Warbird Information Exchange

In light of the tragic loss of Gerry Beck and the accident at Oshkosh this dilemma appeared. Should th WIX staff allow the pictures of the crash to remain or since they are appearing all over the net should they stay or be pulled. I want the communities opinion on this.

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I personally have mixed emotions on this. The media have covered it quite well, so it's not like the pictures aren't plastered all over the web. But the warbird community as a whole is pretty small and it seems if you don't know someone, you know another person who does. Photos of this can bring about a myriad of emotions, especially if you personally know the individual involved.

On the other hand, if the photo can help us learn how another accident like it can be avoided, it seems reasonable to leave it. I don't think the photos of the current situation will help anyone learn anything, but I know some need to see the photos to believe what they are reading about.

I am an administrator on another message board and we have the same dilemma. I have received a number of e-mails and PMs on the other board lately that just after the accidents, they find that it's boards like these that have the most information, and often it's more accurate than the <cough cough> media. Tough call. I am interested to see what the others have to say here as it may also effect other boards.

I have mixed emotions on this topic as well. But I think the main thing is that we very often view fatal crash photos from WWII, and same with recent civil air disasters... that's quite normal.

I guess one thing that makes it a little unsettling is the fact that the images are so recent, and are of someone many people of WIX knew personally.

one thing I can't stand for are images of the victims of crashes like this. Mangled metal is one thing, but seeing flesh and blood is not ok with me.

I think people should be able to post pictures of crashes, but refrain from posting anything with the victims in it.

-David

My reaction to this situation is probably biased by my scotch-irish ancestry and traditions. I think we have to look at this from the standpoint that we are all adults and we must accept the deaths of friends, family and complete strangers. At the same time, we have chosen to be part of an aviation oriented community - a community which by its very nature confronts us with certain tragedies more often than we might encounter elsewhere.

As unfortunate as the occurrence and the historical imagery recording it may seem at first, it is my opinion that it is as much a part of this forum as anything else we see posted.

Doug

A compromise might be to link to the photos but not to display them directly. Then members can look at them when and if they want to.

It's a very hard call to make. While I have never met those involved in the crash, they are very difficult/painful pictures to see. While I originally voted to leave the picture, it might be a better idea to just put up the links to the news that has pictures of it. If it were someone I knew, at this time I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to see the pictures of the accident, and would prefer to be left with the option to go to a news link to see the pictures if I wanted to. Currently while trying to get news of the accident, you're in a way forced to see the pictures from this accident.

I know the intentions of the pictures posted were not meant any disrespects............Sincerely, Roger

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Doug...Well well said and totally appropriate to our forum. Thanks

Mudge

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Land of the free because of the brave

BDK has a good suggestion.

-David

Mixed as well, I guess if there are no fatalities or injurys, possibly post the photos. Or if the aircraft in question is near and dear to someone that would be hurt just by seeing the photos, then I guess it's a question of common sense.

All in all, if it at all hurts anyones feelings, then there's your answer. Only you will know inside. Be kind, considerate and respectful .... always.

Three passions have governed my life:
The longings for love, the search for knowledge,
And unbearable pity for the suffering.

Love brings ecstasy and relieves loneliness.
In the union of love I have seen
In a mystic miniature the prefiguring vision
Of the heavens that saints and poets have imagined.

With equal passion I have sought knowledge.
I have wished to understand the hearts of people.
I have wished to know why the stars shine.

Love and knowledge led upwards to the heavens,
But always pity brought me back to earth;
Cries of pain reverberated in my heart
Of children in famine, of victims tortured
And of a loss of loved ones.
I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot,
And I too suffer.

This has been my life; I found it worth living.

Because this is a warbird enthusiast site, which many owner/operators and thier family members frequent. Many I have had the luxury to call friend over the years. The internet is full of sites that will have these photos, does this need to be another? I'd rather think that this site, and the WIX members take the upper road, which, is more sensitive and protecting of the families and let the grieving process work. We have the mainstream media outlets such as CNN for the cold hard facts.

I would like not to see any wreckage photos, instead I would rather, see a tribute honoring the contributions of this fine person, our small aviation community is now a lesser place.

To the ones that will argue my points, seeing these photos only satisfies one's morbid curiosity. That's understandabley human nature, but, that is also what PMs are for. I ask you would you have that same curiosity if your wife, brother, father or mother were involved in a accident?

Blue skies and tailwinds, my prayers and condolences to the Beck family

Warren Cook

As a pilot and father of a young pilot, I think its important for us to analyze, in a respectful manner, what went wrong. My son flies acro and formation with me quite often, and I want him to see how unforgiving this kind of flying can be, even with aviators we all look up to.
For me, it doesn't get any better than seeing my son grinning at me right off my wing. But I want him to know that one mistake can end it all.

Steve G

I say leave them but link them so you don't have to look if you don't want to, these photo's while hard to look at are a reminder of how dangerous flying these old planes are, besides who knows NTSB/FAA may look in these types of forums for crash photos taken by folks like us to help put the pieces of the puzzle together. Just a thought

I think BDK's suggestion is a sensible way forward. Those who wish to see the photos can access them to add context, those who don't wish to see them have the choice.

Well said! I think the pics should be posted so people can learn from these accidents. To hide the crash pics is to pretend nothing ever happened. Just my 2 cents.

John

The Media did a fair job on this story,but they can't be trusted all the time. Posting the pictures allows us to view the facts for ourselves and not rely on some editor to show us what he thinks we want to see. We don't need any more filters to shield us!
God Bless you Gerry and my prayers are with your family