The Sunday performances at the Stevens Point Air Show were shut down after an airshow performance resulted in a fatal accident. Following a maneuver over an adjacent tree line, a 1993 Yak 55M appears to have impacted in a near vertical attitude (possibly as the result of a descending spin/spitral) resulting in the loss of the pilot. The 1230 (Local Time) accident shut down the show immediately thereafter. ANN has learned that the pilot of the Yak 55M was former F-16 pilot and current airline pilot, Bill Cowden (47), a native of Wisconsin. Cowden boasted significant background and expertise from both his civilian and military careers and had been flying airshows for a number of years.
Team Plans To Fly The Airplane To AirVenture This Summer
A unique Glasair SII sportplane being built by a team of Boeing engineers in Everett, Washington, was rolled out last week sporting a fresh Boeing paint scheme and is going through final inspections in preparation for engine start, ground testing, and first flight. Project “Opportunities for New Engineers – Build, Certify, and Fly” (ONE BCnF) could make its maiden flight in the next couple of weeks according to a project team member.
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