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A bad case of get-home-itus?
The pilot of a single-engine Mooney that crashed shortly after takeoff from a small New Mexico airport during risky weather conditions, killing four Texans, had been warned against flying, the manager of the airport said. “'Are you really going to try to fly in this weather?'” the weekend manager at the Angel Fire Airport asked John Phillip Verhalen III, manager Harvey Wright said. “And his answer was, 'Yeah.' I guess he felt confident in his abilities in his skills, and in… (www.mysanantonio.com) Más...
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I worked as controller at So Lake Tahoe in 75-76... during summer had 1-2 crashes a month.... always gave weather info... density altitude 9500 ft strong downdraft over last 1/3 of runway.. do not turn left on climb out, circle over golf course at end of runway for altitude.. caution there's 5-6 other airplanes circling as well... cleared for take off... one wintry blustery day a dentist, wife, and 2 kids loaded up a piper cherokee.. we gave him all the scary info..he took off, turned left lost altitude and plunged into meadow, driving his landing gear thru the wings, thankfully no one injured seriously... just can't help some folks....
Gusts to 55 is less than half the story but makes good sensationalism. I'll withhold judgement on the decision to go until I know what the wind's steady speed and direction relative to the runway was. It clearly turned out bad and my prayers go out to the families involved.
More summary details of the incident here: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=153727
It was probably departing VFR, so there is no flight track available on FlightAware. However, we do have a couple of older photos of it: http://flightaware.com/photos/aircraft/N3484X
It was probably departing VFR, so there is no flight track available on FlightAware. However, we do have a couple of older photos of it: http://flightaware.com/photos/aircraft/N3484X
Some updated details on the 4 aboard
Pilot, his sister and two children. Another person decided to stay on the ground at the last minute.
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2951541.shtml?cat=504
Pilot, his sister and two children. Another person decided to stay on the ground at the last minute.
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2951541.shtml?cat=504
Wow, all seats full on a 200 hp airplane at over 8,000ft QFE to boot!
Weather history for AXX for March 3. Wind was consistently from the west all day....gusting from 30-50 MPH from around 10AM to 5 pm...
http://classic.wunderground.com/history/airport/KAXX/2013/3/3/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
http://classic.wunderground.com/history/airport/KAXX/2013/3/3/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
