Mon, Jun 24, 2013
Inflight Canopy Release Necessitated by Engine Failure/Oil Obscuration
Like we needed anymore negative excitement this weekend, we are none-the-less pleased to report that airshow pilot John Klatt is down and safe after experiencing an engine problem -- one serious enough to necessitate the release of his canopy in the middle of a performance at the Quad City Airshow, Sunday, in order to see to execute an emergency landing.
This appears to be one of those circumstances in which an airshow pilot had bare seconds to deal with a bad and deteriorating situation. According to Klatt Airshows, "Some of you may be aware that during this afternoon's performance at the Quad City Airshow in Davenport, IA, John's MXS experienced an engine failure which forced him to execute an immediate emergency landing. John released the aircraft's canopy, which had become coated with oil, in order to regain forward visibility to land. He suffered some minor burns and bruises, but is otherwise fine. Thank you for your concern, and for your support of John and Team Klatt."
The narrative says much and proves, again, that Klatt is not only a good and calm stick, but owns one hell of a rabbit's foot.
It appears that the incident happened just after 1400 local time, and outside of the engine problem and canopy loss, Klatt's MXS appears to have come out of this even better than Klatt, himself.
This is not Klatt's first 'OH-SH*T' moment in the middle of an airshow... just under two years ago, spectators at the Battle Creek Balloon Festival Airshow in Michigan got a disconcerting look at the risks faced by aerobatic performers as Klatt's Panzl S330 lost its left aileron during a series of snap rolls, but he was able to maintain control even as the control surface fluttered to the ground. Performer Rob Holland, who was waiting on the runway to perform after Klatt, took off to get a closer look at the damaged plane and offered info to Klatt... who then made a safe landing without injury, but the plane was damaged extensively. Both Holland and Klatt now fly the MX Aircraft MXS.
ANN extends our best wishes to John and his team and looks forward to seeing him airborne soon...
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