WIX Archives

Re: Lawsuit

Posted by Tim Savage on Wed Dec 04, 2002 09:10:40 PM

In reply top Re: Lawsuit posted by JACK COOK on Wed Dec 04, 2002 07:03:37 PM

: Saddest things is that accident should never have happened
: .
: Not only wasn't Jeff 'legal' to fly the airplane, but he s
: tart in VA early in the morning flew to Portland and then
: drove all the way to Tillamook then jumped in the airplane
: and went fly'in. He'd called me to tell me he was coming
: out so I was there. He was tired for sure but caught up
: in the momment with his dad and all the P-38 guys there.
: I wish someone would have stepped up and said hold it a mi
: nute what's the rush. I do remember the preflight was a b
: are minimum. It was a big deal to him, but it defently wa
: sn't worth his life. When I dig those pics out I'll post
: there for all to see.

Yes, a real sad deal that took a great friend to many. I think we should point out that it is clearly an FAA technicality that made him illegal to fly the airplane. He was qualified in an EXPERIMENTAL category P-38. However, since the one he was flying that day was LIMITED he would have required a Type Rating to fly it since it is over 800hp. Jeff had flown the other P-38 at Tillamook about seven hours in the month or so before the accident. He had a Unlimited Letter of Authority for Piston Engined Exeperimental Aircraft. I hate to see the misconception get around that Jeff wasn't qualified to fly the airplane, as he was, it is simply an FAA technicality. Fortunately, the FAA seems to be finally taking steps to correct the problem. All existing LOAs are now being converted to Type Ratings under a new FAA program. I guess the Unlimited Letter is going away...

Follow Ups: