Not my words. Just the messenger.


Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 12:04 AM
Subject: Yankee Pitcher dies in Plane Crash




I just finished reading the headline story about NY Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle crashing his airplane into a condo in Manhattan. Exactly nine years ago today, on October 12, 1997, John Denver was killed when he crashed his experimental single-engine Rutan Long EZ into the ocean near Monterey, California. The crash occurred when Denver inadvertently pressed down on the plane's right rudder pedal while trying to switch fuel tanks by reaching for the fuel selector switch behind him.

Axioms for ALL pilots:

A. Every pilot has done multiple stupid things in an airplane, at least one of which probably should have killed him/her.

B. There’s no substitute for experience, but experience alone won’t prevent you from doing stupid things.

C. Never fly with anyone who claims to have never done anything stupid in an airplane. He’s obviously a pathological liar, but even if he isn’t, his number is probably due to come up on his very next flight.

D. “Rule books are paper: They will not cushion a sudden meeting of stone and metal." This is my favorite quote from the book Fate is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann – a must read! Just because you follow the rules doesn’t assure you 100% protection in the air. In fact, it might just hamper successful avoidance of a mishap.

Axioms for Famous/Rich People pilots:

A. Just because your dad (or mom) has the “right stuff”, doesn’t mean you do (John Denver’s father was apparently an accomplished Air Force pilot, with several speed records to his name).

B. Just because you make ludicrous amounts of money and can afford to pay cash for an airplane doesn’t make you a pilot, any more than me buying cowboy boots and a Stetsen makes me a championship bull rider.

C. Success in one field of endeavor doesn’t necessarily translate into success in another. Just because a guy can pitch a 90 mph fast ball doesn’t mean he’s got the hands to fly an airplane. Conversely, there are gifted pilots with thousands of flight hours who I wouldn’t trust to change the oil in my car.

D. Flying is fun – the most fun you can have with your pants on, but it’s not a whimsical pastime (i.e. “…unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity, or neglect."). If you can’t devote at least a modicum of effort toward maintaining and improving your piloting skills (between concerts and doubleheaders), then leave it to those who do take the business seriously. When you’re making millions of dollars per year, you can probably afford to splurge a little and hire a qualified and current instructor to fly shotgun with you!

One parting thought: Apparently Mr. Lidle was ostracized by fellow teammates because of his participation as a replacement player during the Major League strike of 1995. Baseball players and airline pilots share at least one common sentiment: NOBODY LIKES A SCAB.

 

Agree with you there. I think that quote is the name of a chapter. Great read. BTW how did the rudder kill John Denver. Was he low and slow when he finally remembered the valve and spun in? I thought those planes were virtually spin proof.