https://www.abbynews.com/news/breaking- ... l-airshow/
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-new ... al-airshow
This rare De Havilland Dragon Rapide was based at John Sessions' Historic Flight Foundation in Mulkiteo/Paine Field, WA. The HFF brought up 3 aircraft for this airshow. Their Grumman F8F Bearcat, a Grumman TBM 3E Avenger "Ida Red" owned by Michael Kopp and based at HFF, and this Dragon Rapide. Apparently, from news reports, the TBM and Rapide were giving rides to paying passengers at the conclusion of the Airshow. The Rapide took off with 5 occupants, and it appeared that she was caught in a gust of wind, which caused her right wing tip to dip into the ground, resulting in the crash. Fortunately, no fire broke out. But unfortunately, there were 2 injuries, one seriously and one critically. Pictures show extensive damage to the starboard wing and fuselage of the Rapide.
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Re: Crash of Dragon Rapide at Abbotsford Airshow
Wow, classic aviation can't seem to get a break this summer. Hoping all the injured will recover soon!
Martijn
Martijn
-
- ThePointblank
- Posts: 4426
- Joined:
Re: Crash of Dragon Rapide at Abbotsford Airshow
I can confirm I was there at the air show that day when the aircraft crashed, but had no access to internet, nor was I able to get pictures as I was elsewhere at the show. Great response by the first responders and the ground crew from CFB Comox, who were already on standby and just started to stand down as the air demo's had just wrapped up.
It did cause some glitches for the following day's program; the CF-18 Hornet that was painted in the NORAD 60th paint scheme was stuck at the Shell Aviation area beside the Cascades Aerospace hangar, and the TBM-3 Avenger was forced to divert (I believe Boundary Bay) and had to begin it's flight demo from the diversion airport as the Abbotsford was shut down until the aircraft was cleared. The show schedule did get jumbled up a bit as a result, with various demos taking place out of turn.
It did cause some glitches for the following day's program; the CF-18 Hornet that was painted in the NORAD 60th paint scheme was stuck at the Shell Aviation area beside the Cascades Aerospace hangar, and the TBM-3 Avenger was forced to divert (I believe Boundary Bay) and had to begin it's flight demo from the diversion airport as the Abbotsford was shut down until the aircraft was cleared. The show schedule did get jumbled up a bit as a result, with various demos taking place out of turn.
-
- iamlucky13
- Posts: 2063
- Joined:
Re: Crash of Dragon Rapide at Abbotsford Airshow
According to the local paper from where Historic Flight Foundation was based, one of those airlifted to the hospital was the pilot, HFF founder John Sessions.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/historic ... how-crash/
I sincerely hope and pray everyone recovers quickly and fully. Mr. Sessions really has done a lot to share his love of historic aircraft with the community. I see his aircraft up flying regularly throughout the year, and anytime there's a public flying event at Paine Field, he's there, talking with folks about the planes or getting ready to do a passenger flight. I hate to think of him or anyone else being hurt flying such a beautiful aircraft.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/historic ... how-crash/
I sincerely hope and pray everyone recovers quickly and fully. Mr. Sessions really has done a lot to share his love of historic aircraft with the community. I see his aircraft up flying regularly throughout the year, and anytime there's a public flying event at Paine Field, he's there, talking with folks about the planes or getting ready to do a passenger flight. I hate to think of him or anyone else being hurt flying such a beautiful aircraft.
-
- ThePointblank
- Posts: 4426
- Joined:
Re: Crash of Dragon Rapide at Abbotsford Airshow
John Sessions is also a regular at the Abbotsford Air Show; he has had aircraft taking part in the air show for over a decade now.
Re: Crash of Dragon Rapide at Abbotsford Airshow
iamlucky13 wrote:According to the local paper from where Historic Flight Foundation was based, one of those airlifted to the hospital was the pilot, HFF founder John Sessions.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/historic ... how-crash/
I sincerely hope and pray everyone recovers quickly and fully. Mr. Sessions really has done a lot to share his love of historic aircraft with the community. I see his aircraft up flying regularly throughout the year, and anytime there's a public flying event at Paine Field, he's there, talking with folks about the planes or getting ready to do a passenger flight. I hate to think of him or anyone else being hurt flying such a beautiful aircraft.
Yes, Unfortunately, Vanessa at HFF has confirmed that it was John Sessions at the control. He was evac to the hospital in critical condition and then later upgraded to serious condition. I do hope that he will recover in time and resume flying. He is quite a guy, I attended a couple of ground schools which he ran at the HFF. What he has done at the HFF is nothing short of amazing comparing his resources with that of Paul Allen's FHCAM across the runway. A sad day for members of HFF.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: 32andBelow, 777Mech, alasizon, ausinTex, BasilFawlty, Bing [Bot], carljanderson, cv5880, DBCoop3r, dcchipper, Duartelmatos, EI710, Fiend, flyjoe, fraT, GEWhiz, gon2fly, hag911, hpff, hykee, jbmitt, JFKalumni, kalvado, KeroBurner, konkret, LGWFAN, Maurooo21, MCOflyer, Miamiairport, mooseofspruce, Newark727, Noise, northwest_guy, NZ321, PeteKMCFC, puppybreath, qf789, Rookie87, sfojvjets, slick1017, SonomaFlyer, steamgauge, StinkyPinky, tautliner, TexasAirCorp, TheFlyGuy, thenb2k, trexel94, USPIT10L, vandoc, Wneast, YVR744CP, Ztim and 313 guests