ICAS Fast Facts -- March 12, 2009

LOPEZ KILLED IN PRACTICE ACCIDENT

ICAS member and air show performer Paul Lopez and a passenger were killed on Monday afternoon when his single-engine MX-2 aerobatic plane crashed during a practice session at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport in Dade City, Florida. The passenger, 17-year old high school student Richard Steufzer, was training with Lopez to earn his private pilot certificate.

Although the FAA and NTSB are investigating, the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

Funeral services for Lopez will be held on Monday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Zephyrhills (phone 813-782-2813). Immediately following the funeral services, the graveside service will be held at the Chapel Hill Gardens in Dade City (phone 352-567-5571).

CHEATHAM PASSES

Air show pilot and ICAS member Jim Cheatham died of a sudden illness at his home in Salinas, California on Wednesday morning. President of the Salinas-based Verticare Company, Cheatham was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and a successful agricultural pilot for many years. His Showcopters team was the only civilian helicopter act in the air show industry.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, March 16 at the Verticare hangar at Salinas Municipal Airport.