Maiden "Crash"

by Jan Rehacek
(Rosamond, CA)

This was the maiden flight of my Electrifly Cirrus SR22. Had standard channel 22 72 MHz receiver, 400 brushed motor with gearbox and electric thin 9x5 prop.
Upon system check I taxied into position, applied full throttle and took off. During my crosswind turn (plane was ~30 feet off the ground), the plane went into a 540 degree snap roll (ended up inverted) with full up elevator & full throttle. After the infamous sound (all RC pilots dread), I found the Cirrus fusselage & tail in very small pieces.
Later I found, someone was testing their brand new plane in their garage (not too far from where I was flying), and unfortunately also had channel 22 72 MHz radio system. Lesson learned, make sure no one is using your frequencey (channel) or upgrade to DSM2 2.4 GHz system (which I did).