JCC Harrison Ford injured in plane crash

Pilots have stated that they know the golf course is the best ditch option. Which is one reason it's actually a safer urban airport than others in LA. No crash originating out of Santa Monica has ever killed or even injured anyone on the ground (per LA Times article today, which made a pretty good point that it's far more dangerous to drive on the 405 than to be in a plane out of SMA).

 

Every competent pilot knows that when you're in a single-engine plane, you always keep an eye open for a forced-landing site. I'm sure it's standard procedure to keep near that golf course when you're flying out of that airport.

Harrison Ford is a competent and conscientious pilot, according to an aviation journalist who flew with him. I wish I had half his credentials. He has done enormous work for general aviation, including chairing the EAA Young Eagles program after General Chuck Yeager stepped down.

 

I was just reading this month's AOPA Pilot magazine and found an article that said there is an aviation award named for HF, the "Harrison Ford Legacy in Aviation Award." It was presented to AOPA president Mark Baker at the last Living Legends of Aviation Awards at the Beverly Hilton, which had just hosted the Golden Globes. HF called it an "awkwardly named" award when he presented it. John Travolta, also a highly qualified pilot, hosted the event.

 

Harrison: Mayday, Mayday, I have an emergency. My engine failed coming to Santa Monica Airport.
Tower: Harrison, we have you on radar. Golf Course 10'Oclock
Harrison: No I don't want to go golfing at 10,I will be at my agent's office.

 

Upping in light of golfing joke.

 

Kiki's still the worst.

 

I didn't realize it was a joke until it was identified as such.

 

Harrison Ford: I need to crash this plain
Tower: Mr Ford you can't crash you have to make more movies
Harrison Ford: Oh ok then

#beezeljokes

 

He managed to run the golf course in less than par-12.

 

Harrison Ford: Mayday mayday i have to crash this plane guys what do you think,
Tower: There is a Golf course up Ahead Mr Ford
Harrison Ford: no i am a pilot not a golfer!

 

Hole-in-one!

 

... that's what she said...

 

Really?

 

To which post are you directing your astonishment, Pattyboi23?

 

Reallyyyyyy?

 

Harrison Ford: May Day! May Day!
Tower: That isn't for a couple of months.
Harrison Ford: Thanks. May the Force be with You.
Tower: That also isn't for a couple of months.

 

“Pilots train and practice diligently to handle a wide range of emergency situations. Harrison used his training and experience to make smart decisions in a high pressure scenario,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “Harrison is a skilled aviator and conscientious pilot, and reacted to protect those on the ground while minimizing injury to himself. All of us in the general aviation community wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to the skies.”
According to an NTSB preliminary report released March 10, the airplane took off from Runway 21 around 2:21 p.m., after which the pilot advised the tower controller of an engine failure and requested an immediate return to the airport. “The pilot initiated a left turn back towards the airport; the airplane subsequently struck the top of a tall tree prior to impacting the ground in an open area of a golf course, about 800 feet southwest of the approach end of runway 3,” the report explains. “The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.”

Note to the aviation impaired: AOPA is Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. NTSB is National Transportation Safety Board.