It sucks to be judged as a high-experience guy getting killed doing something most bystanders would tend to associate with errors reserved for the uninitiated. Easier said than done, but that's the bar we gotta cross every day, good bad or indifferent. We just have to continue to honor the memory of those no longer with us, take these written-in-blood ADM reminders in stride, and attempt our best at keeping our behavior in the cockpit consistent. These things happen, and we are all capable of falling into such a trap.

You know, hooman stuff, as my despondent feline in the avatar would retort to (if he could). It happens, and it's unfortunately usually the result of interrupting a flow, or distractions that lead to interruptions. IOW, not the first nor the last time a pilot attempts to takeoff with the control lock engaged. Or the 2014 Gulfstream takeoff crash at KBED. Both finished pilot training in the same year but a world of difference between the AF and Navy and how they operated back then. Didn't know him personally but a lot of respect for Dale. He was big on Garmin as his beautiful RV-8 had a Garmin panel as well. Was the plane in for a panel upgrade? Rear seat panel looks new.

Either way, real unfortunate circumstances. RIP. We'll see what the forensics reveal on this or any other front (provided a fire didn't erase the evidence forever). You could even do your cursory control check on the ground prior to takeoff and not have any interference issues, as the cargo hasn't shifted yet. I buy the notion the removal of the stick (note pin at the bottom of stick, that's removable for the purposes of increasing useful baggage volume) could have led to control impingement, if whatever was situated back there, shifted with the takeoff roll and/or STOL type takeoff and something of solid construction made its way into that control joint cavity. Some comments on Kathryn's report seem to indicate the pictures of the for-sale ad that are still available of the aircraft, show the stick junction cover boot in disrepair.ĮTA: Found said picture of the actual aircraft (N28U) rear cockpit area per the ad, below (note condition of cover boot): Initial speculation on the interwebz suggest the takeoff pitchup and wingover-type recovery may point to flight control impingement/interference, or shifting of cargo in the cockpit into the control joint on the floor, IF the rear stick had been removed.

Dale snort snodgrass