Another OSU Tragedy
 

OSU Coach Kurt Budke, Asst. Coach Killed In Plane Crash - Sports News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City

Those Cowboys are snake bitten

This is the first I had heard of this.
Before long all Cowboys will be riding on tour busses!

USMCFLYR
(OSU alumni '88)

Very saddening. Condolences to the families affected. Anybody know what happened?

I don't know what happened but I know after the King Air crash in 2000 there was a lot of talk about the types of operations they use for their athletic program. In light of that, I would find a Piper Warrior to be an interesting mode of transportation for a recruiting trip.

Agreed. Not the type of aircraft I expected to hear; I first thought Cheyenne when I heard 'PA'.

It also seems like there were four people on board. Two coaches, former Senator Branstetter and his wife.

Probably not a warrior, if it was, it's safe to say that the planes weight and balance was off.

So, what Piper aircraft was built in 1964 that can handle four people and luggage?

I believe it was Olin's 1964 Cherokee 180. He had that same Cherokee 25 years ago when I was flying out of KPNC.

from the ESPN article:
After the 2001 crash, the university required that planes used by the school's sports team undergo safety checks before travel. Hargis said coaches were not bound by the same rules and that the school left such decisions to their discretion.

hmmm. interesting! Thanks

Yup. 1964 Pa28-181 Cherokee N7746W registered to a Mr. Olin Branstetter, apparently a long-time donor to the University. My first thought was, "4 adults and baggage in a Cherokee??... that can't be safe". No cause has been determined, but I will put money on a weight and balance issue.

Not a good day for the cowboys, considering this followed by their recent upset to Iowa State.

My condolences to the families of the lives lost. Even though we are rivals, everyone here at the University of Oklahoma is saddened. :(