Wed May 11, 2005 6:24 am
lmritger wrote:That was the first aircraft I ever flew... N453WA was #3, with the dark green fuselage and yellow wings and tail unit. Took a flight in her in Jan 04, best 15 minutes of my life to that point.
Then it would be this one...
http://community.webshots.com/photo/287 ... 1331qpKUxa
Mike
Wed May 11, 2005 8:38 pm
That was the aircraft me and Chuck flew formation with. My thoughts go out to the familes of those involved.
Wed May 11, 2005 11:23 pm
This is sad news indeed. When Jon was first hired, I did about 4 or 5 hours of his training in the Texan. He was a good pilot, a good friend and will be sorely missed.
-J
Fri May 13, 2005 5:23 pm
Hello,
theres a good article in todays ANN
I could not copy and paste it but it mentions an "in flight breakup"
Heres a link:
http://www.aero-news.net/
theres a good article in todays ANN
I could not copy and paste it but it mentions an "in flight breakup"
Heres a link:
http://www.aero-news.net/
Fri May 13, 2005 7:20 pm
I believe that this was the "student":
http://www.taskresearch.com/few.htm
http://www.fighterescortwings.com/
http://www.taskresearch.com/few.htm
http://www.fighterescortwings.com/
Sun May 15, 2005 6:25 am
Here's the direct link to the ann article if anybody needs it.
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?Cont ... 44812d367&
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?Cont ... 44812d367&
Mon May 16, 2005 6:49 pm
Hey all,
This was in todays AVFLASH E-Mail:
SNJ OPERATOR WARNS AGAINST AEROBATICS
Warbird Adventures is urging all owners of T-6s, Harvards and SNJs to stop performing aerobatics in the aircraft until the results of an investigation into the loss of one of its SNJs last week are released. In a statement on its Web site, the company says it will cease operations until the results are known. The SNJ, with pilot Jonathon Hedgecock, of Kissimmee, Fla., and passenger Jim Kern, of Springer, Okla., crashed a week ago in dense woods near Lake Pierce, and an in-flight airframe failure is the suspected cause. The company says it has been told by the FAA that there will be no Emergency Airworthiness Directive issued until after the laboratory review is complete.
Link: www.avweb.com
This was in todays AVFLASH E-Mail:
SNJ OPERATOR WARNS AGAINST AEROBATICS
Warbird Adventures is urging all owners of T-6s, Harvards and SNJs to stop performing aerobatics in the aircraft until the results of an investigation into the loss of one of its SNJs last week are released. In a statement on its Web site, the company says it will cease operations until the results are known. The SNJ, with pilot Jonathon Hedgecock, of Kissimmee, Fla., and passenger Jim Kern, of Springer, Okla., crashed a week ago in dense woods near Lake Pierce, and an in-flight airframe failure is the suspected cause. The company says it has been told by the FAA that there will be no Emergency Airworthiness Directive issued until after the laboratory review is complete.
Link: www.avweb.com
Thu May 19, 2005 7:28 pm
I appreciate everyones conern. It meant a lot to me to see the posts here. It has been a tough week and a half for me and my coworkers. Jon was a great pilot and a great guy. He was always smiling and had something to say about everything. He had great stories about crop dusting and teaching students. We miss him dearly.
Thu May 19, 2005 8:34 pm
Chuck Gardner wrote:I appreciate everyones conern. It meant a lot to me to see the posts here. It has been a tough week and a half for me and my coworkers. Jon was a great pilot and a great guy. He was always smiling and had something to say about everything. He had great stories about crop dusting and teaching students. We miss him dearly.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend Chuck. I am wishing you and your co-workers at Warbird Aventures all the best and that you may find a way through your grief.
Mike
Last edited by mrhenniger on Fri May 20, 2005 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Fri May 20, 2005 8:34 am
Chuck, You hang in there buddy. Times like this are very trying on one's being. You & your folks down ther have been in our thoughts & prayers.
Take Care!
Robbie
Take Care!
Robbie
Fri May 20, 2005 11:57 am
Chuck et al--
Such awful news, and heartache on heartache too, just when WA were bouncing back from the hangar collapse. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole WA "family" and especially to the families of the Texan crew.
Steve T
Such awful news, and heartache on heartache too, just when WA were bouncing back from the hangar collapse. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole WA "family" and especially to the families of the Texan crew.
Steve T
Fri May 20, 2005 12:32 pm
That is the worst thing that can happen to a pilot. Something beyond their control, that's very sad.
Mon May 23, 2005 2:43 am
Chuck Gardner wrote:He had great stories about crop dusting and teaching students. We miss him dearly.
Did he ever show you the photo of him flying the Air Tractor with the grass stains on the mains? Or when he was still living in TN and he and a buddy came across the KKK "meeting" in the woods.
When he first moved to FL and was still living in the hotel he would do his laundry at my place, eat dinner and torture my wife's cats. He would exclaim, "Cats hate this!" and then proceed to show us what they hate.
For some reason, the cats came back for more.
Thu May 26, 2005 7:27 pm
Jon always bothered the ramp cats at work. They didnt seem to mind too much and always came back to him.
WA has put up a page about Jon and some of the investigation going on into the accident.
http://warbirdadventures.com/jon_hedgecock.htm
WA has put up a page about Jon and some of the investigation going on into the accident.
http://warbirdadventures.com/jon_hedgecock.htm
Thu May 26, 2005 8:02 pm
Hi Chuck:
Not to specualte too much, but did the attach angle inself fail? If so, was it one of the lower or upper ones?
Thanks,
Chris
Not to specualte too much, but did the attach angle inself fail? If so, was it one of the lower or upper ones?
Thanks,
Chris