Anyone have more info?

[KigAir]

We had a Merlin crash here at CRG Thanksgiving morning. In about the identical weather conditions. The pilot, who was killed, was a Doctor from TX. The other 4 passengers, all survied, were his childern.

 

[100-1/2]

SFF used to station a weather observer back in the late 80's early 90's. Don't know if one was(is still) there that time of the day to eyeball the W and advise the pilot on the approach. Shame, if not. Sure could have helped with an eyeball on the weather from the ground.
Pilot reported in News outlets as Thomas Richert. I knew him as "Tom" from years ago and he was a great guy and will be sorely missed. I don't recall him being the type to blow off approach mins. Ameriflight just ain't worth it. People/things change and it's all Still preliminary info. The last time I flew into Felts, there was an fbo pumping avgas from a toyota pickup and an ILS was a wet dream. Crashing short of the runway on a precision approach looks to side the FAA against Tom void of navigational or mechanical failure findings.

Moment of reflection for all Single Pilot Operations. Be safe out there.

100-1/2

 

[WrightAvia]

We had a Merlin crash here at CRG Thanksgiving morning. In about the identical weather conditions. The pilot, who was killed, was a Doctor from TX. The other 4 passengers, all survied, were his childern.

Thanks for the post. Thank goodness there were survivors.

How are things at CRG otherwise? I went to the 141 school that used to based there called Shields Aviation. Were you around then?

 

[everyonedoa360]

SFF used to station a weather observer back in the late 80's early 90's. Don't know if one was(is still) there that time of the day to eyeball the W and advise the pilot on the approach. Shame, if not. Sure could have helped with an eyeball on the weather from the ground.

There is both a tower and an ILS at SFF now. As well, an FAA FSDO. It's been that way for sometime.

 

[SpiffAV8]

knew him as "Tom" from years ago and he was a great guy and will be sorely missed. I don't recall him being the type to blow off approach mins. Ameriflight just ain't worth it. People/things change and it's all Still preliminary info. The last time I flew into Felts, there was an fbo pumping avgas from a toyota pickup and an ILS was a wet dream. Crashing short of the runway on a precision approach looks to side the FAA against Tom void of navigational or mechanical failure findings.

I did a training flight with Tom and your right; his isn't the type to blow things off. Tom was the ACP at BFI and had tons of Metro time.

The number 1 NAV in Toms AC was inop and that could have been a huge factor. In most of the Metros I fly, the number 2 NAV is hidden behind the yoke and hard to see regardless of seat position. He could have been looking over at the co-pilots side but presents challenges to. By no means am I saying that was the cause or that he may have made a bad decision to use it. Rather that it would be a major challenge to shoot an approach that way.

Ameriflight does do a lot of flying and often the pilots are pushing a tight schedule or trying to make up time. Flying the Metro single pilot is a challenge at times, especially when things are not working right. I have to wonder what Tom’s duty time was. Many of the ACPs work long hours and then end up flying a run. We all know what it’s like to shoot an approach at the end of a long day. In my days at Ameriflight there have never been any repercussions for refusing an aircraft or for being too tired to fly (as long as you have done things right). I would have to disagree with your comment of “Ameriflight just ain’t worth it”. I think they provide a great opportunity. I know that there are always individuals within that push the limits of man and machine. All too often the pilot is the bottom line and it is up to that individual to do what is right.

 

[de727ups]

KSFF

The initial reports of low vis were probably from the crash site...not the airport. It's not unusual for GEG and SKA to have low vis in fog but for KSFF to be much better. The ILS/DME at KSFF has mins of 3/4 mile and get's you down to 270 AGL. The LOC only mins get you down to 907 AGL and require 1 and 1/4 mile vis. TDZE is 1953 MSL.

Would the number two nav on the Metro in question have DME and GS capability since the number one was inop?

The news reports stated that the crash was near Lehman road. The terrain where he hit is about 2380 MSL, which would only give him about 500 AGL if he hustled down to LOC minimums after the FAF (assuming a LOC only approach). In fact, I'd dare to say he hit about where you would expect if a guy didn't stop at the MDA on a non-precision approach....he was on or darn close to the LOC centerline.

Anyhow...not to speculate but we know how fast things happen on an approach and the importance of not missing (stopping at) your MDA. Single pilot Metro has got to be a handful, even in the best situation.....

I live about three miles from the crash site and can nearly see where it would be out my window. Was out of country, working, when the crash happened, though. Since I'm a pilot for UPS and wasn't answering my phone....several friends thought I might have been the guy....

 

[flybtp]

All of the Metros I flew at AMF had full dual GS and DME receivers, but still, a cross cockpit ILS is no fun. Tom was a good guy and will be missed.

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Tom Richert was our Assistant Chief Pilot at BFI, he was well liked and respected by his management and fellow pilots.

He will be missed.