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http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060405/NEWS01/604050324/1002
Aerobatics pilot bails out of crashing plane
April 5, 2006
By Francis McCabe
Floating to the ground, a white parachute above his head, Sean D. Tucker touched ground safely about a mile from where the single-engine biplane he was piloting crashed in a plowed cotton field in south Red River Parish.
The nationally known aerobatics pilot who performed at the Barksdale Air Show in 2000 was practicing for an air show to be held this weekend in Lakeland, Fla., when he parachuted out of his plane about 10:25 a.m. Tuesday after steering controls broke, authorities said.
Tucker was checked out by paramedics at the scene and released, Red River sheriff's Deputy Scott Phillips said.
The plane crashed near state Highway 1 just north of Natchitoches Parish. No one on the ground was injured, Phillips said.
Tucker has logged more than 20,000 hours in flight time -- about two years' worth -- according to his Web site.
Based in California, Tucker was in the area after landing a few days earlier due to inclement weather.
The red biplane with "Oracle" painted on it crashed on the property of Michael Simpson, said Red River Sheriff Johnny Ray Norman.
Tucker was quite calm when he touched ground, the sheriff said. "He was a lot better than I would've been. He didn't have scratch on him."
Tucker began experiencing problems when the stick used to control the plane's rudder broke, Norman said. The pilot was communicating with folks on the ground, letting them know he was in trouble.
Tucker flew the plane around until he burned up all of the fuel then found an unpopulated area for the plane to crash.
"I've talked to several pilots, and they said he was the only one who could fly that plane without rudder control," Norman said.
Emergency workers on the ground were aware of the situation and were on the scene when Tucker landed.
"If he hadn't been such an experienced pilot, who knows," the sheriff said.
Norman contacted the Federal Aviation Administration about the crash but was told no investigation would take place. "They said since no one was injured and there was no damage other than to the plane there was no need to," Norman said.
Tucker probably already has left the area so he can get to Florida for the show, Norman said.
©The Times
April 5, 2006
Aerobatics pilot bails out of crashing plane
April 5, 2006
By Francis McCabe
Floating to the ground, a white parachute above his head, Sean D. Tucker touched ground safely about a mile from where the single-engine biplane he was piloting crashed in a plowed cotton field in south Red River Parish.
The nationally known aerobatics pilot who performed at the Barksdale Air Show in 2000 was practicing for an air show to be held this weekend in Lakeland, Fla., when he parachuted out of his plane about 10:25 a.m. Tuesday after steering controls broke, authorities said.
Tucker was checked out by paramedics at the scene and released, Red River sheriff's Deputy Scott Phillips said.
The plane crashed near state Highway 1 just north of Natchitoches Parish. No one on the ground was injured, Phillips said.
Tucker has logged more than 20,000 hours in flight time -- about two years' worth -- according to his Web site.
Based in California, Tucker was in the area after landing a few days earlier due to inclement weather.
The red biplane with "Oracle" painted on it crashed on the property of Michael Simpson, said Red River Sheriff Johnny Ray Norman.
Tucker was quite calm when he touched ground, the sheriff said. "He was a lot better than I would've been. He didn't have scratch on him."
Tucker began experiencing problems when the stick used to control the plane's rudder broke, Norman said. The pilot was communicating with folks on the ground, letting them know he was in trouble.
Tucker flew the plane around until he burned up all of the fuel then found an unpopulated area for the plane to crash.
"I've talked to several pilots, and they said he was the only one who could fly that plane without rudder control," Norman said.
Emergency workers on the ground were aware of the situation and were on the scene when Tucker landed.
"If he hadn't been such an experienced pilot, who knows," the sheriff said.
Norman contacted the Federal Aviation Administration about the crash but was told no investigation would take place. "They said since no one was injured and there was no damage other than to the plane there was no need to," Norman said.
Tucker probably already has left the area so he can get to Florida for the show, Norman said.
©The Times
April 5, 2006
