<<< But there is always a way to crash a good plane, as we all know. Stuff happens,>>>
<<<Glad i was at 5000 feet. It didn't moose stall but close>>>
<<<Very sad the last time when the spin continued to the ground>>>>
<<<since the accident I think he has realized that there needs to be an element of reality presented>>>
<<<The two door openings go all the way from the top to bottom longeron and the impact caused the engine and instrument panel to fold back into the cockpit.>>>
Sh1t happens, happens amazingly fast, and typically when you are not expecting it. We (typically) are not aerobatic pilots performing a practiced routine in a regulated box. Usually it's the opposite, we are having fun and all is good until the manure hits the fan.
As a kid, physically and in particularly in ego, I used to fly a low pass (on the deck) north up the runway, and then pull hard up and right. As I reached a barely appropriate height and distance, I'd pull the throttle, dump all 3 clicks of flaps and arc back down to land to the south, all without leaving the confines of the airport perimeter. All in a '69 Musketeer. Couldn't fathom the number of times I did that.
What happened was I got away with it. What should have happened is Alphonse Quesenel (airport owner) should have come out and chewed my ass off for that type of flying. Either that or he was waiting for it to teach me something and it became a learning experience. Luckily it didn't.
But the point is just because I hung around with a bunch of pilots flying ag-planes and watched them crop dust all summer didn't mean that I learned anything from it. And if you aren't schooled in energy management and dedicated to the art of it, all those crop dusters will tell you it's just a matter of time.
I've corresponded with Trent a little bit since the accident, and Nikk is extremely lucky to be in the condition he is. The horror of him and Nikk's dad watching the crash happen is probably worse than Nikk's memory of it.
I apologize, I digress from the topic.
I will say this - I have a more discerning eye when looking at aircraft design since my accident, but even prior I am easily dissuaded from some aircraft that appear visually to be "light". Steve's observations are spot on in my opinion. Every airplane will crash, every airplane can kill you. Balancing the aircraft, your skill, your judgement, and external factors will determine the risk/reward of your flights.