Sea Fury Crash at Lakeland 16th April - fatal
Paul Coggan
Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
information please?
Paul Coggan
Editor
Warbirds Worldwide
David Tanner
>Hello there
>
>Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
>Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
>information please?
>
It was Charlie Hilliard's Sea Fury. He was rolling out on landing after his display when the plane
swerved slightly and went over on its nose and then on its back. The accident was at about 2--2:30
on Tuesday.
I only saw the replay on local TV. I did see the show on Sunday. Hilliard flew a very nice display, with
wingtip smoke generators like Frank Sanders used to have, as well as engine smoke. I remember well of
course seeing him fly many times with the Eagles team.
The accident is eerily reminiscent of Harry Doan's fatal accident in a AD Skyraider at Tico a few years
ago. One difference is that Doan landed really long and flipped right at the end of the runway. It
looked as if Hilliard had lots of room remaining.
It is very sad and a great loss.
--
David Tanner
ufta...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
Craig C.
>Hello there
>Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
>Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
>information please?
Paul, it was Charlie Hillard of the old Eagles precesion fight team. I
was told by my parents that it appeared that one wheel had a puff of
smoke out of the brake area and then it went over on it's back.
Apparently Charlie was crushed when it landed. I haven't seen the
video of it, but my parents did. Going to miss Charlie and his
routines...
Craig
Dirk Lorek
There were a series of pictures in my morning-paper. It looks like
the canopy didn't break.
_______________________________________________________________________
What am I, Life ? A thing of watery salt, held in cohesion by unresting
cells, which work they know not why, which never halt, myself unwitting
where their Master dwells. - John Masefield -
Frank Bigham
>Hello there
>
>Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
>Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
>information please?
>
>
>Editor
>Warbirds Worldwide
According to the local rag (Orlando Sentinel, 4/17) Bob Hilliard,
formerly of the Eagles aerobactic team, was killed when his Sea Fury
flipped after landing at the "Sun-N-Fun Fly In" currently ongoing in
Lakeland FL. He had just completed his aerial demonstration and had
landed when his aircraft flipped. I don't know how far into the roll he
was when it happened and I haven't heard any explanations as to why. It
was reported (unsubstantiated) that someone saw a puff of black smoke
just before the plane flipped. The picture in the paper showed the
aircraft with the nose dug in the ground and the tail going over the top.
A rather unique picture, but not worth the price extracted to get it.
I remember watching the Eagles for many years and thinking what a great
way to fill your spare time. Sorry to see a fine pilot go.
--
+====================================================================+
+ Frank Bigham | /=\ /=\| /| | /== /==|-\ +
+ 5600 Sand Lake Rd. MP 65 | ( )( |< |==|(== (== | ) +
+ Orlando, FL 32819 |=== \=/ \=/| \| | \== \==|_/ +
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+ franklin...@ccmail.orl.mmc.com +
+====================================================================+
Buzz Nau
>Paul Coggan <E...@warbirdsww.com> wrote:
>>Hello there
>>
>>Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
>>Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
>>information please?
I may have pictures of this bird on my web page in the "More Aviation
Photos" section. I was visiting my parents in February and on the way
to the KSC stopped at a WarBirds museum not far from KSC. Inside the
hanger they had a Sea Fury. I haven't seen any pictures in the news,
could someone who has a photo from the paper check it againt the
photos I have? http://www-personal.umich.edu/~buzznau/aviation.html
will take you to the right page. If this is the same plane then this
is real spooky. Another bird I took a photo of during the same trip, a
SNJ at the St Augustine airport, crashed a few weeks ago also killing
the pilot.
Buzz
========================================================
Evan "Buzz" Nau
University of Michigan - Medical School Administration
buz...@umich.edu / http://www-personal.umich.edu/~buzznau/
========================================================
Steve Patten
Just seen your letter in regards the Sea Fury crash at Lakeland. According to the
Independent newspaper (in the United Kingdom) the aircarft was being flown by
Charlie Hillard and crashed while landing. The said paper also has a sequence of
photos as the plane lands and flips on its back. Thats all I know at the moment.
Hope this helps,
Andy Stoppard
Walt Shiel
>
> According to the local rag (Orlando Sentinel, 4/17) Bob Hilliard,
> formerly of the Eagles aerobactic team, was killed when his Sea Fury
> flipped after landing at the "Sun-N-Fun Fly In" currently ongoing in
> Lakeland FL.
His name was Charlie Hillard and he had been a part of the Eagles aerobatic team
for 25 years.
> He had just completed his aerial demonstration and had
> landed when his aircraft flipped. I don't know how far into the roll he
> was when it happened and I haven't heard any explanations as to why.
He was on landing roll-out at taxi speed.
> It was reported (unsubstantiated) that someone saw a puff of black smoke
> just before the plane flipped. The picture in the paper showed the
> aircraft with the nose dug in the ground and the tail going over the top.
There was a lot of grey-white smoke emanating from the exhaust stacks, the
aircraft veered right and departed the paved surface. The prop kicked up
sand/dirt and dug in to the ground...and she went up and over. Rather slowly, in
fact. The aircraft was clearly supported by the vertical stabilizer and the
cowling...the tail did not crumple and the canopy did not break or, as far as I
can tell from closely watching and rewatching the video, even hit the ground. At
the speed it went over, you would expect the pilot to survive. I could see no
evidence of his head hitting the canopy. Perhaps he was incapacitated before it
veered off the runway and went over? Something odd certainly happened. After
studying that tape, I can't buy the locked brake scenario. Besides, I heard they
towed it away afterwards (after turning it over, of course).
A damn shame...but something strange happened out there.
--
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=============================================================
Walt Shiel - Author: "Cessna Warbirds, A Detailed and
Personal History of Cessna's Involvement in the Armed Forces"
[For More Info, E-Mail: wsh...@airmail.net]
=============================================================
Dave Ewald
>Hello there
>Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
>Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
>information please?
Here are some links with more information:
http://www.tampatrib.com/genhtm/zones/wqlcsunf.htm
http://www.tampatrib.com/genhtm/zones/wqlcmetr.htm
USA Today's Web page HAD a short story and a four picture sequence of
the plane flipping. I have saved the pictures if anyone is
interested.
I was fortunate to see Charlie with the Eagles last year in Oshkosh
near the end of their run, and Charlie in the Sea Fury about three
weeks at the Phoenix "Air Races". It is a shame to have him gone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Ewald
dew...@indirect.com
The .sig is in the mail.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
David Tanner
[snip!]
>I may have pictures of this bird on my web page in the "More Aviation
>Photos" section. I was visiting my parents in February and on the way
>to the KSC stopped at a WarBirds museum not far from KSC. Inside the
>hanger they had a Sea Fury. I haven't seen any pictures in the news,
>could someone who has a photo from the paper check it againt the
>photos I have?
Nope, not unless it was repainted since. Hilliard had it in a
non-military "airshow" scheme, with a large Texas star on the tail,
and logos of his sponsors.
--
David Tanner
ufta...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
Michael Toler
: Craig C. wrote:
: >
: >
: > >Hello there
: >
: > >Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
: > >Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
: > >information please?
: > Paul, it was Charlie Hillard of the old Eagles precesion fight team. I
: > was told by my parents that it appeared that one wheel had a puff of
: > smoke out of the brake area and then it went over on it's back.
: > Apparently Charlie was crushed when it landed. I haven't seen the
: > video of it, but my parents did. Going to miss Charlie and his
: > routines...
: >
: > Craig
: There were a series of pictures in my morning-paper. It looks like
: the canopy didn't break.
That's what I saw when I looked at the pictures, then I realized the
last one was just as the tail was hitting the ground. It had not
finished flipping yet. The final outcome was a crushed tail, canopy
and brilliant pilot (no disrespect intended at all).
Ouch out
--
Michael "Ouch" Toler | Don Gaspard Du Lac
Dallas, Texas | Barrony of the Steppes, Ansteorra
Check out my new Web page (CK) at:
http://www.cris.com/~ouch01/ouch.shtml
Michael Toler
: That's what I saw when I looked at the pictures, then I realized the
: last one was just as the tail was hitting the ground. It had not
: finished flipping yet. The final outcome was a crushed tail, canopy
: and brilliant pilot (no disrespect intended at all).
I am obviously mis informed here. Ignore the last post.
Ouch
bil...@azstarnet.com
>Hello there
>Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
>Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
>information please?
>Paul Coggan
>Editor
>Warbirds Worldwide
The Hawker Sea Fury N222CH, c/n 37514 is currently registered to
Charlie Hillard in Fort Worth, Texas. I assume this is the same one
he crashed in at Tampa. I hope this helps you identify the Sea Fury
involved. If anyone can verify please do so.
Bill Word bil...@azstarnet.com
dave
>There were a series of pictures in my morning-paper. It looks like
>the canopy didn't break.
On the station I watched, the newsperson said the video would not show
the fatal moment, and I presume the photo sequence that appeared in our
local newspaper was similarly abbreviated. Does anyone know for sure if
he died of injuries, or had a heart attack?
kevin grantham
>
> >Just heard this morning UK time that a Sea Fury had a landing accident at Lakeland, Florida, USA.
> >Aircraft flipped over on its back after landing. Pilot killed, sadly. Does anyone have more
> >information please?
>
>
> http://www.tampatrib.com/genhtm/zones/wqlcsunf.htm
> http://www.tampatrib.com/genhtm/zones/wqlcmetr.htm
>
> USA Today's Web page HAD a short story and a four picture sequence of
> the plane flipping. I have saved the pictures if anyone is
> interested.
>
> I was fortunate to see Charlie with the Eagles last year in Oshkosh
> near the end of their run, and Charlie in the Sea Fury about three
> weeks at the Phoenix "Air Races". It is a shame to have him gone.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Dave Ewald
> dew...@indirect.com
> The .sig is in the mail.
I had the pleasure meeting Charlie last Summer at the Frederick Airshow.
I would appreciate it if you would send me the photos you mentioned in
your posting.
kevin.g...@comsat.com
Craig C.
>On the station I watched, the newsperson said the video would not show
>the fatal moment, and I presume the photo sequence that appeared in our
>local newspaper was similarly abbreviated. Does anyone know for sure if
>he died of injuries, or had a heart attack?
Unfortunately, Charlie was crushed to death.....not a nice way to go.
Craig
Ray Clawson
Hillard was about to set the tail down on the Sea Furry, when very
very fast the tail started to rise and the airplane started pulling
to the right. In about a .8th of a second it went over on its back
just off the runway. I guess there was head injurys, but i don't
know, the obit in the paper didn;t say. I looked like a frozen
brake because the tail went up so fast.
does the SF have any kind of head rest that keeps the pilots head
from impacting with the ground in a nose over. I flipped a Cessna
Ag-Wagon over many years ago, and the roll bar in the cockpit kept me
from crushing my head in.
Ray Clawson
Mac McKinzie
: On the station I watched, the newsperson said the video would not show
: the fatal moment, and I presume the photo sequence that appeared in our
: local newspaper was similarly abbreviated. Does anyone know for sure if
: he died of injuries, or had a heart attack?
Local sources in Hillard's hometown of Ft. Worth say he suffocated as
the canopy gave. Aircraft did not appear to have a roll bar. I guess
the brakes may have been a little out of rig or some sort of failure
occured there...you definitely can see the smoke from the main gear in
the photos. Really sad.
-mac
"Eagle 1, yer cleared for takeoff...expect no further delays. Rest in
peace. We'll miss ya."
Dana Johnson
says...
>
>Dirk Lorek <DiL...@pobox.com> wrote:
>>the canopy didn't break.
>
>the fatal moment, and I presume the photo sequence that appeared in our
>local newspaper was similarly abbreviated. Does anyone know for sure if
>he died of injuries, or had a heart attack?
>
Peter Marshall
wish now I had photo'd him too. I do have a pic of him years ago flying a
Pitts.
As I recall however, his airplane was a Fury not a Sea Fury. They both look the
same. His came from Iraq.
--
|LinkNet: Peter Marshall 135:69/4
|Internet: Peter.M...@ve6cyr.linknet.ccinet.ab.ca
|
| Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own.
Jim Somerville
Hmm, Charlie was an exceptional pilot. If you never saw the Eagles fly - you missed something...
And I've included the press release from EAA (http://www.eaa.org)"
--------
Charlie Hillard, who with Tom Poberezny and Gene Soucy thrilled air show audiences for 25 years
as the Eagles Aerobatic Team, was killed Tuesday, April
16, in an accident following a solo aerobatic performance at the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In at
Lakeland, Fla.
According to the preliminary NTSB report, "Hawker Sea Fury aircraft (#N222CH) was landing after a
performance at the Sun 'n Fun airshow. The aircraft
brakes reportedly locked, the aircraft veered off the runway and flipped over. The pilot/sole
occupant suffered fatal injuries and the aircraft has substantial
damage."
Polk County (Fla.) Medical Examiner Alexander Melamud concluded Hillard died of "positional
asphyxia" after "his chest and back were compressed by
parts of the cockpit."
Hillard, 58, had logged 42 years and more than 15,000 hours of flight time. Some of his
accomplishments included:
Member, U.S. Skydiving Team, 1958
National Aerobatic Champion, 1967
World Aerobatic Champion, 1972
Leader of The Eagles Aerobatic Team, 1971-1995
EAA OSHKOSH air show boss 1991-1995
Funeral services were held Monday, April 22, in Fort Worth, Texas. Memorials may be directed to
the Aviation Heritage Museum in Fort Worth or the
EAA Aviation Foundation in Oshkosh, Wis.
Poberezny had the following comments following Hillard's accident:
"Charlie Hillard was a world-class aviator. He was a world aerobatic champion, the leader of the
Eagles Aerobatic Team for 25 years. He was just totally
immersed in aviation.
"Along with his aviation skills, Charlie was a highly respected member of the community, as
evidenced by the outpouring of support to his family and
colleagues in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
"He was also an important part of the EAA family. That makes this an especially difficult loss
from both a personal and professional standpoint.
"Our sincere condolences to Charlie's family during this difficult time. He will be missed, but
more importantly, he will be remembered."
Amen.
Regards, Jim
Ken Devlin
According to an article in "General Aviation News & Flyer" (Mar 29,
1996) that I picked up at Lakeland, It was a Sea Fury originally,
however,... Mr. Hillard had modified it and was calling it a "Lone
Star Fury" Some of the Changes:
Sea Fury Lone Star Fury
Bristal Centarus XVII Wright R-3350 Cyclone
two-row 14-cyl Radial 2-row 18-cyl radial
2400 HP 2600 HP
5 blade prop 4 blade prop
34.5 ft long 37 ft long
14.75 ft high 15 ft high
240 U.S gal fuel 330 U.S. Gal
He also modified the ADI tank for wing-tip smoke in addition to engine
smoke.
The article does say that the Sea Fury came from Iraq and never had a
tail hook.
kbd
wdb...@gmail.com
Sad day and I think of it often (how I stumbled across this today). Every time I see a tail dragger low wing I look for a roll cage. If not present - I’m not in. Freak accident of a simple brake lock up had fatal results.
Daniel MacPherson
> Just stumbled across this years later. I was there. Accident was a Brake lock up while taxiing and was not in main runway. To prevent going off in ditch he was hitting left pedal. Plane slowly lifted and went over as it went off taxiway. Plenty of us where there but the plane was too heavy to lift on its back. By the time a forklift made it from other side of airport (20 minutes) it was too late. Charlie had suffocated with his head pushed forward fun into chest cutting off airway. The vertical stab sunk into sand putting canopy into ground.
> Sad day and I think of it often (how I stumbled across this today). Every time I see a tail dragger low wing I look for a roll cage. If not present - I’m not in. Freak accident of a simple brake lock up had fatal results.