Retired Airline Pilot Was Flying The Airplane When It Went Down

Retired airline pilot Ralph Griffin and his wife Mary Jane are considering themselves lucky after walking away from an accident this Sunday after their airplane lost power just after takeoff. The Griffins had just departed the air strip at their home in North Carolina when the aircraft, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, lost power and impacted a cable by a power pole, spinning the airplane around before it came to rest in a field.

The M. Airy News reports that FAA investigators were on the scene Monday to look into the cause behind the accident said John Shelton, director of Surry County Emergency Services. He added “They were really fortunate.” Mary Jane reportedly had some cuts and scrapes but the couple walked home, refusing treatment. Shelton said the NTSB will also be investigating the accident, but did not say when personnel would arrive. Some local residents temporarily lost power and cable television service due to the line being hit.

The accident triggered a flurry of local activity, with multiple agencies responding to the scene. Included were the Ararat Volunteer Fire Department, Pilot Knob volunteer Fire Department, Pilot Mountain Rescue Squad, Mount Airy Rescue Squad, Surry County Hazmat, Surry County Fire Marshal and Sheriff, Surry County Emergency Services and NC Highway Patrol. (File photo of PA-18 Super Cub. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov