By LT | AuxBeacon News Contributor
[Editor’s Note: We received this contribution in our inbox. Thank you for your contribution. We agree with the contributor’s note, the Civil Air Patrol has an unusually high unsafe flying record.]
A Civil Air Patrol airplane crashed into a neighborhood just short of Whiteman Airport in Pacoima on Thursday, Nov. 12, killing the pilot and setting several cars ablaze.
The single-engine Cessna 182 crashed on approach to Runway 12 around 11:56 a.m., Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.
The plane crashed a few hundred feet short of the runway in front of several homes, knocking down power lines, and the flames spread to trees and vegetation. But firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to the structures.
Security camera video showed the plane flying low over houses before it appeared to cart-wheel in a crash that ended in an explosion of flames in front of a house. At least two cars burned and debris was scattered in a yard.
The pilot was the only person on board, Gregor said. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that the pilot died. No other injuries were reported.
Radio traffic between the pilot and control tower indicated that the plane was malfunctioning.
“Whiteman Tower CAP439 – We’ve got a loss of engine power, we’re going to try and stretch it to the runway,” the pilot said. The air traffic controller responded: “10-4 39, Roger. Runway’s clear and you’re clear to land.” The pilot then said: “Well, hopefully, we’ll make it.”
A Civil Air Patrol volunteer at Whiteman Airport who asked that his name not be published confirmed that the plane is owned by that organization and that the pilot was a member. The aircraft was en route to Pacoima from Bakersfield, the volunteer said.
You can count on no one actually admitting to any mistakes, it’s always someone else’s fault in the CrAP Air Patrol. They have people in mind to blame for everything. Pilot error… whatever. Congress bends over for the CAP year after year while dishing out millions to fund this shit hole. I have heard the new crop of CAP officers say things about all the flight mishaps and near death flops that scare me to death.
One of the pilots said that the flight was for a training mission with the California Air National Guard. Civil Air Patrol First Lt. Jerry Camp says that’s one aspect of what the all-volunteer group does. He likens the group to a volunteer fire department.
Dear CLM, you’re disgusting, CAP performs an essential service to the community. Y
This is sick and the exaggerated membership numbers are very misleading… We don’t have anywhere near 60,000 members. The Civil Air Patrol is using this awful tragedy to promote the organization.
“The Civil Air Patrol was formally created in 1941 and is the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. It is assigned three missions: Emergency services, which includes search-and-rescue and disaster relief; aerospace education for the public; and cadet programs for teenagers. Its 60,000 members are volunteers, according to its website.”
https://www.pe.com/2020/11/12/pilot-dies-in-plane-crash-near-whiteman-airport-in-pacoima/