Zzz wrote:I understand the need to seek some reconciliation in this matter via the results of investigation, but I too groaned when I saw the topic come back up. M3X, I get it. Many here are curious too. Perhaps it is different for me and a few others who have some insight into both the accident and the pilot's background.

So I will tell you right now, regardless the results of the tox screen, that was not the cause. The cause was 100% one pilot with very poor judgement, a dangerously impulsive pattern of flying behavior, and one final screw up after being warned many, many times in similar situations. I personally witnessed it once in person and actively avoided the pilot entirely thereafter.

I've been reluctant to weigh in here, and have typed and retyped this reply many times and deleted it. I don't want his family members to suffer as the memory of their child is tarnished, though they likely aren't viewing this site anymore. But I will just say it because many seem to be clinging to the toxicology report as causality. It was bad pilot judgement, reckless flying at the end of a long pattern of the same. The pilot of the 170 was the complete opposite and I mourn him and think of his family members often.

rw2 wrote:

Zzz wrote:I understand the need to seek some reconciliation in this matter via the results of investigation, but I too groaned when I saw the topic come back up. M3X, I get it. Many here are curious too. Perhaps it is different for me and a few others who have some insight into both the accident and the pilot's background.

So I will tell you right now, regardless the results of the tox screen, that was not the cause. The cause was 100% one pilot with very poor judgement, a dangerously impulsive pattern of flying behavior, and one final screw up after being warned many, many times in similar situations. I personally witnessed it once in person and actively avoided the pilot entirely thereafter.

I've been reluctant to weigh in here, and have typed and retyped this reply many times and deleted it. I don't want his family members to suffer as the memory of their child is tarnished, though they likely aren't viewing this site anymore. But I will just say it because many seem to be clinging to the toxicology report as causality. It was bad pilot judgement, reckless flying at the end of a long pattern of the same. The pilot of the 170 was the complete opposite and I mourn him and think of his family members often.

+1

Very well said, on all three counts.

CAVU wrote:I was not following this accident and would likely have not seen these reports had they not been posted here. I am sickened by the loss, and my heart goes out to the families and friends.

The questions that the Savanah report raises are really hard, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be asked or that each of us doesn’t owe it to ourselves, our loved ones and each other to try to answer them. Out of respect for the personal relationships and pain for the guys on this board, I will do that in private. But I’m grateful for the information, and will try to learn from it.

CAVU

CAVU wrote:I was not following this accident and would likely have not seen these reports had they not been posted here. I am sickened by the loss, and my heart goes out to the families and friends.

The questions that the Savanah report raises are really hard, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be asked or that each of us doesn’t owe it to ourselves, our loved ones and each other to try to answer them. Out of respect for the personal relationships and pain for the guys on this board, I will do that in private. But I’m grateful for the information, and will try to learn from it.

CAVU