Amanda Younkin Franklin, 25; Wing Walker
A Friend
Wing walker Amanda Franklin dies
By Sarah Brown
Airshow performer Amanda Franklin died late May 27. Doctors at Brooke
Army Medical Center in San Antonio had been treating her extensive
burns, injuries, and ensuing infections since a March 12 crash landing
and engine fire during a show routine.
Amanda and husband Kyle Franklin were performing a wing-walking routine
at Air Fiesta 2011 at Brownsville-South Padre International Airport when
the engine of their Waco biplane lost power. Amanda was able to climb
off the wing and into the forward cockpit seat before the forced
landing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's
preliminary report; she was badly burned in a post-impact fire.
In addition to performing as a wing-walker, Amanda was a pilot with
tailwheel and multiengine ratings, served as the business manager for
Franklin's Flying Circus & Airshow and Younkin Airshows Inc., and served
as announcer for her brother Matt Younkin's airshow routine. The
daughter of airshow pilot Bobby Younkin, she was steeped in aviation
culture from an early age and was well known in the airshow community.
"All of us in the aviation community mourn the terrible loss of Amanda
Franklin, an extraordinary pilot and ambassador for general aviation,"
said AOPA President Craig Fuller. "Her performances as a pilot and wing
walker inspired thousands, and her loss will be keenly felt. Our deepest
sympathy goes to her entire family and especially to her husband Kyle,
who continues to recover from his own injuries."
Kyle, who was also seriously injured in the incident, was discharged
from the hospital March 28 and continued outpatient physical therapy,
but Amanda remained in critical condition at Brooke Army Medical Center.
The airshow and aviation community, including AOPA, expressed support
for the injured couple, raising funds for their medical expenses.
Kyle provided daily updates on Amanda's condition using the couple's
Facebook page, detailing the ups and downs of her treatment. He told
supporters May 26 that her doctors did not expect her to survive another
two weeks for the next skin graft treatment. "So, I made the hardest
decision of my life today and put her on Comfort Care," he wrote. "Š
They placed her in a more comfortable position and are doing everything
to make her as comfortable as possible."
"Amanda my love, I love you with all my heart, soul and everything I am.
Our life together here was supposed to be seventy years not seven, but I
look forward to seeing you in my dreams every night my love," he wrote.
Kyle and Amanda began dating in 2004 and married in 2005, and Amanda
began wing walking full time for the couple's "Pirated Skies" act in
2009, the couple's website said. The Neosho, Mo.-based Franklins are no
strangers to tragedy. Kyle's father, Jimmy Franklin, and Amanda's
father, Bobby Younkin, died in 2005 when their biplanes collided during
an airshow performance in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Franklin is survived by her husband Kyle, mother Jeanie Younkin, and
brother Matt Younkin and his wife Michelle.
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A brief bio (with pic) from last year:
Amanda Younkin/Franklin (Wingwalker)
Amanda Franklin, is the daughter of legendary airshow pilot Bobby
Younkin. She is Kyle Franklin's wife, Matt Younkin's sister, and most
importantly is the "Brains" behind the "Sons of Legends." Serving as
Business Manager for both Franklin's Flying Circus and Younkin Airshows,
Inc., she is responsible for all airshow booking and sponsorship
activity.
Amanda grew up around airplanes and air shows. As a small girl, she was
always with her father Bobby as he was signing autographs and
interacting with the crowd. Amanda worked for Bobby from age 14 through
her senior year in high school processing airshow paperwork and learning
all manner of airshow related ins and outs.
Amanda learned to fly and soloed an airplane at age 16. She is
an accomplished tail wheel and multi-engine pilot having flown 12
different types of aircraft to date. She resides with her husband Kyle,
and two spoiled dogs in Neosho, Missouri. When not flying herself,
Amanda spends most of her time keeping Matt and Kyle out of trouble!
Amanda has been Matt Younkin's full time Beech 18 announcer since 2007.
As of 2009, she has also become Kyle's full time "Pirated Skies" wing
walker. Whether holding a telephone, microphone, or wing strut, it is
undeniable that Amanda is the glue that keeps the "Sons of Legends" team
together performing at air shows all across the country.
On a side note, Amanda Franklin is a "Bombshell" in the 2010 Warbird
Bombshells calendar. Pick up your copy from her at
www.franklinairshow.com
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