Okie_Pilot
Pitts Builder
source: http://www.krgv.com/news/local/stor...g-Airshow-Routine/oRvGwafH6kmdbw1BSw6Uzg.cspx
[YT] 0a7TM65jAXE[/YT]
Prayers to both Amanda and Kyle
Kyle and Amanda Franklin Hurt In Airshow Crash
- Thread starter Okie_Pilot
- Start date
source: http://www.krgv.com/news/local/stor...g-Airshow-Routine/oRvGwafH6kmdbw1BSw6Uzg.cspx
[YT] 0a7TM65jAXE[/YT]
Prayers to both Amanda and Kyle
jrh
Well-Known Member
I watched them perform at Oshkosh last year and they were one of my favorite acts. I remember talking to my friend about how cool and "old school" they were. Lots of performers throw an Extra or a Pitts around in front of the crowd, but Kyle and Amanda really stood out with the whole wing walking act.
Hopefully they both make it into the air again.
Hopefully they both make it into the air again.
s60
Well-Known Member
From http://indytransponder.blogspot.com/
Franklin Update from Matt Younkin 13-MAR-2011 15:50z
Franklin Update from Matt Younkin 13-MAR-2011 15:50z
All, Please forward this letter on to who ever you see fit...
Good morning all. Let me first express on behalf of Amanda, Kyle, Myself and both of our families so many thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes. We are all so fortunate to have such a wonderful support network in all of you.
We are still waiting for updates and it could be many hours, days, or weeks before we know exactly how the recovery process will play out between Amanda and Kyle. I can however report that Kyle was not injured and or burned as badly as reported earlier by the media and is expected to make a full and rapid recovery. I can also say that the updates we are receiving on Amanda are increasingly optimistic and though she has a long road of recovery ahead of her, the doctors are giving us the impression that things are not as bad as first reported and her chances for a full recovery are getting better not worse. The first 24 hours will set the tone for the story ahead.
I also have to extend a very sincere thanks to my brother-in-law Kyle who I strongly credit for the fact that my little sister is still with us. Having witnessed the accident and being on of the first on the scene, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he made no less than five quick decisions in the air and on the ground that gave her a second chance at life!!
When the engine quit, Amanda was on the top wing in the rack. Kyle continued to fly the airplane in a straight and level fashion as long as he could to give Amanda every opportunity to unstrap and get into the front cockpit where she would have the best chance in the event of a hard landing. He also resisted the tendency to turn for the pavement which typically induces a fatal stall/spin situation. He avoided a landing in the pyro field which could have proven to be fatal, and faced with the only other option of land in mesquite woods, Kyle landed into the wind drastically reducing the forward speed at impact. Upon reaching the scene, I noticed that he set the airplane down in the only Waco sized piece of ground in that dense woods that didn't have tall trees in it. Kyle sustained the majority of his burns trying to pull his wife from the wreckage and when his efforts produced no results, he stayed in the cockpit and transmitted a repeating distress call about the post impact fire that had started. I honestly believe this motivated the rapid responders to press through the brush and douse the airplane at a more rapid rate which meant the split second difference that saved Amanda, who was still in the plane.
The first responders on the scene did an excellent job of responding to the situation in a rapid manner. Having a professional air boss teamed up with professional CFR personnel made a world of difference that could be the single most important factor that both Amanda and Kyle are still with us.
Please continue to send your thoughts and prayers this direction because we sincerely believe they are helping. I will pass updates along as I receive them.
Sincerely
Matt
Good morning all. Let me first express on behalf of Amanda, Kyle, Myself and both of our families so many thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes. We are all so fortunate to have such a wonderful support network in all of you.
We are still waiting for updates and it could be many hours, days, or weeks before we know exactly how the recovery process will play out between Amanda and Kyle. I can however report that Kyle was not injured and or burned as badly as reported earlier by the media and is expected to make a full and rapid recovery. I can also say that the updates we are receiving on Amanda are increasingly optimistic and though she has a long road of recovery ahead of her, the doctors are giving us the impression that things are not as bad as first reported and her chances for a full recovery are getting better not worse. The first 24 hours will set the tone for the story ahead.
I also have to extend a very sincere thanks to my brother-in-law Kyle who I strongly credit for the fact that my little sister is still with us. Having witnessed the accident and being on of the first on the scene, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he made no less than five quick decisions in the air and on the ground that gave her a second chance at life!!
When the engine quit, Amanda was on the top wing in the rack. Kyle continued to fly the airplane in a straight and level fashion as long as he could to give Amanda every opportunity to unstrap and get into the front cockpit where she would have the best chance in the event of a hard landing. He also resisted the tendency to turn for the pavement which typically induces a fatal stall/spin situation. He avoided a landing in the pyro field which could have proven to be fatal, and faced with the only other option of land in mesquite woods, Kyle landed into the wind drastically reducing the forward speed at impact. Upon reaching the scene, I noticed that he set the airplane down in the only Waco sized piece of ground in that dense woods that didn't have tall trees in it. Kyle sustained the majority of his burns trying to pull his wife from the wreckage and when his efforts produced no results, he stayed in the cockpit and transmitted a repeating distress call about the post impact fire that had started. I honestly believe this motivated the rapid responders to press through the brush and douse the airplane at a more rapid rate which meant the split second difference that saved Amanda, who was still in the plane.
The first responders on the scene did an excellent job of responding to the situation in a rapid manner. Having a professional air boss teamed up with professional CFR personnel made a world of difference that could be the single most important factor that both Amanda and Kyle are still with us.
Please continue to send your thoughts and prayers this direction because we sincerely believe they are helping. I will pass updates along as I receive them.
Sincerely
Matt
Pilotforhire587
Lycra Man
Glad to hear they are alive! Here's to a speedy recovery!
I watched the video on YT, and I didn't see an "engine explosion." Sounded like the engine just gave up the ghost. Glad to hear they are both recovering in the hospital. Burns are horrible, hopefully Amanda make a well enough recovery to get back on top of a wing again in the future. Wing walkers are a dying breed, and I sure would like to take my son to see them in action some day.
Okie_Pilot
Pitts Builder
Oh wow! I thought she would have more time than that, she barely made it inside before they crashed. Also very very sad to hear that he couldn't get her out of the burning wreckage.
That was a way better vidoe than I saw. I wonder what happened. Maybe a fuel or oil line let go?
Firebird2XC
Well-Known Member
Bummer... here's to hoping for a speedy recovery for them both.
Two wings equals twice the drag.
fo4ever
Well-Known Member
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
Kyle and Amanda Franklin burned in crash at airshow
Not sure if this has been posted yet but Kyle Franklin and Amanda Franklin were both seriously injured while performing their airshow act. According to the report, Amanda was doing her wing walking routine when the engine on the Waco burst into flames. She was able to get back into the cockpit before the crash landing.
http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articl...ent.html?WT.mc_id=110318epilot&WT.mc_sect=gan
There is the article which as the video posted in it. Sounds like they both were burned pretty bad. If you remember Kyles dad was killed years ago while performing airshows as part of the masters of disaster.
Not sure if this has been posted yet but Kyle Franklin and Amanda Franklin were both seriously injured while performing their airshow act. According to the report, Amanda was doing her wing walking routine when the engine on the Waco burst into flames. She was able to get back into the cockpit before the crash landing.
http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articl...ent.html?WT.mc_id=110318epilot&WT.mc_sect=gan
There is the article which as the video posted in it. Sounds like they both were burned pretty bad. If you remember Kyles dad was killed years ago while performing airshows as part of the masters of disaster.
WacoFan
Bigly
Re: Kyle and Amanda Franklin burned in crash at airshow
As was Amanda's dad - her maiden name is Younkin and she was Bobby's girl.
As was Amanda's dad - her maiden name is Younkin and she was Bobby's girl.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
Re: Kyle and Amanda Franklin burned in crash at airshow
For those who dont know, kyles and amandas dads collided while performing their airshows routine killing them both. I was sad to hear that now they both were seriously hurt performing airshows. Seems like airshows flying is getting the best of both families.
For those who dont know, kyles and amandas dads collided while performing their airshows routine killing them both. I was sad to hear that now they both were seriously hurt performing airshows. Seems like airshows flying is getting the best of both families.
moxiepilot
Well-Known Member
Re: Kyle and Amanda Franklin burned in crash at airshow
I believe this was down at Brownsville TX about 2 weeks ago. Saw the video on the news and was astounded she made it to the cockpit
I believe this was down at Brownsville TX about 2 weeks ago. Saw the video on the news and was astounded she made it to the cockpit
mooneyguy
been around forever
Re: Kyle and Amanda Franklin burned in crash at airshow
Just a little update. I will not go into much detail. I was told some more info from a family member. It was thought the crash landing was a stall. It actually was not. They trained in case of an emergency she was to immediately get inside the airplane, which she did. Come to find out that was a bad call in this situation. the fire you see in the video was also inside the forward cockpit. She started to get burned right after she climbed in from burning oil coming off the engine. Realizing what was happening Kyle put it down forcefully and quickly to get her back out of the plane. He knew she was in trouble and needed to get her out. As we have heard She was severely burned and is at brook army medical center here in San Antonio. bamc has one of the top burn units (if not the top) in the country. I am waiting for detail, but I know due to her (and his) severe injuries I believe there is a fund being started to help with what is going to be a huge medical expense. Once I get that info I will post it in case someone would like to help them out.
These two have had some bad luck with aviation. as WACO mentioned they both lost their dad's in a plane crash. They had a mid-air collision during a routine back in 05 iirc they married shortly after that crash..
Just a little update. I will not go into much detail. I was told some more info from a family member. It was thought the crash landing was a stall. It actually was not. They trained in case of an emergency she was to immediately get inside the airplane, which she did. Come to find out that was a bad call in this situation. the fire you see in the video was also inside the forward cockpit. She started to get burned right after she climbed in from burning oil coming off the engine. Realizing what was happening Kyle put it down forcefully and quickly to get her back out of the plane. He knew she was in trouble and needed to get her out. As we have heard She was severely burned and is at brook army medical center here in San Antonio. bamc has one of the top burn units (if not the top) in the country. I am waiting for detail, but I know due to her (and his) severe injuries I believe there is a fund being started to help with what is going to be a huge medical expense. Once I get that info I will post it in case someone would like to help them out.
These two have had some bad luck with aviation. as WACO mentioned they both lost their dad's in a plane crash. They had a mid-air collision during a routine back in 05 iirc they married shortly after that crash..
Hacker15e
Who am I? Where are my pants?
Re: Kyle and Amanda Franklin burned in crash at airshow
...if you exclude the fact that she would have been outright killed if she had been up on top of the wing when they landed in the field.
...if you exclude the fact that she would have been outright killed if she had been up on top of the wing when they landed in the field.