Man oh man, these mishaps that are happening lately sure aren't helping to promote GA. I'm starting to feel we might be lucky if we get to "legally" keep our airplanes, guns and some of our other rights for another couple years at best.

Roger

I realize I wasn't there but...really, this guy couldn't have picked a worse place to land the plane. The airport less than a mile a way, fields even closer. The news said the instructor reported the engine was running rough, so it could have been still making some power.

ya pretty ridicules it really is frustrating

I really don't like to judge people or second guess them when shiv hits the fan, but... GEU is still surrounded by quite a bit of farm ground. There was a 20 acre field just 1000' west of where this man chose to set down at, another 500' and he had a mile long run of farm ground... And the community that this school is in is a golf course community, not that a fairway would be the greatest choice in the vicinity, but it would have been a far better choice than a school. Looks to me like he either took way to long to take action,or simply panicked so bad he just caved and took whatever came his way... Probably won't be sending anyone I know to Air Safety

Is there a link to the story?

Rob wrote:http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/04/15/20090415forced-landing0415.html

Thanks.

But wow. After reading some of the comments, sounds like Air Safety has a shady history.

I wonder how high they were (I'm sure atleast 1000' agl) when they had there first sign of trouble? Maybe they didn't have enough altitude to glide any further? Guess we'll find out in the NTSB report.

How many of you were there in that plane? Those of you that were in the plane could you give me the facts please?

3M,

I hear ya man, Like I said I hate to judge someone who just had a handfull... So here, try this out for facts:



Want an even better picture of why my personal opinion is that this guy screwed the pooch? Check out the bigger picture:



Like I said, GEU may be in "the big city" but there dam sure ain't a good reason to set her down in the elementary school playground while flying in the pattern

There is never a good reason to crash a plane. Still I was not in the plane and do not know why it went down the way it did......and none here does know unless they were in the plane. Wait for the NTSB then start your arguments.

I'm usually a really passive and non-aggressive person but give me a freakin break 3M. I looked at the videos and the same images that Rob posted before I made my comment, this guy really screwed up. A PE teacher had some kids out on the field that he said the plane came pretty close to a couple of them...in my opinion a school is not a option EVER.

You were not there.

The 20 acres "free and clear" looks tilled. Given the choice, I know I'd set down on a grass field before I tried to land on till. Less chance of flipping. Of course, that's a google image, who knows what it actually looks like at the moment.

3M I have to wonder why this is your first post. What agenda do you have in this crash?

GroundLooper wrote:The 20 acres "free and clear" looks tilled. Given the choice, I know I'd set down on a grass field before I tried to land on till. Less chance of flipping. Of course, that's a google image, who knows what it actually looks like at the moment.

I bet you would have taken the risk of flipping over before risking hitting kids on the play ground.
My "old school" instructor preached not flying beyond reach of the runway when in the pattern.
I see planes all the time that could not make it half way to the runway if they lost power while in the pattern.

You sure do get alot of bad reviews of Air Safety Flight Academy on Google. Awful lot of equipment squawks, etc.

I wouldn't completely discount a schoolyard option out of turn. It isn't in MOST circumstances the appropriate option because of the obvious risks, and from the aerials IT APPEARS this gent had many options, but in certain areas of the country (i.e. over LA) it might be your only chance to actually minimize the collateral risk to folks on the ground. Obviously time of day and day of week are important. If there are no kids out, empty ballfields could be a decent choice in the LA basin and other congested areas without alternate options.

Flynengr

7853H wrote:3M I have to wonder why this is your first post. What agenda do you have in this crash?

Why do I have to have an agenda? I just joined and now I have an agenda. Everyone has to have a first post. All I am saying is we were not there. We do not have the facts. Maybe he did try for the field and over shot it. Who knows. I do not armchair qb and I am not a trained investigator. I do not jump to conclusions with out the facts. No agenda.

I wish you all well.

Hey 3M,

Don't get uptight on my account. Like I said, my posts simply reflect my opinion. There are things that can be learned from these situations regardless of who was there, and trust me, not only was the NTSoB not there, but they probably won't get much of their report right either. After all, much of their report will be based on what the pilot(s) / witnesses, tell them, and how they interpret that information. Wish I could use that trendy phrase "I have no dog in this fight" but unfortunately as a father of 4, and a pilot who would not like anymore negative limelight on GA... I do

Take care, Rob

Small Tail Caddy wrote:

GroundLooper wrote:The 20 acres "free and clear" looks tilled. Given the choice, I know I'd set down on a grass field before I tried to land on till. Less chance of flipping. Of course, that's a google image, who knows what it actually looks like at the moment.

I bet you would have taken the risk of flipping over before risking hitting kids on the play ground.
My "old school" instructor preached not flying beyond reach of the runway when in the pattern.
I see planes all the time that could not make it half way to the runway if they lost power while in the pattern.

True, true. I was making the assumption the field was clear which, in this case, it appears it was. Avoiding the fence is good technique.