Thank you so much. My mother taught handicapped children in NYC, and she met John more than once because as she said 'he was the only wealthy donor who would come demanding the press not be there, to interact with the children and make sure his money was getting to the children as he planned. My Mom is gone now too. Mom had tremendous respect and appreciation for John and she cried when she heard the news of this event. John touched many, many lives.
My dad was a commercial pilot. He took a crop dusting job while he got certified for jet engines. Crop dusting took him. I was 8 years old. His death was just before JFK was assassinated in the same year. My heart was forever broken. Thank you for the diligence in your investigations. I believe it will save other loved ones from devastating loss.
@lynfarkey7859 How sad and tragic that your father died in a crash, and for you to have been 8 at the time. That alone is so much to bear, then the JFK assassination, must have been a profoundly tragic and heartbreaking time. Thank you for sharing this as it reminds us to honor, and respect one another for we never know what a person may have endured.
You mentioned several times that tuning to the ATIS a contributing factor. That should have been the furthest thing from his mind. He was flying into a dark sky above a black ocean. I can’t help him, but I’ll tell anybody else facing this situation to forget anything other than flying the airplane. Leave the autopilot engaged and fly straight and level until you have some kind of visual reference. If that means staying at 5,000 feet until you reach the destination airport, then stay at 5,000 feet. The most dangerous pilot in the sky is a 200-hour pilot. He failed to recognize his biggest threat, a flight at night over a black ocean is an IFR flight. Dirty Harry said it best when he said, ‘A man has to know his limitations.’ The one person a pilot can’t lie to is himself. When this planned VFR flight couldn’t continue in daylight, he should have waited for the sun to rise before taking off. If forced to make this flight at night my two primary concerns are engine failure and spatial disorientation. My recommendation for this flight would have been to follow the coastline to New Bedford and then skirt across the 35 miles to Martha’s Vineyard instead of taking an extended over-water route in a single-engine airplane at night. We are talking of probably adding less than ten minutes to the flight time. This would also provide a lighted horizon for all but maybe five minutes of the flight. But what do I know? I’m just an ATP-rated pilot with a single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument instructor certificate and well over ten-thousand hours of flight time. I’ve made it 58 years since taking my first flight by not taking unnecessary risks. Flying isn’t inherently dangerous, but it’s terribly unforgiving. Trust me, I’m not speaking ill of the dead, I am giving a stern warning to the living.
Yours was the comment for which I was searching. I've also heard he never should have been over the water at night. Additionally it is discussed that he hit the wrong button with regard to the auto pilot, ALT hold vs HDG hold. Looking at 31:56, assuming the computer simulator is uses an instrument panel representative of the real thing, there are, directly above the buttons, what one would assume are back lit indicators for the state of each system. I could be incorrect and that isn't the way it works.(I've never flown.) But regardless, it would seem that any aircraft's auto pilot instrument panel would include a way to visually verify the state of each system. If I am correct about the backlit indicators, how does Kennedy not notice after pressing a button he believes has engaged the ALT hold that he instead has disengaged the HDG hold? It would seem a very bad mistake to make, engaging the incorrect system and not realizing it.
Hi Darrell. Rest assured that you leave no impression of speaking ill of the dead....so kind and respectful of you to have included that notation. Certainly enjoyed your informative commentary, your humble words toward the end that begin with "but what do I know, I'm just a....." brought a chuckle. With an impressive 6 decades of flying know how, one would be hard pressed to learn from a finer pilot than you. Sure wish John had considered taking advantage of the shoreline by heading to Martha's Vineyard via New Bedford as you mention and yes, taking off at first daylight would have been ideal. Such a tragic loss for John's sister Caroline and the Kennedy and Besette families to endure. I believe it a blessing that John's motherJackie was not alive at the time. I feel fortunate that the passing of my family members were not attributed to tragedy. Wishing you strong take offs and soft landings from the Tar Heel State. ✈ were not
I remembered when the news broke out on TV, me and my wife were on a trip not long after we were married. I was shocked and upset, swore John had an engine or some other mechanical failure. Sometimes pilots become distracted resulting in loss of life. We are humans, it happens even when driving but should be avoided. I always wanted to be a commercial pilot since I was a kid. I studied electronics to work my way up into avionics then planned to apply for a scholarship. I became consumed by the pace of technology, and the time blew by. My wife bought me an intro flight when I was 33 years old she was 6 months pregnant. We went up with an instructor in a 172 and I had a blast flying. I regret not following my dreams at times, but she made me happy that day, like most times. John, his wife and sister in law were killed by the crash, last year my younger daughter and wife were murdered by a predator who was after my kid. May they all fly high above as angels, spreading their wings and soaring, no auto pilot needed. RIP. Thanks for producing this video.
I'm a VFR pilot with just under 1000 hours of flight time. I loved to fly at night as I did on many occasions. I've been in that dark hole you touched on in the skies over Central Oregon. No visual references for several minutes. For a VFR pilot it is truly an elevated stress moment. Your very touching and somber description of this accident kept me completely engaged as I often have thought about what really happened with JFK Jr. I had had perhaps 70 hours of flight training, I haven't looked at my log books for quite some time. I was curious as to why he had so many hours with intructors, albeit, IFR training. The unexpected right turn due to possible fuel load is a really good observation and could certainly have played a role in the onslaught of spacial disorientation. It only takes a couple of small things at speed to add up to big trouble. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I also had an unexpected loss of horizon flying night VFR along the coastline of Florida in a sparsely populated area. Similar to John’s flight, my loss of horizon occurred about 10 minutes from my destination airport. I probably spent too much time searching the windshield for visual references. Fortunately we landed without incident but I can see now that it could have ended badly. Best, Tim
I was flying into Boston that night as a first officer on a B737 . ATC kept asking if we saw KBOS and even 4 miles away we couldn’t see the city. I remarked to the Captain how dreary and dark it was. I woke up the next day to the terrible News. 2018 I retired Capt Airbus and still remember that night. Great video and thanks for sharing.
The new book coming out tells stories of his VERY reckless behaviour his whole life. His first girlfriend and he almost died while kyaking in the sea. He knew nothing about kayaking at the time let alone in open water The girlfriend said “We could have died out there.” To which his answer was “But what a way to go.” At the time of the plane crash his life was failing- the magazine was about to fold, his wife was about to leave him amongst other things. What a way to go hey?
now just imagine Navy WW2 pilots flying off aircraft carriers at night on a pitching and rolling ship, NO autopilot or "aides". flying all manual, taking off and landing on that little patch of ship, rolling and pitching in black darkness save a couple of lights and the meatball. just amazing amazing men...the greatest generation indeed.
For this very reason this is why we lost more pilots and aircraft in training than in actual battle a lot more I was amazed by the number for fatalities just from training exercises with plains Hastily assembled as we were rushed into the war one out of every three bomb or torpedo launched was a dud and often engine and equipment failures never had time to be properly tested and our brave soldiers ended up finding out after it was too late
I often wondered what happened? I’m an old lady with no flying experience and even I understood this brilliant but vivid explanation. I was holding my blanket so tight! I can only imagine the anguish experienced in those fatal and final moments. John was a very kind young man. Gracious. The closing of this video is truly precious, incredibly moving and aptly and brilliantly expressed. Long live their memories. My sincere sympathies to both families on the tragic and terribly sad loss of their beloved children. Much respect and compassion. ❤️🩹🙏🇺🇸
The Kennedy Family Joseph Jr. and John were true American Patriots. We all know of John's heroic deeds in the Pacific Theater of WW2 and the PT-109. But few know of his older Brother Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. who died piloting a B-24 on a bomb run in WW2, read about his Naval experience and heroic death it is very fascinating.
@@crotalusatrox7931 Don't forget their old man, Joseph Kennnedy Sr who heartlessly made his poor daughter Rose get risky lobotomy surgery because of the promise the new procedure would make her more 'calm' and appear more 'normal' for Joe's publicity machine. Of course, a shrewd, smart Harvard grad like Joe knew the experimental procedure could go horribly wrong. But hey, it's worth potentially sacraficing your child's entire personality, her functioning brain, her hopes, joys, memories, dreams, loves and very life, as long as3 there's s small chance that she'll appear more 'normal' like the rest of your kids. Oh, Joe Sr may not be a 'true American hero but he has an eternal military pedigree, now. He's in eternal torment in hell, holding the rank of Captain of Sorrows as bestowed upon him by a laughing Satan.
Está Fato se deu lá Trás em 2017 foi de eu pilotar aquele Avião das Forças Armadas contra um Avião de Passageiros.se for e um fato por mim confirmado. 😌. 🛩️✈️#
I'm not here to bash JFK jr. nor you Tim. While I admire your attempt at deflecting some of the harsh criticism of JFK jr., I feel you're missing the point entirely. This accident was not the result of him punching in the incorrect ATIS frequency, as you suggest. This accident was the result of Kennedy becoming spatially disoriented BECAUSE HE WAS NOT IFR QUALIFIED!!!! Kennedy went through six different CFIs in six years. This is highly unusual. On the day of the flight, his current CFI practically begged him not to take that flight alone. Kennedy told him "I want to do this alone". You also fail to mention witnesses state he had extreme difficulty getting into his plane due to his broken angle he suffered less than a month earlier. That left broken ankle would have greatly impeded his ability to apply rudder when he needed it most. He was stressed, in a hurry to get to a wedding, flying with a broken ankle, not IFR qualified, and carrying the burden of being JFK jr. He should NEVER have taken that flight.
His ADD and pain meds for his broken ankle did not help. Mike is being charitable . There was a good reason his wife had to be strong armed into making this flight.
I agree with ‘tough love’ here. It is NOT helpful to skirt issues and mollycoddle when the stakes are so high. Conditions don’t care whether a pilot isn’t knowledge enough to fly in them. Not one little bit.
I’m am now a 30,000+ hour airline pilot. This was a great Re-cap of the unfolding events of the tragedy. I often imagine siting in John’s right seat and helping him through his mistakes as we do in the commercial world of aviation. When I was at John’s level of experience, I was attending San Diego State University studying Aerospace engineering. I’d rent a single engine airplane with the basic six pack instrument cluster. No GPS back then. I’d fly out over the coastline at night to experience the effects of no horizon until I was at the “uncomfortable” state and then make a left or right banking turn in level flight until the coast line lights came into view. Doing this many times helped immensely in my instrument rating. This was a completely unnecessary tragedy. RIP.
Exactly! I’m a private pilot and been flying the Saratoga since the 80s! I learned from an ex Air Force thunderbird pilot! He always said, you die when you make 3 mistakes on a flight! 1st mistake flying hours late from original flight plan, 2nd he flew in to the night hazy and no moon! He should have turned back as soon as he left the Long Island coast and saw how dark over the water was, ego kept him flying on!! I bet his passengers started to freak out lost concentration and he went in a slow curve turn and stalled!!! 3rd he is famous and rich, why not get a flight IFR instructor to go with him to the cool Kennedy party!! Sad sad!! Always have backup !
I'm at 64hrs and still do not feel comfortable to take my test. Listening to this made me feel even less ready, people do not understand the chain of events and the mental load a pilot has on him/her sometimes.
@@darioscotti7067 Your post is so spot on! My late father was a retired USAF fighter pilot with a senior-command pilot rating, and he was a double-Mig killer in the Viet Nam War. After retiring in February of '75, the following July he rented a Cessna from the aero club at the former Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX where we lived, and where I still live today. He had planned a trip to Groton, CT. to visit relatives and friends from their hometown of Norwich, CT - 20 minutes away. My mom, my sister and I were all going cool trip in a private plane for the first time, and my dad was going to be flying us! I ended up staying in Austin - which I will forever regret - to hold down the fort at 16. I was too cool for my own good and passed up an opportunity of a lifetime flying with my father that I never got again. Long story short: on their return trip to Austin they got grounded in Williamsport, PA for 4 days because of bad weather conditions. It must have been nasty because even with his thousands of hours of flying experience in jets, he wasn't going to risk his family's life flying in those conditions. At one point they attempted a flight out but, as your Thunderbird instructor would have done when it wasn't looking good, he returned to Williamsport to try again another day. He finally told my mother that he felt good about punching out of the cloud cover, and that it was worth taking a shot unless they planned on being stuck there for several more days. He gave it a go and was successful climbing out of the cloud cover into clear blue skies. My mom later told me that she was saying Hail Marys as they climbed through the murk, but that my father was the real deal and they felt so safe with him. They were home two days later. A couple of years later I kept reading in the paper about private plane crashes between Texas and Colorado: two or three of them around the Christmas holidays. I was asking my dad what he thought about it, and the first thing he said was that civilian pilots with limited hours of flying experience had no business flying in weather conditions that experienced, military-trained pilots like my dad wouldn't fly in. When JFK, Jr., his wife and her sister tragically passed, and the details of the flight and the weather conditions that night were reported, all I could think of was what my dad had said.
Pilot of the French Air Force aerobatic team, former fighter pilot on F1 mirage, Renaud Ecalle was crowned world aerobatic champion in 2009 and European champion in 2010. His plane crashed with wife and two young children just north of Montpellier, France due to strong winds and rain around 6 PM. Fly safe everyone and remember that experience is quite often not enough. Make sure you have a good understanding of the region and double check on weather conditions. Forget about having to be somewhere at an exact time. It’s not worth it.
Thank you for the kind words. I spent more hours than I care to count on researching this accident. I became intimately familiar with the details of John's life leading up to the tragedy. I am only about four years older than John and I can certainly relate to the life of a General Aviation private pilot. When I was recording the eulogy, I felt the emotion welling up. Since my voice cracked and men aren't supposed to cry, I rerecorded the line, "he was lost on that troubled night". In the end I decided to leave my raw emotion in the video. I'm not a documentary filmmaker and I don't give a hoot if people think I was biased. It was a human tragedy that should be grieved no matter what the circumstances. Kindest regards, Tim
Mistakes were made. He refused help from a pilot. Both were late, John & Carolyn. If John had been smarter he should of flown the next day. It was too dark to see clearly. So sad careless mistakes were made. A shame. No children. Rip to all Their deaths broke my heart.💔🕊🙏
He also was dyslexic and this plus stress and confusion caused him to hit the wrong button and punch in the wrong frequency. He had no flight plan and a commercial passenger plane was heading towards him, the tower was unable to get him to respond because he wasn’t tuned in/ and he was flying to high altitude for his type plane - this was unbelievable negligence on his part. If the tower hadn’t seen him on their radar in time there would have been a additional 130+ innocent passengers killed, he was a disaster- so three huge pilot errors/mistakes in a row probably caused by being aggravated marital hostility, feeling rushed, leaving late, and a little rusty since he had been recovering from a broke leg and surgery. His cousin dying, work going poorly, and the domino effects distracted him with emotional responses driving the situation- pilots in the armed forces are heavily screened on personality, impulse control, ability to maintain laser focus under high stress. Unfortunately anyone can get small aircraft pilots license with enough instruction and hours - but not everyone should.
@@chriscoghlan7202 You people are seriously delusional who believe all this crap from QAnon. Nothing has ever come to fruition and 45 is still a whiny bitch living in FL, attacking anyone who dares to disagree w/him. He wasn't sworn in by anyone since 1/20/17 and hasn't been CIC since Noon on 1/20/21. #FactsMatter
His business partner said they had some big things that had to be taken care of that day snd he was very concerned the delay that day would be bad for them to fly. John pooh fooded him and w Went ahead.
I feel like I’m reliving the terror they must have felt and that terrible feeling when the aircraft is not responding properly or the spatially confused feeling that you can’t recover from the chain of events and you are frantically trying to recover from the tail spin . He was a brilliant man who lit the lights in our hearts and memories ❤. Thank you again for this touching tribute to him!
Yes, it was explained so clearly. I'm sure John held it together as all solid pilots would, but deep down he had to be suppressing terror to keep navigating as he did until their demise. Sounded terrifying to me as well, now that I understand what happened.
238 hours of training over 17 years I read somewhere. That’s a red flag to me. Then he finally got his PPL 18 months before the crash. Then he gets into an airplane that was over his head. This is how a lot of wealthy pilots die.
@robertjones8598 wow that's a detail I hadn't known: the training spread over 17 years!! NTSB could easily remedy that by making training hours expire if the certification isn't attained within a certain timeframe. Definitely need a certain concentration of training not spread over 17 yrs. He def seemed arrogant. He was a risk taker, judging by his broken leg from parasailing, too.
What a beautiful tribute to JFK Jr.... Love your calm narrating voice... Tears circle my eyes toward the end as you tried to hold off your own emotion...
Great video. Thank you. I recognize there were several factors that contributed to the crash, but note the following info, according to the NTSB investigation. John got his pilot certificate 15 months before the crash, and of his total flight career only had 72 hours of flying time without a flight instructor on board. He bought this new plane 3 months before the crash and flew it only 3 hours without a flight instructor on board, of which less than an hour was at night. He had completed less than half of the training lessons required to get his instrument rating. His instructor noted that John had difficulty managing multiple tasks while flying, but that this was common for pilots with his level of experience. RIP to all the crash victims.
I had the pleasure of meeting John also when he worked in the attorney generals office. He was traveling coach and I immediately upgraded him He was so gracious and never acted stuck up or self righteous just made a point of thanking me for the courtesy.
I was in the airline industry for 35+ years - my company position entitled me to continuous entry priviliges to the First Class Lounge. Different country to yours - but the game is the same. Politicians - almost without exception State and Federal - travelled with this carrier and accessed their First Class Lounge. Politicians deliberately make themselves highly visible - so if there is one in even a crowded space you will be know - which makes the accounting certifiable. In all that time I never saw a politician enter that Lounge with anything but an Economy Class Ticket. In all that time I never saw a politician leave that Lounge with anything but a First Class Boarding Class. You can fill in the rest. Not to be seen as criticism of John Kennedy Jnr whom I liked - although I had to read the press to know him - which is a very poor source for information. You had personal contact with John Jennedy Jnr - I did not. Context is all.
So instead of giving the seat to a pleb- which you wouldn’t have done even if it is open you gave it for free to a rich and powerful man. It’s pathetic people like you that are f’ing up the world. Of course he was gracious- but I’d put money on the fact that he knew he had a 90% chance of being bumped to first class because that’s just the way life works for the rich and powerful. Gracious on the outside, spoiled and entitled beyond belief in his thought
Just out of curiosity, why did you “immediately” upgrade him? He can certainly afford an upgrade. He could afford his own plane. I’m sorry but I find this so perplexing. Do you do that for all coach passengers you run across? It’s like when people Donate to a millionaire but wouldn’t even think of donating to the abandoned single mom down the street. Weird. People are strange
I read in one of the comments that a 200 hour pilot is the most dangerous pilot. At the time of this accident I had a little over 200 hours. I had heard this saying before. That night I was at my home airport, 4N1 about 15 NM north of where he took off. At that time NJ didn't have the Powerball lottery. I was going to fly up to CT to pick up some tickets for a very large jackpot. It was just starting to get dark as I took off. As I climbed out I looked to the north and I didn't like what I saw. It was very hazy with terrible visibility. I aborted the flight. A CHANCE at multiple millions was not worth taking that chance. When I was tying down the plane my friend Steve ,a Vietnam helicopter and high time GA pilot, came over to me. He told me that was the best decision I could have made. I went home feeling good about my decision. When I woke up the next morning I saw the JFK Jr incident on the news. I learned a lot that weekend. RIP
John John could afford a million dollar jet. I am sure the first-class upgrade was a real treat for him.BTW John was fine normal guy according folks who worked in the same building as him. Jackie did a fine job raising her children. Too bad he was not a good judge of his own flying ability. Caroline's family got a cash settlement for his negligence that was hushed up. No amount of money can bring back lost loved ones.
It was sad because JFK shouldn't have been flying because he didn't hold an instrument rating. It's called spatial disorientation and it can actually happen to qualified pilots. That's why you need to know how to read the instruments. JFK didn't know what to do. . Kennedy did not hold an instrument rating and therefore was only certified to fly under visual flight rules.
@@iindiar Hillary wanted the NY seat of Senator Moynihan but it was supposed to go to John. Wouldn't put it past the murderous Clintons if they had a hand in it.
This is excellent. Errors that go unnoticed. A heartbreaker. Thank you for this decent and informative work on this issue. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg endured her father's assassination, uncles’ assassination, mother's death, brother, his wife, and sister-in-law’s death, a number of family tragedies and bad behaviors published sparing few if any gruesome details and even worse from the tabloids and asked the public for nothing. Like the RF there were plenty of detractors of her family that did not hesitate to excavate a past she had no responsibility for other than using her recognizable name. I've never heard Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg whine. She lost a parent at an even earlier age - with gruesome film recording it, replayed in the media periodically. When Caroline speaks about her father, it is not retrospective, but prospective. She speaks about the duty her father inspired in so many
JFK, Jr. was a lovely man, so kind and sincere. He lived near me, and I often saw him on his bike. He was friendly and said hi to everyone. I think about what Rose said after his dad was killed. She said that she doesn’t think about what might have been or what could have been had he lived. I do think about what might have been and what could have been. He had so much to offer our world. I’m sorry he died so young.
Your assumptions were very well thought out. I was actually flying that day in the late afternoon. My job was a corporate helicopter pilot flying a Sikorsky S76A. While over Long Island and heading for Republic airport I noted the extreme haze that was present. I asked my co-pilot to call Republic and find out if they are still VFR. If not, we would ask for a special VFR. They replied "yes we are VFR." Because of the unusual haze I thought it was definitely IFR and was surprised by their answer. Flying weather wasn't new to me, so both me and my co-pilot thought that it was an unusual VFR, very, very hazy. My point is John was facing an extremely poor VFR environment and adding to that he was flying over the dark sea. What we call flying into a black hole. You really needed to be a qualified and practiced IFR pilot to make such a flight. Of course, John did not know the unusual circumstances and thought it would be a typical night flight. But, unfortunately, it turned out otherwise.
Agree that IFR training is very very important. I used to ride as a passenger with an IFR rated pilot in a Comanche Piper. I remember him wearing the hood so that he could practice for his IFR renewal. I also remember him switching gas tanks. He originally was a commercial pilot and later on flew his Piper for personal trips. I also remember how he would do the pre-fight inspection. It was a lot of fun and we flew many times at night. This video was very informative and clears up what happened. Most of the time he set the plane on auto pilot for our flights.
Peter, many thanks for writing this. I had the exact same experience flying from BOS to HYA that night, exactly when John Jr was in the air. I spent all the 20 min level flight discussing with our pilot how incredible the haze was - "clear air" but with no visibility, the VFR they claimed was totally impossible. He had never seen haze like that before - thick black soup, totally intimidating, he was completely dependent on instruments. Even if John Jr had stuck to the coast line, he would have seen nothing but black at 5500 ft.
Since you piloted helicopters I will share this with you. I was in the oifield in the late 70s offshore times when we flew the old Huey helicopters, you know the ones with two blades they used in the Vietnam war. The flight almost remember was in the fog, and I was the only passenger, but they were to pilots and they were obviously prepared. We took off and we had some visibility but after a while, it looked as if someone at spray painted the windshield with white paint. You couldn’t see anything at all. And this went on for about an hour as we flew in. I was sitting behind them on the bench seat, watching them. They were very concerned, and since I couldn’t do anything, I just laid back and tried to take a nap. One turned around and looked at me and I think he was impressed that I was so nonchalant about the situation. But they handled it and I look to the left and we were flying right down the runway at Lafayette airport, and then they gained altitude, directed the chopper to another course to the heliport, which was 10 or 15 miles away. They flew this helicopter through a fog bank and never had any reference to anything other than their instruments.
I couldn’t watch this. It’s 20 years ago, and I still feel horrible that the world lost such a wonderful man, his wife and sister-in-law. He was a remarkable man, dearly loved by all. 🙏❤️ I miss him.
In my 50 years of life, never has more people talked about one man, and the loss of everything, as with JFK Jr. Still to this day, I see more reasons why this story is so sad. He had everything, and he passed away too early.
For some reason, I still grieve over this loss. John was a good man. It seems that Tim is a good man too. He provided us with a hard lesson about aviation and a moving tribute to JFK, Jr.
@@Mrbfgray. Hope is not, as you wrote, a "childish emotion". Children live in the present. Hope arises when the mind conceives of a better future. Concluding, as you have done, that Hope is a childish emotion exposes the ignorance of Bobby Bo McGillacutty. Hope is an ancient concept; much revered in history and religion. I have grave doubts that someone as vile, contemptable, and ignorant as Bobby Bo McGillacutty will ever understand such a concept. Perhaps, in an ironic way, Bobby Bo McGillicutty's lack of understanding about Hope is a good thing. For Bobby Bo exposes the dark souls of men who have no Hope, while revealing - by contrast - the light that Hope brings to those men who embrace it.
@@Mrbfgray When you cynically asked what JFK, Jr. "accomplished", I answered your question, Bobby Bo. I replied that JFK gave the nation "Hope". The only thing that is "clearly pathetic" is that Bobby Bo may be too low for Hope. Back in the sixties; the year before Bobby Kennedy was gunned down, another Bobbie wrote a song that might speak about Bobby Bo as well. It's called "The Ode to Billie Joe". The brilliant song showcases the insensitivity of ignorant people who can't feel loss; even when it's right in their midst; or have no concept of Hope. In the end, their ignorance seals their fate; death by virus for one, despair for another, and, for the third; a fatal leap from a bridge. Bobbie Gentry identified and showcased the sad truth that our nation has been plagued by Bobby Bo McGilliguttys for many, many years. I urge you to think about Hope, think about being sensitive to grief, and avoid the ignorance that destroys life, like a virus. Otherwise, there may very well be a Tallahatchie Bridge waiting for Bobby Bo McGilligutty. ruclips.net/video/HaRacIzZSPo/видео.html
@@Numb217 Yeah, Meggin; when they were gunned down, the bright light of the nation dimmed. John Jr's death opened a very big wound. It's up to us to carry on and offer Hope.
have followed accounts of this horrible accident for years… great job sir, your recreation of the loss of control actually had my heart pounding for several minutes.. every pilot should watch this… we’ll done!!
and why didn't Donald Trump investigate the situation cuz Donald Trump ain't going to investigate no Democrats Trump is scared to death of Hillary. His justice department protected Hillary for 4 years against judicial watch.
@@healdiseasenow Trump didn't investigate because they are very close friends and he knows he's alive so is his wife and her sister, the media is also part of the cabal they're part of the problem in our country they're not going to tell the truth that he's alive because that makes them the monsters they are they're all in it together.
“Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” - John F. Kennedy A lot of hard work and long hours went into this production and yet I seem to have neglected to define the "VFR" acronym. VFR = Visual Flight Rules. With very careful research of the NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report on Saratoga N9253N I hope to offer a reasonable explanation of why a highly trained very proficient pilot loses control of his aircraft. I endeavored to explain the causes of this accident without assassinating John's character or his skills as a pilot-in-command. There's already been way too much of that nonsense. Loss of control has long been the leading cause of General Aviation accidents. This type of accident can happen to any pilot regardless of experience. Thanks for tuning in and kindest regards, Tim
Flippant comment aside you've completely missed the point. This type of accident can and does happen who exhibit excellent planning and judgement. To quote one of John's CFI's statement to the NTSB, "the pilot was methodical about his flight planning and he was very cautious about his aviation decision-making." I'm pretty sure a CFI that actually flew with John would have a much more credible opinion of John's abilities than you.
I’ve been watching many videos by actual pilots on air crash investigations lately. It’s really helped me to understand that accidents are usually due to a combination of many factors. Also, I’m quite impressed by investigators’ doggedness in identifying ALL contributing factors instead of stopping at the most obvious or simply blaming a pilot for being careless. I really appreciate the thorough details and your conclusions about what everyone can learn from this tragedy so that other lives can be spared.
Obviously not skilled enough to know when he was not capable to take that final flight. He made so many miscalculations that lead to That fateful conclusion. It is pointless to defend the indefensible. A sad story, but one of complete pilot error and inexperience.
So touching that you broke up towards the end Shows how much not only you cared about aviation safety, but about him as a man and about his family. Thank you for the wonderful explanation.
Watch T rally u will see his wife & her best friend. I'm 100% positive it's her. T waved by to her specifically. If she's alive guess what 🤗 don't be sad jus sayin.... Look at rallies for 2016 in one her and a guy watching their watch. At a certain point they switched seats. His hair dyed dark but he liked that stuff. There's a Q meme with military and a white haired guy...look at him hard and smile 🤗
@@GmaPat89 did jr really died? I,m finding out that he is very much alive, someone tried to kill him and he will tell the world just who it was that tried to kill him.
I have more than enough hours as a student pilot, but never got my license. Can't pass a flight physical any more. I myself would never have taken off VFR at night (after sundown). Thank You for clearing up so many questions and misconceptions that I have had since this accident occurred. I was in 3rd grade in Arlington when my parents and I walked through the Rotunda to look at his father's casket and we also attended the funeral procession. John Jr. was a good and wonderful man. Best Regards
@@BoscoTurner-gf9ew A low time IFR licensed pilot should have made better decisions prior to flying at night. Sometimes you only get one chance to "get it right" when flying light aircraft. Terrible loss. He was a great man.
In aviation training, one learns about hazardous pilot attitudes. Two of these attitudes are impulsivity and macho attitude. Unfortunately, these two attitudes might have played a role in this chain of events. I believe JFK Jr. was a decent, honorable person, but as a pilot you could fall into the dangerous attitudes trap unconsciously.
This was really very well done. I was reluctant to view your video because of several reasons and incorrectly thought you would be bashing JFK, Jr for causing an unfortunate accident but found your care and thoughtfulness in the reconstruction of the accident to be enlightening in spite of the lost of lives on that tragic night. I am not a pilot but I have several friends who are experienced pilots. I have watched more than my fair share of Mayday Air Disasters on prime video and elsewhere to educate myself on why planes crash and the how the disaster investigations help make flying safer by learning from happened in the catastrophic events. I appreciate your bringing to my attention the one little thing that JFK Jr. did that snowballed into other issues leading to this disaster, so it seems that your recreation of this was a like a mini episode of a Mayday air disaster episode. Watching this was a little difficult for me but it was suspenseful because I learned about another hypothesis of the crash that was done in a respectful way. Kudos to you for your efforts and sharing this on RUclips, thank you very much!
Thank you. I think my husband, father and I heard you speak in Dallas November 2018. Your production is a beautiful tribute to a much beloved American and his family. Appreciate your knowledge, experience, compassion for not only JFK Jr, but for all of us who cherished him from afar…having also lost his father.
As someone who flies right front seat for a search and rescue organization, this drives home how one mistake (wrong ATIS frequency) can be small, but it can quickly spiral into a series of problems from which you may not recover. I can only imagine how terrorizing the end of that flight was. RIP.
@@occamsrazor6830 Caroline Basset Kennedy Her Coke Head Cheating Self Was John DownFall Bet Money He Was So Focused On Her Than Flying The Plane They Was Broken Up At The Time Nothing But A Disaster Waiting To Happen Why Was She Even There In The First Place IF THEM TWO FEMALES WASNT WITH HIM HE PROBABLY WOULDA BEEN STILL HERE BRING HER SISTER TO KEEP THEM SEPERATE BUT STILL TOGETHER
I am surprised no potential mentioned if extreme shear from the common area around the vineyard/ hyannis was possible effecting all else as well as a thermal etc. During his time of uncertainty / lacking autopilot , radio contact cfr.......???
@@williamnutile2929there would not be thermals at that time of night. Wind shear was not reported that evening or during the following day when we were out looking for the plane. Low time in Piper type especially a high powered complex aircraft probably contributed. Over reliance of a autopilot may have been an issue. He apparently had not yet received instruction on unusual attitude recovery. Therefore I doubt the statement that he was fully qualified for the conditions.
Maria, I was so glad he helped us with some closure. Flying so much with my boyfriend then husband I know flying I like factual details I for me needed to know what really was going on in that plane. It has helped me to give some closure.
Yes and I remember clearly that I was shaking inside, and then there was the interminable waiting - for some news. No news for quite a long time. I must have turned on my TV or radio every hour on the hour. It seemed like days, though it may have only been one or two days. Ted Kennedy is coming to the scene. Carolyn Kennedy is coming to the scene. And so on. But nothing at all for the longest time; just speculation. Finally the news filtered in, then blasted on headlines: Fatal crash with no survivors. Devastating. We all really felt empty inside that such a charismatic man and his beautiful wife were gone. Impossible to believe. Still is in some ways.
A beautiful, informative, well produced and heartfelt account. I doubt that anyone could understand this tragedy so completely without your attention to the myriad of details and your obvious experience as a pilot and a devoted humanitarian. Thank you.
Bullsh*t, this guy knows nothing & takes a great many things for granted, neither does he answer the suspicious questions raised in some of the accounts which he attacks!
Thank you so much! A 66 year old Grandmother remembers where I was when President Kennedy was shot and where I was when John Jr's plane was lost. Thank you for bringing clarity to a confusing disaster. So respectful.
This was bone chilling. Very impressive recreation. I know nothing about piloting airplanes but I always thought the only mistake he made was flying at night. RIP to him, his beautiful wife and sister in law.
Caroline could be Cruel, a side effect of serious indulgence in "Bolivian Marching Powder" John simply " P- Whipped"- outgunned.Tried hard to please her... Flying with left leg in a Cast as well. Distractions on top list of Oops factor...
I'm not a pilot myself, but I stumbled upon this video that really caught my attention. It provides a detailed and accurate account of the final moments of a great man who was admired by many, including myself. The Kennedy family, and especially JFK and his son John, hold a special place in my heart. It's hard not to wonder how much good John Kennedy Jr. could have done for our country if he had been given more time on this earth. May he rest in peace.
He was a very reckless person and not highly intelligent. He and he alone is responsible for what happened to those poor people on the plane with him. Every time Kennedy does something wrong, they make them out to have a legacy of being martyr or being a grand person as with Teddy Kennedy, who also was responsible for a woman’s life. You always need to tell both sides of the stories. It’s pathetic that you don’t.
I never heard the eulogy before, and it touched me deeply. What a sad ending to these three young lives. Thank you for the best explanation of this accident, and for no judgement or condemnation. It’s by far the best video about JFK Jr.’s tragic accident. May all three rest in peace.
I wasn’t expecting to get choked up by a flight video. This is a beautiful tribute to a man and family who’ve experienced more tragedy than most can comprehend. Thank you for this!
@@mw9860 yep. I know for a fact... JFK Jr. is alive, along with Michael Jackson and Princess Diana...they have been working for humanitarian causes and now fast approaching the reveal.
@@michaelsullivan3553 she was ok... she out smarted them all. Kennedy had everthing to do with faking Marilyn’s death...he saved her life. You’ll see what you have been told about everything is a lie. You might need to sit down for what’s coming.
John & family are still alive. They faked their death's. To help bring down deep state. The mechanic found C4 & altitude meter to detonate. Pre Recording of John voice, changed to remote detonation. Used rubber practice rescue military dummies for bodies. Todd Berger was John a pilot that called in to news channels. Deep state wanted him gone. He was planning on NY senator race. HRC Bush Chaney & Biden Biden was being sued by John for kidnapping& murder plot in SDNY. 1 attempt was made to nab him off his bike. Then John dressed in women's clothing & wig. They have 3 adult children now. John is working with Trump.
I still feel like just a simple error in the wrong frequency could cause such a plane crash... Very sad. This was a great investigation by this gentleman.
@@melxdan Yes I believe so.. Its a shame that there isn't a difinitive answer to alot of things we will always ponder on however I thought this was very well done by all means and professional standards but I get where ur coming from.
@@Chris-f4e1d what if the aircraft was sabotaged ?? I had read that some people wanted him to enter politics and some people were not happy with the thought that he would run for anything!! It would have been an instant win… May he Rest in Peace together with his other two passengers…
What a great tribute to John. I remember the day it happened. I was stunned and devastated back then, as the whole world was. Your words at the end were so touching they brought tears to my eyes…’ From the day he was born he became a part of us all. We knew his name even before he did.’🙏🏻
As a licensed pilot for over 40 years myself, it's easy to play backseat expert. Maybe the Saratoga was too much plane for a 300-hour pilot, if he had just worked the problem with the most alarming indicator, in front-center of his vision, the artificial horizon, or if they had left an hour earlier etc.. Bottom line he, his wife and sister-in-law died and nothing now will change that. You did an excellent and concise review of this tragedy. So sad he and the ladies'lives ended so early. For me, the biggest take away form this 😟is to have plenty of time in type before flying others in particular. The Saratoga is a high-performance bird and got away from him much easier than his C182 would have. Still, what a sad ending for these young people. Your review was so well done, I wanted to grab the yoke and throttle in the last few minutes and pull out. It does not get more realistic than that and a good reminder how easy it is to get behind the aircraft you are flying!! With the vertigo he was dealing with, more time may not have helped this situation. So very sad !! Thank you for your well-done presentation!!
This gentleman pilot, takes a lot for granted and takes a great many liberties with what he says must have happened. As I recounted, JFK, Jr did in fact, contact the M.V. tower around 7:30 I believe, in fact, a spokesman for the Coast Guard I believe, was interviewed on a local channel that night and reported emphatically that JFK, Jr. did contact the tower.
Thanks for putting this explanation together and the research behind it. I had heard through reliable people that John was not irresponsible or careless at all. That he was a well trained pilot. It did seem like a tragic chain of events that led to this accident. Leaving late, flying at night, wrong buttons, haze and perhaps a new plane. It causes an ache in my heart when I think of him...still.
I was 24 years old when this happened and I remember being so affected by the death of someone I had never met. After watching your video and watching it unfold in the simulator made me once again realize the meaning of the saying “when it’s your time, it’s your time.” JFK JR., his wife and her sister were just gone too soon. I think the world hoped he would live a longer life than his father and that’s probably one of the fascinations I had about him since he didn’t seem to have any political ambitions but just wanted to help people and was super down to earth for someone in the spotlight bearing that last name & family history.
I was 24, a mother of two.. when I heard about his passing I was caring for my two daughters when I heard of his passing, I was devastated and saddened, though he hadn’t got any political ambition, I had hope that one day he would run for Presidency.
@@VampireKnight1972 I was so devastated. Like I thought about the kennedys and the besette parents who lost both their daughters. I thought he would make a difference in the world no matter what. I felt robbed that he died so young.
I loved how you put together the simulation. You definitely brought about a realistic point of view. I went to the comments to gauge thoughts and it almost ruined the feeling of solace that people are still saying he’s alive. Have respect for those who have passed on and their loved ones. Thank you again for for this video. 👍🏽
Being a flight instructor with 2000 hours in Saratoga I remember that Saturday morning hearing about his missing airplane I immediately knew (thought) it had to be S disorientation. I could not understand why the auto pilot was not being used but this video answered that. Thanks
@@N34RT Please tell us at least one flaw, at least one erroneous conclusion, and at least one omission from this presentation. I'm sure we can all learn something from your knowledge. Thanks!
My good friend Mike became a pilot flying small six passenger planes at a Westerly Rhode Island.. he had logged thousands and thousands of hours in even was certified as an instructor... One fateful day he was flying out of Westerly with four passengers aboard.. according to the FAA report he banked too quickly losing airspeed and crashing... Killing himself in three of the four passengers aboard 😢..so sad .. any pilot can make a mistake even experienced once. Most crashes are not hardware involved or electronics failure involved.. they are pilot error RIP MIKE 🙏❤️
I just studied for, and passed the instrument rating FAA test. All of what you just presented with the graveyard spiral was covered in the book, and there are questions in the test bank that cover it. The procedure set forth in the usual attitude section showing a turning, nose low attitude indicator are clearly spelled out. 1) reduce power to idle. 2) level wings. 3) begin a climb and add power. Pulling back on the yoke could have overstressed the wings and pulled them off the plane at that speed because the load factor increases exponentially when back pressure is applied in a steep turn. This proved the spatial disorientation theory you presented, because he at some point had to review that material in his training, and would have known what to do, but being disoriented, and not believing what the instruments are telling you do make perfect sense for what happened. It's so sad that he lost his life. RIP.
Thank you so much for posting this. The crash of John Jr and his wife and sister in law was too sad for words, especially for their families. Not only was John lost but the Bessette family lost two daughters at once. The whole country mourned these young people because something was lost to the whole country that could not be replaced, and that was HOPE. As a country we have moved steadily down hill since then.
If the Bessette family knew their history, they would have known it was just a matter of time before something bad happened to their daughter at the hands of a wealthy, entitled and spoiled Kennedy who no one ever had the nerve to say no to.
I'm not a pilot... I'm not an American (British), but I knew his name, and that of his father. When this showed on my feed I decided to watch it. I'm glad I did. You did an incredible job explaining how, and why, 'things happened'. It was an emotional ride for me, and I am not embarrassed to say I lost it when you choked up... just as I did when I watched that little boy salute his father's coffin all those years ago. Thank you for sharing your knowledge mate... a sad video indeed, but one I am glad to have watched.
I was flying out of La Guardia heading to Tampa the evening that John died right around 7-7:30 pm. I distinctly remember looking out of the plane window and thinking that the sky appeared so creepy and hazy...just very unusual. Gave me the shivers. Little did I know John would crash at the same time I was landing. RIP.
@CoolerKitty Cat Toy I was living in Metro West Mass at the time and you're correct. The sky was Very Strange those few days with a Weird Haze and Invisible Horizon, I really don't know how to describe it but I have never seen a sky like that before or since....
@@charles1964 Than you so much for backing me up Charles, as I thought I was the only one. I am not psychic by any means, but something strange was gong on that night. I was born in NY, and I know what the sky is supposed to look like, and something was off that night. But it was more than what the sky/atmosphere looked like, it was what it FELT like. Very eerie. Bless you for reaching out as I have been troubled for years about what I experienced but had no one to talk to about it.
Excellent analysis of what most likely happened. Having an Instrument rating, and spending many hours under the hood in dual instruction, I can still hear my instructor from 1973 saying "trust your instruments, not your backside". And your point of John getting behind the plane at some point certainly adds to the reality that makes things easier to go wrong in a hurry. The other phrase drilled into my head - "above everything else, fly the damn plane". Thank you Herbie Mann, Sr. Flight Instructor at NAS South Weymouth Aero Club.
This is the most respectful and insightful video about JFK Jr. Thank you for honoring his memory and explaining in great detail what caused their deaths. RIP John, Carolyn, and Lauren ❤️
What if the NTSb report was fabricated and this person is doing this video to discredit real info that contradicts the official narrative? He claims to have read the Official report. I have also read it and conclude the following. 1. JFK was very wealthy and always flew with a pilot instructor 2. The fuel cut off switch was deliberately cut off during the steep dive 3. the only two things missing in the wreckage was the passenger log ( that would have named the Pilot Instructor) and the other front seat where the pilot instructor would have sat 4. There were several hour delays in the rescue ( It is speculative about what happend in those hours) 5. He was running against Killery for the NY senate seat and she won by default 6. He had a broken foot and the plane was new to him and he would not have flown with out the pilot Instructor 7. It was at night and he had only recently obtained his instrument rating on the piper saratoga. 8. There is little mention of any of these facts in the propaganda video you just watched thus not setting any record straight.
This tragedy has always haunted me. In the 90s I spent a lot of time on Microsoft Flight Simulator. Martha's Vineyard was one of the few airports in that software. I tried on numerous occasions to fly to MV at night and always ended up way past it flying into the dark night over the ocean. Frustrated I started looking into why I was always off. Turned out they had the wrong frequency in the manual that sent you off into the abyss. When I heard Kennedy was heading there at night, always creeped me out.
If you recall tho' the simulator pilot here said JFK Jr had flown there 35 x over the previous 15 mths, so he was NO stranger to the flight path or the frequency... is there such a thing as preset frequency settings in those things.. like radio stations on our car radios?
@@marcorodrigues8303 Translation "why doesn't he talk about the red button that he triggered the nuclear bomb in au will and iraq. I blocked it he didn't tell you right" Reply: i have no idea wth you're talking about?? 🤔 We are talking about JFK Junior NOT senior... who are you talking about?? 🤔
Broke my heart to hear of his lost of life, wife, and sisterinlaw! My husband & I vacationed in Manhattan around that time frame/period, and left flowers on his doorsteps. I recalled it not being easy purchasing flowers, because many stores were out, dued to John F. Kennedy Jr. popularity! May all of them R.I.P♥
@@brucegoodall3794 listen you nitwit, grow the (f) up! I've vacationed In and out of the Country! Who the HELL are you to tell me where to vacation, you piece of ish.💩😊
Its sso Tragic. . . They had Everything, Except "Longevity." Make the most of yr Life, Guys!! Youth is but merely "Fleeting." .....Yet, to die in youth, is a tragedy of fate. He was but merely a "Sweet Prince." Snatched to soon. Regardless of his shortcomings (whatever it is/however you want to look at it), he was a "Prince" bequeathed upon the nation, albeit, temporarily, unto this well--born/well-worn Nation; and yet, both Father and Son, were destined to a perpetual sleep in youth. Much too young; to be far from the mourning crowd. Yet both Father & Son -- though they held the promise of something this Nation would have been proud of, yet, they were given to be loved for only but awhile. In- memoriam. Still, this IS a Great Nation. For as long as She holds to her Body Straight and upRight through Beliefs, conviction and Deep-seated Values -- in Good, for their Next Generations, upholding Humanity and upholding True Values, and Steong Relations around the World, this Nation shall not be short on Friendship, Allegiance and Peace. To have Earned the World's Respect and Willing Cooperation goes a long way towards Diignifying and enabling this Country to be perceived, believed as -- The Natural World Leader of Good. The charming Prince of this nation had but lived for a short moment. They were both meant to be -- Father and Son -- for this nation fleetingly in Time. But the Impact, Memories and Change they left behind for this Chosen Nation shall always linger among its Citizens. Having known good strong Leadership brings its citizens together, Strengthens their Will, and Power and put on a Strong Front toward other nation or enemies. Forever, their Memories be tuned into songs: "For Once in Time, This Nation Lost Its Leader. And a Prince.
Great job recounting a terrible accident. A good example to learn from and the realization that it could have happened to any pilot in a similar situation.
I think there are many of us who will never forget this. And also remembered the photos of that little boy saluting his father's funeral cortege, even further back. These pictures never really fade.
RIP, but as a former airline pilot and CFI, any pilot flying with no Instrument Rating flying VFR + at night + over water = irresponsible at best. The issue is flying without an Instrument Rating when there is no visible horizon, or restricted one, ..such as flying at night over an extensive unpopulated area or a large body of water. Years ago, the FAA published "178 seconds to live" after SIM tests with VFR pilots in IMC revealed that most pilots crashed in under 3 minutes.
@@FSMaNiA Correct me if wrong...but enroute was not forecast 10 plus vis from New Jersey/CDW Additionally, he knew the route was overwater, in the dark, with no horizon due to clouds. Again, RIP...but his awful decision making is why the estate settled the lawsuit with his wife's family. To put it kindly, he struggled with IFR training, and never completed it at FlightSafety/Vero Beach, FL Classic case of get-there-itis.
Hi Marc, I appreciate your perspective. I'm reading the extensive NTSB report and basing my opinion(s) on what the report actually says. Here are excerpts from the NTSB Final Report regarding John's weather briefing, route conditions, and TAF's: The information provided to the requester included en route weather observations from BID, BLM, EWB, EWR, FMH, FOK, FRG, ISP, JFK, PVD, and TAN. These observations indicated that visibilities varied from 10 miles along the route to 4 miles in haze at CDW. The lowest cloud ceiling was reported at 20,000 feet overcast at PVD. These observations were made about 1800. Observations for ACK, CDW, HYA, and MVY were also included. TAF for ACK (July 16 at 1400 to July 17 at 1400) ... July 16 ... 1400 to 2000 ... Clear skies; visibility greater than 6 miles; winds 240 degrees at 15 knots. Becoming 2000 to 2100, winds 260 degrees at 13 knots. TAF for HYA (July 16 at 1400 to July 17 at 1400) ... July 16 ... 1400 to 2200 ... Clear skies; visibility greater than 6 miles; winds 230 degrees at 10 knots. This is a statement from another pilot who flew virtually the same route about the same time as John KTEB to KACK: Before departing the city, the pilot had obtained current weather observations and forecasts for Nantucket and other points in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. He stated that the visibility was well above VFR minimums. He also stated that he placed a telephone call to a flight service station (FSS) before leaving the city, while driving to TEB. Regarding the telephone call, he stated the following: "I asked if there were any adverse conditions for the route TEB to ACK. I was told emphatically: 'No adverse conditions. Have a great weekend.' I queried the briefer about any expected fog and was told none was expected and the conditions would remain VFR with good visibility. Again, I was reassured that tonight was not a problem.'' Also from the NTSB report: In the 15 months before the accident, the pilot had flown about 35 flight legs either to or from the Essex County/Teterboro, New Jersey, area and the Martha's Vineyard/Hyannis, Massachusetts, area. The pilot flew over 17 of these legs without a CFI on board, including at least 5 at night. Based on the information provided by the NTSB, it seems to me a 310 hour pilot with John's recent training and experience was operating well within both legal and personal limits. Regarding his instrument rating training; On March 12, 1999, the pilot completed the FAA's written airplane instrument examination and received a score of 78 percent. On April 5, 1999, the pilot returned to FSI to begin an airplane instrument rating course. During the instrument training, the pilot satisfactorily completed the first 12 of 25 lesson plans. The pilot's primary CFI during the instrument training stated that the pilot's progression was normal and that he grasped all of the basic skills needed to complete the course; however, the CFI did recall the pilot having difficulty completing lesson 11, which was designed to develop a student's knowledge of very high frequency omnidirectional radio range (VOR) and nondirectional beacon operations while working with ATC. It took the pilot four attempts to complete lesson 11 satisfactorily. After two of the attempts, the pilot took a 1-week break. After this break, the pilot repeated lesson 11 two more times. The CFI stated that the pilot's basic instrument flying skills and simulator work were excellent. The pilot attended this training primarily on weekends. During this training, the pilot accumulated 13.3 hours of flight time with a CFI on board. In addition, the pilot logged 16.9 hours of simulator time. The pilot departed from FSI for the last time on April 24, 1999. It does not appear to me that John was struggling with his instrument rating training. Other than lesson 11 VOR/NDB tracking he seemed to be progressing normally. In this day of GPS whiz bang technology it's easy to understand why he might be rusty tracking a VOR or NDB. At any rate, John did not wash out of his instrument training at FSI. He paused on the training for two reasons; 1) Four days after leaving he purchased the Saratoga on April 28. He immediately begin training for and received his Complex Aircraft endorsement in the Saratoga. 2) His best friend and cousin dying of cancer was nearing the end of his life. I'm not saying John didn't make mistakes on this flight. Obviously in hindsight he should have made different decisions. But I think any 310 hour pilot with John's level of training and experience would have and should have felt okay about a VFR night flight with the information he had at the time. Because we are human, every pilot makes mistakes and at times makes poor decisions. Most of us get to live long enough to learn from them. John did not. At the very least, he deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt. Thanks again for your feedback. Kindest regards, Tim
@@pittss2c601 Yep ....I used to fly with a few rich and very smart for being humble guys in FL after they bought twins, or an upgrade post getting their private cert from a C172 to more powerful single like a Cirrus. Especially when flying to the Bahamas or at night from say Boca on a short hop to Naples for a $200 hamburger....up from $100 due to fueling a twin :)
@Pitts S2C Who said John planned to fly with his CFI on this flight? It appears he planned to fly without him and did so. What reason does a 300 hour pilot have for needing a CFI for a planned VFR flight? How many hours do you think a private pilot needs before he should be confident to fly a planned VFR flight without a CFI?
Your animated depiction of the darkness and haze was spot on; I am a retired ATP and I was operating a Piper Navajo on an IFR flight from KTEB to KACK just a few minutes ahead of Mr. Kennedy, at an altitude of 7000'. The visibility that evening was adequate for VFR flight UNTIL one reached the Vineyard Sound...open water with no ground based lights or any horizon to see. Once over the Sound, I could not see anything as you described, "murky blackness". I recall (then called) Otis Approach saying something about a missing airplane after I landed at Nantucket, everybody had heard about it. Very sad. I heard that his original plan was to go to Hyannis direct and if so, he would not have lost visual contact with the ground flying along the coast.
Thank you for sharing this. It was a real challenge to create a video of an airplane flying in the inky darkness. Your comment sounds very familiar to one of the pilot statements I read in the NTSB report. What are the odds this comment is from the same pilot? At any rate, thanks again and cheers, Tim
@steve emery I’m so sorry about the troll/hater attack. I typically try to eradicate the pond scum before it sinks to the bottom. I have dealt with @Cerebro Brother and we won’t be hearing from him again. I really appreciate your comment and respect your feedback. Trolls and haters are miserable whiners that waste a lot of energy trying to pull the decent people down to their level. Now there’s one less annoying punk in here. Cheers, Tim
So tragic. Spatial disorientation has to be one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a pilot. Once your senses tell you the plane is doing something the instruments deny, it takes enormous amounts of training and will power to believe the instruments. I've never been a fan of flying VFR at night especially over water. Personally I think night flying should require an instrument rating. It's just too easy to get disoriented.
Wow. You deserve some kind 9f award for this video! Outstanding. Thank you for all the work it took to put it together and the respect you were careful to give John.
Thank you kindly! A million views is it’s own reward for a RUclips content creator. Even better is knowing at least 95% of those million people can understand this accident for the tragedy it was. Best regards, Tim
Thank you for posting this. I personally know many pilots including a few who have lost their lives due to aircraft crashes and some who have crashed and lived . It’s so sad and heart breaking . Much love and respect to all aviators .
I met JFK jr at the Norwood airport a few months before this accident when he still was flying the Cessna. We chatted for a time at the FBO. I was a CFII at the time and mentioned to him that I few my students down to Martha's Vinyard for my student s requirements for the 50 mile night flight. I mentioned to him that MVY can fog-in in a matter of seconds and encouraged him to get his instruments rating. He said he was working on it. I have no doubt that the Saratoga complexity and his just released foot out of a cast was a contributing factor in this accident. What a tragic loss
I am not a pilot but have vacationed on Nantucket (island near Martha’s Vineyard) many times when I was younger. There were several times while out by the water that fog rolled in so thick that I was disoriented, to the point of nauseousness, standing on the beach. It was very eerie - you could not see just inches in front of you. I never experienced fog like that anywhere else. When I first heard about the plane crash the first thing that came to mind was that fog.
I am a retired Air Force Command Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI and a former FAA Lead Safety Advisor. Speaking as such I disagree with your conclusions! I flew earlier that day with a student. The haze was so bad during daylight that he could not maintain wings level! Over water that night he was in a condition called a black hole. No visual references up, down, level left or right. This requires going on instruments. Since he had no visual reference he started to bank from level flight. He noticed a slight altitude deviation and he applied back pressure on the yoke. There is something called the overbanking tendency of an airplane. Once he applied back pressure, the airplane banked a little more. This required more back pressure which induced more banking. Without the use of his instruments his graveyard spiral is inevitable. He was not capable to take that flight that night! He had other options. A flight instructor offered to go with him that night. He could have flown north over land into Connecticut. At the narrowist point from CT to Martha's Vineyard it is only 15 miles over water.
That may be the case, but the man is going by the report that JFK Jr. would have seen in his office 2 hrs before his flight. The reports shown in this video stated clear skies. If he was offering different scenarios, this video wouldn't have been as well done. His 1 conjecture of an imbalance of fuel makes sense, given what the NTSB provided
@denimjez Have you ever flon into black hole. Over the ocean, at night, no visibility, no ground references. It is as if someone put a bag over your head. I flew with a high time student earlier that day. Visibility was so poor in day VFR conditions that he couldn't keep wings level. I was an FAA Safety Representative at the time. We were cautioned by the FAA to offer no opinions on that crash.
I know *nothing* about flying: this beautifully made video has given me a respect for private flying I've never here-to-fore considered. John's last day consisted of a series of exhausting events that, unfortunately, culminated in tragedy. Reading the many comments of trained pilots below, some of whom mention close calls with spatial disorientation, I can't help but feel that the distraction of the fear and uncontrollable vocal panic of Carolyn and Lauren has to be factored in.
Bull he was unqualified and was warned by his instructor not to fly its called pilot error. He was arrogant and stupid and yes I am a pilot myself with the guts to call it as it was
But he was not a seasoned pilot, he flew at night. You can not distinguish land from water unless you have lots of Instrument Hours and she was probably running her mouth. He should have stayed with the Cessna 182 and my experience is the SARATOGA was too much for him. He just had not flown long enough to go to that size plane. I wish they would have waited until the morning to fly. This was preventable and it is so sad.
@@arvincook5049 well, over confident and maybe she was pushing him and maybe the family of the wedding was wanting them to come the night before. It is like Kobi Bryant no helicopters they crash so easy. That pilot did not have Instrument Rating or he would not have taken off in the fog. Everyone was grounded but because he was a star they let them take off. Never fly a night if you do not have your Instrument License and many many Instrument hours. Daylight only. Always fill the fuel. Do not fly or take off in storms. Enjoy flying there will always be many perfect days to fly. Makes me want to try again but at 65 no.
Having been in aviation maintenance for over 30 years, I always wanted to learn what technical challenges JFK Jr faced on that tragic flight. At the time there were so many videos of speculations and conspiracy theories of what caused the crash, I was disgusted at viewing all of them, and accepted the generalized cause as "Pilot Error". Thank you very much in creating this informative and excellent edited video using the flight sim to demonstrate what happened on that tragic flight.
@@Blue-hf7xt most aviation accidents are attributed to pilot error. Are you suggesting we don’t search for downed aircraft to determine the cause? How will we know what happened and what can be done to prevent further accidents? How do we keep scavengers from raiding the wreckage and selling off pieces on eBay? Did you engage your mouth without your brain???
If you want to lay blame for this horrible tragedy look no further they his coke snorting wife. The day of the crash she was so very late arriving at the airport because she kept changing the nail polish colour on her toenails. Arrived very late it was getting dark he did not have a permit for night flying. A pilot offered to fly them but John said no. By the time they took off it was dark who knows if they argued John became disorinated and the plane ended upside down and crashed into the ocean. Why she did not get her toenails done the day before is beyond me. The same scenario at her wedding kept everyone waiting for over an our while she kept adjusting her dress. I do not believe the Kennedy's should have paid her familie Compensation for her snd Laurens death, they should have sued for her irresponsible Lack of concern for her husband and sister because of her stupid toenails.
Their HERE...... They're alive and well, they have two beautiful children son looks like his handsome father John and their daughter looks like her beautiful mother Caroline Kennedy and Caroline and John have a grandchild who they have taught to love the water as much as they do, they're very much alive trust the plan. As the First Lady would say, BE BEST! 😁🇺🇲🇺🇲👍🙏
@@1freedomfan441, the spirit is forever. If more souls would consider that, they would let go of the material and cling to the eternal opportunity to join what truly is the Divine. God bless, #1FF.
A beautiful, very sad, non-judgemental and powerfully-moving presentation of John Kennedy Jnr's last hour. Respect for the pilot who told us of this event. You had me in tears. Safe flying to you Sir... Bev Cape Town, SA 🇿🇦 19 July 2021
Thank you for this explanation and beautiful tribute at the end. My husband had just bought a turbo Bonanza and was IMC and ended up in one of those spirals but he knew how to get out of it and did. The plane needed some repair to the wings after as I recall but we enjoyed it for many years after that incident. I always thought it was a good thing I wasn't in the plane when it happened because I might have been a distraction. My son in law had a shop in Turkey that attracted tourists and John and Caroline visited him while on their honeymoon. SIL really liked John. Some years after John's death his sister Caroline came with her husband to the shop and my SIL told her that her brother had sat there and pointed to a picnic bench. He said she started crying. Such tragedy that family has suffered and from all accounts John was a really good person despite all the attention that he wore it so well.
I remember that summer 1999, I was 11 years, Dan Rather came on TV and they were searching for his plane, and my mom kept saying John John's plane is missing not again.
@@Hands2HealNow he named his magazine after his Dads killer I always thought it was Soros until I found out Bush Sr was in the CIA then I knew! His magazine actually referenced pizza gate & things happening today back then! The one that has the cover with a blonde model
@@barbiechic5294 I was under the impression that the name of “GEORGE” for his magazine was because it represented the first president of the United States: George Washington. Also JFK Jr. wanted his magazine to represent the kind of politics his Father President JFK Sr. stood for.
@@susanmaendel8438 no I watched a video about it he vowed to take down the person responsible for his dads death. I thought it was Soros but it was Bush
I was the last person to do accepted artwork for Jackie in 1994, and John thanked me for cheering up his mom. That's long ago, I know, but it was something I'll never forget. I'm 70 now. So, whatever.
If you were a military pilot you would know this guy as no idea what happened and this whole video is bullshit and this guy seems to be physic,,,I wonder why the ntsb doesn't consult him when a plane crashs😉
Serious. Do what? Did you or did you not watch the video? All three passengers died on Impact! So, no dear, he's not still alive. I know, I'm sorry too.
Back in my younger days I was a commercial pilot with multi-engine, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings. I agree with you and the FAA that it was "spatial disorientation". A non-instrument rated pilot has an average of 178 seconds, just under three minutes, in instrument conditions before they enter a maneuver from which they do not recover. (This comes from 1954 research done at the University of Illinois that, in my opinion, is flawed. But it is directionally correct and consistent with what I observed in non-instrument rated pilots.) The underlying problem is difficult to understand unless you've been disoriented yourself: Pilots who are spatially disoriented don't believe their instruments. That's because fluid in your inner ear says you're straight and level when your instruments say you're in a descending turn. It takes lots of training to not believe your body. Kennedy probably didn't realize that flying at night under a cloudy sky without reference to the lights on the ground is just as bad as zero visibility. That means he was technically legal, even though he was not instrumented rated, but he put himself in a position as dangerous as if he'd flown into clouds with zero visibility. I get that. Most pilots with such limited experience don't recognize that losing reference to the horizon, whether weather related or not, is like zero visibility. I'm confident that this is why a flight instructor offered to accompany Kennedy that night. What bothers me is that Kennedy had too much instrument instruction to get into a death spiral. Of all the things to learn to get an instrument rating, holding heading and altitude is relatively simple, especially compared to entering holding patterns, communicating with air route traffic control, navigating, and shooting instrument approaches. And if he's gotten into a death spiral, he should have been able to get out of it. That's about the simplest recovery to teach; it is a far simpler than the unusual attitudes he surely had practiced with a flight instructor. In my opinion, there may have been two other contributing factors. First, I used to think a pilot was at the most risk at something like 200 hours. It seemed to me that at this point they have enough experience that they become confident and relaxed - too confident and relaxed. Second, it has occurred to me that Kennedy might have had too much instruction. That sounds odd, but hear me out. He had 310 total flight hours with 238 hours of flight instruction. That leaves only 72 hours of solo time. I've never heard of such a high proportion of flight instruction time. Kennedy's solo time is about the same as most pilots with one-third of his total flight time. Also, I doubt that the flight instruction was really flight instruction, meaning I would be shocked if it the flight instructor wasn't really just "sandbagging" or acting as a co-pilot. Those are not true learning experiences. If I'm right, Kennedy really had not much more proficiency than a 100 hour pilot with 12 hours of flight instruction. That's not much.
I know nothing about aviation, so please forgive me. Is it possible if he took the time to file a flight plan, they may have instructed, maybe ordered he fly along the lit coastline?
@@denisek292 Nope, if I understand correctly, Kennedy's flight was perfectly legal. It was technically visual flight regulations and he was not penetrating any restricted air space. So they would have cleared him as filed.
You are spot-on, Steve H! As a former VFR pilot, I had a few flights where I pushed the envelope. I learned that as a non- professional pilot, I should not flight at night and that I should probably only fly with a copilot in relatively easy conditions. John engaged in a very challenging flight in a high- performance aircraft. A true tragedy which involved the loss of three wonderful people. Incredibly sad……
It was reported that JFK Jr. was allegedly seen walking into a convenience store with crutches shortly before the flight as "his ankle still too tender to bear his full weight." It is not a reach to suggest that he was prescribed Vicodin for the pain. Given the absence of a viable toxicology report since his body was not removed from the wreckage until Wednesday, July 21st--four days after the crash--there is no way a reliable test for Vicodin, the half-life of which is slightly less than 4 hours, could have been made. Then, too, any sample would have been contaminated by immersion in sea water. It is not uncommon that the drug can still affect people eight or nine hours after consumption. Just a thought but that might explain his ill-advised decision to make the flight. Furthermore, JFK Jr. has less than 20 hours solo in the aircraft and 10 at night. Flying is not a single skill but a composite of numerous ones. It seems to be merely presumptive to suggest JFK Jr. was a "good pilot". Some pilots are exceptional "stick-and rudder" pilots; others are better on the gauges. We simply have no idea about John's abilities in instrument conditions at night. And while it is true that spatial disorientation has killed very experienced pilots, it doesn't mitigate JFK Jr.s ill-advised decision to make the flight.
@@Divine-Thunder. Fact: One day before the crash, Thursday, JFKJr. had his cast removed at Lenox Hill Hospital on Manhattan's Park Avenue. Witnesses who recognized him said it appeared his ankle could bear his full weight. Ever watch an NFL game? You don’t need to be an orthopedist to recognize a tender ankle. Ever break an ankle that required a cast? It’s days-sometimes weeks-before moderate pain diminishes and full flexibility and strength return. Fact: NTSB Report Identification: (NYC99MA178): “Witnesses reported that they saw the pilot using crutches.” Fact: Prior to the flight JFK was seen on a crutch hobbling inside a gas station where he purchased a banana, a bottle of water and some batteries. He was identified by Roy Stoppard, a business executive and experienced pilot who had just flown down from the Cape.” Fact: The remains were found in the Atlantic five days after the crash at a depth greater than 100’. Fact: ugs The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently analyzed toxicology tests from 6,677 pilots who died in a total of 6,597 aviation accidents between 1990 and 2012. The results demonstrate a significant increase in the use of a variety of potentially impairing drugs. 10% to 40%. More than 20% of all pilots from 2008-2012 were positive for a potentially impairing drug, and 6% of all pilots were positive for more than one. This is not to declare JFK Jr. would have screened positive for any drugs had his remains and tissue samples not been severely degraded by being in the Atlantic, it merely suggests, drugs have entered the cockpit: Such a contributing factor deserves inquiry. As a pilot with nearly 18,000 hours I did an experiment: weeks after an car crash that produced moderate pain, I took one 5mg Oxycodone, hopped in a sim, and attempted to do two RNAV approaches that I could do in my sleep-and with far better conditions than a 300-hour private pilot had. The first was borderline acceptable. The second was unstabilized, resulting in a stick-shaker stall warning and eventually, after bringing skills to the table a low-time pilot could not possess, I did a fair job. The frightening aspect of this was the drug-induced confidence. So, with JFK Jr, you have an inexperienced IFR pilot, on crutches, in obvious pain, who had been recently prescribed Vicodin, and you rule out any possibility he had taken a pill 4-6 hours earlier believing any effect would wear off? (The half-life of that drug is 4-6 hours. If he took a Vicodin ES at 3:00, half of the drug would still be in his system at 7:00.)
Anything is possible. Definitely, poor judgment on his part. Should have brought his instructor along. Maybe, trying to win his wife's approval. I suspect that she was the 'alpha' brain in that relationship-a bit controlling from a distance, possibly.
Thank you for taking the time to break all this down for those of us who wanted to understand what happened that tragic night. The video was so well done, I felt like I was sitting in the plane. Your explanation and honest facts regarding John’s experience as a pilot dispelled all the ugly rumors and misleading comments printed in the papers and reported on television, at the time of the accident. Well done.
Yes, as someone who flies right front seat in small aircraft, it is unbelievable how quickly things can get out of control. One little thing...just one to distract the pilot enough to miss five other things is really all it takes to be overwhelming. I kinda wish his wife had had some training to competently assist. Very tragic.
This was an incredible and very detailed account of this terrible tragedy. I can only imagine the horror they must have felt. But thankfully, they may not have known their impending demise, traveling at a rate of 200mph. John jr. had so much more to give the world. So sad for the families they left behind.
I used to think I'd like to get my pilot license. This video is exactly why I never did. I got spacial disorientation and felt complete panic just watching this video.
@@MacNmey Right. John was only a few hours into IFR training. Even then he had to repeat a few of those hours. Why he didn't trust his instruments is baffling.
@@Lehmann108 That's a good observation, but in reality "trust" is the key word. There is a reason that to be awarded an instrument rating you must log at least 40 hours under the hood or in actual IMC conditions. It's all about learning and embracing "trust" in those instruments. Or you might say "comfort level". With John's only limited time under the hood, his primary comfort level was still entirely in the VFR environment. Even though he had perfectly good instruments right in front of him and even knew how to use them, his comfort level was still looking outside the window to get that reference he was comfortable with. I suspect that he in fact did reference his instruments a little bit, but was desperately searching outside for that reference he was comfortable with and in that scenario your eyes will lie to you. Your eyes will see some little anomaly in the distance and tell your brain "horizon" because your brain "wants to see a horizon", and instinctively you make control inputs according to that "false horizon", and it all goes rapidly downhill from there. A competent IFR pilot feels just as comfortable "going to the gauges" as he/she does looking out the widow for references. It's no big deal. As soon as things begin to get borderline, you simply go on the gauges and THAT becomes your primary reference point. Johns level of comfort on those gauges was simply not nearly up to the demands that evening.
I was at work when it came over the radio. I started crying and called my Mother. I'd just lost my own brother in February. My heart broke for Caroline.
“The whole world knew his nome before he did.” How profoundly descriptive. As a private pilot myself, I think this is an excellent evaluation of exactly what must have happened
"We dared to think, in that other Irish phrase, that THIS John Kennedy would live to comb gray hair." / "But like his Father he had every gift but length of years." - I liked this part.
Just breaks my heart. My Mom had passed the week before (July 10th), and I was very sad. I remember watching the news all day long, hoping/praying they would be found, trying not to cry. When it was confirmed there it had crashed and they had died, my heart just shattered, and I began to cry. The TV Channel played the song "Angels" by Sarah MacGloughlin (sp?) which still makes me cry today. I've been a long-time fan of John and Carolyn, and I felt so robbed of not being able to see what they would've accomplished in their life, and the beautiful children they would have had. We'd been to Martha's Vineyard the summer before, and had seen the spot that they crashed (though we did not know at the time). That, somehow, made me feel closer to them, but even more heartbroken than before. I am glad to know that they died upon impact; the thought of them struggling in the dark, cold water was horrible. They got married in secret, and died in secret, free from the damned paparazzi. I try to imagine them dying, lost and confused, but suddenly seeing JFK and Jackie, in front of them, waiting for them to help guide them through to their next journey. John, Carolyn, and Lauren, you are loved, and sorely missed. RIP. 💖😭💔
Thank you so much. My mother taught handicapped children in NYC, and she met John more than once because as she said 'he was the only wealthy donor who would come demanding the press not be there, to interact with the children and make sure his money was getting to the children as he planned. My Mom is gone now too. Mom had tremendous respect and appreciation for John and she cried when she heard the news of this event. John touched many, many lives.
@Laura Duffy Thank you very much for sharing your personal insight. I really appreciate it. Best regards, Tim
@@FSMaNiA I'm very grateful you did this video. Because of my Mom, this means a great deal to me. Thank you and best regards, Laura
What a lovely story.He was a good person publicly and privately.May God Bless him.
@@FSMaNiA I'm so glad. Selfishly, it's nice to remember my Mom, too.
@@fresatx What a wretched thing to say or think.
My dad was a commercial pilot. He took a crop dusting job while he got certified for jet engines. Crop dusting took him. I was 8 years old. His death was just before JFK was assassinated in the same year. My heart was forever broken. Thank you for the diligence in your investigations. I believe it will save other loved ones from devastating loss.
So sorry about your Dad.
@lynfarkey7859
How sad and tragic that your father died in a crash, and for you to have been 8 at the time. That alone is so much to bear, then the JFK assassination, must have been a profoundly tragic and heartbreaking time.
Thank you for sharing this as it reminds us to honor, and respect one another for we never know what a person may have endured.
How brave of your Dad Lynn. How brave of you. Sending 💕💕 from Mary.
@@blu48 when jfk died- felt like whole world was grieving with me.
Lynn so very sorry for the loss of your precious dad :'(
You mentioned several times that tuning to the ATIS a contributing factor. That should have been the furthest thing from his mind. He was flying into a dark sky above a black ocean. I can’t help him, but I’ll tell anybody else facing this situation to forget anything other than flying the airplane. Leave the autopilot engaged and fly straight and level until you have some kind of visual reference. If that means staying at 5,000 feet until you reach the destination airport, then stay at 5,000 feet.
The most dangerous pilot in the sky is a 200-hour pilot. He failed to recognize his biggest threat, a flight at night over a black ocean is an IFR flight. Dirty Harry said it best when he said, ‘A man has to know his limitations.’ The one person a pilot can’t lie to is himself. When this planned VFR flight couldn’t continue in daylight, he should have waited for the sun to rise before taking off.
If forced to make this flight at night my two primary concerns are engine failure and spatial disorientation. My recommendation for this flight would have been to follow the coastline to New Bedford and then skirt across the 35 miles to Martha’s Vineyard instead of taking an extended over-water route in a single-engine airplane at night. We are talking of probably adding less than ten minutes to the flight time. This would also provide a lighted horizon for all but maybe five minutes of the flight.
But what do I know? I’m just an ATP-rated pilot with a single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument instructor certificate and well over ten-thousand hours of flight time. I’ve made it 58 years since taking my first flight by not taking unnecessary risks. Flying isn’t inherently dangerous, but it’s terribly unforgiving.
Trust me, I’m not speaking ill of the dead, I am giving a stern warning to the living.
Yours was the comment for which I was searching. I've also heard he never should have been over the water at night.
Additionally it is discussed that he hit the wrong button with regard to the auto pilot, ALT hold vs HDG hold. Looking at 31:56, assuming the computer simulator is uses an instrument panel representative of the real thing, there are, directly above the buttons, what one would assume are back lit indicators for the state of each system. I could be incorrect and that isn't the way it works.(I've never flown.) But regardless, it would seem that any aircraft's auto pilot instrument panel would include a way to visually verify the state of each system. If I am correct about the backlit indicators, how does Kennedy not notice after pressing a button he believes has engaged the ALT hold that he instead has disengaged the HDG hold? It would seem a very bad mistake to make, engaging the incorrect system and not realizing it.
Amen!🇨🇦
Hi Darrell. Rest assured that you leave no impression of speaking ill of the dead....so kind and respectful of you to have included that notation.
Certainly enjoyed your informative commentary, your humble words toward the end that begin with "but what do I know, I'm just a....." brought a chuckle. With an impressive 6 decades of flying know how, one would be hard pressed to learn from a finer pilot than you. Sure wish John had considered taking advantage of the shoreline by heading to Martha's Vineyard via New Bedford as you mention and yes, taking off at first daylight would have been ideal.
Such a tragic loss for John's sister Caroline and the Kennedy and Besette families to endure. I believe it a blessing that John's motherJackie was not alive at the time. I feel fortunate that the passing of my family members were not attributed to tragedy. Wishing you strong take offs and soft landings from the Tar Heel State. ✈
were not
I remembered when the news broke out on TV, me and my wife were on a trip not long after we were married. I was shocked and upset, swore John had an engine or some other mechanical failure. Sometimes pilots become distracted resulting in loss of life. We are humans, it happens even when driving but should be avoided. I always wanted to be a commercial pilot since I was a kid. I studied electronics to work my way up into avionics then planned to apply for a scholarship. I became consumed by the pace of technology, and the time blew by. My wife bought me an intro flight when I was 33 years old she was 6 months pregnant. We went up with an instructor in a 172 and I had a blast flying. I regret not following my dreams at times, but she made me happy that day, like most times. John, his wife and sister in law were killed by the crash, last year my younger daughter and wife were murdered by a predator who was after my kid. May they all fly high above as angels, spreading their wings and soaring, no auto pilot needed. RIP. Thanks for producing this video.
Hopefully other pilots will read your excellent commentary and keep it in mind for future reference.
I'm a VFR pilot with just under 1000 hours of flight time. I loved to fly at night as I did on many occasions. I've been in that dark hole you touched on in the skies over Central Oregon. No visual references for several minutes. For a VFR pilot it is truly an elevated stress moment. Your very touching and somber description of this accident kept me completely engaged as I often have thought about what really happened with JFK Jr. I had had perhaps 70 hours of flight training, I haven't looked at my log books for quite some time. I was curious as to why he had so many hours with intructors, albeit, IFR training. The unexpected right turn due to possible fuel load is a really good observation and could certainly have played a role in the onslaught of spacial disorientation. It only takes a couple of small things at speed to add up to big trouble. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I also had an unexpected loss of horizon flying night VFR along the coastline of Florida in a sparsely populated area. Similar to John’s flight, my loss of horizon occurred about 10 minutes from my destination airport. I probably spent too much time searching the windshield for visual references. Fortunately we landed without incident but I can see now that it could have ended badly. Best, Tim
EXCEPT, THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED. THE PLANE WAS SABOTAGED
@@GBS1043 by who?
He should have left it on auto pilot and called for help, so sad.
@@GBS1043 that's possible but when you don't give any sort of evidence and type in all caps....It just doesn't lend any credibility.
I was flying into Boston that night as a first officer on a B737 . ATC kept asking if we saw KBOS and even 4 miles away we couldn’t see the city. I remarked to the Captain how dreary and dark it was. I woke up the next day to the terrible News. 2018 I retired Capt Airbus and still remember that night. Great video and thanks for sharing.
What is like to be retired? I am so tired of no being re.
Thanks for getting us safely home.
Amazing
To have been right there so close and be able to look back on that nights sky
The new book coming out tells stories of his VERY reckless behaviour his whole life. His first girlfriend and he almost died while kyaking in the sea. He knew nothing about kayaking at the time let alone in open water
The girlfriend said “We could have died out there.” To which his answer was “But what a way to go.”
At the time of the plane crash his life was failing- the magazine was about to fold, his wife was about to leave him amongst other things.
What a way to go hey?
@@michelegraham9044reading this swill just darkened my day
now just imagine Navy WW2 pilots flying off aircraft carriers at night on a pitching and rolling ship, NO autopilot or "aides". flying all manual, taking off and landing on that little patch of ship, rolling and pitching in black darkness save a couple of lights and the meatball. just amazing amazing men...the greatest generation indeed.
DITTO, MY CFII HAD 20 PLUS THOUSAND LANDING!!!! THATS WHAT MADE HIM A GREAT INSTRUCTOR!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark , perfect statement !!!!!!!!
Lost a good pilot friend when he missed the fan tail and crashed in to the South China Sea in Viet Nam conflict.
For this very reason this is why we lost more pilots and aircraft in training than in actual battle a lot more I was amazed by the number for fatalities just from training exercises with plains Hastily assembled as we were rushed into the war one out of every three bomb or torpedo launched was a dud and often engine and equipment failures never had time to be properly tested and our brave soldiers ended up finding out after it was too late
@John Spencer I was stationed at KMCAS in `73. That`s across the island from Ala Moana.
I often wondered what happened? I’m an old lady with no flying experience and even I understood this brilliant but vivid explanation. I was holding my blanket so tight! I can only imagine the anguish experienced in those fatal and final moments. John was a very kind young man. Gracious. The closing of this video is truly precious, incredibly moving and aptly and brilliantly expressed. Long live their memories. My sincere sympathies to both families on the tragic and terribly sad loss of their beloved children. Much respect and compassion. ❤️🩹🙏🇺🇸
The Kennedy Family Joseph Jr. and John were true American Patriots. We all know of John's heroic deeds in the Pacific Theater of WW2 and the PT-109. But few know of his older Brother Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr. who died piloting a B-24 on a bomb run in WW2, read about his Naval experience and heroic death it is very fascinating.
@@crotalusatrox7931 Don't forget their old man, Joseph Kennnedy Sr who heartlessly made his poor daughter Rose get risky lobotomy surgery because of the promise the new procedure would make her more 'calm' and appear more 'normal' for Joe's publicity machine. Of course, a shrewd, smart Harvard grad like Joe knew the experimental procedure could go horribly wrong. But hey, it's worth potentially sacraficing your child's entire personality, her functioning brain, her hopes, joys, memories, dreams, loves and very life, as long as3 there's s small chance that she'll appear more 'normal' like the rest of your kids.
Oh, Joe Sr may not be a 'true American hero but he has an eternal military pedigree, now. He's in eternal torment in hell, holding the rank of Captain of Sorrows as bestowed upon him by a laughing Satan.
He was killed. That's what happened.
Está Fato se deu lá Trás em 2017 foi de eu pilotar aquele Avião das Forças Armadas contra um Avião de Passageiros.se for e um fato por mim confirmado. 😌. 🛩️✈️#
@@LostJewelzEnt serving our country
I'm not here to bash JFK jr. nor you Tim. While I admire your attempt at deflecting some of the harsh criticism of JFK jr., I feel you're missing the point entirely. This accident was not the result of him punching in the incorrect ATIS frequency, as you suggest. This accident was the result of Kennedy becoming spatially disoriented BECAUSE HE WAS NOT IFR QUALIFIED!!!! Kennedy went through six different CFIs in six years. This is highly unusual. On the day of the flight, his current CFI practically begged him not to take that flight alone. Kennedy told him "I want to do this alone".
You also fail to mention witnesses state he had extreme difficulty getting into his plane due to his broken angle he suffered less than a month earlier. That left broken ankle would have greatly impeded his ability to apply rudder when he needed it most. He was stressed, in a hurry to get to a wedding, flying with a broken ankle, not IFR qualified, and carrying the burden of being JFK jr.
He should NEVER have taken that flight.
His ADD and pain meds for his broken ankle did not help. Mike is being charitable . There was a good reason his wife had to be strong armed into making this flight.
I agree with ‘tough love’ here. It is NOT helpful to skirt issues and mollycoddle when the stakes are so high. Conditions don’t care whether a pilot isn’t knowledge enough to fly in them. Not one little bit.
I’m am now a 30,000+ hour airline pilot. This was a great Re-cap of the unfolding events of the tragedy. I often imagine siting in John’s right seat and helping him through his mistakes as we do in the commercial world of aviation. When I was at John’s level of experience, I was attending San Diego State University studying Aerospace engineering. I’d rent a single engine airplane with the basic six pack instrument cluster. No GPS back then. I’d fly out over the coastline at night to experience the effects of no horizon until I was at the “uncomfortable” state and then make a left or right banking turn in level flight until the coast line lights came into view. Doing this many times helped immensely in my instrument rating. This was a completely unnecessary tragedy. RIP.
Exactly! I’m a private pilot and been flying the Saratoga since the 80s! I learned from an ex Air Force thunderbird pilot! He always said, you die when you make 3 mistakes on a flight! 1st mistake flying hours late from original flight plan, 2nd he flew in to the night hazy and no moon! He should have turned back as soon as he left the Long Island coast and saw how dark over the water was, ego kept him flying on!! I bet his passengers started to freak out lost concentration and he went in a slow curve turn and stalled!!! 3rd he is famous and rich, why not get a flight IFR instructor to go with him to the cool Kennedy party!! Sad sad!! Always have backup !
I'm at 64hrs and still do not feel comfortable to take my test. Listening to this made me feel even less ready, people do not understand the chain of events and the mental load a pilot has on him/her sometimes.
@@MrHoudini50 what happened ❓
@@darioscotti7067 Your post is so spot on! My late father was a retired USAF fighter pilot with a senior-command pilot rating, and he was a double-Mig killer in the Viet Nam War. After retiring in February of '75, the following July he rented a Cessna from the aero club at the former Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX where we lived, and where I still live today. He had planned a trip to Groton, CT. to visit relatives and friends from their hometown of Norwich, CT - 20 minutes away. My mom, my sister and I were all going cool trip in a private plane for the first time, and my dad was going to be flying us! I ended up staying in Austin - which I will forever regret - to hold down the fort at 16. I was too cool for my own good and passed up an opportunity of a lifetime flying with my father that I never got again. Long story short: on their return trip to Austin they got grounded in Williamsport, PA for 4 days because of bad weather conditions. It must have been nasty because even with his thousands of hours of flying experience in jets, he wasn't going to risk his family's life flying in those conditions. At one point they attempted a flight out but, as your Thunderbird instructor would have done when it wasn't looking good, he returned to Williamsport to try again another day. He finally told my mother that he felt good about punching out of the cloud cover, and that it was worth taking a shot unless they planned on being stuck there for several more days. He gave it a go and was successful climbing out of the cloud cover into clear blue skies. My mom later told me that she was saying Hail Marys as they climbed through the murk, but that my father was the real deal and they felt so safe with him. They were home two days later. A couple of years later I kept reading in the paper about private plane crashes between Texas and Colorado: two or three of them around the Christmas holidays. I was asking my dad what he thought about it, and the first thing he said was that civilian pilots with limited hours of flying experience had no business flying in weather conditions that experienced, military-trained pilots like my dad wouldn't fly in. When JFK, Jr., his wife and her sister tragically passed, and the details of the flight and the weather conditions that night were reported, all I could think of was what my dad had said.
dario scotti : The main thing is he should’ve turned around and diverted to clear weather land out option. He really blew it. It’s as you say.
Pilot of the French Air Force aerobatic team, former fighter pilot on F1 mirage, Renaud Ecalle was crowned world aerobatic champion in 2009 and European champion in 2010. His plane crashed with wife and two young children just north of Montpellier, France due to strong winds and rain around 6 PM. Fly safe everyone and remember that experience is quite often not enough. Make sure you have a good understanding of the region and double check on weather conditions. Forget about having to be somewhere at an exact time. It’s not worth it.
♥️♥️♥️
Best advice. I gave up flying long ago, after having the flight I was on crash on the airport landing strip. Fortunately, we all survived.
Soo true a hood pilot dies in his bed!
I am a former private pilot of 22 years. Well said, GDW!
How terribly sad for Renault Ecalle thank you for sharing this I am going to look up this fabulous pilot.
I cried for you when your voice broke at the end- for your loss and sadness. You have done the man proud with this tribute. ❤️
AGREE! GOD BLESS US ALL I STILL MISS HIS POTENTIAL THAT WE LOST OUT ON.
Yeah, I began to cry also when your voice broke. I don't know what to say, I'm,
Thank you for the kind words. I spent more hours than I care to count on researching this accident. I became intimately familiar with the details of John's life leading up to the tragedy. I am only about four years older than John and I can certainly relate to the life of a General Aviation private pilot. When I was recording the eulogy, I felt the emotion welling up. Since my voice cracked and men aren't supposed to cry, I rerecorded the line, "he was lost on that troubled night". In the end I decided to leave my raw emotion in the video. I'm not a documentary filmmaker and I don't give a hoot if people think I was biased. It was a human tragedy that should be grieved no matter what the circumstances. Kindest regards, Tim
Absolutely agree 💞
@@FSMaNiA You are a kindhearted soul💞
Mistakes were made.
He refused help from a pilot.
Both were late, John & Carolyn.
If John had been smarter
he should of flown the next day. It was too dark to see clearly.
So sad careless mistakes were made.
A shame.
No children.
Rip to all
Their deaths broke my heart.💔🕊🙏
Agree, so many mistakes were made. So sad....
He also was dyslexic and this plus stress and confusion caused him to hit the wrong button and punch in the wrong frequency. He had no flight plan and a commercial passenger plane was heading towards him, the tower was unable to get him to respond because he wasn’t tuned in/ and he was flying to high altitude for his type plane - this was unbelievable negligence on his part. If the tower hadn’t seen him on their radar in time there would have been a additional 130+ innocent passengers killed, he was a disaster- so three huge pilot errors/mistakes in a row probably caused by being aggravated marital hostility, feeling rushed, leaving late, and a little rusty since he had been recovering from a broke leg and surgery. His cousin dying, work going poorly, and the domino effects distracted him with emotional responses driving the situation- pilots in the armed forces are heavily screened on personality, impulse control, ability to maintain laser focus under high stress. Unfortunately anyone can get small aircraft pilots license with enough instruction and hours - but not everyone should.
He have taken a commercial flight. So sad
I am not really into celebrities, but JFK junior was a class act and someone who I always admired. Too bad that this had to happen.
You drop the JR when you go to WITSEC... 45 is CIC and Sworn in 3/29/21 19th P to be announced, soon.
@@chriscoghlan7202 You people are seriously delusional who believe all this crap from QAnon. Nothing has ever come to fruition and 45 is still a whiny bitch living in FL, attacking anyone who dares to disagree w/him. He wasn't sworn in by anyone since 1/20/17 and hasn't been CIC since Noon on 1/20/21. #FactsMatter
His business partner said they had some big things that had to be taken care of that day snd he was very concerned the delay that day would be bad for them to fly. John pooh fooded him and w
Went ahead.
jfk jr.'s magazine George was super odd.
@@chriscoghlan7202 What in the name of Pete did I just read?!?
I feel like I’m reliving the terror they must have felt and that terrible feeling when the aircraft is not responding properly or the spatially confused feeling that you can’t recover from the chain of events and you are frantically trying to recover from the tail spin . He was a brilliant man who lit the lights in our hearts and memories ❤. Thank you again for this touching tribute to him!
Too bad he DIDNT practice coming SENSE.
Don't FLY AT NIGHT
SO SAD!!
Yes, it was explained so clearly. I'm sure John held it together as all solid pilots would, but deep down he had to be suppressing terror to keep navigating as he did until their demise. Sounded terrifying to me as well, now that I understand what happened.
238 hours of training over 17 years I read somewhere. That’s a red flag to me. Then he finally got his PPL 18 months before the crash. Then he gets into an airplane that was over his head. This is how a lot of wealthy pilots die.
@robertjones8598 wow that's a detail I hadn't known: the training spread over 17 years!! NTSB could easily remedy that by making training hours expire if the certification isn't attained within a certain timeframe. Definitely need a certain concentration of training not spread over 17 yrs. He def seemed arrogant. He was a risk taker, judging by his broken leg from parasailing, too.
What a beautiful tribute to JFK Jr....
Love your calm narrating voice...
Tears circle my eyes toward the end as you tried to hold off your own emotion...
Are you kidding? This video shows that? Where?
Seek help
Toughen up, butter cup!
His voice was actually raspy and his accent is gawd-awful!
Great video. Thank you. I recognize there were several factors that contributed to the crash, but note the following info, according to the NTSB investigation. John got his pilot certificate 15 months before the crash, and of his total flight career only had 72 hours of flying time without a flight instructor on board. He bought this new plane 3 months before the crash and flew it only 3 hours without a flight instructor on board, of which less than an hour was at night. He had completed less than half of the training lessons required to get his instrument rating. His instructor noted that John had difficulty managing multiple tasks while flying, but that this was common for pilots with his level of experience.
RIP to all the crash victims.
John was taking meds and had been diagnosed with ADD. He was also a daily cannibis user.
I had the pleasure of meeting John also when he worked in the attorney generals office. He was traveling coach and I immediately upgraded him He was so gracious and never acted stuck up or self righteous just made a point of thanking me for the courtesy.
I was in the airline industry for 35+ years - my company position entitled me to continuous entry priviliges to the First Class Lounge.
Different country to yours - but the game is the same.
Politicians - almost without exception State and Federal - travelled with this carrier and accessed their First Class Lounge.
Politicians deliberately make themselves highly visible - so if there is one in even a crowded space you will be know - which makes the accounting certifiable.
In all that time I never saw a politician enter that Lounge with anything but an Economy Class Ticket.
In all that time I never saw a politician leave that Lounge with anything but a First Class Boarding Class.
You can fill in the rest.
Not to be seen as criticism of John Kennedy Jnr whom I liked - although I had to read the press to know him - which is a very poor source for information.
You had personal contact with John Jennedy Jnr - I did not.
Context is all.
So instead of giving the seat to a pleb- which you wouldn’t have done even if it is open you gave it for free to a rich and powerful man. It’s pathetic people like you that are f’ing up the world. Of course he was gracious- but I’d put money on the fact that he knew he had a 90% chance of being bumped to first class because that’s just the way life works for the rich and powerful. Gracious on the outside, spoiled and entitled beyond belief in his thought
Just out of curiosity, why did you “immediately” upgrade him? He can certainly afford an upgrade. He could afford his own plane. I’m sorry but I find this so perplexing. Do you do that for all coach passengers you run across? It’s like when people
Donate to a millionaire but wouldn’t even think of donating to the abandoned single mom down the street. Weird. People are strange
I read in one of the comments that a 200 hour pilot is the most dangerous pilot. At the time of this accident I had a little over 200 hours. I had heard this saying before. That night I was at my home airport, 4N1 about 15 NM north of where he took off. At that time NJ didn't have the Powerball lottery. I was going to fly up to CT to pick up some tickets for a very large jackpot. It was just starting to get dark as I took off. As I climbed out I looked to the north and I didn't like what I saw. It was very hazy with terrible visibility. I aborted the flight. A CHANCE at multiple millions was not worth taking that chance. When I was tying down the plane my friend Steve ,a Vietnam helicopter and high time GA pilot, came over to me. He told me that was the best decision I could have made. I went home feeling good about my decision. When I woke up the next morning I saw the JFK Jr incident on the news. I learned a lot that weekend. RIP
John John could afford a million dollar jet. I am sure the first-class upgrade was a real treat for him.BTW John was fine normal guy according folks who worked in the same building as him. Jackie did a fine job raising her children. Too bad he was not a good judge of his own flying ability. Caroline's family got a cash settlement for his negligence that was hushed up. No amount of money can bring back lost loved ones.
I remember that cute little boy under his father's desk... So sad what happened... Yes I cried too.
Same
It was sad because JFK shouldn't have been flying because he didn't hold an instrument rating. It's called spatial disorientation and it can actually happen to qualified pilots. That's why you need to know how to read the instruments. JFK didn't know what to do. . Kennedy did not hold an instrument rating and therefore was only certified to fly under visual flight rules.
it was murder. the kennedy curse = the global cabal killing them off or trying to (ie rothschilds, rockefellers, etc)/
@@iindiar Hillary wanted the NY seat of Senator Moynihan but it was supposed to go to John. Wouldn't put it past the murderous Clintons if they had a hand in it.
&: Uggla h
This is excellent. Errors that go unnoticed. A heartbreaker. Thank you for this decent and informative work on this issue. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg endured her father's assassination, uncles’ assassination, mother's death, brother, his wife, and sister-in-law’s death, a number of family tragedies and bad behaviors published sparing few if any gruesome details and even worse from the tabloids and asked the public for nothing. Like the RF there were plenty of detractors of her family that did not hesitate to excavate a past she had no responsibility for other than using her recognizable name.
I've never heard Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg whine. She lost a parent at an even earlier age - with gruesome film recording it, replayed in the media periodically. When Caroline speaks about her father, it is not retrospective, but prospective. She speaks about the duty her father inspired in so many
One of the most compassionate comments I’ve ever read. I totally agree. Thank you so much! Best regards, Tim
Right on! 👍.
28:54 was John F. truly highly trained and proficient? I thought he was not regarded as such/
Is this to argue whether they actually survived or ñot I believe they survived
JFK, Jr. was a lovely man, so kind and sincere. He lived near me, and I often saw him on his bike. He was friendly and said hi to everyone. I think about what Rose said after his dad was killed. She said that she doesn’t think about what might have been or what could have been had he lived. I do think about what might have been and what could have been. He had so much to offer our world. I’m sorry he died so young.
Your assumptions were very well thought out. I was actually flying that day in the late afternoon. My job was a corporate helicopter pilot flying a Sikorsky S76A. While over Long Island and heading for Republic airport I noted the extreme haze that was present. I asked my co-pilot to call Republic and find out if they are still VFR. If not, we would ask for a special VFR. They replied "yes we are VFR." Because of the unusual haze I thought it was definitely IFR and was surprised by their answer. Flying weather wasn't new to me, so both me and my co-pilot thought that it was an unusual VFR, very, very hazy. My point is John was facing an extremely poor VFR environment and adding to that he was flying over the dark sea. What we call flying into a black hole. You really needed to be a qualified and practiced IFR pilot to make such a flight. Of course, John did not know the unusual circumstances and thought it would be a typical night flight. But, unfortunately, it turned out otherwise.
Agree that IFR training is very very important. I used to ride as a passenger with an IFR rated pilot in a Comanche Piper. I remember him wearing the hood so that he could practice for his IFR renewal. I also remember him switching gas tanks. He originally was a commercial pilot and later on flew his Piper for personal trips. I also remember how he would do the pre-fight inspection. It was a lot of fun and we flew many times at night. This video was very informative and clears up what happened. Most of the time he set the plane on auto pilot for our flights.
John was reckless with his life and his wifes...I completely blame him for the accident....His life at the times was a mess....
Peter, many thanks for writing this. I had the exact same experience flying from BOS to HYA that night, exactly when John Jr was in the air. I spent all the 20 min level flight discussing with our pilot how incredible the haze was - "clear air" but with no visibility, the VFR they claimed was totally impossible. He had never seen haze like that before - thick black soup, totally intimidating, he was completely dependent on instruments. Even if John Jr had stuck to the coast line, he would have seen nothing but black at 5500 ft.
Since you piloted helicopters I will share this with you. I was in the oifield in the late 70s offshore times when we flew the old Huey helicopters, you know the ones with two blades they used in the Vietnam war. The flight almost remember was in the fog, and I was the only passenger, but they were to pilots and they were obviously prepared. We took off and we had some visibility but after a while, it looked as if someone at spray painted the windshield with white paint. You couldn’t see anything at all. And this went on for about an hour as we flew in. I was sitting behind them on the bench seat, watching them. They were very concerned, and since I couldn’t do anything, I just laid back and tried to take a nap. One turned around and looked at me and I think he was impressed that I was so nonchalant about the situation. But they handled it and I look to the left and we were flying right down the runway at Lafayette airport, and then they gained altitude, directed the chopper to another course to the heliport, which was 10 or 15 miles away.
They flew this helicopter through a fog bank and never had any reference to anything other than their instruments.
I couldn’t watch this. It’s 20 years ago, and I still feel horrible that the world lost such a wonderful man, his wife and sister-in-law. He was a remarkable man, dearly loved by all. 🙏❤️ I miss him.
🤣
Internet censure...
Such a mature 💩
I had to stop 3 minutes in.
Or was he?
And you wonder why America is fucked with morons like you.
In my 50 years of life, never has more people talked about one man, and the loss of everything, as with JFK Jr. Still to this day, I see more reasons why this story is so sad. He had everything, and he passed away too early.
So much sadness for a family. 😢
He was running for Senate against Hillary Clinton. His life was well,well at least before he was running for Senate. Poor guy.
I think it is just as tragic when a person who doesn't have it all dies young
Maybe JFK but not Jon Jon
@@GnomeChomsky9999why not JFK Jr.
For some reason, I still grieve over this loss. John was a good man. It seems that Tim is a good man too. He provided us with a hard lesson about aviation and a moving tribute to JFK, Jr.
My solution - DON'T GET IN 1 OF THESE FLYING COFFINS IN THE 1ST PLACE!!!
@@Mrbfgray JFK, Jr. gave us HOPE. That's a fine accomplishment that Bobby Bo McGillacutty could NEVER accomplish.
@@Mrbfgray. Hope is not, as you wrote, a "childish emotion". Children live in the present. Hope arises when the mind conceives of a better future. Concluding, as you have done, that Hope is a childish emotion exposes the ignorance of Bobby Bo McGillacutty.
Hope is an ancient concept; much revered in history and religion. I have grave doubts that someone as vile, contemptable, and ignorant as Bobby Bo McGillacutty will ever understand such a concept. Perhaps, in an ironic way, Bobby Bo McGillicutty's lack of understanding about Hope is a good thing. For Bobby Bo exposes the dark souls of men who have no Hope, while revealing - by contrast - the light that Hope brings to those men who embrace it.
@@Mrbfgray When you cynically asked what JFK, Jr. "accomplished", I answered your question, Bobby Bo. I replied that JFK gave the nation "Hope". The only thing that is "clearly pathetic" is that Bobby Bo may be too low for Hope.
Back in the sixties; the year before Bobby Kennedy was gunned down, another Bobbie wrote a song that might speak about Bobby Bo as well.
It's called "The Ode to Billie Joe". The brilliant song showcases the insensitivity of ignorant people who can't feel loss; even when it's right in their midst; or have no concept of Hope. In the end, their ignorance seals their fate; death by virus for one, despair for another, and, for the third; a fatal leap from a bridge.
Bobbie Gentry identified and showcased the sad truth that our nation has been plagued by Bobby Bo McGilliguttys for many, many years.
I urge you to think about Hope, think about being sensitive to grief, and avoid the ignorance that destroys life, like a virus. Otherwise, there may very well be a Tallahatchie Bridge waiting for Bobby Bo McGilligutty.
ruclips.net/video/HaRacIzZSPo/видео.html
@@Numb217 Yeah, Meggin; when they were gunned down, the bright light of the nation dimmed. John Jr's death opened a very big wound. It's up to us to carry on and offer Hope.
have followed accounts of this horrible accident for years… great job sir, your recreation of the loss of control actually had my heart pounding for several minutes.. every pilot should watch this… we’ll done!!
It broke my heart when this happened. He was gold. Such a wonderful man with so much love, kindness and goodness to spread around. I cried for days.
and why didn't Donald Trump investigate the situation cuz Donald Trump ain't going to investigate no Democrats Trump is scared to death of Hillary. His justice department protected Hillary for 4 years against judicial watch.
@@healdiseasenow Trump didn't investigate because they are very close friends and he knows he's alive so is his wife and her sister, the media is also part of the cabal they're part of the problem in our country they're not going to tell the truth that he's alive because that makes them the monsters they are they're all in it together.
JFKjr is alive Trump and him are good friends Have been for years
The whole world cried with you!
@@FSR0914 how was she executed and who did it ?
“Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” - John F. Kennedy
A lot of hard work and long hours went into this production and yet I seem to have neglected to define the "VFR" acronym. VFR = Visual Flight Rules.
With very careful research of the NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report on Saratoga N9253N I hope to offer a reasonable explanation of why a highly trained very proficient pilot loses control of his aircraft. I endeavored to explain the causes of this accident without assassinating John's character or his skills as a pilot-in-command. There's already been way too much of that nonsense. Loss of control has long been the leading cause of General Aviation accidents. This type of accident can happen to any pilot regardless of experience. Thanks for tuning in and kindest regards, Tim
This type of accident can happen to pilots who exhibit poor planning and judgment, and combine that with arrogance, some of that is displayed here.
Flippant comment aside you've completely missed the point. This type of accident can and does happen who exhibit excellent planning and judgement. To quote one of John's CFI's statement to the NTSB, "the pilot was methodical about his flight planning and he was very cautious about his aviation decision-making." I'm pretty sure a CFI that actually flew with John would have a much more credible opinion of John's abilities than you.
Beautiful ending. Well done.
I’ve been watching many videos by actual pilots on air crash investigations lately. It’s really helped me to understand that accidents are usually due to a combination of many factors. Also, I’m quite impressed by investigators’ doggedness in identifying ALL contributing factors instead of stopping at the most obvious or simply blaming a pilot for being careless. I really appreciate the thorough details and your conclusions about what everyone can learn from this tragedy so that other lives can be spared.
@@ladyblue7585 That quote was taken from his uncle Ted Kennedy at his eulogy.
But, yes, very nice.
Your understanding and compassion brighten my heart. Thank you for honoring JFK Jr memory and his skills as a pilot. 💙
My pleasure
Obviously not skilled enough to know when he was not capable to take that final flight. He made so many miscalculations that lead to That fateful conclusion. It is pointless to defend the indefensible. A sad story, but one of complete pilot error and inexperience.
He was a skilled pilot in the day light but not at night.
So touching that you broke up towards the end Shows how much not only you cared about aviation safety, but about him as a man and about his family. Thank you for the wonderful explanation.
I remember when this happened. It made me sick. So sad.
Watch T rally u will see his wife & her best friend. I'm 100% positive it's her. T waved by to her specifically. If she's alive guess what 🤗 don't be sad jus sayin.... Look at rallies for 2016 in one her and a guy watching their watch. At a certain point they switched seats. His hair dyed dark but he liked that stuff. There's a Q meme with military and a white haired guy...look at him hard and smile 🤗
I remember it, as well! It’s a fearful thing to fly at night in those smaller private planes! Such a tragic death.
@@GmaPat89 did jr really died? I,m finding out that he is very much alive, someone tried to kill him and he will tell the world just who it was that tried to kill him.
Do you think he is alive?
Jfk Jr. Is alive I do believe he is.
The humanity and compassion of this analysis of the the crash is deeply moving. Thank you...
Thank you for the kind comments! Best regards, Tim
Recalled specify this date. Received word that AUNT ANNIE..ALSO DIED.MOST FAMILY SERVED ARMED FORCES!!
🎯
@@jadabarb6307
So
@@bethsoule8645 sorry I did follow. JKO. AND JOHN-john plane crash on that foggy morning. With wife and sis inlaw..memory Eternal
I have more than enough hours as a student pilot, but never got my license. Can't pass a flight physical any more. I myself would never have taken off VFR at night (after sundown). Thank You for clearing up so many questions and misconceptions that I have had since this accident occurred. I was in 3rd grade in Arlington when my parents and I walked through the Rotunda to look at his father's casket and we also attended the funeral procession. John Jr. was a good and wonderful man. Best Regards
@@BoscoTurner-gf9ew A low time IFR licensed pilot should have made better decisions prior to flying at night. Sometimes you only get one chance to "get it right" when flying light aircraft. Terrible loss. He was a great man.
In aviation training, one learns about hazardous pilot attitudes. Two of these attitudes are impulsivity and macho attitude. Unfortunately, these two attitudes might have played a role in this chain of events. I believe JFK Jr. was a decent, honorable person, but as a pilot you could fall into the dangerous attitudes trap unconsciously.
@@xaviernunez5498 It can happen to "Any Pilot"...
This was really very well done. I was reluctant to view your video because of several reasons and incorrectly thought you would be bashing JFK, Jr for causing an unfortunate accident but found your care and thoughtfulness in the reconstruction of the accident to be enlightening in spite of the lost of lives on that tragic night.
I am not a pilot but I have several friends who are experienced pilots. I have watched more than my fair share of Mayday Air Disasters on prime video and elsewhere to educate myself on why planes crash and the how the disaster investigations help make flying safer by learning from happened in the catastrophic events.
I appreciate your bringing to my attention the one little thing that JFK Jr. did that snowballed into other issues leading to this disaster, so it seems that your recreation of this was a like a mini episode of a Mayday air disaster episode. Watching this was a little difficult for me but it was suspenseful because I learned about another hypothesis of the crash that was done in a respectful way.
Kudos to you for your efforts and sharing this on RUclips, thank you very much!
So sad
Thank you. I think my husband, father and I heard you speak in Dallas November 2018. Your production is a beautiful tribute to a much beloved American and his family. Appreciate your knowledge, experience, compassion for not only JFK Jr, but for all of us who cherished him from afar…having also lost his father.
As someone who flies right front seat for a search and rescue organization, this drives home how one mistake (wrong ATIS frequency) can be small, but it can quickly spiral into a series of problems from which you may not recover. I can only imagine how terrorizing the end of that flight was. RIP.
More than likely it was over before they knew what was happening
@@occamsrazor6830 Caroline Basset Kennedy Her Coke Head Cheating Self Was John DownFall Bet Money He Was So Focused On Her Than Flying The Plane They Was Broken Up At The Time Nothing But A Disaster Waiting To Happen Why Was She Even There In The First Place IF THEM TWO FEMALES WASNT WITH HIM HE PROBABLY WOULDA BEEN STILL HERE BRING HER SISTER TO KEEP THEM SEPERATE BUT STILL TOGETHER
I am surprised no potential mentioned if extreme shear from the common area around the vineyard/ hyannis was possible effecting all else as well as a thermal etc. During his time of uncertainty / lacking autopilot , radio contact cfr.......???
@@williamnutile2929there would not be thermals at that time of night. Wind shear was not reported that evening or during the following day when we were out looking for the plane. Low time in Piper type especially a high powered complex aircraft probably contributed. Over reliance of a autopilot may have been an issue. He apparently had not yet received instruction on unusual attitude recovery. Therefore I doubt the statement that he was fully qualified for the conditions.
@@occamsrazor6830 i hope so🙏🏼
I like the way this narrator calmly , respectfully narrated JFK Jr. final hours . So Sad.
Maria, I was so glad he helped us with some closure. Flying so much with my boyfriend then husband I know flying I like factual details I for me needed to know what really was going on in that plane. It has helped me to give some closure.
Yes and I remember clearly that I was shaking inside, and then there was the interminable waiting - for some news. No news for quite a long time. I must have turned on my TV or radio every hour on the hour. It seemed like days, though it may have only been one or two days. Ted Kennedy is coming to the scene. Carolyn Kennedy is coming to the scene. And so on. But nothing at all for the longest time; just speculation. Finally the news filtered in, then blasted on headlines: Fatal crash with no survivors. Devastating. We all really felt empty inside that such a charismatic man and his beautiful wife were gone. Impossible to believe. Still is in some ways.
A beautiful, informative, well produced and heartfelt account. I doubt that anyone could understand this tragedy so completely without your attention to the myriad of details and your obvious experience as a pilot and a devoted humanitarian. Thank you.
Bullsh*t, this guy knows nothing & takes a great many things for granted, neither does he answer the suspicious questions raised in some of the accounts which he attacks!
Hey 😊 JFK 💯% well and alive, Q news official. Tellagram (YT erase comment if spell correct and if write this sentance correct)
Thank you so much! A 66 year old Grandmother remembers where I was when President Kennedy was shot and where I was when John Jr's plane was lost. Thank you for bringing clarity to a confusing disaster. So respectful.
This was bone chilling. Very impressive recreation. I know nothing about piloting airplanes but I always thought the only mistake he made was flying at night. RIP to him, his beautiful wife and sister in law.
No , the only mistake he made was not listening to his mother " not to fly " had he, his wife and sister-in law would be alive.
Yup. Would have been far far better to get a good nights sleep and head out at first light.
@@MrSonoranbird yes my thinking is he's was tired at the end of a busy day,and 100% consentration is a must, very sad indeed.
Caroline could be Cruel, a side effect of serious indulgence in
"Bolivian Marching Powder"
John simply " P- Whipped"- outgunned.Tried hard to please her... Flying with left leg in a Cast as well.
Distractions on top list of Oops factor...
M
I'll always remember John John and the John F. Kennedy family, RIP
😭
They are alive
@@samanthapuntis3278 you are delusional.
Thinking of Carolyn Kennedy🌸
He was NEVER called John John. That’s a myth. He was always called John.
I’m not a pilot and that was beautifully interpreted. Thank you for taking the time to do that.
I'm not a pilot myself, but I stumbled upon this video that really caught my attention. It provides a detailed and accurate account of the final moments of a great man who was admired by many, including myself. The Kennedy family, and especially JFK and his son John, hold a special place in my heart. It's hard not to wonder how much good John Kennedy Jr. could have done for our country if he had been given more time on this earth. May he rest in peace.
In what way was JFK Jr. "a great man."
I watched him speak in California, what an eloquent speaker he was. I remember hearing of the crash in disbelief, what a heartbreaking tragedy.
Tragedy? He ran some inconsequential magazine that ran for 6 years.
He was a very reckless person and not highly intelligent. He and he alone is responsible for what happened to those poor people on the plane with him. Every time Kennedy does something wrong, they make them out to have a legacy of being martyr or being a grand person as with Teddy Kennedy, who also was responsible for a woman’s life. You always need to tell both sides of the stories. It’s pathetic that you don’t.
I never heard the eulogy before, and it touched me deeply. What a sad ending to these three young lives. Thank you for the best explanation of this accident, and for no judgement or condemnation. It’s by far the best video about JFK Jr.’s tragic accident. May all three rest in peace.
I wasn’t expecting to get choked up by a flight video. This is a beautiful tribute to a man and family who’ve experienced more tragedy than most can comprehend. Thank you for this!
@@mw9860 yep. I know for a fact...
JFK Jr. is alive, along with Michael Jackson and Princess Diana...they have been working for humanitarian causes and now fast approaching the reveal.
@@michaelsullivan3553 she was ok... she out smarted them all. Kennedy had everthing to do with faking Marilyn’s death...he saved her life. You’ll see what you have been told about everything is a lie. You might need to sit down for what’s coming.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
@@mw9860 what is the channel? Is it on rumble too? I don't have telegram
John & family are still alive. They faked their death's. To help bring down deep state.
The mechanic found C4 & altitude meter to detonate. Pre Recording of John voice, changed to remote detonation. Used rubber practice rescue military dummies for bodies. Todd Berger was John a pilot that called in to news channels.
Deep state wanted him gone.
He was planning on NY senator race. HRC Bush Chaney & Biden
Biden was being sued by John for kidnapping& murder plot in SDNY.
1 attempt was made to nab him off his bike.
Then John dressed in women's clothing & wig.
They have 3 adult children now.
John is working with Trump.
I still feel like just a simple error in the wrong frequency could cause such a plane crash... Very sad. This was a great investigation by this gentleman.
It wasn’t a concrete cause, but a start to a domino effect of mistakes that led to a crash.
@@melxdan Yes I believe so.. Its a shame that there isn't a difinitive answer to alot of things we will always ponder on however I thought this was very well done by all means and professional standards but I get where ur coming from.
He never should have flown with a bad ankle and without all his instruments training. If he had followed his instruments, he never would have crashed.
@@Chris-f4e1d what if the aircraft was sabotaged ?? I had read that some people wanted him to enter politics and some people were not happy with the thought that he would run for anything!! It would have been an instant win… May he Rest in Peace together with his other two passengers…
@@Chris-f4e1d did you ever hear that Jackie had always emphasized to him TO NEVER take flight lessons?? She might have had some premonition!
What a great tribute to John. I remember the day it happened. I was stunned and devastated back then, as the whole world was. Your words at the end were so touching they brought tears to my eyes…’ From the day he was born he became a part of us all. We knew his name even before he did.’🙏🏻
Both John Jr. And Lisa Marie Pressly had the haunting daily reminder that the nation knew their fathers better then they did, so sad.
Sorry, but it the whole world even if his father was a president of the US...
You did such a great job explaining how the accident happened to people who don't understand too much about aviation. Thank you for this video.
Thank you kindly for the positive feedback. I really appreciate the kind words of encouragement. Best regards, Tim
As a licensed pilot for over 40 years myself, it's easy to play backseat expert. Maybe the Saratoga was too much plane for a 300-hour pilot, if he had just worked the problem with the most alarming indicator, in front-center of his vision, the artificial horizon,
or if they had left an hour earlier etc..
Bottom line he, his wife and sister-in-law died and nothing now will change that.
You did an excellent and concise review of this tragedy. So sad he and the ladies'lives ended so early.
For me, the biggest take away form this 😟is to have plenty of time in type before flying others in particular.
The Saratoga is a high-performance bird and got away from him much easier than his C182 would have.
Still, what a sad ending for these young people.
Your review was so well done, I wanted to grab the yoke and throttle in the last few minutes and pull out.
It does not get more realistic than that and a good reminder how easy it is to get behind the aircraft you are flying!! With the vertigo he was dealing with, more time may not have helped this situation. So very sad !!
Thank you for your well-done presentation!!
This gentleman pilot, takes a lot for granted and takes a great many liberties with what he says must have happened. As I recounted, JFK, Jr did in fact, contact the M.V. tower around 7:30 I believe, in fact, a spokesman for the Coast Guard I believe, was interviewed on a local channel that night and reported emphatically that JFK, Jr. did contact the tower.
Thanks for putting this explanation together and the research behind it. I had heard through reliable people that John was not irresponsible or careless at all. That he was a well trained pilot. It did seem like a tragic chain of events that led to this accident. Leaving late, flying at night, wrong buttons, haze and perhaps a new plane. It causes an ache in my heart when I think of him...still.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. Rest in Peace to the 3 🤍🤍🤍. Still gutted at the loss. Prayers for all who love and miss them.
I was 24 years old when this happened and I remember being so affected by the death of someone I had never met. After watching your video and watching it unfold in the simulator made me once again realize the meaning of the saying “when it’s your time, it’s your time.” JFK JR., his wife and her sister were just gone too soon. I think the world hoped he would live a longer life than his father and that’s probably one of the fascinations I had about him since he didn’t seem to have any political ambitions but just wanted to help people and was super down to earth for someone in the spotlight bearing that last name & family history.
Very well said and thank you kindly! Best regards, Tim
was also 24 in most of 1999 :)
I was 24, a mother of two.. when I heard about his passing I was caring for my two daughters when I heard of his passing, I was devastated and saddened, though he hadn’t got any political ambition, I had hope that one day he would run for Presidency.
@@VampireKnight1972 I was so devastated. Like I thought about the kennedys and the besette parents who lost both their daughters. I thought he would make a difference in the world no matter what. I felt robbed that he died so young.
@@xengzulueta147 my thought was even though he passed so young he left much kindness and goodness so he did make a difference
So very tragic. A nice thoughtful tribute to John Jr, his wife, and sister in law. RIP.
Rest in peace
His not dead though.
Or there not dead.🙏🙏
@@bettyfiamengo6008 exactly
They are alive
Amen
He s not dead … he will come out soon to be Vice President of Trump …wake up people
I loved how you put together the simulation. You definitely brought about a realistic point of view. I went to the comments to gauge thoughts and it almost ruined the feeling of solace that people are still saying he’s alive. Have respect for those who have passed on and their loved ones. Thank you again for for this video. 👍🏽
Thank you kindly. I couldn’t agree more about being respectful. Best regards, Tim
Being a flight instructor with 2000 hours in Saratoga I remember that Saturday morning hearing about his missing airplane I immediately knew (thought) it had to be S disorientation. I could not understand why the auto pilot was not being used but this video answered that. Thanks
@@N34RT Please tell us at least one flaw, at least one erroneous conclusion, and at least one omission from this presentation. I'm sure we can all learn something from your knowledge. Thanks!
My good friend Mike became a pilot flying small six passenger planes at a Westerly Rhode Island.. he had logged thousands and thousands of hours in even was certified as an instructor... One fateful day he was flying out of Westerly with four passengers aboard.. according to the FAA report he banked too quickly losing airspeed and crashing... Killing himself in three of the four passengers aboard 😢..so sad .. any pilot can make a mistake even experienced once. Most crashes are not hardware involved or electronics failure involved.. they are pilot error RIP MIKE 🙏❤️
Yup...I called my brother, a private pilot since age 16, he Said "pilot error." Very sad, but true.
Joan used to ride to/fro BI to Westerly Maybe they knew each other. It's not the worst thing to passion doing what you love.
Died at 38 years old. Sad. Thank you for this video. Rest John, and the two sisters.
I just studied for, and passed the instrument rating FAA test. All of what you just presented with the graveyard spiral was covered in the book, and there are questions in the test bank that cover it. The procedure set forth in the usual attitude section showing a turning, nose low attitude indicator are clearly spelled out. 1) reduce power to idle. 2) level wings. 3) begin a climb and add power. Pulling back on the yoke could have overstressed the wings and pulled them off the plane at that speed because the load factor increases exponentially when back pressure is applied in a steep turn. This proved the spatial disorientation theory you presented, because he at some point had to review that material in his training, and would have known what to do, but being disoriented, and not believing what the instruments are telling you do make perfect sense for what happened. It's so sad that he lost his life. RIP.
Wrong. 100%. Ask your FI about the 100% safety factor and tearing the wings off. Laughable.
Thank you so much for posting this. The crash of John Jr and his wife and sister in law was too sad for words, especially for their families. Not only was John lost but the Bessette family lost two daughters at once. The whole country mourned these young people because something was lost to the whole country that could not be replaced, and that was HOPE. As a country we have moved steadily down hill since then.
Thanks for the BS?
If the Bessette family knew their history, they would have known it was just a matter of time before something bad happened to their daughter at the hands of a wealthy, entitled and spoiled Kennedy who no one ever had the nerve to say no to.
I'm not a pilot... I'm not an American (British), but I knew his name, and that of his father. When this showed on my feed I decided to watch it. I'm glad I did. You did an incredible job explaining how, and why, 'things happened'. It was an emotional ride for me, and I am not embarrassed to say I lost it when you choked up... just as I did when I watched that little boy salute his father's coffin all those years ago.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge mate... a sad video indeed, but one I am glad to have watched.
I was flying out of La Guardia heading to Tampa the evening that John died right around 7-7:30 pm. I distinctly remember looking out of the plane window and thinking that the sky appeared so creepy and hazy...just very unusual. Gave me the shivers. Little did I know John would crash at the same time I was landing. RIP.
Growing up in the Northeast, and having worked around boats and ships for years, fog can be quite commonplace during the summers.
What you saw was probably a foreboding.
Wow!
@CoolerKitty Cat Toy
I was living in Metro West Mass at the time and you're correct. The sky was Very Strange those few days with a Weird Haze and Invisible Horizon, I really don't know how to describe it but I have never seen a sky like that before or since....
@@charles1964 Than you so much for backing me up Charles, as I thought I was the only one. I am not psychic by any means, but something strange was gong on that night. I was born in NY, and I know what the sky is supposed to look like, and something was off that night. But it was more than what the sky/atmosphere looked like, it was what it FELT like. Very eerie. Bless you for reaching out as I have been troubled for years about what I experienced but had no one to talk to about it.
Excellent analysis of what most likely happened. Having an Instrument rating, and spending many hours under the hood in dual instruction, I can still hear my instructor from 1973 saying "trust your instruments, not your backside". And your point of John getting behind the plane at some point certainly adds to the reality that makes things easier to go wrong in a hurry. The other phrase drilled into my head - "above everything else, fly the damn plane". Thank you Herbie Mann, Sr. Flight Instructor at NAS South Weymouth Aero Club.
This was extraordinary. Such remarkable work honoring John, Carolyn and Lauren. Thank you
This is the most respectful and insightful video about JFK Jr. Thank you for honoring his memory and explaining in great detail what caused their deaths. RIP John, Carolyn, and Lauren ❤️
You took the words from me. If JFKjr could thank him for this, I am sure he would. Bless them all, wherever they are🙏♥️🌸
What if the NTSb report was fabricated and this person is doing this video to discredit real info that contradicts the official narrative? He claims to have read the Official report. I have also read it and conclude the following.
1. JFK was very wealthy and always flew with a pilot instructor
2. The fuel cut off switch was deliberately cut off during the steep dive
3. the only two things missing in the wreckage was the passenger log ( that would have named the Pilot Instructor) and the other front seat where the pilot instructor would have sat
4. There were several hour delays in the rescue ( It is speculative about what happend in those hours)
5. He was running against Killery for the NY senate seat and she won by default
6. He had a broken foot and the plane was new to him and he would not have flown with out the pilot Instructor
7. It was at night and he had only recently obtained his instrument rating on the piper saratoga.
8. There is little mention of any of these facts in the propaganda video you just watched thus not setting any record straight.
I can’t believe I can’t get the few I know to watch it. It’s the best ever.
THEY ARE ALIVE
@@pamelaoxford3482 LMAO no they’re not.
This tragedy has always haunted me. In the 90s I spent a lot of time on Microsoft Flight Simulator. Martha's Vineyard was one of the few airports in that software. I tried on numerous occasions to fly to MV at night and always ended up way past it flying into the dark night over the ocean. Frustrated I started looking into why I was always off. Turned out they had the wrong frequency in the manual that sent you off into the abyss. When I heard Kennedy was heading there at night, always creeped me out.
If you recall tho' the simulator pilot here said JFK Jr had flown there 35 x over the previous 15 mths, so he was NO stranger to the flight path or the frequency... is there such a thing as preset frequency settings in those things.. like radio stations on our car radios?
@@aussiegirl3473 35 times? Wow. Odd that Kaleigh Mcenany looks like JFKJr's wife did.
@@aussiegirl3473 porque que ele não fala do botão vermelho que ele acionou a 🚀 bomba Nuclear au irá e Iraque. Eu bloquei isso ele não te contou né 😌🤳#
@@marcorodrigues8303 Translation "why doesn't he talk about the red button that he triggered the nuclear bomb in au will and iraq. I blocked it he didn't tell you right"
Reply: i have no idea wth you're talking about?? 🤔 We are talking about JFK Junior NOT senior... who are you talking about?? 🤔
@@aussiegirl3473 I speak Portuguese couldn't understand what he said so translation won't help much.
Broke my heart to hear of his lost of life, wife, and sisterinlaw! My husband & I vacationed in Manhattan around that time frame/period, and left flowers on his doorsteps. I recalled it not being easy purchasing flowers, because many stores were out, dued to John F. Kennedy Jr. popularity! May all of them R.I.P♥
Who the Hell vacations in Maggot hat in ?
@@brucegoodall3794 listen you nitwit, grow the (f) up! I've vacationed In and out of the Country! Who the HELL are you to tell me where to vacation, you piece of ish.💩😊
The words at the end are the most beautiful tribute to this young man. It's really sad that they passed away very young. 38:51...it breaks my heart 💔
Those were his Uncle Ted’s words during his eulogy.
@@bradmarcum2927 I didn't know. Thanks for commenting.
This was by far the most beautiful tribute to JFK jr. Thank You for this video.I was move d to tears from your closing words. God Bless you.
Glad you enjoyed it
If you read the screen that was his Uncle Ted Kennedy'S words
@@virginiamills2298 Hes D E A D
@@rsmith8434 I’m not sure what you mean by your comment
@@FSMaNiA Very well done video. It's amazing how fast things can go from beautiful to tragic. Thank you..
What a thoughtful and careful analysis, as well as a tribute to 3 remarkable young people whose lives were cut tragically short.
Its sso Tragic. . . They had Everything, Except "Longevity."
Make the most of yr Life, Guys!! Youth is but merely "Fleeting."
.....Yet, to die in youth, is a tragedy of fate. He was but merely a "Sweet Prince." Snatched to soon. Regardless of his shortcomings (whatever it is/however you want to look at it), he was a "Prince" bequeathed upon the nation, albeit, temporarily, unto this well--born/well-worn Nation; and yet, both Father and Son, were destined to a perpetual sleep in youth. Much too young; to be far from the mourning crowd. Yet both Father & Son -- though they held the promise of something this Nation would have been proud of, yet, they were given to be loved for only but awhile.
In- memoriam. Still, this IS a Great Nation. For as long as She holds to her Body Straight and upRight through Beliefs, conviction and Deep-seated Values -- in Good, for their Next Generations, upholding Humanity and upholding True Values, and Steong Relations around the World, this Nation shall not be short on Friendship, Allegiance and Peace.
To have Earned the World's Respect and Willing Cooperation goes a long way towards Diignifying and enabling this Country to be perceived, believed as -- The Natural World Leader of Good.
The charming Prince of this nation had but lived for a short moment. They were both meant to be -- Father and Son -- for this nation fleetingly in Time. But the Impact, Memories and Change they left behind for this Chosen Nation shall always linger among its Citizens. Having known good strong Leadership brings its citizens together, Strengthens their Will, and Power and put on a Strong Front toward other nation or enemies.
Forever, their Memories be tuned into songs: "For Once in Time, This Nation Lost Its Leader. And a Prince.
Great job recounting a terrible accident. A good example to learn from and the realization that it could have happened to any pilot in a similar situation.
I remember this like it was yesterday. Just awful 😢
I had some hope he was alive, but now I feel sad.😪
Me too
Just Awful...I was in such denial.
I continued to believe that he was clinging to a rock...gorgeously...just clinging to a rock.
What a Fool believes.
I think there are many of us who will never forget this. And also remembered the photos of that little boy saluting his father's funeral cortege, even further back. These pictures never really fade.
Call me crazy but I still have hope that he’s out there with his wife and his sister-in-law.
RIP, but as a former airline pilot and CFI,
any pilot flying with no Instrument Rating flying VFR
+ at night
+ over water
= irresponsible at best.
The issue is flying without an Instrument Rating when there is no visible horizon, or restricted one,
..such as flying at night over an extensive unpopulated area or a large body of water.
Years ago, the FAA published "178 seconds to live" after SIM tests with VFR pilots in IMC revealed that most pilots crashed in under 3 minutes.
Agreed, but 10 miles visibility and clear skies doesn’t qualify as marginal conditions in this pilot’s mind. Those were the conditions at KMVY.
@@FSMaNiA Correct me if wrong...but enroute was not forecast 10 plus vis from New Jersey/CDW
Additionally, he knew the route was overwater, in the dark, with no horizon due to clouds.
Again, RIP...but his awful decision making is why the estate settled the lawsuit with his wife's family.
To put it kindly, he struggled with IFR training, and never completed it at FlightSafety/Vero Beach, FL
Classic case of get-there-itis.
Hi Marc,
I appreciate your perspective. I'm reading the extensive NTSB report and basing my opinion(s) on what the report actually says.
Here are excerpts from the NTSB Final Report regarding John's weather briefing, route conditions, and TAF's:
The information provided to the requester included en route weather observations from BID, BLM, EWB, EWR, FMH, FOK, FRG, ISP, JFK, PVD, and TAN. These observations indicated that visibilities varied from 10 miles along the route to 4 miles in haze at CDW. The lowest cloud ceiling was reported at 20,000 feet overcast at PVD. These observations were made about 1800. Observations for ACK, CDW, HYA, and MVY were also included.
TAF for ACK (July 16 at 1400 to July 17 at 1400) ... July 16 ... 1400 to 2000 ... Clear skies; visibility greater than 6 miles; winds 240 degrees at 15 knots. Becoming 2000 to 2100, winds 260 degrees at 13 knots.
TAF for HYA (July 16 at 1400 to July 17 at 1400) ... July 16 ... 1400 to 2200 ... Clear skies; visibility greater than 6 miles; winds 230 degrees at 10 knots.
This is a statement from another pilot who flew virtually the same route about the same time as John KTEB to KACK: Before departing the city, the pilot had obtained current weather observations and forecasts for Nantucket and other points in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. He stated that the visibility was well above VFR minimums. He also stated that he placed a telephone call to a flight service station (FSS) before leaving the city, while driving to TEB. Regarding the telephone call, he stated the following:
"I asked if there were any adverse conditions for the route TEB to ACK. I was told emphatically: 'No adverse conditions. Have a great weekend.' I queried the briefer about any expected fog and was told none was expected and the conditions would remain VFR with good visibility. Again, I was reassured that tonight was not a problem.''
Also from the NTSB report: In the 15 months before the accident, the pilot had flown about 35 flight legs either to or from the Essex County/Teterboro, New Jersey, area and the Martha's Vineyard/Hyannis, Massachusetts, area. The pilot flew over 17 of these legs without a CFI on board, including at least 5 at night.
Based on the information provided by the NTSB, it seems to me a 310 hour pilot with John's recent training and experience was operating well within both legal and personal limits.
Regarding his instrument rating training; On March 12, 1999, the pilot completed the FAA's written airplane instrument examination and received a score of 78 percent. On April 5, 1999, the pilot returned to FSI to begin an airplane instrument rating course. During the instrument training, the pilot satisfactorily completed the first 12 of 25 lesson plans. The pilot's primary CFI during the instrument training stated that the pilot's progression was normal and that he grasped all of the basic skills needed to complete the course; however, the CFI did recall the pilot having difficulty completing lesson 11, which was designed to develop a student's knowledge of very high frequency omnidirectional radio range (VOR) and nondirectional beacon operations while working with ATC. It took the pilot four attempts to complete lesson 11 satisfactorily. After two of the attempts, the pilot took a 1-week break. After this break, the pilot repeated lesson 11 two more times. The CFI stated that the pilot's basic instrument flying skills and simulator work were excellent. The pilot attended this training primarily on weekends. During this training, the pilot accumulated 13.3 hours of flight time with a CFI on board. In addition, the pilot logged 16.9 hours of simulator time. The pilot departed from FSI for the last time on April 24, 1999.
It does not appear to me that John was struggling with his instrument rating training. Other than lesson 11 VOR/NDB tracking he seemed to be progressing normally. In this day of GPS whiz bang technology it's easy to understand why he might be rusty tracking a VOR or NDB.
At any rate, John did not wash out of his instrument training at FSI. He paused on the training for two reasons; 1) Four days after leaving he purchased the Saratoga on April 28. He immediately begin training for and received his Complex Aircraft endorsement in the Saratoga. 2) His best friend and cousin dying of cancer was nearing the end of his life.
I'm not saying John didn't make mistakes on this flight. Obviously in hindsight he should have made different decisions. But I think any 310 hour pilot with John's level of training and experience would have and should have felt okay about a VFR night flight with the information he had at the time.
Because we are human, every pilot makes mistakes and at times makes poor decisions. Most of us get to live long enough to learn from them. John did not. At the very least, he deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Thanks again for your feedback. Kindest regards, Tim
@@pittss2c601 Yep
....I used to fly with a few rich and very smart for being humble guys in FL after they bought twins, or an upgrade post getting their private cert from a C172 to more powerful single like a Cirrus.
Especially when flying to the Bahamas or at night from say Boca on a short hop to Naples for a $200 hamburger....up from $100 due to fueling a twin :)
@Pitts S2C Who said John planned to fly with his CFI on this flight? It appears he planned to fly without him and did so. What reason does a 300 hour pilot have for needing a CFI for a planned VFR flight? How many hours do you think a private pilot needs before he should be confident to fly a planned VFR flight without a CFI?
Your animated depiction of the darkness and haze was spot on; I am a retired ATP and I was operating a Piper Navajo on an IFR flight from KTEB to KACK just a few minutes ahead of Mr. Kennedy, at an altitude of 7000'. The visibility that evening was adequate for VFR flight UNTIL one reached the Vineyard Sound...open water with no ground based lights or any horizon to see. Once over the Sound, I could not see anything as you described, "murky blackness". I recall (then called) Otis Approach saying something about a missing airplane after I landed at Nantucket, everybody had heard about it. Very sad. I heard that his original plan was to go to Hyannis direct and if so, he would not have lost visual contact with the ground flying along the coast.
Thank you for sharing this. It was a real challenge to create a video of an airplane flying in the inky darkness. Your comment sounds very familiar to one of the pilot statements I read in the NTSB report. What are the odds this comment is from the same pilot? At any rate, thanks again and cheers, Tim
@steve emery I’m so sorry about the troll/hater attack. I typically try to eradicate the pond scum before it sinks to the bottom. I have dealt with @Cerebro Brother and we won’t be hearing from him again. I really appreciate your comment and respect your feedback. Trolls and haters are miserable whiners that waste a lot of energy trying to pull the decent people down to their level. Now there’s one less annoying punk in here. Cheers, Tim
@@FSMaNiA Thanks Tim. Once again, nice work on your video.
So tragic. Spatial disorientation has to be one of the most terrifying things that can happen to a pilot.
Once your senses tell you the plane is doing something the instruments deny, it takes enormous amounts of training and will power to believe the instruments. I've never been a fan of flying VFR at night especially over water. Personally I think night flying should require an instrument rating.
It's just too easy to get disoriented.
Wow. You deserve some kind 9f award for this video! Outstanding. Thank you for all the work it took to put it together and the respect you were careful to give John.
Thank you kindly! A million views is it’s own reward for a RUclips content creator. Even better is knowing at least 95% of those million people can understand this accident for the tragedy it was. Best regards, Tim
Thank you for posting this. I personally know many pilots including a few who have lost their lives due to aircraft crashes and some who have crashed and lived . It’s so sad and heart breaking . Much love and respect to all aviators .
I met JFK jr at the Norwood airport a few months before this accident when he still was flying the Cessna. We chatted for a time at the FBO. I was a CFII at the time and mentioned to him that I few my students down to Martha's Vinyard for my student s requirements for the 50 mile night flight. I mentioned to him that MVY can fog-in in a matter of seconds and encouraged him to get his instruments rating. He said he was working on it. I have no doubt that the Saratoga complexity and his just released foot out of a cast was a contributing factor in this accident. What a tragic loss
Wow what a great story! Would you mind if I posted it on my Instagram page dedicated to him? What was he like in person? Did photos do him justice?
@@qazmanchannel sure post the story Thanks
I am not a pilot but have vacationed on Nantucket (island near Martha’s Vineyard) many times when I was younger. There were several times while out by the water that fog rolled in so thick that I was disoriented, to the point of nauseousness, standing on the beach. It was very eerie - you could not see just inches in front of you. I never experienced fog like that anywhere else. When I first heard about the plane crash the first thing that came to mind was that fog.
@@jlynn9451 weather modification
@@shawnferguson8387 seek professional help.
I am a retired Air Force Command Pilot, CFI, CFII, MEI and a former FAA Lead Safety Advisor. Speaking as such I disagree with your conclusions!
I flew earlier that day with a student. The haze was so bad during daylight that he could not maintain wings level! Over water that night he was in a condition called a black hole. No visual references up, down, level left or right. This requires going on instruments. Since he had no visual reference he started to bank from level flight. He noticed a slight altitude deviation and he applied back pressure on the yoke. There is something called the overbanking tendency of an airplane. Once he applied back pressure, the airplane banked a little more. This required more back pressure which induced more banking. Without the use of his instruments his graveyard spiral is inevitable.
He was not capable to take that flight that night!
He had other options. A flight instructor offered to go with him that night.
He could have flown north over land into Connecticut. At the narrowist point from CT to Martha's Vineyard it is only 15 miles over water.
That may be the case, but the man is going by the report that JFK Jr. would have seen in his office 2 hrs before his flight. The reports shown in this video stated clear skies. If he was offering different scenarios, this video wouldn't have been as well done. His 1 conjecture of an imbalance of fuel makes sense, given what the NTSB provided
@denimjez Have you ever flon into black hole. Over the ocean, at night, no visibility, no ground references. It is as if someone put a bag over your head. I flew with a high time student earlier that day. Visibility was so poor in day VFR conditions that he couldn't keep wings level. I was an FAA Safety Representative at the time. We were cautioned by the FAA to offer no opinions on that crash.
I know *nothing* about flying: this beautifully made video has given me a respect for private flying I've never here-to-fore considered. John's last day consisted of a series of exhausting events that, unfortunately, culminated in tragedy. Reading the many comments of trained pilots below, some of whom mention close calls with spatial disorientation, I can't help but feel that the distraction of the fear and uncontrollable vocal panic of Carolyn and Lauren has to be factored in.
Bull he was unqualified and was warned by his instructor not to fly its called pilot error. He was arrogant and stupid and yes I am a pilot myself with the guts to call it as it was
@@arvincook5049 Thank you for being honest & he was also on a crutch because of a leg injury .Nobody ever brings that into it .
@@amayha3293 He wasn't walking to his destination.
But he was not a seasoned pilot, he flew at night. You can not distinguish land from water unless you have lots of Instrument Hours and she was probably running her mouth. He should have stayed with the Cessna 182 and my experience is the SARATOGA was too much for him. He just had not flown long enough to go to that size plane. I wish they would have waited until the morning to fly. This was preventable and it is so sad.
@@arvincook5049 well, over confident and maybe she was pushing him and maybe the family of the wedding was wanting them to come the night before. It is like Kobi Bryant no helicopters they crash so easy. That pilot did not have Instrument Rating or he would not have taken off in the fog. Everyone was grounded but because he was a star they let them take off. Never fly a night if you do not have your Instrument License and many many Instrument hours. Daylight only. Always fill the fuel. Do not fly or take off in storms. Enjoy flying there will always be many perfect days to fly. Makes me want to try again but at 65 no.
Having been in aviation maintenance for over 30 years, I always wanted to learn what technical challenges JFK Jr faced on that tragic flight. At the time there were so many videos of speculations and conspiracy theories of what caused the crash, I was disgusted at viewing all of them, and accepted the generalized cause as "Pilot Error". Thank you very much in creating this informative and excellent edited video using the flight sim to demonstrate what happened on that tragic flight.
You’re very welcome.
It was pilot error. I wonder how much the search/rescue and search/recovery cost plus the investigation? $millions
@@Blue-hf7xt most aviation accidents are attributed to pilot error. Are you suggesting we don’t search for downed aircraft to determine the cause? How will we know what happened and what can be done to prevent further accidents? How do we keep scavengers from raiding the wreckage and selling off pieces on eBay? Did you engage your mouth without your brain???
If you want to lay blame for this horrible tragedy look no further they his coke snorting wife.
The day of the crash she was so very late arriving at the airport because she kept changing the nail polish colour on her toenails. Arrived very late it was getting dark he did not have a permit for night flying. A pilot offered to fly them but John said no.
By the time they took off it was dark who knows if they argued
John became disorinated and the plane ended upside down and crashed into the ocean.
Why she did not get her toenails done the day before is beyond me. The same scenario at her wedding kept everyone waiting for over an our while she kept adjusting her dress.
I do not believe the Kennedy's should have paid her familie
Compensation for her snd Laurens death, they should have sued for her irresponsible
Lack of concern for her husband and sister because of her stupid toenails.
@@marirothbauer5407 The pilot in command has the final responsibility for the safety of flight.
FS, beautifully produced. There are no small mistakes in flight. Time is an illusion until it is not. Our end here is our beginning elsewhere.
Well said!
UNDER WATER DARK NO WAY TO NAVIGATE!
Very well said.
Their HERE...... They're alive and well, they have two beautiful children son looks like his handsome father John and their daughter looks like her beautiful mother Caroline Kennedy and Caroline and John have a grandchild who they have taught to love the water as much as they do, they're very much alive trust the plan. As the First Lady would say,
BE BEST! 😁🇺🇲🇺🇲👍🙏
@@1freedomfan441, the spirit is forever. If more souls would consider that, they would let go of the material and cling to the eternal opportunity to join what truly is the Divine. God bless, #1FF.
My brother lost the horizon once and he was lucky his trainer was with him. He said he was completely confused. He was in training
A beautiful, very sad, non-judgemental and powerfully-moving presentation of John Kennedy Jnr's last hour.
Respect for the pilot who told us of this event.
You had me in tears.
Safe flying to you Sir...
Bev
Cape Town, SA 🇿🇦
19 July 2021
Thank you for your kind words! Cheers from the USA! Tim
Thank you for this explanation and beautiful tribute at the end. My husband had just bought a turbo Bonanza and was IMC and ended up in one of those spirals but he knew how to get out of it and did. The plane needed some repair to the wings after as I recall but we enjoyed it for many years after that incident. I always thought it was a good thing I wasn't in the plane when it happened because I might have been a distraction.
My son in law had a shop in Turkey that attracted tourists and John and Caroline visited him while on their honeymoon. SIL really liked John. Some years after John's death his sister Caroline came with her husband to the shop and my SIL told her that her brother had sat there and pointed to a picnic bench. He said she started crying. Such tragedy that family has suffered and from all accounts John was a really good person despite all the attention that he wore it so well.
I remember that summer 1999, I was 11 years, Dan Rather came on TV and they were searching for his plane, and my mom kept saying John John's plane is missing not again.
GO to Russ Bakers Book "Bush Family of Lies"
@@Hands2HealNow What are you insinuating?
@@Hands2HealNow he named his magazine after his Dads killer I always thought it was Soros until I found out Bush Sr was in the CIA then I knew! His magazine actually referenced pizza gate & things happening today back then! The one that has the cover with a blonde model
@@barbiechic5294 I was under the impression that the name of “GEORGE” for his magazine was because it represented the first president of the United States: George Washington. Also JFK Jr. wanted his magazine to represent the kind of politics his Father President JFK Sr. stood for.
@@susanmaendel8438 no I watched a video about it he vowed to take down the person responsible for his dads death. I thought it was Soros but it was Bush
This is one of the best vids I’ve ever watched on RUclips, no matter the subject, and I’ve been watching YT for years. Bravo and thank you!
Wow! Thank you too!
I was the last person to do accepted artwork for Jackie in 1994, and John thanked me for cheering up his mom. That's long ago, I know, but it was something I'll never forget. I'm 70 now. So, whatever.
What is "accepted artwork"?
No, not whatever. That's a great memory most will never have!
@@kristykewl69 really, can you imagine?
@@JimiBegbaaji maybe the artwork she purchased or liked, compared to the others she didn't want or liked(?)
I don't know, I am just guessing.
As a former military pilot, I wondered what happen with this incident. Great explanation.
Is he still alive?
If you were a military pilot you would know this guy as no idea what happened and this whole video is bullshit and this guy seems to be physic,,,I wonder why the ntsb doesn't consult him when a plane crashs😉
Serious. Do what? Did you or did you not watch the video? All three passengers died on Impact! So, no dear, he's not still alive. I know, I'm sorry too.
@@milliebanks7209 I think 'seriouswoman' is either a troll or not so serious and embraces conspiracy theories.
Back in my younger days I was a commercial pilot with multi-engine, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings. I agree with you and the FAA that it was "spatial disorientation". A non-instrument rated pilot has an average of 178 seconds, just under three minutes, in instrument conditions before they enter a maneuver from which they do not recover. (This comes from 1954 research done at the University of Illinois that, in my opinion, is flawed. But it is directionally correct and consistent with what I observed in non-instrument rated pilots.) The underlying problem is difficult to understand unless you've been disoriented yourself: Pilots who are spatially disoriented don't believe their instruments. That's because fluid in your inner ear says you're straight and level when your instruments say you're in a descending turn. It takes lots of training to not believe your body.
Kennedy probably didn't realize that flying at night under a cloudy sky without reference to the lights on the ground is just as bad as zero visibility. That means he was technically legal, even though he was not instrumented rated, but he put himself in a position as dangerous as if he'd flown into clouds with zero visibility. I get that. Most pilots with such limited experience don't recognize that losing reference to the horizon, whether weather related or not, is like zero visibility. I'm confident that this is why a flight instructor offered to accompany Kennedy that night.
What bothers me is that Kennedy had too much instrument instruction to get into a death spiral. Of all the things to learn to get an instrument rating, holding heading and altitude is relatively simple, especially compared to entering holding patterns, communicating with air route traffic control, navigating, and shooting instrument approaches. And if he's gotten into a death spiral, he should have been able to get out of it. That's about the simplest recovery to teach; it is a far simpler than the unusual attitudes he surely had practiced with a flight instructor.
In my opinion, there may have been two other contributing factors. First, I used to think a pilot was at the most risk at something like 200 hours. It seemed to me that at this point they have enough experience that they become confident and relaxed - too confident and relaxed. Second, it has occurred to me that Kennedy might have had too much instruction. That sounds odd, but hear me out. He had 310 total flight hours with 238 hours of flight instruction. That leaves only 72 hours of solo time. I've never heard of such a high proportion of flight instruction time. Kennedy's solo time is about the same as most pilots with one-third of his total flight time. Also, I doubt that the flight instruction was really flight instruction, meaning I would be shocked if it the flight instructor wasn't really just "sandbagging" or acting as a co-pilot. Those are not true learning experiences. If I'm right, Kennedy really had not much more proficiency than a 100 hour pilot with 12 hours of flight instruction. That's not much.
I know nothing about aviation, so please forgive me. Is it possible if he took the time to file a flight plan, they may have instructed, maybe ordered he fly along the lit coastline?
@@denisek292 Nope, if I understand correctly, Kennedy's flight was perfectly legal. It was technically visual flight regulations and he was not penetrating any restricted air space. So they would have cleared him as filed.
You are spot-on, Steve H! As a former VFR pilot, I had a few flights where I pushed the envelope. I learned that as a non- professional pilot, I should not flight at night and that I should probably only fly with a copilot in relatively easy conditions. John engaged in a very challenging flight in a high- performance aircraft. A true tragedy which involved the loss of three wonderful people. Incredibly sad……
@@steveh7803
Bullshit
It was reported that JFK Jr. was allegedly seen walking into a convenience store with crutches shortly before the flight as "his ankle still too tender to bear his full weight." It is not a reach to suggest that he was prescribed Vicodin for the pain. Given the absence of a
viable toxicology report since his body was not removed from the wreckage until Wednesday, July 21st--four days after the crash--there is no way a reliable test for Vicodin, the half-life of which is slightly less than 4 hours, could have been made. Then, too, any sample would have been contaminated by immersion in sea water.
It is not uncommon that the drug can still affect people eight or nine hours after consumption. Just a thought but that might explain his ill-advised decision to make the flight.
Furthermore, JFK Jr. has less than 20 hours solo in the aircraft and 10 at night. Flying is not a single skill but a composite of numerous ones. It seems to be merely presumptive to suggest JFK Jr. was a "good pilot". Some pilots are exceptional "stick-and rudder" pilots; others are better on the gauges. We simply have no idea about John's abilities in instrument conditions at night. And while it is true that spatial disorientation has killed very experienced pilots, it doesn't mitigate JFK Jr.s ill-advised decision to make the flight.
So full of it!
@@Divine-Thunder.
Fact: One day before the crash, Thursday, JFKJr. had his cast removed at Lenox Hill Hospital on Manhattan's Park Avenue. Witnesses who recognized him said it appeared his ankle could bear his full weight.
Ever watch an NFL game? You don’t need to be an orthopedist to recognize a tender ankle.
Ever break an ankle that required a cast? It’s days-sometimes weeks-before moderate pain diminishes and full flexibility and strength return.
Fact: NTSB Report Identification: (NYC99MA178):
“Witnesses reported that they saw the pilot using crutches.”
Fact: Prior to the flight JFK was seen on a crutch hobbling inside a gas station where he purchased a banana, a bottle of water and some batteries. He was identified by Roy Stoppard, a business executive and experienced pilot who had just flown down from the Cape.”
Fact: The remains were found in the Atlantic five days after the crash at a depth greater than 100’.
Fact: ugs
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently analyzed toxicology tests from
6,677 pilots who died in a total of 6,597 aviation accidents between 1990 and 2012. The results
demonstrate a significant increase in the use of a variety of potentially impairing drugs. 10% to 40%.
More than 20% of all pilots from 2008-2012 were positive for a potentially impairing drug, and 6% of all pilots were positive for more than one.
This is not to declare JFK Jr. would have screened positive for any drugs had his remains and tissue samples not been severely degraded by being in the Atlantic, it merely suggests, drugs have entered the cockpit:
Such a contributing factor deserves inquiry.
As a pilot with nearly 18,000 hours I did an experiment: weeks after an car crash that produced moderate pain, I took one 5mg Oxycodone, hopped in a sim, and attempted to do two RNAV approaches that I could do in my sleep-and with far better conditions than a 300-hour private pilot had.
The first was borderline acceptable. The second was unstabilized, resulting in a stick-shaker stall warning and eventually, after bringing skills to the table a low-time pilot could not possess, I did a fair job.
The frightening aspect of this was the drug-induced confidence.
So, with JFK Jr, you have an inexperienced IFR pilot, on crutches, in obvious pain, who had been recently prescribed Vicodin, and you rule out any possibility he had taken a pill 4-6 hours earlier believing any effect would wear off?
(The half-life of that drug is 4-6 hours. If he took a Vicodin ES at 3:00, half of the drug would still be in his system at 7:00.)
Anything is possible. Definitely, poor judgment on his part. Should have brought his instructor along. Maybe, trying to win his wife's approval. I suspect that she was the 'alpha' brain in that relationship-a bit controlling from a distance, possibly.
I met him. Shook his hand. My hands were shaking during this video. RIP.
I know exactly where I was when this happened. It was so sad and is still heartbreaking. Thank you for your insight.
Thank you for taking the time to break all this down for those of us who wanted to understand what happened that tragic night. The video was so well done, I felt like I was sitting in the plane. Your explanation and honest facts regarding John’s experience as a pilot dispelled all the ugly rumors and misleading comments printed in the papers and reported on television, at the time of the accident. Well done.
Heartbreaking
Oh Thank You, and take care!
yes thank you for this and the classy words at the end
Yes, as someone who flies right front seat in small aircraft, it is unbelievable how quickly things can get out of control. One little thing...just one to distract the pilot enough to miss five other things is really all it takes to be overwhelming. I kinda wish his wife had had some training to competently assist. Very tragic.
This was an incredible and very detailed account of this terrible tragedy. I can only imagine the horror they must have felt. But thankfully, they may not have known their impending demise, traveling at a rate of 200mph. John jr. had so much more to give the world. So sad for the families they left behind.
Absolutely beautiful tribute. God bless their souls, and keep them forever safe in Your House.
I used to think I'd like to get my pilot license. This video is exactly why I never did. I got spacial disorientation and felt complete panic just watching this video.
When you start flying you do it VFR (visual rules), where land is always in sight and you do not have spacial disorentation.
Pedro Arraztoa yea this is true but you do end up needing those night landings and cross country at the end of training.
Getting an IFR rating after the Private Pilot rating takes care of all the fears of spacial disorientation.
@@MacNmey Right. John was only a few hours into IFR training. Even then he had to repeat a few of those hours. Why he didn't trust his instruments is baffling.
@@Lehmann108 That's a good observation, but in reality "trust" is the key word. There is a reason that to be awarded an instrument rating you must log at least 40 hours under the hood or in actual IMC conditions. It's all about learning and embracing "trust" in those instruments. Or you might say "comfort level". With John's only limited time under the hood, his primary comfort level was still entirely in the VFR environment. Even though he had perfectly good instruments right in front of him and even knew how to use them, his comfort level was still looking outside the window to get that reference he was comfortable with. I suspect that he in fact did reference his instruments a little bit, but was desperately searching outside for that reference he was comfortable with and in that scenario your eyes will lie to you. Your eyes will see some little anomaly in the distance and tell your brain "horizon" because your brain "wants to see a horizon", and instinctively you make control inputs according to that "false horizon", and it all goes rapidly downhill from there. A competent IFR pilot feels just as comfortable "going to the gauges" as he/she does looking out the widow for references. It's no big deal. As soon as things begin to get borderline, you simply go on the gauges and THAT becomes your primary reference point. Johns level of comfort on those gauges was simply not nearly up to the demands that evening.
I was at work when it came over the radio. I started crying and called my Mother. I'd just lost my own brother in February. My heart broke for Caroline.
@Shannon Hughes Thank you for sharing! Cheers, Tim
John Kennedy Jr.’s eulogy was perfection, one of most beautiful tributes I have ever heard.
His uncle Ted captured it beautifully. He was an amazing orator as they all were. I miss them all
What a beautiful statement by the narrator at the end.
@Donde Merlin those were the words of his Uncle Ted during his eulogy.
This was an outstanding presentation. Heartbreakingly realistic
“The whole world knew his nome before he did.” How profoundly descriptive. As a private pilot myself, I think this is an excellent evaluation of exactly what must have happened
What is a "nome"?
"We dared to think, in that other Irish phrase, that THIS John Kennedy would live to comb gray hair." / "But like his Father he had every gift but length of years." - I liked this part.
@@helmutsecke3529 Johm.
Just breaks my heart. My Mom had passed the week before (July 10th), and I was very sad. I remember watching the news all day long, hoping/praying they would be found, trying not to cry. When it was confirmed there it had crashed and they had died, my heart just shattered, and I began to cry. The TV Channel played the song "Angels" by Sarah MacGloughlin (sp?) which still makes me cry today. I've been a long-time fan of John and Carolyn, and I felt so robbed of not being able to see what they would've accomplished in their life, and the beautiful children they would have had. We'd been to Martha's Vineyard the summer before, and had seen the spot that they crashed (though we did not know at the time). That, somehow, made me feel closer to them, but even more heartbroken than before. I am glad to know that they died upon impact; the thought of them struggling in the dark, cold water was horrible. They got married in secret, and died in secret, free from the damned paparazzi. I try to imagine them dying, lost and confused, but suddenly seeing JFK and Jackie, in front of them, waiting for them to help guide them through to their next journey. John, Carolyn, and Lauren, you are loved, and sorely missed. RIP. 💖😭💔