Tue, Jun 13, 2006
"I Did All I Could To Avoid Crash"
Describing himself as an
experienced pilot who ran into a tough situation, South Carolina
Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer says he is absolutely confident
there was nothing more he could have done to prevent the crash of
his Mooney M20E as it was taking off from a grass strip in
Blacksburg last month.
"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt there was nothing more I
could have done," Bauer, a licensed pilot since 2003, told the
Bradenton Herald. "When you get in that situation... you try to do
all you can to save your life."
Bauer underwent more than two hours of surgery Friday on his
shattered heel, just a couple of weeks before the Republican
primary in which he's a candidate. Bauer says he's logged more than
500 hours of flight time -- 370 in the aircraft that went down May
23rd.
But all that experience couldn't overcome an engine that wasn't
developing full-power, he says. Unable to reach rotation speed,
Bauer realized he couldn't turn and he couldn't stop the take-off
roll. He says the only option left to him was to continue the
takeoff.
Aero-News reported last month
on what happened next. The aircraft hit some power lines at the end
of the runway that evening, exploding shortly after impact. The
37-year old lieutenant governor and his 77-year old passenger --and
the Mooney's former owner -- John Leonhardt, were hurt in the
mishap.
Both men are recovering... there are, however, lingering
questions about whether, in light of the crash and news that he was
caught speeding twice by state troopers, Bauer's political career
will be so lucky.
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