NCJ Number
131277
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1262-1265
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper describes forensic examinations of a large radio-controlled model airplane involved in a fatal accident.
Abstract
The horizontal stabilizer broke off the model aircraft while in flight causing it to go out of control and crash into a bystander who was casually observing the flight. The propeller hub of the plane struck the young man in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. He suffered a ruptured liver and bled to death internally within a short time. During the course of a lawsuit, the owner stated that the port horizontal stabilizer had broken off in an earlier flight and that he glued it back together with white glue or epoxy cement. Infrared analysis of the glue layers revealed that one layer matched the white glue identified as polyvinyl acetate, and that the remaining layers indicated the presence of nitrile groups suggesting a cyanoacrylate adhesive. Microscopic examination of the broken stabilizer provided evidence of multiple repairs and demonstrated the poor quality of the repairs. This case emphasizes the importance of a careful examination of items of evidence as an adjunct to chemical and instrumental analysis. 3 figures and 2 references (Author abstract modified)