Couple critically injured in fiery airshow crash
Brownsvilleherald writes that a husband and wife aerobatics team is hospitalized after they were forced to make an emergency landing during Air Fiesta 2011 taking place at the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport Saturday afternoon (12 March).
Air Fiesta Operations Officer Chris Hughston said the Franklin’s were at a key point of their wing-walking act when their plane suffered engine failure.
Amanda was on the wing of the plane and was able to get back inside while flames shot out of the back of the engine.
“We heard the plane sputter and knew something was wrong,” said Esmeralda Torres of San Benito. “She (Amanda) was able to get back inside the plane and then we saw smoke and flames.”
Torres says after the plane crashed there was a cloud of black smoke and the smell of fuel filled the air.
Hughston said Kyle Franklin was able to make a crash landing, but then the plane caught fire.
Both of the Franklin’s suffered burns to 60 to 70-percent of their bodies.
The couple was airlifted to a burn hospital in San Antonio where both are listed in critical condition.
Hughston said the modern military exhibition after the couple’s act was suspended. Saturday’s fly-by of a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit went on as planned. Officials said the pilot wanted to do so to honor the Franklins.
See some movies with Kyle and his wife:
[...] Couple critically injured in fiery airshow crash – Pilot Magazin I hope they will be fine soon [...]