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*FACTS* re: Independence MO skydiving plane crash

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WildThing

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Mar 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/22/98
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I regret to inform you that there was a plane crash at Independence, MO today.

All six persons on board were killed. The names of the dead are:

Eric Rueff
Dave Snyder (Pilot)
John Schuman
Marion Rudder
Kenney Buckley
Julie Douglass (Tandem Passenger)


We know the following:
The Cessna 206 transmitted a distress call, then crashed at the Grain Valley Airport. All
aboard were killed at the scene. The plane caught fire and was destroyed.

Cause of the crash is being investigated by local authorities, the FAA and the NTSB.

I am the S&TA of the drop zone from which the plane was based. Please direct all
inquiries to me.

The sport has lost 6 wonderful people. Please make a jump in their memory.

Bryan Welch
wi...@sky.net

Ankh469

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Mar 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/22/98
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May all of those that have gone before us, forever be in our hearts.

Lets give a moment of silence.

Peace and Blue Skies

ScottyRuth

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Mar 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/22/98
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Just got a phone call from a good friend who jumps at the KC DZ telling me of
the terrible accident (Thank you Maureen). I knew and jumped with two of the
people who died- John Shuman and Marion Rudder. They were both people I'm
better for having know them. Marion, someone who was always happy, ready to
laugh at your jokes (whether they were funny or not) or tell you one, will be
especially missed by me. My prayers go out to all of the victims and their
families as well as those who knew them.

Scott Ruth
D-15066
Eagle River, Alaska (formerly and proudly a Greater Kansas City Skydiving Club
member)

free...@swbell.net

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Mar 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/22/98
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I jump at Missouri River Valley Skydivers in Lexington MO, about 40
miles outside of Kansas City. We had a great day Saturday with the nice
weather. I made 3 jumps. We got the news of the Independence Crash about
9 PM. We all were dumbfounded with the news. I only knew two of the
jumpers, but others here knew the rest. We can only express our sorrow
and extend our condolences to the families and fellow jumpers at Greater
Kansas City Skydiving Club.

SuzySkydve

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Mar 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/23/98
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c The Associated Press

By STEVE BRISENDINE

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (AP) - An oil fire apparently broke out aboard a small
airplane shortly before it crashed and killed all six people aboard, the
National Transportation Safety Board said Sunday.

Investigators looking over wreckage from Saturday's crash found that oil had
spilled on board and that a linking rod had broke in the Cessna 206's single
engine, said Frank Gattolin, an NTSB air safety inspector from Chicago.

Gattolin said it might take up to a year for the NTSB to release its final
report.

The plane took off from nearby Independence and was airborne about five minutes
when pilot Dave Snyder radioed to report an electrical emergency. Snyder
attempted an emergency landing at East Kansas City Airport in Grain Valley, but
the plane crashed and burned about 60 yards from the runway after clipping some
nearby trees.

Members of the skydiving club had spent the day making jumps.

Each flight lasted about 15 to 20 minutes, said Terry Goode, an instructor for
the club who said Snyder had been flying for at least 30 years.

Witnesses reported seeing white smoke coming from the airplane, which would be
consistent with an oil fire, Gattolin said. Black smoke seen as it tried to
land would indicate that the fire had spread and was burning other materials,
he said.

Grain Valley is about 20 miles east of Kansas City along Interstate 70.

AP-NY-03-22-98 2142EST

chri...@eclipse.net

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Mar 24, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/24/98
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In article <6f2c6o$ki5$1...@alpha.sky.net>,

wi...@sky.net (WildThing) wrote:
>
> I regret to inform you that there was a plane crash at Independence, MO
today.
>
> All six persons on board were killed. The names of the dead are:
>
> Eric Rueff
> Dave Snyder (Pilot)
> John Schuman
> Marion Rudder
> Kenney Buckley
> Julie Douglass (Tandem Passenger)
>
>
I am deeply saddened at this loss. To the friends and families of those abord
I send my deepest sympathies. Mark.

-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/ Now offering spam-free web-based newsreading

Cindy Greeson

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Mar 25, 1998, 3:00:00 AM3/25/98
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Our condolences to all the family members and friends of these guys! The
TREE PEOPLE have lost several skydivers friends and acquaintances
recently and we understand your loss. Our thoughts and love are directed
to all who were close to this group of fellow jumpers.

May they experience eternal BLUE SKIES!

Cindy and Fred Greeson (TREE MOM and DAD)


yvonnec...@gmail.com

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Mar 21, 2013, 9:19:58 AM3/21/13
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15 years later, and I still remember learning of the plane crash. Eric Rueff was someone near and very dear to my heart! Miss you, my friend! You lived the adventure and I am so glad to call you my Very Special friend!!! Catch you in heaven!!!!

MJ

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Mar 30, 2013, 2:35:55 AM3/30/13
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On Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:19:58 -0700, yvonnecburdette wrote in
144a726c-7a84-44ca...@googlegroups.com :
All six persons on board were killed. The names of the dead are:

Eric Rueff
Dave Snyder (Pilot)
John Schuman
Marion Rudder
Kenney Buckley
Julie Douglass (Tandem Passenger)

Very unfortunate that the pilot didn't order an emergency exit of the
jumpers, as there was plenty of altitude according to http://www.ntsb.gov/
aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20001211X09633&ntsbno=CHI98FA106&akey=1
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