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Live flight track & map of out of control plane over Gulf of Mexico before crashing
News reports that pilot became incapacitated during flight across the Gulf of Mexico. The plane circled for hours before crashing into the sea. (flightaware.com) More...
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Mr. Musgrove, I am so sorry for your loss. I was surprised when I read your comment because when I left this site last night I didn't remember seeing any derogatory comments about the pilot (who would even do that?) yet as I scan down today I saw one. I hope it was only one. Let me apologize to you for that person, it was careless. I am sure that Dr. Hertzak was an exceptional person as well as an exceptional pilot and I can only imagine how many lives will be affected by his passing. I believe the true sentiment on this forum, and I imagine around the world, was frustration that technology could allow us to see what was going to happen and yet we were still powerless to prevent it. I hope you will accept my apology, and please know that you, and the doctor, and all who were, I’m sure, privileged enough to know him are in my prayers. Kathleen – Clearwater, FL
Kathleen, thank you for your kind words. I had not seen him in the past few years but he will be missed. I wasn't really offended by the post but with all the speculation I thought people would be interested to know what kind of a pilot and airplane owner he was.
Some of the people who make posts like the one we are discussing do so without thinking. They don't know the person so it isn't real to them. If their family or friends were involved they wouldn't post things like that.
Others have to find fault with the accident pilot because "there but for the grace of God go I" and if it can happen to a good, safe pilot in a well-maintained airplane it can happen to me. Much easier to call the accident pilot an idiot and assure yourself that "it can't happen to me" rather than face the fact that risk is part of flying.
As far as doctors having a "well-deserved reputation of being lousy pilots" I have heard that kind of talk around airports forever. Sometimes it is true - I have known doctors that didn't seem like very safe pilots to me, but I've known more that were. Dr.Hertzak was one of those.
Some of the people who make posts like the one we are discussing do so without thinking. They don't know the person so it isn't real to them. If their family or friends were involved they wouldn't post things like that.
Others have to find fault with the accident pilot because "there but for the grace of God go I" and if it can happen to a good, safe pilot in a well-maintained airplane it can happen to me. Much easier to call the accident pilot an idiot and assure yourself that "it can't happen to me" rather than face the fact that risk is part of flying.
As far as doctors having a "well-deserved reputation of being lousy pilots" I have heard that kind of talk around airports forever. Sometimes it is true - I have known doctors that didn't seem like very safe pilots to me, but I've known more that were. Dr.Hertzak was one of those.
Mr Musgrove, I am sorry for your loss. I would not comment on this story until I saw your post.it was extremely hard for me to follow this story when they first posted it because we kinda knew what the outcome would be.we were praying for a miracle but it never happened. We will pray for you and his family and hope they find out what happened with aircraft. As for the derogatory comments those are people that have no life and should be ignored.
God bless Chip. Vero beach, FL
God bless Chip. Vero beach, FL
Marc, I live in Lafayette, and, of course, this story caught my interest. I heard the story on my car radio as it was circling the gulf. I am under the impression that all was lost and no trace of anything was found. In a case like this, Marc, is heart attack (stroke) best guess scenario or is it an oxygen issue? Please give me some insight. As the plane was circling and I listened on WWL New Orleans, I felt like I knew the man. Very, very sad.
Sorry to butt in, the ice on the windows indicates that the plane was depressurized when intercepted by the USAF. At that altitude the pilot would have lost consciousness pretty quickly and painlessly. IIRC the last radio call was made at that altitude when all seemed ok.
Ralph, under those circumstances, would an oxygen tank in the cockpit been enough to save the pilot's life? Or does the depressurization of the cabin mean there was no chance for Dr. Hertzak?
There are many factors into consideration. with tanks, you must physically place the mask on your face or cznulus in your nose. if your passed out thats not gonna happen. you would need to understand your problem in advance to be able to take action. you must scan the instruments and see the problem before it happens. the standard method of excape fot this probem is to first see that you have a probem, and then reduce throttle and dive the plane to a safe altitude. If your passed out this is not gonna happen.
Frank, hypoxia is quite insidious, at first you actually feel euphoric. The only warnings for a depressurized condition is the gauge next to cabin altitude adjuster but it is small and not in front of the pilot. The other warning on those types of aircraft is a light on the annunciator panel. I hope the FAA will review the situation and insist on an audible warning. I had a failure to pressurize event in a King Air and was alerted by an unopened packet of potato chips that burst. The annunciator light is not very eye-catching, and comes on if the cabin altitude exceeds 10,000'. Claude is right about the oxygen mask. They are fitted as standard equipment in those types of aircraft.
Picture of C421 cockpit here : http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cessna-421C-Golden/1107045/L/&sid=38357997895e1f66ad14fbc8539c1f1d
The pressurization controls are on the lower left part of the main instrument panel partially obscured by the yoke. The outflow valve switch is probably on the electrical panel on the left.
Picture of C421 cockpit here : http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cessna-421C-Golden/1107045/L/&sid=38357997895e1f66ad14fbc8539c1f1d
The pressurization controls are on the lower left part of the main instrument panel partially obscured by the yoke. The outflow valve switch is probably on the electrical panel on the left.
I would place Dr.Hertzak in the top 5 general aviation pilots I have known in terms of his judgement, skills, experience and training. The highest compliment I can pay another pilot is to say "I'd let my family fly with him (or her)." That is certainly how I felt about Dr. Hertzak and I expect most of the other pilots who knew him felt the same way.
In addition, the accident airplane was beautiful, well equipped, and exceptionally well maintained. Dr. Hertzak spared no expense in the maintenance of the airplane and had the services of an expert mechanic with a sterling reputation.
In addition he was a hell of a nice guy around the airport and would help you in any way he could.
It is a tragedy for everyone who knew him.