I don't seem to see the reference to the automatic weather waiver for Congress Critters mentioned.
You know, the one that exempts Congressmen from the FAA rules for safe flying in inclement weather. The ones the peons have to follow.
Cry me a river, Mr. Thereau.
What pressure was the flight crew under? Maybe Wellstone should be charged with manslaughter?
According to the NTSB report:
"According to the Senator’s campaign scheduler, the pilot contacted her about 0720 and informed her that they might experience icing conditions during the flight. She stated that the pilot did not indicate that he was thinking of canceling the flight. The campaign scheduler stated that when she asked the pilot what he would do if icing became a problem, he told her that the airplane was equipped with deicing equipment and, if necessary, that he could turn the airplane back toward warmer air to melt the ice or divert to DLH. She stated that the pilot then reassured her that he was an experienced and conservative pilot."
and:
"According to Aviation Charter’s director of charter, sales, and marketing, the pilot called her about 0840 and stated that he had done a weather check with the Senator’s campaign staff and that they still wanted to depart as planned. He indicated that he was getting conflicting guidance from another of the Senator’s staffs and that he did not feel comfortable deciding whether or not to make the flight."
..and:
Aviation Charter’s director of operations stated that he did not speak with the pilot that morning but that the pilot had left him a voice message stating that there was some confusion about whether they should depart. He indicated that the pilot stated on the message that icing conditions might prevent them from returning to STP later that day as planned."
..and:
"The other King Air pilot, who had just arrived at STP from the DLH area, indicated that the accident pilot asked him about the weather conditions he had encountered on his flight and then asked him if he would mind sharing this information with the Senator. The other King Air pilot indicated that he told the Senator that the weather was at minimums, but he was sure the pilots could handle the flight."
Nope, no pressure here.