Nice story (Flying with the NASCAR Air Force, March 11) and very complete, except that one major fact is wrong.
The recent accident involving the Hendrick Motorsports Team occurred in Stuart, Va., in the Martinsville, Va., area, not in Richmond. What is important here is that the flight originated in Concord, N.C., less than a 100 nm trip. Hardly a mission for a BE-200.
The alternate used by most teams going to Martinsville is Danville, Va., about a 40-mile ride from Martinsville raceway. Unfortunately, on raceday, that trip can take three to four hours by car.
If you have not already, take a read of the NTSB preliminary report and see why our accidents make headlines. Unfortunately, it looks like pilot error is at play again.
Skip Degan
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