Greg Connell Lost In Pitts Biplane

ANN regrets to report that airshow pilot Greg Connell was killed at an airshow, Saturday, at the Peachtree DeKalb airport.

The event, the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport’s Annual Good Neighbor Day Airshow and Open House, was a one day event that had reported a long and extensive safety record to this point. The accident reportedly took place at approximately 1630 local time.

Video of the accident shows Connell flying a routine with his friend, Gary Ward (in an MX2 monoplane), in which they made an opposing pass, and Connell climbed sharply to the left of the airshow line, pulling through the top, and doubled back to descend on a 45 degree downline, with a series of rolls, before impacting the ground (in what appears to be a nearly flat, wings level, attitude) and coming to a stop. The wreckage caught fire shortly after impact but CFR resources appeared to be on scene fairly quickly. Regardless of the fire, the impact did not appear to be survivable.

Connell was a regular at a number of SouthEast airshows, flying a number of Pitts variants. His airshow website notes that he was, "...raised in North Augusta, SC. Greg graduated from North Augusta High School, where he lettered in Football and Golf. He graduated from the University of SC in 1988 with a Bachelors degree in Finance. Currently he lives in the Twin Lakes Airpark in Trenton, SC, with his lovely wife, Ginger. Ginger usually accompanies Greg on his trips and flies with him during his aerobatic maneuvers. Greg began his flight training in 1989, his instructor was, local aviation legend, Al Patton. Al Patton also instructed Greg’s dad, Charlie, in the early 1960’s, before Greg was even born. The two families became and remain close friends. Greg is a commercial pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He also has an FAA aerobatic waiver card. His encouragement towards his instrument and commercial ratings came from his mentor, the “infamous” Charlie Davis. Charlie was also the one who initiated Greg’s aerobatic training. His good friend, Gary Ward, is now his aerobatic instructor. Greg also helps Gary, part-time, with the globally recognized Gary Ward Airshows team."

ANN will post more information as it becomes available... but we send our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Connell's friends and family.

FMI: www.pdkairshow.com, www.facebook.com/gregconnellairshows, www.gregconnellairshows.com