An aviator who has
been well-known to the sport aviation industry, for many years,
lost his life in the crash of a Warbird Adventures SNJ-6, N453WA,
late Monday. Task Research's Jim Kern, responsible for a number of
sport aircraft designs and kits such as the FEW Mustang replica and
Silhouette, as well as kits for the DragonFly was killed in the
crash that befell the aircraft only minutes after leaving nearby
Kissimmee Gateway Airport.
For many years, Kern's TASK operation, first in Santa Paula (CA)
and then in Springer (OK), produced everything from composite
components for the Voyager aircraft, Lancair homebuilt and military
helicopter projects to complete kits for flying ships such as the
Silhouette and the Dragonfly (which TASK notes was the first epoxy
prepreg kit on the market -- of which 100 were delivered). TASK
also designed and built a number of inventive theme park vehicles
for Universal Studios (for the "Earthquake," "Back to the Future,"
and "Miami Vice" rides).
Most recently, Jim was seen at the Quad-A convention where
anti-erosion rotor blade components were being shown to a very
interested crowd that was having big problems keeping blades in one
piece in far off desert combat conditions. ANN's Jim Campbell met
up with Jim (who had actually been his landlord for a hangar he
used to have in Santa Paula, CA, MANY moons ago) and spent an
enjoyable time catching up on TASK's most recent accomplishments...
Less than 24 hours later, Kern would die in an SNJ while reportedly
taking instruction in the airplane from Warbird Adventures' Jon
Hedgecock (known to be a good stick and a fine SNJ driver).
Very little is known about the exact circumstances of the crash.
Hedgecock and Kern left Kissimmee Airport late Monday, shortly
after 1600, on an instructional flight and went down only a few
minutes later. An initial FAA accident report is riddled with
errors but that and some limited information from the site (which
is remote and heavily forested) seems to indicate that SNJ went
down in a steep nose-down attitude, clipped some treetops in the
process, and struck the ground with considerable force. The
accident was not deemed survivable by law enforcement personnel at
the scene. Impact occurred near remote land in Lake Hamilton, FL,
requiring emergency and rescue workers to bring in heavy equipment
to clear a path to the accident. The accident was reported at 1630
local time, and was situated some two miles west of Fire Tower
Road. One wing was seen to have separated from the aircraft but it
is NOT known if that happened in flight or during collision with
trees prior to impact.
North American N453WA (shown above) was a 1959 SNJ-6 registered
to Warbird Adventures of Kissimmee, FL, carrying SN # 121-42823. It
was powered by a P&W R1340 radial engine. Warbird Adventures is
an active and highly regarded flight-seeing and flight-training
operation that owns a number of SNJs, and a Bell 47 in full MASH
Livery. The operation has an impeccable safety record and is
located a short distance form the also-highly regarded Flying
Tigers' Warbird Museum. While Warbird Adventures did experience
some aircraft damage during the recent spate of hurricane
activity, N453WA was not one of the aircraft involved.
ANN offers its condolences and prayers for these fine aviators,
their families, and their many friends. More info to
follow.
** Report created 5/10/2005 Record 3 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 453WA Make/Model: SS2P Description: S-2 AG COMMANDER,
THRUSH COMMANDER
Date: 05/09/2005 Time: 2017
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N
Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: BARTOW State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
ACFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE TWO POB ARE REPORTED
FATAL AND THE ACFT IS REPORTED DESTROYED. BARTOW, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat: 2 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: METAR KBOW 091950Z VRB05KT 12SM FEW065 28/11 A3002
OTHER DATA
Activity: Training Phase: Unknown Operation: General
Aviation
Departed: ISM Dep Date: 05/09/2005 Dep. Time: 2000
Destination: ISM Flt Plan: NONE Wx Briefing: N
Last Radio Cont: NONE Last Clearance: VFR
FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL (SO15) Entry date: 05/10/2005