I don't
personally know him, but as far as I could tell he had a reputation as a
competent, experienced pilot.

Gary, what is your criteria for an "experienced pilot?

 

>>SNIP  >>I personally would question why one would
practice this as I expect the plane flys like a brick with gear down and no
power.  Power-off approaches, yes, but all the way to the ground?  At any
rate he apparently got slow on one of the approaches and was unable to
arrest the descent.>>>

 

The maneuver is a required maneuver for the commercial pilot certificate...not too difficult... Spacve Shuttle does it every time but does not get slow...:)

 

I wonder if he had an airspeed indicator and a throttle...

 

I wonder what his competency and experience really was...

 

Jeff