3 people perished in a 185 yesterday. Very sad. Hopefully not one of our fellow pilots here.

N243W a 1979 Cessna 185 registered in Midland, Texas

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2015313 ... featured-2

Few details out so far. It has been unusually hot down there for April.

Update:

I just received an email from a friend in Price, UT. I'm sorry to report that Larry Newby, backcountry flight instructor with Redtail Aviation was on board with two gentleman from Texas. This is the worst news.

Some of you have likely flown with Larry.

It's always sad to lose fellow pilots, and Larry Newby was one of the best pilots around. He will be sorely missed.

Thats really a bummer.
Hate to read stories like this.

SixTwoLeemer wrote:Update:

I just received an email from a friend in Price, UT. I'm sorry to report that Larry Newby, backcountry flight instructor with Redtail Aviation was on board with two gentleman from Texas. This is the worst news.

Some of you have likely flown with Larry.

I flew with LaVar Wells at Redtail Aviation 5 or 6 years ago in my 182B and he was really great. A few years before that I took a mtn flying class at Bob Plumber's outfit in Cahllis, ID. Great class but Bob died in his PA12 a few months later looking for big horn sheep in an area that he knew well. Looks like Bob had a stall spin down low in a canyon-no way out of that.

These "really great pilots" with lots of time in this tough environment still make mistakes. Be real carefull out there.

Tim

Just speculation but I'm in page today and the wind came up really strong and gusty This morning
Would of been extremely tough flying down in a canyon
Was tricky to because the morning dawned sunny and calm.
Wind came up really fast with little warning.

And when I say strong winds
Peek gusts of 70 mph

Newby was a good friend. He really loved to fly the backcountry. I don't know and will probably never know exactly what happened.
Sad day.
He will really be missed.

I've been a little removed from the internet for the last few days, but the Texas father & son were friends of mine. They were from Ozona, just south of my home. The family has been college friends of mine, customers of my business, and practically raised (not a son of their own) one of my best friends. This is about as tragic as it gets. Kyle had just proposed to his fiance 2 weeks ago and had the world by the tail, his sister and her husband are expecting their first baby soon, and this family is as tight knit as any I've ever seen. These guys are as good as they come. Excellent examples of how men should be these days...in family, faith, business, and life in general. The funeral was this afternoon and there were probably a thousand people there. That alone speaks volumes. I encourage you to take just a few minutes to read the obituaries that I have pasted below to get just a glimpse of the kind of guys that we lost on Wednesday. Very sad and a huge load has been placed on Clay, the surviving son/brother. My condolences also go out to the friends and family of Mr. Newby. Apparently he was the best man for the job for introducing backcountry flying to the Richardsons. They were in Kyle's 185 and it was an awesome airplane. Excellent pilots...excellent airplane...We may never know why???

Kyle Wade Richardson

OZONA
Kyle waltzed through life and everybody he met wanted to dance. Kyle Wade Richardson lived each day of his short life as if it were his last. He woke up every morning completely focused on the endless possibilities that awaited him and marched forward with a smile on his face and a positive attitude in his heart. Kyle left us on April 25, 2012, in pursuit of his final memory. As with all of his endeavors, Kyle breezed through Ozona High School where he graduated Suma Cum Laude and Valedictorian. He participated in 4-H, was quarterback of his football team and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Kyle loved technology and played an integral part in his school's computer systems. Kyle attended Texas A&M University, where he received both a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. In addition, he was awarded the Business Management Certificate for Engineers, the Engineering Scholars Program, the Bill and Janice Hanna Scholarship and the Abell-Hanger Scholarship. Kyle served as Vice President of the Pi Tau Sigma Honors Society, elected Muster Host and Leader of Freshmen Engineers. Kyle was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order where he served as Corresponding Secretary, Philanthropy Chair, Scholarship Chair, Alumni Committee, Pledge Class President and was elected to the Order of Omega Honor Society where he served as Vice President. While studying at Texas A&M University, Kyle traveled to Argentina, where he studied Spanish in a university setting. He also studied abroad for six weeks in Germany. Finally, Kyle managed to obtain his Rescue Scuba Diver Certification and his Private Instrument Pilot Rating. After graduating from Texas A&M, Kyle continued working on the family's Crockett County ranch but was immediately hired by ExxonMobil US Production. Later he was employed by Lewis Energy in their drilling division. Next, Kyle became the lead engineer for J Cleo Thompson and was planning to return to Lewis Energy as completions engineer. Indeed, Kyle loved adventure and pushing himself towards perfection. But what Kyle loved most was his family. His brother, Clay and his sister, Codi were undoubtedly his closet friends. Kyle considered them a "team" and they lived, worked and played as such along with his loving parents Wade and Jane. Never has there been a closer-knit family. Kyle met the love of his life, Nicole Lewis of San Antonio, Texas, and they were engaged to be married on Sept. 29, 2012. Kyle and Nicole shared so much in common. Both students of knowledge, both seasoned aviators, both lovers of adventure and both totally committed to one another. Kyle was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Charlie Schwartz. Survivors include his mother, Jane Richardson; his fiance, Nicole Lewis; his brother and sister-in-law, Clay and Andie Richardson and their son, West; his sister and brother-in-law Codi and Taylor Kingman; his fraternal grandparents, Glen and Rosalie Richardson; his maternal grandmother, Gertrude Schwartz; and his aunt and uncle, Kem and Robert Kyburz and their children, Peyton, Ryan and Kate. Pallbearers include Lawson Mertz, Will Slaughter, Charles Campbell, Josh Grizzle, Coley Means, Chase Clark, Wilson Stokes, Ted Spence, G.L. Bunger and Mark Foley. Honorary Pallbearers are Norman Smith, Jared Spence, Mort Mertz, Chet Stuart, Lance Voekel and Jennifer Bowen Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Ozona United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Cedar Hills Cemetery. Kyle's family requests memorials be made to The Wade and Kyle Richardson Memorial Fund, c/o San Angelo Area Foundation, 2201 Sherwood Way, San Angelo, Texas 76901.

Wade C. Richardson

OZONA
"Encourage the young men to live wisely in all they do. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized." Titus 2:6-8
Wade C. Richardson lived life to the fullest. He passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, while pursuing yet another adventure. All are saddened by this tragedy. All rejoice in his memory. Wade accomplished much in his 57 years. He often spoke fondly of playing on the Sonora High School State Co-Champion football team in 1971. In addition, Wade went to State in track and field winning the 440 relay and winning gold in pole vaulting. The bond between Wade and his Sonora teammates were never broken. After graduation from Sonora High School as valedictorian, Wade attended Texas A&M University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Animal Science and continued his education pursuing a master's degree. More friends. More unbroken ties. Shortly after graduation with honors from Texas A&M, Wade moved to Ozona where he continued his family's tradition of ranching. Never one to rest on his Crockett County Pioneer laurels, Wade moved into banking where he served as a director of Crockett National Bank and later entered into the restaurant business owning several Dairy Queens. In addition Wade served as President of Crockett County Consolidated Common School District, served on the boards of the American Sheep Industry, Ozona Wool & Mohair, Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Assn., Ozona United Methodist Church and the Texas Agriculture Land Trust. We also remember Wade for his less obvious accomplishments. A naturalist, philosopher, fly fisherman, photographer, pilot, mathematician, purveyor of mules, and mentor of young men all describe this eclectic individual. Indeed, so many lives were touched by Wade in so many ways. Perhaps Wade will most be remembered for his undeniably strong family ties. He was married to his best friend, partner and confidant, Jane Schwartz Richardson for 33 years. Together, they raised three children, Clay, Codi and Kyle. All three children exceled in their areas of endeavor further testifying to their strong upbringing. Wade was preceded in death by a twin brother, Wesley Glen Richardson. Survivors include his wife, Jane Richardson; son and daughter-in-law Clay and Andie Richardson and grandson West Richardson; daughter and son-in-law Codi and Taylor Kingman; parents Glen and Rosalie Richardson; and mother-in-law Gertrude Schwartz. Pallbearers include Jack Baggett Jr., Dan Davidson, John Weston, John Crew, David Wallace, Joe Eustace, Dwight Childress, Brian Barrett, Bruce Deifik, Louis Bunger and John L. Henderson. Honorary Pallbearers are Norman Smith, Johnny Ireland, Sandy Stokes, Will Wallace, Marcus Sims, Mort Mertz, Joe Ruple, Gary Buck Mitchell, Bill Black, Rick Hunnicutt, Ric Barbatelli, Randy Crawford, Jennifer Bowen, Vicki Stokes, Carmen Sutton and Virginia Howell. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Ozona United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Cedar Hills Cemetery. Wade's family requests memorials be made to The Wade and Kyle Richardson Memorial Fund, c/o San Angelo Area Foundation, 2201 Sherwood Way, San Angelo, Texas 76901

So sorry for the loss to friends and family. May they rest in peace.

'Greg

Thank you for printing those nice obituaries. Here is Larry Newby's.

This accident really has everyone puzzled. There are a lot of experienced backcountry pilots in and around Utah but very few of them fly the backcountry every week, Monday thru Sunday, like Larry. He is considered an expert of the highest degree.


Larry Newby

Larry Newby
1957 ~ 2012
PRICE-Larry Dale Newby took his final flight on April 25, 2012. He was born April 16, 1957 in Price, Utah to William Payton and Leslie Charlene Cook Newby.
Larry was a perpetual prankster whose prized possession was his family. Larry always said he lived by the three "F's", we are pretty sure that meant "flying, family and fishing". Larry loved the outdoors and wide open country, he had no use for the city. He spent his free time in the outdoors, building his family cabin, flying, sky diving, scuba diving, snowmobiling, ATV'ing or long motorcycle adventures with his wife Sue. Larry had a great knowledge and love for the history, geology, and geography of South Eastern Utah's backcountry. He freely shared that knowledge and love of the area with all who had the opportunity to fly with him. Those who flew with Larry for an hour, remembered him for a lifetime. He began flying airplanes at the age of 18 and has flown for Redtail Aviation since 2000, where he served as Chief Pilot, Instructor and Check Airman. His "real job" was working for PacificCorp for the last 36 years as an electrician.
Larry was a great husband, father, brother, friend and made everyone feel they were his priority. He married Sue Eskelsen on March 28, 1983. They have two children that are his pride and joy. He was the best friend to his family and always there for them, in sun and storm.
Larry is survived by his wife, Sue Newby; son, Nicholas Newby (Chelsey Warburton); daughter, Andraya "Roonie" Montgomery (Scotty); two brothers, Bill and Johnny Newby; sister, Donna Nay (Allen); mother-in-law, Jan Barber; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Payton Newby; mother, Leslie Cook Henderson; and father-in-law, Thayne Eskelsen
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 3:00 p.m., at the Carbon County Airport Hanger. Friends are encouraged to join the family at the Airport Tuesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome to share memories of Larry at http://www.mitchellfuneralhome.net

It's nice to be able to read the obituaries ... it gives us an insight into who the were, instead of just statistics in a loss column on the NTSB website. Thanks for posting these.

My deepest sympathies to those of you who have lost a good friend and to those families who will now have an empty chair at Thanksgiving dinner.

X2, Norm.


lc

My deepest sympathies to those of you who have lost a good friend and to those families who will now have an empty chair at Thanksgiving dinner.

That could not have been said better. May they all have God's comfort.

Cary

Tragic, truly. They all sound like wonderful human beings. Thanks for sharing those obits, and god speed.

They really sound like really great people. My heart goes out to there friends and family. Thanks for sharing. Knowing something about the people involved brings out the true tragedy of what happened. So sorry for those that have lost a loved one.

The recent issue of Flying magazine has a recap of this accident on pg. 34 "On the Record". I looked up the entire NTSB report and noted a few interesting things:

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief ... 184&akey=1

1. The young pilot survived the crash and apparently crawled from the wreckage and then back. Later he succumbed to his injuries
2. There was a 406Mhz ELT on board that never broadcast an emergency signal even though it was activated. Appears that it was separated from its antenna and could not broadcast far enough to be received.
3. Two PLB's were on-board. Neither transmitted an emergency as one was consumed by fire and one transmitted random positions but with no altitude. "perhaps they landed and were staying the night?" This eventually lead friends to the crash site.
4. SAR were notified late in the game because no emergency had been reported.

My thoughts. This is sad (we had a survivor) and we have to figure out how to close theses gaps, even with good safety equipment on-board.

Your thoughts?

My first thought is that there is no way to fill all of the gaps. All we can hope to do is fill as many as possible.

My second thought is that if I'm ever going down, no matter what it appears my chances are of making a successful landing, I will include in the emergency checklist items, manually activating my 406 ELT while still in the air, so that even if it's damaged or disconnected from the antenna, it will have already broadcast my approximate position.

I'm also going to start clipping one of my PLBs to me. I also have 2 of them, easy to reach in the airplane, but if one is on me, there's a greater chance I'll be able to activate it.

Cary

Spidertracks.

Or InReach (less expensive than Spidertracks) both are more reliable than Spot.

bumper