The pilot of a small plane died after crashing near Oakland International Airport. (CBS)
OAKLAND (CBS 5 / AP) — The pilot of a World War II-era plane that went down near Oakland International Airport was identified Monday as the leader of the Golden Gate Navioneers, a local flying club.
The Alameda County coroner’s bureau confirmed the identity of the pilot killed as 73-year-old Richard Manuel of Redwood City.
Manuel was flying a 1947 Navion A when he called in an emergency to air traffic control shortly after takeoff from one of the airport’s north-field runways about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.
The single-engine plane then crashed nose-down in mud on the shore of San Leandro Bay in the city of Alameda, and Manuel was found dead inside a short time later by paramedics.
No one knows why the plane crashed; the cause was under investigation and Federal Aviation Administration records showed no previous record of problems with Manuel’s plane.
“We’re just really sorry for what happened here,” airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said. “It’s a very somber mood.”
Chet Robbins, a friend and fellow pilot, said that Manuel was president of the Navioneers who would organize member “fly-ins” every month.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)
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A Pilot’s Prayer
When this life I’m in is done,
and at the gates I stand,
my hope is that I answer all
the questions on command.
I doubt I’ll be asked of my fame,
or all the things I knew.
Instead, did I witness the rainbows
on rainy days I flew.
The hours logged, the status reached,
the ratings will not matter.
Did I notice the sun’s rays
on the lakes that scattered.
Or what about the droplets clear,
that spread across my screen?
And the twinkling eyes of student pilots keen?
How fast, how far, how much, how high? I won’t be asked these things.
But did I take the time to watch
the moonbeams wash my wings?
And did I see the patchwork fields
the mirrored lakes below?
Or the mountains high and velvet hills? Of these did I behold?
And when the goals are reached at last.
When all the flying’s done.
I’ll answer with no regret – Indeed! I had some fun.
So when these things are asked of me,
and I can reach no higher.
My prayer this day with hands extended, please welcome home this Flyer.
April 4, 2011 at 2:20 pm | | Report comment
pleased to have had the chance to have met you richard our prayers & thoughts goes out to you & your wonderful family you are now in the hands of god R.I.P mate glen mckinson & family x
April 5, 2011 at 5:29 am | | Report comment
Richard was a very special man. I had the chance to fly with him twice. Two years ago, he flew my granddaughters back and forth to Oregon so they could visit me and ride in a plane. I will never forget him. I`m glad glad he at least went doing the two things he loved,….flying and saving people.
April 5, 2011 at 11:37 am | | Report comment