<VV> Corvair accident

[Mel Francis]

>From studying the photo, this looks like an unusual accident. The two 
fellows further back down the median are standing on what looks like a 
pass-through across the median. It's level with the road and has rather 
steep sides, down to the regular median grass-surface.

Phil might have hit this as he was trying to steer the car back onto the 
road and it sent him airborne. The front wheels are turned to the right and 
the under-nose area is crushed upward and back, as you might expect from 
that first impact..

The first black spots on the road and in the grass, midway between the car 
and the pass-through might indicate his first re-contact after the launch 
and his left front fender indicates that the nose appears to be crushed 
downward, as the car hit and pivoted over backward at this point.

By now, the car was coming down on it's roof and simply slid the final 
distance, until it came to a stop.
I don't think you can fault the car design under these circumstances. I'd be 
very interested in the police report, to see if they noted the same details. 
Just about any vehicle would be launched after hitting that mini 'ramp'.

My heart goes out to Phil and his family. I'm sure they will be looking at 
the report too and hopefully, they will find some assuring answers to their 
own questions.

Mel Francis
'65 Monza Convertible


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <kcvair at netscape.com>
To: "Kent Sullivan" <kentsu at corvairkid.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 7:35 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Corvair accident


> This goes to show how well known Corvair people are and how many friends 
> they have.  Phil was known throughout the country as was Dick Shank who 
> passed away 1 week ago.  Our club will miss them both.  Phil had been a 
> member for many years and Dick was a member when he was a state legislator 
> and senator in Indiana.
> By the way, Phil had a roll bar installed when he bought the car new and 
> apparently the windshield came in on him by looks of the picture.  I'm not 
> one to blame the car.  Some things happen that are beyond our control. 
> Ken Clark
>
> KCVAIR
> 66 CORSA CN W/AIR
> 65 CORSA CP
>
> --- kentsu at corvairkid.com wrote:
>
> From: "Kent Sullivan" <kentsu at corvairkid.com>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Subject: Re: <VV> Corvair accident
> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:17:31 -0700
>
> Oh, this is terribly news. Phil was such a treasure.
>
> --Kent
> >
>