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WHY DID PETER CORLEY'S PROTOTYPE TOUCAN CRASH?

From the time I became interested in the Toucan there have been a few stories around about the tragic crash
and loss of its designer, Peter Corley and his friend. Probably the most respected view was that the lower
wing strut support bracket broke at the fuselage. The early prototype Toucans had an aluminium fuselage;
therefore, later versions like mine where made out of chrome-molly so it was now a non issue, just sad history.
Nevertheless, it left a question mark for the history of the Toucan.
Other reports had the possibility of Peter and the team leaving a nut off the lower bolt, thus causing the strut
to come off, with the result of a wing failure.

Both scenarios have turned out to be “URBAN MYTHS”!

*** THE REAL STORY ***

Last summer I had the very excellent privilege of meeting and doing hanger talk with the former General Manager
of “Canaero Dynamics” the Toucan production company; then President of "Novadyne Aircraft"(the follow up company
that was to operate out of the Maritimes for export).

AKA “Paul Harvey: Now the real story.

A prototype Toucan was being flown and demonstrated and to make her look more sexy and aerodynamic they ordered
then installed streamlined struts. Just one problem, the struts were not made of the correct aircraft grade
aluminium; unfortunately, at the subsequent inquest it was proven that while the failed strut material was
stamped the correct grade under analysis it was BOGUS. (Beware what you buy!) There were lawsuits etc.
But nothing brings back a dear friend to many and a pioneer mentor for others.

Today there are more reliable sources for parts in our aircraft category.

"Peter, I wish I had had the great privilege of meeting and flying with you."

After the tragic loss of two lives the project continued; there were commercial orders on the books,
but a political change and lose of funding caused the company to end production.
Politics and airplanes are a never ending story. drh.