A bit of information. Ken was very experienced and an airforce c-130
pilot/instructor. He flew his Europa frequently like once a week.
He took off West into the prevailing wind and to the West there is a large
golf course under the approach to the runway. The crash site is between the
runway and the golf course.
It seems strange. A pilot with his experience and one would think if he had
an engine failure that he would elect the natural emegency site ahead. Can
that mean that there was a control failure or perhaps a sudden medical
cause? We may never know.
Tom
On 6/18/07, Fred Klein <fklein@orcasonline.com> wrote:
>
> Dave and Dale,
>
> I offer my most sincere condolences to you and all the friends and
> family of Ken Hill and his passenger. Since you two appear to have had
> personal relationships with Ken, I hope you will continue to share any
> information on the accident with the Europa community.
>
> Fred
>
> >
> > After reading about the crash, I called my friend Ken Hill who flies
> > out of Livermore. His wife Sandy, who was sobbing, told me it was,
> > in fact, her husband Ken who had died in the crash. Ken was a
> > terrific guy, former military pilot with a lot of hours. Another
> > terrible loss.
> > Dale Hetrick
>
> On Sunday, June 17, 2007, at 09:44 AM, David DeFord wrote:
>
> > Mike,
> >
> > Ken had long range tanks, which could have been installed at the time
> > of the crash. Here is a description of the tanks, which he posted
> > about a year ago:
> >
> > The tanks are 6 gal. Evinrude Johnson "Duratank" from the local boat
> > dealer. I use quick disconnect fittings from Europa and the pump is
> > Facet 40105 from Aircraft Spruce. The tanks are strapped to the wing
> > tie bar for restraint.
> >
> > I last saw Ken's airplane in his garage about a year ago, not long
> > after his return from a long trip, and the tanks were in the airplane
> > at that time. Whether he left them thereat all times, I don't know,
> > nor can I comment on the crash worthiness of the tie-downs he used to
> > hold them in place. I am only suggesting that the fire in this
> > accident might not be representative of what is likely to happen to
> > other Europas in a similar crash. (Third-hand accounts I have heard
> > of the accident say that the impact was nearly vertical.)
> >
> > Dave DeFord
> > N135TD
>
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