I apologise for posting as I’m guess I’m doing so for my own selfish needs. Apart from looking into a PPL in my late 20’s I haven’t really thought about flying. I’m 38 this year, married, have 2 boys with a girl on the way in about 4 weeks time…

*Deep Breath*…….The aircraft you’re talking about crashed a 100 yards in front of me while I was out with the dogs on Good Friday. I found the plane and pilot, who was still alive, within the next few minutes but it was on a steep hill and in dense woods so quite a nightmare. Apart from the dogs panting it was just me and him, in the fog, in complete silence (apart from me jabbering on the phone to the Services) the air was completely still. I pretty much held his hand and reassured him for 30 minutes until the coastguard arrived. Unfortunately it was too late for him. Couple of minutes later I was told there was a female with him who also died.

Please, please ignore any reports you’ve read of 24 firemen fighting to put out a blaze. There was no fire.

I know in my head there was nothing else I could do for him but I’m still absolutely gutted I really thought he was going to be ok. I’ve relived my actions a thousand times, can’t help but beat myself up about it all though.

Again, I apologise if I’ve over stepped the mark.

Regards

Stewart

Stewart,

I can actually say I’ve been in your shoes. To make it worse, I was just starting out my PPL and had flown in the aircraft’s sister ship three days before with my new instructor on my first flight with him. Was at the airport that weekend for an airshow, and just afterward, these three 17 year-olds took off, stalled, and spun in. I was second or third to the scene and it was not pleasant. It’s sad, and it can live with you for a long time. Best thing to do is to move on, occasionally remember, and pray for their families, who have lost a more significant portion of their life than you.
Hang in their and don’t blame yourself…
BTW. Now I’m an instructor and I shudder every once in a while hoping that none of my students ever makes a similar mistake. But that’s what we train them to avoid.

Ryan