This pilot elected to land off airport instead of continueing VFR into IMC. It was a decision that cost us an airplane, but quite possibly have saved his life...a trade we will gladly make.

Please use this as a reflecting lesson instead of a whipping post to judge the pilot...it's easy to play quarterback on Monday morning, but wiser to learn something from the game.

http://clearontop.com/2010/02/17/clouded-judgement/

At least he's still alive to argue the point if it comes to that. I wont argue or criticize, I wasn't there and didn't have to make his discussions.

I just heard about this from another pilot in the area http://www.kentucky.com/1084/story/1143781.html Took off into horried IMC conditions, hit some powerlines, and took out a Daycare Center on the ground.

another Maule bites the dust...

(sorry, just stirring things up a bit.. )

AvidFlyer wrote:I just heard about this from another pilot in the area http://www.kentucky.com/1084/story/1143781.html Took off into horried IMC conditions, hit some powerlines, and took out a Daycare Center on the ground.

More (pictures, video, etc.) on that awful Palo Alto crash here:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14416855?source=most_viewed

Very lucky no one on the ground was hurt.

Thank goodness none of the children were injuried. Condolences to the families of those on board.

Not to make light of the situation, but it is ironic that all on board were execs/employees of Tesla and they died due to hitting a power pole.

lowflybye wrote:This pilot elected to land off airport instead of continueing VFR into IMC. It was a decision that cost us an airplane, but quite possibly have saved his life...a trade we will gladly make.

Please use this as a reflecting lesson instead of a whipping post to judge the pilot...it's easy to play quarterback on Monday morning, but wiser to learn something from the game.

http://clearontop.com/2010/02/17/clouded-judgement/

I'm glad the pilot walked away!!

I hope it's not who I think it is!! But that Maule looks very familiar. I'll keep that to myself, but if your reading this, again......I'm glad you walked away and nobody got badly hurt!!

lowflybye wrote:This pilot elected to land off airport instead of continuing VFR into IMC. It was a decision that cost us an airplane, but quite possibly have saved his life...a trade we will gladly make.

Please use this as a reflecting lesson instead of a whipping post to judge the pilot...it's easy to play quarterback on Monday morning, but wiser to learn something from the game.

http://clearontop.com/2010/02/17/clouded-judgement/

Why would he be a whipping post, I am sure several of us Nevada flyer's have landed on roads due to weather. I know I have several times. Used to always have to land up by sod house coming back from Challis in crap weather.

Now maybe one could beat him up for his landing proficiency but not his decision.

mr scout wrote:Why would he be a whipping post, I am sure several of us Nevada flyer's have landed on roads due to weather.

You and I would not use it as such, but I'm sure you have seen it happen on these forums as much as I have in the past. There seems to always be someone out there who feels the need to criticize and I did not post the blog with that intent. It is meant to shed some light and generate discussion on the thoughts and actions of the insurance company on matters such as these, contrary to what seems to the be the common stereotypical response associated with them.

AvidFlyer wrote:I just heard about this from another pilot in the area http://www.kentucky.com/1084/story/1143781.html Took off into horried IMC conditions, hit some powerlines, and took out a Daycare Center on the ground.

Here's the latest: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/17/tesla-motors-executive-re_n_465931.html

Very sad!! My condolences to all involved!