Comments on: Never too early to speculate?

By: Bruce Landsberg

Bruce Landsberg — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:47:00 +0000

To quote another famous American, Groucho Marx, ” Quote me as saying I was misquoted.” I’ve also heard it attributed to Sir Winston Churchill – now I’ll have to go look it up for sure! K8s

By: Howard Martin

Howard Martin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:45:32 +0000

I believe the quote is by Mark Twain and not
Abraham Lincoln

By: Kent McIntyre

Kent McIntyre — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:07:07 +0000

I knew Olin for more than twenty years. I’d have flown with him anytime. He wasn’t a kid but he was okay.. I agree age doesn’t make the engine sputter. It’s a shame to be remember for a crash among all the good he and his wife did.

By: Jerri

Jerri — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:01:51 +0000

Since when does the age of a pilot cause an engine to “splutter”?

If one ignorant reporter accuses some random person of murder, do all the other reporters in the country need to repeat the accusation and then call it unfounded?

By: Bruce Landsberg

Bruce Landsberg — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:37:29 +0000

Andy…..

I attempted, and perhaps not successfully, to make two points: First, that speculating – especially in public on accidents does not always serve GA well nor advance the cause of safety, because it is frequently wrong.

Secondly, age was one the mind of the mainstream media and there are some points I wanted make that without discussing this accident in particular. There was a shameless plug for an upcoming onlilne course for later this month and we never like tomiss an opportunity to let everyone know about new learning opportunities.

The hangar flying, refered to in your last paragraph can be valuable but like so many things it needs to be filtered carefully. I mentioned John lawton’s quote earlier. The other adage that applies is that “a lie can be half way around the world before the truth even get’s its boot on.” The internet facilitates that.

Appreciate your comment – it keeps me honest !

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:56:18 +0000

You seem to be focused, intentionally or not, on pilot age. This gets mixed into your discussion of other pilots discussing accidents without knowing all of the facts. I’m not entirely sure what your point is.

The real point of your story SEEMS to be “maybe a discussion about age (when it comes to accidents and this accident is particular) is premature/not relevant/insert-conditional-here”.

I, as a relatively low time pilot, personally learn a hell of from the discussions about the possible causes of accidents. I am forced to think/consider outside of my experience envelope. Getting insights from the vast experience pool out there is very very helpful to me, and I suspect to any other pilot who is willing to forego the ego and consider other folks’ opinions.

By: Rob Greenberg

Rob Greenberg — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:08:56 +0000

Certainly a trajedy….and warrants a close and prudent review. BUT caution in creating a widespread “rule” in response.

What shall we do with these?

http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-01-12/athletic-trainer-dies-team-bus-crash

http://azdailysun.com/sports/soccer/players-killed-in-togolese-team-bus-crash/article_d934abff-e3e5-50d0-9441-4aa26779440a.html

and of course…

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3312619.htm

It may be age (of the pilot and/or plane), or skill, or distraction, or bad luck. A tragedy nontheless.