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Ping on #21
After speaking at a news conference in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on April 4, 1991, Heinz was headed to Philadelphia to conduct the first in a series of investigative hearings to examine the telemarketing of medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries, "Bleeding Medicare Dry: The Great Sales Scam." When the twin-engine plane carrying him and four other adults developed landing-gear trouble, a helicopter was dispatched to examine the problem. Consequently, the helicopter's blades accidentally hit the bottom of the plane, sending both aircraft to the ground and killing everyone on board. Two children, who were playing outside at noon recess at the Merion Elementary School in Montgomery County, were also killed when the wreckage fell on the school ground.
Memorial services were held in Pittsburgh at the Heinz Memorial Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus on April 10. Following the service, Heinz was buried in the family mausoleum in Homewood Cemetery. Another memorial service was held on April 12 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In a White House statement, President Bush remarked, "The people of Pennsylvania have lost a great leader, and the nation has lost a great senator... His leadership and commitment will be greatly missed."
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An incredibly stupid airplane accident. His machine's landing gear light didn't go on (these lights indicate that the wheels are down -- kinda big part of your landing checklist). A helicopter pilot nearby offered to fly up close to the plane and check. Heinz's charter pilots okayed it. He flew too close... everyone on both planes, and some people on the ground (3?) lost their lives.
None of the pilots (there were two on each craft) had had any formation flying training. It's something that looks easy when military or airshow pros do it, but really needs special training to do. To put it in terms that make sense to the 98% of you who don't fly, it's kinda like the way we can all drive a pickup truck, but would have a heck of a time backing up an 18 wheeler like a pro driver.
The investigation, by the way, showed that the landing gear were fine, it was the light that was bad, AND on that type plane you can't tell if they are in a safe condition by looking at them from another plane, anyway, even if you are the mechanic who works on that landing gear!
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
