In Memory...

[Boss_BlueAngels]

It has been a very sad last couple of days for me. On Sunday, October, 7th a Cessna 208B Caravan carrying 10 good friends whom I worked with for nearly 4 years at my previous job went down in the Cascade Mountains on the way back from a skydive meet in Idaho. The airplane is one I was quite familiar as it is one the skydive school at the airport I worked for would use when the Caravan they own would be down for maintenance. I spent many, many hours washing and taking care for this aircraft. Along with that responsibility I was also the one who got to fuel it and was always in close contact with the pilot. During busy days we would do a "hot fuel" where the aircraft would not shut down. When my timing was spot on for the day I would start the jet-fuel truck and start heading out as soon as I saw the last jumpers 'chute open. That was just enough time to get to the end of the runway/taxiways where the pilot would park momentairly so I could get the truck in position, get a big ladder and put in however much fuel the pilot needed for the next jump runs. It was something which required perfect communication and timing as each flight schedule was very tightly planned. If I ran slow, that affected the entire rest of their day! Along with that, the pilots would let me ride along in the co-pilots seat for some of the jump runs after my shift was over. This airplane, N430A, was the one I always happened to ride in and the pilots let me fly it several times.

Unfortunately all ten souls on board died in the devistating crash. And of course, I was good friends with every single person on that aircraft.

Here are some shots I got last year of the very aircraft that crashed.

This was one of my buddies who was in the accident.

Rest In Piece buddies!
Phil Kibler (pilot), Ralphie Abdo, Landon Atkin, Michelle Barker, Casey Craig, Cecil Elsner, Bryan Jones, Jeff Ross, Hollie Raspberry, and Andy Smith.

 

[MarkEvan]

I`m sorry to hear about that boss, its horrible how things like this can happen, and how the young can loose their lives so early on in life.

 

[cristianna]

WOW! My sympathies to everyone whose heart broke on that day.

 

[aunt_kelly]

 

[amishparadise]

RIP- may they rest in the Lord.

 

[the_Abbot]

Wow man

I am so sorry to hear this.

 

[cyberlizard]

many condolences. May you remember them in your heart for a long time to come.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Thank you everyone, that means a lot. I still haven't been able to go up flying since this due to weather. Everytime a friend or someone I knew has an accident I try to get up as soon as possible. The first flight after something like this can be kind of difficult but it's what helps me move on.

 

[scraparcs]

Have you been able to get up yet?

 

[DragnGT]

Sorry to hear about that. I hope things improve for the families involved.

 

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Thank you for the concern. I'm feeling much better now.

I actually did get up last Thursday, although it wasn't without incidence! lol As we were taxiing out to the fuel pumps before the flight the innertube in the tail wheel popped! About an hour of work later we had it changed and ready to go for our flight! lol

It was a very beautiful evening flight, got to see the full-moon rise above the Cascade Mountains as the sun set on the Olympic Mountains just on the other side of the Puget Sound. Even better was the fact I was enjoying all this while flying upside down and every which way but up!

 

[cristianna]