Originally published at: 3D-Printed Part Leads to Homebuilt Accident
Pilot received minor injuries after off-runway landing at Gloucestershire Airport was caused by a 3D-printed induction elbow.
Why I would never get into a homebuilt. You never know what was thrown into those things.
Risking life just to save a few bucks. Stupid.
Now he’s walking around on 3D printed crutches.
He’s lucky! Could’ve been a 3D printed casket! 
I’ve seen home built aircraft meticulously put together better than any factory airplane. And then I’ve seen some thrown together like the jalopy Jethro Bodine drove in the Beverly hillbilly show.
I’ve seen many built more meticulously than a factory produced aircraft ever could be. They probably got sold a bill of goods on that printed part unfortunately.
Common sense is just not as common as it used to be.
This accident… due to a 3D printed plastic part… IS being discussed in the aerospace ‘additive manufacturing’ [3D manufacturing] world.
Part was obviously made from low strength, low temperature inferior plastic material… that was never subjected to loads/pressures/temperatures/cycles of the engine operating environment.
‘Caveat Emptor’… ‘[Let the] Buyer beware’ -ancient Latin
‘Caveat Erector’… ‘[Let the] Builder beware.’ –JRB, Eng-Tips forums
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