THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 1994 TAG: 9407270005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Regarding the recent unfortunate Navy helicopter/private plane accident: I am a licensed commercial pilot (inactive) and also worked for a fish-spotting company many years ago. I have also known Bill Sklar for many years, before he became a fish spotting pilot. He was, as reported, a very skilled pilot and a very cautious one.
I am also a friend of one of the Navy pilots involved; hence this letter.
As the media seem to be focusing all the responsibility on the Navy, I would like to point out some facts which, to my knowledge, have not been addressed.
Both aircraft were operating under VFR conditions, under which all pilots are responsible for maintaining a visual lookout for other aircraft. I do not pretend to fix blame or responsibility for the accident by this letter, but only to show another possibility as to cause.
From the damage to the Navy aircraft (amidship, right side), I believe there is a good possibility that Bill flew into the helicopter without ever seeing it. I say this because the spotter pilots spend much of their time in turns, while concentrating on the water below looking for fish. I mention this as a similar accident happened in, I believe, 1959, when two spotter planes collided head-on and neither pilot survived. From all reported accounts, it was decided that both were circling, looking for fish, and evidently never saw each other.
All the Navy personnel involved feel very bad about the accident and fatality, but do feel they are being unduly blamed for the accident before there has been any type of official investigation or determination as to cause. Since they are not allowed to comment on the matter, I'm hoping this letter will lead to more impartial reporting until all the facts are known.
BILL HOPKINS
Portsmouth, July 16, 1994 by CNB