Shortly after noon as this year’s AirVenture was nearing its close, a passenger in an RV-6 homebuilt was killed when a Grumman TBM Avenger ran into it from behind while taxiing at the Oshkosh airport. Both the Avenger (a very large WWII taildragger with limited forward visibility) and the RV were in line for departure at Wittman Field, on the taxiway on the west side of the airport’s main runway, 18-36. The propeller of the Avenger sliced into the RV and passenger Gary Palmer, 63, of Nepean, Ontario, was killed. Palmer was president of EAA Chapter 245 in Ottawa. The pilot of the RV, Donald Reed, 58, of Carp, Ontario, was unhurt, as were the two on board the Avenger. “It’s always a very difficult situation when there is a loss of life,” EAA President Tom Poberezny said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our sincere sympathy goes to the families and to all involved.” The NTSB is continuing its investigation into the accident.
Passenger Killed In Taxi Accident
Key Takeaways:
- A fatal taxiing accident occurred at Oshkosh AirVenture when a Grumman TBM Avenger struck an RV-6 homebuilt from behind.
- The incident resulted in the death of Gary Palmer, 63, a passenger in the RV-6 and president of EAA Chapter 245.
- Both aircraft were on a taxiway awaiting departure when the Avenger, a large taildragger with limited forward visibility, collided with the RV-6.
- The NTSB is currently investigating the accident.
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