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Canon Image Challenge | all galleries >> Challenges From The Past >> 2010 Challenges >> CIC 28 - Impact (Hosted by Michael Kilpatrick) >> Eligible > ESC
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13-NOV-2010 Pops

ESC

This was an ESC, Electronic Speed Control, used in brushless electric radio control airplanes.


The ESC regulates power from the batteries and feeds it to the receiver, the servos and the brushless motor. It also regulates the rotational velocity of the brushless motor as directed by the receiver. These are the elements that control the flight of the model aircraft.


This ESC has apparently had a problem with a little heat buildup. The heat caused a catastrophic failure of all systems aboard the aircraft.


I'm sure the NTSB will determine this ESC is the root cause of the aircraft's impact.

Canon EOS 30D
1/6s f/29.0 at 53.0mm iso1600 full exif

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comment
Canon Image Challenge15-Nov-2010 01:24
quite a story, quite a shot pops, and it looks like we have all felt the "impact" from both. shu
elips14-Nov-2010 02:36
I am so sorry, Pops! But it makes for an interesting story and an impactful shot! I like your use of the backs of big plastic dominos for background. ~Sharon
Michael Kilpatrick13-Nov-2010 22:44
If that's not impact, nothing is. Interesting story Pops. Regards, Michael
Canon Image Challenge13-Nov-2010 21:41
After a thorough investigation this panel has concluded that continual excessive G forces applied to the structure of the aircraft caused chafing of the wiring harness.
This continual chafing over time damaged the insulation of the wiring to the point that it created a dead short in the wiring that faulted the battery creating a fire and damaging the controller to the point of complete failure.

This panel concludes that operator error is to blame and further recommends that the pilot license be revoked. Since there were no injuries from the result of this incident this panel does not recommend that criminal charged be filed. ;Ð Paul A.
Guest 13-Nov-2010 17:11
A.k.a. toast! What's that background - looks nice, like something I'd like feel in my hands... Hopefully, model planes are more than proportionately less expensive than real ones?
Canon Image Challenge13-Nov-2010 14:40
Looks like more than a "little" heat buildup that might have given off some smoke. Was it a spectacular crash? -tv
Guest 13-Nov-2010 14:35
I'd like to point out that this incident occurred when the plane was at about 75 feet altitude and at full throttle going about 70 mph. A loop was executed and just as the plane was pointing straight downward the esc failed.

The impact was fatal to the plane. Fortunately the pilot, me, was standing about 500 yards from the crash site and other than a bruised ego was unhurt.

This is the plane:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccrcgallery/1467918045/