My first post... and maybe my last... on this site.
Mike Buxton was my dear friend. He worked with my children, and became a trusted family friend. He loved flying, and had been flying for three decades. He was a very cautious pilot; not one for taking chances. I've read through the pages of this thread and there's a ton of speculation as to what happened as well as finger pointing. We won't know for a long time what might have happened. We may never know exactly. I'll just say that knowing him, and his meticulous nature in regard to piloting, there had to have been some serious, unforeseen circumstances that affected the final,outcome of the flight.
As to the Mooney itself, my understanding from our conversations was that he was a partner in the aircraft. He had flown that aircraft many times over the last two years at least.
Mike Buxton was a pillar of the community here in Hampton Roads (VA). A great void has been left by his passing. Please understand that there are a great many that are mourning his passing (and that of his friends). A large number of people especially parents with special needs children (myself included) are utterly lost. Please remember this when casting judgement around the what-if's of this tragedy. Thank you.
