Chandler Riesterer Seriously Injured In August 1 Accident In Arizona

A GoFundMe page has been established on behalf of one of two people seriously injured when the Grumman AA-1B airplane they were aboard went down August 1 shortly after takeoff from Deer Valley Airport near Phoenix, AZ.

According to the NTSB's preliminary report on the accident, the accident occurred during a training flight in VFR conditions. According to an FAA investigator, several witnesses reported that after the airplane lifted off and was in its
initial climb to the west, the wings started to rock back and forth. The airplane subsequently began to descend, struck the airport's western perimeter fence, and collided with terrain before coming to rest on a road that borders the airport on the west. Both wings and the engine had separated from the airplane due to impact forces.

Local media reported at the time that, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor, the pilot of the aircraft reported a mechanical difficulty and attempted to return to the airport.

One of those on board was Chandler Riesterer (pictured), who was seriously injured and as this is written remains in a hospital in intensive care. According to the GoFundMe site, "Chandler is very passionate about aviation and loves to fly. He is also very determined and persistent and we are hoping that will help him in his recovery. He was weeks away from graduating from GCU but that will have to be put off for now.

"He is currently in the ICU and has already had multiple surgeries and CT scans for broken bones and head trauma. He will have to have many additional surgeries and a lengthy period of rehabilitation before he will be able to walk and function normally.

"We are asking for any amount of donations possible to help him in this very difficult process. Thank you!"

The campaign has a goal of $50,000. A little over $11,000 has been raised.

(Image source GoFundMe website)

FMI: www.gofundme.com/chandlerfund