Santa Paula Aerobatic Pilot Dies During British Air Show

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Vicki Cruse, a world-class aerobatic champion and four time member of the U. S. National Aerobatic Team died Saturday 22 August 2009 in an aircraft accident during the World Aerobatic Championships in Great Britain. She was 41.

She was using a borrowed Zivco Edge 540, not her own Zivco Edge 540 when an apparent aircraft mechanical malfunction occurred during a qualifying flight at Britain's Silverstone motor racing circuit. She lost control of the aircraft and was too low to bail out as the aircraft crashed. Her own 1999 Zivco Edge 540 is especially modified to fit her petite size. Vicki also competed in the Sport Class at the Reno Air Races using her other experimental aircraft.

Vicki was the President of the International Aerobatics Club, a member of the Ventura County Ninety-nines, a branch of the International Organization of Women Pilots and won the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatics title in 2007. She competed also in Spain as a member of the American National Aerobatic Team. Her loss is deeply felt among the close-knit community at SZP and in Santa Paula, where she lived and worked. One unfortunate and prophetic place she talked about flying risks is on a YouTube video showing her aerobatic prowess.

On the net: For the YouTube video on Vicki Cruse, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaiajLjRTHs

A memorial is planned to honor the late Santa Paula aerobatic champion pilot, Vicki Cruise, at SZP starting at 11 a.m. Saturday 12 September 2009. Several hundred people are expected to arrive to celebrate her life and honor her passing. Flowers are collecting next to her aircraft in her hangar and people are calling CP Aviation at (805) 525-2138 for reservations. A lunch is planned. Cruise's fellow competitors will fly a traditional "missing man" formation and SZP pilots will fly a cross formation.

Cruise's family members are scheduled to attend and may speak. Vicki's trophies, pictures, and other memorabilia will be on display. A slide show is planned.

The cause of the August 22 crash that took her life is not known and may not be for some time, if ever. She lost control of a borrowed Zivco EDGE 540 in Great Britain after it appeared to have a mechanical problem. Speculation is that it might not have happened had she flown her own EDGE 540, N111CD, because her plane had been especially customized to adapt to her petite frame.

Her remains were cremated, and a scattering of the ashes over the Pacific Ocean will be arranged. The Phoenix Flight at SZP may be involved in that at another time.