mooneygirl

I have to say that Bill and Mike's accident have deeply affected me. My deepest sympathies go out to Bill's families and prayers to Mike. Some of you may know my story, but for those who don't, here is what happened to me and what I did in the wake of a plane crash. In 2003 I was flying left seat in my Dad's C model-N6619U with my Dad in the right seat and my daughter and her boyfriend in the back seat. We were flying them back to college in Eugene Oregon out of Hood River OR. What I came to find out in the ensuing weeks after investigation was that a valve came unseated on a compression stroke shortly after take off. I was maybe 100 feet in the air, about one to two minutes after take off. The terrain was rising, and we were not. Big trees, houses, your father and child on board. Not such a great experience. I decided to cut the engine and try to "land" in the tree tops. We started impacting trees at 55 mph. We ended up in a mud pond, upside down. After falling backwards into the canopy of the forest, the tail was nearly spun completely around. We missed a house by 50 yards or so. The six trees we took out landed on top of us. We did not have shoulder harnesses. We were very fortunate to be able to extricate ourselves out of the door that popped open upon final impact. We were doubly fortunate that our injuries were lacerations, bruises and whiplash. I can tell you that being covered in mud in that emergency room after having smashed my head into the glare shield, I thought I should have died. I was so mortified that something I did, or didn't do, as a pilot caused this. Falling into the darkness not knowing if your child was going to die or your father was the worst. The rumors flew. It was hot [it was not], I was heavy [i was not], I could have turned around [i would have stalled/spun]. Getting in an airplane again left seat took place a week later with my instructor. I have to say it was terrifying. I also have to say it was my best landing ever in a Warrior I was part owner of. If you want to talk about fear of flying, or thinking that the last flight might be your last, I doubt if you can think of something I haven't tortured myself with. I now have about 900 more hours than I did on that August day. I got counseling, my husband helps me and I have to remember no one is in that pond. As others have said, we have a risky hobby. We all mitigate that risk through planning, continued training, and consultation with those more knowledgeable. I always say that a Mooney is the only plane I will own. Now you know why. She protected us all the way to the ground. I can certainly understand if you are questioning a flight or whether something bad might happen to you. The truth is, that we are in one of the safest planes, if not the safest ever built. We need to use good judgement and lessen risk. I told my Dad the night of the crash that I felt like a failure and that I had failed him. he said the only failure would be if I didn't fly again.

Attached are some screen shots from the AOPA Article: http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/July/12/PYM-Fly-In For those on Facebook, an album with 20 or so photos uploaded. Here is the update from Rae and Candie: Hi Jolie, Wow, what a day! Ideal weather, for starters. There HAD to be over 2000 people; I heard an AOPA person say 1500 had RSVPed, but that they had served 2000 breakfasts. Not everyone had breakfast, and judging by the crowds, there were many more. We were in the perfect spots due to Rae and Pete getting up there on Thursday. Both planes attracted SO much interest that we were busy the ENTIRE DAY. Pete and we were all amazed at the number of serious Mooney shoppers, most of them already well informed about the marque but just needing to sit in the plane and ask some questions. Most of them were looking for J models, so we were just right. Most of them were also very tall, from 6'3" to 6'5". Both Rae and Pete are 6'3" so in spite of many of these guys having misconceptions about "mooney room", they all were fine in the planes. Nonstop interest, all day. Some pilots already owning Mooneys stopped by, but they were greatly outnumbered by the ones with future Mooney aspirations. My friend Sue was there also, and the folks from CT. I think they brought in 7 lunch trucks and they pretty much were emptied. I believe they had to bring in more food. There were LOTs of volunteers to park planes, etc. they were great. The only negative comments I heard were about pilots not following the arrival procedure, and cutting others off in the pattern. One friend of ours from NJ tried to land 3 times and finally left. It was BUSY. We did have some people with kids stop by. Rae will be sending you lots of pictures. A huge success, in our opinion! Rae and Candie Falmouth Airpark

Mike Elliott continues to do well this morning. Some of the doctors have come in to get readings before they bring the whole gaggle in to talk about the case. They have made side comments stating he is doing very well. He looks better everyday. He had a good nights rest last night according to the nurses. I actually got a little sleep last night as well. There isn't anything that can be done right now but let his body heal itself. Once the lungs heal a little more they will start to take him off the ventilator. No internal organs have been damaged. No spinal or neurological problems have been detected. It looks like he really got the best outcome in a series of tragic events. This is from Facebook: Nick Elliott

According to point persons Rae Willis and Candie Oldham, the Mooney Ambassador booth was busy ALL day today in Plymouth, MA. Our airplanes were the first that attendees came to. Rae said that there were lots of folks who had or have Mooneys who came and visited. As well there were a lot who wanted to know more about the Mooney factory, and what a Mooney Ambassador is. Both the airplanes were open and estimates were about 100 or more in the planes. Next up for the AOPA Regionals: Spokane Felts Field (SFF), Spokane, Wash.—Aug. 16 We are kind of skinny for Spokane, so if you are a northwest pilot and can attend, please let me know.

Yes Bill was a MooneySpace member too. Our hearts our so heavy for his family. Rest in peace and tail winds Bill.

Mike is out of surgery and is in stable condition.

Alice did say that they sounded optimistic Mike would recover. I will try to keep this board updated. Alice is trying to get from FL to Indy to be with him.

I am just off the phone with Mike Elliott's wife. He is in surgery now at Methodist hospital in Indianapolis. After the crash, he was pulled out of the wreckage. He was coherent and could feel all his extremities. He does have a punctured lung and many broken bones. He may have an injury to his stomach. He is in exploratory surgery now and in critical condition. Alice asked that I post this. I told her to let Mike know that we are all praying for him and lifting up Bill, and Bill's family.

Mooney M20M TLS, N72FG: Accident occurred July 11, 2014 near Greenwood Municipal Airport (KHFY), Indiana Police: Pilot killed, passenger serious injured William M. Gilliland: http://registry.faa.gov/N72FG https://www.flickr.com/photo GREENWOOD, Ind. - The pilot of a private plane was killed and a passenger was injured Friday when the plane crashed into two homes near the Greenwood airport. The plane went down on Patterson Street, just north of Main Street, and burned in the back yard of the second home that was struck. The plane went down about 2:15 p.m., scraping the top of a house before hitting the back of a second home and bursting into flames. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors were able to pull the a second pilot from the plane as it burned. That person was taken to Methodist Hospital. Information about that person's condition wasn't immediately released, but the injuries were believed to be serious. A couple of residents reported they were slightly injured by some downed power lines, but officials said they are not seriously hurt. The plane apparently lost power shortly after takeoff at Greenwood Municipal Airport, which is just west of Interstate 65 and south of County Line Road. Police said the plane was en route to another state for an inspection. The identities of the victims weren't immediately released.

We believe this is a Mooney that was on its way to Don Maxwell's shop. Prayers needed for all involved. A central Indiana fire chief says a pilot was killed and a passenger critically injured when a single-engine airplane lost power after takeoff and clipped two homes before crashing. Greenwood Fire Chief James Sipes says no one on the ground was injured when the plane crashed about 2:20 p.m. Friday. He says the names of the victims were being withheld. Sipes said fire crews were a block away and saw the plane clip one house, strike a fence and then clip a second house. He says witnesses helped the passenger escape. Sipes says the plane caught fire, but it was quickly put out. He says the two houses had minor damage. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. The crash occurred near Greenwood Municipal Airport, 12 miles south of Indianapolis. http://wane.com/2014/07/11/pilot-killed-3-hurt-in-indianapolis-area-plane-crash/

The two display airplanes for Plymouth have been in place since Thursday morning. Make sure to stop by the booth and say hello. There might also be a need for someone to work an hour or so talking Mooney with attendees or helping with the kids activities. If you go, take photos!

July 12th, AOPA Regional/Mooney Ambassador: Plymouth Airport (PYM), Plymouth, Mass.: Point Persons: Rae Willis and Candie Oldham. Expect a good old-fashioned day of fun. Pancake breakfast, town hall, seminars, vendors, lunch, static displays. Ambassadors will have a booth/aircraft at show central. We do need help in the booth with the children's activities and talking about the display airplanes. Please contact us if you plan on attending and can donate an hour or so.

Dave, Cessna, Piper and Beech are not manufacturing in the US. I am pretty sure Beech is in Mexico. When I did a photo shoot with the sales folks on the new Bonanza last year they were talking about how the manufacturing is done in Mexico. Again, I might be wrong, but I believe that most companies, except Mooney are manufacturing parts in other countries. They may be assembling in the US but not making the airplanes here. Someone will tell me if I am wrong, I am sure. No lack of opinions here.

We are so lucky to have these resources. This was a big motivator in making the movie. Now with the museum in development, I feel pretty confident we can keep the history alive. I don't believe there is another company currently in production in the US that can boast this many years! Go Mooney. Hope to see a lot of our Mooney family at OSH14.

Welcome to the family. I would encourage you to join our professional association, MAPA, and there are a couple of facebook groups as well.

Bonal: I am not sure if you can follow this link to Facebook, but here are the photos from Columbia https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10152157221542006&type=1

Cruiser/Tom: The airplane was purchased by Mooney International and flown to China. It has been used extensively in promotions over there. I believe that the only real mod was the long range fuel tanks. If I remember correctly Jack carried an extra battery as well. The plane performed without a hiccup. Mooney's speed, efficiency and safety features were what convinced Jack [and his family] to purchase the Ovation for the trip. When you think that his longest leg was over ELEVEN hours.... geez... For that Momma to trust that airplane to carry her young son. Wow.

Hot off the press, AOPA Opinion Leaders Blog. I hope you enjoy a bit of the back story of Jack Wiegand and his round the world achievement in a Mooney. http://blog.aopa.org/opinionleaders/?p=1485

I didn't see a list of Mooney events at OSH yet so here are some things I know about. Feel free to add to the list... Mooney International at OSH: Booths 208, 209, 219: On display will be the 2014 First to Fly Auction Acclaim. Mooney will be at Oshkosh in full force with a multimedia display and sales team. There will also be displays for MAPA, the Mooney Museum, the Mooney Caravan and the Mooney Ambassadors. There will be speakers throughout the week. I am not sure which day the Acclaim is being delivered to the auction winner. The 2014 Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh is scheduled to leave Madison (KMSN) Sunday July 27 at 10:30 A.M. Mooney COO Tom Bowen and Mooney CEO Jerry Chen will be the #2 airplane [the auction Acclaim] in element 1. The caravan will park in the North 40, look for the white tent with the Mooney Caravan banner. Monday 10:00-11:15 a.m. : Mooney Forum, Pavilion 8:Don Maxwell Aviation MSC, Trey Hughes-MAPA, Chuck Crinian (AME), Larry Brennan (Mooney Caravan), Tom Bowen-Mooney, Jerry Chen-Mooney, Don Kaye-Master Mooney CFI, Mooney Ambassadors-Boots on the Ground. Tuesday Evening, Mooney Caravan BBQ in the North 40 Tent. Food, fun and raffle prizes. Wednesday Evening Meet the Experts, North 40 Mooney Tent. Continental motors is sponsoring. We'll talk about issues of concern to Mooney pilots. Jim Price and James Oliphant (aircraft insurance guys) will also be on hand along with multiple CFIs, lawyers, and an AME. We will have Boots on the Ground DVD plus the commemorative t-shirt available for purchase at the Mooney booth. We look forward to seeing everyone. Perhaps we can arrange an informal Mooney meal on TH or Friday for those staying later in the week.

Mitch and I are going. Don and Jan Maxwell from TX are staying with us and we are bringing both airplanes. Going to race.... males vs. females. Now just have to figure out how to handicap the Ovation vs. the E model. I think they are expecting over 100 folks.

I did read that book way back in the day. I am not sure if many of you know I am a licensed psychotherapist. So I used to have my clients read that book! The talk is about some of the structural differences in the brain which can lead to different ways of interpreting information, risk, connection and loss. I think it will be fun. We all can do a little something to help promote GA whether it be in a classroom or on an airfield.

Last year I participated in Teacher Day and it was a blast. This year I am happy to be one of the presenters at Build-a-Plane Teacher Day at OSH 14. I will be giving a presentation on the differences between the male and female brain and how educators can take these differences into account in the classroom. If you are a teacher attending AirVenture please register and attend this worthwhile free event. If by chance you know of an educator that is attending OSH, please spread the word. The other presenters are quite illustrious! http://generalaviationnews.com/2014/06/17/airventure-tempts-teachers-with-freebies/

Andrew, if you could send me your information, name, email, model, home base etc. that would be great. PM or MooneyAmbassadors@charter.net