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Stunt planes collide in Prescott; third plane crashes near Payson
[size=-1]06:25 PM Mountain Standard Time on Saturday, August 28, 2004 [/size]
[size=-1]Associated Press [/size]
PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Two stunt planes collided Saturday during a practice session in central Arizona, killing both pilots, authorities said.
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/font]
"They were out practicing stunts, and it looks like one plane clipped the wing of the other plane," said Lt. Steve Francis of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
The single-engine planes were owned by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, about 100 miles northwest of Phoenix.
Killed were Mike Corradi, 55, and Robert Sweginnis, 65.
Corradi was the chief flight instructor and Sweginnis was the chair of the aeronautical science department there, said Gwen Raubolt, a spokeswoman for the four-year university.
"These were both very experienced pilots with thousands of hours under their belts," Raubolt said.
The men were described as best friends and were practicing aerobatic maneuvers for the upcoming Prescott Air Fair on Oct. 2. Both had taught at the university since 1991, Raubolt said.
"They both loved what they did and loved to share their knowledge with the students," she said. "It's a great loss for the university and the aviation community."
The planes crashed in a field. There were no other passengers, and no other injuries were reported, Francis said.
In a separate incident Saturday afternoon, a third plane crashed in Payson, about 90 miles northeast of Phoenix.
Both male passengers on board were injured, said Gila County Sheriff John Armer, although the extent of their injuries were unknown.
The plane took off from Payson Airport and crashed approximately 11 1/2 miles away.
No other details were immediately available.
[size=-1]06:25 PM Mountain Standard Time on Saturday, August 28, 2004 [/size]
[size=-1]Associated Press [/size]
PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Two stunt planes collided Saturday during a practice session in central Arizona, killing both pilots, authorities said.
[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/font]
"They were out practicing stunts, and it looks like one plane clipped the wing of the other plane," said Lt. Steve Francis of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
The single-engine planes were owned by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, about 100 miles northwest of Phoenix.
Killed were Mike Corradi, 55, and Robert Sweginnis, 65.
Corradi was the chief flight instructor and Sweginnis was the chair of the aeronautical science department there, said Gwen Raubolt, a spokeswoman for the four-year university.
"These were both very experienced pilots with thousands of hours under their belts," Raubolt said.
The men were described as best friends and were practicing aerobatic maneuvers for the upcoming Prescott Air Fair on Oct. 2. Both had taught at the university since 1991, Raubolt said.
"They both loved what they did and loved to share their knowledge with the students," she said. "It's a great loss for the university and the aviation community."
The planes crashed in a field. There were no other passengers, and no other injuries were reported, Francis said.
In a separate incident Saturday afternoon, a third plane crashed in Payson, about 90 miles northeast of Phoenix.
Both male passengers on board were injured, said Gila County Sheriff John Armer, although the extent of their injuries were unknown.
The plane took off from Payson Airport and crashed approximately 11 1/2 miles away.
No other details were immediately available.
