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Brandon Hiller
AirStar6 Pilot |
The plane crash in Hickory Monday was a tough story for me to cover.
My Nextel rang as I was finishing up last week’s flight reports and engine trends. Our assignment editor said, “Head to the pad. We have a plane down in Hickory.”
We were airborne in less than five minutes. Enroute from the station, our ETA to Hickory was about 15 minutes.
Once we’re clear of Class Bravo, (Charlotte’s main airspace) the radio chatter died out and I was able to get more information from the assignment desk on our way up. I was told that this single engine airplane had gone off the end of the runway. Everything else was unclear and we would have to wait to see ourselves the severity of the accident.
We arrived first on the scene and we broke into television programming. I gave a description of what I saw to 6NEWS Anchor Kara Finnstrom.
I was told that this vintage airplane had a problem on takeoff and was not able to stop the airplane. The engine, fuselage and cabin section were separated from each other, and fire crews were still putting foam and water on the wreckage.
This airplane went off the end of runway 24 (you get the number “24” from the magnetic headed of the runway in place), so this was 240 degrees on the compass, which is roughly west south west.
The airplane clipped the ILS localizer antenna (which guides aircraft in days when there is bad weather). The airplane came to rest on the perimeter road adjacent to the airport, where local officials lined the scene with yellow tape awaiting the FAA to arrive to start the investigation of the fiery crash.
The pilot was on his way to Wisconsin to an air show when things turned for the worse.
It’s really tough for me to cover these fatal aircraft accidents because it really hits home. A fellow pilot lost his life doing what he loved.
I KNEW THE PILOT OF THE JET THAT CRASHED TODAY VERY WELL. HE SHARED OWNERSHIP OF A PLANE WITH MY FAMILY AND FLEW US SEVERAL TIMES TO BALLGAMES IN TENNESSEE. WYATT WAS A SUPER PERSON. HE LOVED TO FLY. HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
http://www.flybyaviation.com/flyingfossils.htm
see Wyatt Fuller website.we are so sad for the loss
I met Wyatt at the Champion Air Show in Liberty, SC a couple of months ago. Great Pilot. Really enjoyed talking with him about the F-86.
Verone
website showing photos of Mr. Wyatt Fuller's plane before today's tragic crash:
http://www.flybyaviation.com/flyingfossils.htm
Wyatt.... I'm a close friend of the family... My girlfriend, (future wife) is his daughter.. It's so hard to believe this is real.. Wyatt was a wonderful man, that loved his family and his passion for flying....He will be greatly missed.
I made a myspace page for you to see him and to post anything you would like. Thanks for everyones support
www.myspace.com/wyattfuller
I met Wyatt in Lakeland, FL in April 2005 while he was appearing at an airshow. His F-86F was painted with the same trim scheme and AF serial number, 52-5222, as the F-86F that was assigned to Col. Robert Rowland, our Wing Commander in the 21st Fighter Bomber Wing in California and France during the mid 1950's.
Wyatt and I immediately hit it off and a budding friendship was started. He and I swapped e-mails on numerous occassions and I met him again at an airshow in Augusta, GA. Wyatt was one of those individuals whom you immediately like the moment you meet him for the first time. I will miss his smiling face, cheery nature, and his all consuming enthusiasm for aviation and great aircraft.
I offer my most sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.
Norman F. Conant, Jr.
Major USAF (Ret)
My name is Rachel Fuller Ellison, Wyatt Fuller was my first cousin. His dad and mine were brothers. I live in the small community where his dad and mine grew up, Jack,Alabama 36346. I have not seen Wyatt in years. He grew up in Fl. and my family stayed here. As we were growing up I remember the summers and holidays when Uncle Nelson, Aunt Hulda and Wyatt came to visit. We had some pretty good times. I'm sorry that we never stayed in touch as adults but I'm more sorry for the pain and suffering that his wife, children and mother are feeling. My sister LaJuan and I have read every article that has been published about the tragic accident. My heart goes out to each of you, may God Bless and see you through all the lonely days ahead. Love in God, Rachel
My name is Ralph Hendrix. I met Wyatt about 20 yrs ago when he was building homes in Parkland, Florida. I am in the heavy equipment business and I did his site work for him. I lost touch when he moved to Hickory, but had the pleasure of talking with him a few months ago when I called. Wyatt was a very honorable person. He was different from most people in this business because he always did exactly what he said he was going to do. I will miss him greatly. All my prayers are with his family.
This is a copy of the email letter sent to Wyatt's pastor, Dr. Ruffin Snow, Friday, 28 Jul 06:
Dear Pastor Snow,
If, during the services for Wyatt Fuller on Saturday, there is an opportunity to read this or reference parts of it, please feel free to do so. We, along with many, have been touched by Wyatt in his goodness to others, and are saddened by his loss. His personal, Christian example of love and giving made an impact on veterans and their families, and I wish to tell you of one such story.
Wyatt Fuller was a kind and giving man. He will be missed by one group which came to know him in Branson, MO, during their recent (June 2006) reunion.
Wyatt flew his F-86 fighter aircraft to Springfield, MO, airport, for the benefit of the former 21st Fighter Bomber Wing, Chambley AB, France, personnel and families. His aircraft was painted in the attractive paint scheme of the then-Wing Commander, Colonel Rowland. He chose this paint scheme because it was the most attractively painted F-86 he had seen in pictures, as he was preparing his plane for airshows. He wanted to show the beauty of the F-86. The aircraft included nose art of the famed 21st FBW "Desert Rats" depicting the Wing Commander flying a desk. His aircraft was simply beautiful! He joined Air Force veterans - pilots, maintainers, support personnel, and families, who meet every two years to maintain their friendships from a time when our nation was containing the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Air Force personnel served at Chambley AB from 1954-1967, and the 21st FBW was there 1954-58. Wyatt flew from his home in Hickory to Springfield, and spent the weekend with men and women he admired for protecting our nation's freedoms. He described wanting to meet these people, whom he admired for serving our nation, and sharing his aircraft with them. People attending the reunion were quite moved emotionally when we once again came "up close and personal" to an operational F-86. Wyatt quickly became "one of us." Wing stories were told; many memorable pictures of Wyatt, as our declared, honorary 21st FBW Airman, and fellow pilots were taken. Wyatt, and his Christian witness, truly touched the hearts of all of us.
We will truly miss this good man, with whom we all identified. May his soul rest in peace. And, may God bless his wife and children.
Bob Ferguson,
Colonel, USAF Ret
% Chambley AB, France, Reunion
Burke, VA