A Year Later, Question Remains: Why Did Two Grande Aire Planes Crash Hours Apart?

Steve and Judy Forshay have been grieving the loss of their son for almost a year now. They're not satisfied with what little they know about his death even now and are becoming advocates for change in the air cargo industry.

"It is still a difficult thing to accept," Steve Forshay (pictured above, center, with wife Judy, left) said in an interview with the Toledo Blade.

"You're devastated. Absolutely devastated," said Judy, obviously fighting back the tears that still spring to her eyes a year later.

It happened on April 8, 2003. Steven "Will" Forshay, 37, was one of three crew members aboard a Grande Aire Dassault DA-20 (file photo of type in military configuration, below) on approach to Toledo Express Airport (OH). The weather was cold and misty. Along with chief pilot, Wallis Bouldin, 32, and the flight's first officer, David Davenport, 40, they flew from Toledo to Grand Rapids (MI) to pick up cargo, and then to drop it off in Traverse City. The younger Forshay was still working on his DA-20 type certification. He was taking instruction from the other two crew members on the way home.

Forshay and Bouldin were at the controls when they made their initial approach to Toledo Express. They missed that approach -- perhaps intentionally (as part of Forshay's training) -- and maneuvered through the airspace for a second attempt. That's when things apparently went horribly wrong.

At approximately 1:45, Approach cleared the Falcon to contact the tower at Toledo Blade. Bouldin acknowledged the instruction, but never showed up on the tower frequency. Two minutes and 40 seconds later, the Falcon disappeared from radar.

Witnesses say the aircraft was unusually low as it approached the airport. Some said they heard popping sounds that might be indicative of a flame-out. Still others said outright that one of the aircraft's engines seemed to quit on approach.

The burning wreckage of the Grande Aire DA-20 was found about a mile and a half short of the approach end of the runway. All on board lost their lives.

The same day, another Grande Aire flight -- this one in St. Louis -- went down in what federal officials called a tragic case of fuel mismanagement. Two pilots were injured in that mishap.

Now, Grande Aire has changed its name to Tri-Coastal. It's still locked in a massive financial struggle and executives refuse to discuss the company's future. It's selling its hangar at Toledo Express, where it owes more than $100,000 in airport fees. The Toledo Blade reports company owner Tahir Cheema, appears ready to move to Alabama where he apparently plans to start a new company.

Will Forshay's parents now attend air cargo safety events and plan to become big-time advocates for increased air safety.

"This is what Will would do for us," his mother said. "He would not drop the ball. He wouldn't be content. He would make it right."

FMI: www.ntsb.gov