Franklins Hurt In USA Airshow Crash

By: Newforest - 13th March 2011 at 11:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

And as reported on CNN. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. :)

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/03/12/texas.plane.crash/

By: Stepwilk - 13th March 2011 at 14:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Sounds bad. This local-paper report...

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/fiesta-123823-air-crash.html

...reports 60- to 70-percent burns, which isn't often survivable.

By: geedee - 13th March 2011 at 16:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

An update on ASB quotes...

All, Please forward this letter on to whoever you see fit...

Good morning all. Let me first express on behalf of Amanda, Kyle,
myself and both of our families so many thanks for all of your prayers
and well wishes. We are all so fortunate to have such a wonderful
support network in all of you.

We are still waiting for updates and it could be many hours, days, or
weeks before we know exactly how the recovery process will play out
between Amanda and Kyle. I can however report that Kyle was not injured
and or burned as badly as reported earlier by the media and is expected
to make a full and rapid recovery. I can also say that the updates we
are receiving on Amanda are increasingly optimistic and though she has a
long road of recovery ahead of her, the doctors are giving us the
impression that things are not as bad as first reported and her chances
for a full recovery are getting better not worse. The first 24 hours
will set the tone for the story ahead.

I also have to extend a very sincere thanks to my brother-in-law Kyle
who I strongly credit for the fact that my little sister is still with
us. Having witnessed the accident and being on of the first on the
scene, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he made no less than
five quick decisions in the air and on the ground that gave her a second
chance at life!!

When the engine quit, Amanda was on the top wing in the rack. Kyle
continued to fly the airplane in a straight and level fashion as long as
he could to give Amanda every opportunity to unstrap and get into the
front cockpit where she would have the best chance in the event of a
hard landing. He also resisted the tendency to turn for the pavement
which typically induces a fatal stall/spin situation. He avoided a
landing in the pyro field which could have proven to be fatal, and faced
with the only other option of land in mesquite woods, Kyle landed into
the wind drastically reducing the forward speed at impact. Upon
reaching the scene, I noticed that he set the airplane down in the only
Waco sized piece of ground in that dense woods that didn't have tall
trees in it. Kyle sustained the majority of his burns trying to pull
his wife from the wreckage and when his efforts produced no results, he
stayed in the cockpit and transmitted a repeating distress call about
the post impact fire that had started. I honestly believe this
motivated the rapid responders to press through the brush and douse the
airplane at a more rapid rate which meant the split second difference
that saved Amanda, who was still in the plane.

The first responders on the scene did an excellent job of responding to
the situation in a rapid manner. Having a professional air boss teamed
up with professional CFR personnel made a world of difference that could
be the single most important factor that both Amanda and Kyle are still
with us.

Please continue to send your thoughts and prayers this direction because
we sincerely believe they are helping. I will pass updates along as I
receive them.

Sincerely

Having seen the vid of the event, I am amazed that they survived at all. Also, lets not forget the emergency services for their fantastic response !. My sincere best wishes to Amanda and Kyle for a full and speedy recovery and looking forward to seing them back in their normal envirnment

By: Wyvernfan - 13th March 2011 at 16:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

I second that. Thank God she managed to get off the wing and back inside.!

By: The Blue Max - 13th March 2011 at 18:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Thoughts are with them for a full and seedy recovery.

By: Rocketeer - 13th March 2011 at 18:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

The Franklins and Younkins are legendary airshow people. Their resolve through tragedy is as awe inspiring as their amazing feats. I wish Kyle and Amanda speedy recoveries....my thoughts are with you, Matt and your families and friends.

By: Flygirl - 16th March 2011 at 19:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Here is a nice video, wishing them both a speedy recovery. http://www.youtube.com/LiveAirShowTV