Sat, Aug 17, 2019
'Drug Fighter' Franklin Augustus Killed, Along with TV Personality, Nancy Parker
It's been another really tough day for aviation as a well-known aerobatic pilot and aviation advocate lost his life while flying a local reporter for a story about his life's efforts. Franklin Augustus, one of the few African American Airshow pilots in the world, as well as being heavily involved in the local chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, went down in his 1983 Pitts S-2B about a half mile from New Orleans Lakefront Airport at approximately 1500 local time.
He was giving an aerobatic ride to prominent local TV Reporter Nancy Parker when the aircraft went down. The accident did not appear remotely survivable, and the aircraft caught fire as a result of the impact pretty much consuming the aircraft. Little detail is yet known about the circumstances just prior to the accident, other than the fact that Augustus noted that he would be using the local aerobatic practice area -- but an NTSB investigator has been dispatched to the scene.
Few other details are known at this time, Augustus was flying Parker as she was working on a story about his activities. Augustus was heavily involved in aviation outreach, had been an airshow performer and Aerobatic Competency Evaluator, and gave a great deal of time and effort into introducing young people, especially young African Americans, to the world of aviation. Augustus was 69 years old.
Ms. Parker, 53, had been a reporter for WVUE-TV for 23 years.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]