Goodbye to Muchacho

Right Seat Captain · Post by **Right Seat Captain** » Thu May 27, 2004 5:42 am

Last week, Mehdi Azali, aka Muchacho on this forum, has died in the United States. I am personally not familiar with the circumstances, but I do understand it has something to do with aviation. I would like to express my condolenses to his family. I know that on this forum he has spoken very positively about his family, and has been a positive influence in this forum.

The Ottawa Flying Club is holding a remembrance get-together in Ottawa this Saturday May 29th from 7-10 P.M., BYOB and if you have photos bring them along and share a funny story. Mehdi would want all those who knew him to have a good time.

... · Post by **...** » Thu May 27, 2004 6:11 am

This is really close to home. I am shakened by this news. My condolences to the family. It is a sad day in aviation.

M.T.

Seb · Post by **Seb** » Thu May 27, 2004 6:22 am

Boy oh boy, this one strikes little too close to home. Little more info here :
http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cf ... 1849&rfi=6
Condolences to the family

Yoyoma · Post by **Yoyoma** » Thu May 27, 2004 6:49 am

I've been starring at my screen for a while now...I reread the last emails he sent me...I had been without replies for over 2 1/2 months now!! I wanted to help him with an overseas job! BTW he has twice the hours stated in the News article!

F@*K...His 1st PM sent to me was "Hey, you know I left a 100K $ job to fly...!" It was during that time I was seeking advice about leaving aviation...

Goodbye!

fche · Post by **fche** » Thu May 27, 2004 7:01 am

http://www.faa.gov/avr/aai/iirform.htm

IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 3161M Make/Model: C310 Description: 310, T310 (U-3, L-27)
Date: 05/15/2004 Time: 0923

Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed

LOCATION
City: WILLOUGHBY State: OH Country: US

DESCRIPTION
ACFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, ONE PERSON ON BOARD WAS FATALLY
INJURED, ACFT WAS DESTROYED, WILLOUGHBY, OH

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 1 Fat: 1 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

WEATHER: 08542 30009KT GSM -RA ABR BKN006

OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: General Aviation

Departed: WILLOUGHBY, OH Dep Date: 05/15/2004 Dep. Time: 0920
Destination: DAYTON, OH Flt Plan: IFR Wx Briefing: U
Last Radio Cont: DEPARTED RY 23 APRX I MILE
Last Clearance: RADAR CONTACT

FAA FSDO: CLEVELAND, OH (GL25) Entry date: 05/17/2004

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Thu May 27, 2004 7:05 am

My sincerest condolences to friends and family. I didn't know him personally, but he was part of my aviation freternity through this forum.

Rest in peace.

Bcn-In-Bnd · Post by **Bcn-In-Bnd** » Thu May 27, 2004 7:11 am

I just did a search for his posts, so i could remember him.
My prayers go out to him and his FAMILY.

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/search.php?mode=results

Panama Jack · Post by **Panama Jack** » Thu May 27, 2004 7:42 am

I am beyond words, beyond expressing my condolences to friends and family. One thing that distinguished him was his enthusiasm for aviation, as evidenced by Yoyoma's comments.

Thank you, Right Seat Captain, for bringing this to our attention.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Thu May 27, 2004 8:24 am

My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.

I am in shock. He wrote me on May 11 about survery flying - we were both flying in FL at the same time.....Even heard him on the Radio....Although I didn't know him outside of this forum, I feel like I have lost a friend.....He will be missed.

Phlyer · Post by **Phlyer** » Thu May 27, 2004 8:37 am

Thanks RSC for that.
We were in touch on a regular basis - although I never met him in person I have lost a friend. He was helped me out a lot with my photo projects and was a super nice, positive guy who loved to fly and aviation in general.
Rest in Peace my friend.
FF

Post by **avcanada** » Thu May 27, 2004 8:54 am

I am truly sadden to hear of Mr. Mehdi Azali passing. I have probably read all of his posts and in a way feel like I know him well.

I will miss him, I will miss reading his messages. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

If anyone would like to make a donation to Mr. Azali's family please feel free to make it by clicking on the paypal "make a donation" link on AvCanada's homepage. I will make sure your kindness gets forwarded to his family.

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Thu May 27, 2004 8:54 am

Only know him through this board, but if his contributions here truly reflect the man, we just lost a stand-up fellow. A sad day.

N2 · Post by N2 » Thu May 27, 2004 8:56 am

PM'd back and forth a few times with him and it's sad to hear this news. My sympathies go out to all involved.

Seb · Post by **Seb** » Thu May 27, 2004 9:04 am

I dont mean to hijack the thread but this has been on my mind for the past little while and in light of this topic i thought it might be fitting. How do you approach news like this, do you think it could happen to you? Do you allow yourself to think like that or do you block it out? Just trying to find out if this train of thought keeps you ahead of the plane or does it scare the hell out of you, maybe both. Can you recall a moment you ever considered leaving aviation because you were simply too scared, what made you stay?

... · Post by **...** » Thu May 27, 2004 9:51 am

Seb wrote:I dont mean to hijack the thread but this has been on my mind for the past little while and in light of this topic i thought it might be fitting. How do you approach news like this, do you think it could happen to you? Do you allow yourself to think like that or do you block it out? Just trying to find out if this train of thought keeps you ahead of the plane or does it scare the hell out of you, maybe both. Can you recall a moment you ever considered leaving aviation because you were simply too scared, what made you stay?

You think we have control of fate in such matters? I'm not really sure. However it seems like when your "boarding call" is announced, you're going whether you want to or not.

Drive an airplane or drive a desk. It does not matter my friend....does not matter....

Phlyer · Post by **Phlyer** » Thu May 27, 2004 9:56 am

I was going through my PMs from the old forum and here are a few words from Mehdi - these show the kind of caring person he was:

"My Cyber friend, Fotoflyer:

Another year has come an gone. I am lucky to be able to add
500+ hours to my log book. I also consider myslelf lucky to
have come across your acquaintance ... It is amazing how this
works, there are times that I wonder if this cyber is stronger
than the real thing. I have pondered over your advice, suggestions
and hopes without even having to have a drink with you.

For all it's worth, have a merry Christmas and a happy new year
my friend. Hopefully this year will be a better year for all
of us and Santa will let us spread our wings without too much
worries.

Keep the Blue side up.
Mehdi (a.k.a Muchacho)"

FF

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Thu May 27, 2004 10:41 am

Another of our group has gone, however I like to look at that he was doing what he wanted most......flying.

E. Gann said it best........Fate is the hunter.

Cat

Panama Jack · Post by **Panama Jack** » Thu May 27, 2004 11:24 am

Seb wrote:How do you approach news like this, do you think it could happen to you? Do you allow yourself to think like that or do you block it out? Just trying to find out if this train of thought keeps you ahead of the plane or does it scare the hell out of you, maybe both. Can you recall a moment you ever considered leaving aviation because you were simply too scared, what made you stay?

Well, the aviation community is a small one and it is unfortunate that events are the ones that bring out a fraternal atmosphere. Anybody's leaving us before his time makes us reflect, whether it is muchacho, or the 30-something healthy fellow who one day falls over dead from a heart attack.

We hear of aviation accidents around the world on a regular basis, but we tend to sometimes regard it with the same indifference as other world events. However, when it is someone we know, it makes us think. And thinking is good! Most experienced pilots will relate a few friends who died early, for whatever reason, and will say it could have been them to. From this they wean their respect for aviation, as well as caution.

I remember having done an aircraft crash survival investigation course, and after learning what I did and seeing pictures, I noticed that I started being considerably more cautious about aviation that I used to. In fact, the first preflight I did after that class was probably the longest one I've ever done! Following the publication of the report of a regional airline accident in the US, one pilot wrote "if an experienced professional flight crew can mess up on an uncomplicated instrument approach, then so can I!"

Time to reflect. Another opportunity to learn something.

Yoyoma · Post by **Yoyoma** » Thu May 27, 2004 11:41 am

I don' know if pilots do block it out and it's funny you say that because I just hung up the phone after a long conversation regarding this! I have to admit that while flying, I never thought of myself getting killed in a crash... I always kept in mind the dangers and when something went wrong, I always was there to react and take corrective actions.

I found this picture...I don't know if it's appropriate to post it but I thought it reflected what everybody thouht of him!

Mehdi Azali a.k.a Muchacho

You'll be missed!

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Thu May 27, 2004 12:39 pm

Normally posting PIC's of someone is inappropriate, but that is a good picture, he looks truely happy.....brings a tear to my eyes.
Damn I've had too many friends burried...fly safe folks.

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Thu May 27, 2004 12:48 pm

muchacho
Rank 1

Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 27
Location: US/Canada
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:09 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aviation is a wonderful and rewarding career ... I have had many hardships but I am proud to be a pilot. For those of you who complain and blame everything on Aviation ... Do yourself a favor and choose a different path, fly a desk and get a 9-5 job. If you come back, then you understand .... after all you dont know how great flying is until you leave it ... Like a great LOVER

I liked his attitude. His posts will be missed on the forum.

CJ

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Thu May 27, 2004 2:15 pm

Thanks co-joe. I remember reading that post. There's a lot of stand upp people here. I wish I had met him.

Damn, I've only been in this biz a few years and this has happened to a few people I've known well or like Muchacho, merely been acquanted with. It shakes you, but hopefully humbles you and makes you a cautious and safe driver. Let's never forget the aviators who died in the saddle, doing what they loved.

Avcanada, I have a suggestion. Perhaps we could have a Avcanada memorial forum. Muchacho, bless him, could have the first string. The honored individuald posts could be linked to the string along with people's comments and memories. Just a thought.

Yoyoma · Post by **Yoyoma** » Thu May 27, 2004 2:29 pm

loopy wrote:Avcanada, I have a suggestion. Perhaps we could have a Avcanada memorial forum. Muchacho, bless him, could have the first string. The honored individuald posts could be linked to the string along with people's comments and memories. Just a thought.

That's a neat idea...!

... · Post by **...** » Thu May 27, 2004 2:42 pm

Thats an excellent idea. Tribute to our colleagues. This may bring a new level of class to our beloved Avcanada forums above all others.

Blue Skies forever brother Mehdi Azali.....blue skies.

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Thu May 27, 2004 3:08 pm

My condolences as well. I've read most of muchacho's posts, he was truly passionate about his career. Blue skies.