Rudy and his life partner attempt to take dirt road during off airport landing and...

[FN FAL]

...the media makes an Embry Riddle correlation. :nuts:

March 30, 2006
Pilot escapes serious injury in plane crash


An early morning airplane ride almost ended in tragedy Wednesday for Don Willis and his dog, Rudy.

Willis of Ormond Beach was flying his Piper Cherokee out of the Flagler County Airport when he noticed a problem, said Jack Thompson, Flagler County Airport director.

"He said he was trying to come back to the airport when he lost oil pressure," Thompson said.

Willis, who declined to speak with reporters, tried to land on a dirt road on the east side of the airport used by trucks hauling fill dirt.

"He did an amazing job of getting it down on a more soft spot," Thompson said.

This is the first mishap at the airport since October 2005, when a student pilot misjudged her landing and skidded off a runway into a retention pond.

Thompson said there have been a couple of other incidents since he took over as airport director late last year. It's always nicer to deal with an incident when there are no serious injuries, he said.

Steve Cooke, the spokesman at Daytona Beach International Airport, expressed the same sentiments. Wednesday morning, a student pilot from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who was accompanied by an instructor, was attempting to land a twin-engine Piper on a runway at the airport when he ran into problems.

"When he tried to land the plane, it bounced and it went off the runway," Cooke said. "But that's not uncommon with student pilots. At least no one was hurt."

Cooke said the Piper's right wing and nose were damaged. He also said an airfield sign was struck.

"Planes can be fixed or replaced," Thompson said. "People are a little harder to mend."

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
-- Aaron London

 

[sleddriver71]

by FN FAL
"When he tried to land the plane, it bounced and it went off the runway," Cooke said. "But that's not uncommon with student pilots. At least no one was hurt."

Wow! It's not uncommon to go off the runway with student pilots? That is funny. Again, reporters showing how much they know.

 

[mcjohn]

It's like they think we (CFIs) just hand them keys and tell them to go figure it out. "You may bounce off the runway a few times but that's O.K. You're a student pilot.":laugh:

 

[FN FAL]

It's like they think we (CFIs) just hand them keys and tell them to go figure it out. "You may bounce off the runway a few times but that's O.K. You're a student pilot.":laugh:

I don't see the correlation between the two stories either...other than they are local incidents. It just seemed that the airport manager couldn't let the story about a man and his dog surviving an engine failure go without taking a dig at the ER people.

I notice that the Willis didn't want to talk about his "oil pressure loss" and it seems as if the airport manager is trying to go, "well you know...planes just up and crash all the time...like what you had here last week, with them boys from Embry Riddle".

 

[MagicRat]

daytona

I don't see why you are ripping the reporter, Sled. ... That was a quote from the spokesperson at the airport. If anything, you would think Steve Cooke would know better.

 

[gkrangers]

I'm gonna go take pictures of the "crashed" Seminole.....see if there is any damage.

 

[gkrangers]

The horror.

http://www.sevenleft.com/erauseminole/IMG_0149.jpg
http://www.sevenleft.com/erauseminole/IMG_0151.jpg

 

[BlueBusDriver]

Wow!

I did Don Willis' biannual flight revue once back in the early 90's. He's really a good pilot. I haven't seen the guy in years. Glad to hear he's OK.

BBD

 

[FN FAL]

I did Don Willis' biannual flight revue once back in the early 90's. He's really a good pilot. I haven't seen the guy in years. Glad to hear he's OK.

BBD

Most definitely! And I don't blame him for not speaking to reporters...that is the smartest thing.

Glad him and his life partner Rudy made it out OK!

 

[FN FAL]

The horror.

http://www.sevenleft.com/erauseminole/IMG_0149.jpg
http://www.sevenleft.com/erauseminole/IMG_0151.jpg

:nuts: :beer: :nuts:

Bruder bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime,
His sister had anudder one she paid it for de lime.

She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up.
She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
She put de lime in de coconut, she call de doctor, woke 'im up,

Said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"
I said "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache,"
I said "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"
I said "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache."
Now lemme get this straight,

You put de lime in de coconut, you drank 'em bot' up,
You put de lime in de coconut, you drank 'em bot' up,
You put de lime in de coconut, you drank 'em bot'up,
You put de lime in de coconut, you call your doctor, woke 'im up,

Said " Doctor, ain't there nothing' I can take?"
I said, "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache."
I said "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?'
I said, "Doctor, to relieve this belly ache,"

You put de lime in de coconut, you drink 'em bot' togedder
Put de lime in de coconut and you'll feel better,
Put de lime in de coconut, drink 'em bot' up,
Put de lime in de coconut and call me in the morning."