C425Driver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2001
- Posts
- 357
R.I.P.
September 27, 2008
VINEYARD HAVEN — A Cape Air pilot from Vineyard Haven died last night when his plane crashed after taking off from Martha's Vineyard Airport, according to a company spokeswoman.
The pilot, David D. Willey, 61, of Vineyard Haven, was the only occupant of the 402 Cesna, according to state police. Willey suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The aircraft was traveling from Martha's Vineyard to Logan International Airport to pick up passengers, according to Cape Air spokeswoman Michelle Haynes. She said the plane took off from Runway 33 at Martha's Vineyard Airport, then crashed at 8:05 p.m. on land about 2½ miles from Nip-N-Tuck Farm.
Haynes said she had no information on the cause of the crash, adding that airport officials reported heavy rain and high winds at the time the plane took off.
She said the National Transportation Safety Board had dispatched an investigation team to the crash site last night.
The Cessna 402 is a twin-engine aircraft. Cape Air has 55 of the planes in its fleet.
The regional airline has experienced two safety scares with the Cessna 402 since 2005, according to the Times archives.
In June 2007, Cape Air grounded all of its Cessna 402 aircraft for repairs lasting several days when abnormal wear in the engines of two planes was discovered.
In February 2005, cracks were found in wing parts on two aircraft owned by Island Airlines and Cape Air. The FAA ordered emergency inspections of the Cessna 402 and other 400-series Cessnas.
Four months after ordering the inspections, the FAA directed all commercial and individual aircraft operators to buttress the planes' wings.
September 27, 2008
VINEYARD HAVEN — A Cape Air pilot from Vineyard Haven died last night when his plane crashed after taking off from Martha's Vineyard Airport, according to a company spokeswoman.
The pilot, David D. Willey, 61, of Vineyard Haven, was the only occupant of the 402 Cesna, according to state police. Willey suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The aircraft was traveling from Martha's Vineyard to Logan International Airport to pick up passengers, according to Cape Air spokeswoman Michelle Haynes. She said the plane took off from Runway 33 at Martha's Vineyard Airport, then crashed at 8:05 p.m. on land about 2½ miles from Nip-N-Tuck Farm.
Haynes said she had no information on the cause of the crash, adding that airport officials reported heavy rain and high winds at the time the plane took off.
She said the National Transportation Safety Board had dispatched an investigation team to the crash site last night.
The Cessna 402 is a twin-engine aircraft. Cape Air has 55 of the planes in its fleet.
The regional airline has experienced two safety scares with the Cessna 402 since 2005, according to the Times archives.
In June 2007, Cape Air grounded all of its Cessna 402 aircraft for repairs lasting several days when abnormal wear in the engines of two planes was discovered.
In February 2005, cracks were found in wing parts on two aircraft owned by Island Airlines and Cape Air. The FAA ordered emergency inspections of the Cessna 402 and other 400-series Cessnas.
Four months after ordering the inspections, the FAA directed all commercial and individual aircraft operators to buttress the planes' wings.