RIP Capt. Dale "Snort" Snodgrass

[Malo83]

Legendary F-14 pilot killed in crash.

Pilot dies in crash at Lewiston airport

Federal officials are investigating after a single-engine plane crash Saturday at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport that killed the pilot.

lmtribune.com

 

[Cujet]

Oh, that sucks. He was quite the hot shot pilot. And to die in a crash of a STOL single engine turboprop on takeoff, ugh.

 

[AdmdeVilleneuve]

A tribute to Snort by LCDR Joe Ruzicka.

Final F-14 Demo Crewman Remembers Legendary Tomcat Demo Pilot Dale "Snort" Snodgrass

There was only one king of the F-14 Tomcat demonstration and that was Dale "Snort" Snodgrass.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Astro14]

I’ve served with him, flown with him, drank with him. He was legendary. He could fly the F-14 like no other.

No details yet on the crash.

May he Rest In Peace

 

[fsdork]

I suppose those YouTube recommendations earlier today weren't a coincidence. RIP and condolences to those who knew him.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Police investigating deadly plane crash at Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport, pilot identified

UPDATE: JULY 25 AT 11:36 A.M.

www.khq.com

 

[spasm3]

 

[pilottravis]

Video and audio released from accident. Immediate pitch up and stall upon rotation. Unfortunately it appears as if the gust lock wasn't removed but unsure as of yet. Hard to watch knowing such an experienced aviator was lost.

 

[Dave Hess]

RIP.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Even on a bad day I can't see a guy of his caliber not knowing the gust locks are set. That is old hat for him to cycle his controls before a take off.
It had to be mechanical or medical.

 

[PimTac]

I happened across this video yesterday that explains this lock feature and how a pilot cannot operate the aircraft when this is used.

 

[E365]

NTSB Final Report released. It’s confirmed that he never removed the control lock.

https://cdn.planeandpilotmag.com/2022/07/Snodgrass-NTSB-Final-Report.pdf?_ga=2.127537229.1991379827.1657231054-437820608.1657231054

NTSB Releases Final Report on Crash that Killed Dale Snodgrass

The NTSB final report on the fatal crash of Dale Snodgrass concluded that the pilot failed to remove the control lock from the plane.

www.planeandpilotmag.com

 

[Astro14]

Saw that. Hard to understand.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Wow ... so he didn't check the full travel of the stick before take-off ... seems like a basic thing to do for an experienced pilot without thinking about it.

 

[spasm3]

Saw that. Hard to understand.

Age/slight mental decline maybe? But even then, you would think that's one of the older memories/habits he would retain. Newer memories i can see losing.

 

[Dave Hess]

Wow ... so he didn't check the full travel of the stick before take-off ... seems like a basic thing to do for an experienced pilot without thinking about it.

Even the most experienced pilots make mistakes, it happens unfortunately.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Even the most experienced pilots make mistakes, it happens unfortunately.

Sure ... but I'd expect them to be caught off guard by more random, non-basic things. Checking the full range of all flight controls before take-off should be never forgotten.