Jack Roush's Jet Crashes At AirVenture

(Photo: Jon Whittle)

Probe Underway in Roush AirVenture Crash


The NTSB has scarcely begun its investigation of Tuesday evening's crash at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. According to EAA, NASCAR team leader Jack Roush, 68, was returning to Oshkosh after flying his P-51 Mustang back to Willow Run, Michigan. He had performed in the Mustang at the afternoon air show. At about 6:15 pm CDT, Roush and a passenger were on approach for Runway 18 at Wittman Regional Airfield in his Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1A. The twin-engine jet landed hard and skidded off the runway into the grass, spun around and broke in two. Though the engines continued to run for some time, there was no fire. Roush emerged with a bloodied face, was transported to a local hospital and was listed as in critical but stable condition. His company's website reports that he is expected to make a full recovery. His passenger, Brenda Strickland, 61, was also hospitalized with minor injuries, and then released. At his previously scheduled press conference, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt responded to a question about the crash. He said the NTSB is currently conducting its investigation. He said he expects video of the accident to be available for investigators, but added, "At this point, I know what all of you know."

More details, as well as a video taken before Mr. Roush exited the plane, after the crash, can be seen here: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/07/29/wisconsin.roush.crash/#fbid=hHIAuaNUXw3

Great Chicago Concert

Never fails!

The one and only "Chicago"

Looks great for 75 years old

Everything had wings!


Yesterday’s Chicago concert was fantastic. For as long as that band has been around, it still has not lost that unmistakable Chicago sound. The band played all their old songs as well as some new. The band has plans to play in Australia, South America as well as other location in the near future.
Mr. Edsel Ford of the Ford Motor Company, one of the largest sponsors of AirVenture, was on hand to help kick off the concert as well as to unveil the new 2011 Ford Explorer, a car that won’t be seen in showrooms for another six months. The Explorer made a grand entrance by flying in, suspended from a huge helicopter called the Ericson Flying Crane. I must say, I’ve never seen a car arrive quite that way before!
Another wonderful sight was the arrival of a large flight of Douglas DC-3’s that must have covered five miles of sky when they flew over. The DC-3 is celebrating its 75th year, and was credited by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower as “The plane that won WWII”. The DC-3’s here at Oshkosh are some of the few still able to fly. One plane belonging to Buffalo Airlines was on hand, coming all the way from Alaska where the Airline still flies passengers on a daily basis. It is the only regularly scheduled airline in the world still flying the Douglas DC-3.

Elkhart To Oshkosh

As far as the eye can see!

Yes...that is TP!


I left Elkhart, Indiana this morning, well before sun up and made my way to Chicago. I know I swore I would never go through Chicago again, but what can I say? Never say never, I guess. Since it was Sunday morning, getting thru Chicago wasn’t too bad.
As I arrived at the Oshkosh airport, I passed a line of hundreds of campers and motor homes parked on the side of the road. The line was at least a mile long without any exaggeration. Seems that due to all the rain recently, the campground had been closed last night and all those campers were waiting to get in and register at the campground. It looked to me that it would take an entire day to register that many people. Well, since I was already at the main entrance, I stayed there and talked to some of the people that were also waiting. After about an hour and a half wait, the entrance was opened and it was every man for himself. Long story short….I was number four in line 

P.S. The WiFi that ran throughout the campground last year has been removed, so there are only a couple of places to connect to WiFi in the campground. Thus, I will update as often as I can.

Made It To Indiana

Left the house a little later than I had planned because the weather had conspired against me and formed a "Perfect Storm" over the entire route I had planned. I had planned to go through Canada to Michigan, then north to the Mackinac Bridge and on to the upper peninsula of Michigan. I would then head east and south to Green Bay, Wisconsin and then on to Oshkosh. That was the plan, but as we all know, plans change. Looking at the weather radar this morning, it looked as if I could take Route 90 west to Rout 80 and stay just under all the bad weather to the north. This did indeed work out very well. I only encountered a few drops of rain the entire day. It was actually very hot and sunny most of the day.
I decided to quit for the day when I reached Elkhart, Indiana. Now the problem is that a gentleman at the hotel told me that Chicago has been hit by severe flooding today, shutting down some of the area Interstates. Great!! Just what I need. As if driving through Chicago isn't a big enough pain in the butt. I had said I would not drive through Chicago again, but it looks like I will be going through it once more.
Oh well, I will be in Oshkosh tomorrow morning.

"The Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration"

Experimental Aircraft Association's "AirVenture" starts next Monday, and as I have for more than ten years, I will be riding my K1200LT to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for a week of everything aviation. There's some big things happening this year, like a free outdoor concert on Monday by none other than "Chicago". The largest gathering of
Douglas DC-3 aircraft since WWII, among other events. I will be posting updates here as well as on my Facebook site, so stop back often for updates. (click on the picture above or the word "AirVenture" above to go to a very nice video about AirVenture. Put the cursor over the video then click on the control bar at the bottom to go full screen. That's the way it should be viewed.)

Horizons Unlimited News Letter

The Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travelers news letter for May and June is out. If you are interested in motorcycle adventure riding, then this is something you should read.
May and June News Letter here.
Visit the Horizons Unlimited Web Site here.