Scott Crossfield's Plane Missing

[barnstorm2]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/20/georgia.plane/index.html

control lost contact with plane registered to test pilot Scott Crossfield

[Screw]

Screw-in

Yesturday had massive storms north of Cobb and around Ellijay about that time.

Screw-Out

[Rando]

I hate to say it, but it looks likes "controller error". Can you spell l-a-w-s-u-i-t?
Accidents: 1 Reported

· 1 Assumed Fatal N6579X/C210 IFR departed Prattville AL (1A9) to Manassas VA (HEF), operating at 11,000 feet and in contact with ZTL (Atlanta Center). The pilot requested to deviate south for weather and the controller approved the request and advised the pilot that the mode C readout indicated 11,500 feet. Two minutes later the controller noticed the transponder go into coast and the pilot was advised of this but never responded. Several more attempts were made to contact the aircraft but there was no further communication and radar contact was also lost approximately 58 miles north of ATL. Based on information from the flight plan it is believed that the pilot is Scott Crossfield a well known test pilot. A review of services was conducted at ZTL (Atlanta Center) and it was determined that there was several SIGMET’s that were not issued to the pilot concerning weather in the area. Drug/alcohol testing was ordered for one controller at ZTL (Atlanta Center). A preliminary review of radar data indicates a possible inflight breakup. Search and rescue is ongoing and the wreckage has not been located as of this time.

[Vance]

That is very sad. I found Scott Crossfield to be an inspiration, thoughtfull and kind. He was good friends with my father. He loves all aviation.

Thank you, Vance

[barnstorm2]

Wreckage from a plane registered to legendary test pilot Scott Crossfield has been found in the forests of North Georgia, Gordon County EMA Director Courtney Taylor confirmed for 11Alive News reporter Kevin Rowson Thursday. The Associated Press is also reporting that a body has been pulled from the crash site.

The plane that went missing on Wednesday is owned by the 84-year-old Crossfield, the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. Officials are not certain if Crossfield was piloting the Cessna when it disappeared from radar near Ellijay, Ga.

The Cessna left Prattville, Ala. on a flight to Virginia. The Civil Air Patrol's Georgia wing helped conduct air and ground searches along the flight path, a spokesperson said. The wreckage was found on the border of Gordon and Pickens county.

On Nov. 20, 1953, Crossfield became the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound as he piloted the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket to a speed of 1,291 mph. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1983, the International Space Hall of Fame in 1988, and the Aerospace Walk of Honor in 1990.

[Cobra Doc]

Scott's son-in-law confirmed it was Scott doing the flying.

[Bill Clem]

Once upon a time, I was invited to an award ceremony at the Air and Space Museum. Afterwards, an older gentlemen came up to me and said that he wanted to shake my hand... We spoke for a few minutes, but I never got his name. After he moved off, another guest came up to me and said, "Wow, you got to meet him!" "Who?" I replied in my usual ignorance. "Scott Crossfield!!" Awestruck, I didn't wash my hand for a week. Later, speaking to some other aviation folks, the general consensus was that he was by far the nicest and humblest of the early jet age flight test pilots. I was, and remained, honored.

[Mayfield]

About six years ago I was at the annual meeting of the Society of Experimental test Pilots in Los Angeles. We are encouraged to bring our wife.

The pilots attend classes and presentations and there are activities where the wives get together.

During a break, my wife and I met. We were sitting in a lounge area. One of the people I saw, across the room, was Scott Crossfield.

I recognized him from photographs I had seen. I turned to my wife and said "Honey, that's Scott Crossfield; the first man to fly mach 2. I'd love to shake his hand."

Shortly after, I had to visit the mens room. When I came back my wife and Scott were sitting together on the sofa. As I walked up Doris said "Honey, I'd like you to meet Scott Crossfield."

Apparently she had accosted him as I went to the mens room. She had explained how much I wanted to meet him. He actually sat with her and waited until I returned.

I saw Scott at Oshkosh and Sun and Fun, each year, for several years thereafter. He would always approach me and ask "Is your beautiful wife with you?"

He would always visit for several minutes. He would ask how things were going with me. He would give me his full attention.

Jim

[Vance]

I am having a hard time with this.

It is nice to hear such a consistancy in the Scott Crossfield experiance. He will live in my thoughts and decisions.

I would like to ask him how to deal with the loss of such a nice man. I am better for having known him. It was much too soon to lose another friend. I feel a little overloaded.

I know that my reaction is not what he would want. I should be happy that our lives crossed. I am struggling with the loss. I must remember that any feeling is better than no feeling. I must value the feeling.

If I was going to die today, I would feel that I had more than my share of adventures and I have few regrets. Scott Crossfield lived a great adventure for 84 years, I suspect that he had few regrets.

God speed Scott Crossfield.

Thank you, Vance

[Rotornut]

inspiration, thoughtfull and kind. Vance that is YOU. MJ :)

[Vance]

MJ, as always you are sunshine. I am sorry you didn't have the gift to know him. You deserve it.

Thank you, Vance

[Rotornut]

Vance but I know you and that is Great!

Read about the crash in the paper, never did get the Honors of meeting him.

But I did chit chat with Bob Hoover at Sun/Fun 3yrs ago that was great.
Wish Craig Wall would come out to play and chat:(

MJ :)

[Rehan K.Janjua]

Sad news.

May God bless him and may Scott rest in peace. amen.

[PW_Plack]

The initial NTSB report suggests the aircraft broke up in a severe thunderstorm:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20060501X00494&key=1