Plane crash victims mourned
The FAA investigates why the plane went down Saturday
By Dennis Hoey dhoey@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
SOUTH PORTLAND - Air traffic controllers across the nation Sunday mourned the death of one of their own, while investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration tried to determine what caused an airplane to crash in the Maine Mall area.
Mark Haskell in the Lizzy-Lou, which he bought in 2001.
Courtesy of Tim Frechette
Mark Haskell takes a ride over the Portland area in a B-17.
Courtesy of Tim Frechette
Related headlines
Mark Haskell, 42, an air traffic controller at the Portland International Jetport, was killed in the crash along with Thomas Casagrande, 66, a retired military test pilot who lived in Portland.
"It's going to take a long time to get over this," said Michael Wood, operations supervisor at the jetport's control tower who has known Haskell for 18 years. "He was a big presence here."
Haskell's two-seat Aerostar Yak-52 crashed on Western Avenue in South Portland around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, shortly after taking off from the jetport.
Witnesses said the plane failed to gain altitude and banked to the left before hitting the road and tumbling in front of the Staples plaza near the corner of Maine Mall Road.
Nobody on the ground was injured, but Western Avenue was not reopened until 12:46 p.m. Sunday, according to South Portland police.
Paul Burke, a pilot and air traffic controller from Pittsfield, was a close friend and colleague of Haskell. Burke said Haskell and Casagrande were doing Haskell's flight review, a federally required test that pilots take every two years to make sure their pilot's licenses are current, when Haskell's plane crashed. "Tom (Casagrande) is a highly respected pilot," he said.
Paul Bradbury, director of the jetport, said Haskell had done several touch-and-goes -- landings followed by another takeoff without stopping -- earlier in the day, which he said is part of a pilot's standard training routine.
Haskell was well-known within the aviation community, Bradbury said. He had worked as an air traffic controller in Portland for more than 19 years. He was married and had three young children.
"Mark's death in this terrible accident leaves all of us who knew him and his deep love of aviation very shocked and saddened," Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said Sunday. "We extend our deepest sympathies to Mark's wife, Alison, his children, all of his family and friends, and his brothers and sisters at the Portland tower where he was loved and admired for his leadership, warm demeanor and sense of humor."
Shaun Patten of Scarborough, an air traffic controller in Portland, met Haskell three years ago.
"He was just the nicest guy," Patten said. "His smile greeted you every time you saw him. Not only was he a very dedicated and talented controller, he took new controllers under his wing and helped them out."
Tim Frechette of Biddeford photographed Haskell at air shows in the region.
"The only reason someone would turn around that quickly (after takeoff) is if there were some type of mechanical malfunction," Frechette said.
Frechette believes his friend crashed the plane on Western Avenue to avoid landing in a more heavily populated area such as the Maine Mall.
"Being an air traffic controller, Mark knew where everything was on the ground. He would have been concerned about causing a greater loss of life," Frechette said.
Wood, the jetport's operations supervisor, said he spoke Sunday with Haskell's wife, Alison. "Alison told me today that her family has a very strong faith that will get them through this," he said.
Haskell and his wife purchased the Yak-52 in 2001 from the Romanian Air Force and named it Lizzy-Lou after their daughter, who was born on the same day they signed the contract, according to a website about the plane.
On that same website (maineyak.net), the following message was posted Sunday:
"Tragically, Mark Haskell and Thomas Casagrande died July 17, 2010, when 'Lizzy-Lou' went down in South Portland, not far from the Portland jetport. It is unclear at this time why it went down. The investigation is ongoing.
"Mark was a kind, good natured, loving family man who loved to fly. God bless you Mark."
Staff Writer Melanie Creamer contributed to this report.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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18 COMMENTS
mutt said...
There is alot to be said and admired when people die doing what they love. May god bless and keep these two souls.
July 19, 2010 at 4:59 AM Report abuse
CEMan said...
God's Speed Mark and Thomas.
July 19, 2010 at 7:33 AM Report abuse
AFVET said...
No report of a loss of power on takeoff. But, if the engine quit, the pilot seems to have selected the least populated spot on which to put the aircraft down. Apparently, no communication with the tower occurred after clearance.
July 19, 2010 at 9:08 AM Report abuse
dGNjMTg%3D said...
Please know that we are holding your family close in our hearts, thoughts and prayers as our family struggles this same path with you. There is no other way we would have wanted Dad to go, but we are saddened that it was too soon-- too soon for Mark, too soon for you, too soon for all of us. God be with you. Tracy Casagrande Clancy
July 19, 2010 at 9:10 AM Report abuse
Hubie64 said...
No one could ask for a truer friend than Mark. He is safe in the arms of our Lord and he would want you to know the same kind of assurance; that's the kind of man he was. Alison, Markie, Liz and Aaron; know that we are mouring with you and will keep you in prayer. I can't imagine your grief right now. I'm praying that Jesus will give you all the peace that surpasses all understanding. We are praying for the Cassagrande family as well. I didn't know Tom, but he sounds like he was a great guy as well.
July 19, 2010 at 11:23 AM Report abuse
test said...
testt
July 19, 2010 at 11:45 AM Report abuse
Caveman said...
It sounds like two good men were called before their time. It will be a heavy burden to bear for the families and loved ones for sure. Rest in Peace gentlemen, and sincerest condolences to all involved. USAF 66-70
July 19, 2010 at 12:01 PM Report abuse
said...
Rest in peace!!
July 19, 2010 at 12:38 PM Report abuse
said...
Very sad, way too early for these two.
July 19, 2010 at 12:42 PM Report abuse
mike d said...
It seems both men were highly rated pilots. It is sad, very sad. Thank God they were able to keep the plane away from congested areas.
July 19, 2010 at 12:58 PM Report abuse
said...
Rest in Peace to both men. It sad to see someone I have never seen not smiling pass. Mark you will be missed.
July 19, 2010 at 1:00 PM Report abuse
Bitty said...
Mourning potential victims who weren't killed by what is probably a defective YAK sports plane should be our first concern. This particular plane has had a lot of fatal crashes over the past decade; enough that they all should be grounded until it is determined they are safe to operate.
July 19, 2010 at 4:03 PM Report abuse
said...
Bitty, don't.....
July 19, 2010 at 4:18 PM Report abuse
DWC Buddy said...
Mark was a great friend and aviator! We had lots of fun times flying about. You will be sadly missed by all from DWC.
July 19, 2010 at 10:11 PM Report abuse
Karen G. said...
God called you home early for reasons not to be known. May your genuine love of life and family now carry them while you look down from above. We will all be here to hold your family up for all of the years to come. Mark you will be missed by all that ever had the blessing of meeting you!
July 20, 2010 at 12:04 AM Report abuse
Kellie G said...
Mark was the best friend and adopted brother a girl could ever have. I'll always luv ya, flyboy. My heart breaks for your family. I know how this loss makes my heart hurt, I can only imagine theirs. Thank you Mark and Thomas for keeping everyone else safe. God bless you both and your families.
July 20, 2010 at 8:48 AM Report abuse
tpward19 said...
God bless the family as they have suffered a great loss. May the Lord shine brightly on Allison and the kids, you all are in our prays. Sorry to hear that Mark went home to be with the Lord. Bless you!
July 20, 2010 at 5:46 PM Report abuse
alliemark said...
I don't think I could put into words the level of appreciation I have for all the prayers, love and support the kids and I have received by everyone who has entered comments as well as scores of others who have sent cards and made calls to us. Mark and Tom were phenominal men who had a deep admiration for each other and a love for others. They loved sharing their passion with anyone who they came in contact with. I can speak for Mark when I say that he would want all of you to know the peace that he had in his relationship with the Lord and that he longed to see others experience the same. I have no other passion but to carry on that love for others and to help share in others' grief. I find this tragedy has broadened my path to loving others deeper. You all have touched my life greatly, and I find great strength in listening to your stories of Mark and Tom. God bless you all for your outpouring!
August 24, 2010 at 10:59 PM Report abuse