Jim Ayers and his passenger, Craig Templeton, were killed in a crash last Saturday in Jim's HRII at Oxnard, CA. Jim attended many events at Oshkosh and Sun-and-Fun. He was an MT Prop distributor and overhauler. Jim's first project was an RV-3 which he eventually fitted with a supercharged LOM engine. He also owned an RV-6A that he used for propeller comparison testing. It's not clear what happened, but it appears the engine failed just after takeoff and they crashed in a freshly-plowed strawberry field about a mile from the airport. Craig had recently completed an RV-12, his first aircraft, and was very excited about flying. Both of these gentlemen were very generous and supportive of the local experimental flying community. We'll miss them both. The preliminary NTSB Report has been released but there is not much info.
Here are the details for services for Jim Ayers and Craig Tempelton:
Jim Ayers
Saturday, July 20, 2013 2pm
United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks
1000 E. Janss Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-495-7215
Craig Tempelton.
Saturday, July 13, 2013 2pm
Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park
5600 Lindero Canyon Road Road
Westlake Village, CA 91362