"I Did All I Could To Avoid Crash"

Describing himself as an experienced pilot who ran into a tough situation, South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer says he is absolutely confident there was nothing more he could have done to prevent the crash of his Mooney M20E as it was taking off from a grass strip in Blacksburg last month.

"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there was nothing more I could have done," Bauer, a licensed pilot since 2003, told the Bradenton Herald. "When you get in that situation... you try to do all you can to save your life."

Bauer underwent more than two hours of surgery Friday on his shattered heel, just a couple of weeks before the Republican primary in which he's a candidate. Bauer says he's logged more than 500 hours of flight time -- 370 in the aircraft that went down May 23rd.

But all that experience couldn't overcome an engine that wasn't developing full-power, he says. Unable to reach rotation speed, Bauer realized he couldn't turn and he couldn't stop the take-off roll. He says the only option left to him was to continue the takeoff.

Aero-News reported last month on what happened next. The aircraft hit some power lines at the end of the runway that evening, exploding shortly after impact. The 37-year old lieutenant governor and his 77-year old passenger --and the Mooney's former owner -- John Leonhardt, were hurt in the mishap.

Both men are recovering... there are, however, lingering questions about whether, in light of the crash and news that he was caught speeding twice by state troopers, Bauer's political career will be so lucky.

FMI: www.state.sc.us/ltgov/