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Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill ONeil

Bill ONeil

New member
Aircraft Type
112/A
Reg Number
N1006J
Serial Number
126
The Fl. Aero Club is having a fly-in to Everglades City this Sunday, the 25th. The restaurant
of your choice will pick you up at the airport. Arrival between 11 and 11:30 Hope to see some of you Fl. Commander drivers there. We usually go to the Triad Restaurant, not a fancy joint, eat outside by the water, weather permitting, great fresh seafood. You can also buy some to take home.

Bill ONeil
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill:

Thanks. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it this weekend. Enjoy the Stone Crabs!

Richard
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill I would love to join you but am out on the road this week. I have been looking for an excuse to go to Everglades City so I can be easily talked into it another time. I think I need to retire so I can free up my schedule.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

OK Richard, next time. You miss out on all the good stuff.

Doug, next month they are having the Everglades Art Festival. It draws thousands and you can't move around much. Car traffic backs up for miles on the one lane road leading in. Best to fly in and get picked up by the restaurant, then walk the show. Retirement is good, I've been retired for 19 years already and haven't done a lick of work since.

Bill O
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

"You miss out on all the good stuff"...

I know. Story of my life... Next one for sure!

Richard
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Hi Guys,

I made one of the softest landing ever. I lost power on takeoff from Everglades City and plopped down in a mangrove patch. Just a few cuts and bruise's, but were fine, can't say as much for my 112. On roll out the plane came off the runway, about 10 feet, back fired, and settled back onto the runway. It was too late to abort as I was about to hit the end of the runway and wind up in the ocean. I tried to give it power again, but wound up in the mangrove, still better then landing upside down in the ocean. A friend sent me a picture, but I can't seem to manage an attachment.

Bill O
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Wow Bill, sorry to hear that. Glad you are able to write about it though, that is what really counts.

Good luck with recovery.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Glad all are OK, airplanes are replaceable.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Wow Bill, just heard the same from Dean here at Leeward. Sorry to hear of the accident, but happy that you walked away from it. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

Tom
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Planes can be repaired or replaced. People cannot! Excellent job.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Wow Bill, you did good.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill:

Really glad you are safe and able to write about it.

Richard
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill,

Glad to hear you are ok.

You might have spoken too soon about not a lick of work since retirement... Of course some might say working on your plane isn't working at all.

Best wishes
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill,

Pat and I and so glad you are fine. Very sorry about your airplane.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Gosh Bill, so glad you are in one piece. Hope both you and your steed are flying again soon.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill:

Is the plane history or are you rebuilding?
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Thanks Guys,

I'm presently tied up with the FAA, NTSB and my insurance company. They all want me to show up with my log books, etc. The insurance guy, AIG, says they will probably total it as to the parts problem. He hasn't even been down there to see it yet. The FAA guy says that it had a prop strike and the wing was damaged causeing the fuel to leak out. They can't determine anything further until the plane is pulled out of the muck. The NSTB wants me to fill out a 10 page form from their internet site, very involved thing asking for lots of serial numbers, weight and balance stuff, etc, typical beaurocratic BS. Guess I'll find out in the next few days if it will fly again. Were just happy we came out of it OK. Funny part, my girl friend was a bit dazed I guess and was walking around picking up pieces of the airplane. She was carring the gear door around with her and said she didn't want to lose any of the pieces.

Bill O
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill,

I'm very glad to hear that everyone walked away safely.

Getting a bent aircraft back in the air is a very long and tedious process. If you get the green light to fix it, once it's airborne again, I think you'll be pleased with the results. Our plane was grounded from May through January, but the end result was a great improvement over what we started with. Good luck.
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill:

Great to hear from you and to see that you are holding up well. I hope your girl friend was not too traumatized by the event. Given what happened, her reactions were normal...

Let me know if I can help in any way.

Richard
 
Re: Stone Crab for Lunch Anyone?

Bill,

I glad you are OK. It is a shame about your aircraft but the important part is you and your pax's. Great job in a bad situation.
 
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