A Fallen Comrade (N316PR)
Sunday June 25 th was disasterous for a fallen friend . Steve Hodges 57 of Myrtle Beach is someone i have confided in more than once about my career in aviation . When i worked Piedmont INT Line Maintenance Steve was a very familiar face on the tarmac always smiling and projecting the obvious happiness in his life. On many occasions Steve has given me advice from his huge archive of experience. The Tail # on the airplane is N316PR which coincidentally symbolizes the Bible verse John 3:16 PRAY. This airplane has a history of stories that create an eerie cloke worn over that black paint however the aircraft clearly states on the side (To God Be The Glory). It has to be one of the coolest paint jobs i have ever seen.Sunday Steve's life was cut short in Ft Pierce FL when his Mitsubishi MU-2 evidently went into beta and rolled into terrain shortly after takeoff. Steve widowed his wife Sam and 4 children whom i am sure love him as much as everyone else did. What a guy ! Steve flew recon in the Navy and has survived thousands of hours in turboprops and jets. We as pilots always put the thought of an accident in the back of our minds on a shelf. After witnessing something like this happen to an extremely qualified and experienced pilot we all realize that no one is invulnerable. Steve i wish i could personally thank you for the influence that you had upon my life in flying. That is irreplaceable my friend. May the heavens offer you blue skies and tailwinds forever Steve. Your memory will not be forgotten. Ladies and Gentlemen please take into consideration that every hour, every minuite, every second is a gift that can be taken away at an instant. Do with it what you will. 
posted by MIKEY @ 10:04 AM
1 comments
