Fatal Crash

Does anyone have any information, other than what's posted on news
websites, about the fatal crash of an experimental aircraft in Irdell
county, N.C. this morning (12 Dec 07)? Does anyone know what kind of
aircraft it was?

Monty wrote:

Does anyone have any information, other than what's posted on news
websites, about the fatal crash of an experimental aircraft in Irdell
county, N.C. this morning (12 Dec 07)? Does anyone know what kind of
aircraft it was?

Pilot owns a Varieze and Aero Canard, photo on site below looks like a
MkIV, so I'd assume its the Aero Canard... Site below also has video:

http://www.statesville.com/servlet/Satellite?
pagename=SRL/MGArticle/SRL_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353835955

BREAKING NEWS: Plane crashes near Statesville airport
Statesville Record and Landmark
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
UPDATE: 1:11 p.m.: Unofficial reports identify the victim as Ristro
Toukola, whose wife Cheryl owns Mayo's Ristorante in downtown
Statesville.

Adam Jones, whose mother works at Mayo's, said Toukola had 20 years of
flying experience, and to his knowledge, had no previous problems.

He described Toukola as a giving man who helped anyone who needed a
hand. "If you were ever in a situation that could be fixed, he'd be the
one to fix it," he said.

Jones said Toukola's loss will be felt for a long time. "He will be
mourned for years to come," he said.

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UPDATE 11:51 a.m.: The pilot lived in Statesville and flew out of
Statesville Regional Airport often, authorities and witnesses said.

The man's name has not been released.

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UPDATE 11:35 a.m.: Authorities have confirmed that the pilot of a
single-seat airplane died Wednesday morning when his plane crashed into
a wooded area near Statesville Regional Airport.

Hubert and Kevin Moore told the R&L that they knew the plane was in
trouble when they saw it flying just over the tree line.

Before the plane slammed nose first into the ground, it appeared to the
father and son, who were fixing up a nearby rental property, that the
pilot was going to jump out of the small cockpit.

The pilot was dead when the witnesses arrived at the crash site, they
said. The pilot's name has not been released.

The Iredell County Emergency Communications Center received numerous 911
calls at 9:57 a.m. regarding the plane crash in the area of Bethlehem
Road and Happy Lane.

According Iredell County emergency management officials, the plane
crashed at the end of the west runway during take-off.

Statesville and West Iredell firefighters are still on the scene, along
with EMS and the N.C. Highway Patrol.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which investigates plane crashes,
was notified and is en route to the scene.

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UPDATE 10:43 a.m.: The pilot of a small airplane died Wednesday morning
when his plane crashed in a wooded area near Happy Lane in Iredell
County, authorities told the R&L.

The crash occurred around 10 a.m. No other details were immediately
available.

There were no passengers in the plane, according to R&L reporter Donna
Swicegood, who is on the scene.

The R&L will update this story on the Web throughout the day.

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10:35 a.m.:A plane crashed on Bethlehem Road near the Statesville
Regional Airport this morning.

An R&L reporter is investigating, and we will post updates throughout
the morning.


http://news14.com/content/top_storie...lled-in-small-
plane-crash/Default.aspx
Pilot killed in small plane crash
Updated: 12/12/2007 12:45 PM
By: News 14 Carolina Web Staff

The pilot of the small plane was killed in the accident. (Courtesy of
WCNC) -- One person was killed Wednesday in small plane crash in
Iredell County.

The plane crashed on Happy Lane, off Bethlehem Road, just before 10 a.m.
It was taking off from nearby Statesville Municipal Airport at the time
of the accident.

Officials have confirmed that the pilot is dead. That person was the
onlySTATESVILLE passenger on board.