I Witnessed a Plane Crash - What Do You Do?

A few years ago I was flying to Okeechobee KOBE to meet friends for breakfast. There was a plume of thick black smoke as I climbed out of the airplane. My friends and I took off running. I did not see the plane actually crash but if I looked a few seconds earlier, I would have seen it. What do you do in this situation and how do you handle getting back into your own airplane and fly home?
#planecrash #aviation
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[@Parr4theCourse]

Glad you continued flying, it makes no difference if you witness a plane crash or car crash first hand it affects each and every one of us differently. We were on a youth trip driving a van full of kids when we saw another van coming the opposite direction crossing the median, the van coming our way flipped end over end, I saw that it was also a church van most likely going to the same event we just left. I saw arms flailing out the windows and knew that there would be loss of life as well as severe injuries! Miraculously there were NO serious injuries just a few bumps and bruises! Needles to say most of the trip back home was eerily quite as we reflected on Gods Love, Mercy and Grace.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Well said and thanks for sharing. Glad everyone in the van was ok.

[@imc2cavu]

Shortly out of college, I crashed my motorcycle by "improperly navigating" a turn. 100% "pilot error". Although shaken up, and the bike and I slightly damaged, luckily we were both ridable. After bending a few things back in place, at that moment I knew it was a key decision point in my life. Either call someone to come get me and the bike (and possibly never ride again) or get back on and ride home (carefully! LOL). I'm not a "macho" or even a particularly brave person, but I chose to get back on and I'm glad I did because 30 years later I still ride. Life is lived outside your comfort zone, I remind myself that every time I fly when something doesn't go the way I wanted or expected it to. You're either winning or learning in life. Thanks for the vid Laurie.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

All progress takes place outside of your comfort zone. Thanks for sharing.

[@miloswanson9646]

Years ago, when riding my motorcycle, I had encountered some sand/gravel in a sharp turn in the road. Instead of reacting instantly, I froze for a split-second. While although I didn't crash, I realized at that moment that I had 'lost my edge'... I sold my cycles. Do I miss riding? yes. But, as Clint Eastwood/Harry Callahan said in Magnum Force 'A man has got to know his limitations.' That was 35 years ago. Besides, I was newly married and had something (a future) to live for.

[@brentrobinson1833]

I had a good friend of mine killed in a motorcycle accident. He was hit by a drunk driver. I think about it every time I ride, but I keep riding because that is how I remember him! If we stop living because of a tragedy that has happened in our lives, then our lives are diminished a little from what they were. I don’t think it’s wrong to continue to do the things we love doing because of an accident that we witnessed or hear about. What would be wrong is not learning from the experience and using that to make yourself a better rider, pilot, driver, etc. Thanks for sharing your experience and safe flying!

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thank you for sharing.

[@MrJohnBos]

As a teenager I was a lineman pumping gas for my local airport FBO. During my 3 years working there (and getting my ratings), I observed first hand how a few pilots on the field were accidents waiting to happen. I witnessed 5 accidents on the field, 1 was fatal and 2 more had serious injuries. I was the first person on the scene for all the incidents. Looking back, all those accidents could have been avoided if the pilots had adhered to proper procedures, checklists and just plain old common sense. . I learned from mistakes and poor judgement of my fellow airmen and vowed not to repeat them or be like them. My first hand experiences definitely made me a better pilot. My best advice is think safety first and USE your checklists.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Great advice. Always safety first.

[@fchang8888]

I am new to aviation at 56 and I am always anxious to watch these type of videos or hear about it. I always kind of force myself to watch, review and learn. Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe someone have asked, are you flying a Diamond? That's what I am using to train out of KEMT.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

You can learn from these incidents but have to maintain respect for those involved. Yes I fly a DA40.

[@akken2112]

That was very brave of you to keep your calm and get in a cockpit after witnessing a plane crash. Also, you're not bad on the eyes. Are you a model and a pilot or just a model pilot?

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Nice comment but far from being a model!

[@akken2112]

@@LarjoskiFlyingAway Based on your videos, you are a model pilot😘

[@davidallen9526]

Good Day Ma'am. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings on this matter. Im so pleased everyone made it clear and all survived. Yes I have witnessed two mishaps. The first was ground operation during a maintenance run up on a OV-10. The engine was just shy of full power. One of the maintenance crew stood and walked right into the rotating prop. No chance for surviving. The other was on a clear day with almost still air. A pilot was flying a light sport. He was practicing stalls and slow flight. Just prior to landing just after making base to final turn, the plane went high angle nose up, went into deep stall and impacted the ground at nearly 90deg. He did not survive more than a few minutes after we ran to him. Both families agreed to use all materials such as videos, interviews, fire and police information to add to a safety video. We should always learn from what we and other pilots and tradesman have done wrong and apply it to what we do and how we conduct ourselves.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Sorry to hear that. It had to be a tough experience.

[@budowens6478]

I was in a Cessna 152, I was not flying, my buddy was flying, lost the engine, made a good landing then the nose wheel hit a small ditch, airplane flipped over, both of us got out without a scratch. This happened in 1982, I got my ppl in 1980. Purchased a Cessna172 6 years ago and really enjoy flying, I fly about 180 hours a year.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Thanks for sharing. Glad you are ok.

[@TIO540S1]

I watched a King Air crash in 2011 at KLGB. My office on the third floor of our building overlooks the entire airport. 5 of 6 aboard the King Air were killed. From what I saw, I couldn’t believe anyone survived, though the survivor was badly burned and permanently damaged. The impact shook the building and I felt it in my chest. I can play it back in my mind, though I try not to. I was too stunned to record. I’ve never seen anything remotely as horrifying and pray that I never do again. But it didn’t cause me to consider not flying, even for a moment.

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

It surely leaves an impression on you when you see how fragile we are. I have had another situations in my life is too difficult to mention and like you said it’s imprinted in my mind. Thanks for watching.

[@tkfounder]

I'm debating getting a DA40 - - - what are your thoughts? (would be a first time airplane, doing lease back but will learn to fly in it)

[@LarjoskiFlyingAway]

Love the DA40.