Author Topic: D'oh! (Read 233 times)

rpm · « **on:** September 23, 2004, 06:12:48 PM »

http://cbs11tv.com/localstories/local_story_267144809.html

Sep 23, 2004 1:45 pm US/Central
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (AP) -- A Coppell (kuh-PEL') man wasn't hurt today when his experimental craft crashed into Joe Pool Lake while practicing water landings.

Grand Prairie police say the seaplane was piloted by 69-year-old David Hoffmeister.

Police say a nearby fisherman rescued Hoffmeister.

Officials say the flight originated from Mid-Way Regional Airport between Midlothian and Waxahachie.

Police say Hoffmeister was attempting a water landing when the wheels failed to retract -- causing the plane to flip onto its top.

Aerial video showed the plane floating wheels up.
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The story aired said the guy was showing off for friends with a video camera and made a low pass over the dam, clipped it with his wheels then attempted a water landing. The FAA is gonna love this guy.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #1 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:20:57 PM »

off topic:

RPM your location wouldn't happen to be related to "pancho barnes" would it?

rpm · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:22:15 PM »

Exactly. In spirit anyway.

ra · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:30:23 PM »

Quote

Police say Hoffmeister was attempting a water landing when the wheels failed to retract

"THE WHEELS failed to retract". That's like when they call running out of fuel "air in the fuel line".

No wonder amphibs are so expensive to insure.

ra

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:33:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm371
Exactly. In spirit anyway.

just saying because I live not 5 miles from were Pancho Barne's used to be....saturday is the anual "pancho barnes celebration"......A bunch of Air Force officers getting wild and having a good time!

rpm · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:37:57 PM »

I thought Edwards stopped that. Very cool! Man, just think how many GREAT pilots used to gather there. There had to have been some awesome tales spun.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:49:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm371
I thought Edwards stopped that. Very cool! Man, just think how many GREAT pilots used to gather there. There had to have been some awesome tales spun.

to be honest.....I see, or hear about, history being made at least once a week. The museum here is AWSOME as far as history goes. Not many people can say they've actually been to the pit were chuck yeagers plane was loaded onto its B29 mothership.

Yea Pancho Barnes is a wild time.....its weird seeing the officers (and their wives) get wild and such.

rpm · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:56:27 PM »

I used to drive past Edwards 4 or 5 times a month when I was trucking. I always wanted to find Pancho's and look around but heard it was off limits.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2004, 07:28:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm371
I used to drive past Edwards 4 or 5 times a month when I was trucking. I always wanted to find Pancho's and look around but heard it was off limits.

Yup....it's not a very "preserved" area. But they do have a section that they hold the party at every year. I found it funny that pancho's used to be a potato house. It wouldnt surprise me were we are at....its 2004 and the nearest town is 15 miles away.....I can't imagine what this area was like in the 40's 50's and 60's....lancaster wasn't even there and palmdale was a drivethrough.