Tragic Loss Shakes Ultralight Community
Sometimes, this job
sucks... big time.
This is one of those times -- as ANN regrets to report the
accidental death of USUA Exec VP Rich Pendergist (pictured, right)
in a two-seat SportPlane crash in Virginia about 1620 local time,
Saturday afternoon.
The un-named two seat aircraft, reported to be an experimental
or waivered ultralight trainer, went down shortly after refueling
at an airport in Holly Grove, VA. The aircraft went down about five
miles from the airport, near Rt. 522 in the South section of Louisa
County.
Found dead at the impact site were Michael Alfred Moulds, 58, of
Leesburg, and Richard Allen Pendergist, 59, of Falls Church,
VA.
No cause has been listed for the accident, though an
investigation is said to be underway despite the possible lack of
jurisdiction over what may be an unregistered aircraft operating
under the USUA training exemption.
Pendergist was known to be an enthusiastic pilot and instructor,
and was active in offering dual instruction in his RANS S-12. More
info will follow as available.... but in the meantime, ANN sends
its condolences to the family and friends of this irreplaceable
aviator.
ANN Contributor Jon Thornburgh Remembers Pendergist:
"I cannot express how deeply shocked and saddened I am by this
news. I spoke to Rich only a two days ago. It's unbelievable that
he is not here today.
"Rich was a tremendous asset to USUA. We had developed a close
relationship, and we often discussed possible solutions to the many
challenges facing USUA and the ultralight community. Due to the
three-hour time zone difference between the East and West Coast,
these discussions usually took place when Rich remained at USUA
headquarters after closing hours. I was always amazed how often
Rich would stay in the office until eight or nine o'clock at night.
Few people know how deeply dedicated Rich was to his job and
USUA.
"Although Rich assumed
the position of USUA Executive Vice President a relatively short
time ago, he accomplished much. He revitalized the USUA membership.
He established a dialogue with the FAA so that USUA could prepare
for the impending Sport Pilot initiative. He created the Ultralight
Ground Instructor Program for single-seat ultralights, which will
continue after Sport Pilot is adopted. With the help of noted
instructor Bud Gish, Rich established a Powered Parachute program
for USUA.
"Rich was the force behind a multitude of innovations in the
USUA instructor program. USUA now provides for ASC and EAA
instructors to transition to USUA, with credit given for their
prior experience. USUA increased the number of AFI seminars, and
now allows eligible BFIs to become AFIs after attending a
one-on-one seminar, without waiting for the formal classroom
schedule. A BFI is eligible to become an AFI after training three
BFI candidates, instead of five.
"Rich was enthusiastically working with me on a project to
introduce high school youth to flying, in order to foster their
self-esteem and help them resist negative peer pressure to
experiment with drugs or become truant. The program is tentatively
called "Youth Excellence Through Aviation."
"Rich was following up on USUA's request to the FAA for a waiver
to allow commercial instruction in experimental trikes so that
students can obtain their FAA pilot certificate under the
"Glider-Trike" Program, founded by myself and former USUA President
John Ballantyne.
"Along with Carol
Plotnick and (the USUA Webmaster), Rich expanded and enhanced the
USUA web site. The site now included biographies of USUA personnel,
a summary of USUA programs and benefits, and up-to-the-minute news.
Through the web site, forms are now available for membership
applications, BFI tests, renewals, and instructional documents.
"Rich was tirelessly working with aviation insurance companies
to re-establish ultralight insurance. Just last week he happily
confided in me that he thought that he would soon be able to
announce a comprehensive insurance package for both ultralight and
experimental aircraft pilots. If Rich succeeded in solving the
severe insurance crisis it will be a tremendous legacy.
"In addition to his Executive duties at USUA, Rich still found
time to fly and instruct. The last words he said to me was that he
was anxious to fly during the weekend and that he was looking
forward to the joy of being in the air.
"Not only was Rich an aviation colleague, he was a great friend.
His sudden and tragic death will impact us all. Our only
consolation is that Rich's last moments were in the air, doing what
he loved so much."
** Report created 10/20/2003 Record
27 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: UNREG
Make/Model: ULTR Description:
UNREGISTERED ULTRALIGHT
Date: 10/18/2003 Time: 2028
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury:
Fatal Mid Air: N Missing:
N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City:
WARRENTON
State: VA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
UNREGISTERED ULTRALIGHT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES,
TWO PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, WARRENTON, VA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal:
2
# Crew: 1 Fat:
1 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat:
1 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Grnd:
Fat: 0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
WEATHER: KRIC 181954Z 35008KT 10SM FEW050 16/04 A3004
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase:
Unknown Operation: Other
Departed:
UNK
Dep Date: Dep.
Time:
Destination: WARRENTON,
VA
Flt Plan: UNK
Wx Briefing: U
Last Radio Cont: UNK
Last Clearance: UNK
FAA FSDO: RICHMOND, VA
(EA21)
Entry date: 10/20/2003