Caribbean crash pilot hailed a hero

I was talking to my mum about this last night, she actually brought this up saying her boyfriend (my old flying instructor) knew the pilot.

Or maybe ironic that the flew?

According to his Father, speaking on the news this evening, with ten persons on board the Islander that left just 16lbs of weight for fuel and, IIRC, baggage. Wouldn’t he have known that the aircraft, if the story is correct, would be grossly overloaded?

Either way, with no experience of my own to go on, I can’t help but think that bringing down a twin engined aircraft with a fixed undercarriage into the sea well enough that all but the pilot survived is an incredible achievement.

Regards,

kev35

The last words from Robert Mansell.:(

http://news.aol.co.uk/hero-pilots-dramatic-last-words-caught/article/2009102416234047949422

Well done to him managing to ditch the plane and save those passengers. Ironic that he died. 🙁

I don’t visit this part of the forum much,but i just wanted to pay tribute to this young pilot.
So sad that he saved his passengers’ lives,but lost his own.
Anne.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Robert-Mansell-Missing-Caribbean-Crash-Pilot-Hailed-A-Hero-For-Saving-Lives-Of-Those-On-Board/Article/200910415415626?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_5&lid=ARTICLE_15415626_Robert_Mansell%2C_Missing_Caribbean_Crash_Pilot%2C_Hailed_A_Hero_For_Saving_Lives_Of_Those_On_Board

Absolutely agree BumbleBee, a hero indeed and such a shame he tragically gave his own life in order to save those onboard! Thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.:(