Very Sad! WOW!

July 11, 2005 - Aviation and the air show community suffered a tragic loss
on Sunday, as Jim Franklin and Bobby Younkin died when their airplanes
collided during an air show performance in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. "This is
a tragic loss, as it is anytime this happens in the air show community, and
our deepest condolences go out to each man's family," said EAA President Tom
Poberezny, who as a member of the Red Devils and the Eagles Aerobatic Team
until 1995, had flown in many air shows that also included Younkin and
Franklin.
Franklin and Younkin were performing as part of their popular "Masters of
Disaster" air show act at Moose Jaw, which also includes pilot Jim LeRoy and
the Shockwave jet truck.

"Jimmy and Bobby were aerial professionals and consummate entertainers, and
both of them were just great people," Poberezny said. "They were among the
best in the air show community and great ambassadors for aviation wherever
they entertained."

LeRoy was also in the air during the performance in his Bulldog biplane, but
landed safely without injury.

Franklin was best known for his vintage Waco biplane that included a jet
engine for greater climb performance. He also performed an air show act with
his son, Kyle, who was a wingwalker. Kyle Franklin was not in the airplane
at the time of the accident.

Younkin flew a variety of aircraft at air shows through the years, including
a Beech 18 and the Samson biplane.

Both men, along with LeRoy, were scheduled to perform their solo acts during
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005.

--
Dave J. Zera
Co-Chairman
Safety / Flight line
AirVenture 2005

"David J. Zera" *remove wrote in message
...
July 11, 2005 - Aviation and the air show community suffered a tragic loss
on Sunday, as Jim Franklin and Bobby Younkin died when their airplanes
collided during an air show performance in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Indeed very sad. I saw Jim perform at the Festival of Flight in Fayetteville
NC in 2003 and his performance was excellent. I thought at the time how
special it was that his son was part of his act. Thank goodness Kyle wasn't
wingwalking at the time of the crash.

My condolences to the family.

-Trent
PP-ASEL