The saddest story so far.....

[Rifleman]

It's hearthbreaking, what can one say...

Guess the others said or asked what I wanted to do...

I only hope your friend will have the currage to get back into the air, one fine day...

All I can say is that on Sunday, he was re-assembling the engine to make sure it would run......but for now, he still has his Piper Vagabond.......

[jordonj]

Not too shabby!  He crashed and lived to tell the tale.  Too bad about the plane, but it wasn't his only one at least!

[Craig.]

sorry to hear about the plane. Just glad your friends ok Ken. I'm sure he'l have it back up and running some day.

[767-300er]

Did this plane crash in saltwater?

[SideWinder9]

That is very unfortunate...

[TacitBlue]

That is amazing, I felt like crying looking at those pics. As everyone has said, Hal is very lucky. I knew a guy who crashed an ultra-light, and he was in a comma for 2 weeks.

[beaky]

All I can say is that on Sunday, he was re-assembling the engine to make sure it would run......but for now, he still has his Piper Vagabond.......

What th- (splutter)-and  here I was feeling sorry for a guy who owns TWO airplanes!!! I'd take the wrecked RV over what I have now, which is zip.  ;D
 Just kidding, of course... but I gotta say the tears must  sting a lot less behind the controls of that nice Piper  . Kudos to him for hopping back in the saddle!!
 

[Rifleman]

As far as I know, he isn't back in the air just yet.....that shot was from a while back when he was taking Wendy for a ride..........oldies here will remember that time......I walked past hangar 37 this evening and saw an airframe sans engine, so work in the teardown is progressing......BTW the Vagabond is real nice, I flew it back from Port Alberni and landed it last year.....and I'm not a pilot....

[Rifleman]

How badly was he injured, if at all?

Minor head lacerations, (initial guess was, that it was the headset or the broken canopy) very stiff muscles for the next few days, but nothing that a bit of rest and stretching didn't help out...........

[Rifleman]

How much is that aircraft? looks pretty expensive..how long did he have it for?

As far as I know the plane was built in '99 and was valued around $60,000........just a guess on my part though

[Rifleman]

Did this plane crash in saltwater?

Fortunately, the plane came down in the river just upstream from where it may have been contaminated with salt water......a good current was running to prevent any of the corrosive effects from taking place....

[Rifleman]

Wed morning, I saw the Piper Vagabond heading up the island at about 500 ft, Hal's normal cruise height around here......why go higher when there is less to see anyway ?.......

V. nice to see him in the air again.......

[Craig.]

as they say. gotta get back on the horse,

[RichieB16]

Looks like a bad crash-but it could have been much worse.  Let's be sure and thank the man upstairs for saving your friend.  The plane (although awesome) can be replaced-he cannot.

[Scottler]

Thank God he's alright, Ken.  That's the only thing that matters.  And think of it this way...most pilots have no major incidents throughout their career.  He's gotten HIS out of the way, so the rest of the trip should be worry free!