I've know Ed Lewis for 20 years. He was a great guy and was in addition to being a past Pacific region Commander was also National Vice Commander under Brig General Anderson

Quote from: RiverAux on November 09, 2007, 04:23:32 PM
Folks, I hadn't realized that the FAA was putting up preliminary reports so soon.  Would they put up a preliminary report for an aircraft that has been missing or do they wait until they've been found to put up the report.

FAA does not post preliminary accident reports until the aircraft has been located.  How could they possibly post an accident report if the airplane hasn't been found, it might not have crashed.

This crash was reportedly witnessed by a Las Vegas Metro PD helo crew which was out looking for another missing GA aircraft.  The other aircraft was located OK.

Ed Lewis was a research pilot with NASA.  His official NASA bio is here:
Ed Lewis NASA Bio

I didn't know Dion, but Ed was a good friend and mentor of mine.  My condolences to the families of both men.

Mike

QuoteHow could they possibly post an accident report if the airplane hasn't been found, it might not have crashed.

A valid point, but this is the government we're talking about and anything is possible....

Col Lewis's offical NASA picture.

I have known Ed Lewis for all of my 15 years in CAP and I have to say that he was one guy whom I greatly respected.  He was hard to like, but easy to respect: he was always a voice of reason in an organization where reasonableness is increasingly missing.

His primary duty at NASA most recently was in Air Ops, but he had flown the DC-8 research aircraft for lots of years.  He flew O-1 FAC missions in Viet Nam and was a retired AF Reserve Colonel.  He served a tour as the CC of CAWG, in addition to the other positions that have already been mentioned.  He was currently the Region DO.

It is my understanding that he had ferried the GA-8, located in CAWG, up to Nellis AFB for the weekend Aviation Nation and was returning to his home in Rosamond, CA prior to going to the Wing Conference in Ontario.

I had met DeCamp several times, but can't say that I knew him.

May the Almighty care for their souls and the hearts and souls of all who have come in contact with both gentlemen.

From CAP News Online:

QuoteCAP leaders die in plane crash

Pacific Region director of operations, Nev. Wing commander were en route to Rosamond, Calif.
November 09, 2007

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS -- Two nationally recognized, highly regarded members of the Civil Air Patrol – Col. Edwin W. Lewis Jr., director of operations for CAP's Pacific Region, and Col. Dion E. DeCamp, commander of CAP's Nevada Wing – died Thursday evening when their CAP plane crashed south of Las Vegas.

Lewis had traveled to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to drop off a CAP airplane to be used as an airshow display.  He and DeCamp where apparently en route to Rosamond, Calif.,  Lewis' hometown, when the crash occurred.

Lewis and DeCamp had enjoyed long and distinguished careers, both in the U.S. Air Force and CAP. Most recently, both men were actively involved in the search for legendary American aviator Steve Fossett.

Lewis, 71, had served in the Civil Air Patrol for more than 50 years. He was a former national vice commander, elected in August 1993. He served in that capacity for one year. Before that, he served as Pacific Region commander for four years. He also was California Wing commander from 1978 to 1982.

Lewis was both a CAP and USAF command pilot with more than 28,000 flight hours.

He retired from Pan Am as a commercial airline pilot in 1989 to become a research pilot with NASA. Since 1997, he worked at Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where he instructed in four aircraft – C-12, C-20A, DC-8 and T-34C – supporting NASA-Dryden flight test programs. He also was the center's aviation safety officer.

Lewis' military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medals, Meritorious Service Medal and others. His CAP awards include Distinguished Service Medals, Exceptional and Meritorious Service Awards, Gill Rob Wilson Award, the Search and Rescue ribbon, and others.

Lewis was a region advisor for the Fossett search.

He is survived by his wife, the former Midge Chrestenson, and two adult sons, Eric and Steven.

DeCamp, 73, of Reno, Nev., became commander of the Nevada Wing in 2003. Most recently, he led the wing's initial search efforts for Fossett, who disappeared on Labor Day during a solo flight in Nevada. The search for Fossett, who has yet to be found, was the largest in the Civil Air Patrol's modern-day history.

DeCamp's wife, CAP Lt. Col. E.J. Smith, also served as search incident commander during the Fossett mission. He is survived by adult son, Michael, and two daughters, Kristin and Gayle.

DeCamp joined CAP in 1994. He served as Nevada Wing director of operations, vice commander, representative to the Nevada state SAR Board and  Pacific Region director of operations training before becoming Nevada Wing commander.

DeCamp was a CAP and USAF command pilot with more than 27,000 flight hours. He was retired from the California Air National Guard, served in Vietnam and flew C-130 missions worldwide. He retired, as captain, from American Airlines in 1994.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. A full investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to begin this morning.

"The CAP family is deeply saddened by this tremendous loss," said Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter, CAP interim national commander. "There were no finer members than Col. DeCamp and Col. Lewis.

"Their illustrious volunteer service, which collectively spanned more than seven decades, touched innumerable lives and now, in sorrow, consoles those left behind as a testament to their dedication and commitment to the citizens of their respective communities." 

"Lewis was both a CAP and USAF command pilot with more than 28,000 flight hours. "

That's 3.196347 flight Years!

Major Lord

Quote from: Major Lord on November 09, 2007, 08:42:06 PM
"Lewis was both a CAP and USAF command pilot with more than 28,000 flight hours. "

That's 3.196347 flight Years!

Major Lord

That's 130+ times the number of hours I have, and it has taken me 3 years of flying to get those.

Combined they had 55,000 flight hours...

Quote from: bosshawk on November 09, 2007, 06:25:58 PM
I have known Ed Lewis for all of my 15 years in CAP and I have to say that he was one guy whom I greatly respected.  He was hard to like, but easy to respect: he was always a voice of reason in an organization where reasonableness is increasingly missing.

His primary duty at NASA most recently was in Air Ops, but he had flown the DC-8 research aircraft for lots of years.  He flew O-1 FAC missions in Viet Nam and was a retired AF Reserve Colonel.  He served a tour as the CC of CAWG, in addition to the other positions that have already been mentioned.  He was currently the Region DO.

It is my understanding that he had ferried the GA-8, located in CAWG, up to Nellis AFB for the weekend Aviation Nation and was returning to his home in Rosamond, CA prior to going to the Wing Conference in Ontario.

I had met DeCamp several times, but can't say that I knew him.

May the Almighty care for their souls and the hearts and souls of all who have come in contact with both gentlemen.

My condolences. When was he the PCR Commander?

It is always a tragedy when we lose our fellow members.  However to lose men of this caliber is a loss beyond description.

flyguy06: from the press release I deduce that he was the PCR Commander from 88-92.  I have known him since 1993.

I had the priveledge of working with both these men, and many of your posts cover the same experiences.

Have known Ed since early 80's.

Most recently, I was able to see the great sense of humor Col. Lewis had, and appreciated his support of the Region Ground Search & Rescue Academy.

It is a profound loss.  Let's take time to appreciate and enjoy each other and keep the families in our prayers.

Godspeed!

I had just got back from the Hospital after some surgery and I was stunned by the news I have attached a link to give you an idea of the area, it is the same mountain that Clark Gables wife (Carol Lombard) died flying from Nellis to California in 1943.

http://www.birdandhike.com/Hike/Other_Areas/Lombard/Lombard.htm

you might need to cut and paste

it is haloed ground for Air Force Airmen, 22 Officers in-route to LA also died on the mountain. Now it is 24, It is an honor to serve with such men who have died on that mountain.

Quote from: wingnut on November 10, 2007, 06:24:58 AM

. . .

it is haloed ground for Air Force Airmen, 22 Officers in-route to LA also died on the mountain. Now it is 24, It is an honor to serve with such men who have died on that mountain.

What is it about this mountain that kills so many people?

With Clark Gables wife the pilot had planned the flight from Las vegas, but because of the military Blackout he had to land at Nellis (or what ever the name was ) As a result he had charted a different course that would have been at a safer altittude if he had flown from Vegas. But, as fate made it he failed to rechart his course and was flying an alltitude 1,000 feet lower than the Peak. And that was it. Tragic, because they hit almost at full power.

people can still find uniform items and such around the flight, urban legend tells a story that clarK Gable was actually rushed to the site and identified his wife by her dress, her wedding ring was never found.

Quote from: Nomex Maximus on November 10, 2007, 09:23:50 AM

Quote from: wingnut on November 10, 2007, 06:24:58 AM

. . .

it is haloed ground for Air Force Airmen, 22 Officers in-route to LA also died on the mountain. Now it is 24, It is an honor to serve with such men who have died on that mountain.

What is it about this mountain that kills so many people?

Mt Potosi is about 17 mi SW of LAS.  The elevation of LAS is about 2100'.  The elevation of the mountain is about 8500'.  So in 17 mi you have to climb 6400' to clear the mountain.  At 90 kts climb speed, that's roughly 600' per minute climb rate which is hard to maintain the closer you get to 8500'.

I have known Ed for my entire career with CAP (1980).. he conducted my first Form5 in 1981. I was also on his staff at CAWG. He was a GREAT leader !!! 

I was also fortunate enough to work with him at NASA, both at Ames Reasearch Center, and Dryden Flight Research Center.   He and I also shared the same birthdate (not the year).

I lived near him in Roasamond, Ca and he always allowed me to keep current in his C182 when I needed to.

He was always my CAP and aviation mentor.  Some have posted that he was crusty and rough around the edges ... that was the persona for those who did not know him well.  For those of us who were privileged to know him, he was a truly good person.  I will miss him tremendously

All my thoughts and prayers to Ed's and Dion's families.

Jack

I got to know Ed ten years ago through a mutual friend, Jim Bigelow.  As the previous poster said - he was not a crusty or gruff guy except to those he did not respect.  He did not suffer fools...

Ed was someone who cared very deeply about CAP operations and CAP's future.  I know he would have been looking forward to talking with the new CAP CC at the California Wing Conference as well as the new California Wing CC.

I had the pleasure of working with him a few times on actual missing aircraft searches when he used his influence at NASA to fly its AirSAR (Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar) aboard the DC-8.  Sometimes when it was already aboard the DC-8 he could get a few passes over a search area before we suspended difficult mountainous searches.  In another case, a few years ago, he was able to get a lot of data for the NASA Search and Rescue Office at Goddard for a search objective in SoCal - that missing Mexican/Israeli pilot who dropped off radar near El Cajon Pass many months after the official search was suspended.  Search & Rescue Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR2) is still being worked on to refine the software to avoid too many false positive targets.  I've seen it locate actual missing aircraft wreckage under snow.  It's a search tool we *will* have one day...

He cared very deeply about narrowing a search area quickly and using the best technology available.  He had more than thirty years of experience as a California Wing Incident Commander.

But, what sticks with me this weekend is his voice of calm joy over the phone telling me about upcoming NASA work such as flying the DC-8 to the Arctic Circle in Sweden, or to "Kwaj", or flying a glider for sound tests of a fast mover nearby....

A pilot's pilot.  A loss beyond measure to CAP. Blue skies.

BTW.... I was at the Nellis Airshow yesterday. I spoke to a member of the Nellis Squadron who saw the Cols off.  He said everything seemed fine, weather was VFR, etc. 

Las Vegas Metro PD air unit did see the explosion from the crash. Word has it the only way they knew it was a CAP aircraft was one door was separate from the wreckage and they saw the markings. A very devastating scene.

Las Vegas news reports said the pilot(s) radioed McCarren Apt that they had mechanical problems or fuel problems. However that is unconfirmed and another private aircraft made a forced landing further south that same evening so it could be they have the two incidents confused.