Aircraft Veered Off The Runway After Landing Suffering Damage To Spinner And Props

The effort to build a replica Bugatti 100P airplane reached a significant milestone this week with the first flight of the unique, art-deco airplane.

Unfortunately there was a setback as well. The plane was damaged when the right brake failed after landing, and the plane veered off the runway.

Here is the description of the first flight from the Bugatti 100P project Facebook page:

"We intended this flight to be limited to a short hop down the runway to check power required/power available and to check control responsiveness in all three axes. Preflight preparation and before-takeoff checks were normal. Takeoff was normal and at a predetermined reduced power (80%) setting; takeoff roll was 3000 feet and I became airborne at 90 knots. I climbed to 100 AGL to check power and control responsiveness. The plane responded as expected to all power changes and control inputs. Maximum airspeed was 110 knots.

"I reduced power for landing but the airplane floated much more than we anticipated. I landed further down the runway than planned but with sufficient distance to stop the plane.

"Unfortunately, I lost the right brake and the airplane departed the left side of the runway at slow speed. Due to heavy rains the night before, the ground was soft and the airplane tipped upward on its nose, damaging the spinner and both props.

"Such is the nature of flight testing a new design. The relevant news is we successfully flew the Bugatti 100P for the first time. The plane flew beautifully."

(Image from Facebook)

FMI: http://bugatti100p.com/bugatti-100p.html