Spins...

[BD King]

Not that it's particularly relevant to the discussion at hand, but Ritchie Valens (and Buddy Holly, and JP Richardson) were killed after a departure into low IFR conditions, about 5 miles from the airport. From all appearences the airplane flew into the ground in a steep bank. From the CAB report of the accident: "There was no evidence of inflight structural failure or failure of the controls."

First of all, listen to AvBug. Buddy Holly was killed in a G-35, which still had an eight ball horizon, and the so called pilot was green and not familiar with the airplane. 135 times have changed since that time. I know. I was a 210 hour pilot that flew Part 135. I look back and thank God.

 

[avbug]

I think that's pretty much what A Squared was saying when he expanded on the crash. Ironic that today no star of their stature would set foot in a single engine airplane (most wouldn't, anyway).

The weakest link is almost invariably the pilot. Short circuit between the ears, hypoxia, divorce, hunger, boredom, complacency, inexperience, whatever...all are to pilots what fatigue is to a metal structure, water is to fuel, and too much licorice is to the gastrointestinal tract. (Not good).

 

[qmaster3]

First of all, listen to AvBug. Buddy Holly was killed in a G-35, which still had an eight ball horizon, and the so called pilot was green and not familiar with the airplane. 135 times have changed since that time. I know. I was a 210 hour pilot that flew Part 135. I look back and thank God.

So called pilot.........I am from MCW and the pilots are good ole boys. Just Cowboys that's all hoss.

like you said "looking back"