Cessna Test Plane Crashes In SW Butler County
Cessna Test Plane Crashes In SW Butler County Save Email Print
Reporter: Cayle Thompson
Email Address: cayle.thompson@kake.com
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A Cessna plane went down in southwest Butler County a few miles east of Douglass.

The plane was a prototype of the Cessna Skycatcher, and it was on a routine test flight.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud pop then seeing sparks as the plane spiraled downward, crashing into a tree line about 1/2 mile east of Hopkins Switch Road on 230th near the Butler County/Cowley County line.

A Cessna spokesperson said the plane had more than 100 flights and 150 hours in the air.

The pilot parachuted out of the plane and landed safely in a field roughly 400 yards away from the wreckage. Cessna says the most important detail is the safety of the pilot, who was taken to the hospital with only minor injuries.

The pilot has been identified as 70-year-old Bobby Newsom.

The Skycatcher is Cessna's entry into the sport and training plane market.

Cessna says it is too early to know what went wrong, and it could be days or weeks before the investigation is complete.

Stay with KAKE News and kake.com for continuing updates.
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Posted by: PP on Sep 24, 2008 at 07:59 AM
That's Neat - If you are 70 does that automatically make you incompetent? There are alot of 70 year old people out there who are in great physical and mental shape! Thumbs up!
Posted by: That's Neat on Sep 22, 2008 at 08:53 PM
The thing I like about this story is that the test pilot is seventy years old. It's nice that Cessna recognizes that this guy has probably forgotten more about flying that some thirty year-old has ever known. Thumbs up!
Posted by: Dean Location: California on Sep 22, 2008 at 01:20 PM
As a former test pilot, I have had much experience with spins, including flat spins. Cessna has a great design there when they work our the kinks. Cessna would do well to investigate the relative size of the rudder compared to the fixed vertical (not a direct cause in this case) plus enlarging the vertical/dorsal about 25%. Also angle of elevator travel. I flew the Aerobat in airshows one season and found the rudder to be slightly lacking in authority. No problem with spinning, although I did not temp fate by leaving power on full with certain high-angle-of-attack maneuvers. I found, through the years, that most airplanes will spin flat regardless of the balance under certain circumstances. They may appear to be spinning normally, but aerodynamically, they are stable in a flat spin. If the engine dies, it's time to leave. Art Scholl didn't, and he died. I corrected a tendency for a flat spin in one aircraft by suggesting a small dorsal fin be added.
Posted by: Kevin Location: Vienna Austria on Sep 20, 2008 at 11:06 AM
The lady on the video tape said nothing, and she went on about normal experimental test flights. What is normal? Answer, it normal for me not to say anything, so Cessna won't lose any sales. Build it in America! Not China!
Posted by: Charlie Location: MA on Sep 20, 2008 at 05:39 AM
China junk
Posted by: Frank Location: New York on Sep 20, 2008 at 12:45 AM
According to AOPA (Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, "A spokesman from the National Transportation Safety Board said it was an Experimental category flight test to conduct a stall series at 10,000 feet. The SkyCatcher entered an unintentional flat spin and continued to 5,000 feet, where the test pilot bailed out." Flat spins are often not recoverable so after losing 5000 feet, the pilot wisely bailed out. In determining the flight envelope, planes are ofter pushed to their limits (which may be unknown until after the test.) I'd guess that Cessna will be reevaluating their weight and balance figures.
Posted by: Jim Location: Long Beach on Sep 19, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Cessna Skycatchers will be MADE IN CHINA is it a wonder that they crash?
Posted by: John Location: Wichita on Sep 19, 2008 at 01:13 PM
The sparks (and smoke) that the witnesses saw may have been from him blowing the bail out panel prior to actually leaving the aircraft. At this early stage, we can't assume that the accident was caused by an engine or electrical fire. I'd lean more toward him not being able to get out of a particular maneuver.
Posted by: Jim Location: Dallas, TX on Sep 19, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Reports say sparks and smoke. The engine not the airframe causes this. Cessna does not make the engine (but it DOES the wiring) so the airframe, which came down in one piece, seems not a problem so far. Pilots abhor fire and will jump if they can and not ride the bird down. All aircraft are EXPERIMENTAL until the FAA approve them otherwise even airliners.
Posted by: Will Location: Fairfield CT on Sep 19, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Steve, I wouldn't worry about the airplane's safety. Once Cessna figures out what happened they will correct any deficiency before the plane goes into production. Any safety of flight issues must be corrected before a new aircraft gets its type certification from the feds. I'm kinda surprised the pilot had to bail out, as I always figured it's safer to ride the plane down and let it take the abuse of an off-field landing, but am also curious to hear from Cessna exactly what went wrong. Do you own a flight school? Is that why you've ordered two 162s?
Posted by: Ralph Location: Lexington SC on Sep 19, 2008 at 08:50 AM
The prototype was built in Wichita by Cessna. When the plane goes into full production it will be built in China then reassembled and test flown in one of three assembly centers here in the US. It's an awesome design with many safety features. It's being built in the Light sport catagory of aircraft. While the aircraft is in testing it flies under the experimental catagory. I'm glad to hear the pilot is ok. The reason airplane stories make headlines is that they seldom crash. Cessna has some great info on the plane on their website.
Posted by: Mimi Location: Wichita on Sep 19, 2008 at 06:18 AM
First off, I'm glad the pilot is ok and may any cause of the accident be found and corrected before these planes are sold. Secondly, leave cliff alone. He has his right to post and not have people flaming him cause they don't like to see him commenting. If you don't like something someone says, don't read it. It's that simple. You can always skip over a specific persons comments :-)
Posted by: Steve Location: Oregon on Sep 18, 2008 at 09:54 PM
I have 2 Skycatchers on order. I'm anxious to hear what caused this incident, and why the pilot was forced to bail out. Should I be concerned...?
Posted by: Dave Location: Buffalo, NY on Sep 18, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Nice plane! http://se.cessna.com/skycatcher/
Posted by: Bob Location: Longview, Texas on Sep 18, 2008 at 06:09 PM
NOTE FROM A PILOT: Yes the plane, a Cessna Skycatcher, that crashed is a single engine. A flying "prototype" plane is always on a "test flight" when flying prior going into production. The company "test pilot" will always wear a parachute when on a test flight. Glad the pilot is ok. Yes, sometimes a plane like this can crash and that makes big news. Cessna, like all other aircraft manufacturers, highly test the "prototype" plane(s), so have a safe product for us consumers.
Posted by: cliffhater Location: wichita on Sep 18, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Pay no attention to Cliff. Cliff has no job, he's just a troll that surfs the net aimlessly, leaving little tidbits of his immense knowledge here and there. You can't look at an article without having to hear from Cliff. Get a life Cliff, it's time to move on.
Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 18, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Thank goodness the pilot walked away with minor injuries. "Test Plane" hence the word!
Posted by: big boy Location: wichita on Sep 18, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Actually it was made here in Wichita.
Posted by: Confused on Sep 18, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Cliff, when you read, does your brain process what you are reading? And did you still realize that you are on the kake.com page? Just curious. Every day you make posts that are way out there...
Posted by: anon Location: Wichita on Sep 18, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Cessna should be thanked for the amount of time they put into testing their aircraft before their customers are able to fly them. I'm glad this type of thing happened during testing by a qualified test pilot instead of after a customer had the plane.
Posted by: Matt Location: Wichita on Sep 18, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Built in WICHITA. Production will be in China, but this plane was built in east Wichita.
Posted by: time2fly Location: Wichita on Sep 18, 2008 at 02:05 PM
It was actually built right here in Wichita. The new plane Cessna announced is not a single engine
Posted by: James Location: w on Sep 18, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Made in China; nuff said
Posted by: Editor Location: KAKE on Sep 18, 2008 at 01:50 PM
It was a Cessna Skycatcher. Headline and artwork have been updated. Thanks
Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Sep 18, 2008 at 01:41 PM
on the KAKE.com page, the headline reads " experimental plane" in the artical it says cessna, and the pilot parachuted down, was this the new plane cessna announced a couple of weeks ago, the single engine one?
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Showcased Comments
Boeing Wichita Cutting 800 Positions
  • Posted By: carroll: alan- ur right. dun is dun. i'm glad i'm on the west side of oliver-- best place to be right now. i'm still on 3 day weeks as a result of the strike. i'm really cramped right now, but i support the east siders 100%! i'm not clear on what current bail outs has to do with 800 being laid off or what McCain has to do with contracts that expire. now i will agree that there are boobs in management. it's that way EVERYWHERE! it's called- promote the incompetent. so they don't hose up everything on the floor. where the real work and productivity happens. a thousand managers have no job with out 10,000 to manage. i've been a manager. everyone loves to blame management for all their woes-- it's cheap and easy. not all decisions are bad even if we don't like them. not all are wise, and proven so in the long run. i've got to work. I will decide what MY approach to today will be. life sux. get over it. get on with it. it'll get better.
  • Posted By: Alan: Jack, I must have hit a nerve? Most managers at Boeing and Spirit are incompetent fools that could not lead a fish to swim in water. It is because of these manager/CEO morons, that these companies, banks or whatever, are in the mess they are in.
  • Posted By: Alan: - Contrary to what some believe, the cut backs on the military programs at Boeing, have nothing to do with Spirit. Boeing is laying off because the contracts are FINISHED, COMPLETE, DONE. Has NOTHING to do with the strike. - And to Anonymous, if Boeing "commercial" cuts back, of course it will affect Spirit, what are you thinking, or are you? - When Boeing came out in the NEWS, and said they were thinking of dropping out of the bidding process, that pretty much summed it up for me. - Yes N, they are there comments, but they are based on nothing but ignorance, none of it is based on fact.
  • Posted By: jack: 1. I was against the first bailout of the financial companies. 2. I am against any other bailout plan. 3. Let the auto industry file bankruptcy to negate union contracts. 4. execs of failing companies should lose jobs or at least large part of salaries. 5. I believe current layoffs are due to economy in large part, but recent strikes have impact too. 6. Union members pay attention to item 3 above or you will be next. 7. Alan shut up! the reason people get promoted is becaues they show leadership skills & qualities you obviously do not have. You Alan are one of the sheeples who blindly follow the leader. You had better hope your leader (the union) are not lemmings.
  • Posted By: Annoyed: Gee, this wouldn't have a thing to do with Sen. McCain wanting to open the bidding for our Military Tanker to a foreign country. Or the fact that once Boeing cried foul and got it stopped the current administration wants to wait and let the new administration handle it. Or that the CEO's and other upper crust at Boeing want their bonuses and perks. Either the brain surgeons on this site can't understand the news or read the paper.
  • Posted By: Response to Anon: If you look at Japan, you will see that when companies start doing poorly, the executives take a decrease in pay because they are considered the responsible party. That's not the case in the USA. They start cutting the little guys here, then reward themselves for increasing profitablity with nice fat raises. I'm not a fan of unions, but I do realize they are NOT what is bringing down our industry. It is crappy management and shoddy accounting practices.
  • Posted By: Just an Observation: You guys are all correct!! It's those evil UNION guys making less than 100k a year sucking all the money out of the companies. It couldn't be all the CEO's, managers, supervisors and supervisors over supervisors bonuses, could it? Profits aren't going to be what they have been, so the only way these clowns are going to get the hefty bonuses they are used to is by cutting overhead. We all know the big dogs aren't going to get rid of themselves, so they boot the workers. They get a HUGE bonus and the remaining workers get MANDATORY OVERTIME. All the while the public p*** and moan about those evil unions.
  • Posted By: : So, Alan the Spirit worker: does this affect the commercial side "Boeing Co. has seen its orders peak and the number of commercial planes in its backlog will probably decline going forward." I
  • Posted By: Curious: Alan, When did Airbus officially get the bid? I thought Boeing lodged a complaint and it was still up in the air... Just curious.
  • Posted By: : Look at the quote in the story: "taking steps to restructure our business in order to lower our rates and become more affordable for customers." This IS about the bottom line. The price a customer pays for a product includes labor costs. Strikes cost millions. Unless the government bails out the auto industry, (a short term fix at best) labor unions there will be gone. One of the foreign companies will buy buildings and equipment for pennies on the dollar, capturing capacity and market share. They can take all the time they need, hire anyone they want, and in the meantime car prices go up, incentives go down, and spare parts are hard to come by. They have the operating capital to do it. Why? Because their current workforce strives for continuous improvement and cost reduction, instead of whining about their pay rate and haggling over details when they are already fairly compensated. Unless drastic changes are made, aircraft will soon be circling the drain as well. Wake up people!
  • Posted By: Deanna: It's a good thing they striked. They would have still had the layoffs so at least you stuck up for yourselves and got a more resonable contract.
  • Posted By: n: Boy, Alan seems to be the smart one out of the bunch. Using words like morons, stupidity, and idiots. Hey Alan why don't you post your comment and leave the insults out. Their not stupid or idiots or morons; it's their comments.
  • Posted By: n: I said when you were striking that you might win in the negotiations but that you'd lose in the long run and ah...I was so right, the layoff is the payoff for your greediness, I certainly hope that those being laid off are the ones that were on the picket line in the first place and not the ones that chose to work and not be greedy and wanting more. God sure works in mysterious ways to those not content with what they have.....Guess who is getting the last word...GOD!!!!
  • Posted By: Elaine: Of course, this is not good news but at least you get to work thru the holidays and you get a 60 day notice instead of just a few days.
  • Posted By: JD: "Alan", i dont know whether to say your comments are stupid or ignorant. If you think the layoffs have nothing to do with the strike, then you are just naive. Boeing and Spirit can make you beleive whatever they want to. But look at the facts, how can it not have to do with the strike.Think about it, you guys struck for more pay and they said ok. And now they are laying off obvisously because there is not enough money to keep the workforce where it is at now. Hmm to me that sounds like because you greedy employees wanted more and now they cant afford it. Just my opinion! So how about you look at the obvious instead of looking at things through you Boeing blinders. Way to go strikers now you can explain to your families why things are tight just like the other hard workers who got laid off because of your laziness. Best wishes to those families who had nothing to do with the strike and for the ones who did....well KARMA is a wonderful thing.
  • Posted By: Johnny B: See what that strike got you . Next time maybe you wont be so greedy . There is no such thing as job security anymore !!!!
  • Posted By: PJ: I do work for Spirit in Wichita. I also used to work for Boeing. As soon as the strike ended I told my wife "Here come the layoffs". It has happened every time there has been a strike at Boeing. Spirit immune to the layoffs plauging the industry? Dont bet on it. Everyday there are more and more people losing their jobs. That translates into less money for people to take that vacation to grandmas for Christmas, that weekend trip to Vegas, that....you get the picture. Less people flying hurts everyone. Right now Spirit is over built because of the strike. How much longer will management keep people on 3 days, when it is cheaper to lay us off so as not to pay for our benefits. If you're not a little anxious over this, then you must be living in a different world then the rest of us. This country hasn't seen anything yet, if congress doesn't help out the automakers. 2,000,000 unemployed is a lot of people. I'd rather see congress bail out the A/I then the Banking and Security industries.
  • Posted By: dc: Too bad to to read some comments in this section. Well, we have to admit and accept the truth that in business we can't guarantee it stays strong. Sometimes it happened like this that business turn down and many of the people getting their bread & butter from it, so it is so sad and depressing, right?..but let us think of wonderful thing and start seeking another job, i think there are still jobs around there that awaits you - don't lose the hope you know and be strong enough to face crisis like this and im sure you grow as well because this is life!
  • Posted By: Alan: Hey K, get a clue, because you do not have one! The military cut back at Boeing is NOT affecting Spirit. I suggest you get your facts straight before aimlessly flapping your gums.
  • Posted By: Anon: The United Auto Workers union has bankrupted the automobile industry, and has the companies so burdened with labor costs that they cannot possibly compete with Toyota, Volvo, Nissan, etc. The aircraft industry and the IAM would be smart to apply that lesson to the aviation industry.
  • Posted By: John: It still proves that the amount of morons that Wichita has. The layoffs have nothing to do with the strike. But every moron that thinks it does will have something stupid to say about it
  • Posted By: K: Hey alan, you genius my husband works there and was told this, i am very well aware boeing is the military area in wichita but apparently that does not matter. So before you spout your crap, don't forget others are in the front line of the layoffs and may actually know what they are talking about. Talk about being uneducated and calling the kettle black!
  • Posted By: Alan: If some of you idiots making these stupid comments, actually find your way onto the payroll of an aircraft company, and they, the company, find out that you really are extremely stupid, that can't understand or do your job, you will probably be made a manager. Boeing has used this technique forever, and Spirit is continuing the trend. You go boy, you go girl!!
  • Posted By: janet: Good going union. Protect your company rights and now because of your greed your people have no...Job. When will you learn that when you get greedy you lose. For all of you who said you were on strike to protect your family, you sure did. Hope you don't lose your home and car and everything you have because now you have NO JOB. You deserve it.
  • Posted By: Alan: The stupidity and ignorance runs deep on this comment section of KAKE. The layoffs have nothing to do with the recent strike. It has everything to do with a few military contracts concluding. The plan was to move the employees that were working on these contracts over to the new tanker program for the United States Air Force. But since our wonderful politicians decided to spend our hard earned tax dollars to pay Airbus to build the aircraft instead, these high skilled mod mechanics are now being laid off. You morons that make these totally uninformed comments amaze me, as you probably do others that read this section also. I can't decide if the fact that you are so severely uneducated, that you can not obtain a decent job other than flipping burgers at McDonalds or you are just plan stupid, and feel the need to lash out at persons that are considered skilled labor. And to the genius that thinks a military cutback will affect Spirit, why would it? They are military, we here at Spirit, are in the most part, commercial. Can some of you not read at all? Educate yourselves prior to making a fool of yourself, like making these half witted comments. If you are that stupid, at least try and learn to appear that you know what you are talking about, so far, most on here are failing, miserably.
  • Posted By: Kenny: I just told my wife after the strike, I said "Just wait, now that they are going back to work, boeing will layoff!" I love being right.
  • Posted By: Joy: Bet your glad you striked now huh?
  • Posted By: q: I only read that they are laying off in wichita. Will they be laying off in Seattle or any other place?
  • Posted By: K: Was told out of rumor that if Boeing lays off then Spirit will lay off too, just lovely for those that are still on 3 day work weeks out there, only to possibly get laid off after the 1st of the year.
  • Posted By: john: Wichita is soon to be the new Detroit in Kansas. The IAM does not know about people....only about greed. I would bet the laid off workers at Beechcraft, Cessna, and Boeing would take a wage cut over layoffs and losing their jobs any day...but thanks IAM...that is not an option. If the companies go bankrupt there will be no jobs for anyone. All of the older employees (IAM members) do not care...seniority makes their jobs safe...or so they think...WAKE UP YOU ARE NEXT! History will show unions to be the demise of american industry. And to think the engineers at Boeing want a 20% pay increase in their new contract? Whatever! Pay attention to Detroit...Wichita is next and the IAM is the issue along with greedy people!
  • Posted By: : HaHaHa to bad,good thing ya strike...........
  • Posted By: : It appears the strike for job security.. didn't work out that well.
  • Posted By: : WAY TO GO IAM!!! Let the Union revel in their victory. Wait victory implies a win - this doesn't look like a win to me....lol...lol...lol...;-)
  • Posted By: : Anyone want to take a back the strike that the Union just had. Part of the reason why 800 jobs are going to be gone.
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