Sat, Jul 12, 2003
Aircraft Was Once Gen. Franco's Personal Transport
Two pilots from Arizona who
died in the crash of the world's last flying Heinkel HE-111 bomber
have been identified, as the investigation continues into what
caused the plane to go down short of the runway in Cheyenne (WY)
Thursday.
The Arizona Republic reports Neil Stampof of Cave Creek and
Charles "Stephen" Bates of Ahwatukee Foothills were both volunteers
at the Arizona Wing of the CAF. The plane had been on exhibit at
Falcon Field in Mesa (AZ). Mitch Lucas, a 43-year old construction
worker who was just a few yards away from the crash site said he
wants the families of the two pilots to know, "those guys were
heroes. "They were fighting their asses off trying to steer that
plane away from houses and an oil refinery... the last thing they
saw was me hauling ass," he said.
Engine Out?
Lucas told the Republic that when he first saw
the bomber, it was losing altitude and flying on just one engine.
The other prop, he said, wasn't turning. The Heinkel impacted the
ground and burned just outside a building Lucas was helping to
construct in Cheyenne. Witnesses told the Associated Press they
heard a "sputtering sound" from the aircraft as it descended. An
initial incident report from the FAA indicated the aircraft had
been cleared to land at Cheyenne's airport when the accident
occurred.
The HE-111 was heading for the
Montana Airfest 2003 show in Missoula (MT) when it went down
Thursday. It was the first crash in the 25-year history of the
Arizona CAF chapter.
Bomber Played Colorful Role In Spanish History
The HE-111 was purchased by the CAF in 1977 from an
owner in Britain. The aircraft was made in Spain under license from
the German military and, the AP reports, had been the personal
transport aircraft of Spanish dictator Gen. Francisco Franco.
"The Heart And Soul Of The CAF"
CAF Executive Director Bob Rice told the Republic Friday the two
pilots killed in the crash were typical of the organization's 9,000
members. "Volunteers like these men are the heart and soul of the
Commemorative Air Force."
In Cave Creek, Stampof's family was making ready to claim his
body Friday. After hearing of the crash, some of his neighbors went
to the flagpole outside his house and lowered the standard to
half-mast in his memory.
Neil Stampof and Stephen Bates have gone west. Happy landings,
gentlemen.
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