Charlie Hillard, DEAD

The Aviation Guru » Aviation Accident » Charlie Hillard, DEAD

Question:

Upon returning from Lakeland Snu-N-Fun I was surprised to find that no mention had been made in this newsgroup of the death of former EAGLES aerobatic pilot, Charlie Hillard.

Someone reported it the first day, I can’t remember who, and I’ve seen several other reports also. Maybe your newsreader doesn’t retrieve all of the posted items. Just a thought. A. Poston

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Upon returning from Lakeland Snu-N-Fun I was surprised to find that no mention had been made in this newsgroup of the death of former EAGLES aerobatic pilot, Charlie Hillard. Charlie was the first American to win the World Aerobatic title in 1972 and was the 7th inductee into the Aviation Hall of Fame. After completing 25 years with the EAGLES Hillard was returning to the airshow circuit on his own in 96 flying a much modified 1948 Sea Fury. I watched his final, superb, performance. On his landing roll out, it appeared that a possible brake lockup occured and he attempted to compensate with opposite brake pressure to prevent the craft from ground looping. The result was that the Fury flipped over on it’s back, crushing the canopy. Charlie died as a result of this freak accident. All of aviation mourn the loss of Charlie Hillard. I consider it a priviledge to have enjoyed his mastery of aerobatics many times as well as his final performnace. It saddens me to report these losses. Our hearts and prayers are with the friends and families of these lost aviators. WR

Hi WR…. I reported the loss of Charlie Hillard the night it happened… hope you saw the post, unless it was removed. Charlie will be buried in the morning, there is a visitation in Ft. Worth this afternoon. Tommorrow’s service is at the First Methodist church in Fort Worth at 1100. I’m sorry to report that Cahrlie’s cause of death was asphyxiation, and not trauma. It was apparently a survivable accident… but there was no way anybody could have possibly gotten the kind of equipment needed to him to lift that aircraft up in less than 3 to 5 minutes (generally the threshold for permanent neurological damage under such circumstances). It was a horrible accident… and it’s specific cause remains unknown as there is reportedly no evidence, as yet, of brake failure or lock-up. — Jim Campbell–US Aviator Magazine… "Proof Positive" That Aero-Magazines Don’t Have to Be Boring! http://www.us-aviator.com (over half a million served!!)

Response:

I reported the loss of Charlie Hillard the night it happened… hope you saw the post, unless it was removed. Charlie will be buried in the morning, there is a visitation in Ft. Worth this afternoon. Tommorrow’s service is at the First Methodist church in Fort Worth at 1100. I’m sorry to report that Cahrlie’s cause of death was asphyxiation, and

not trauma. It was apparently a survivable accident… but there was no way anybody could have possibly

gotten the kind of equipment needed to him to lift that aircraft up in less than 3 to 5 minutes (generally the

threshold for permanent neurological damage under such circumstances). It was a horrible accident… and it’s

specific cause remains unknown as there is reportedly no evidence, as yet, of brake failure or lock-up.

Apparently that plane used to have a roll bar, and they removed it, because they thought it was ugly. Go figure. What a shame. Douglas Karlsen Turbine Design Inc.

Response:

I’m sorry to report that Cahrlie’s cause of death was asphyxiation, and not trauma. It was apparently a survivable accident… but there was no way anybody could have possibly gotten the kind of equipment needed to him to lift that aircraft up in less than 3 to 5 minutes (generally the threshold for permanent neurological damage under such circumstances). It was a horrible accident… and it’s specific cause remains unknown as there is reportedly no evidence, as yet, of brake failure or lock-up.

I can see not being able to lift the thing, but don’t those guys have jaws of life? It can’t take that long to cut through all that aluminum even with an axe. (not pretty, but it beats being dead). — PP-ASEL - Tandem Flybaby Builder - EAA-284 (Waynesville, OH) Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who do not.

Response:

–Upon returning from Lakeland Snu-N-Fun I was surprised to find that no –mention had been made in this newsgroup of the death of former EAGLES –aerobatic pilot, Charlie Hillard. [ snip ] –All of aviation mourn the loss of Charlie Hillard. I consider it a –priviledge to have enjoyed his mastery of aerobatics many times as –well as his final performnace. It’s times like this that I’m reminded of a piece of verse I found in the Washington State Aeronautics newsletter several years ago. It goes like this: The Pilot Lost In An Aircraft Accident We should all bear one thing in mind when we talk about a pilot who was killed in an accident. They called upon the sum of all their knowledge and made a decision. They believed in it so strongly that they knowingly bet their life on it. That they were mistaken in their judgement is a tragedy… not stupidity. Every instructor and fellow pilot who ever spoke to them had an opportunity to influence their judgement. …so a little bit of all of us goes in with every pilot we lose. Charlie Hillard was a true gentleman and pilot of the highest caliber. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, loved him, or ever saw him perform.

Response:

Upon returning from Lakeland Snu-N-Fun I was surprised to find that no mention had been made in this newsgroup of the death of former EAGLES aerobatic pilot, Charlie Hillard. Charlie was the first American to win the World Aerobatic title in 1972 and was the 7th inductee into the Aviation Hall of Fame. After completing 25 years with the EAGLES Hillard was returning to the airshow circuit on his own in 96 flying a much modified 1948 Sea Fury. I watched his final, superb, performance. On his landing roll out, it appeared that a possible brake lockup occured and he attempted to compensate with opposite brake pressure to prevent the craft from ground looping. The result was that the Fury flipped over on it’s back, crushing the canopy. Charlie died as a result of this freak accident. All of aviation mourn the loss of Charlie Hillard. I consider it a priviledge to have enjoyed his mastery of aerobatics many times as well as his final performnace. It should also be noted with considerable sadness that Charlie Hillard was not the only fatality at this years Sun-N-Fun Fly-In. While my group watched in horror a Piper Comanche stalled and spun in while turning from base to final than burning. Three were lost in this incident. It was also reported that a Female pilot ran out of fuel enroute to Lakeland and while she survived, her passenger didn’t. To add to the above, While I was attending the Benson Days Fly-In in Okachobee, Fla., the previous week, CFI and Gyro Manufacturer LeRoy Hardee was killed along with a student who was receiving dual instruction. Preliminary investigation points to a broken part in the rotorhead as the culprit. LeRoy was a good friend and along with his partner and wife, Cindie were great supporters of rotorcraft, rotorcraft safety and PRA. As was LeRoy habit, I watched him lead his student on a complete preflight inspection prior to this fatal flight. Some hazards even a preflight want detect. It saddens me to report these losses. Our hearts and prayers are with the friends and families of these lost aviators. WR

Response:

It made me reflect a little on the way Jessica Dubroff’s instructor has been rubbished here and elsewhere. The system certainly failed him.

From the preliminary reports I have seen and read, he exercised bad judgment for whatever reason. I don’t think the system failed him as much as he failed the system. I know people will disagree with me so go for it. Jim Hann ATP/MEL CFIAIME

Response:

The Pilot Lost In An Aircraft Accident We should all bear one thing in mind when we talk about a pilot who was killed in an accident. They called upon the sum of all their knowledge and made a decision. They believed in it so strongly that they knowingly bet their life on it. That they were mistaken in their judgement is a tragedy… not stupidity. Every instructor and fellow pilot who ever spoke to them had an opportunity to influence their judgement. …so a little bit of all of us goes in with every pilot we lose.

Thanks for that, Eric. It made me reflect a little on the way Jessica Dubroff’s instructor has been rubbished here and elsewhere. The system certainly failed him. — Frank van der Hulst | Signature reception incomplete…. Software Engineer (Cardax) | _ PEC (NZ) Ltd | Click here [_] to retry Marton, New Zealand. |