Residents Say Experienced Pilots Routinely Practiced On Weekends

Saturday brought a sad reminder that formation flying presents increased risks. The FAA reports the pilot and only occupant of a Vans RV-6 died when his plane went down in a wooded area near Conroe, TX, near Houston. Weather was reported as few clouds, 10 miles visibility, and winds 240 at four knots.

KWTX-TV reports the accident happened when two planes in a seven-plane formation made contact. The other aircraft involved, an RV-8, was landed safely by the other pilot, who was treated for minor injuries at the scene. The other five planes also landed safely at Lone Star Executive Airport (KCXO) in Conroe.

Neither pilot involved in the mid-air was identified by authorities, but both were said to be residents of Montgomery, TX. N16DD, the RV-6 which impacted terrain, is registered to Richard P. Stevens of Montgomery, and got its airworthiness certificate in 2003.

Residents of the area told KWTX the formation flights were common, with one saying he saw a four-plane formation "every weekend."

FMI: http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/preliminary_data/media/M_0815_N.txt