CJ-6 loss 3 Jan 09

Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:40 pm

Sad to report that a CJ-6 went down with two fatals this afternoon at Propwash Airport, Justin Tx. A/C was not based there and I didn't recognize it either, but it is being reported that the pilot was friends with some of the residents.

Taylor's L-5 project is at my friend's shop there on Propwash and I live just a couple of miles east of the field.

Thoughts and prayers for all involved.

Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:10 pm

I learned to fly at Justin Time airport. I miss the place. Lots of nice airplanes flying in the area. Sad to hear of the loss of one of them.

Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:54 pm

It's very sad event. The pilot was fairly well-known in the Yak/CJ community. He had recently acquired a CJ re-engined with 360 hp M-14P and had his original ship for sale.

He was lead in a 3-ship landing. Accident happened with gear and flaps down on base to final turn, though there is an unconfirmed report he called an emergency right before the crash.

Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:51 am

Thoughts and prayers are out to all involved. Was Mike (has a CJ-6 on the end of the field) part of the 3-Ship?

Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:12 am

http://cbs11tv.com/local/fatal.plane.crash.2.899387.html

Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:17 am

Yes, Mike was number 3.

Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:14 pm

This is unfortunately one of those bittersweet things. It's sad to loose the two guys aboard the CJ, but I'm somewhat relieved to know that it wasn't a couple of other acquaintances that might have been out flying yesterday in their CJ-6(s). One of those odd things about aviation I guess, you're relieved that your initial fears are unfounded but saddened that someone else you might have known didn't make it.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and acqaintences of the two men lost yesterday.

Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:18 pm

H**l of a way to start a new year. My condolences to his family. I had a start since I have several friends who fly Yaks. I had to stop and think, CJ NOT Yak. Still an unhappy beginning.

Godspeed, CJ pilot.

Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:23 am

Authorities have confirmed the aircraft involved was N99YK owned by Forrest Johnson. I met him back this summer at the Lone Star Red Star event at Lancaster. He and his wife were both present and were great to meet. His loss is a great one for the guys up at Prop Wash and I'm sure the LSRS guys as the little exposure I've had to them, they seem to be a very tight-knit bunch.

When someone hears the funeral arrangements, can you please post them here? I would like to attend if possible and want to make sure the word gets out on them to those at LNC who weren't directly associated with CWAM or LSRS but knew him from his visits to Lancaster (which were fairly frequent).

Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:41 pm

Very sad indeed.

Our prayers go out to the pilots and their families.

Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:47 pm

Godspeed to them.

Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:32 pm

So, my question is....3-ship landing?

That's not something I've ever seen anyone outside of the Thunderbirds/Blue Angels do in military flying.

Is this something that civilian formation guys do?? I haven't read the CJ version of the FAST formation manual, but I don't remember seeing 3-ship landings in any of the vanilla FAST stuff.

Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:58 pm

Randy Haskin wrote:So, my question is....3-ship landing?

That's not something I've ever seen anyone outside of the Thunderbirds/Blue Angels do in military flying.

Is this something that civilian formation guys do?? I haven't read the CJ version of the FAST formation manual, but I don't remember seeing 3-ship landings in any of the vanilla FAST stuff.

I found that interesting as well. I was flying lead, then #3 in some 3-ship take offs and landings, in a CJ-6, but it was as a camera ship just to be used as a training aid for 2-ship take offs and landings for the CJ guys. (Make sense?) We didn't like the idea of doing them, but after VERY thorough briefings (and debriefings), we felt more comfortable about it. The key for us, as camera ship, was to actually be out of position to get the best shot and of course, be safe. My point to all of that is that the CJ guys, at least at the time, were only teaching 2 ship formation take offs and landings. This was back in 2003, so I don't know if that's changed since then or not.

Gary

Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:00 pm

The way I read it, they were doing some three ship formation practice, came in for an initial, pitched, and he was #1 for landing. At least that's what I think was going on from what I've read.

One local pilot at the field said he thought the plane stalled on base to final. Someone else said they thought the pilot declared an emergency just before he went down, impacting nose first. The photo I saw was of the plane on it's back, with the tail section broken off behind the second seat, and 90 degrees to the fuselage. No indications of fire in the photos.

Has anyone heard any preliminary information from the investigation?

Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:02 pm

This from the link Taylor posted from the CBS station:

"He was in a pattern with two other aircraft doing some formation flying," another pilot Mark Todd explained. "He was coming around to land number one out of three aircraft. It appears he was turning base to final and it appears he may have stalled it."