(March 3, 2006 Shenandoah Valley, Virginia) Hickin & his friend Welliver both pilots had just finished working on Welliver’s Cessna 182D Skylane airplane engine at the Waynesboro airport (he was a 1/3 partner). With the job finished, a test flight was a must, unfortunately, only Hickin could participate in the exciting aerial adventure as the airplane’s owner had to leave for work. His job entailed driving a tractor-trailer up interstate 81 hauling mail for delivery early the next morning; he was on the “night run”.

Apparently the heroes of the story were sharing the excitement of their mechanical prowess via the cell phone as Hickin, a former professional aviator, flew into the 11 PM darkness. Per police investigators, as the Cessna neared the interstate, Hickin circled the rest stop trying to line up his friend’s tractor-trailer on the ground. The truck driver/plane owner & the pilot in the air now put their heads together (this episode is one where 2 heads are definitely not better than one) & decided a low altitude fly over (aka a “buzz”) allowing the plane’s owner to see the results of their handy work was in order. Initially, according to reports, the trucker was unable to see the airplane & told the pilot via their ongoing cell phone conversation that he couldn’t see him & to fly lower (duh, it was the middle of the night). The pilot was maneuvering in the vicinity of the tractor trailer when the airplane struck & snapped two utility wires well under 100 feet above the interstate, shearing off the right wing. The plane subsequently crashed 300 feet away, skidding an estimated 300 more feet before coming to rest on I-81’s shoulder, bursting into flame. The pilot died at the scene around 11:15 PM, toxicology results on the pilot will not be completed for weeks.

Could one imagine a more fitting finale? Possibly the involvement of both the tractor trailer & the Cessna in a spectacular bonfire; but that or something even better awaits us in another story – remember the man who spoke those immortal words in the mid-night darkness (“I still can’t see you, fly lower”) is still out there “truckin”.

Submitted on 03/06/2006

Submitted by: Dick Lund
Reference: Medial General News Service

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Enough stupidity for me! I believe I moderated (and liked) this story when it first came in. Anyway, there seems to be more detail here, so I will pass it on to Darwin. Thanks, Dick!

Sheryl said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Much better write up - I'd still like to see the NTSB report, though.

Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes

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