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Pilot's Family Readies Celebratory Barbecue

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune
and ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 19, 2008

Tampa - At Vanderberg Airport, where Harlan Northcott's Beechcraft Bonanza crashed Thursday afternoon, killing him, Patricia Snyder, 49 and Tyler McLellan, 15, an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board offered a little more information today about what happened.

The Beechcraft's propeller hit an antenna 212 feet left of the center of the 150-foot-wide runway, said NTSB investigator Corky Smith at a briefing this afternoon. The plane, said Smith, was between 45 and 49 feet in the air when it hit the 49-foot-tall glide slope antenna, used to help pilots in instrument-guided landings.

Though it was raining, "weather is not a factor in this accident, period," Smith said.

Smith added that he hopes to conclude his examination of the debris today, after which the debris will be turned over to Northcott's insurance representatives.

"We'll be looking at the man, the machine and the environment," Smith said of the investigation.

While Smith conducted his investigation, Northcott's family made plans for a celebratory barbecue, to be held at his Sun City Center home Sunday.

"There will be a memorial service held tomorrow at his home at 6:30 pm, for family and friends" said Northcott's son, Glenn. "We are going to celebrate the good things he did."

For 20 years, Harlan Northcott flew for Angel Flights, volunteering his time and the airplane he loved to help people like Snyder, who was on her way home after receiving cancer treatment at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

"He always liked throwing parties and opening his home to anybody and everybody, so we are going to do just what he always wanted," said Glenn Northcott. "He always liked throwing barbecues."

Glenn Northcott said his father liked good music and good times. He liked all kids of music. He loved to play, but he couldn't hold a tune."

His favorite song, said Glenn Northcott, was "Jolly Jolly Six Pence, that he liked to sing with his grandchildren.

"Our prayers go out to the families of Patricia and Tyler," he added. "I was in contact with one of the other families. My dad had flown her on previous Angel Flights. The whole thing is just tragic. The world lost a young man who hadn't even gotten started with his life and two adults who seem to be wonderful people who are full of life. And I can tell you at 81, you couldn't tell him his life was anywhere near over. His life had just begun. He would point his finger at you and say, 'I may be 81 on the outside, but I am 16 on the inside."

Earlier today, Smith said he was going to examine the airframe, engine and propeller of Northcott's plane.

A witness driving south on I75 saw the plane taking off, then start to drift to the left over the last third of the runway with the main landing gear retracted before hitting a pole, Smith said. The witness said the plane then cart wheeled before landing right side up and bursting into flames.

An initial examination of the crash debris determined that the plane was between 45 and 49 feet in the air when it hit a glide slope antenna, used to help pilots land, Smith said, adding that he has a year to complete his investigation, which only determines facts. The NTSB board will determine a cause, he said.

Smith said the witness account appears to be accurate, except for the fact that the witness thought the plane's right wing hit the pole, or antenna, when, in fact, it was the antenna.

Northcott had a current pilot certification with instrument rating, according to FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen. His medical certificate — which he received last August — was also current, Bergen said. The FAA requires that every two years pilots show that they are in good health, have good eyesight, a good mental state and are taking only approved medications, Bergen said.

There is no upper age limit for pilots, Bergen said.

"There are many people in their 80s or 90s who have pilot certifications," Bergen said.

.This was the second Angel Flight involved in a fatal crash this year. According to NTSB records, an Angel Flight from Iowa City to Decatur, Alabama crashed, killing a passenger.

As inspectors worked over the wreckage of his father's airplane this afternoon, Glenn Northcott read something he wrote to honor the man who died helping others.

"If my father could say or do anything at this moment in time, he would simply say 'Don't let your hearts be filled with sadness or grief, but get up and get on with life. Put some pep in your step, a smile on your face and give everyone you love a great big bear hug.'"

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