http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/08/06/249 ... linga.html
Thoughts and prayers for all passengers and family.
Plane crash Coalinga,CA
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
Plane crash Coalinga,CA
~There's a ballerina in every great athlete~
I've actually flown into this airport many times. The Harris Ranch airport is not part of the Harris Ranch TB breeding operation. The airport is next to the Harris Ranch Hotel and Restaurant (which are owned by the same company). Those folks were probably flying in for a meal as this is a favorite destination for pilots. The TB operation is probably 10-15 miles from this airport.
The Harris Ranch airport is unique because it runs parallel to I-5 and you land at a pace only slightly faster than the cars that are a few hundred feet away heading up the freeway. The strip is quite narrow and even the smallest plane's wings will overhang the edges (visualize landing on a sidewalk). Strong winds often complicate efforts to keep the aircraft on the pavement.
This aircraft landed short, however, definitely pilot error and/or the engine quit.
The Harris Ranch airport is unique because it runs parallel to I-5 and you land at a pace only slightly faster than the cars that are a few hundred feet away heading up the freeway. The strip is quite narrow and even the smallest plane's wings will overhang the edges (visualize landing on a sidewalk). Strong winds often complicate efforts to keep the aircraft on the pavement.
This aircraft landed short, however, definitely pilot error and/or the engine quit.
A lot of private pilots fly in there for a good meal, as it is about 200 miles in any direction for the next fancy restaurant. What a shame. There is no tower there, just a landing strip with visual landing rules. And you are both correct, it is owned by John Harris, but is about 12 miles south of the horse operation. There is also a landing strip at the River Ranch on Oakland Ave, though, where they break the babies. That is where Harris' main house is, and I presume he flies in there. I thought that the crash was at the restaurant, though.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.