Aviation community mourns the loss of safety champion Richard McSpadden

The National Business Aviation Association has joined the aviation community in mourning the loss of accomplished aviator and safety advocate Richard McSpadden, senior vice president at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), who was one of two victims in a fatal October 1st aircraft accident near New York’s Lake Placid Airport.

“Richard’s pioneering work in flight safety, including his leadership in education and training, saved countless lives,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We extend our condolences to his family, his friends and all those touched by the important safety lessons he shared.”

A military, commercial and general aviation pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours, McSpadden served in the US Air Force for 20 years, including as commander and flight leader of the US Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.

Richard McSpadden | Photo courtesy AOPA

Since 2017, McSpadden has led AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI), which promotes GA safety and pilot proficiency through education. Two years ago, he launched ASI’s “Early Analysis” video series examining GA aircraft accidents, offering his professional analysis and insights based on initial information available.

Pete Bunce, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President & CEO, said: “Yesterday, aviation lost a true giant. Our general aviation community is in deep mourning with the passing of Richard McSpadden.

“Spad was a close friend. We flew F-15s together over the skies of Iraq, worked closely within the airshow community when he served as the leader of the USAF Thunderbirds, and we flew the Idaho backcountry together. I have never known an aviator with finer pilot skills who then in-turn selflessly helped others benefit from his vast expertise with such humility that pilots at any experience level felt comfortable learning in Spad’s presence.”

“Spad was pilot’s pilot,” said Eric Hinson, SIMCOM President and CEO and GAMA Chairman. “His quiet competency was evident to all of us who were fortunate to fly with him. We have lost one of our very best and a true champion of aviation safety.”

“The best tribute we can give to Richard is to continue to raise the safety bar in general aviation and share Spad’s passion to make us all better aviators. Our hearts and prayers go out to Judy, Grant, Annabel and their entire extended family, the family of the other pilot lost in this tragedy, and the AOPA team,” Bunce added.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 5th October 2023 | Issue #718