[net.rec.skydive] Jump Plane Crash - 9/29/85

al@infoswx.UUCP (10/02/85)

Does anybody know the details of the aircraft crash south of Atlanta
on Sept 29th.  Having several friends in the area, I am trying to get details.

Also, the news said 15 jumpers and the pilot were killed in the 
Cessna aircraft.  What kind of Cessna carries 15 jumpers?

Please respond via mail to keep the wuffo's from making snide remarks.

Al Gettier
D 5850
ihnp4!infoswx!al
convex!al

bl@hplabsb.UUCP (10/07/85)

> Also, the news said 15 jumpers and the pilot were killed in the 
> Cessna aircraft.  What kind of Cessna carries 15 jumpers?

The new Caravan.  It's a turbo-prop with lines that only a mother could
love.  However, it's a real workhorse

paul@ubvax.UUCP (Paul Fries) (10/08/85)

PLEASE, NO FLAMES ON THIS.  MORE CORRECT/COMPLETE INFORMATION IS WELCOME!

"RELIABLE" INFORMATION

The aircraft that went down was "Cowboy's Caravan", a turbo-prop Cessna
Caravan that will carry 16 jumpers (the news video I saw showed the tail
section of the craft with the words "COWBOY'S CARAVAN" clearly visible).
News report said all on board were killed (pilot + 16 jumpers).  Report
also indicated that the airplane HAD BEEN GROUNDED with fuel contamination
problems earlier in the week.

RUMORS (unconfirmed, word of mouth)

1) Aircraft was still legally grounded when used for the jump.
2) Aircraft had flown one or more loads earlier in the day.
3) Fuel was contaminated with sugar.
4) Investigation concerning possible drug related activities is on-going.
   I.E. There is some question that the owner and/or craft had been
   involved in drug traffic operations, and that the crash was someone's
   retribution.

PLEASE CORRECT/ADD INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.

I am most upset at this whole thing and do not want it to get lost in the
shuffle the way that many disasters do after their initial shock value has
worn off.

wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (10/09/85)

Been awaiting more info in this group -- isn't anyone on-line located in
the area where the crash occurred, so they can access local info
sources? A couple days after the crash, there were items on the national
TV news programs, all networks, regarding the plane's fuel being
contaminated with sugar, and that there was some tie betwen the plane's
owner (killed n the crash) and another person who had parachuted into a
suburban location while carrying a load of cocaine (and who was either
killed in the jump/landing or was dead when pushed out of whereever he
fell from). It is all quite confusing and mysterious.

Will