Pilot in fatal crash identified as San Clemente resident

The pilot killed in a small-plane crash Tuesday morning near Oceanside Municipal Airport has been identified as Edward Judd, 83, of San Clemente, a retired airline pilot.

The twin-engine Beechcraft had apparent engine trouble just after takeoff and crashed nose-down in a ravine east of the airport and south of California 76. Judd was the only person aboard, officials said.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Comments

[Robert Scovill]

Does anyone ever wonder why aircraft engines fail after take-off? Anyone ever hear about an aircraft engine failing while still on the ground during engine start, taxi, run-up or take-off roll?
Does an aircraft engine know when its in the air after takeoff? What is the one thing that changes to an aircraft from the ground to in the air? The change from the ground to in the air is the attitude of the aircraft changes. Is it possible that when the aircraft changes its attitude on take-off that water in the aircraft fuel tank changes its attitude and makes its way to the engine causing it to fail?Could general aviation fuel tanks contain undetectable water the pilot cannot positively detect during the pre-flight of the aircraft? Pending the discovery of some sort of catastrophic engine failure when will the FAA and NTSB look inside the tanks of general aviation fuel tanks for undetectable water?
A simple test of general aviation fuel tanks is as simple as pouring 16 ounces of red dyed water into the fuel tank as the aircraft sits in its normal ground attitude. Then go to the sump drain and see if you can positively detect and eliminate the same 16 ounces of red dyed water you just poured into the fuel tank. The FAA and NTSB have known for decades about the indicated design flaw of undetectable water in general aviation fuel tanks but do nothing to fix the indicated flaw. As a result of this lack of oversight on the part of both agencies pilots and passengers continue to be injured or die.