F6F-5 Planes of Fame RIP

[Jack Cook]

F6F-5 N4994V 1969 flown by Ross Diehl

[daveymac82c]

Jack,

I don't know the story. What happened with this airplane? Was the pilot alright?

-David

[Jack Cook]

Crashed scud running in bad weather down a highway in TN a couple years ago killing Art Vance,

[Matt Gunsch]

Destroyed by a pilot trying to fly VFR in IFR conditions
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f6fregis ... 93879.html

[Jack Cook]

NTSB Identification: ATL06LA003.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, October 08, 2005 in Monterey, TN
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/28/2006
Aircraft: Grumman F6F, registration: N4994V
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
The pilot told people at the departure Airport prior to takeoff that he was going to follow I-40 to his destination. The weather at the accident site was 500 foot overcast, 5 miles visibility and mist. Several motorists observed the airplane flying at an altitude of about 100 feet west bound along I-40 prior to colliding with power lines. There were no mechanical problems reported by the pilot or discovered during the post-accident examination of the airplane.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadequate evaluation of the weather, inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain clearance, resulted in the in-flight collision with power lines.

That's ashame, I didn't know this was the case. I met Art Vance once and thought he was a great fellow with exceptional judgement and skill ... I'd like to still think so ... But I truely miss that Hellcat ... Maybe that one was 70222 ...

Last edited by Hellcat on Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Cindy]

Thanks for the great photo & memories. We sure miss having her around the museum. And of course, we all miss Art as well.

[bdk]

I believe he was the Reno safety officer and a retired airline pilot.

[Lynn Allen]

I was thinking about him and this accident this morning.....

Lynn

[sgt hawk]

Was attending a family reunion in Cookville, TN when this happened. Local news only said it was a WWII aircraft. I understood that the aircraft had been at Sevierville for an Air Show and was going back to Calf. Weather was cloudy/rainey and the aircraft suffered a fuel malfunction and Art was attempting to land on Interstate 40. The state police had stopped traffic and created an area to land. However the Troopers had not considered Transmission lines cutting across I 40. This is what I heard. I'm not sure if this is correct or not, I do not know. Very sad event.

[Jack Cook]

Sgt Hawk none of that is true cept for the family reunion part maybe.
scroll up and read the above cause of crash from the NTSB investigation.

[jet1]

it can happen to anyone. if you write a check you can't cash it can easily compound into tragedy. i really miss Art strolling in to the pilot briefings at Reno just slightly late......he was a good guy.

[51fixer]

Rosco Diehl had a great party pad in Chino.
I have many great memories of him and his house there.
Rich

[bdk]

Rosco Diehl had a great party pad in Chino.
I have many great memories of him and his house there.
Rich

Huh? I saw Ross yesterday at the airport...

[51fixer]

Rosco Diehl had a great party pad in Chino.
I have many great memories of him and his house there.
Rich

Huh? I saw Ross yesterday at the airport...

I was just reminiscing Brandon.
I haven't seen Ross in years.
Say Hi for me when you see him next.
Rich