Two Texas Men Die in Ultralight Plane Crash

Kerrville, TXAs the ultralight plane industry becomes more and more popular, it was reported yesterday that two men from Texas died when the ultralight craft in which they were riding experienced problems in mid-air and crashed yesterday. The light plane crash happened about 10 miles south of Fredericksburg, just off State Highway 16 in Texas.

The Texas Department of Safety (DPS) identified the victims as 48-year-old Roger Nathanson, and 62-year-old James Stokes, both of Kerrville.

The aircraft was a small craft commonly referred to as ultralight. Lightweight with two seats in this instance, the plane is powered by a small engine and is commonly used by hobbyists. According to Wikipedia, regulations for ultralight aircraft in the United States is quite lax when compared with other countries, thus opening the door for flying enthusiasts who do not have the funds, or the inclination to acquire and operate a more traditional plane.

Officials in Gillespie County say that the lightweight plane crashed on a ranch near Fredericksburg in the Texas hill country.

It was not immediately known what caused the plane to crash. According to witnesses, the engine began to sputter and they also heard an unidentified 'flapping ' sound. They reported seeing the aircraft begin to spin before it fell from the sky and made impact with the ground.

The local airport had no record of the flight, leading investigators to suspect that the plane had taken off from private property.

Ultralights began basically as a hang glider with an engine and started coming onto the scene in the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years the ultralight category has grown and become more specialized, with more manufacturers turning out the small, lightweight planes for enthusiasts. As the largest wave of the baby boomers enter their retirement years and seek to fulfill life-long dreams, the ultralight plane is expected to grow even more popular. Seniors and recent retirees will want to indulge in their dream, or passion for winged flight without a more traditional-sized plane posing an increased draw on their pocketbook.

Given the recent challenges of the economy, the bear stock market and oft times huge losses in retirement savings portfolios, retirees looking to take to the skies would be forgiven for going the ultralight route in an effort to preserve capital.

While there are more manufacturers making the ultralight aircraft, many people still assemble the planes on their own, from kits.

According to Wikipedia, no license or training is required by law for ultralights in the United States, but training is highly advisable.

It is not known which of the two men who died in the plane crash owned the ultralight (assuming one of the victims did), or where it was built. It is therefore not known at this juncture if any lawsuit will be forthcoming.

The investigation continues.