To help understand how flutter develops and how quickly it can damage or destroy an airplane, check out these two resources: For years, NASA engaged a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche in various research. One of the more startling tests involved flutter-testing of the plane's horizontal stabilizer. View the video at tinyurl.com/asflutter2. On March 8, 2005, a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver conducting an aerial tour of Alaska's Mt. McKinley was rendered uncontrollable by aerodynamic flutter. Despite substantial damage to the airframe, its pilot managed to land without injuries to himself or his passengers. AOPA assembled a multimedia presentation on this event, at tinyurl.com/asflutter.
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