Big loss for ERAU Prescott

[Nikes]

Two killed when stunt planes collide

AP/The Daily Courier
​

Central Yavapai Fire District firefighters survey the scene of a double plane crash in Prescott, Ariz., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004. Two stunt planes collided during a practice session in central Arizona, killing both pilots, authorities said.



Josh Kelley
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 28, 2004 03:30 PM



[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Two Vietnam veterans, who were top faculty members at the Prescott campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, died Saturday morning when witnesses said their planes seemed to clip wings in mid-air and then crashed into the ground about three miles east of Prescott Valley.

Chief Flight Instructor Mike Corradi, 55, and 64-year-old Bob Sweginnis, chairman of the Aeronautical Science Department, were practicing stunts in aerobatic planes to prepare for an upcoming performance at an air show in Prescott before crashing at 8:31 a.m.

Lt. Steve Francis of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said archery hunters and an Arizona Game & Fish officer witnessed the planes clip wings and crash about 150 yards apart in an open range owned by the Fain Land and Cattle Company.

Emergency responders found the pilots dead inside their crushed planes, which never exploded or caught fire, Francis said.

"It's a tragic loss," said Gwen Raubolt , university spokeswoman. "They were both fantastic pilots. You couldn't ask for more experience ... they were great friends."

Sweginnis flew F4's in Vietnam and retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. Corradi flew one mission aboard a B52 at the end of the war and retired from the Air Force as a major.

Raubolt said they were both flying American Champion Super Decathlon planes, which are single-engine "tail draggers."

They were flying in a designated air space for practicing aerobatic maneuvers, Raubolt said.

Spokesmen for the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board said investigators have been called to the scene.

As chief flight instructor, Corradi oversaw all instructor pilots and helped determine curriculum. Sweginnis oversaw all faculty, curriculum and classes in the Aeronautical Science Department.

Both men came to the university in 1991, Raubolt said.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]________________________________________________________________________[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]To Mike and Bob:[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]We toast our faithful comrades
Now fallen from the sky
And gently caught by God's own hand
To be with Him on high.
To dwell among the soaring clouds
They knew so well before
From dawn patrol and victory roll
At heaven's very door.
And as we fly among them there
We're sure to hear their plea
"Take care, my friend, watch your six,
And do one more roll... just for me."[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Gerald "Jerry" Coffee Hanoi 1968
Captain, USN Ret.
[/font]

 

[sqwkvfr]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0828collision-ON.html

 

[gottafly]

Both truly excellent men. A terrible loss.

 

[unreal]

I took two classes with Sweginnis. In fact, I had spoken to him yesterday. What a terrible shock, and terrible loss for both families.

 

[GateGirl]

Everyone here is pretty shocked at the news. Both guys were awesome pilots. Just goes to show that you can never be sure.

 

[mar]

From a former Riddler: PRC '90

My condolences.

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Aww heck. Should have looked here before posting to the Regionals forum.

Sorry for the double-post.

This is truly a sad day. I had both these guys as professors, and I can tell you there aren't many who are more knowledgeable than them

Condolensces to their families and to the ERAU Prescott flight community.

Godspeed, gentlemen.

 

[FracCapt]

Terrible loss...my condolences to the family and friends.........

....but what type of aerobatic aircraft were they in? I didn't realize that ERAU operated any real aerobatic aircraft. I'm not very familiar with the Prescott operation, but I know a few people that were instructors at the Daytona campus up until about a year ago, and don't think they operated any aerobatic aircraft. I know the DB aero club(open to ERAU students AND the general public) operates a Pitts, though.

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

To my knowledge, they were in their own Super Decathlon aircraft. It is my understanding that they were flying a practice session for a presentation they were to make at this year's Octoberwest festivities.

 

[banned username 2]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0828collision-ON.html

My condolenses to the families...

 

[F9 Driver]

Professor Corradi gave me my tailwheel signoff in '93 and I worked with/for both of them while at PRC. Each had forgotten more about aviation than I'll ever know.

A terrible loss for all.

ps - Contrary to the media report Mike Corradi was AC commander on F-111's and the buff as I recall.

 

[GateGirl]

In PRC we have two of the Super Decatholon at the flight line. They are owned by embry-riddle. I do believe that there are three pitts that are privately owned and used for the aero team, but they weren't in these planes, they were in two Decatholons that are owned by Embry-Riddle I cant speak for DB, because I havent ever gone there, but we do use the Super Decathalons. The two men were from, as I have heard, practicing the manuevers they were to do for our "October-west" celebration. (October-west is the ERAU-PRC version of homecoming.)

Hope this clarifies somethings.

 

[GateGirl]

Just for some additional clarification...

Two of the privately owned Pitts were owned by the deceased. The third is owned by a student. (Gotta love Riddle)

 

[Riddle19]

Sad day

I can only add to the condolenses and grieving that so many others of us are doing today. As a member of the aerobatic club I can add some more detail to the aircraft. ERAU Prescott got three Decathalons near the beginning of Fall 2003. From what I heard, Daytona was planning on getting Pitts aircraft because they thought the Decathalons were bad, but they took one of ours anyway. The aerobatic club was using the two remaining Decathalons, as well as students enrolled in the FA 208B upset training course. The aeronatic club used the aircraft for practices and competition, with Bob and Mike acting as the safety pilots for the students. The club used to use other aircraft (Citabria, Pitts, and a different Decathalon) before the school got the Decathalons. Yes, one of the club's members owns a Pitts.

Two great pilots, professors, and friends. Riddle will never be the same without you. They were probably the most highly regarded people on this campus. They will be greatly missed.

 

[Riddle19]

Clarification

For purposes of clarification to the news stories, Mike did in fact fly B-52s. The second time I ever flew an aircraft was with Mike. It was a Young Eagles flight a few years back before I was a student at ERAU. He told me he flew B-52s and F-111s.

Also, the aircraft they were flying this morning were the University's. Riddle 62 and Riddle 63 were the aircraft (N562ER and N563ER respectively).

Hope that helps clear things up.

 

[bobbysamd]

Condolences

I instructed at ERAU-Prescott from late '88-mid '91. These gentlemen must have arrived at Riddle shortly after I left; in any event, I'm saddened by the news.

Best wishes to the families.

 

[sonofaeagle]

kinda scary. I work for duats and remember seeing both those tail numbers the other day.

 

[Dash8]

I had several classes with mike and worked with him on the school paper, he was a good man, didn't know bob very well, but everyone that did usually said good things. sorry to see both of these guys gone, at least they were doing what they loved (aerobatics), they were a credit to riddle and their students.

rest in peace

erau prc 91-94

 

[GateGirl]

bump.

 

[500and2]

Prayers for the families

My condolences to the families, faculty, students and friends. Let us remember what great leaders they were.

If students are putting anything together for the families like stories from class,memories of Bob or Mike, I would be happy to contribute.

prc 96-00'
Jackson

 

[GateGirl]

There is a memorial service planned for Thursday at 6pm here in PRC. I dont know if anyone will be in the area, but I thought I would let everyone know.

 

[TASweg]

Thanks to all

Sorry for the late entry, but I had some trouble getting my account activated.
Thanks to all who sent their condolences...my mother, siblings and I all appreciate the outpouring of support. Bob was my father. I thought I might also clear up a couple of issues that were brought up.
1) ERAU owned the Decathlons that Dad and Mike were flying.
2) Dad and Mike each owned their own Pitts, and there was a third Pitts, I believe owned by a student.
3) Mike flew both F-111s and B-52s, although most of his time was in the bombers...he flew one B-52 mission in Vietnam
4) Word is out that ERAU Prescott will be replacing the Decathlons and continuing the program that Dad and Mike started (unusual attitude recovery)

Again, thanks for all the kind words.

 

[mar]

Excellent!

4) Word is out that ERAU Prescott will be replacing the Decathlons and continuing the program that Dad and Mike started (unusual attitude recovery).

Every pilot should have a basic aerobatic background. I'm sure your dad would be pleased.

Best.

 

[Flibmeister]

TASweg,

As is clear by the posts above, your loss is felt throughout the entire aviation community.

I do some air boss work, and was called in last week to help with the Prescott Air Fair. The plans being made to pay tribute to your father and Mike during the air show are among the most moving I've ever come across. I encourage all fellow aviators that can be in Prescott on October 2nd to attend.

 

[TASweg]

More info

Just a little more info on the goings-on post-Bob-and-Mike. ERAU Prescott has set up memorial scholarships - the Mike Corradi Scholarship for Flight and the Bob Sweginnis Scholarship for Aviation Safety. Contributions may be sent to ERAU Prescott, 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ 86301. Make the checks out to either scholarship fund...or both, if you're feeling generous. The scholarships will be based on many factors, but the biggest will be financial need. It's what Mike and Bob would have wanted.
Don't forget the Air Show October 2!