Re: C&TS Double Headers July, 1997

Earl, you are right! Here's the link for the accident on NTSB's website:

NTSB report on C&TS plane crash

Blea was running when he saw the wreckage and stopped the train and determined the pilot had expired upon impact. The pilot was on his way to OSHKOSH to sell his plane. He had left early that morning from CA. I remember hearing him fly overhead when I was chasing the train. I thought at the time: "I hope he's got instrument experience". He had an IFR rating (and no evidence of flight time) but his actual flying style was "I Follow Roads" which he did well until the reverse curve at Coxo crossing then he flew into the mountain. I hiked down to the wreck site the next day and could tell he had done some fancy flying in the last few seconds as he hit some trees, but avoided the big ones up to the point he apparently stalled and stuffed his nose into the railroad embankment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/14/2014 03:31PM by Dave Peterson.