Man, 88, leaps to death from biplane near Gillespie Field

The San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | 3/29/04

[South40]

EL CAJON – A possibly suicidal or disoriented 88-year-old passenger in a biplane leaped to his death today as a companion was piloting the craft toward an East County airport, authorities said.

The man climbed out of the dual-wing plane as it flew over a mobile-home park near Gillespie Field airport in El Cajon about 4:45 p.m., according to investigators.

The pilot tried to pull him back inside, but "tragically couldn't do that and fly the airplane at the same time," sheriff's Capt. Glenn Revell told KNSD.

"And the man left the aircraft, plummeted through the air, struck two power lines on the way down, glanced off a building and was killed on impact," he said.

The man's plunge through the utility lines caused some power outages in the neighborhood, a dispatcher said.

The man's name was not immediately released.

[GeronL]

"And the man left the aircraft, plummeted through the air, struck two power lines on the way down, glanced off a building and was killed on impact,"

and his name is Lucky?

[GeronL]

bump

[GOPyouth]

He's dead, Jim.

[StriperSniper]

While a ride in an open-air biplane would cool, what was this guy doing in one? Couldn't they have sent a Yellow Cab for Gramps?

[South40]

"And the man left the aircraft, plummeted through the air, struck two power lines on the way down, glanced off a building and was killed on impact,"

I think his name was Sparky.

[Screaming_Gerbil]

Ping to you for your "Just Damn" Ping List...

[GeronL]

"Thats my trailer! No need to land young man"

[12B]

El Cajones

I'll say.

[GOPyouth]

You can ride in the old planes for the right amount of $$. Back a couple of years ago I went up for an hour ride in a B-17 courtesy of the CFA here in Texas.

[GeronL]

ouch. I wonder if he was too old to be a Darwin winner? He was likely only able to add to the gene pool with Viagra.

[South40]

While a ride in an open-air biplane would cool, what was this guy doing in one?

I'd like to know how he managed to get the seatbelt off. I know my 91 year old father-in-law needs assistance every time.

[GOPyouth]

Maybe he was trying to be a SEAL and thought he was in Coronado rather than El Cajon. heh heh

[coffeebreak]

Too bad about the man. If he asked to go for a plane ride just so he could jump out, it seems like a very complicated way to commit suicide.

[South40]

El Cajones
I'll say.

Yeah...it means the box, and he's in one now.

[Jagdgewehr]

Wasn't the "Wings Over Gillespie" air show last weekend? There are two two-seater biplanes that take passengers on a 30 minute flight for 50.00 during the show.

[GOPyouth]

Yeah, no joke. I mean, hell, he should have just gone up in a biplane and....wait... nevermind.

[StriperSniper]

for the right amount of $$

I just wonder if his beneficiaries were the ones who booked the flight. I would hope not, it just seems weird for an 88 year old man to flying in the open air.

[Lawdoc]

How does the song go? .... It's raining men...

[South40]

The article said he may have been disoriented. Perhaps he thought they had already landed.

Whatever the case, it's a strange story, and it happned just a few miles from my house.