MBOMBELA – There is a well-known aviation expression that goes, “You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.” Recently a true aviation legend, whose bag was was filled to the brim with experience, ran out of luck at the age of 66.
The industry has lost yet another pioneer and a hero to many. Legendary firefighting pilot, Mr Richard Aschenborn, died in an aircraft accident on Monday.
He was killed during an aerial firefighting operation over Piet Retief. He was an experienced pilot, with over 20 000 hours’ flying experience, who had been contracted by Kishugu, flying fixed-wing water-bomber aircraft since 2011. He was also the company’s bomber-training captain. He was well known in the Lowveld, having attended Rob Ferreira High School. Mr Luis Fernando Correia attended high school with Aschenborn and both matriculated in 1966. “Since his school days, Richard had a passion for aviation. We worked together at the drive-in at night, in the same area where Penryn College is today. Richard saved all his pocket money and used it for his first flying lessons while he was at school,” said Correia. He described him as an intelligent man, who was always determined in everything he did. “He earned a lot of respect, and he sure earned mine.”
Mr Francois van Eden (29), who worked with Aschenborn for quite a few years, said he was an “oom” very close to their hearts. “We enjoyed every moment with him. He had many hours of experience and never hesitated to share his knowledge,” said Van Eden.
“He moulded every aviator he worked with at some stage. He had an open heart and had so much to give, never wanting anything in return. At work, we always mocked his moaning, but other than that, he was a perfect man, with perfect flying skills, and we are sad that his luck ran out. It was a true privilege to have worked with ‘oom’ Richard.”
Mr Devon Harris worked with him for more than 22 years, and described him as a fun-loving pilot and a great man. “I learnt a lot from him. I am saddened too that aviation has lost such a great man. As a pilot, you think about the risk and dangers of flying every day, but you rely on your experience and hope your luck doesn’t run out,” said Harris.
His memorial service will be held at Nelspruit Airfield tomorrow. The South African Civil Aviation Authority’s investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
“Aerial firefighting is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. We have lost one of our own.
Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Elizabeth ‘Bettie’ Aschenborn and his extended family,” said Kishugu’s managing director, Mr Chris de Bruno Austin.
In another incident on Monday Mr Mike Assad had to be rushed to hospital after he crashed a Fire Fighting Association Cessna spotter aircraft while attempting an emergency landing in the Plaston area.
