Rural Retreat years ago. (Blue Ridge: home, live, airplane)

[jpeebs]

Hi everyone, I'm going out on a limb here...it's a real stretch. My father died in a plane crash in Rural Retreat, VA on Halloween, 1969. Yes, I said 1969. Wonder if there is anyone out there who might remember any details about a small private plane crash in the mountains killing pilot, co-pilot and passenger. I realize this is really a stretch, but I'm still trying to get closure. My Dad was my hero.
Regards to all.

[VALover]

jpeebs, I am from that area of Virginia but don't know anything of the plane crash, I wasn't born at that time. I will ask my Dad if he remembers. Best of luck finding answers.

[jpeebs]

Thanks...I would appreciate it...just a connection for closure helps.
Judy

[quilterkaren]

I moved to Rural Retreat, VA about 3 years. I've asked around, but no one seems to remember the crash. However, I was able to locate the actual FAA report that gives all the details: http://www.airdisaster.com/reports/ntsb/AAR70-22.pdf

I see this crash was due to an electircal problem and that your father's crash caused flight manuals to be changed to include some very vital information about the generator switch which was not available at the time of your father's accident.

I hope this brings you closure knowing that your father's death was not in vain, but may have saved many other lives. Hugs and best wishes for the future.

[jbloomer]

Hi jpeebs... My wife and I have owned the property where the crash took place for the last 6 years. I've heard neighbors speak of it, but didn't really have any information on it until I searched the internet and found your post. Was your father one of the pilots or the passenger? We've put ponds in the marshy area where the plane went down, and I've found a piece of the plane, if you're interested in having it. With a bit more information, I'd be interested in making a nice memorial stone or some such for the site. All the best, John Bloomer

[jpeebs]

I can't believe I'm just reading this now. I never got any alert that anyone had replied. It's just so amazing that I'm talking to the owner of the property. Knowing that a pond is placed in that area makes me feel good. If you still have the piece of the plane, I would really like to have it. At least it would bring me closer to my father in his last moments.

[jpeebs]

By the way, my father, Donald R. Martin, was an executive with Pittston Clinchfield Coal Co. and was visiting the mines. He hadn't flown since the war and was a passenger on this flight. I was 19 when the plane went down on Halloween 1969. I think of him all the time and wish he could see my beautiful family and his grand and great grandchildren. His death changed our lives dramatically.

[headnsouth]

Wow. Some days I absolutely love the internet.

[CraigCreek]

OP, I don't know if you've ever been to Rural Retreat, but my family used to drive through it en route to my grandmother's home in southside Virginia. It's up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is very beautiful, with high rolling meadows and clear, rocky streams lined with mountain laurel and rhododendron.

At least, that's the way I remember it from those long trips many years ago...I always looked forward to that particular stretch of the journey.

[jbloomer]

My e-mail is "jpbloomer@gmail.com" if you wish to exchange information. Thanks for your response and look forward to getting some pictures to you, as well as airplane part. All the best, John Bloomer