Legendary pilot Scott Crossfield's body found in plane wreckage.

CNN/AP | 4/20/06

[Names Ash Housewares]

Breaking on CNN web page from AP report.

[ccmay]

What a shame. I saw a lecture he gave once, and shook hands with him afterwards. A perfect gentleman and an exemplar of all that makes America great. RIP.

-ccm

[ccmay]

I doubt this was controlled flight into terrain. I shouldn't speculate, and I'll get dinged for saying that much, but ... It was a good day to get into some really rough air, in the soup, get vertigo, and STP.

At the age of 84, flying solo, it could have been any of a number of medical conditions that incapacitated him too.

-ccm

[ccmay]

I will never forget his engines out loop in an aero commander!

I saw him do that at an airshow in a white and green Shrike. I'll never forget it either.

-ccm

[Phsstpok]

Yeah, I heard the news today, oh boy.

Chuck has got to be conflicted right about now. He beat Scott to mach one, no question.  But Scott is "pushing the envelope" ahead of Chuck in areas that matter far more, in the long run.

And Scott apparently went out "on the stick."  As he would have wanted it.

Those who love Chuck should be making sure that he's not "chasing the demon" again right now.  We who remain behind need men like him far too much.

God bless you Scott Crossfield. We are counting on you to make the case for all of us with "the rules committee."   Please say "hello" to Pancho and wish her God's speed.

We'll all be with you soon enough and anxious to learn the TRUTH from the horses' mouth.

[GOP_1900AD]

What an awesome book!

[BurbankKarl]

Somewhere Pancho is nailing old Scott Crossfield's picture up on a wall...

[Dashing Dasher]

Agreed.

Have you ever read his Flying Circus?

Another good one - harder to find.

[ExSES]

At the age of 84, flying solo, it could have been any of a number of medical conditions that incapacitated him too.

Very true... I only hope I go the same way! In another decade or so of course!

[Conservative4Ever]

Sounds like it's time to break out the DVD...'The Right Stuff'...and watch in memory of those early, brave pilots like Crossfield who loved to fly and were willing to take on the almost impossible to be able to do so. RIP to a legend and a hero.

[narby]

I never implied the decedant was an amatuer.

OK:

Post 55, I replied: "Crossfield was hardly an 'amateur'."

Post 61 RJS1950 said: "This guy was no amateur".

Obviously I'm not the only one you miscommunicated to.

In short, quit putting words in my mouth and get a clue, because you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

You in post #4: I know virtually nothing about piloting planes or national statistics on small plane crashes.

I don't need to put words in your mouth. You do that just fine all by yourself.

[agincourt1415]

Crossfield, Col.,CAP, died of sudden stoppage, with his boots on, and in conditions that can trap any pilot, Embedded Thunderstorms with nowhere to go.

I wouldn't mind going at that age, (unexpected sudden death doing something I love) as long as I am alone in the Airplane.

[agincourt1415]

And I hope a Georgia Wing, CAP Search and Rescue Team, were the first on the Scene, it would be fitting, to have them there.

[pandemoniumreigns]

"L to R: NAHF enshrinees Bob Hoover (left) and Scott Crossfield (right) with Dave Lau, who placed the winning bid on a Gathering of Eagles auction item offering a ride for 10 on “Duggy” (with Crossfield onboard)."

What a flight that would have been.

Rest in peace Scott Crossfield, American hero.

[Dashing Dasher]

I met Scott Crossfield once. He'd probably not remember me.

But, I have been lucky enough to meet Bob Hoover several times at Reno. The first time, I asked him if I could kiss his ring. He laughed and with his amazing Southern Charm said, "Oh little lady, aren't you sweet!"

I could sit and listen to those guys tell stories all night long. Hoover never stopped trying to escape when he was in a gulag during WW2. I would love to hear those stories - especially the flight that got him out.

One of the things that bothers me is that the youth of today don't know these men. Don't know their names or their deeds.

Stories of outrageous courage should always be shared.

[Dashing Dasher]

Sweetie, there is an old Southern saying that I'm gonna share with you today...

Don't try to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

;-)

[pandemoniumreigns]

I do envy you.

I have been to many airshows but never got to meet anyone.

The other day I looking for a blank VCR tape and came across my whole collection of Wings tapes that includes that outragous Hoover edition in the Shrike..

Great stuff...

[ExSES]

I wouldn't mind going at that age, (unexpected sudden death doing something I love) as long as I am alone in the Airplane.

Somehow, I am reminded of the old "dark humor" joke:

I certainly hope that I die, peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather and not screaming in stark terror... LIKE HIS PASSENGERS!!!

[agincourt1415]

That's what I mean, having passengers would RUIN the moment, a quite, oh shit from the pilot is OK!

[JRandomFreeper]

Crossfield, Col.,CAP, died of sudden stoppage, with his boots on, and in conditions that can trap any pilot, Embedded Thunderstorms with nowhere to go.

Not a bad way to go. Col. Crossfield was one of my childhood heros.

He and his crowd shook the windows before they outlawed the sonic "BOOM!".

/johnny

[kilowhskey]

I add my voice to that of P-Marlowe and add my strenuous objection to such a callous comment.