard that the motor burnt out, causing an electrical problem.

Another was charging a separate Rx Nicad pack, yet not checking that on load, the batteries were still providing the current for the radio set up. That is after a whole series of unexplained incidents. Yes, I finally stuffed the plane in , almost immediately after launch.

That is ignoring the standard types of incidents

All pilot error.

[Andrew767]

I put pilot error...certainly in my case but if i'd had a second choice it would have been adverse weather. Gusting winds on approach and finals seem to have it in for my lighter models.

Andrew

[David Molineux]

I selected 'Pilot Error' (or should that be inexperiance/overconfidence?) as that definitely sums up the couple of unplanned arrivals that I've had

I have seen a few at the field that seem to be loss of signal though. A particular club mate has lost at least 6 models and has sent his DX8 off for investigation. Nothing was wrong with it apparently, but he's lost some since.......

[Tim Mackey]

Posted by David Molineux on 09/05/2013 20:30:15:

I selected 'Pilot Error' (or should that be inexperiance/overconfidence?) as that definitely sums up the couple of unplanned arrivals that I've had

I have seen a few at the field that seem to be loss of signal though. A particular club mate has lost at least 6 models and has sent his DX8 off for investigation. Nothing was wrong with it apparently, but he's lost some since.......

[Tom Sharp]

Venturing out on to the flying field !!!!!!!!

[John Privett]

Posted by Tom Sharp on 09/05/2013 20:35:46:

Venturing out on to the flying field !!!!!!!!

For some individuals I'd classify that as "pilot error"!

In fact, on a more serious note, I'd say many crashes that are put down to other causes could probably be better classified as pilot error. Most planes don't crash simply because the engine cut. They crash because the pilot failed to handle the situation when it did cut, or had got into a situation where an engine failure would not be recoverable.

BTW, I voted pilot error! I can't recall a single crash I've had that I could honestly attribute to anything else...

[Noel Eaton]

I've voted "other" In my case its either been pilot error or incorrect model set up ,both due to inexperience, when I investigate the causes of crashes that I cant explain as simple dumb thumbs pilot error ,It's usually down to some equipment set up error ,I do mean Error on my part and not failure of the component .I'v found that I've had to learn by trial and error and error seems to have played a major part in my flying tuition so far ,I've also found him to be an expensive instructor too ! but he always lets me keep the bits for spares

 

Edited for language.....remember the CofC, folks!

Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 09/05/2013 21:21:56

[J V R]

I selected other as most of mine have been down to orientation

[William Morrison]

I always thought it was pilot error and certainly some were. But in the last couple of years I have flown 2.4 Hitec Aurora system and used a 6 volt high capacity battery for my receiver. I have not had a crash until recently due to a dead stick into a post on the field border. Happenstance to hit the post, no power to change vectors so to speak, otherwise, no damange would have occurred. So I surmissed I was having intermintten glitches due to battery/voltage drop out/brown out. So stay away from 4.8 volt/600 millliamper hour batteries. I use 2000 to 2500 milliampere hour batteries now days. That means sufficient power even when servo demands are high. So do your self a favor and use a big battery.

[WolstonFlyer]

Pilot error for me, that includes orientation and flying towards the sun and blinding myself trying to follow the model!

[chris edwards 3]

i said other because some of the crashes at my club have been down to radio problems, insuficent take off speed, engine problems, pilot error and most of the other catorgorys listed in the poll.

[Bob Cotsford]

Pilot error - whether it's ambition exceeding ability, neglecting maintenance or just inexperience I'd say 99% of models go in because the pilot fouled up one way or another. Sometimes it's as simple as recognising you are not on your game and flying appropriately, sometimes it's the accepted risk of trying something new. Even engine and battery failures can usually be put down to poor setup or maintenance when it comes right down to it.

[Richard Harris]

Pilot error....but I would use any of the others for a cover up excuse!

[Tom Sharp]

Quote from Bob Cotsford

Sometimes it's as simple as recognising you are not on your game and flying appropriately.

This is where I come in.

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

I'd say overwhelmingly its pilot error which can manifest itself in many different forms - and we're all guilty of it on occassions. Its healthy to face up to the fact and not blame some other cause.

BEB

[buster prop]

Most of my crashes have been due to disorientation caused by flying too far away, into the sun or just taking my eyes off the model. One was caused by using high rates for a fast twitchy plane and not reacting quickly enough. Another was by poor depth perception and misjudging a landing which went 'into the rough' and tore the u/c off. I can't think of any which weren't avoidable with a bit more skill, preparation or concentration. So my vote goes to pilot error.