Listers,
Any accident with a plane dampens our spirits. If you are a pilot and you have a pulse, you cannot help reacting to such events in horror.
For some, it brings up the reality of our mortality, thus is uncomfortable. For others, it kindles fear that a favorite airshow will be cancelled by the terrified public. Some of us fear increases of our insurance rates. It touches us all in many ways.
I also know that as pilots, we mentally distance ourselves from others who die or make mistakes, citing that that could 'never happen to me', "becuase I'm a (insert your favorite rationalization here) Pilot."
I want to caution us about making judgemental statements about any aircraft accident, especially with regard to the pilot's abilities and motivation. Why? I have a personal personal perspective.
I used to criticize pilots involved in accidents all the time, internally, via email and with pilot friends. I'd mentally judge them about their lack of commitment, lack of training, anything to make me feel superior. I realize now that I was saying these things to make myself feel better, thus safe. I consoled myself with the mantra: "It could never happen to me, I"m just too good, train too hard, etc."
...........then I had an incident that involved aircraft damage and bodily injury in a very public place.
Within 15 minutes, a big black SUV rolled up to the scene, and two men told me to get in. Mouth dry, stomace cramped in fear, I sat in the airconditioned backseat grilled by men in sunglasses and ballcaps. The driver's hat said NTSB, and the passenger's said FAA. I haven't been the same since.
Once you've been there, you are a changed pilot.
I hope this never happens to any of us on this list. I also hope that if you do have an incident, you (or your survivors) never stumble accross an email or conversation among strangers that professes to know why your accident happened and how it could have been avoided. The aftermath of an accident is tough enough for everyone, especially those directly involved.
Art in Asheville