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CA Wing members respond after crash during Fullerton airshow
Members provide crowd control, help establish incident command post, clear traffic for ES vehicles
September 30, 2004
1st Lt. Chris Storey
Public Affairs Officer
Fullerton Composite Squadron
CALIFORNIA -- Minutes after a small plane crashed on Sept. 25 during the Fullerton Airport Day air show, California Wing members assisted emergency response personnel at the scene.
The three-engine airplane -- a 1986 replica of a 1920s-era Ford Tri-Motor aircraft -- veered off the runway during takeoff at the Fullerton Municipal Airport. The pilot pulled the aircraft into a steep climb and banked sharply, narrowly avoiding the control tower. The plane then nose-dived onto Commonwealth Avenue, just outside of the airport, and then broke up on impact and erupted into flames.
Twenty-seven adult and cadet members of the wing were on hand to assist with the Fullerton Airport Day, a biannual open house featuring displays of vintage aircraft and aviation-related displays. Members from area squadrons, including two from Fullerton Airport, were staffing a recruiting booth and a Cessna static display. Wing members were also helping airport staff with crowd control for the event.
After the aircraft crashed, wing members were called into service by emergency responders. With approximately 1,000 spectators rushing toward the wreckage, crowd control became vital to ensure the safety of the spectators and to allow emergency responders to do their job. Wing members ultimately provided crowd control, helped establish the incident command post and cleared traffic paths for emergency vehicles.
“The cadets and their adult leaders were instrumental in forming a crowd-control barrier,” said Fullerton Airport manager Rod Propst. “They jumped in and took charge until police and fire department officials took over,” said Mr. Propst.
“The cadets did very well during a stressful event,” said Sr. Mbr. Grant Henninger of the Fullerton Composite Squadron. “They took direction well and were able to fill an important role.”
To learn more about the CaliforniaWing, go to http://cawg.cap.gov. For information about the Fullerton Composite Squadron go to http://sq56.cawg.cap.gov or call 714-866-3203.
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