ASA Chief pilot killed

[Sinca3]

ASA system chief pilot (ND) was killed in an ultralight crash yesterday 2/5/05.
Chromer in lounge today spreading the news

 

[FL000]

Very sad. I hadn't seen him since he sat in on my interview several years ago, but liked him a lot based on the 30 minutes that we spoke. He was a good guy, and my thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Rest in Peace.

 

[USCtrojan]

Nelson D.

I just learned about this today. This is terrible. I just saw him on Tue. in SLC, so it is hard for me to process all of this. Nelson was a great guy and he will be missed.

 

[atrdriver]

Although we had disagreements, he was a fine man and he will certainly be missed. His family and loved ones will be in my prayers.

 

[sleepy]

I didn't like they way he treated the pilot group during the past few years, but I am sorry to here about this.

 

[anon]

He was a good guy.

My sympathies to his family.

Blue Skies, D12.

 

[CandlerWun]

I never met him in my short time here. Sorry that I will not get the chance. RIP.

Josh M.

 

[Heavy Set]

What was his name again? R.I.P. I've knew another guy killed in an ultralight crash - I'll pass on flying those things...

 

[Airboss]

News Link

Our thoughts and prayers go out to ND's family.


http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=2907282


Small Plane Crash In Fayette County Kills Pilot

2/5/05
Fayette County, TN -- Fayette County Authorities got the call at 2:37 Saturday afternoon.


EMA Director PJ Bartholomew says it was a single engine light aircraft that crashed, exploded and burned in a cotton field 14 miles north of Highway 64. The pilot, the only person on board, was killed upon impact.
Federal Aviation Authorities were called in and they made the scene just after dusk. It should take a couple of days before any details of the cause will be announced.

Although authorities are not releasing the name of the pilot, an eyewitness says it was his friend who went down. He says he was an avid pilot who worked and flew for Delta Airlines.

 

[chopper]

Wow. He was a very personable guy. I spoke with him a few times, and always felt he was charismatic. God Speed.

 

[ASADFW7]

Wow, I am in shock. God Bless

 

[tranceport]

I realize this may not be public info as of yet, but when someone knows or can post his name, pleas do so. I flew with alot of senior guys when I was there in the early ninties and I would appreciate knowing who it was.

Sorry to hear this news.

 

[flycrjs]

A fine individual and aviator...

I had the pleasure of flying with Nelson many times back in the Brasilia days. He will be missed, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

 

[flutterby]

ASA remembers Capt. Nelson DeBardeleben
ASA learned Saturday that Capt. Nelson DeBardeleben, ASA’s director of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot, was killed in a small airplane accident near his hometown of Memphis, Tenn.

Said Drew Bedson, SVP – Air Operations, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Capt. Nelson DeBardeleben. Nelson was a great pilot, manager and leader who dedicated much of his life to ASA. His enthusiasm, friendship and professionalism will be greatly missed."

DeBardeleben joined ASA in 1985 as a Memphis-based Embraer Bandeirante first officer and served as a line captain, a Brasilia line check airman and instructor pilot, among other assignments, before becoming ASA’s system chief pilot.

DeBardeleben was a previous ASA Award of Excellence winner and remained active in various aviation interest groups, including the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

DeBardeleben is survived by his wife Sandra, three children and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

More information will be posted to myASA as it becomes available.

 

[captjorge74]

He will be missed!!!

Although Nelson and I had many disagreements he will be greatly missed. My thought and prayers to his family.

 

[Ailerongirl]

Godspeed to him, and prayers for his family. The few times that I met him I always enjoyed talking to him.

 

[flycrjs]

deleted

 

[Lou3]

I knew Nelson when he was an instructor pilot. ASA did alot of their training back then in DHN, where I was an agent at night. I got to know a lot of the guys back then (1990-93), I even remember JUlie S, when she was training to be a brand new EMB-120 FO. My sympathies go out to his family.

 

[FN FAL]

While most of the posts today in memory of Capt. Debardeleben have been heartfelt, I am very disappointed in a few of the comments made in passing.

The people posting things such as...

"Although we had disagreements...",
"I didn't like they way he treated the pilot group during the past few years",
"Although we had our differences from time to time...",
"Although Nelson and I had many disagreements he will be greatly missed...",

should be ashamed of yourselves.

This is a time for sympathy and respect, not slander. You insult Nelson's memory and his family when making these remarks. Pay your respects and leave it at that. I am aware this is a public forum, but for God's sake have some compassion. It is not too late to edit your posts, being that I would be embarrassed as hell if his family would stumble across this site. It would reflect badly on the ASA pilot group and most of all pilots in general.

Who was slandering the pilot? Geeze what a dork-a-saurus...couldn't you have waited for the 7th page to start chastising people who were giving their thoughts?

 

[flycrjs]

deleted

 

[~~~^~~~]

d e l e t e d

 

[C-5 MEM]

I live about 10 miles from the crash site. My prayers are with his family

 

[Huck]

Back when I knew him (95-99), Nelson was an extremely hard-working volunteer for ALPA. We spent more than a few evenings hanging out at the old MEC offices.

He and I were both from Birmingham, and once determined that the small town my grandfather was from (Margaret) was named after his grandmother (he came from a very prominent family).

All I can say is that, when I knew him, he was a prince of a guy. I should have kept in closer touch. What a waste....

 

[FN FAL]

Well, your comment just solidifies my point. Grab a dictionary and lookup slander, you might be surprised to find out it means insulting, which is what some of the people on this thread felt was acceptable on the same breath as trying to be respectful.

I could have waited, but I happened to know the guy, and respected him enough to speak up when some people were out of line. Do us all a favor and stay off this thread if you are not going to leave something worthwhile.

So you are saying that people stating that they didn't get along with this guy, that it's disrespectfull...so therefore it's slander? I'd call it respectfull and HONEST.

You're not only weird, but you're disrespecting the decedant...so therefore you are are being slanderous...by your own definition.

 

[flycrjs]

deleted

 

[atrdriver]

The last memory that I will have of him was backing up the pilot group during the Ice Storm. He was a great guy, and a fine man. Whether I had disagreements with him or not is immaterial...I respected him, and I will miss him, as will all who knew him. As I stated before, my prayers are with his family and loved ones.

 

[gatorbird]

Goodbye, Nelson...you will be dearly missed

As a long-time family friend, I'm still in disbelief over the events of the last day. Not just ASA, but the world lost an incredible man yesterday. For those of you that knew Nelson, we should all remember his jolly, jovial laugh and infectious smile. Nelson not only had a great love for his company and it's people, but for his family, friends, and anyone else that had the good fortune of crossing paths with him.

I will never forget so many of the wonderful things he did for me and my family...insisting we stay with his family during the '93 snowstorm, helping us move in the middle of the night, offering his home to us like it was our own.

Nelson loved flying. It's as simple as that. Although he gave his all to ASA when called to service as your system chief, he had always looked forward to returning to the line. One of the most memorable moments in my career came when my captain was pulled from our last roundtrip...a few minutes later, Nelson came aboard. He never said if it was intentional, nor will it ever matter. We had a great time on that Valdosta turn; I will forever remember the honor of flying with a man I did, and still do, greatly admire.

Nelson leaves behind a wonderful family and a plethora of friends. It's never easy to lose someone so sudden and unexpected...I am somewhat eased to know Nelson died doing what he loved, and hope he did not suffer.

Forgive me if I get it wrong:

"To fly West, my friend, is a flight we all must make"

Godspeed, old friend.

 

[patriotflier]

I only met Nelson twice, but no matter how many times you meet a person or if you are best of friends, it is always tough to loose a fellow aviator. He passed away doing the same thing we all love to do, FLY. It could of been any one of us at any time.

May god have mercy on his soul and our toughts are with his family in these extremely difficult times.

 

[ifly4food]

My thoughts and sympathy go out to Nelson's family and friends.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Nelson taught "Captain Leadership" when I upgraded...sort of a CRM class for new captains. I got a lot out of it thanks both to his wealth of experience and his teaching abilities.

A chief pilot is in a difficult position. Everybody either loves you like a brother or hates your guts. I daresay there are people who thought of Nelson as something less than a prince, but that's not what this is all about. This is about one of our fellow pilots who is no longer with us...and who left a family behind. Remember that.

I hope Nelson gets a good ride, wherever this last flight takes him.