Crash at KFFZ - 5/17

FlyingAccountant

FlyingAccountant

Well-Known Member
http://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/plane-crash-reported-near-falcon-field

Happened yesterday. It was a two ship flight of AT6s doing a formation takeoff. Sounds like the second aircraft had an engine failure on takeoff and ended up in the middle of Greenway. The flight leader didn't even realize his wingman had crashed until the tower notified him.

http://archive-server.liveatc.net/kffz/KFFZ2-May-18-2016-0130Z.mp3

Fast forward to the 11 minute mark for the beginning. Props to the gal in the tower for not losing it and moving those guys out of the airspace.
 
Lucky to have ended up on Greenfield Rd, whether intentional or not, as loss of life couldve been much higher in nearby areas.
 
My thoughts also. Greenfield is a busy road, luckily no cars were hit. The lady working tower did a great job and I really feel for her. Sad news. RIP.

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Nothing ATC couldve done apart from notifying CFR and continuing to manage the rest of her traffic.

Combo Fire/CFR station 215 is literally right there next to the corner of Greenfield/McKellips, about 1/2 mile from the scene.
 
FlyingAccountant said:
The flight leader didn't even realize his wingman had crashed until the tower notified him..
Click to expand...

Nice management of his flight on his part. Being a flight lead involves managing and being aware of what your formation is doing at all times., especially if in standard, and most especially close, formation (not sure the exact type of departure they did in that regard.....form or interval takeoff, but still).
 
First time that the whole "this stuff can kill you" has really sank in. FFZ is home and those other airplanes in the pattern were mostly solo students from my school who were diverted. I was pretty shaken just sitting at home, so I can't imagine if I was in the pattern or saw the smoke. It was a lot of thinking and being very appreciative of being alive the next morning driving to work after that crash. I love those war birds and it's a terrible tragedy.
 
I heard a bunch of those Oxford callsigns on the radio and thought sort of the same thing. I have a feeling those guys in the tower saw pretty much the entire thing too. :(
 
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