WIX Archives
Re: Planes Of Fame F6F Midair
Posted by Gregory on Tue Jan 14, 2003 06:36:54 AM
In reply top Planes Of Fame F6F Midair posted by Robbie on Mon Jan 13, 2003 01:29:09 PM
After much searching, I found this on www.havasunews.com, the website of the local paper.
Gregory
Two killed in plane crash
by JOAN M. TRAVIS
PARKER ? A pilot and his sister died in a mid-air collision between his aircraft and a high-speed vintage aircraft , which was part of a weekend air show.
Bobby Hatch, 53, of Yuma and his sister, Barbara Jones, 50, of Parker, were killed, according to local and federal officials.
Authorities said Hatch's Cessna 182 took off from the Avi Suquilla Airport about 4 p.m. About 15 minutes later, according to investigators, Hatch's plane and a World War II Grumman Hellcat collided. The Hellcat did not crash, authorities said. The identity of the pilot of the vintage plane was not released.
The mishap took place during a busy air show at the airport. According to Jones' daughter, Tiffany, Hatch had clearance for take off. ?He made the proper protocols, behind him was a World War II prop which cut the course of his pass, shearing the tail off his Cessna 182,? she said.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) said a NOTAM (notice to airmen) about the air show was not filed.
Witnesses at the end of the runway said they heard no sound of a collision. Former La Paz County Supervisor Greg Upton stated he was at the end of the airport runway watching planes depart. He saw debris falling from the sky, but heard no impact from a collision.
?It can be described as long pieces of shredded metal falling out of the sky,? Upton stated.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Mike Fergus stated, ?A mid-air collision occurred 1.5 miles east of Parker ... between a Cessna 182 and a World War II Grumman Hellcat.? Fergus stated the National Transportation Safety Board's lead investigator George Peterson was in charge. An NTSB spokesman stated Peterson was at the scene of the crash in Parker on Monday and detailed information was not available.
Avi Suquilla Airport does not have an air traffic control tower, but runs a Unicom system, according to airport officials. Pilot advisories are the only information given which includes altimeter settings, wind speed and direction, recommended runway, whether it is a left or right pattern for approach.
The accident happened on the CRIT Reservation. The sponsor of the air show was the BlueWater Resort and Casino, a CRIT enterprise.
A participant in the air show crashed a vintage Russian YAK 11 plane on Thursday afternoon prior to the weekend air show, not far from the Saturday accident. The pilot suffered minor injuries.
Funeral services for Barbara Jones will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Parker Funeral Home. Bobby Hatch's service will be at 2 p.m., the same day, at Kingdom Hall.
Jones is survived by husband Jim; daughter, Tiffany; mother, Betty Trinko, of Bouse; mother-in-law, Edna Mae Jones, of Parker; sister Brenda Lee and brothers, Brian and Brad Hatch.
Barbara worked at the Parker Post Office for 17 years and was a longtime 4-H volunteer leader for equestrian events. She was also horse drill team leader for the Rapid Riders. ?Mom loved the community,? daughter Tiffany stated.
Bobby Hatch is survived by daughters, Vickie Hatch and Diana Jimenez; mother, Betty Trinko, of Bouse; sister, Brenda Lee; and brothers Brian and Brad Hatch. Hatch was a longtime Parker resident who moved to Yuma several years ago. He was a concrete contractor.