Very sad news

[pgoelz]

Guys,

Remember the photo of me in a Robinson R-22 on my web site?

http://pgoelz.com/piccolo_photos.html

I just heard that the instructor that took me up in that heli was killed about a week ago, in that heli.

http://www2.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?...1120&key=1

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stori...40730065.shtml

I think when it comes to full size, I'll stick to planks. Not as many crucial parts that can kill you.So far, it looks like they don't know what exactly happened.

I feel for him and his family. He was a really nice guy and a good instructor.

Paul

Yikes I fell sorry for the family.

Sounded like a mechanical failure resulting in the crash.

>>I think when it comes to full size, I'll stick to planks.<<

Yeah a lot safer than a bunch of mechanical parts beating the air into submission.

Sorry to hear about that, Paul.

"The one-time construction worker pursued a dream to become a helicopter pilot and later started his own training and ride business."

Rather inspirational; instead of just dreaming about it, he went ahead and did it. It's sad that this accident happened to him [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[gaanel]

That is very tragic. I am sorry to hear about that and I will pray for his family. That just shows you how mortal we human beings are. Like a vapor in the wind, here one second gone the next. Although no one wants to admit it, we all have an "appointment with death". There is no cancellation and no changing it. When your appointment is here are you ready?

[rdn1153]

Wow, you could have been beside him Paul, and we surely would miss you, so no more flying in experimantal aircraft, kits, etc. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I read some 'pilot error' in the report as he didn't 'put down' when he felt the vibration in my opinion.

I would imagine you will follow the report, although it will probably be months before anything is concluded, but I'd be interested in hearing the fault if you do hear.

My condolences to his family and friends.


...Rick

[pgoelz]

Yeah, as I see it there are many fewer critical parts in a simple airplane than in a heli.

As I read the report (and according to some people I have talked to) he reported a vibration and elected to continue on to his original destination about 10 miles away. The vibration then worsened and he elected to turn around and attempt a landing at Selfridge ANG base.... and didn't make it. It is interesting to speculate on what single thing could have A) caused a vibration and B) then later caused a nose over in forward flight.

When I met him, he seemed very fussy and conscious of good preventive maintenance. I don't recall how many hours the chopper had on it.

The wreckage has been taken to his hangar and is being investigated.

[Bejay]

Paul, it is indeed sad news but it doesn't only happen on helis.
When I learned to fly fixed wing there was a guy who had been learning about a couple of weeks already. We went through all the ground schooling and exams together. Two years after getting his licence he uprated to twins and bought a Cessna 310. The following year he got an engine fire on take-off and crashed and died.

That felt like a family member !!!

Crash-n-Burn, The helicopter was a ROBINSON R22, NOT an experimental, or kit built. It was a certified, manufactured aircraft. The pilot did own several helicopters, but NOT the one that crashed. I am following this very close, as my son and myself are future Rotorway (kit built) builders & pilots.

[pgoelz]

[ QUOTE ]
The pilot did own several helicopters, but NOT the one that crashed.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure about that statement. The one that crashed was the one that he took me up in a couple years back (take a look at the N number on the boom in the photo on my web site), and I thought he owned it. He certainly gave instruction in it. He had as I recall two R-22s, an R-44 and a Jet Ranger in the hangar. Maybe it was a leaseback?