http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/05/09/tbm-3-avenger-crashes-in-arizona-crew-ok/
[url]http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=66…[url]
The pilot and passenger jumped on parachutes, the aircraft was not found.
It’s a difficult decision for the pilot to leave such a plane, but luckily they did it. Too many good people have died trying to save their warbird.
By: trumper - 10th May 2018 at 13:15
Thankfully the crew will be home with their families -sorry about the airframe .
By: STORMBIRD262 - 10th May 2018 at 12:38
great that’s everyone’s ok, I knew this aircraft here in oz pitty she’s gone
By: Flying_Pencil - 9th May 2018 at 23:37
Ditto that sentiment.
Tough, but correct decision.
Hope they find, but the fact it is not found yet to me indicates how rugged the area is.
(when I did a flight west, I decided to stick to main roads just to have a little extra safety zone)
By: Ant.H - 9th May 2018 at 22:04
Very glad to hear the crew are OK, wishing a speedy recovery to them and commiserations to everyone involved with the aircraft.
By: Propstrike - 9th May 2018 at 20:56
posted on WIX
” The owner, Ron, was flying the TBM home from California and was on a leg from Phoenix to Albuquerque when he had what he called a catastrophic engine failure at around 12,000 feet.
The terrain was pretty rough and they decided to bail out instead of trying to put it down in the rugged mountainous area below. Ron said he rolled it over a bit so his passenger could get out and after he was safely clear Ron followed shortly after.
They landed in a heavily forested area and his passenger was caught in a tree about 30 feet up. In the process of getting himself down he fell and hit pretty hard. Ron also hit hard but his helmet to save him from more serious injuries. Both Ron and Kenney were pretty beat up but are going to recover. In fact they are on their way home as I write this.
The TBM-3E 53337 was a sweetheart for sure. The previous owners in Australia did a lot of work on the old gal and she was in great shape. We helped with the pre purchase inspection, import and licensing/airworthiness. We also put a lot of the original WWII gear back in to make her more authentic. Ron was going to take her to the TBM gathering that is coming up and was very excited to do so.
We are so relieved that Ron and Kenney are okay. We are also heartbroken that the TBM is gone as we really became attached to the old gal. They still haven’t located the wreck so I guess there is a slim chance that she put down by herself but that is our dream at this point”
Taigh Ramey
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May 9, 2018 at 8:17 pm