On Sat, 01 Jan 2005 05:02:43 GMT, Terry wrote:

3 people lost their life yesterday. The pilot was a very dear and wonderful
person, 72 years young and a pilot of 24 years. "Jean" Bible was never IFR
rated and only flew 30 minutes or so each flight in clear skies and
daylight. She was a very careful pilot and always used good judgement.

Hi Terry,

Sorry to hear such sad news.

How does something like this happen? Was it the pressure of not wanting to
deprive the young girl of her Christmas present? Not having to say come back
another time? Perhaps thinking she could maintain visual contact with the
ground and just to some touch and go's? Some way, some how, she "psyched"
herself into doing something that ended in a horrible tragedy.

Looking at the pictures provided at the link you gave in your post, I wish
we had answers. Snow cover and fog surely wasn't conducive of any type of
VFR work. I had met Jean when I lived in Morrow County. Very, very nice
down to earth lady.

I only hope we as pilots learn from prior people's mistakes and take them
to heart when we are tasked with a go / no go decision.

It's fresh in our minds now, but time tends to heal itself and we "forget"
our own vulnerabilities it seems as time rolls on.

Allen