The single-engine Piper had run low on fuel two days previously, and Lantz had made an emergency landing in the field, to prevent a Darwinian exit. Lantz had then gone down to Gallia-Meigs Regional Airport in a borrowed car to obtain more fuel for his aircraft. This was then transfered to the plane. The ground was, however, too wet for a takeoff. Lantz had nothing to do but wait.

But, as later events showed, he did have something to do.

Finally, the ground dried up sufficiently for his Piper to make a takeoff. He hopped in, chose what he supposed was a good section of field and

accelerated away for takeoff. But it was then that it became apparent to Lantz just what he could have done those two days: he should have surveyed his makeshift airstrip for anything that might get in the way. But then, it wasn't as if Lantz could possibly miss anything important, such as a row of fence poles, was it?

Just before the Piper took off, it clipped a pole supporting a fence, severly damaging the left wing. By then, however, the plane had gained too much momentum to remain earthbound, and Lantz acheived the takeoff he so badly wanted.

But his success was short-lived. The left wing was so badly damaged that the plane performed a barrel roll to the left, hitting a power line (something else he never saw!) in the process, before it nose-dived into a ditch just next to the U.S. 35 highway.

Ironicaly, the fuel he took on didn't burst into a fireball as you would expect, and Lantz survived the crash, but died before emergency services could reach him.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/13822829.htm

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/NEWS01/602010321/1001/NEWS

http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=8427

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=266858&Category=9

http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/2236677.html

http://www.newsnet5.com/akroncanton/6648036/detail.html

http://www.dailymail.com/news/News/2006020122/

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/13758456.htm

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=4ca994ed-b5ea-4bd4-ac97-4fa995d2f6eb

http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2006013149

http://www.mydailytribune.com/articles/2006/02/01/news/local_news/news00.txt

http://news.google.co.uk/news?hl=en&q=Lantz+Bricker&tab=wn&ie=UTF-8&filter=0

Submitted on 02/15/2006

Submitted by: Iain Macdonald
Reference: Varied

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence
Not quite sure about this one. Perhaps pilot error and a spot of bad luck were to blame rather than sheer stupidity. I'll have to vote to toss, but thanks for the submission!

Jorge said:
Neutral: Darwin Award

Jack said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Given that the pilot was (according to the Aero-News link) a professional pilot and a former flight instructor, I have to call this Darwin grade stupidity. Thanks for the write-up and the links, Iain!

Greg said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
It could be, it could be ... especially given his experience, as Jack says. Neutral for me. Thanks Iain!

Charles said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'll agree with Jack -- a former flight instructor should be aware of obstructions on his planned runway...

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4