L-39 down at Tico (Titusville, FL)?

lmritger · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:05 pm

Just saw a blurb on Local 6 out of Orlando that there was a plane crash at Titusville this afternoon, and someone on Hyperscale mentioned an L-39... anyone have more details?

Here's hoping the crew made it ok...

Lynn

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Local news station reporting that the pilot was killed. Sympathies to all involved.

http://www.local6.com/news/11272719/detail.html

B29Gunner · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:24 pm

I watched him go in..unbelievable............

wls3 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:40 pm

I left around 1:00 because weather delayed flying.
Watching it on local news now. I can't believe it.

`

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:09 pm

That sucks! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Silverplate · **Posted:** Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:03 pm

From Aeronews

L-39 Down At Titusville Airshow, Pilot Killed
Fri, 16 Mar '07
ANN REALTIME REPORTING 03.16.07 1600 EDT: Aero-News has learned the pilot of an L-39 was killed Friday afternoon, when the single-engine jet crashed during a performance at the Tico Warbird Airshow in Titusville, FL.
Officials at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX) told Florida Today the pilot, Eilon Krugman-Kaldi, 58, was killed in the accident.
Witnesses say Krugman-Kaldi was performing a loop when he crashed shortly after 2:30 pm. One witness, Tom Erickson, said it appeared the pilot realized he was too close to the ground during the maneuver, and attempted to pull out of the loop.
"I said to myself that looks too low," Erikson said. "Why was he so low to the ground? This was a disaster."
Former Golden Knights Army parachute team member Dennis West also saw the plane crash.
"I was watching one plane before that doing some acrobatic stuff," he said. "When that plane was done, I saw a jet in the air and I turned to watch him. The plane was heading south 2,000 feet off the ground, then all of a sudden it just went straight down. I couldn't hear the impact but I saw the big black puff of smoke."
The accident occurred minutes after the airfield had reopened, following a rain shower. Friday was the first day of the planned three-day event.

VERY SAD

RickH · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:00 am

Apparently this was the pilot's first airshow performance.

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

A film of the accident here...... http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=861_1174085714

A very sad start to the 2007 airshow season. Condolences to the pilot's family and friends.

oscardeuce · **Joined:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:34 am **Posts:** 1021

Blue Skies and RIP

Broken-Wrench · **Joined:** Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:37 pm **Posts:** 1197

Silverplate wrote:

From Aeronews

L-39 Down At Titusville Airshow, Pilot Killed
Fri, 16 Mar '07
ANN REALTIME REPORTING 03.16.07 1600 EDT: Aero-News has learned the pilot of an L-39 was killed Friday afternoon, when the single-engine jet crashed during a performance at the Tico Warbird Airshow in Titusville, FL.
Officials at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX) told Florida Today the pilot, Eilon Krugman-Kaldi, 58, was killed in the accident.
Witnesses say Krugman-Kaldi was performing a loop when he crashed shortly after 2:30 pm. One witness, Tom Erickson, said it appeared the pilot realized he was too close to the ground during the maneuver, and attempted to pull out of the loop.
"I said to myself that looks too low," Erikson said. "Why was he so low to the ground? This was a disaster."
Former Golden Knights Army parachute team member Dennis West also saw the plane crash.
"I was watching one plane before that doing some acrobatic stuff," he said. "When that plane was done, I saw a jet in the air and I turned to watch him. The plane was heading south 2,000 feet off the ground, then all of a sudden it just went straight down. I couldn't hear the impact but I saw the big black puff of smoke."
The accident occurred minutes after the airfield had reopened, following a rain shower. Friday was the first day of the planned three-day event.

VERY SAD

Was that Woody.. The pilot with one leg? No I'm not kidding?

fotobass · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:50 pm

Sure sounded like someone yelled 'Woody!' on that video after impact...

skymstr02 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:52 pm

I don't ever remember signing a waiver at an airshow where the VFR cloud clearances were waived. Has anyone had a such a waiver at an airshow?

mlenoch · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:50 pm

Clear of clouds remains today on waivers.
Thx,
VL

Broken-Wrench · **Joined:** Sun Oct 24, 2004 12:37 pm **Posts:** 1197

!

fotobass wrote:

Sure sounded like someone yelled 'Woody!' on that video after impact...

I hope not

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Video wasn't clear, but was he in a spin coming out of the clouds?

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L-39 down at Tico (Titusville, FL)?

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