Local architect/pilot dies in Roanoke plane crash
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Update 2:36pm Wednesday: The Roanoke Times has an update from the crash site which suggests that something may have gone mechanically wrong with the plane before the crash.
Update: 9:30pm: The AP reports that 57-year-old Peter Sheeran, who was piloting the plane that crashed today in Roanoke, has died as a result of his injuries. John Whitmer remains in serious condition.
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The Roanoke Times is reporting that two Charlottesville men have survived the fiery crash of a single-engine 1985 Piper PA-46 after taking off from the Roanoke Regional Airport this afternoon, which also knocked out power in the area. Peter Sheeran, an architect and pilot with an office on High Street, is listed in critical condition, and John Whitmer, general manager of Landmark Aviation at Charlottesville’s Airport, is listed in serious condition. Both were taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
According to witnesses, the plane wobbled in the strong winds today, struck utility wires, and crashed into the side of UPS Freight building. One witness who lives near the airport said she thought the engine had a “knocking sound” when the plane took off.
Original headline: “Local pilot dies in Roanoke plane crash”
thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the men involved.
my condolences to the Sheeran family and wishes of a healthy recovery to Mr. Whitmer
With a surviving witness on board, the NTSB will be able to piece this one together fairly quickly.
too many of these unreliable piston planes in the sky. God alone knows when one would fail.
Statistics show that turbine jet engines are 700 times more reliable than propellers…
but in this case, it wasn’t engine failure, the pilot said his ‘controls were locked’ which means he couldn’t get to work his elevator/aileron/rudder to steer the plane and climb. Control continuity was established by FAA (from what I have read), so how did this happen?? (I am sure the experienced pilot of 3000 hours did a pre-flight check).
I always wanted to be a GA pilot to take my family around for vacations, but seeing this kind of news of smart, experienced intelligent people die scares me.
SOmeone needs to gauge the risks of flying GA versus flying jet aircraft and cars…I have heard GA is 7 times more dangerous than travel by car and 49 times more dangerous than travel by jet plane.
John/Martha king recently did a report on that!