[blackdog]

The "pilot error" was caused by an incredible resistance to anyone telling any politician that they cannot do something which has been requested. The Wellstones and their handlers will not accept that a pilot has reached a "go-no-go" decision based on the weather and platform capabilities. I've seen it a hundred times and have been an unwilling participant on a few. Fortunately I was lucky.

Had the pilot refused to fly Wellstone due to the weather, that would be the end of that pilot's job. Unfortunately(or fortunately) that responsibility must be taken and comes with the turf.

If you need another example, remember Heinz making Sun Oil use their helicopter to inspect the landing gear underneath the light twin Heinz was flying in? The flaming debris of both aircraft rained down on a gradeschool and in the most heavily populated area in Pennsylvania. Again an act caused by the arrogance of political power and it's unwillingness to accept that there are some constants which cannot be resolved by barking at the help.

[flamefront]

Bingo - you said it.

Also recall Wellstone was in the throes of a campaign, no holds barred. Clearly he pressured the pilot to ignore the obvious and known icing conditions at the time.

This settlement is disgusting.

[Aeronaut]

I've seen it a hundred times and have been an unwilling participant on a few. Fortunately I was lucky.

We have a slogan that if we make a weather "no-go" decision we immediately drink a beer. That way no one can make us go. (It is tongue in cheek, of course)