Murdoughnut!!!!

[BigGuyFlying]

A buddy from flight school (CAMS) just called me about a crash @ KPIE this evening... The plane is from a flying club (www.pinellaspilots.org) and I know that Murdoughnut is a member of it, so I just want to make sure that he wasn't on it... Such a tragedy, may they RIP.

Three dead in small plane crash in Tampa Bay

Saturday, January 12, 2008


Three people are reported dead in a plane crash off the Bayside Bridge in Pinellas County. (slideshow)

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A Cessna 172 crashed Saturday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. in Tampa Bay off the Bayside Bridge.
Three people are reported dead. Divers are searching the water for more possible victims.
The crash scene is near the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport.
"It was attempting to land on runway 22 and it fell short of that runway and landed, and this is an eyeball account from me to you, approximately 100 yards from shore,"said Airport Director Noah Lagos.
Lagos used a boom on a fire rescue unit to get a better look at the submerged plane.
"The plane at the time I viewed the wreckage was totally under water," Lagos said.

He said there was no flight plan on file.
The plane was registered to the Pinellas Pilots Association.

http://baynews9.com/content/36/2008/...h+in+Tampa+Bay

[athomeinthesky]

Thats sucks, from the video it looks like they weren't too far from the runway, RIP.

[killbilly]

Christ, I hope not. Anyone have his phone number?

EDIT: I looked up the website for the flying club - looks like just 5-6 members, and I believe he's a part owner in the plane.

I'm kind of worried about this. I don't even know his real name, but if a moderator would maybe look up his account or something and maybe find a way to get him to check in with us...

[BigGuyFlying]

I am a bit worried too...

My friend Bruce just told me there's a video at TBO.com
http://tbo.com/video/xml/MGB492ESCBF.html

I was just talking over with him on the phone, looks like it may have stalled and spinned just on short final.

[Qgar]

It looks like he was logged into JC at 4:08 today so, hopefully he's ok.
RIP to those who were involved.

[troopernflight]

Lord, I sure hope not. We'll keep all those affected in our prayers...

[Murdoughnut]

Thanks so much for your concern guys - it really does mean a lot to me. Fortunately it was not me on the plane today - but unfortunately it was a good friend mine named Joe and two passengers. Joe and I swapped emails earlier today about a trip we were going to take together Tuesday night. Obviously I'm in total shock right now - I found out about it about an hour ago and am still shaking. A friend of mine who I met on JetCareers, and flew with me last Sunday as my safety pilot, called to see if it was me. I was in Orlando having dinner with some friends.

I will certainly keep you guys up to date with whatever information I get - like I said, right now I just want to go somewhere and cry. Joe was too young - not sure of his exact age but probably only about 30. I was supposed to go up with him on Tuesday and that freaks the hell out of me.

RIP Joe and his passengers. Thanks again for your concern guys - when I found out, the first people I wanted to tell was you guys. I'm sure I'll need the support of some of you who've been in a similar situation.

[TFaudree_ERAU]

Dude, Kenneth, we're all glad to hear you're OK. I've been in your shoes a few times. In college, one of our professors headed to MSY for a conference, but had problems with the fuel system in his Bonanza and ended up 11 miles short of PNS and died. Recently, a person I know put a Cherokee in a pond. He survived. Regardless of the outcome, you just can't help but to be shaken up yourself. What you're feeling right now is natural. Just take this time to appreciate the things in your life, and make sure they know they're appreciated. Comfort your wife, as I know she is probably a little shaken up herself.

Don't let this deter you from continuing your training. When the NTSB makes their final report, take it as an unfortunate lesson and vow to yourself to not make the same mistake.

[Murdoughnut]

Originally Posted by TFaudree_ERAU

Dude, Kenneth, we're all glad to hear you're OK. I've been in your shoes a few times. In college, one of our professors headed to MSY for a conference, but had problems with the fuel system in his Bonanza and ended up 11 miles short of PNS and died. Recently, a person I know put a Cherokee in a pond. He survived. Regardless of the outcome, you just can't help but to be shaken up yourself. What you're feeling right now is natural. Just take this time to appreciate the things in your life, and make sure they know they're appreciated. Comfort your wife, as I know she is probably a little shaken up herself.

Don't let this deter you from continuing your training. When the NTSB makes their final report, take it as an unfortunate lesson and vow to yourself to not make the same mistake.

Thanks so much man - I really appreciate it - you guys have no idea how grateful I am to be a part of this network.

Yeah, I'm just torn by so many feelings right now. My wife and I were eating dinner with some friends before her marathon tomorrow when I got the call. I think the worst part for me is the fact that I communicated with Joe a few hours before the accident - and we were supposed to go up on Tuesday like I mentioned.

My wife is making phone calls to people for me so they don't see the news and worry - she's being great with this. Should I expect a call from the NTSB? I think I was the last guy to fly the plane.

Thank you guys so much for your support - I'll definitely need it in the days to come. I'm sure I'll overcome this like many you and many others have - the shock is just incredible - I've always imagined something like this happening - but now that it has, it doesn't even feel real.

[Snuggle]

Good to hear your okay, sorry to hear about your friend and the other two on board.

[BigGuyFlying]

Glad to hear you're ok Mur. I've only known you from a few posts, but remember about reading on your blog about you joining the PPA, and I was at work @ TPA when my friend (PLANECOOK) called me about it.

What a tragedy... St. Pete Times is now reporting "
The pilot was identified as Joseph P. Bellamy, 31, of Pinellas Park. Also onboard were his parents, Gordon D. Bellamy, 55, and Susan C. Bellamy, 53, both of Palatka. All three bodies were recovered from the submerged airplane by divers."

[Murdoughnut]

Originally Posted by BigGuyFlying

Glad to hear you're ok Mur. I've only known you from a few posts, but remember about reading on your blog about you joining the PPA, and I was at work @ TPA when my friend (PLANECOOK) called me about it.

What a tragedy... St. Pete Times is now reporting "
The pilot was identified as Joseph P. Bellamy, 31, of Pinellas Park. Also onboard were his parents, Gordon D. Bellamy, 55, and Susan C. Bellamy, 53, both of Palatka. All three bodies were recovered from the submerged airplane by divers."

Thanks BigGuy - I do appreciate your concern, like I said, it really means a lot to me. I just saw the pics of our plane in the water - what a horrible feeling. I loved that aircraft - I flew up to TLH with my safety pilot (the guy that called me to let me know) last Sunday in her.

Obviously my concerns about the airplane are a fraction of my overwhelming sadness for Joe and his parents. The world just lost another good man. Another guy in our club was supposed to take the a/c for the weekend but cancelled last minute - I sure hope he isn't beating himself up over it.

This is a truly great flying club - not sure what we're going to do going forward.

[athomeinthesky]

Originally Posted by BigGuyFlying

The pilot was identified as Joseph P. Bellamy, 31, of Pinellas Park. Also onboard were his parents, Gordon D. Bellamy, 55, and Susan C. Bellamy, 53, both of Palatka. All three bodies were recovered from the submerged airplane by divers."

Wow all the same family even worse, RIP.

[ryanmickG]

Man, I am sorry about your friend. It is the worst feeling loosing a friend but it hits so close to home when its a fellow aviator. I lost a fellow instructor and two students a few months ago in a crash and it tore me up inside pretty bad. Im pretty good about keeping my emotions in check but it was on my mind 24/7 for a while. I lost many nights of sleep.

Like someone else said, when #### like this happens it makes really appriciate everything you have and it makes the little B.S that we worry about not really matter.

I know you dont want to think about it right now but man im telling you in a couple days get your ass BACK in an airplane a go fly. It REALLY helped me. I woke up a couple days after it happened and jumped in a 152.

RIP

[SkyCougar]

Whoa, my heart skipped a beat there for a sec, until I read the rest of the thread. Mur, I'm so relieved to hear that you're ok, but so sorry to hear about your friend.

[Murdoughnut]

Thanks guys - again, your support means so much at a time like this. Obviously it's rough - it's 4am and I still can't sleep. It's early of course, but the signs of a classic arrival stall/spin seem evident. Our club is very safety focused - we talked about this very thing in our last safety meeting that Joe attended.

I was actually out checking out the a/c I'm going to do my multi training in when the accident occurred. Going to be tough to get back into the saddle, but that does seem like the best thing to do.

Here are some pics I've collected from local news sites ...

[troopernflight]

Glad to hear that you are ok, Mur. I'm very sorry that you lost some friends. We will be praying for their families.

[Qgar]

What a terrible tragedy--a man and his parents. I will keep their family and friends in my prayers. I know you will stay strong for those around you. Take care, Mur.

[SoccerJock]

I'm a student at CAMS, I was flying Cherokee 330FT with my instructor, Keith, in the pattern when we confirmed for the tower that the Cessna was down in the water. (We did not see what had happened - only that we were "number 2 behind the Cessna - cleared for touch-n-go".) Looking down, the image is burned in my head. I feel so badly for the family and friends that knew him. What really sits deeply with me - is he is basically "me", or soon. Out with family for a flight around, an unforgiving mistake (or so it likely seems)... Keith drills into to me the dangers of maneuvering "low and slow". This was the most surreal lesson I hope I ever have. God Bless them. My deepest sympathy to any friends of his here.

[Murdoughnut]

Originally Posted by SoccerJock

I'm a student at CAMS, I was flying Cherokee 330FT with my instructor, Keith, in the pattern when we confirmed for the tower that the Cessna was down in the water. (We did not see what had happened - only that we were "number 2 behind the Cessna - cleared for touch-n-go".) Looking down, the image is burned in my head. I feel so badly for the family and friends that knew him. What really sits deeply with me - is he is basically "me", or soon. Out with family for a flight around, an unforgiving mistake (or so it likely seems)... Keith drills into to me the dangers of maneuvering "low and slow". This was the most surreal lesson I hope I ever have. God Bless them. My deepest sympathy to any friends of his here.

CAMS is a great flight school - that's where I got my PPL a couple years ago. They actually have done all the MX work on our plane, including the engine overhaul last April. Sorry you had to see that, though. But as much as I respect Joe, this wasn't a random accident. All we can do is learn from his mistake and make sure we don't do the same.

[SoccerJock]

Originally Posted by Murdoughnut

CAMS is a great flight school - that's where I got my PPL a couple years ago. They actually have done all the MX work on our plane, including the engine overhaul last April. Sorry you had to see that, though. But as much as I respect Joe, this wasn't a random accident. All we can do is learn from his mistake and make sure we don't do the same.

I just read your blog, and that you also flew 7100Q. I assume you knew him? I'm very sorry.

CAMS is turning out to be a great school, in my opinion. Everyone is helpful, and supportive. Randy is making nice improvements there. The online reservations, remodeling the office and study areas, refurbing 76U, and a couple of new glass panel Cessnas (I chose to learn on a low wing with the steam gauges... so that G1000 remains a little mysterious to me, at least for now.), and a choice to fly a complex... That's a lot for a little school. I'm not looking for a career in flying, but I am hoping to go for my Instrument rating. If I can make my ppl, that should be next on my plate. Your blog was interesting to read.

[BigGuyFlying]

CAMS is an awesome FBO. Randy is probably the best thing to happen there for the flight school, he is a truly great and honest person. Ray "Spanky" Spangler wasn't too bad, but I had a lot of gripes with him, and Dutch as well. Randy is by far the best. I agree with you Soccer, the online reservation is so much better than the traditional clipboard. That's one of the things I didn't like about Clearwater Aviation. Plus, I'm a G1000-oholic.

[Murdoughnut]

Originally Posted by BigGuyFlying

CAMS is an awesome FBO. Randy is probably the best thing to happen there for the flight school, he is a truly great and honest person. Ray "Spanky" Spangler wasn't too bad, but I had a lot of gripes with him, and Dutch as well. Randy is by far the best. I agree with you Soccer, the online reservation is so much better than the traditional clipboard. That's one of the things I didn't like about Clearwater Aviation. Plus, I'm a G1000-oholic.

I took Ray's PPL ground school several years ago. Good guy, but definitely a little akward. I saw him ordering around a couple CAP kids on more than on occasion. I guess he left a few years ago when he found out he had a daughter in Cali who was ill.

[Murdoughnut]

Originally Posted by SoccerJock

I just read your blog, and that you also flew 7100Q. I assume you knew him? I'm very sorry.

CAMS is turning out to be a great school, in my opinion. Everyone is helpful, and supportive. Randy is making nice improvements there. The online reservations, remodeling the office and study areas, refurbing 76U, and a couple of new glass panel Cessnas (I chose to learn on a low wing with the steam gauges... so that G1000 remains a little mysterious to me, at least for now.), and a choice to fly a complex... That's a lot for a little school. I'm not looking for a career in flying, but I am hoping to go for my Instrument rating. If I can make my ppl, that should be next on my plate. Your blog was interesting to read.

Thanks man - yeah, as I alluded to above, Joe and I were supposed to go up together last night. 7100Q was a great airplane. We're meeting Saturday to determine what to do moving forward. Signature and CAMS have both been very, very supportive through this difficult time.

[BigGuyFlying]

Originally Posted by Murdoughnut

I took Ray's PPL ground school several years ago. Good guy, but definitely a little akward. I saw him ordering around a couple CAP kids on more than on occasion. I guess he left a few years ago when he found out he had a daughter in Cali who was ill.

I was in Ray's PPL GS as well, back in April 04. I think there were seven or eight people in my class. I heard he cheated Matt out of thousands of dollars, and then hear the cali story. As you said, he was an akward person... I'm thinking a military dropout/wannabe...