On 11/9/04 3:05 PM, in article , "F.L.
Whiteley" wrote:


"Bullwinkle" wrote in message
...
On 11/9/04 9:55 AM, in article ,
"F.L.
Whiteley" wrote:

When things get revisionist one has to wonder. Whether pressure was
brought
to bear from outside or inside the coroner's office, we'll never know.
If
the IP wasn't willing to accept responsibility and was truly at fault,
then
there's something else wrong at the program level.

Heck, I'm becoming an grey old fart, retired USAF version. To me that's
an
endearment, but unnecessarily crass in this case. No offense intended.

SBP is a gamble. It also entails a reduction in monthly benefit if
elected.
Many don't take it as they'd rather have the larger monthly retirement
check. Lack of SBP could be a prime motivation for the lawsuit. Very
deep
pockets available.

Frank


I'm retired military myself, but am in denial about my "old-fart-hood."
Maybe I need an intervention. No offense taken.

I took full SBP, and sometimes wonder about the additional money I'd be
getting if I hadn't. Not worth it, though.

On the primary topic, my inside information indicates that the IP not only
accepted responsibility, but actually apologized to the widow. Now that's
a
standup cadet. You'll note that the cadet IP is not named in the lawsuit
(of course, cadet pockets aren't very deep, which may have something to do
with that).

As lawsuits go, I don't read this one as frivolous. JMHO, YMMV, etc.

I don't think it's frivolous either, but one wonders whether the program
will survive.


Excellent point, Frank. But I don't think this suit will do it. Even if the
widow wins, the actual money will come from some USAF-level fund for that
purpose, not from the Squadron, or even the Academy, operating budget.

Remember this accident occurred during (but near the end of) the 2-33 era.
They've had severe growing pains with the Blaniks, including pulling a wing
off an L-33 in flight (the cadet parachuted to safety), and such severe
maintenance problems that every aircraft gets a through-flight inspection by
an A&P after every flight (those darn Blanik tailwheels!). There have been
multiple lengthy fleet groundings as they try to sort things out. In their
favor, they seem to be adapting, albeit slowly.

If the program is in jeopardy (and I sincerely hope it is not), it is likely
due to things other than this lawsuit.

Bullwinkle