Comments on: No Greater Burden

By: Hi Sierra

Hi Sierra — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:01:36 +0000

As a fellow amphibious owner I’ve always had a high concern about landing gear down, on the water and can really relate to Mr. Jeter’s tragic accident. A tragic accident could happen to any of us, don’t think for a minute it can’t happen to you. The Jeter’s tragic loss and their production of this Video will no doubt have a very positive impact on the actions of many pilots to increase safety, i can assure it has with me. We all enjoy sharing our love of flying, and our duty rises to a higher level when we have passengers on board.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeter, i can’t thank you enough for sharing your story. i think it will do more good than you will ever know. God Bless.

By: Mike Youssi

Mike Youssi — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 01:43:03 +0000

Heroism, and heroes, arise when ordinary people do extraordinary things. Where the courage came from, in the hearts of both Russ and Kimberly, to share this loss, I cannot imagine. My lips quivered as I listended to and watched this extraordinary and gripping testimony by so loving a family. Like the numbing effect of the cold water, tragedy can immobilze, too. Yet, somehow, the heroes have emerged with words to guide the rest of us. God bless you both.

By: Matt Inman

Matt Inman — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:31:13 +0000

Thank you, Russ. Any of us could have made the same mistake but very few would have your courage and character to use it for good. There’s no doubt that your little boy is very proud of his father.

By: Bill Russell

Bill Russell — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 03:43:03 +0000

Thanks for your story and God bless you and your family, you may have helped many of us that are not aware of problems we have hidden.
I was reluctant to read this story as I don’t like sad endings, I have lost six flying friends in Alaska since 1992, some were just being in the wrong place at the wrong time with others at the helm, others were bad judgment or do to over confidence. I lost my 2ed. Class medical in 04 after a bypass and fought for two years in 09 to get my non restricted commercial medical back, thinking I really needed flying to regain confidence in myself as a business person as well as me self esteem. I am glad I read this story now and hope to get tested.
We bought our fifth Maule (tail dragger) this year and I have had a few incidences on landings that never were a problem before. I have been pondering that maybe I am just getting old at 65 and don’t respond like I use to when making judgment calls on my approaches to short airstrips I use here in New England as well as going around rather than insisting on landing. I have had extensive surgery on my upper and lower jaws to cure sleep apnea as well as having severe pain in both shoulders do to Rotor Cup problems, lots of lost sleep or trouble going to sleep almost every night, wondering if my pondering is in the wrong place?? Thanks again Bill

By: Mike Dewey

Mike Dewey — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 21:12:29 +0000

What a precious gift the Jeter family has given us.

One thing really stuck with me was when the gentlemen with the consulting company mentioned that we do self-assessment, but tend to give ourselves better scores than we should. I’ll think hard about that one next time I fly and be honest.

Also, I’ll consider myself just as valuable to my family as they are to me and be just as conscientious when I fly by myself as I am with passengers aboard.

By: Frank Guedon, M.D.

Frank Guedon, M.D. — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:57:27 +0000

Should be mandatory viewing for all pilots. Beautifully done and very sobering, especially to all us Parents!

By: Richard McGlaughlin

Richard McGlaughlin — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:12:03 +0000

This is a powerful video, painful to watch, painful to make. I love flying an amphib, but worry about the gear all the time. This could happen to anybody.
It’s such a great hobby, and I’ve had a lot of fun flying with my family…but it’s completely, suddenly unforgiving. This makes me want to hug all my children.
Thanks to you and your friends for making this difficult video, for sharing the event and the suffering, for alerting us, leading us in the right direction.
Peace to you, and love to your younger son. Your boy did not die in vain.

By: Mike Longley

Mike Longley — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 19:58:38 +0000

Russ,
As a floatplane pilot without the hours of experience you have I followed the story of your accident with great concern. I credit you with your bravery to tell your story. All of us could have gone through your experience so easily. I think as we consider the issues at risk here and the precious cargo we carry the points you make are very salient.
Please continue to spread the message.
God bless.

By: Will stout

Will stout — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 17:54:22 +0000

Russ, Family, and all involved in sharing this message,

I am in the same business as Russ, am the same age, with the same number of air hours, the same GA and jet experience, and the same hard earned ATP rating…in short the same passion for flying. I began taking my Granddaughter flying in my Experimental at 20 months…she is now 12.

Thank you for sharing. I will never forget your story, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR MESSAGE!

I cried for an hour. I am lucky, an event occurred to me (like most of us) but with zero consequences.

From a training prospective, “tribal knowledge” shared in this heartfelt way…HAS REAL MEANING TO US ALL. Thanks to all, who cared enough to share this human factors lesson in such a personal way.

Will Stout

By: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 17:11:48 +0000

Thank you for sharing this, Russ and Kimberly. Your video was very special, and I appreciate it very much. God bless you and your family. You will be in our prayers.