GA crash near Welshpool
The Original Whirly
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I've only just heard, and I can hardly believe it. I've known Bob since I started learning to fly at Welshpool in the 1990s. I had a hard time in the early days, and he was always there to talk to; he told me afterwards it was obvious I was struggling and he wanted to keep an eye on me. Lovely, kind man, who'd been flying for ever. I've always considered him as a friend, not just an acquaintance, even after I moved out of the area.
Like others, I don't buy CFIT. Bob knew the area like the back of his hand; he wasn't going to fly into a hill four miles from Welshpool, no matter what the weather was doing! If something went wrong with the aircraft, there's always time for an abbreviated Mayday call. I suspect sudden pilot incapacitation, since nothing else seems to make sense. We'll find out, eventually. But it won't bring him back...
My sincere condolences to all friends and relatives of both of them.
Like others, I don't buy CFIT. Bob knew the area like the back of his hand; he wasn't going to fly into a hill four miles from Welshpool, no matter what the weather was doing! If something went wrong with the aircraft, there's always time for an abbreviated Mayday call. I suspect sudden pilot incapacitation, since nothing else seems to make sense. We'll find out, eventually. But it won't bring him back...
My sincere condolences to all friends and relatives of both of them.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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I suspect sudden pilot incapacitation, since nothing else seems to make sense.
He was a superb instructor who originally did my multi engine and IR training many moons ago.
He then left to follow a career with EasyJet rising to a position of Captain.
I saw him a few months ago and he was taking early retirement to relax on his smallholding with his wife.
At the time he told me he was going back to Welshpool to keep his hand in as an instructor and possibly a bit of air taxi.
Both pilots were highly experienced professionals and this accident has taken two good friends who I have spent much time with and learnt a lot from. Both really lovely guys.
A complete disaster all round and my heart goes out to their families and loved ones.
What happened where two such brilliant pilots could not sort it God only knows.
Pace
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Pace (and Whirley), you might want to take note that the name of the second pilot has not been officially released and the original post on here naming him has been deleted at the request of relatives.
G
It seems I am in the rather tragic position of knowing both the pilots who perished.
If you need to know details for some reason then Private Message me.
Its all utterly utterly ghastly.
WWW
If you need to know details for some reason then Private Message me.
Its all utterly utterly ghastly.
WWW
Bob's always owned the airfield. Pool Aviation used to be a company that operated the flying school in 2001. In later years they left. You could have done a PPL there and never seen or spoken to Bob.
WWW
WWW
It was the Navajo. In the early stages the rumour that swept the town was that 'the Control Techniques plane has crashed'. This was not the case.
WWW
WWW
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OK.
This is a bizzare accident. For once I would say that the AAIB report will be very interesting.
Not that this is intended to be in any way speculative on this sad accident (of which I know nothing) but a control jam (or some similar failure) is always a possibility. One is not going to be making radio calls then, especially on a departure from Welshpool where a lot of the time there is nobody on the radio anyway (if Bob was not on the radio himself).
I've just been doing a very careful post-Annual inspection (always do that, and then do the ACF-50 stuff, before the covers go back on) and found some old damage where heater pipes (ducts) were obviously fauling the controls, ever so slightly. This could not have happened since I went N-reg (and been closely involved in maintenance); it must have happened during the previous JAR-145 G-reg company maintenance (company no longer trading, and I am not talking of the former disti who has also gone bust). All kinds of stuff can bite you in this game...
This is a bizzare accident. For once I would say that the AAIB report will be very interesting.
Not that this is intended to be in any way speculative on this sad accident (of which I know nothing) but a control jam (or some similar failure) is always a possibility. One is not going to be making radio calls then, especially on a departure from Welshpool where a lot of the time there is nobody on the radio anyway (if Bob was not on the radio himself).
I've just been doing a very careful post-Annual inspection (always do that, and then do the ACF-50 stuff, before the covers go back on) and found some old damage where heater pipes (ducts) were obviously fauling the controls, ever so slightly. This could not have happened since I went N-reg (and been closely involved in maintenance); it must have happened during the previous JAR-145 G-reg company maintenance (company no longer trading, and I am not talking of the former disti who has also gone bust). All kinds of stuff can bite you in this game...
The Original Whirly
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You can still fly with control failure, and with two experienced pilots, one of them could quickly call 121.5. I would if I was about to crash in the hills.
But you're right, it is bizarre, as well as being so upsetting for those of us who knew anyone involved.
What about....carbon monoxide? Would you know about it before you were too incapacitated to land an aircraft?
But you're right, it is bizarre, as well as being so upsetting for those of us who knew anyone involved.
What about....carbon monoxide? Would you know about it before you were too incapacitated to land an aircraft?
The radio was probably tuned to 128.0 Welshpool Radio and it would take precious seconds to change so what advantage would 121.5 be?
Last edited by chevvron; 20th Jan 2012 at 16:18.
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What about....carbon monoxide? Would you know about it before you were too incapacitated to land an aircraft?
But a twin does not use engine exhaust heaters; AFAIK most use the Janitrol-type avgas heater, which is supposed to be a lot safer.
Calling 121.50 is pointless unless you are simply lost and have time to play.
The Press have released the name of the second pilot. Steve Carr who retired as a Captain with easyJet at Liverpool last September and ex-RAF. He leaves a wife and teenage family.
A lovely chap.
Please let us bear in mind the family and those very close to the deceased are reading these pages. Let the AAIB do it's work and let's discuss it then. There is no remotely compelling scenario nor enough evidence to construct one at this time. Let's not try.
WWW
A lovely chap.
Please let us bear in mind the family and those very close to the deceased are reading these pages. Let the AAIB do it's work and let's discuss it then. There is no remotely compelling scenario nor enough evidence to construct one at this time. Let's not try.
WWW
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I was shocked to hear Bob had been involved in this accident. Nobody new the local area better than he did. Nobody was more encouraging of aviation in Wales than Bob. I first met him when I did my PPL at Welshpool back in 1995, he was often at the airfield sharing his experience and passion for flying. I particularly remember an enthusiastic guided tour given by Bob of the Twin Commander, it was people like him who have inspired a generation of new pilots. Our paths crossed several times over the years as I made flying my profession. He always remembered people he had only met a couple of times previously and took a genuine interest in what they were doing. He will be sorely missed by everyone who came across him either at Welshpool or in the wider aviation community.
RIP Bob.
RIP Bob.