Posted on 08/18/2006 7:33:10 AM PDT by txroadkill
Wal-Mart heir John Walton made major modifications to his experimental light aircraft in the weeks before he died, according to the final accident report released last week by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The report did not give a probable cause for the June 27, 2005, accident that killed 58-year-old Walton.
He died from blunt force trauma after crashing his single-engine CGS Hawk Arrow II aircraft while attempting to land at the Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyo.
Walton had repaired the aircraft after a hard landing weeks earlier following a flight home from the builder in West Virginia, the report stated.
He removed the rear floorboard, rear control stick, rear seat and restraint system, the nose-mounted heater, the fuselage cover and the gap cover.
“The kit manufacturer and the dealer offered to personally assist the pilot in Jackson with the repairs to the airplane,” NTSB investigator Aaron Sauer wrote in his report.
“However, the pilot declined the offer for on-scene assistance.”
Walton purchased several new pieces from the aircraft manufacturer and had friends help in making the repairs, the report said.
“The pilot did not replace the fuselage cover, gap covers or doors after the repairs were completed,” Sauer said.
“The pilot’s friends also reported that [Walton ] had been using an inspection mirror to search for metal shavings … during the days preceding the accident.”
Metal shavings can be a sign of corrosion, metal fatigue or damage being done by parts rubbing against each other.
Walton purchased the aircraft in June 2004 from CGS Aviation and worked with a builder in West Virginia on its construction.
The government’s report shows Walton had problems with the aircraft before construction was completed.
“During one flight, the pilot left a cordless drill on the top of the engine prior to takeoff,” Sauer said.
“During the flight, the cordless drill fell off the engine and contacted the composite propeller.”
The propeller was damaged, but Walton was able to land the aircraft with no problems, the report stated.
In May 2005, Walton damaged the landing gear on the aircraft in Burwell, Neb., when he attempted to land to retrieve a bag that fell out of the craft.
“The pilot then partially disassembled the airplane, transported the airplane via truck to Jackson and performed repairs on the airplane,” Sauer said.
Federal law does not require a person to be certified in mechanics to make repairs on experimental aircraft.
Walton made two flights after repairing the plane and told friends he had problems during both trips and made repairs to the aircraft.
“The pilot reported no further discrepancies with the airplane to his friends,” Sauer said. Walton crashed his aircraft approximately seven minutes after takeoff from the Jackson Hole Airport on June 27, 2005, the report said. He gave no indication to air traffic control that he was having problems. The second son of Sam Walton, founder of Bentonvillebased Wal-Mart Stores Inc., John Walton left Northwest Arkansas shortly after returning from a stint as an Army Green Beret in Vietnam. He worked as a crop duster and a ship builder before settling down in northwest Wyoming, where he lived with his wife and son.
Sad, but then, all income levels qualify for the Darwin Award.
“During the flight, the cordless drill fell off the engine and contacted the composite propeller.”
The propeller was damaged, but Walton was able to land the aircraft with no problems, the report stated.
I'm sure this guy loved working on his plane, but he also seemed to be incident prone.
What's the saying? Pride goeth before the fall?
But instead, flying one of these:
of course, the Mustang is a tricky girl to take off and land with because of the amount of power it has, but......she'll get you there quickly with your luggage and handles like a dream at altitude and speed.
It looks like something my 10 yeard old daughter would make in art class.
Hundred mile an hour tape?
Looks like a copy of a Taylorbird.
But the EPA envirowackos would jail you for your 'Birdie' leaking all over the place, not to mention all the bad pub you'd get from the anti-gas guzzling mean SUV crowd.
No FOD check, no maintenance check. We know the cause of the crash. Pilot error.
Yes, that is EXACTLY why I love that bird...you forgot the sonic BOOMS!
He could have had his own crew of 'Wally Girls' (like the Hooters' chicks) to serve him drinks, food, massages, whatever.
Stupid is as stupid does. God bless his soul. But for His grace . . . .
I know. I didn't mean it was a good copy, just trying to be polite. Just looked like they might have been inspired by it, then didn't do a very good rendition.
Probably cheap Chinese parts.
His headwork appears to be the proximate cause...
(This is sad - as it was avoidable)
The chain of events ends at the scene of the accident...
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