Searching For A Cause
What may have caused the Kennedy crash? My opinion is based upon the aircraft's uncontrolled contact with water at a speed greater than 5,000' per minute leads me to conclude that several factors may have contributed to the crash.
 Kennedy was flying the aircraft with physical impairments. He had a broken left leg that was in a cast. Kennedy failed to properly interpret the forecasted visibility conditions that he would be facing him at his estimated time of landing at Hyannis. Get-there-itis may have set in if Kennedy found it so important to attend the family gathering that night. Irrational thinking may have precluded reasonable judgement. The late departure on Friday evening from Essex Airport, N.J. brought about by the late arrival of passenger's traffic delays coming out of New York City may have contributed to Kennedy's subsequent later than expected arrival at his destination airport. Perhaps the time, approximately 9:40 P.M.was much later than planned when the flight was first discussed.
 Kennedy had more than 120 hours flying time in his previously owned Cessna Skylane high-wing airplane. Flying a significantly different Piper Saratoga II low-wing airplane while attempting to land in less than favorable conditions at night appears to have contributed to the crash. Flying in IFR conditions requires pilot familiarity with the position of instruments and flight controls in order to maintain control of the aircraft. The positions of instruments and controls in the Piper Saratoga II that Kennedy was flying on the night of the crash were significantly different than his previously owned Cessna Skylane.
The landing attempted by Kennedy came at a time when fatigue and tiredness may have been setting in. Other pilots flying in area that night acknowledged that unfavorable weather conditions existed in the area making matters worse for a tired mind.
 Memories etched in our minds of a little boy saluting his Dad's flag-draped coffin have been replaced by horrendous thoughts of an adult flying his airplane into adverse conditions where the causing death. There is no hallow ground, only cold murky waters of the sea.
The nation's eyes were focused on yet another tragedy for the family of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. A tearful memory of the death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. remains forever etched in our minds. |
