Another installment of why the stupid shouldn't fly

DeltaFlot · 12-27-2001, 11:40 AM

Plane dangles for hours on Georgia power lines
December 27, 2001 Posted: 5:28 AM EST (1028 GMT)

KENNESAW, Georgia (CNN) -- Firefighters rescued two men early Thursday from their single-engine aircraft after it crashed into power lines and dangled for hours 70 feet above the ground.

"They were extremely lucky," said Mark Gresham of the Cobb County Fire Department. "This is not something you see every day."

The men were en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to the Peachtree City, Georgia airport, southwest of Atlanta, when their Piper Warrior began to run out of fuel. The plane was diverted to McCollum airport in Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta, but exhausted its fuel supply about three miles short of the runway.

The 1,800-pound aircraft glided along the power lines before coming to rest upside down against a metal power pole just before 10 p.m., according to Gresham. A power line became wrapped around the plane's tail as it skimmed the wires, keeping it from crashing to the ground.

The plane came to rest less than 100 yards from a home in a residential area.

Electricity was cut to the power lines while a large crane was brought in to help secure the plane with a sling. The Cobb County Fire Department rescue team removed the men using a ladder truck with a bucket on top, easing them from their precarious perch.

Rescue officials kept in touch with the men via radio and also used flashlights to communicate, using one flash for "yes," two flashes for "no" to answer questions. They were reported to have cuts, bumps and bruises, but no serious injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Working in temperatures hovering in the upper 20s, the rescue team hoisted chemical hot pads to the men to help keep them warm during the rescue. Asked how they were braving the cold, one of the men said it was "cold, but not unbearable."

Commenting on the men's brush with with death, Gresham said they should hurry up and buy some lottery tickets while their luck holds out.

Tony Sepanski · 12-27-2001, 07:57 PM

Hey! This happened to a guy in Seattle a few years ago -- the very same thing!

DavidMich · 12-28-2001, 08:50 PM

A few years ago in Venice FL, a private T-41 (Cessna 172) ran out of gas on approach to Venice Muni, he had to put it down on the roof of a Publix supermarket, and almost went off the edge into the parking lot, but was rescued in time.

Travelin' Man · 12-29-2001, 12:07 PM

It looks like the Chicken needs a few more lessons before flying over Georgia again!

Gunship01 · 12-29-2001, 05:29 PM

I learned on the Warrior. Good plane. Why do people run out of gas? I think it's still the most common reason why Light planes go down. Think people! It's not rocket science!!

me737 · 01-01-2002, 01:31 PM

Somethings cookin, smells like chicken, it's my butt, these power lines are hot.

12-27-2001, 11:40 AM	#1
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 36 Posts: 3,228	Another installment of why the stupid shouldn't fly Plane dangles for hours on Georgia power lines December 27, 2001 Posted: 5:28 AM EST (1028 GMT) KENNESAW, Georgia (CNN) -- Firefighters rescued two men early Thursday from their single-engine aircraft after it crashed into power lines and dangled for hours 70 feet above the ground. "They were extremely lucky," said Mark Gresham of the Cobb County Fire Department. "This is not something you see every day." The men were en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to the Peachtree City, Georgia airport, southwest of Atlanta, when their Piper Warrior began to run out of fuel. The plane was diverted to McCollum airport in Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta, but exhausted its fuel supply about three miles short of the runway. The 1,800-pound aircraft glided along the power lines before coming to rest upside down against a metal power pole just before 10 p.m., according to Gresham. A power line became wrapped around the plane's tail as it skimmed the wires, keeping it from crashing to the ground. The plane came to rest less than 100 yards from a home in a residential area. Electricity was cut to the power lines while a large crane was brought in to help secure the plane with a sling. The Cobb County Fire Department rescue team removed the men using a ladder truck with a bucket on top, easing them from their precarious perch. Rescue officials kept in touch with the men via radio and also used flashlights to communicate, using one flash for "yes," two flashes for "no" to answer questions. They were reported to have cuts, bumps and bruises, but no serious injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Working in temperatures hovering in the upper 20s, the rescue team hoisted chemical hot pads to the men to help keep them warm during the rescue. Asked how they were braving the cold, one of the men said it was "cold, but not unbearable." Commenting on the men's brush with with death, Gresham said they should hurry up and buy some lottery tickets while their luck holds out. __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.

12-28-2001, 08:50 PM	#3
DavidMich Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Back in MCO! Posts: 3,626	Re: why the stupid shouldn't fly A few years ago in Venice FL, a private T-41 (Cessna 172) ran out of gas on approach to Venice Muni, he had to put it down on the roof of a Publix supermarket, and almost went off the edge into the parking lot, but was rescued in time. __________________ "So if man is 5, and the devil is 6, then that must make me 7,,,this honky's gone to heaven!"

12-29-2001, 05:29 PM	#5
Gunship01 Lufthansa Skyshark Join Date: May 2000 Location: San Diego Age: 45 Posts: 1,401	I learned on the Warrior. Good plane. Why do people run out of gas? I think it's still the most common reason why Light planes go down. Think people! It's not rocket science!! __________________ Now where's that 747-400 club? More Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic 744s!! By all that is holy.... MORE JET BLUE AND US AIRWAYS(NC)!!

01-01-2002, 01:31 PM	#6
me737 Insane Collector Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico, Green Chili Cheeseburger capitol of the world! Posts: 1,002	Somethings cookin, smells like chicken, it's my butt, these power lines are hot. __________________ Instant message me if you want. If you don't then okay, it doesn't hurt me. AOL& MSN handle Jetsetter737. I want more planes. No, more than that. I still want more.

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12-27-2001, 07:57 PM	#2
Tony Sepanski Master Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 798	Hey! This happened to a guy in Seattle a few years ago -- the very same thing!

12-29-2001, 12:07 PM	#4
Travelin' Man Insane Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Aspen USA!!! Posts: 1,919	It looks like the Chicken needs a few more lessons before flying over Georgia again!