26 Feb 05 Apache Korea

[karicowan]

General Higgins of the 5th army Korea determined Dion J. Burmaz (Captain) was negligent in causing the "accident" by failing to initiate the three way positive transfer of controls protocol. He let go of the controls and did not tell "anyone" what he was doing. Then he went INSIDE for 8 seconds and proceeded to write coordinates on his kneeboard which was the function of the aviator he is responsible for killingand my husband. My husband looked up from doing his job just before impact and attempted to correct the aircraft. He survived 5 agonizing hours before succombing to hypovolemic shock and hypothermia. Now you have the facts. And this isn't everything. You are irresponsible.
REMOVE THE MISINFORMATION AND MY HUSBAND'S PICTURE FROM YOUR SITE> I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IT IS REMOVED.
IT IS DISTURBING TO OUR SON.

[h65av8tor]

First I would like to express my sincere condolences to Mrs. Cowan on the loss of her husband. I knew Aaron years ago, I believe it was from Ft. Bragg, but the minute I seen his face on the website I knew who he was. Even if I cannot recall the exact place I knew him, I do know he was an honorable and respected aviator. If I didn't think highly of him I would not waste the time to write this.

I'm sorry that Mrs. Cowan feels that Aaron's picture should be removed, but you wouldn't believe the immediate remembrances that go thru my mind the minute I see a face I recognize (and there is a few). My time in the Army was nearly 10 years ago, so names may blend in but pictures can "say 1000 words". I regularly return to this site in hopes that I don't see a familiar face.

The idea of identifying the soldiers final resting place is a good thing. I know that if I'm ever near a fallen friends resting place I'm sure I will stop by to show my respect for giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Mrs. Cowan please don't have your husband's picture removed. I know it must hurt to have to relive the horrible memories but for the rest of us it is a way of putting a face to the name of a fallen comrade and to pay them respects in our own way.

Respectfully

LT Joe Klatt
USCG (former AH-1/AH-64 pilot 91-98)

[kuzindwight77]

I too have friends on this site who I had not realized had been killed until I saw their face. Including one involved in a very similar incident on 20 Aug 07.

Accidents happen in this profession. They usually involve human error at some level, but unless it involves gross negligence (which this incident did not) we fly knowing the risk.

Crew coordination issues cause many of the accidents, and especially in the AH-64 community due to our unique cockpit layout. Any aviator who claims to have never used poor crew coordination is lying. That is why we train so hard to avoid it, it is an easy mistake but seldom fatal.

I respect your desire to have your husbands picture removed. However, if I am killed flying and the investigation faulted my crewmember, I could only hope my family would not blame him for my death. This is a dangerous profession but it is my choice to fly, I could stop at anytime. It is the risk we all run. If I die flying, I would like my wife and kids to remember I died doing what I enjoyed with a good friend and harbor no ill will.

I'm sorry for your loss.