Daniel A. Bernath Fatal Accident Factual Report

[FastEddieB]

This just posted to Pilots Of America.

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2019/11/a ... fatal.html

Some here may remember him as USSYorktown.

Worth a read - lots of links in this chain.

[Half Fast]

Amazing. From the damaged aircraft to the medical issues to a chemistry lab's worth of pharmaceuticals in his body, this was almost inevitable. Wow.

[comperini]

Thanks for the updates on this!

I wonder what the issue was when law enforcement showed up and demanded the mechanic leave the hangar?

[Scooper]

Thanks for the updates on this!

I wonder what the issue was when law enforcement showed up and demanded the mechanic leave the hangar?

I think it's purely speculation, but some on PoA have suggested Bernath's wife was concerned because Bernath had mentioned the damaged trim tab to her and she wanted the mechanic to look at it to ensure the damage didn't render the plane unsafe for him to fly. Bernath was afraid the mechanic would find that it was in fact unsafe, and called law enforcement to escort the mechanic away from the hangar. Bernath had brought up the trim tab issue on the VAF forums looking for advice. Van's support told him he should be concerned that the airplane may have been subjected to excessive stress.

[foresterpoole]

Yikes, that's a plethora of issues there. I'm no pharmacologist, but those drugs alone are pretty powerful to be mixing and trying to fly a plane....

[Half Fast]

I wonder what CFI and DPE signed off Bernath’s ticket. It’s hard to imagine someone with worse ADM. you would think they would have seen that. People on this forum tried to reason with him without success. Witless, thick headed, and arrogant.

[designrs]

Everyone who knew “Yorktown” on this board YEARS AGO pretty much knew that something like this was pretty much inevitable. I remember asking, “What can be done to stop someone like this?” when he was insistent on using an iPad GPS GROUNDSPEED head-up indicator for landing purposes; despite multiple CFIs on this board warning him NOT to do that! The only practical answer was possibly a FAST team member at his local airport.

More issues and incidents followed which were widely known throughout the industry.

This fatal crash wasn’t about regulation failure, nor was it about medical issues (despite toxicology reports.) It was about a long series of highly unusual decisions and actions by one very unique and persistent individual who’s history speaks for itself, of which there are plenty of public records.

Thank God he didn’t take anyone else with him, in the plane or on the ground.

[drseti]

Richard, it's great to see you back posting on the forum after such a long absence. Welcome back! Phone me when you have a chance to talk, so we can catch up.
Safe Skies,
Paul

[designrs]

Thanks Dr. Paul! It’s good to be back.

[Flocker]

Thanks Dr. Paul! It’s good to be back.

Ping me too. I'd like to catch up!

[USN_MC]

I remember reading about this guy when I was on active duty. I don't know his flying history but I believe he was faking being a Chief. Putting everything into perspective, he was a person with some serious insecurity. A Chief? At least get those stars bud! Unfortunately, he didn't get the help he needed or the mentorship when he was in. Despite not being fond of what I read about him a few years ago, he was a human being. Very sad to read.