> While Marty's engine stayed attached, it's pretty common for the > KRs to tear the firewall out of the aircraft on a hard > landing/crash. I've seen it happen many times, even with the VW > engines. I guess we could have a debate about whether it is > desirable to have the engine separate on impact, but I think I'd > rather all the big pieces stay in place. I do recall the severe > foot injuries Dan had when the engine and firewall separated on a > hard landing of N4DD at Mt Vernon. He is not the first I've seen > come to a stop with his feet sticking out through where the > firewall used to be. -Jeff Scott Los Alamos, NM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dan hit pretty hard and tore up more than just the firewall. With a fuselage tank, when the firewall rips loose it very likely will take a part of the fuel tank with it (depending on the structure) and possibly give you a good fuel bath. That is the primary reason that all my fuel is in outer wing panels only. That and roll over protection where my two main concerns when building and is why I have a fixed windshield with canopy and turtledeck bows in case of roll over. Others may have different primary concerns. Fire and roll over were mine. Larry Flesner
