Warbird Information Exchange

Found an NTSB report that states the aircraft suffered an engine loss in due to oil starvation shortly after departing Rochester, NY last October. The aircraft was substantially damaged, seriously injuring the pilot, during the intentional wheels up landing in the grass adjacent to the runway. Any word on how the pilot is doing? Is the aircraft damaged beyond repair?

Link to the NTSB report

At the time of the crash, over on the FlyPast forum, the aircraft and accident was the subject of some discussion. It was said to be beyond repair.

Which lead me to ask whether any parts/wreckage will be saved. It can't be of any use to the insurance company (who would need the undamaged parts? ) and since it was reportedly the world's oldest flying jet aircraft, parts should be preserved.
From seeing post-crash photos, there looked to be enough left for a static restoration.

Very recently on the forum, some UK group was looking for Vampire parts and I suggested trying to track the wreckage down with a eye to acquiring it.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Thanks for the info. So unfortunate that such an historic aircraft is no more as a flying airframe.

Can anyone speak to the health of the pilot? Will he be ok?

The pilot is ok. He's been back flying for awhile now.

What had happened was after the engine cut out he had lined up for the grass next to the runway since it would be easier on the aircraft. What he couldn't see on the approach was a grassed berm next to the runway (it's all grass and blends together). He landed just fine in the grass with gear up but then ended up going over the berm which basically resulted in the aircraft hitting very hard on the ground which was the major cause of the damage and injury to the pilot.

Same thing happened a few years ago to Mark Johnson's DH Venom out at Jeffco airport in Denver, just a month after he had it repainted. He got out ok, but the plane never recovered, as I understand the engine is now on display at Gordon Page's museum in Erie, CO.

_________________
Mark Morris

Just flew with the pilot this weekend in a currency check ride in a certain B-24A. he is doing well.

If it is the one I am thinking of ( formerly owned by Travolta ?)
Then it is most likely now stored here in Ontario Canada.

_________________
...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

Same vampire.

Glad the aviator is back aviating.

I'm glad the pilot survived but I believe that the Vampire got a wooden stake thru the heart. Bummer

_________________
"WHAT ME WORRY?"

I was talking with the owner and as Cam said, it is back in Canada.

_________________
Mike

Ah yes, There we were, left engine on fire, right engine feathered...ahh yes,...there we were, ..Screwed! No Kissing!

I'd be very interested in talking with the owner of this aircraft. We now have a single seat Vampire in the collection and it would be useful to talk with him. Anyone have contact details?

Many thanks,

G

_________________
BURMA! Sorry, I panicked

Mike

I think if one dug deep enough they would find that the Vampire is not owned by him.
As with everything at Markham, it is most likely owned and controlled by a well know Canadian Corporation that I will not name publically.
The situation there makes it virtually impossible to c/out any business deals with that Group.

_________________
...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams