Passenger Killed In Taxi Accident

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Key Takeaways:

  • A passenger in an RV-6 homebuilt aircraft was killed in a taxiing collision with a Grumman TBM Avenger at Oshkosh AirVenture.
  • The accident occurred when the larger Avenger struck the RV-6 from behind while both aircraft were in line for departure.
  • The passenger, Gary Palmer, president of EAA Chapter 245, was the sole fatality, while others involved were uninjured.
  • The EAA expressed condolences, and the NTSB is continuing its investigation into the incident.
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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.

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