Stearman Pilot charged with negligent homicide....

[Warbirdnerd]

Very sad story for all invlolved:

From ANN:http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=dce3e1a4-10df-4606-84f2-970d6b2ddc60

Pilot In 2004 Biplane Accident To Be Charged With Negligent Homicide Plane Impacted Power Lines During Volunteer Flight

A tragic 2004 plane accident during
a charity fundraising event has taken yet another sad turn, as
authorities plan to pursue homicide charges against the pilot who
survived.

The Stevens Point (WI) Journal reports Mark Strub will soon face
a single charge of negligent homicide stemming from the August 28,
2004 crash that killed passenger Kimberly Reed.

Reed, 39, was one of several passengers Strub gave
10-minute rides to in his Stearman PT-13 during the 2004 Children's
Miracle Network Balloon Rally in Wisconsin Rapids. Strub had
volunteered his time and plane for the event.

According to the NTSB Probable Cause report on the crash, Strub
said he had given three people free rides prior to the accident
flight. Reed has asked for an aerobatic flight, so with both
persons wearing parachutes the plane departed, and climbed to 3,000
feet AGL.

After performing one Cuban eight, a loop, and two hammerhead
stalls, Strub and Reed were heading back to the airport, at an
altitude of about 50 feet over the Wisconsin river.

"Just as I was to initiate a climb I struck power lines crossing
the river," Strub told investigators. "I noticed the power lines
not more that 1/2 second before impact."

The Stearman's landing gear struck the powerlines, and the
airplane landed inverted in Nepco Lake in about 3-4 feet of water.
Officials believe Reed was killed on impact; Strub escaped with
minor injuries.

In an interview with the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune three
days after the crash, Strub said he continued to relive the
crash "every ten minutes."

"I didn't even know her name," Strub told the paper. "She came
up to me, of course, trusting me with her life, and wanted the
experience. That's why I was there. How did that turn tragic? I
have no real answer."

Friends and fellow pilots quickly rallied to the 44-year-old pilot's
defense.

"It's just such a tragedy what happened," said Mike Wiberg to
the Daily Tribune. "The guy is donating his time, sharing flying
experiences with people who have never flown before. When I first
saw the airplane, I thought 'Oh, my god.'"

The NTSB report:
http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_i ... 1341&key=1

[lmritger]

What a terrible story. Am I being overly paranoid in thinking that if this proceeds and the pilot is found guilty, it will essentially kill any chance of pilots taking paying passengers up for a flight for fear of insurance or legal ramifications?

Lynn

[Ztex]

Am I being overly paranoid

NO

What do you think nearly killed general aviation?

Lawsuits that held that a manufacturer should not build an airplane that is capable of crashing and causing harm to the users....Look at the UK and their warbird insurance troubles. We'll be lucky if we even able to walk in a hundred years..can be dangerous ya know...

[mustangdriver]

It is a very sad case for several reasons. The first is because this guy was nice enough to volunteer his time and plane for this event. I believe that he had everyone's best interest at heart. It is also sad that people would pursue that knowing this. Another issue is that this could be huge in the eyes of the government to stop giving warbird rides. THe government wants to ground warbirds any way, and are just looking for an excuse to do so. The real tragedy here is that a pilot wanted to do something nice, and helkp out an organization, and a bunch of kids, and because of one dumb mistake(which we all make form time to time), he may have to pay for that for the rest of his life.

[Warbirdnerd]

A local Mustang owner/pilot replies to all inquiries about the lack of back seat in his Mustang with the following:
"I am a wealthy man and intend to stay one..."

[mustangdriver]

I know what you mean. It is just sad that soon there are even fewer people that are going to get to ride in a warbird. Since I got to fly the B-17 from the right seat, it has already been changed that you can no longer go onto the flight deck.

[Mudge]

I get REALLY tired of our elected (and appointed) officials "protecting" us from ourselves. They're of the opinion that if they don't meddle in something every day, they're not doing their "job".

It's my life, keep your hands off it.

Mudge the individualist

Last edited by Mudge on Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

[T33driver]

What a terrible story. Am I being overly paranoid in thinking that if this proceeds and the pilot is found guilty, it will essentially kill any chance of pilots taking paying passengers up for a flight for fear of insurance or legal ramifications?

Lynn

Hard to say, but it's another sober reminder of why we all need to fly our airplanes like Eagle Scouts and resist the temptation to push the envelope beyond legal/safe bounds. The article said the FAA inspector found the pilot guilty of violating specific FARs so local law enforcement is picking up that ball and running with it. Regardless if they can't get someone on specific FAR violations, and there's the ever-present "careless and reckless" rap the Feds can always pin on a pilot involved in an incident or accident, especially a dead pilot who can't defend themselves. Perhaps it's not much different than willfully disobeying traffic laws while driving a car and killing someone in the process. We've all broken traffic laws, and most of the time it's not a big deal, but in some cases it can be a big deal leading to tragedy and trouble with the law. I'm going to continue giving rides and keep this Stearman story in the back of my mind as another reminder to do everything in my control to stay out of the headlines.

Last edited by T33driver on Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:40 am, edited 2 times in total.

[warbirddriver]

Very sad story indeed. But I have to ask...............what the hell was he doing flying 50' over the river?? Mustangdriver says that the guv'ment is trying to ground warbirds. Well my friend, we sure don't help our cause when we do stupid things. All of us who fly have been there done that. And yes, my hand is up too. However, when we are entrusted with the safety, and lives of others, that is a responsibility that we must take seriously, no matter what kind of airplane we fly. I'm sure the thrill of buzzing the water would have been the same at 100' as it was at 50'. The non-flyinig passenger wouldn't know the difference. Only WE, the flying ace, knows the difference and it is one that shouldn't be shared when in unknown territory. While tragic, this is an example of a preventable accident. We have to stop being our own worst enemies.

Glenn Goldman

[warbirddriver]

>> Since I got to fly the B-17 from the right seat, it has already been changed that you can no longer go onto the flight deck.<<

Mustangdriver......the rule was always there..........it just wasn't enforced. The FAR's are very clear that a multi-crew airplane must have 2 current and qualified pilots at the controls.

[Rogue]

So true, Glenn,

Warbird or a Cub.

[mustangdriver]

warbirddriver, the B-17 info is interesting. I did not know that. For a while it was weven advertised that you got to sit at the wheel. As froo this pilot's 50' rule, I have to say that I agree with you. He had no business doing that. That was the first thing that cmae into my mind, but I didn't want to start an arguement, or in case the pilot was here, hurt his feelings, as I am sure he feels low enough.

[Bill Greenwood]

In a absolute way I have always wondered why it is that airplanes can turn joy into tragedy so quickly. I wonder if the wires had any markers on them. I feel sorry for all involved. However just reading the report, I think 3000' is too low to be during vertical manuevers like a loop and expecially hammerheads, with a passenger. That is not giving a child much time to use the parachute if something goes wrong, especially if it is a control failure or something major. I do not know the pilot personally or by name, I'll bet he is pretty much like the rest of us, and this sort of accident is something I dread.

[Warbirdnerd]

For what it is worth, starting back when I was volunteering at Planes of Fame East, I made sure my parents knew that if I was fortunate enough to get a ride and something horrible happened, I did not want them to sue anyone. My wife is aware of my wishes as well...

[Jack Cook]

A reminder of an earlier incident with a T-6 with luckily no fatalities.
Fly safe.....PLEASE!