Sun, Mar 04, 2007
Last Radar Contact Over Texas Panhandle
ANN has confirmed a pilot ferrying a Vans RV-6 aircraft from
California to Virginia this week has gone missing, possibly in
the vicinity of the Texas panhandle. Friends and family
are looking for any information that may help point rescuers
in the right direction.
According to sources, Jim Willess flew commercially to
California early last week to pick up the RV-6, which had been
purchased by a third party. Reports indicate he began the flight
eastward Wednesday, bound for Virginia's Warrenton-Fauquier Airport
(W66). The first indicate of trouble came when Willess failed
to check in with his family Wednesday night.
Phil Williams, Director of Membership for USUA Flying Club #1 in
Virginia, told ANN Willess was flying a fire-engine red RV-6,
registry N320TX (shown above.) According to Mr. Williams, the plane
is equipped for IFR operation.
Search and Rescue coordinators said the last radar return from
the aircraft was over northwest Texas, approximately 3 miles
from the Texas-New Mexico border in the "panhandle" region. SAR
crews conducted a preliminary search Saturday, but came up
empty.
Willess is Training and Safety director for Club #1. Mr
Williams tells ANN Willess has between 25,000-26,000 hours
flying time, including "more airtime with engine-off landings in
cornfields than anyone else I've ever met."
Anyone with information about Jim Willess is encouraged to
contact local authorities, and to pass on that information at the
email links below.
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]