Cease and Desist Order Specifies 'Amanda's Wings'
ANN RealTime Update -- 1731 ET, 05.08.12: ANN has just spoken to Celia Belt, of the Moonlight Fund, as regards the recent statement by Kyle Franklin and Franklin Airshows severing ties with their charitable program known as "Amanda's Wings."
Ms. Belt offered few details in response to our questions but seemed to suggest that any difficulties were not with her organization... but involved an argument, "actually more than an argument," between Kyle Franklin and his Brother-In-Law, Matt Younkin -- also a highly accomplished Airshow Pilot.
Belt also asserted that, "Kyle wants more than we took in for him," but refused to divulge the amounts involved and instead that Kyle had been "well cared for." Belt also told ANN that her foundation was currently in compliance with all necessary reporting requirements and documentation necessary for a 501C-3 Charitable organization.
When ANN contacted Matt Younkin about Belt's assertions of a fight between he and Kyle, Matt simply responded that, "We're still family and we're still working together..."
Original Report: Kyle Franklin's long road of recovery back from the tragedy that severely injured him and cost the life of his Wife, Amanda, appears to have seen something of a setback.
Industry insiders indicate that problems were building as a result of 'The Moonlight Fund, Inc's' handling of donations made specifically in memory of the late Amanda Franklin and their stated desire to help Kyle and his family (as well as other female burn survivors) recover as much as possible from the tragedy that befell he and Amanda last year.
The March 12th, 2011 accident occurred during Air Fiesta 2011, at the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport, on a Saturday. The accident occurred as the result of an engine failure suffered by the Franklin's well-known Waco biplane. NTSB reports concluded that the engine failed, bringing the bipe down off-airport, where impact damage created a fire and issues in extracting Amanda... in the process, burning both Kyle and Amanda 'extensively.' Kyle took many months recovering from his injuries and burns, while Amanda succumbed to hers, May 27th, 2011.
Even more tragically, this is not the first time that the Franklin/Younkin family has had to deal with an airshow accident... as both Kyle and Amanda's Fathers were lost in a mid-air collision during a 2005 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan airshow while Amanda's brother Matt was involved in an accident, in which he suffered injuries, late in 2009 while flying the Younkin Mullicoupe.
In the year since, Kyle has done his best to recover... he's started back on the airshow circuit and is in the process of rebuilding his business and his future... along with the Waco that went down at Air Fiesta.
Some time in the past year, the 'Moonlight Fund' established "Amanda's Wings" in order to help Kyle recover from the accident, as well as to contribute funds to other female burn survivors. According to their site, "The Moonlight Fund provides 24/7 assistance to burn survivors and their family members, as well as families who have lost a loved one to a burn injury. The Moonlight Fund addresses the financial, emotional and physical needs in the hour of need. The Moonlight Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization."
Something appears amiss, however, as Kyle Franklin has released a carefully worded statement via Facebook, Tuesday.
The statement read, "Kyle Franklin and Franklin's Flying Circus are no longer affiliated with in any way and cannot support nor endorse The Moonlight Fund Inc. due to deep philosophical disagreements over the handling of donated funds. A cease and desist order has been sent in regards to 'Amanda's Wings'"
ANN has calls into the Moonlight Fund for their comments and input as well as to the Franklin and Younkin families. Kyle is a fairly quiet and reserved guy, so such a statement certainly appears to indicate that something quite serious has occurred in regards to the Moonlight Fund, Amanda's Wings and associated efforts. ANN will, of course, keep you up to date as additional info becomes available.
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