Saturday morning, October 12, 2002 at approximately 8:35 a.m., a tremendous explosion was heard. As I sat at my computer, a strong power surge coursed through it and the monitor. Over the years, living one mile away from Deer Valley Airport (and under its flight path), it's unfortunately easy to remember that crashes in the area are not uncommon events.

I heard sounds, as if they were going to explode in my face, even though the computer and monitor were plugged into two separate surge protectors that were on two separate
wall outlets.

Running to the door, thinking that the electrical transformer on the power pole next to my drive
way had exploded, an unexpected sight filled my eyes.

There was a huge fire ball across the small street in the mobile home park where I live. An intense
bright blazing orange inferno held what I thought was a plane wing, or perhaps part of the back
half of the epinage, standing on end, parallel to a power pole near space number eight.

Grabbing the telephone, I immediately called 911, only to hear a recording, saying: "All circuits
are busy. Please remain on the line."  Indignation raced through my mind as I wondered why at
this time of day, would 911 be so busy. Consternation gripped me as the short wait seemed to
take forever. Irked, I thought how wrong it was for 911 to be unavailable and unable to receive a
call for help for a bona fide emergency. A 911 operator came on the line and forwarded my call to
the Phoenix Fire Department. Information was imparted to them, with only a brief interruption to
walk into another room so I could hear the ladies questions over the dog's frantic barking.

While watching the raging  orange inferno blazing around the small aircraft wing, I talked myself
out of acknowledging that was indeed what I was seeing. I convinced myself that I must be seeing
a piece of carport panel standing on end in the middle of the fireball. I told myself it couldn't be a
plane wing. After all, I was seeing a mobile home burning. A plane simply didn't fit into that
scenario. It never dawned on me that the horrendous explosion had been an aircraft crash. Planes
soar in the heavens.

Several news helicopters buzzed overhead, a dark green one  flying under, dangerously close in
my opinion, to a small plane that was on final approach to Deer Valley Airport. All the local news
stations sent reporters, Channel 3 KTVK, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channels 10, 12 and 15 as well
as KTAR news radio. The vehicles traveled on Adobe Street, immediately north of the mobile
home park (mhp) often leaving then returning. They came and went throughout the day.

Shortly afterwards, I told my husband who was soaking in the tub. We watched from the
doorway, then he went took the dog to her veterinary appointment. Power was out. Sometime
afterwards, I called the local power company (APS, Arizona Public Service), and let them know
of the outage and why it happened;  asking them when power might possibly be restored. The
customer service representative advised me that power should return around 12 p.m. (noon).
Asking her what time it was, she told me 10:38.  Some time after that, one of my sisters called to
see if we were okay. She had seen the news report about the Deer Valley plane crash and wanted to be sure that we were okay. Our place
is about 150 to 200 feet away from the disaster scene.

Returning outside to view the commotion from the porch, I noticed hubby's truck outside our
fenced yard. He came strolling around into the driveway. He said the police declared the entire
park a crime scene and vehicles could leave, but not re-enter.
After dropping off the dog, he got into another vehicle, the work truck  and once again left.

Around 11 a.m., a middle aged lady and a younger woman (one of whom's name was Cindy)
walked up the driveway saying that I have to evacuate. I asked if this was a mandatory
evacuation. The older woman said yes, that I have one hour to get out.
That upset me, as I some health problems. Having to spend time in a shelter on a cot would
aggravate my knee and hip disabilities. I asked why the evacuation. She said it was because power
would resume for about 24 hours. To me, that is not reason enough to have to leave. During the
year of the 145 mph wind storm, we were not forced out of our homes; nor during the massive
wooden phone pole business fire one field over.  

I paged my husband and told him what the Red Cross representative said. He forfeited a day's
work to come home and get me and the dog. (I don't drive.}  During that time, I grabbed his
briefcase and schedule book, packed a few clothes and dog food, not knowing how long before
we'd be allowed to return home. A call was placed to his customer who was awaiting service, to
explain why hubby would not be keeping the appointment. She was very kind and understanding
about the situation. Time was spent easing our new dog's apprehension. So many people cutting
through the neighbor's yard, to walk across to the disaster scene.

As we rounded the corner, I apologized for interrupting a young police woman in a traffic
assistance City of Phoenix vehicle. She smiled wryly and stated that she was bored, just taking
pictures of the picture takers (news helicopters flying overhead).      I questioned if indeed the
evacuation was mandatory or just strongly recommended. She checked and said that it was NOT
a mandatory evacuation. A male voice over her radio said that ..."she must have misunderstood".
Thanking her for her time, I told hubby about it. We returned home.  Much later that afternoon, a
few segments of 'do not cross' tape were removed. Later in the afternoon, my husband was able to
return both trucks to our driveway, which ease my concerns over potential loss to his work
equipment on board.

At approximately 5:55 p.m. that same day, power was restored to our portion of the mobile home
park. Turning on the evening news, we saw our neighbors telling what they saw, the crash, the
pilot burning, calling for a blanket to cover him. They spoke of  how the event would be forever
in their memories. Recalling the sight of the airplane wing standing on end in the middle of the
raging blazing orange inferno, surrounded by a thick black cloud shroud,  I nodded in agreement.
Thankfully, the residents of the mobile home rendered to cinders had not been at home.

The day passed. It was a comfort having my husband at my side during this time of duress.  A
long time chat room best friend called checking to see if we were okay. *hugs*  
Although the pilot was a stranger, the situation touched my heart. That night, I thought how I'd
like to build a small two foot tall cross and place it at the accident scene, as is done here along
roadways where car crashes occurred. After all, it was a vehicle accident. Late that night, snippets
of phrases crossed my mind. I decided to write a poem, a memorial to the fallen pilot.

During Sunday, tears flowed. The death of this stranger, added to the grief of the passing of our
long time companion pet only one week ago, tugged at my heart. Off and on, bits of phrases, a
stray word here and there nudged my spirit. While watching tv (Channel 15 had interviewed my
husband about the numerous aircraft accidents in the area in recent years), I took pen to paper to
 write a memorial.

Sometimes words failed, grammatically needing a singular word, yet wanting the spirit of the
memorial to serve if more than one person had passed on.  At 10:30 p.m., my keyboard tapped
out and edited my farewell to the departed. By 11:00 p.m. my tribute was finished, complete with
graphics (an airplane with angel wings upon its wings). Monday about 10 a.m. I called Channel 3,
asking if I could fax them the memorial tribute for them to pass onto the family of the departed.
The lady at the news room phone was gracious and said yes. That was the poem posted at the
top of this page.

 The footnote says my name, date written and: 
Memorial to the fallen pilot... 10/12/02 "Clear runway, broad horizon, Godspeed".

If you copy it, please acknowledge me as the author.  Thank you.

this web page created 10/14/02

text in the airplane picture:

Angel's Aloft

Pre-flight and checklists, journey well thought

With throttles and flaps up, a soul sails loft

Bright horizons beckon, engine's song heard so oft

Flying upwards and onwards, among angels, on top

Suddenly seemingly endless moment, trouble fraught

Earthly binds recaptured, reticent engine coughed

Only wing, only prayer, downward plunge unstopped

Once soaring midst heaven, mortal shell is dropped

Silence ensues as the earthly shell is sloughed

Spirit wings unfettered, upwards, a soul soars soft

Enveloped in eternity, broad wings uncropped

Glide path and attitude clear, flight path unblocked

Upon heavenly bound breeze, earthly cares now doffed

A halo is waiting, for the

Angel's Aloft

For updates on my husband, please visit hubby update

BUT BE ADVISED...

There are pictures of his brain surgery that are NOT appropriate for minors (children) or sensitive adults!

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