NASCAR Team Owner Jack Roush in Plane Crash

ESPN Sports reported that both NASCAR team owner Jack Roush and his passenger, Brenda Strickland, walked away from his destroyed Hawker Beechcraft Premier jet Tuesday evening. Roush, an experienced pilot, was landing at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The plane made a hard landing, cracking the fuselage and turning the tail section away from the plane. Both Roush and his passenger were taken to local hospitals. He is listed in serious but stable condition. This is the second major air crash Roush has survived. He suffered serious injuries in 2002 when his plane went down in a lake.

Roush, an aviation buff, was planning to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture in Oshkosh. He owns several aircraft, including a World War II-vintage P-51 Mustang. Following protocol, the NTSB is investigating the accident.

Roush's team currently fields cars in the Cup series for Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and David Ragan

According to The Huffington Post, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France released the following statement, ,"On behalf of the NASCAR industry our hearts and prayers go out to Jack Roush, the Roush family and Roush Fenway Racing. All of us are looking forward to a full and speedy recovery."

Similar in his passion for aircraft and flying is the story of John Denver, famous country singer, who died Oct. 12, 1997, when his Experimental Long-EZ plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove, Calif..

Denver had over 2,700 hours of experience, with single-engine land and sea, multi-engine land, glider and instrument ratings. He also held a type rating in a Learjet. A new purchase, Denver took the Long-EZ aircraft for a half-hour checkout flight the day before his death. Because of prior drinking problems, there was controversy about the legality of his flying. Medical certificates cannot be issued , based on the drinking. No alcohol or drug was found in his body with the autopsy. Unfamiliarity with the craft and failure to have his craft refueled was ruled as a causal factor by the NTSB.

The fuel selector valve handle of the Long-EZ was moved from the instrument panel to behind the pilot's left shoulder. Also, the O-ring was sticky, making the handle hard to move. It is possible Denver pushed the right rudder pedal when he turned to switch fuel tanks by moving the handle. Flying at only 500 feet, he could not recover when the aircraft spun out of control.

Upon announcement of Denver's death, Colorado governor Roy Romer ordered all state flags to be lowered to half staff in Denver's honor.

Two men, both celebrities: one famous for his work with motor vehicles and automobile racing, particularly NASCAR, and the other famous for his songs of the times. Both became avid pilots and aircraft collectors; both were involved in serious crashes. One did not survive; the other walked away. Both caught the interest of a nation and encouraged the prayers of many.

Sources:

Terry Blount, Roush in serious condition after crash

Chris Jenkins, Jack Roush PLANE CRASH: NASCAR Owner Survives Flight Wreck

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Denver#Death