Family: Crew member dead in SD plane crash (crashed while fighting a wildfire)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

DAN ELLIOTT and MEAD GRUVER

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A military cargo plane from North Carolina has crashed while fighting a wildfire in the Black Hills of South Dakota, killing at least one of the six crew members aboard and forcing officials to ground the fleet.

There was no official word on death or injuries, but the family of Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal of Mooresville, N.C., confirmed they were notified early Monday that he had died in the C-130 crash Sunday evening.

The 42-year-old married father of two was a veteran pilot who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Six crew members were aboard the C-130 from the North Carolina Air National Guard in Charlotte, N.C., said Lt. Col. Robert Carver. The plane crashed after dropping fire retardant.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120702/D9VOVH481.html

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Residents of the Mountain Shadows area view their properties on Sunday, July 1, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Even people who know their homes are still standing have some anxiety over temporary visits being allowed today to wildfire-devastated neighborhoods around Colorado Springs. About 10,000 people are still out of their homes, having been among 30,000 who initially fled the most destructive fire in Colorado's history.(AP Photo/The Colorado Springs Gazette, Susannah Kay)

[AtheistCrusader]

1. Few things more brutal on an airframe than that moment where the static load is released

from these firefighting planes. Just absolutely brutal. Maybe the Vomit Comet takes a bigger pounding. Not many. Just tears the aircraft up.

This is a very dangerous job.

[PavePusher]

2. Much stress also from the knap-of-the-earth flying over rugged terrain...

fighting violent wind shears, thermal up- and down-drafts, etc.

Also, many/most fire aircraft are quite old. This recalls the very old C-130 that literally folded it's wings off a few years ago....

Slightly out of context, but fitting none-the-less:

For The Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon


With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

[PatrynXX]

4. Rapid City/Custer. been there twice now

Ironically last time in 2009 when 100 mph winds swept thru at home. there was no way for us to suddenly go home had to rely on friends. which is why the city has been buryng the powerlines since then. since the power was out for a couple of days. thats where we need jobs. our infrastructure is going to shit.

Custer is near the Crazy Horse Memorial. nice little town. Rapid City.. crazy drivers. Hot Springs and Pine Ridge better. also under red flag.

I'd rather freeze to death...

[El Supremo]

3. And now the remaining seven C-130s are grounded.

We need them in Colorado! Actually we need a newer heavy bomber.