T-6 down at Fitchburg

[Fearless Tower]

Sightseeing flight went down in the river just short of the field - pax survived but pilot was killed.

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12002677027086/small-plane-crashes-in-fitchburg-2-hurt/

Seems rather strange - apparent engine failure while landing. Plane ended up in the river just short of the runway. Gear and full flaps down. Stall spin trying to make the field or landed in the river and it flipped with the gear down?

 

[EHITCH]

In memory of Reese Dill: T-6 down at Fitchburg

Folks,
Please join me in saluting fellow pilot Reese Dill, who died flying his T-6 this weekend.

Reese was a member of the consulting team working on a specialized storage facility for my company. He was an amazing guy, and it was a privilege to know him.

I'd especially like to ask you to remember Reese as he lived, not as he died, and I encourage you to click on this YouTube link to enjoy Reese flying in the Westfield show in 2005: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGeojn3CPDw.

In memory of Reese Dill, gone west. Not alone into the sunset but in the company of friends who have gone before.

Thanks,
E Hitchcock

 

[Rob Schaffer]

wow, from the news report and photo, I hope it was quick for the pilot and not a drowning. As a passenger, I suspect you would be in the back of the T-6? I've only flown in the T-34, and as a passenger I was in the back. Seems like the pilot was pretty trapped.

Prayers to the family and fellow pilots that knew him.

 

[gprellwitz]

wow, from the news report and photo, I hope it was quick for the pilot and not a drowning. As a passenger, I suspect you would be in the back of the T-6? I've only flown in the T-34, and as a passenger I was in the back. Seems like the pilot was pretty trapped.

Prayers to the family and fellow pilots that knew him.

Yes, I was in the back as a passenger in a T-6.
And I hope you're right about the cause of death.
Elizabeth, my condolences on the loss of your friend.

 

[jkgoblue]

Our prayers are with you.

 

[jtheune]

When I flew in a t-6 ( actually a SNJ ) I was in front and the demo pilot in the back. The airframe I flew in at Warbird adventures in Kissimme suffer a in flight wing failure 6 months after I flew in it and both the pilot and passenger were killed. Not a good thing at all.