U.S. CAP aircraft, two members lost in crash

[Guest SrPilot]

Two Civil Air Patrol members have been killed in a plane crash near Mobile, Alabama. Major Mauritson was a local cardiologist in our city and flew from our airport for years. His hangar was just across the runway from mine. He moved away a couple of years ago but continued his CAP and other flying activities in his new location.

 

The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. In the years that I was a member, our main roles were to search for downed aircraft or lost individuals and to teach young men and women about aviation. In my day we primarily had Aeronica L16 aircraft. Ours was an L16B (90 hp engine as I remember it). The CAP now utilize Cessna 182 aircraft with the latest in glass panels like the one lost in this crash.

 

I am really sad about this loss of two individuals who were out doing good deeds when tragedy struck. Dr. Mauritson did love his flying.

 

Two dead in Mobile after charity plane ride ends in tragedy

 

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/plane_involved_in_mobile_crash.html

 

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2016/02/two_dead_in_mobile_after_chari.html

 

CAP aircraft - comparing the L16 and C182

 

The following link is to a video of the L16 similar to the ones we had “back in the day.” (With other L16 videos in trail if you leave it running at the end).