Fred Murrin Down

[airknocker]

Man critical after homemade plane crashes
By Matt Snyder
Herald Staff Writer


GREENE TOWNSHIP— A 56-year-old Greenville man was hurt when his antique World War I replica airplane crashed into a cornfield in Greene Township at about 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Fred Murrin was trucked from the scene of the crash to a field where he was flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown, where he was in critical condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Portions of the wooden fuselage were splintered, and the plane landed at the edge of a cornfield next to a line of trees near Propst Road.
Jamestown Fire Chief David Jones said that, according to witnesses, Murrin performed a “touch and go” maneuver in which he attempted to land and take off again, then banked toward nearby Greenville Airport when the plane stalled.
“Witnesses said they actually saw him spiraling to the ground from 300 to 400 feet,” Jones said.
Murrin is known throughout the region for his hand-crafted, vintage replica aircraft.
“He restores old planes, that’s his deal,” said one neighbor on scene with his sons.
Jones said Murrin had spent 18 years building the single-engine replica plane, a Sopwith Camel –– a British plane used during World War I, the same type of plane made famous by Snoopy in the “Peanuts” cartoon.
“And it’s only about the third time he’s been flying it,” Jones said.
Fellow pilot Jack Ballard, who was at the scene, called Murrin a “craftsman.”
Police secured the scene overnight until the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration can investigate.
Greenville and state police responded, with Greenville Fire Department and Jamestown and West Salem Township volunteer fire departments on scene, along with Mercer County Emergency Services Director Frank Jannetti.


Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.

Photos


State police work the scene of a plane crash Friday night in a Greene Township cornfield. A homemade replica of a classic Sopwith Camel World War I fighter plane piloted by Fred Murrin of Greenville crashed into the field near Greenville Airport. Tom

[Taz]

Tom- As a friend of Fred and Marsha, thanks for the information and my prayers are with Fred and his family.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[crankcase]

One Fokker DVII and one Camel down. I hope for the speedy recovery of Fred Murrin. This is why our communal interest in WW1 aviation is so intense: there are courageous pilots out there risking life and limb in pursuit of their passion. They represent the "cutting edge" of our hobby and are what make it all so real, so tangible, so vital.
crankcase

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Very sad to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers for Mr. Murrin's full and speedy recovery.

[Butch]

Baldeagle sent me this link:
The Herald, Sharon, Pa. - Man critical after homemade plane crashes
Pete

[Jeff Brooks]

his Camel is a work of art too! I hope he recovers quickly! He is a huge asset to our community!

[Gregvan]

Tom, Butch and Baldeagle,

Thanks for sharing this sad and indeed, devastating news. Fred is a genius of a craftsman, a marvelous pilot and one of the world's true authorities on rotary engines. Fred and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Greg VanWyngarden

[AchimEngels]

What terrible news!

I had a chad with him just before I left for my workshop today...

Hope he will recover well.

[Laserlloyd]

I thought I heard the he was going to be at the Dawn Patrol Rendezvous 2007 and was looking forward in seeing him there.

I wish Fred all the best with a speedy recovery and looking forward in seeing him back in the saddle again...

I hope that someone could give him all are well wishes and that we are all thinking and praying for him...

Lloyd...

[SL DIII]

So sorry to hear this terrible news. In addition to being a true expert in the field of WWI aircraft, Fred is generous with his time and sharing his knowledge with others...A genuinely nice guy. My thoughts are with him and his wife I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.
Tom Polapink