Colorado Plane Crash Into Parked Semi-truck.

[FN FAL]

Headlines July 03, 2006
Plane crashes into empty truck; 2 dead

The Associated Press
MONTROSE — Two people were killed when a small plane slammed into the unoccupied cab of a tractor-trailer rig parked on a residential street and burst into flames Monday, fire officials said.

Montrose Fire Protection Battalion Chief Allen Weese said both victims were on the plane. There were no other passengers aboard, and no one on the ground was hurt, he said.

The plane, the truck and a pickup caught fire, but the flames were extinguished and none of the nearby houses caught fire, Fire Chief Bob Pistor said.

“There was this big bang and my wife yells, ’Oh my God, the truck is on fire,’” said Levi Hawks, a long-haul trucker who owns the tractor-trailer cab.

Hawks said the cab was parked in front of his home. He said neither he nor his wife saw the collision.

Nancy Weese, who lives across the street, said the fire was so big it obscured the plane.

“At first we didn’t know there was a plane there, because of the fire,” she said.

She said burning fuel spilled onto her lawn.

Weese, who is the mother of the fire battalion chief, said the plane would have smashed into her house if Hawks’ truck had not been parked where it was.

“I just thank the Lord the truck was there,” she said.

The neighborhood is below the flight path to Montrose Regional Airport, Montrose County sheriff’s spokesman Dick Deines said.

The airport, about 180 miles southwest of Denver, was the scene of a November 2004 crash that killed the son of NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol and two others. The National Transportation Safety Board said ice on the wings was a factor in the crash.

Monday’s crash occurred shortly after 10 a.m. MDT, said Gary Mayer, the regional duty officer for the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle.

It was the first fatal crash in Montrose since the Ebersol crash

 

[crash-proof]

“I just thank the Lord the truck was there,” she said.

Where was the Lorrrrd for those two poor pilots?

 

[unreal]

Where was the Lorrrrd for those two poor pilots?

They were obviously heathens. Duh.

 

[jetalc]

Two Pilots Crashing in Montrose

I'm friends with the instructor's son, and may I say that this terrible tragedy could happen to any of us. The instructor was an incredibly experienced pilot, with thousands of hours in all types of airplanes, big and small - this is truly a loss to aviation and his wonderful family.

Godspeed.

 

[JimG]

I'm friends with the instructor's son, and may I say that this terrible tragedy could happen to any of us. The instructor was an incredibly experienced pilot, with thousands of hours in all types of airplanes, big and small - this is truly a loss to aviation and his wonderful family.

Godspeed.

The instructor wouldn't have also been an FAA examiner as well would he?

The examiner for my instrument and multi is from there and I now he's done instruction as well.

 

[JimG]

Never mind jetalc....I just looked up the story on the Denver Post and got the names.

It wasn't the guy I was asking about, but my prayers go out to the family of both anyway.

Like you wrote...Godspeed.

 

[learflyer]

Just found out the instructor was one of us (flight options). He retired last year. He was a Hawker captain.

 

[FN FAL]

and may I say that this terrible tragedy could happen to any of us.

No, you may not say that.

 

[jetalc]

No, you may not say that.

OK - I give...what makes you immune?

 

[AirBadger]

OK - I give...what makes you immune?

Don't worry about it, FN FAL is one of those people that thinks they're funny

 

[jetalc]

Don't worry about it, FN FAL is one of those people that thinks they're funny

Gotcha - didn't realize he was attempting to make a joke. Thanks. Not sure why people on this board try to make light of these things - I'd say "dysfunctional" at best. Two people died - is there a joke hidden in there somewhere? I believe it would probably be different if FN FAL had something like this happen to someone he knew.

Fly safely out there, guys (and gals).

 

[FN FAL]

Don't worry about it, FN FAL is one of those people that thinks they're funny

Well, he did make an interrogative statement.

It's a little premature to say that we all could have done this or that the same way without some sort of official statement on the collision.

 

[AirBadger]

Well, he did make an interrogative statement.

It's a little premature to say that we all could have done this or that the same way without some sort of official statement on the collision.

I think the point is we all could have been flying that plane and crashed, whatever the reason may be. Thats why we have to stay safe and vigilant.

 

[sky37d]

...My prayers go out to the family of both anyway.

Like you wrote...Godspeed.

Ditto. I know sounds corny, but it is a real tragedy. My condolences to the families involved.

 

[FN FAL]

I think the point is we all could have been flying that plane and crashed, whatever the reason may be. Thats why we have to stay safe and vigilant.

That's still a presumptuous statement given the information that is available. And besides, we all can't do that, even a Bonanza has weight and balance limitations.

 

[sky37d]

That's still a presumptuous statement given the information that is available. And besides, we all can't do that, even a Bonanza has weight and balance limitations.

Not to mention, there's only 2 sets of controls, if that. And then, how do we log the time??

 

[ReportCanoa]

The airport, about 180 miles southwest of Denver, was the scene of a November 2004 crash that killed the son of NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol and two others. The National Transportation Safety Board said ice on the wings was a factor in the crash.

Because that is relevant.

 

[jetalc]

That's still a presumptuous statement given the information that is available. And besides, we all can't do that, even a Bonanza has weight and balance limitations.

FN FAL, do you just like to argue? Let's just wish the best to the family, whatever the reason for the crash, and try to fly as safely as we can. Why is that so fricking tough for you? Airbadger was right on the money with my sentiments - this isn't the time to argue. Heartless wretch.