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Investigators will spent their first full day Friday, July 11 trying to determine the cause of a plane crash that killed two experienced pilots Wednesday. One of the pilots had just bought the aircraft and the two were taking it on a training flight.
The Colyaer S100 Freedom, a light sport plane made in Spain, went into the Tennessee River south of Limestone County shortly before 11:30 a.m. said Sheriff Mike Blakely.
On board and killed were James Don Langford, 61, of Huntsville, and Anthony Kane Baker, of Palm Beach, Fla., said Coroner Mike West.
Langford was born in Clay County. His parents lived here for a while when his dad was stationed at Columbus AFB.
Langford is son of Wilma Langford and the late James Langford of Huntsville who were both native Clay Countians. He is also the nephew of Etta Florence Moon of the Una Community.
They had taken off shortly before the crash from Pryor Field in Decatur, where Langford worked for LSA Aero, an airplane business based there.
Langford had sold the plane to Baker, West said. The new owner was trying it out when it crashed, said Stan Smith, airport manager.
The small two seat plane, which is capable of landing on water, went down in the Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lucas Ferry Road.
When rescue workers arrived, it was upside down in about 5 feet of water and had floated about 200 yards from where it hit the water, Blakely said.
Blakely, who directed the recovery of the bodies in 90-plus-degree heat, called it a “difficult” job. Both victims were still strapped into their seats and the plane had partially collapsed around them.
Blakely said the National Transportation Safety Board office in Birmingham was called to investigate. Calls to NTSB were not returned, but storms popping up throughout the area made any water investigation difficult late Wednesday afternoon.
Friends recalled Langford late Wednesday as word spread of the crash.
“He had a great love of aviation,” said Craig Russell of Madison, a former Air Force and cargo jet pilot who was a salesman for LSA Aero until May.
Russell said he met Langford about 1982 when he piloted a plane Langford made available for air charter. He said Langford went on to fly for FedEx, as well as working with LSA Aero.
“He always loved flying and was a tremendous pilot,” Russell said.
The Colyaer Freedom S100 is high-wing, two seater amphibious aircraft with retractable gear that weighs just over 850 pounds empty and is certified as a light-sport aircraft by the FAA.
It has a cruise speed of about 112 miles per hour, a more than 40 foot wingspan and is about 20 feet long. It is manufactured in Spain and sold here fully built, though it is available elsewhere as a kit.
Langford is also survived by his wife of 34 years, Joanne DallaCalce Langford of Huntsville; son, James Daniel "Jamie" Langford (also a pilot) of Louisville, KY; daughter, Jessica Langford Ehnen of Jacksonville, North Carolina; three grandsons; and two brothers, Ken Langford (also a pilot) of Tampa, Florida; and Barry Langford of Huntsville. The funeral services were held in Huntsville on July 12.
Story couresty of the Huntsville Times.
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