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Pastimes : JFK, Jr. Missing-Is there really a family curse?
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To: cgraham who wrote (55)7/19/1999 6:13:00 PM
From: BelowTheCrowd   of 73
 
CG,

<MY OPINION ONLY>

I think this is one of the rare cases that I agree with the commonly reported thoughts in the media. He flew into an area where visual indications were not sufficient for him to keep the aircraft upright, straight and level. He was not proficient in the use of instruments.

As a result, he lost the ability to control the aircraft, which resulted in an impact with the water, probably at high speed.

One possibility relates to the autopilot. Most late-model Saratogas have a pretty good one. Basic functionality allows a pilot to easily
set a course and keep wings level. More sophisticated functions will fly an instrument approach or perform controlled on-course descents, but it is quite possible that a non-instrument pilot would not be conversant with these.

A major danger is that you can easily chug along straight and level on the autopilot, then when it comes time to descend for landing you find that you've gotten into something that you can't handle.

<END OPINION>

I doubt we'll ever know the details for sure. If wreckage is found, they'll be able to reconstruct the angle and speed of impact, and determine if there was any kind of mechanical problem. MAYBE they'll get some idea of what items were switched on or off. Pilot actions will be impossible to determine.

mg
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