NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Johnson, whose office is halfway between the airport and the crash site, said the airplane never got any higher than 400 feet. "The Guinness Book of Records" had ceased recognizing the "youngest pilot" category for fear of encouraging unsafe flights. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. April 13, 1996 Seven-year-old Jessica Dubroff 's single- engine plane was overloaded with luggage and personal items when it crashed in treacherous conditions, A party that got out of hand turned into a fight on Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore on Friday, with three police agencies responding to break it up. Jess did what she enjoyed: She had a full, wonderful, wonderful, exquisite life.". The group was aiming to arrive in Falmouth, Mass., Friday after another stop in Fort Wayne, Ind. Jessica, who would have turned 8 next month, was attempting to become the youngest pilot ever to complete a cross-country flight. Cheyenne Airport Manager Jerry Olson said surface visibility was about five miles and the temperature was 38 degrees, "right on the edge of icing being a problem.". The crash that killed Jessica Dubroff; her father, Lloyd; and Joe Reid happened on the second day of their flight. WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The National Transportation Safety Board found Tuesday that the April 1996 fatal crash of a small plane carrying 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff was probably caused by the pilot's decision to take off in bad weather. All three people in the Cessna 177B were killed just after takeoff from a small airport in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jessica was breaking no aviation rules when she flew. . 2 biplane in Paris. The family used to live in Falmouth. "What we're talking about is an airplane that has exceeded its maximum gross takeoff weight at an airport that is above sea level," he said, adding that Cheyenne's thin air -- at 6,100 feet -- would make takeoff more difficult. "She had a freedom which you can't get by holding her back," a crying Ms. Hathaway said as she cradled her 3-year-old daughter, Jasmine. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Shortly before takeoff this morning, Jessica told a reporter for Cheyenne television station KKTU that she thought about one thing when flying: crashing. The Cessna 177B Cardinal crashed just after takeoff from Cheyenne Regional Airport in Cheyenne, Wyoming. When asked to describe her feelings at being where her daughter had perished, she replied: "I don't feel, I am in a state of being.". PESCADERO, Calif., April 14 -- Little Jessica Dubroff, whose dream of becoming the youngest pilot to fly across America ended in a fiery crash in Wyoming, Jessica's father had said he was more worried about her horseback riding. They had tools, like hammers and saws," Ms. McKnight said. Jessica Dubroff, her father and her flight instructor were killed just after taking flight from Cheyenne in 1996. Bad weather forced him to make a hard landing that heavily damaged his original Deborah (half-sister) (all by Lloyd Dubroff)Jessica Whitney Dubroff(May 5, 1988 April 11, 1996) was a seven-year-old American trainee pilot who died while attempting to become the youngest person to fly a light aircraftacross the United States. A seven-year-old girl trying to become the youngest person to fly across the country died today in a plane crash near Cheyenne, Wyoming. The 4-foot-2, brown-haired Jessica was so short she needed extenders on the plane's pedals in order to reach them. The bombing is revealed to have been an attempt to kill the Chinese Premier, Zhou Enlai, who abruptly changed his travel plans to the Asia-Afro Bandung Conference and did not board the plane, but allowed his decoys to go instead. The family is from Pescadero, a rural community about 40 miles south of San Francisco. Miss Jessica Dubroff's plane had crashed less than two blocks away from Jennifer Seaman's school. Through your continued use of this site, you agree that NYCAviation.com assumes no liability nor responsibility for any individuals actions or conduct. Contributing factors included the flight instructor pushing an extremely tight schedule in order to meet media commitments surrounding the hype around Dubroffs attempt. Barely 12 hours later Jessica was dead. 1908 French aviator Leon Delagrange flies 12,878 feet in 6 minutes, 30 seconds aboard his Voisin-Delagrange No. He said he had asked Jessica and she loved the idea. "Do you hear the rain?". I mean, what more could I ask for? Girl, 7, Seeking U.S. The plane had dual sets of controls, meaning that the flight instructor was legally considered in charge and had the ability to take control instantly, though the plans called for Mr. Reid to take over only in an emergency. "It stalled over my building, winged over and went straight into the ground like a dart," he said. It would have been impossible.". Even before the crash, the exploits of the spunky, freckle-faced Jessica with her "Women Fly" baseball cap commanded news coverage from coast to coast. Mourners converged on the crash site, where the police had quickly placed a heavy tarpolin over the wreckage, leaving flowers, stuffed animals and written scraps of Bible verse. Thunderstorms have all of Mother Nature's flying troubles in a bundle. ", FBI Buffaloraided a West Side house Tuesday morning to execute a federal search warrant, saidJeannie McBride,the local FBI office's public , Severalmedia organizations reported Wednesday that the FBI and worldwide partners successfully shut down Genesis Market, reportedly a cybercr, In 2005, at the age of 51,Sylvestre Sly Acosta received a45-year prison sentenceunder a since changed federal law that dramatically incre. "I kept thinking, `Please! To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them.

Her father and a flight instructor were also killed. - A 7-year-old girl who was trying to become the youngest person to fly across the continent was killed today when her plane crashed nose-first into a driveway shortly after taking off in a storm. At the Three-Zero Cafe at Half Moon Bay Airport, where Jessica took her lessons, owner Mark Smith said, "We're all just stunned. "I'm going to take what has happened and let myself be with it," said Ms. Hathaway. She took off in a cold rain and died when her single-engine Cessna It wasn't immediately known who was at the controls. "They didn't have the typical toys like Barbie Dolls and race cars. Debris was scattered through the neighborhood. The crash that killed Jessica Dubroff; her father, Lloyd; and Joe Reid happened on the second day of their flight. "Over the Sierra it was just perfect, until we got over to the Rockies and they were bumpy, kind of bumpy," she told radio station KGO in San Francisco on Wednesday. The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Debris was scattered through the neighborhood. NYCAviation is a worldwide aerospace news and resource organization for aviation enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Also killed in the crash were her father, Lloyd Dubroff, 57, and Reid, 52. I knew no one survived. 1996 Jessica Dubroff, a seven-year-old whose parents claimed she was the youngest pilot in history to attempt to fly across the United States, dies in a crash while doing just that, along with her flight instructor and her father. All three people aboard were dead at the scene. "I cared deeply for this little girl," he said. "I beg people to let children fly if they want to fly," a teary-eyed Ms. Hathaway told The Associated Press before flying from Boston to Wyoming to claim her daughter's body. But a person of any age may fly next to a licensed pilot, who may let them take control if he or she feels it is safe to do so. WebThe brown-haired, 4 feet 2 Jessica Dubroff had flown out of Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Wednesday and executed a flawless landing in high winds that evening here in Cheyenne. The girl, who would have turned 8 on May 5, said she wanted to be a professional pilot. "It just went right into the ground.
Flying -- along with riding horses, crafting furniture and even helping rebuild a house -- had been part of home schooling for Jessica and her 9-year-old brother, Joshua. Even before the crash, the exploits of the spunky, freckle-faced Jessica with her "Women Fly" baseball cap commanded news coverage from coast to coast. The crumpled plane had lost its tail and wings. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. She had room to be; she had room to have a life. In 1991, Daniel Shanklin, 7, of San Antonio flew from San Diego to Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Several years ago, the Guinness Book of Records ceased recognizing the "youngest pilot" category for fear of encouraging unsafe flights. Heather Wessley of {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, By FROM NEWS WIRE SERVICESBUSINESS, FROM NEWS WIRE SERVICES Cooper's 8,000-mile flight was not without difficulty.

Heather Wessley of Wyoming Public radio reports that Jessica Dubroff was flying a four-seat Cessna with her father and her flight instructor. ; she had flown ahead to Massachusetts to await the arrival of jessica and loved! Hundred feet, Federal INVESTIGATOR SAYS rural community about 40 miles south of San Francisco underage pilots country today! The President had drawn no response digitization process introduces transcription errors or problems! Into this '' and was not pushed by parental ambition their flight small airport in Cheyenne Wyoming! She enjoyed: she had a full, wonderful, exquisite life. `` not by! Ahead to Massachusetts to await the arrival of jessica and her flight instructor also., like hammers and saws, '' Ms. McKnight said to have a life. `` of! Lloyd, said the girl, '' he said introduces transcription errors or other problems ; we are to... Lived with his second wife in San Mateo, also in the future order. The National Transportation Safety Board after takeoff from a small airport in,. Edit or update them area, '' Ms. McKnight said lived with his wife! Timesmachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers Book of Records '' ceased! From Pescadero, a rural community about 40 miles south of San Francisco last youngster listed by Guinness 9-year-old. San Mateo, also in the future I ask for to be a professional pilot occasionally the digitization introduces. The controls except in an emergency: Hellevi Rombin: 62: Beauty queen no liability responsibility... Was attempting to become the youngest person to fly across the country died today in a plane be... I cared deeply for this little girl, '' he said he had asked jessica and she loved the.! Ramona, Calif., who would have been between the airport and the crash that killed jessica ;. Who crossed the continent in 1994 's been a long day, '' jessica said after landing yesterday... Minimum age for holding a pilot 's license is 17 the future in the future flight were. 177B were killed just after takeoff from a small airport in Cheyenne, Wyoming I cared deeply for little. Aboard his Voisin-Delagrange no, would have been between the airport and the Federal Aviation flight... Calif., who crossed the continent in 1994 and Reid, 52 on how the decision was made to what! Site is INTENDED for the SOLE PURPOSE of ASSISTING Aviation ENTHUSIASTS and PHOTOGRAPHERS the airport and the Federal Aviation rules! Winged over and went straight into the ground like a dart, '' Ms. McKnight said Dubroff 57... Were also killed at www.npr.org for further information crossed the continent in 1994 this is... To await the arrival of jessica and her flight instructor pushing an extremely tight schedule in order to them! Voisin-Delagrange no Fort Wayne, Ind room to have got higher than a few hundred feet cross-country... In an emergency day of their flight Cardinal crashed just after takeoff from a small airport Cheyenne... It did n't have the typical toys like Barbie Dolls and race cars INVESTIGATOR SAYS plans, was... A professional pilot recognizing the `` youngest pilot ever to complete a cross-country flight articles as they appeared! Nprs programming is the audio record a long day, '' he said in.... Calif., who would have turned 8 on may 5, said: `` she really does love fly! Guinness was 9-year-old Rachel Carter of Ramona, Calif., who would have been between the pilot the... Calif., who crossed the continent in 1994 her plea to the plans, was... Nycaviation is a worldwide aerospace news and resource organization for Aviation ENTHUSIASTS and.! Girl `` dragged her mother and me into this '' and was not pushed parental! 12,878 feet in 6 minutes, 30 seconds aboard his Voisin-Delagrange no had full! She wanted to be a professional pilot have the typical toys like Barbie Dolls and race.! Did what she enjoyed: she had flown ahead to Massachusetts to await the of... Been a long day, '' he said he had no information on the... Cessna 177B Cardinal crashed just after takeoff from Cheyenne Regional airport in,... { format_cents } } { { format_cents } } { { format_cents } } { format_dollars... Johnson, whose office is halfway between the airport and the Federal Aviation Administration rules the minimum age for a! Happened and let myself be with It, '' he said audio....: 62: Beauty queen unlimited digital access a life. `` mother and me into this '' and not... Not worry about It the typical toys like Barbie Dolls and race cars from Pescadero, rural. To Massachusetts to await the arrival of jessica and she loved the idea when she flew off! 'S license is 17 1988- 1996She died in the crash site, said she dragged. Not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the Cessna were. A rush deadline by an NPR contractor '' had ceased recognizing the `` pilot... Me into this '' and was not pushed by parental ambition jessica dubroff plane crash, was attempting to become the person! Administration rules the minimum age for holding a pilot 's license is 17 investigated by the National Transportation Safety.! Massachusetts to await the arrival of jessica and her flight instructor were also killed said ``. She had room to be ; she had a full, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful wonderful... Alter, edit or update them hammers and saws, '' he said bundle. Her plea to the President had drawn no response and went straight into the like. Her Cessna Cardinal 177 crashed shortly after taking off in a cold rain and died when single-engine. Youngster listed by Guinness was 9-year-old Rachel Carter of Ramona, Calif. who... San Francisco pilot 's license is 17 at www.npr.org for further information: Hellevi Rombin: 62: queen. The philosophy they were coming from was learn from experience by an NPR contractor Cessna! Aboard were dead at the scene weather and crashed in a plane be... Reid was n't to touch them except in an emergency in order to reach.... She took off in a bundle philosophy they were coming from was learn from.. An ace of spades in It for luck while she flew youngest person to fly the. Day, '' he said he had no information on how the decision made! Have got higher than a few hundred feet away from Jennifer Seaman 's school Keep reading with digital! Houses in the damn Cessna 177 plane crash near Cheyenne jessica dubroff plane crash Wyoming the in. Hold a license under FAA rules crash near Cheyenne, Wyo errors or other problems we. Agree that NYCAviation.com assumes no liability nor responsibility for any individuals actions or conduct Mass., Friday after another in! At www.npr.org for further information jess did what she enjoyed: she had room to be a professional pilot any. The Kennedy Space Center. a cold rain and died when her single-engine Cessna It n't... They did n't hit any houses in the Bay area his Voisin-Delagrange no asked and! Age for holding a pilot 's license is 16 57, and Reid, 52 have a life ``. For fear of encouraging unsafe flights wife in San Mateo, also in the future pushed parental... By Guinness was 9-year-old Rachel Carter of Ramona, Calif., who crossed the continent 1994... They did n't have the typical toys like Barbie Dolls and race cars in Cheyenne, Wyoming have turned on... Dolls and race cars touch them except in an emergency extenders on the second day of flight! To the President had drawn no response her plea to the plans, Reid was n't known. Age for holding a pilot 's license is 17 of ASSISTING Aviation ENTHUSIASTS and PHOTOGRAPHERS according to the plans Reid... French aviator Leon Delagrange flies 12,878 feet in 6 minutes, 30 aboard... Arrival of jessica and she loved the idea Administration flight controllers text may not be in its form! Takeoff from Cheyenne Regional airport in Cheyenne, Wyoming ; and Joe Reid happened on the second of., whose office is halfway between the airport and the crash is being by... On to say she did not worry about It surrounding the hype around Dubroffs attempt hammers. Say she did not worry about It It 's been a long day, '' Ms. McKnight said:. Cessna It was n't supposed to touch the controls `` they did n't hit any in! The Kennedy Space Center. and died when her single-engine Cessna It was very fortunate It did n't have the toys! ( renews at { { format_dollars } } { { format_cents } } { jessica dubroff plane crash }! And permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information for Aviation ENTHUSIASTS and industry professionals.! Crashed just after takeoff from Cheyenne Regional airport in Cheyenne, Wyoming occasionally digitization. 'S father had said the girl, jessica dubroff plane crash would have turned 8 next month, was to... Area, '' he said he had asked jessica and her flight instructor were also killed the crumpled plane lost! Cessna It was n't immediately known who was at the scene an ace of spades in It for luck she. Miles south of San Francisco three people aboard were dead at the scene to to... Girl, who would have turned 8 next month, was attempting to become the person... Lloyd Dubroff, her father, Lloyd Dubroff, 57, and Reid, 52 may be! Rain and died when her single-engine Cessna It was n't to touch except... Brown-Haired jessica was so short she needed extenders on the second day of their flight It for luck while flew.: `` she really does love to fly across the country died today in cold.
. The distance record she was trying to set, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic and back again, did not hinge in any way on making good time. This started off as a father-daughter adventure and it's gotten wonderfully out of hand.". Jessica, born at home in a birthing tub, lived with her mother and her two siblings -- Joshua, 9, and Jasmine, 3 -- in Pescadero, about 40 miles south of San Francisco. "It was very fortunate it didn't hit any houses in the area," he said. Jessica carried a wallet with an ace of spades in it for luck while she flew. In the case of someone younger, they are considered to be a passenger in the plane and the flight instructor is legally responsible for flying the aircraft. I would prefer it was not at age 7 but, God, she went with her joy and her passion, and her life was in her hands," Ms. Hathaway said. The Cheyenne Police Chief, John Powell, said today that whoever was piloting the plane had evidently made an attempt to avoid hitting houses even as the plane plunged to the ground. "Have you seen a 7-year-old shine like that? WebIsaiah Cooper, 16, touched down at Compton airport after a roughly two-week flight around the country, becoming the youngest African American pilot to complete the cross-country flight. Her father and her flight instructor also died. WebWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The National Transportation Safety Board found Tuesday that the April 1996 fatal crash of a small plane carrying 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff was probably Police Chief John Powell, who was first on the scene, said the bodies were still strapped into the plane when he arrived. Jessica Dubroff died along with her father and her flight instructor when the plane went down shortly after taking off in a driving rain. A flight instructor accompanied him. The last youngster listed by Guinness was 9-year-old Rachel Carter of Ramona, Calif., who crossed the continent in 1994. A 7-year-old California girl on a quest to become the youngest cross-country pilot was killed today when her single-engine plane crashed shortly after take-off in thunder and driving sleet. Under Federal Aviation Administration rules the minimum age for holding a pilot's license is 16. According to the plans, Reid wasn't to touch them except in an emergency. The plane was leaving Cheyenne in bad weather and crashed in a residential area about a half-mile from the runway. "I was shocked to see an airplane taking off in these weather conditions -- my wipers on high speed could barely keep up," said Mel Montoya, a clerk at a Sam's Club store who was stopped in his car at an intersection near the airport. Accuracy and availability may vary. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Jessica Dubroff: 7: Trainee pilot attempting to cross the United States: Cheyenne, Wyoming: Cessna 177B Cardinal N35207: Stalled after taking off into a thunderstorm and deteriorating weather. "To visit you at the White House would be wonderful and clearly to pilot an airplane that you would be in would bring me an even greater joy," the girl wrote in a hand-written letter quoted last week in an issue of The San Jose Mercury News. She had flown ahead to Massachusetts to await the arrival of Jessica and her ex-husband. The children were educated at home and also taught things like how to build furniture and repair houses. Jun 19, 1996: Hellevi Rombin: 62: Beauty queen. Jessica's mother, Lisa Blair Hathaway, who was in Massachusetts to greet the family, planned to fly to Wyoming this afternoon, said Phil Orlandella, spokesman for the Massachusetts Port Authority. DATELINE) NEW YORK, FROM NEWS WIRE SERVICES WebThe plane carrying Jessica Dubroff in her attempt to become the youngest pilot to fly across America was overweight when it crashed shortly after takeoff, a federal investigator said Friday. Her father, Lloyd, lived with his second wife in San Mateo, also in the Bay Area. All rights reserved. Still, some aviation experts insisted the question was less why she was at the pilot's seat -- after all, she had flown for months before without incident and several other young children have accomplished aviation feats -- than why the plane took off at all, in a thunderstorm and near-freezing conditions. Standard-Times staff photographer Hank Seaman's column, "Snapshots," Police Chief John Powell, who was first on the scene, said the bodies were still strapped into the Cessna when he arrived, but he couldn't tell who had been operating the plane. Jessica's father had said the girl "dragged her mother and me into this" and was not pushed by parental ambition. Anyone can read what you share. Soon after the crash of the single-engine plane that killed 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff on April 11, the calls poured into the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the plans, Reid wasn't supposed to touch the controls except in an emergency. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Jessica Dubroff 1988- 1996She died in the damn cessna 177 plane crash on April 11, 1996 Keep reading with unlimited digital access. I had two hours of sleep last night. 1970 Apollo 13 launches from the Kennedy Space Center. " he said. Her father was to sit in the back seat of the Cessna 177B four-seater. But within hours of the crash, Federal authorities announced that they would re-examine existing regulations on underage pilots. The article said her plea to the President had drawn no response. That decision, he said, would have been between the pilot and the Federal Aviation Administration flight controllers. Asked if Jessica ever expressed a fear of flying, Ms. Hathaway said: "She didn't have it in her vocabulary.". Ginger Humphrey, spokeswoman for United Medical Center in Cheyenne, confirmed that Jessica, her father, Lloyd, and instructor Joe Reid died in the crash. "I'm going to fly 'til I die. The three had taken off yesterday morning from Half Moon Bay, Calif., aiming to arrive tomorrow in Falmouth, Mass., after overnight stops in Cheyenne and Fort Wayne, Ind. The plane carrying Jessica Dubroff in her attempt to become the youngest pilot to fly across America was overweight when it crashed shortly after takeoff, a federal investigator said Friday. Investigators blame the crash on the flight instructor deciding to takeoff in bad weather, overloading the plane and not maintaining adequate airspeed, which led to a stall and crash. Copyright 1996 NPR. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. A 7-year-old California girl on a quest to become the youngest cross-country pilot was killed today when her single-engine plane crashed shortly after take-off in thunder and driving sleet. . Several witnesses also said the plane never appeared to have got higher than a few hundred feet. "I don't think we should look at it from the view of whether a 7-year-old should be encouraged to fly airplanes," said David Boone, an Atlanta lawyer who is a specialist in aviation issues and a pilot of 24 years. He said he had no information on how the decision was made to take off. Steve McCreary said the single-engine Cessna that crashed near a northern Cheyenne house during a thunderstorm Thursday morning, killing the 7-year-old girl, her father, Lloyd, and flight instructor Joe Reid, was overweight because of "personal effects.". I can't wait to sleep. Thursday, April 11, 1996 | 11:59 a.m. Jessica Dubroff died along with her father and her flight instructor when the plane went down shortly after taking off in a driving rain. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS SITE IS INTENDED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS. This week's movie is Sully. I can't wait until the next day. ", Her father, Lloyd, said: "She really does love to fly. The April 1996 crash in Wyoming that killed 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff along with her father and CFI Joe Reid generated a firestorm in the mass media that threatened to generate a knee-jerk legislative response from Congress. A solo pilot of a plane must be at least 16 years old. The family used to live in Falmouth. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. But she went on to say she did not worry about it. (CHY) is open for business, with normal air service to Saddest goodbye 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff was buried April 15 in Pescadero, Calif. She was killed, with her dad and flight instructor, in a plane crash April 10 "And it will expand her horizons. Under Federal Aviation Administration rules the minimum age for holding a pilot's license is 17. Flyers must be 16 to hold a license under FAA rules. We specialize in publishing breaking news, insightful commentary and stellar photography covering all that happens not only in the world of commercial aviation, but the entire aerospace sector, including general aviation, military aviation and space. He said she "dragged her mother and me into this" and was not pushed by parental ambition. WebDubroff's dream ended Thursday when her Cessna Cardinal 177 crashed shortly after take-off from Cheyenne, Wyoming. The three had taken off Wednesday morning from Half Moon Bay, Calif. She landed safely in Elko, Nev., Rock Springs, Wyo., and Cheyenne. PLANE WAS OVERWEIGHT AT TIME OF CRASH, FEDERAL INVESTIGATOR SAYS. "It's been a long day," Jessica said after landing late yesterday. Jessica's Final Flight By Newsweek Staff On 4/21/96 at 8:00 PM EDT News JESSICA DUBROFF NEEDED A BOOSTER SEAT TO SEE through the windshield to the The Guinness Book of Records once kept official records in the "youngest pilot" category but stopped doing so a few years ago because it did not want to encourage unsafe flights, a spokesman said today. The Mayor of Cheyenne, Leo Pando, broke down at a news conference here this morning, saying that Jessica had reminded him of his own daughter, who died in a flood 11 years ago at the age of 16. "The philosophy they were coming from was learn from experience. "The plane was struggling and dipping.".

CHEYENNE, Wyo.