Remembering Richard McSpadden
One of the very best aviator's lives ends in tragedy
“Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.”
– Socrates
In Memoriam
This issue will be different from the norm. Richard McSpadden Jr, former USAF Thunderbirds Commander and Senior Vice President of the AOPA Air Safety Institute was one of two people killed in an aircraft accident on 1 October in Lake Placid New York. Former NFL player Russ Francis and Richard were flying a Cessna 177 Cardinal. During the flight, Richard was occupying the right seat, which is typically not pilot in command in general aviation aircraft. Shortly after takeoff, the Cessna experienced an emergency. Details are still preliminary - but it appears that the airplane tried to return to the airport but failed to make the runway.
Following his 20-year USAF flying career, and a graduate of the USAF Air War College, McSpadden went on to become a commercial pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, and obtained multiple ratings in numerous single engine, multi-engine, and seaplane aircraft. He also had a career in Information Technology. He would then assume the role for which he widely became known for in General Aviation circles: as first executive director then Vice President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI). In this capacity, McSpadden produced comprehensive videos on AOPA’s ASI YouTube channel. His analysis and commentary were the very best in the business. Undoubtedly, he has made countless GA and military pilots better and safer at the art and science that is airmanship. I have personally taken what he has written and said regarding safety and applied it to my GA flying endeavors.
To lose someone so accomplished and who was so dedicated to aviation safety in this way is beyond tragic - it is almost unthinkable. It also underscores how dangerous all forms of aviation can be - nothing is routine, nothing should be taken for granted, and we all owe ourselves an extra layer of caution and diligence when partaking in defying gravity each time the wheels (or skids) leave terra firma.
I wish I could write more, but this event has left me stunned. Blue skies and tailwinds Richard McSpadden - you were one of the very best.
Photo Outlet
The only image I could think of when I found out the news: here’s a photo of the USAF Thunderbirds in 2021.
In Closing
Below is the link to the AOPA article which announced the news - I assume this will be updated as more information becomes available:
AOPA mourns death of Richard McSpadden - AOPA
Link to AOPA’s ASI YouTube page
That’s all for this week, thank you for reading, stay and fly safe.
-Tog