Pilot and P-40 lost nearby Yesterday

[Widewing]

Yesterday, we lost a pilot and warbird in a tragic accident here on Long Island. Robert Baranackas was killed when he spun his P-40 into the ocean off of Smith's Point Beach while practicing an air show routine.

Bob's son Chris (who flies their P-51D at shows) was spotting for his dad and was in radio communication at the time of the accident. Chris had the horror of watching the crash, just a few hundred yards off the beach. Several surfer quickly paddled to the location, but there was no one alive to rescue.

I met Bob in October of 2007 at a local air show. We chatted about his P-51 and P-40. He was a very pleasant gentleman.

He will be missed in the community.



The Newsday story]http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-licras0712625373apr06,0,879642.story


Bob Baranaskas


Bob's favorite...


Chris Baranaskas flying the P-51D, Bob flying the P-40E.

My regards,

Widewing

[SuBWaYCH]

I have seen them both fly before. I was very saddened when I read that 

[chewiex]

  Very sad story. Beautiful old Warbirds.    Bob, may you rest in peace.

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Amen Rest in peace. 

[BnZs]

 

[Bodhi]

Wow, first I heard...  sorry to hear of this.

[FYB]

I hope he rests in peace, by the looks of it, small pieces equals the p40 became a bowl of legos.

-FYB

[Yeager]

Very Sorry to hear of another pilot and old warbird lost.

A tragedy for all of us who love the old war horses and who admire those pilots that keep those wonderful machines in the air.

I only wish there was a way to prevent such losses but that is the nature of it.

[Enduro]

My condolences. 

At least he died doing what he loved.  It's a shame that the impact was so hard as to kill him. 

 

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

From what his son said (shrugs), it was a nose down flat spin after climbing, one wing dipped and it stayed that way till impact, no control no pull out.


If this is the case there was absolutely no way out, crushing G's and alt loss rapidly cockpit still closed probably, a 18-21 year old fighter pilot would have had a hard time forcing himself out of the seat with all those g's, doubly hard for a older man like himself. Shame to have happen.


 

[Noir]

 

[slimmer]

  Bob, may you rest in peace.

[crims]

  Rest in Peace.

Hey Widewing where did you take that picture? Look like Long Island Jewish Hospital in the backround? I have see both planes at Republic Airfield before. Sad Very Sad

Crims

[dirt911]

  RIP we will never forget

[TonyJoey]