Yesterday, Ryan and Mark Sagesar were killed in a wreck in the very early AM just outside Tulsa OK. Both were members of the local CAP squad. Ryan, 17, was student body president at Bishop Carroll High in Wichita. He was awarded a flight scholarship in 2005, and earned his ppl shortly after I did. I talked to him at this years Wichita Flight Festival, when he was preparing for his checkride, and expressed excitement and nerves.
Ryan was probably the brightest person I've known, it was apparent his goal was to be in space, and even at 17, was very knowlegeable in rocketry, physics, chemistry, and aerodynamics.
He was flying to Tulsa to attend a concert with his father and two other friends. He was returning to Wichita when he crashed at 1:45AM Sunday
This hit me very close to home, not only was he a friend, but I was also in a similar situation that night. Me and two other friends flew to Ponca City OK to eat dinner at a restaurant. We took off slightly overweight and immediately when I looked to the south, I thought: "I shouldn't have done this". The clouds forcasted broken at 075 were actually overcast at 050. I even called into KC flightwatch to get as much information as possible. It was also very moist and hazy.
The plane reportedly made a 180 before crashing. I have no doubt that he flew VFR into IMC, and flew into a cloud during cruise. He probably instinctively attempted to decend out of the clouds, then remembered to make a 180, all the while ignoring how fast he is decending. The rest is obvious.
Let this be in mind when you or anyone you know go flying in marginal VFR. I know I'll think twice next time.
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