Accident at the Culpeper airshow

[B-29 Super Fort]

In past years, aerobatic flyer Nancy A. Lynn had wanted to perform at the Culpeper Air Fest in Virginia the loops, rolls and spins she had so perfected. But one year, she was thwarted by mechanical problems, and in another it was inclement weather that kept Lynn at her Annapolis-area home.

On Saturday, sometime after performers from the Bealeton Flying Circus walked along the wings of a plane in midair, she made her debut at the Air Fest, as a crowd of about 3,000 watched. Lynn's teenage son Peter Scott Muntean was there at a microphone, her show's announcer.
They witnessed a tragedy.

In her German-built Extra 300 L Standard, Lynn began a classic aerobatic trick - the snap roll, a series of rapid, horizontal spins. But suddenly her plane crashed, then skidded and erupted in flames about 1 p.m. on a grassy area of the north side of the Culpeper Regional Airport's runway, officials said.

Lynn was flown by helicopter to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Richmond, where she died about 11:45 p.m., said Sgt. F.L. Tyler of the Virginia State Police.

Spectators, including Culpeper County Administrator Frank T. Bossio, rushed to the burning aircraft in a rescue attempt.

"I just looked back over my left shoulder and I saw the aircraft just coming down," Bossio said. "The wing tip caught the ground, tipped over and caught on fire. I ran over there and the airplane was on fire. ... I just began ripping pieces off the airplane. Some other folks came with fire extinguishers."

This show took place on Saturday, October 14th at the Culpeper Air Fest in Virginia .

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/ ... -headlines

[RMAllnutt]

Yes... it was a real tragedy. Her son was actually commentating for her when it happened. The article you mentioned didn't mention that Frank Bossio had received burns to his hands in his attempts to free Nancy. A very very sad day.

http://www.lynnaviation.com/pete.html

Richard

[GIJOE290]

Very Sad. Our thoughts go out to her son and family.

[K5DH]

Such a tragedy. The one bright spot, if you can call it that, is that she died doing something that she loved. The overwhelming majority of us will not go out that way.

[Jase]

I was there. It was bad beyond words. Frank Bossio suffered second degree burns attempting to upright the airplane.

Pete is now an 18 year old who has lost both of his parents, his father died of cancer in 2000. I urge any or all of you to make a donation to his college fund. I have the highest amount of respect for this young man that anyone could have. After witnessing his mother's horrific accident, he returned to the microphone to soothe the crowd, and let them know that Nancy was alive. His grace and poise are immeasurable.

From Nancy's website: ""In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Peter Muntean College Fund c/o Bank Annapolis, 1000 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis, MD 21401""


It's a dangerous business we are all in...please be safe.

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Such a tragedy. The one bright spot, if you can call it that, is that she died doing something that she loved. The overwhelming majority of us will not go out that way.

You know, there is some truth in that, especially considering the tragedy. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family. When God took her, I hope he did it quickly. She was doing what she loved....as we all try to do.

Respectfully,

Paul