Plane, Helicopter Collide Near Gillespie Field, San Diego, California

Plane, Helicopter Collide Near Gillespie Field

Last Updated:
02-08-06 at 6:08PM

An experimental plane collided with a helicopter near Gillespie Field
in El Cajon Wednesday, sending debris crashing to the ground over a
nearby park and homes and killing three people.

The two aircraft collided in mid-air at 4:40 p.m. and crashed at the
El Cajon-La Mesa boundary near Fletcher Hills.

Monica Zech, a spokeswoman for the city of El Cajon, confirmed that
three people were killed when the planes collided.

....

One of the aircraft was apparently an experimental Cessna plane,
according to George Wood of the Heartland Fire Department.

Debris was seen in and around Harry Griffen Park near Grossmont High
School in eastern La Mesa. Two tarps apparently covering bodies were
seen near both crash sites.

Authorities closed the park after the crash and cordoned off the
wreckage scene. Some debris started a fire in the attic of a house,
but it was unknown if anyone was inside, Zech said.

Eyewitness Patty Lee said she and her husband were walking at the dog
park when they heard a pop, looked up and saw the helicopter’s cabin
land in the park.

“There was no one on the ground, but as we were leaving we saw two
bodies on the ground near the helicopter,” she said.

Update: Two Cessna's Collide Near Gillespie Field

Last Updated:
02-09-06 at 12:31AM

Investigators are looking into why two planes collided near Gillespie
Field in El Cajon Wednesday, sending fiery debris crashing to the
ground over a nearby park and homes and killing three people.

The two aircraft collided in mid-air at 4:40 p.m. and crashed at the
El Cajon-La Mesa boundary near Fletcher Hills, according to officials.

Monica Zech, a spokeswoman for the city of El Cajon, confirmed that
three people were killed when the planes collided.

A spokesperson from the Scandinavian Aviation Academy confirmed one of
the planes - a 172 RG experimental Cessna aircraft - was from their
school. The spokesperson also confirmed that a flight instructor and
student were killed on the SAA plane. The flight instructor apparently
had a fiancee who has been notified. The identity of the instructor
and the student have not been released.

Both planes reported to have originated from Gillespie Field.

The El Cajon Fire Department reports the second plane is a 182 Cessna.
Not a helicopter as witnesses and some officials first thought.

So it's two planes and no helicopter involved? Not that that makes it
any less tragic, but thanks for the update.

The Monk

A spokesperson from the Scandinavian Aviation Academy confirmed one of
the planes - a 172 RG experimental Cessna aircraft - was from their
school

An experimental 172RG?

"Flyingmonk" wrote:

So it's two planes and no helicopter involved? Not that that makes it
any less tragic, but thanks for the update.

According to this article in the San Diego paper, it involved a 172 with a
student and CFI, and a solo 182. Someone got a heartwrenching photo of one
of the planes descending in flames:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...-7m9crash.html

by James Robinson Feb 9, 2006 at 09:04 AM


"Flyingmonk" wrote:

So it's two planes and no helicopter involved? Not that that makes it
any less tragic, but thanks for the update.

According to this article in the San Diego paper, it involved a 172 with
a

student and CFI, and a solo 182. Someone got a heartwrenching photo of
one
of the planes descending in flames:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...-7m9crash.html



Click on the attached articles. Warning: You will hate them, esp the
comments from the guy who snapped the pix.

"James Robinson" wrote in message . 97.142...
"Flyingmonk" wrote:

So it's two planes and no helicopter involved? Not that that makes it
any less tragic, but thanks for the update.

According to this article in the San Diego paper, it involved a 172 with a
student and CFI, and a solo 182. Someone got a heartwrenching photo of one
of the planes descending in flames:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/m...-7m9crash.html

Those folks in SD really can catch the bad crashes...

http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/200...sa-crash-1978/

Click on the attached articles. Warning: You will hate them, esp the
comments from the guy who snapped the pix.

What a friggin' a**hole.

:-(
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"