Sonex down ?

[Ercoupechris]

http://www.wcvb.com/article/plane-crash ... en/8990881

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all, chris,
Thanks for the post chris. Im googling trying to find more info. Godspeed to the pilot.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
Not good. Reports indicate pilot was alan lavender. Sonex, engine type unknown, at lawerence muni, outside boston. Short final rwy 14. Crashed thru roof of condo , tail sticking out of roof. Pilot killed.
Does anyone know alan? Witnesses claim engine sputtering, and smoke trail.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[Fastcapy]

He was a member on here, but rarely posted...

Engine was a Jab 3300, no idea what carb was on it.

[jowens]

Alan's update on the sonex builder list indicates
sn 1589
Jab 3300
Dual control tail dragger
first flight 5/25/2016
builder/pilot

God speed, Alan. So sad

[mike20sm]

Looks like this was lay of the land

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
N315AL, Al Lavender, story just posted on www.kathrynsreport.com. RIP.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

[mike20sm]

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/search?updated-max=2017-02-28T19:16:00-05:00&max-results=2

[mike.smith]

I'm still in shock as I considered Al a good friend, and I spent any time and effort I could, in helping him to get his airplane flying. He was still in Phase 1 testing, and was making his first flights after spending the winter working on a leaking fuel tank. No use speculating at this early point.

Al was 73 and is survived by a wife and grown children. He plans-built his Sonex over a period of about 10 years, I believe. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. If I hear more I will let you know.

[mike.smith]

Something I posted to my local Sonex group, and felt was worth sharing here:

These kinds of events are just beyond words for those of us who know the victim, and those who have a passion for aviation.

I get more excited about the prospect of flying each weekend, than most other things in life (other than my wife and daughter). I have such a passion for flying. But at the same time I have a huge amount of respect for the inherent dangers. If someone asks me if flying is safe, I say, "No. I think it's REASONABLY safe. But I couldn't say it's "safe." But I could say the same thing about many of life's other activities.

When I get in my home built Sonex at the end of the runway, I still get nervous (I have 3 years and 220 hours on it). I listen and feel for any hiccup as I push the throttle forward, and move down the runway. I constantly tell myself if the engine quits, push the nose over and fly the airplane through the crash (there are an awful lot of trees around my airport, so it WILL be a crash). That gives me pause every time I fly. And like we were all taught, I STILL look for landing sites whenever I fly. But I just can't give it up.

I get a good bit of ribbing from my local certified aircraft brethren, about how much time I spend working on my airplane and my engine. But I know that thing way better than I know my car, or anything else I own. I know how it's supposed to sound, and how it's supposed to perform. If something feels a little bit off, I'll take off the cowl and investigate. When I do my annual it takes me days, not hours. I look at everything. And I know far more about my hand-built airplane and engine than my certified aircraft brethren. So I'm OK with the ribbing.

For everything I do I think of my wife and my 12 year old daughter before I do it. I hope everyone else who flies, especially us home-builders, do the same. Take nothing for granted. Maintain your aircraft. Fly safely. Respect the dangers as well as the freedoms.

I spent a fair bit of time with Al and his project over the years, and I know he felt much the same way about his airplane and flying. But that is of little consolation to those of us who survive him. This will take a long time to heal, as it should. Rest in peace, Al. I mean that from the very bottom of my heart.