[:(]Iv got some real tragic News I just found out that the last known flying He111 crashed and was completely destroyed aslo lost were the Pilot and passenger.[:(] This news is at least a year old but it is still very much of a loss to the aircraft community, As it was the last flying He 111 in the states and in the world.
http://www.stelzriede.com/ms/html/mshwma29.htm
This site was discovered while doing research on an up and coming project.
I had heard about that when the news was new and although the CAF HE-111 was a post war Spanish built machine, it is still a tremendous loss as is that of the crew.
I remember seeing that aircraft in person in the late 90’s when it made a brief visit to Canada, I looked around inside took a shot of the cockpit… quite an experience.
Bummer!
Aw crap… I hadn’t heard. That was one hell of an airplane to see.
Heard the news at the time. A tragic loss of life & History.
Regards, Rick
Yeah. A total bummer. I’d flown on that plane about 3 years prior to the wreck happening. I’ve got a friend who’s husband is a captain on the 757 with America West, who also volunteered with the CAF chapter there in Mesa, AZ. He was typed on both the HE-111 and their B-17 (Sentimental Journey, I believe).
It was one of the coolest rides I’ve ever had. It was beautifully restored.
Cause of the wreck has been determined to be “pilot’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft during emergency operation on a single engine.” What happened was that when they lost one at cruise altitude, the began descending for an open field they’d located. When the got lined up for a final approach and were at about 200 feet or so, the flying pilot noticed some power lines they wouldn’t clear and made an attempt to avoid them. When he did, he got too slow and the aircraft Vmc rolled, crashing into the ground.
That bomber was used in several movies over the past couple of decades as well.
Bad news guys, Captain B pretty much has the story, other than it crashed in Wyoming of all places. I live near Mesa, Az and I didn’t find out about it until recently either. The CAF at Falcon Field also used to include a nice collection of WWI and very rare aircraft all beautifully restored. Unfortunately, the collection known as the Champlin Fighter Museum was sold and moved to the Pac-NW. The Az-CAF is restoring a B-25 though that is coming along and the B-17, yeah its Sentimental Journey, is pretty cool.
As for the He-111, it had Rolls Royce Merlin in-lines, same as the P-51, and was actually built for Spain, not Germany. The two-pilots on board were airline pilots from America West and United I think, no passengers. For more info check out www.ntsb.gov, aviation link and then air crashes.
After re-reading the NTSB report, I stand slightly corrected. The engine was not lost during cruise, but shortly after being cleared for landing for a refueling stop.
What a tragic loss of men and machine. My condolences ot the families of both pilots.
I saw that He 111 a few years back and it was a magnificent looking plane next to the B-17. What a very tragic loss of life.
Regards, Dan
sorry, I lost my mind and posted before I knew what happened. The - 111 lost in the crash must be the same the CAF has had for many years. I live in Midland, Texas where
the CAF is based and have had the pleasure of going throught the plane a couple of years back at the Annual Airshow. Truly a loss and sadness for the guys who died and for a one of a kind aircraft. on a side note the Airshow this year was great!!!
Was this the same plane that Cavanaugh has had in Dallas? Or is the one at their museum just for static purposes? I ahve not been up there in about four years so I don’t know if they even still have one on display.