Summary

The crashed Skyhawk.

At a private airstrip in North Carolina, while conducting flight training, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk that we utilized crashed.

The flight instructor, who had more than 30 years of accident-free flight instruction, and the pilot he was training are both fine.  It is nothing short of a miracle that they weren't killed or seriously injured!

Thankfully, the accident wasn't caused by mechanical failure.  While performing a "go-around," the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind that prevented the plane from gaining altitude.  It then impacted trees at the end of the runway.

The airplane is totaled, and although the plane came to rest on a driveway, only a few feet from a fence, no damage was done to private property.

However, from a logistical standpoint, this was a major blow for Compass.  In addition to losing the use of this plane, the other training aircraft (a Cessna 206), which Compass has been using, was been sold by its owner.  This means we need replacement aircraft to keep providing advanced training to missionary candidates.

God graciously led one individual to loan us his Cessna 172 Skyhawk during the interim period as we replace our fleet.

The temporary replacement Skyhawk.

With that need temporarily met, and with multiple missionary candidates requesting advanced training in a Cessna 206, Compass decided that the higher priority was to replace the Cessna 206 advanced trainer.

As of this date, Compass has received more than $23,000 toward the replacement of these two aircraft, and was able to purchase a damaged Cessna 206, which we are in the process of restoring.

The project 206.

Thankfully, Compass is still able to provide advanced flight training in a leased Cessna 206, although it is not adequately equipped to handle a full advanced tactical flight training curriculum.

The leased 206.

Until the restoration project 206 is complete, the future missionary pilots using Compass will be restricted in their advanced flight training.

Check back on this blog for updates on how the project is going and what else is happening at Compass Aviation.