Fatal at White Waltham?
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Twyford, UK
I was heading back to our strip at around 4.30 from Headcorn, and decided to call into White Waltham for fuel. The Ops people asked if the landing at WW was "Imperative" as they had a major incident.
We diverted right away, but looks like there was a major accident of some kind for sure. On TV, (South Today, but I didn't hear the details) talked about "Crashed during Aerobatics"
We diverted right away, but looks like there was a major accident of some kind for sure. On TV, (South Today, but I didn't hear the details) talked about "Crashed during Aerobatics"
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 874
Likes: 13
From: South East.
Please be patient, gentlemen.
A proper announcement will be forthcoming after all the formalities have been observed.
Would like to say, however, how indebted we all are again to the usual rapid response of the airfield-based Fire Crews. These guys deserve our sincerest thanks and deepest sympathy.
A very harrowing day for all the competition pilots and instructors at WW.
Sleeve
A proper announcement will be forthcoming after all the formalities have been observed.
Would like to say, however, how indebted we all are again to the usual rapid response of the airfield-based Fire Crews. These guys deserve our sincerest thanks and deepest sympathy.
A very harrowing day for all the competition pilots and instructors at WW.
Sleeve
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: South East
There will be many tributes to the friend we lost at Waltham today. A Gentleman and a gentle man, he always had a nice word for all. A highly respected professional aviator and also "one of us" a man with passion for flight.
To echo sleeve wings comment. The groung guys and ops staff were superb. When we fly tommorow it will be reassuring you folks will be there for us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight.
Peace to all
Wide
To echo sleeve wings comment. The groung guys and ops staff were superb. When we fly tommorow it will be reassuring you folks will be there for us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight.
Peace to all
Wide
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Very sad news, I flew from WW on many occasions .....
Was their a competition of some sort running ?
Has the name been released ?
A friend has just emailed me who it was ..... apparently spun in whilst doing aeros in the overhead ...
I knew him both at WW and through work .... my deepest sympathies go out to his family ... a very sad and tragic accident, he was a very professional dedicated pilot ...rest in peace.
Was their a competition of some sort running ?
Has the name been released ?
A friend has just emailed me who it was ..... apparently spun in whilst doing aeros in the overhead ...
I knew him both at WW and through work .... my deepest sympathies go out to his family ... a very sad and tragic accident, he was a very professional dedicated pilot ...rest in peace.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
I learned of Mark's tragedy at Bodmin on Friday afternoon when I landed there for an aero's comp. It reduced me to tears.
An outstanding man. Many glasses were raised to him on Fri evening. Thoughts with B and their family.
Stik
An outstanding man. Many glasses were raised to him on Fri evening. Thoughts with B and their family.
Stik
Trent900 - THINK BIG
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: London
Hi Stik,
My sincere condolences to his wife, Alan and friends. I heard an accident had taken place but dismissed in my mind that it was Mark.
Last year you suggested that I go to the British Champs up at Sywell to watch the competition. (I was keen to do some aeros training and with hindsight it gave me a great opportunity to meet the guys and gals that love their sport).
I remember meeting Mark on the roof of the club house watching him go through his routine prior to competition. He went out of his way to encourage the sport even after he'd won the gold at the advanced level that day. Mark invited me to sit in his CAP222 - a truly inspiring aircraft versus my limited experience in PA28's and the Zlin242. I completely agree that he was a gentleman and homed in on his focus and modesty throughout.
Aerobatics just lost a true ambassador of the sport.
My condolences again,
EG
My sincere condolences to his wife, Alan and friends. I heard an accident had taken place but dismissed in my mind that it was Mark.
Last year you suggested that I go to the British Champs up at Sywell to watch the competition. (I was keen to do some aeros training and with hindsight it gave me a great opportunity to meet the guys and gals that love their sport).
I remember meeting Mark on the roof of the club house watching him go through his routine prior to competition. He went out of his way to encourage the sport even after he'd won the gold at the advanced level that day. Mark invited me to sit in his CAP222 - a truly inspiring aircraft versus my limited experience in PA28's and the Zlin242. I completely agree that he was a gentleman and homed in on his focus and modesty throughout.
Aerobatics just lost a true ambassador of the sport.
My condolences again,
EG
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: UK South
I flew with Alan last year and Mark joined us for lunch, quiet, calm and with a passion for what he did, he took time to encourage beginners like myself.
Mark, your words will never be forgotten.
All at WW must be devastated. Condolences to Family and Friends.
RIP
Mark, your words will never be forgotten.
All at WW must be devastated. Condolences to Family and Friends.
RIP
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,266
Likes: 1
From: Berkshire, UK
I was very sorry to hear the news... it may well have been Mark practising close to where I live earlier that day..
I must have spoken to Mark many times when I was a Heathrow controller....
God Bless Mark +
I must have spoken to Mark many times when I was a Heathrow controller....
God Bless Mark +
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 114
Likes: 9
From: Not far from Windsor castle.
Following the tragic death of Mark Walden in a light aircraft accident on Friday 8 July, funeral arrangements are as below:
There will be a service on Monday 25 July at 14.00 at:
St Giles Parish Church
Chalfont St Giles
Buckinghamshire
Followed by a burial at 15:30 at
Stanley Hill Cemetery
Off Stanley Hill
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
And then from 17:00 at
West London Aero Club
White Waltham Airfield
White Waltham
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 3NJ
Uniforms are optional.
Flowers may be sent to
Heritage and Sons
33-35 Hill Avenue
Amersham
Bucks
HP6 5BX
OR Donations may be made to the following charity
Cancer Treatment Research Trust (CTRT)
Registration number 292909
By sending a cheque to:
Professor Gordon Rustin
The Clock Tower
Mount Vernon Hospital
Rickmansworth Road
Northwood
HA6 2RN
There will be a service on Monday 25 July at 14.00 at:
St Giles Parish Church
Chalfont St Giles
Buckinghamshire
Followed by a burial at 15:30 at
Stanley Hill Cemetery
Off Stanley Hill
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
And then from 17:00 at
West London Aero Club
White Waltham Airfield
White Waltham
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 3NJ
Uniforms are optional.
Flowers may be sent to
Heritage and Sons
33-35 Hill Avenue
Amersham
Bucks
HP6 5BX
OR Donations may be made to the following charity
Cancer Treatment Research Trust (CTRT)
Registration number 292909
By sending a cheque to:
Professor Gordon Rustin
The Clock Tower
Mount Vernon Hospital
Rickmansworth Road
Northwood
HA6 2RN
Awesome but Affordable
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 3
From: Kings Cliffe
I shall try my level best to get down for the funeral and subsequent wake at White Waltham on Monday.
Mark was a fine aviator in so many fields and a dedicated aerobatic pilot destined for the highest levels of attainment. A tragedy indeed to have such talent and personality snatched so cruelly from our midst.
May Mark truly rest in peace; though he will have much to discuss with those other aerobatic piots who have passed on over the decades.
Our very deepest sympathy to those bereaved from the Tempest family.
Trapper 69
Mark was a fine aviator in so many fields and a dedicated aerobatic pilot destined for the highest levels of attainment. A tragedy indeed to have such talent and personality snatched so cruelly from our midst.
May Mark truly rest in peace; though he will have much to discuss with those other aerobatic piots who have passed on over the decades.
Our very deepest sympathy to those bereaved from the Tempest family.
Trapper 69
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 114
Likes: 9
From: Not far from Windsor castle.
The AAIB report on Mark's accident has been published and can be found at: http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publicati...d___g_gzoz.cfm
