SAN MARTIN
–– New life came two days early for a Grass Valley man who flew
his friend’s plane into a dirt farm field just north of San Martin
Airport two days before Easter.
SAN MARTIN –– New life came two days early for a Grass Valley man who flew his friend’s plane into a dirt farm field just north of San Martin Airport two days before Easter.
And, although he was not resurrected, Thomas Thompson did survive the Good Friday crash which totaled the single-engine Piper Tomahawk he was flying. After the plane’s engine failed in mid-air, the veteran pilot veered the craft left, ripping through a Murphy Avenue chain-link fence before coming to rest in the dirt field.
He suffered no injuries, and after the crash he was unflappable, taking photos of the downed plane for future memories and record keeping. “I did everything right I guess,” Thompson said. “I’ve been a flight instructor for 18 years. What I always have told my students, regardless of whatever happens, always fly the plane.”
Thompson did the standard inspection before take off, he said, so it is unclear what went wrong with the plane. Thompson could only tell that the plane’s engine sputtered and then began to fail.
“It’s my best buddy’s plane and now he owes me a beer,” Thompson quipped. The friend, Bill Byrne of San Mateo, arrived on scene shortly after the crash. Byrne was going to take photos of Thompson as he flew the plane.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the accident shortly after 1 p.m. Friday. They confirmed there was no suspicion of Thompson being under the influence of alcohol or intentionally trying to cause harm.
The single-engine Piper Tomahawk valued at roughly $25,000 was totaled in the accident.
“It’s OK. That’s what insurance is for,” Byrnes said. ”I’m just happy everyone is fine.”
