The story by the local TV station of Bob Mackey's unfortunate incident at
Dry Creek Airpark is accurate but for one detail. I live at Dry Creek and
witnessed the incident.
Bob made 2 passes before attempting to land. On the third pass, first
landing attempt, Bob came in a little high and fast so he did a
go-around. On the second landing attempt he was still high and fast but
continued the landing and touched down about mid-field. The Dry Creek
runway is 3000 ft. paved with a slight down slope to the west (runway 25) which
is the direction Bob was landing. Elevation is 3600 ft. He was
unable to get the Lancair 235 stopped in time and ended up about 10 ft off the
North side and end of the runway in large rocks.
Damage was limited primarily to the landing gear, prop and some minor
cosmetic damage to the wing tips and spinner. All easily repairable.
The engine also will require attention due to the prop strike.
This 235 is the one built by Mike DeHate some years ago. BTW,
Mike also lives at Dry Creek and is helping Bob prepare the plane for
transport back to San Jose. The wings are off, nose gear repaired, right
main is OK and a parts run to Lancair in Redmond provided the necessary parts to
partially repair the left main. It should be on a trailer and headed home
either late today, Wed, or tomorrow.
While understandably disappointed, Bob is in good spirits and ready to
get back in the air.
BTW, this story would never have made the news but for a disgruntled
resident who called the media and tried his best to sensationalize the
event.
Leon Smith
Dry Creek Airpark
LNCE N63LS