Airplane Crash Report- Emmaselle II

At SEFF 2024, the Emmaselle II had an onboard fire that shorted out my RX wires. I was very lucky no one got hurt.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Sorry you had the crash, and I am very impressed with the video and narrative, especially your concern for safety. Thank you for stressing the safety aspects. Good luck with your rebuild! Excellent work!

[@rccollin7699]

That's scary, glad no one was hurt.

[@larryblanks6765]

Sorry Dag! "She will fly again". Glad no one got hurt. That is my biggest fear, getting someone hurt.

[@Lammons1960]

Glad this turned out well. Very good video and as always your very humble. I think a full scale version of this aircraft need to be built for Oshkosh.

[@ShockeWulf190]

My father was inches away from being killed by a big plane, i totally understand why you are a "safety nut", because its still hard to watch big RC planes do fast passes close to me. I always get scared like hell when problems happen in my planes, and i always make sure to land if i am spooked so i can regain myself for a minute. Love the videos, sorry about the crash.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks for the post. I like to keep my planes at least 100' out in front of me. I even get nervous when big planes, Helis, and Turbines get close on a flyby.

[@Yogenh]

I really hate that happened to you. You always do so good with things and get great information

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!🙂

[@old_coastie]

Most excellent report on what happened... Being present and hearing the "thump" and responding with the other pilots I couldn't help but be curios of the "whole" story. One Note: A mention of the fact that the Lipo batts were NOT involved in the fire.

[@deonjansen]

Yip i agree - you got off light - that could have been waaay worse. its ok - you will fix it and what you have learned is very valuable - for you and everyone

[@airplanyguy68]

Dag is back!!! So glad to see you again Dag. Keep em coming.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!

[@danielcowdin9202]

Sorry about the crash. Thank you for sharing what happened. But my first reaction on seeing a new post, You are back!

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!

[@FPVREVIEWS]

The department of redundancy department would like to have a word with you. 😆 Seriously glad everyone is safe and will be looking forward to your videos on repairing and modifying the redundant control systems! Glad to see you back making videos, sorry about the circumstances! ☺️

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!! Rock ON!

[@MidlandflyerB90]

Deserves to be rebuilt. lovely craft and thanks for the feedback on what happened and the fixes that you will do, 'food for thought' for us all cheers

[@vg23air]

i once flew my 1/3 cub right into the flightline and landed it in the bed of my pickup with a cap on it. We trimmed the wings with a saw and flew it again

[@5695q]

I am surprised that there was no snow fence barrier between the runway and pits, sorry to see it damaged and real glad no one was hurt.

[@dagtheaviator]

At this event the ruway we use is over 1,000 feet. This is a real airport. It would be hard to set up a fence. This is a week long event. In the 12 years I have been going I have not see anyone roll into the pits. I have seen planes while flying end up behind the flight line. Never seen anyone hurt, thank god. We have to stand out 10-15 feet from the flag line and land at least 25' out in front of us. A fence might be a good idea, but a hard one. And most places I go the openings in the fence are not big enough to get my plane though. Thanks for the post!

[@wyliewarbirds]

Things happen well done. Good luck with the repair

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks 👍

[@LouCosmeRC-ov2ol]

Good video. Interesting. hmmm… Makes me think about setup. I just finished my gas sbach but I do have two separate power systems. One for the receiver and one for the ignition system, which now makes me glad I did. Wishing you a prompt rebuild.

[@peterveen3819]

What a story!.....

[@klesmer]

Sorry about your lose but the hobby giveth and the hobby taketh away. I would really like to get more information on the full scale airplane, this is a new one on me. What a beauty!

[@dagtheaviator]

Its 100% my own design, just made it up in my head one night. Rock ON!

[@davidhames319]

Moki gas radial would be great for that model

[@weathervanerc8147]

Have been following you for a long time now. I know your passion for aviation and safety. I am certain you will have her in the air again soon with new upgrades in the radio system. As you always say, Rock On.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!

[@FFND16N]

Well done Dag...you handled that as well as could be and the Universe seemed to recognize/'insure' your due diligence in all other things.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks, I was lucky.

[@haroldanderson6021]

Interesting food for thought on avoiding loss of flight controls during an electrical event. I have several large planes with OPTO ESCs including an 18 pound EDF. I never considered a dead short on the ESC channel lead from the radio either... Another option: I am going to install a solder-in fuse on the positive side of the throttle channel leads of these planes. If the ESC loses power due to a blown fuse it will throttle down. Unless, like in your situation it is in the process of melting down already in which case the inline fuse could be a lifesaver.

[@dagtheaviator]

I need to test if you take the signal wire from the RX and ground it to the black wire (system ground) does it kill the RX? I like your idea of a fuse.

[@ajfvajf5]

Sorry to hear about the crash. Fortunately you can rebuild her. 👍

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!

[@josephkerkau2520]

I watched your video, and i'm sorry that this happened. But I am building a third scale that I worry about. I wonder if i will have the same sort of situation if a plane fails. I'm sure, that it will be safely rebuilt. I know you a little bit by watching your videos enough to understand that you will build it properly. Rock on! rock on!!........

[@markbyfield7050]

Wow that must be gut wrenching. Don’t get disheartened, looking forward to the ‘phoenix’ rising!!

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks. It was very depressing. But she will fly again in 2025.

[@michaelwhinnery164]

That is a beauty, sorry it crashed, glad nobody got hurt. If you fly rc ,,,, you're gonna crash. I got my first "drone " in 2017 I bought a 3 year old DJI Phantom 2 vision + and it weighs about 2.5 lbs when it went haywire while flying around a park it was terrifying. It just missed the corner of the county parks building flipped over twice bounced off a tree and thankfully hit the ground destroying itself before hurting anyone... so yea, I can relate to how relieved you must have been. I'm glad the drones have gotten way smaller and lighter and most of my planes are very small as well. The liability associated with flying a giant scale plane is nothing I want anything to do with. However I'm thrilled guy's like you do so I can enjoy and appreciate them from the sidelines.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks for the post. There is a big responsibility when I fly my big planes. I know the hobby has risk, but I know how to make it better next time. Rock ON!

[@stevefox7961]

Wow, that was a close one. Well broken down and explained. I was curious about running two recievers. How does that work cheers

[@dagtheaviator]

I’m actually working on a video that I hope to have up within the next two weeks about the pros and cons of having multiple receivers. Rock On!

[@terryboehler5752]

Glad you are going to remove the covering. I can only imagine the feeling of being out of control that you experienced. The exhaust looked really nice as it fired.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!

[@matheeuwsene]

Hey, good video, great attitude, on how to deal with bad situations!! Maybe the issue could have been caused by a bad solering of the 2 main battery wires..... Had that happen once... If you are looking for a new ESC, look at YGE, they make some of the nicest ESC's out there, and their service is stellar. Been using them for many many years on my 12S big planes, with no issue.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks for the comment. As I explained in the video, the ESC went from auto-timing to manual a few times. It was a 20 pole motor but sometimes showed a 14 pole on the programmer. A ESC out of time can fry itself and the motor in less than 20 seconds. I know 100% what happened, but I don't know why the ESC was doing what it did. I have had a few people reach out to me telling me their Jeti ESC has done the same thing. Rock ON!

[@RobertHanson-kk1gq]

You are an amazing RC plane designer!! I am truly very sorry about this crash. If there's anything I can do to help you get the Emmaselle II back in the air , please don't hesitate to ask.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks, I am good, and thanks for offering! Rock ON!

[@edwinthomas618]

Thank God no one was hurt. What are your ESC options? Kontronik is a great option. God speed

[@dagtheaviator]

I plan on using a Kontronik. I have a pal who has a pal who flies giant Helis that pulls massive amps. He will only use Kontronik. Thanks for the post!

[@Yogenh]

Have missed that you haven't posted much

[@dagtheaviator]

I am back! Rock ON!

[@menotu8440]

I know how you feel, I had a rudder go out during a landing and it bounced right toward us! 0.61 glow power engine, but if I wouldn't have powered up and drastically pulled up as I did... I might have killed two people. It really shook me up. Very scary, I didn't fly for over a month! Now I do pre and post flight checks with more attention to detail.

[@dagtheaviator]

I didn't fly anymore that day. And, on my big birds I have printed and laminated checklists.

[@xbpbat21x]

What will you do differently, if anything?

[@dagtheaviator]

Not sure yet. I think I have a better chance of winning the lotto before this exact problem could be re-created. Maybe a second RX.

[@Mgp-Rc]

So glad it can be repaired. BUT something THAT BIG, not IC???? Really??

[@dagtheaviator]

In the last 13 years of flying big electrics, this was the first dead stick I have even had. Plus, with 10,000 watts I can turn some big (scale) props. I flew IC for 30 years, its okay, but electric has the torque I like. :)

[@ronwade2206]

AMA?

[@dagtheaviator]

Academy of Model Aeronautics.

[@jamesvaliensi7706]

Use TEFZEL mil spec wire. I have a short video showing how it does not short out when too hot.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks!

[@brechen2002]

Put in a powerbox mercury or competition.

[@dagtheaviator]

I am considering it. Thanks! Rock ON!

[@timbarnett3898]

Why make model planes so big, without really flying in plane for real? I crashed my airplane i built while blind after eye surgeries!

[@dagtheaviator]

Because I like to? I fly all and love all. Model aircraft, ultralights, and full-scale.

[@JN24185]

I think you’ve handled everything like a champ. My number one fear and the thing that gives me the most nerves while flying is losing control of the plane and either hurting someone or seriously damaging some property. So I totally understand how you feel, and that’s with 1.2m Foamies! I think redundancy is the key to safety here. As you stated, two receivers should be the norm for a plane that size.

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks! Yes, two RX's from here out.

[@keithwillans3617]

I've burnt out three Hacker motors all due to timing issues. Also was using Jetty spin and matched/RECOMMENDED Hacker ESC'S. I've never used Hacker again. There junk

[@dagtheaviator]

Thanks. I have 8 Hacker motors, never had a problem with any of them on Castle ESCs. Only with the Jeti ESCs.

[@staples919]

Mine were all large outrunning. I now use Rimfire 50 and 60cc motors but now hard to get. Thanks for the honesty in your vid. Would love to see her fly again.

[@dagtheaviator]

@@staples919 my Hackers were 180 KV and 150 KV motors. They both ran awesome on Castle creations ESCs. I also have 230 KV Hacker motors that worked great on Castle creation ESCs.