rec.autos.simulators

Just caught part of a TLC program called "Countdown to Danger".  It's an
hour-long show and the first half analyzed Senna's fatal crash from 1994
at Imola.

Did anyone see the entire program?  I saw the last half or so on the
crash.  Also, does anybody know if it's on again?  I checked the TV
Guide but couldn't see it.  I'm in Canada...

A couple things they mentioned that I didn't know:

According to the black box data, the steering column broke on impact; it
was not the cause.  Also, due to a prior accident, the safety car was
brought out which cooled the tires causing them to contract and thus
lowering the ride height.  They said that sparks could be seen coming
out the back of Senna's car.  Lastly, I thought he died instantly due to
a piece if metal piercing his helmet.  They said that the right-front
tire hit him in the head and he died 4 hours later in hospital.

Figured I'd pass this along for anybody who's interested.

    - EF

Nigel

The "suspension piece piercing the helmet" theory was based on a photo of
Senna's helmet with a neat, round hole at the forehead level.  This was
actually just a normal vent hole which had lost its plastic plug.

I've never joined the discussion before as I am aware that watching things
on TV certainly isn't anything compared to all the experts investigating the
case, but throughout all that's been said, I've always continued to believe
that the car simply bottomed out. Maybe Senna'd lowered the ride height a
lot, to be able to beat the at that time new and surprisingly fast
Schumacher, who knows.

Achim

Eldred
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Consistent with the photographs of said components that I have seen. In
these pics, they clearly show a fast  and catastrophic fracture, evidenced
by a coarse and rough surface. A fatigue failure would have been much
smoother and consistant in texture.

Remember we are still in the days of flat bottom cars here where ride
heights were critical within a milimetre or so. Another possibility put
forward was that a tyre might have been suffering with a slow puncture from
a shard of carbon following the startline crash. This might not have been
evident until the cars were back up to racing speed where a more rapid
failure could have occured.

Lastly, I thought he died instantly due to

Photographs of his helmet show a hole where part of a suspension component
pierced it and went through his skull.

Sid Watkins who oversaw his immediate first aid later said that he believed
that Senna died at trackside in terms of brain death although he was kept
biologically alive on life support systems for a number of hours at
hospital. He was quoted as saying "Whilst assessing the extent of his
injuries, he let out a groaning sigh and then went very still and quiet.
This, I believe was when I realised that my friend Ayrton was no longer with
us".

MS

Malc.

   - EF

: >Just caught part of a TLC program called "Countdown to Danger".  It's an
: >hour-long show and the first half analyzed Senna's fatal crash from 1994
: >at Imola.
: >
: >Did anyone see the entire program?  I saw the last half or so on the
: >crash.  Also, does anybody know if it's on again?  I checked the TV
: >Guide but couldn't see it.  I'm in Canada...

: ftp://141.211.234.112/countdown_to_danger_senna_crash.zip
: :-)

: Eldred
: --
: Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
: GPLRank:-1.950
: MonsterRank: +305.145
: N2002 Rank:+17.59

: Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
: with experience...
: Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Best regards
Crash

Eldred
--
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPLRank:-1.950
MonsterRank: +305.145
N2002 Rank:+17.59

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Best regards
Crash

Eldred
--
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPLRank:-1.950
MonsterRank: +305.145
N2002 Rank:+17.59

Never argue with an idiot.  He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Ok, works again now. The glitch must have been on the long way between
my 'puter and your ftp. Let's hope I can get it complete this time ;).

Best regards
Crash

Larry