Horribly sad

[EA757]

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/artic ... ay-kills-3

[FlyGy]

Sad indeed, such a waste of a good twin Comanche.

[EA757]

Sorry to confuse you FlyGy,
but I was referring to the loss
of human life..

[CFR]

Sorry to confuse you FlyGy,
but I was referring to the loss
of human life..

I'm pretty sure he wasn't confused.

If the two passengers were unaware that it was a stolen plane and that their "pilot" was not qualified, then it is sad for two out of three, if they all were aware ... not so much.

[FlyGy]

CFR gets it.

[Sidebar]

Let's just hope this guy didn't contribute anything to the gene pool.

[burhead1]

fuel efficiency and airplane?
"airplane that he was not qualified to fly at nigh"
Apparently your piper sucks as it can't fly at night.

[bizjets101]

This is a real picture taken at the airport the plane went missing from,
it's Alabama, what more can I say??? Alabama Security - if you can't read, you can't get in . . .



Agree, not a good story, victims of the accident were 16, and 17 years old, kids.

News Story

[chinglish]

I have to agree with FlyGy, it was a waste of a perfectly good aircraft. They got what they deserved! I shouldn't be worried about leaving my possessions unlocked but that isn't the world we live in.

[Meatservo]

Dumb ways to die...so many dumb ways to die...

[Dutchpilotguy]

[North Shore]

Poor decision-making; but at 16/17, IIRC, decision making isn't quite as finely refined as later on in life... Heckuva penalty to pay. And horribly sad for the families.

[pelmet]

Can't people like this(such as the pilot) just finish themselves off in a single car accident. I would very much like to fly a Twin Comanche some day and it annoys me that some idiot made it just a little more difficult.

[bizjets101]

The pilot held a student pilots certificate, was very good friends of the owner of the aircraft - flew the aircraft with the owner many times - and the Owner gave him a key to the aircraft.

It was reported as taken without the owners consent, not stolen. Whether his two 16 year old friends were aware the pilot was licensed or not is unknown, however the fact he flew the aircraft often was known.

Either way it remains a tragic accident regardless of why they had the aircraft.

'Walker County sheriff's Chief Deputy James Painter says authorities are still investigating but believe the teenagers took the plane without permission and were "sort of joyriding in it" before it crashed Tuesday night.'

And the press turn this statement into a full blown reckless theft, and posters above dance on the graves - glad that outlook isn't part of my life. PS: Karma

[flyinthebug]

Sorry to confuse you FlyGy,
but I was referring to the loss
of human life..

BIG PLUS 1!!

The lack of empathy on this forum at times is quite shocking. Three KIDS lost their lives based on a stupid decision. There is not a single member of this forum that didnt make a stupid decision(s) at that age...we all just got lucky and these kids didnt. To say its a loss of a perfectly good airplane is the most distasteful thing ive read on here in a LONG time.

Kids always make bad decisions. Our best hope is that they dont suffer severe consequences for their actions...and some of you idiots sit here and talk about the loss of a weak ass twin engine plane...while 3 teens are laying dead and their parents, friends, family are all in shock and suffering. Show some f*cking respect!!!

Unbelievable.

To the family that may read this, I apologize for my peers responses to this. I guess they forget the mistakes they all made in their teens. 35 years ago, we thought it was fun to get a bottle of whiskey and load the car up with as many people we could fit in a 1972 Chevy Belair (8 on a good day) then drive 100 mph down dirt roads and laughing our asses off the whole time...completely oblivious to the danger that surrounded us. Sadly, my best friend died doing just that at 17 years old. At that age, we didnt consider consequences for our actions, we just did it if it was fun. I dont think that has changed in 40 years or 400 years. Boys will be boys and although we know this was a 100% preventable accident, I think its important we all step back and remember what it was like to be 17.

Rant over. Fly safe all.
FTB

*Edit... In my shock over this thread, I forgot the most important part of my rant... to send my most sincere condolences to the family & friends of those lost in this tragedy.

To ea757...maybe a little of both!

[bizjets101]

Victims, Student Pilot Age 17 Jordan Smith - had been flying since age 14, earned a scholarship to Wallace State Community College - his Dad is a Alabama State Trooper and member of the Alabama National Guard - currently serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Parents had planned to purchase an airplane for him in his senior year.

Passengers were Brandon Tyler Ary, 19, and Jordan Seth Montgomery, 17. (also reported as 18).

Aircraft crashed about a mile from the airport, with overcast skies and low cloud ceiling.

[EA757]

Bizjets101,
Thanks for those updates.
Most important to the story.

Flyinthebug,
The lack of empathy is really sickening...
Or is it just ignorance??

[FlyGy]

Bizjets101,
Thanks for those updates.
Most important to the story.

Flyinthebug,
The lack of empathy is really sickening...
Or is it just ignorance??

Glad I could help you to elevate your holier than thouness.

[bizjets101]

Added to the mix, owner of the aircraft was Sammie Earnest (age 65+), however the aircraft N7700Y a 1965 Twin Commanche 160 had been deregistered back in July 2012.

So not only was the pilot unlicensed, so was the airplane . . .

[grimey]

I feel bad for the two passengers. Assuming they weren't pilots, they probably didn't understand how unqualified the idiot pilot was being. As for the guy who stole a plane and killed his two friends, not so much.