R.I.P. Tim and Clay
One of my good buds Tim Marshall was killed in a plane crash Friday night. Although I didn't know the pilot Clay Whitney My heart goes out to both of their families. A news clipping below describes the incident. You will definately be missed Tim I have alot of great memories!
Search for crash victims halts
Recovery of bodies to continue Monday at Lake Pleasant
Lynh Bui
The Arizona Republic
May. 13, 2007 12:00 AM
Divers stopped searching Saturday evening for the bodies of two men whose plane crashed into Lake Pleasant while the pilot was reportedly talking on his cellphone and flying 10 feet above the water.
Family members of passenger Tim Marshall said they are frustrated that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office won't continue recovery efforts until Monday.
Members of Marshall's family identified the pilot as Phoenix resident Clay Whitney. The Sheriff's Office would not confirm the identity of the passenger or pilot.
"I don't really know if it's right to let people continue going out there and have a recreational time while my cousin is still at the bottom," said Jason Lopez, Marshall's cousin.
It would be too dangerous and crowded for divers to continue the search today, said Lt. Paul Chagolla of the Sheriff's Office.
The plane crashed into the south end of Lake Pleasant shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday. Divers from the Sheriff's Office spent Friday night and all day Saturday combing the crash site.
The lake was still open to boating and visitors on Saturday, and divers recovered portions of the wreckage.
The pilot was talking on a cellphone to a friend in a boat below and asked the friend to shine a flashlight in the air to signal the boat's location, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.
Witnesses reported that the plane was flying about 10 feet above the water before the crash, Gregor said. FAA rules require airplanes to be at least 500 feet above any body of water if there are boats present.
Betty Jones was visiting the lake with her family Friday night when she heard a buzzing noise and then the sound of a crash.
"I thought something exploded," the Phoenix resident said.
The FAA had investigators reviewing the scene of the crash yesterday, and the National Transportation and Safety Board will also look into the incident, Gregor said.
The pilot rented the single-engine Diamond Star 40 from Southwest Flight Center in Scottsdale.
Company president Gary Lewin said the pilot was a regular customer and declined to comment further.
The pilot had an airline transport pilot rating, Gregor said. The license is the highest rating offered and allows those who have one to fly commercial airplanes.
Lopez said it was the first time his cousin had flown in a plane with Whitney. Marshall's father, Sam Marshall, said while the delay in the search is frustrating, he doesn't want his family's loss to be clouded by anger.
"I don't believe that Tim is gone," Sam said. "His body is in the lake, but he's with us in spirit. But I do hope we get some closure early on Monday."
Tim and his baby girl Matea!
Tim Marshall R.I.P. Buddy!
..>..>
