Warbird Information Exchange

Just heard this on our local evening news..here's the transcript from their website. Don't know what the specific type is, but I know there used to be a PT-19 based at the airport. Anybody have any more info?

SN



July 22, 2007 - 5:39PM

BRANCH COUNTY (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A 1942 vintage army trainer plane crashed upon takeoff in Coldwater Sunday. It happened as the open cockpit wooden propeller plane was taking off from the Branch County Memeorial Airport.

Michigan State Police say the pilot believes something broke on the plane during takeoff and caused him to lose control.

Police identify the pilot as James McDaniel of Ortonville, Michigan was treated and released.

His wife, Laurel McDaniel, was flown to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo with serious head injuries and 2 badly broken legs.

Laurel had to be cut out of the plane when the fuselage ripped off upon impact.

The F.A.A is now investigating.

Sad news.

FAA database suggests the McDaniels are co-owners of two Ryan PT-22's.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

They usually come in 3's, guess that one was #3, I hope all is ok.

Keep Jame and Laurel in your prayers folks. 2 badly broken legs and a head injury for Laurel sounds like she has a long road to recovery. Our prayers are with them.

The 11:00 news says Laurel is Stable in the ICU. Hopefully she'll be OK. As much as we all love these old planes..they're just worthless hunks of tin compared to a human life.

SN