Flight Officers Tedman & Aldeny restart flight testing with a cross-country trip to KGA & back – however the mission is tragically cut short when they attempt a touch and go landing
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Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the aircraft is taxiing back to the HAB after an uneventful (if still a bit rough) landing. It was scheduled for downtime & inspection after this test anyways but it seems there will be more to look at than we thought. Glad to have the crew home safe!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
our week of operations has concluded, be sure to check out our Weekly Ops Report to get all the information on what has transpired: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8769 (BTW new altitude record is 8.683km ASL)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
BREAKING: KNN has reported that the entire executive division of C7 Aerospace has been arrested and the government is launching a full scale investigation into the company. We are partners with them and have no idea what is going on - this is all news to us!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have learned all we know from the press conference just held: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8781 this will have an immediate impact on fixed-wing flight here at the Cape, however the long-term impact is still largely speculative since more details have yet to be released by authorities
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ops Director @DKerman_KSA has been mostly stone-walled in Sheltered Rock attempting to get some answers on the whole C7 debacle. Learn more along with what else went on this week in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8798
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
BREAKING: new development in the C7 investigation as reported by KNN is that an operation in Umbarg just finished rounding up several of the prominent airship Barons and "detained" them in a similar manner to the C7 executive division. Craziness!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the report is a good sign because an attempt by the government to contain this would have been disastrous. Still, while it's being made known that this is happening there's still been no official word on *why*. We'll be sure to continue to share whatever info we can
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all C7 Aerospace employees have been given a 2-week notice... that they'll be returning to work! Still lots of gag orders going around and closed-door judicial sessions but Ops Dir @DKerman_KSA has been invited to Sheltered Rock next week. Hopefully for some answers at last
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a relatively mundane week here at the KSC but as always exciting things are on the horizon. Catch anything you may have missed or find more details on what transpired in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8969
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
HAB workers are getting the hangar cleaned up & the K2-X engine investigation is moving all its material offsite as it wraps up work and hopes to release results in a few days. Dhumla will be getting a full check-over this week in preparation for flight tests to resume next week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
there is still a ton of redacted information about the whole airship/C7 legal battle but apparently peace terms have been arranged and everyone can get back to business. Here's what we know and how things have been affected: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8988
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the investigation into why the Dhumla cockpit lost pressure on the last test flight has already restarted. Once completed, the aircraft will again attempt to climb as high as possible in a test flight while also performing a cross-country flight to KGA
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
incident report from the last Dhumla test flight (kerbalspace.agency/?p=8759) has been released. The outflow valve in the rear suffered a failure, lowering pressure in the cabin. Crew response was correct and safeties properly prevented rapid depressurization
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
valve was repaired, not replaced so further testing can be done to better understand how it failed in the first place if it fails again. Ground crews will roll the aircraft out for flight tomorrow, which will also include a cross-country trip to KGA for a touch & go
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather has continued to improve since yesterday and ground crews are prepping the Dhumla for its test flight while Flight Officers Aldy & Tedman are being briefed. The aircraft will perform a cross-country flight to KGA then attempt a new altitude record on the way back
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight crew has the Dhumla powered up and ready to go. If you don't know what these massive engines sound like, here's a clip. Taxi & takeoff clearance has been granted twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
winds from the northeast forced takeoff from Rwy09. After climbing out to 800m runway heading on standard departure Aldeny is coming about now to head for Kravass General Airport while Tedman sits in the right seat handling comms and navigation for the outbound leg
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Aldy is lvl @ 4km & Ted has signed off as they pass behind the mtns on their way direct to KGA - after a flyby of Umbarg to say "HAI THERE" to the airship Barons & let them know we are back in business (doubtful any were aboveground to see the aircraft but it's the principle)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Dhumla made contact with us several minutes ago through Kravass 135km out, still at 4km, reports a smooth flight. Able to hold a steady altitude, we can use the ASL/AGL data they've sent to get a look at the terrain they flew over since shortly after they last signed off
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a smooth descent now has them heading downwind towards final, Ted has confirmed runway is clear of traffic while Aldy slots through some terrain to give himself a good amount of room to make the approach. A smaller aircraft could do a tighter pattern
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we lost signal shortly after the last tweet and have just now received word that the aircraft has crashed off the far threshold of the runway. Emergency vehicles are already on their way out. Thick smoke is seen from the tarmac but no one saw an explosion
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
emergency crews report that the aircraft engines are on fire but fuel leakage from the near-empty tanks means they don't pose a risk to the main fuselage. Getting no response from the cabin, exterior hatch was blown & rescuers are inside trying to extricate the crew
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are saddened to report that Flight Officer Aldeny was pronounced dead at the scene and Tedman was found alive but unresponsive. He is currently being rushed to the nearest clinic for treatment pending transfer to a full medical facility
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
several witnesses saw the crash as they knew the aircraft was coming by. Reports indicate it seemed to attempt an actual landing before trying to go around & failed to take back to the air before hitting the end of the runway. Here is a photo of it on short final
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Air Safety Administration has already dispatched agents to secure the crash site and will be conducting a full investigation of the incident, with which we & C7 Aerospace will of course fully cooperate
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Dhumla fire has finally been quenched, thankfully the aircraft carried little fuel so it could fly higher on the way back for a new altitude record attempt. Being mostly intact will be a boon for the crash investigation and likely also gave Tedman a chance
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tedman has just gotten out of surgery - they managed to patch him up enough (head hemorrhage, spinal damage, internal injuries) that he is able to be moved to a larger facility for more work but still remains in critical condition and has not yet shown any signs of waking up
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tedman update: downgraded to serious condition after he spent several more hours in surgery and will still need additional procedures over time but doctors report they at least saw him regain consciousness for a short time and does not appear to show signs of paralysis
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tedman remains in the ICU but also remains responsive & doctors are hopeful he will continue to recover. Aldeny's remains will be examined and then shipped back to his home cavern of Ockr for burial. Services will be held over next weekend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are all still reeling from the events of yesterday. Aldeny will be a sorely missed ray of sunshine around campus - his energetic personality could motivate anyone. Altho it's hard, we must push on in his memory. Our Ops Summary has details on that: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9083
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Dhumla crash site has been cleaned up and moved to an offsite location for further analysis. ASA says they will hand over the data from the aircraft flight recorder to us & C7 once they have properly analyzed it, to ensure there is no tampering with evidence
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've updated Flight Officer Aldeny's background information on his crew member page (click the bottom of his portrait) to properly reflect his nearly 1 year of service with the KSA. Head on over to review all his achievements and missions ops.kerbalspace.agency/?crew=aldy
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tedman has been transferred out of the ICU after 3 more surgical procedures and doctors say his outlook has gotten better. His fine motor control appears compromised but therapists are hopeful he can regain the ability to be self-sufficient. We wish him a speedy recovery
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
everyone is ready for a relaxing weekend after such a busy week! Be sure you're caught up with everything and learn even more details via our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9127
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Flight Officer Aldeny was laid to rest today at Ockr. Kerbs don't believe in an afterlife so we will have to carry on his memory with our actions in the land of the living. @DKerman_KSA was in attendance with Genesis team & all pledged to continue the work Aldy started. RIP ✨🌠
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
despite our promise to stay committed to fixed-wing aircraft after the crash of the Dhumla, lack of funds may force us to cut back on our participation via the Genesis program. Regardless, C7 Aerospace has pledged to continue development even without us
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tedman was moved to the outpatient ward today. Doctors have repaired all they can & say it's now up to him - they expect he could possibly fly again one day if he commits himself fully to physical therapy but they can't be sure. Tedman says he will though and we believe him!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ASA was finally able to interview FO Tedman as part of their ongoing crash investigation, the delay due not only to his physical state but also his mental one. He has been receiving counseling and continues to healthily process the event and all the "what if"s
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tedman was not in command of the flight at the time of the crash but that does not necessarily clear him of any wrongdoing. Investigators have now concluded their crew/witness interviews but are still carefully examining the aircraft itself for any attributing problems
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
did you miss anything this week? Be sure you're all caught up with our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9196 Weekend goal for everyone - including you: spend some time sitting out under a clear night sky gazing into infinity and pondering the endless mysteries of the universe
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've received the Dhumla flight data recorder from the ASA as they begin to conclude their investigation. Genesis program will analyze its contents however we will not be releasing our own report and continue to wait for the official ASA accident investigation report
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the ASA report on the Dhumla crash back in May has been released & we've summarized the findings here: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9339 TL;DR - pilot error was the sole cause. Aldeny was responsible but not without redemption. New Dhumla will be built for further development under C7 only
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've kept Tedman listed as Injured ever since the crash and he's finally made the request to have his status changed to Retired. Sad as we are to see him "officially" go, we recognize this is an important step on his road to healing & continue to wish him all the best
