Tragic Oshkosh Plane Crash: Mark Peterson, a 68-year-old pilot from Foley, Alabama, and Thomas Volz, a 72-year-old passenger from Amelia, Ohio, perished in the accident, according to a news release from the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Saturday at 12:30 local time, two people were slain when a helicopter and gyrocopter collided in flight near the Ultralight Runway at EAA AirVenture. Both aircraft plummeted to the ground, with one landing on a parked aircraft. According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, two additional injured parties are currently in stable condition.
Tragic Oshkosh Plane Crash Claims Two Lives and Injures Two Others
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the two aircraft involved were a Rotorway 162F and an ELA 10 Eclipse. None of the aircraft participated in an airshow. Both aircraft belonged to AirVenture attendees; nearly two hours elapsed as rescue personnel responded to the accident at Wittman Regional Airport.
According to Action 2 News’ Knapinski, the Oshkosh Fire Department, the EAA, and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene. The helicopter’s fire was extinguished by Air Force personnel. Just recently, two stalwarts of the aviation community passed away, prompting introspection.
“Well, you know that things occur. Bob Payton, a pilot, remarked, “You understand that you must be cautious and that the unexpected can occur.”
“It is always tragic when pilots are lost. Certainly, it is one of the things you consider. “We are one family,” said Knapinski. “It’s always a sad day, especially for those aviators and their families.”
Pilot Payton claims that many pilots use visual flying regulations, which require them to maintain a secure distance from other aircraft and require constant vigilance.
“The principal feature of flight is its 360-degree, three-dimensional environment. It’s not the same as gazing down the road while driving. “You’re searching everywhere for additional aircraft,” Payton said.
“You must acquire as much context as possible. You are addressing multiple situations simultaneously, and you work accordingly.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the incident to determine what went awry.
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