In a locked Forum topic here dated 3 February 2007, the story of an amusing photo of a crashed Piper Archer, N6487J lodged in a large tree framed by signs "Learn to Fly Here" and "American Air" was revealed by Ken Wang, our site Administrator, to be a hoax photo. Yes, the plane did indeed crash into the tree after an engine out on the downwind leg to landing at Meadow Lake Airport northeast of Colorado Springs, CO Airport. But, the signs were cleverly juxtaposed to show in their opposite direction and near the tree in the crash photo.
A few days ago, my monthly AOPA Pilot magazine arrived as it has for the last 41+ years. The full true story of the crash and the juxtaposed image of the crashed airplane with a sign offering flight instruction is revealed in the article on page 115 to page 118 of the November, 2007 issue titled "Plane in a tree Is it real, or is it...", by Christopher L. Freeze.
The article states no one has publicly claimed credit for creating it (the altered image), but the fact also comes out that the prominent sign refers to a competitor on the airfield of the company the plane was rented from, a subtle jab to Classic Air.
The article includes full details of the flight mishap and the findings of likely cause: loss of power due to carburetor icing in the NTSB report, and makes for good reading to conclude the episode, which was an internet sensation for months, starting in December, 2006. The actual crash was dated 7 December, 2006, so it has taken nearly a year for the fuller story to be revealed.
The pilot of the aircraft, Terry Brookham, is quoted as saying "It is funny", in response to the photo. He received a pair of scratches above his left eye in climbing down a ladder from the crash. A roofer's truck shortly on the scene with a ladder fortuitously stopped by. Brookham had to exit the aircraft by kicking out the left side window, as the door was jammed by the crash. Read the full article, if you can. Now, if someone would just 'fess up to the hoax?
