An e-memorial for 6 fine people

I know this is very out of the ordinary for our newsletter, but please allow me this rant. You may have seen my name at Cyberspace HQ.

Chances are that you heard about this in the news. On Sunday, June 30 2002, a tragedy occurred in the hills near Santa Barbara, California. A group of eight small airplanes, which were flying in formation on their way to a weekly lunch found themselves in a box canyon. Two of the airplanes didn’t make it out. Each of the airplanes that crashed carried a pilot in command and two passengers. All six perished…. I knew each of them.

They were part of a large group of friends that regularly get together on Sunday mornings, flying off to various locations for a group breakfast or lunch. As is true with the entire general aviation community, this group is a tight-knit family. In fact, I had planned to be with them on the flight that day. Had it not been for a last minute decision to get some extra work done, I would have certainly been in the second plane that went down.

If you happen to live in Southern California, you have almost certainly seen the group overhead on one Sunday or another.

The pilots flying those airplanes were some of the best I know. They kept their cool to the very end. I’ve flown with both of the pilots that crashed. They were highly experienced. A private pilot myself, I only hope to be as good as they were. Unfortunately, things don’t always go your way.

Six good people lost their lives doing what they loved to do. They are truly missed, and will live in our memories.

Michael Kovnick
N55028