Above – Site where the Houghton family plane impacted on July 7. New paint helps the cosmetics, but doesn’t heal our broken hearts.
Warning: Nothing gruesome below but if you don’t like specifics, you might skip. The specifics aren’t bad at all, but it might be harder if you know them. The facts show that they didn’t suffer.
As part of my healing, tonight I visited the crash site in Watsonville. It’s not the first time.I was there at 2am after the crash. The Watsonville police were SO nice to my wife and I that morning and allowed me behind the tape to get closer to the wreckage. I wanted to be where my brother and his family were last alive.
At the site this evening, I was there at the same time of the crash and I learned a few things. The first is that they did not suffer and they died instantly. I know this because I measured the angle of impact. They flew directly over an 11 foot tree without clipping the top and the main fuselage impacted 33 feet after the tree, indicating at least a 30 degree downward angle. This type of downward force is the least survivable angle of impact for the human body. With the angle to the body, speed, and angle of impact of the airplane, it is many, many times more force than is survivable. Their death was instant and they did not suffer. They had already perished before impacting the building some 40 yards later and before the fire.
Sorry if that was too specific, but it’s the way Luke, my late 12 year old nephew, would have described it. I was talking to a grief counselor about how to break news like this to kids, and he said for 10-12 year old kids, a slightly more direct approach is better and it’s good to answer the questions.
I walked around the crash site for over an hour. I found a few small pieces of plastic from the blue and amber colored lights (above). By the way, my brother would have done all of this and more for me. I have said before that I’m all cried out for a few days, but while exiting and passing the site on Airport Blvd I yelled, “I love you David.” That was too much and I broke down crying and had to pull over.
Update 7/18/11 10:24pm: Today I saw the official death certificate which included analysis from the coroner. It confirmed what I’ve said above. The immediate cause of death was fatal neck injury. This type of high speed injury causes instant death. Given a modest crash speed of 80 miles per hour, they all died immediately in 1/30 of a second when they first hit the parking lot.
I watch a lot of educational television on PBS. I saw a show on the beginning of the space program in the early 1960s. When they were sending monkeys into space they found that the monkeys would survive if they put them in a laying down position. If they sat them upright, the monkeys wouldn’t survive because neither humans or monkeys can survive significant G forces in any position other than laying down. In other works, to be more survivable, the impact of the crash has to push you flat on your back. Speaking to the 10 – 12 year olds, how many of you drive around with a bed? It’s not practical. This is similar to a car hitting you from behind and pushes you back into your seat and headrest – it’s more survivable. In this case, the plane stalled and basically did a nose-dive into the parking lot. If the impact of the crash pushes you forward and down so that your head wants to go toward your lap, such as in the case of the Houghton family, your neck is very fragile here and cannot handle the force of that. There is tremendous force at work and it causes instant death.
Not counting the steep climb-out, they probably only knew they were in trouble for about 4 seconds after their stall and before impact. Some might want to know what a stall is. Let’s take the example of a car going up a hill. If it’s not powerful enough to get up the hill it’s going to lose momentum and come down the hill backwards. In the case of an airplane, if it’s put into a climb that’s too steep, it will also slow down, but under a certain speed, the wings no longer will hold the airplane and do what’s called a “stall.” The airplane basically falls out of the air. The pilot can point the nose down and try to regain airspeed to get the wings flying again, but if they are already near the ground, there is not enough room and they are going to crash. In this case, we’re told that the pilot (my brother) was trying to climb over a fog bank, and before he knew it, his airplane stalled. They didn’t have enough time and altitude to recover airspeed, so they crashed into the ground.
I know there are a lot of 10 – 12 year olds parents who read this, so hopefully you will have the answers now to tell them along with some analogies.
The main point is David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan did not suffer. They died instantly. They died before they hit the building and they died before the fire. I hope that provides comfort. If they were here they would say that they love all their friends and they want you to know they enjoyed being with you while they were here. They’re on a new adventure now and they’re very happy.
Update 7/22/11 2:31pm: Preliminary report from the NTSB is now available. They came in from a higher altitude than I thought, which means a higher speed. I estimate at least 160mph, and hitting at 30 degrees means 300 g-forces, and it all happened in 1/60th of a second. This is much more than a human can tolerate in any position, even lying flat. They died instantly and it gives me comfort to know that none of them suffered. I really miss them.
Update 12/3/13: The final reports are available. My first assessment of speed was more accurate as they weren’t going that fast. This is sad for us and I don’t want to discuss it here any further. We love them so very much and miss them terribly.
John,
Thank you for that information. I have been haunted by the image reported in the paper from an eye witness seeing two sets of big eyes in the back seat when they flew over him in the parking lot. I’ve wanted a reason to believe they did not suffer in the fire. I will try now to assimilate this information and make peace with it. I hope the information is comforting for you.
John,
I echo Shannon’s appreciation. I have been trying to answer my son’s question of “Why didn’t they just jump out of the plane before it crashed?” very directly- but having some numbers and physics to back me up will help when he asks again. I am so relieved that my intuition that they did not suffer is backed up with facts. Thank you for continuing to share information and photos and words and feelings with all of us. It really helps. I hope the rest of the work you have with their estate falls into place at a manageable pace. Your family is in my prayers.
John I know this has been almost unbearably hard on you, I just want you to know how much your great efforts are appreciated and so helpful in our sorrows. We are a family and always will be, the love that DeDe, David and the boys shared with us taught all of us about life and living it to the fulliest with great zest for adventures and constant learning, but also about a tremendous capability to love all and make each of us feel special. It was amazing how many mentioned they were just so surprised at the number of others that thought “They were the best friends, or extra special”! This was gift they shared with us all, and I think they would probably say “Why the Surprise?” You are all SPECIAL AND THE BEST!” You and all of those who have touched my life have made me feel special and I love you and thank you so much!
John,
I, too, echo Shannon’s appreciation for your explanations about the crash. Those same words from that article have also haunted me, as I’m sure they have for so many. It’s comforting to know that it must have happened so fast that they really didn’t have an opportunity to fully process what was happening, and that they didn’t suffer. Thinking of your brother and his beautiful family suffering has been more than I can bear.
There is more that I would like to express to you and the others here sharing their grief, but it’s so hard to put the words together in a way that make sense. I’m truly grateful for your continued posts. Thank you for allowing us to share our grief with you, and for being so open with us.
With warmth and comfort,
Michele Lamelin
Thank you, John. I have been re-living their last few minutes over and over, praying that they did not suffer, too much, physically or emotionally. As a mother and a friend, it is so very hard to wrap my mind around sudden, violent death. We spend every waking moment trying to keep our loved ones safe and healthy.
Your expertise and your analysis is very reassuring, and yes, I have twelve year olds with questions.
I have also told my sons some information in keeping with my own spiritual beliefs and the findings of a doctor that studied hundreds of people with near-death experiences. Everyone of the people that he interviewed, regardless of how they almost died, experienced peace and a sense of love and fellowship so strong it was hard for them to want to return to their bodies. I am trying to focus on this potential experience for Luke, Ryan, Dede and David. It is a comforting thought.
When I went to the crash site on July 10th I was amazed that no trees were hurt. I am still pondering this.
john,
this objective, scientific info is super helpful and i really appreciate the time/effort you took to share it. it’s brought me more peace. thank you.
i imagine knowing that they didn’t suffer makes this all a teensy bit less horrific for you and yours, which reduces my angst about it all. part of my grief is the deep sadness i feel for everyone who is navigating this loss – family, close friends, their daily community, and all those kids – and the parents who are trying to help their kids understand something so huge.
the minister may have had ideas about “why” this happened, but they didn’t resonate for me. i find focusing on the “how” (which you did above) and “what” – as in “what can i do in this moment to live with a little more zest and keep their spirit alive?” to be more helpful.
thanks for sharing your process. i suspect that you are doing as much as your brother could have/would have done for you, it just looks different because you are special in your own beautiful way. i feel david’s pride in you.
sarah
Dearest John,
thank you so much for this report, it has set a lot of troubled minds at ease. I don’t know where you are finding the strength to carry on at the pace you are, I believe God has blessed you. You have so many of Davids traits that it is uncanny! Very twin like! Very dedicated and powerful. I was so happy to meet you at the memorial. Do take care and carry on for that wonderful little young family of yours. Dona
Dear John,
I want to thank you so much for this piece. I have checked this site daily since the tragedy and, like others, have been haunted by thoughts of what their last moments may have been like. I am so relieved to know that they went quickly and little time to fear. I imagine it must have been awfully difficult to go to the site and do this probing.
I was Luke’s English teacher in 3rd grade, and while I did not have a chance to get to know him and the family in depth (I only saw him an hour a day), I will never forget his extreme enthusiasm for science and reading, as well as DeDe’s always cheerful and helpful demeanor. I can still see and hear Luke raising his hand and saying, “Excuse me…” I always marveled at the wonderful manners!
Thank you, again, for sharing your blog with us. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thanks so much for the information. I am glad to hear that they did not suffer, it makes me feel more at peace. David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan were wonderful souls who left behind a legacy of humanity and love. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family.
I am so sorry for your lose it gives me a heavy heart.I’m from maine and we are a big family we must be related some how.I’m so sorry God bless them and your family also.
I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know about this until my mother and I saw the bench at Santa Cruz. We saw all the flowers that were left there, and noticed it was the one year anniversary, all though that word doesn’t sound right when speaking of someone’s death. We felt so horrible for the loss of such a family. Although we didn’t know them, it seems from the photo’s and the things we have read that they seemed like a great family.
I hope time has helped to heal some of your wounds. I have seen so many people that I care about die, and I know the pain doesn’t completely disappear but things get better and you start to remember the good times. The memories of all the good times and love you shared will help somewhat, I hope it does at least. Again, I know it’s been a year but I am really sorry for your loss and I hope time has helped you to heal.
The NTSB published a Factual report on 10/28/2013. The factual report contains the bulk of the public investigative detail upon which they will base their finding of probable cause. They are also publishing an estimated release date of 12/6/2013 for said findings.
I have no comment on the report itself, I just wanted to share that I’ve been waiting a long time to read it, and now you can too, if you’re inclined. Peace.
Thank you, John, for these updates about your brother and his family. I was close them as well, David having taught me technical trimix diving. I had been his most recent trimix graduate. I am glad the store has reopened, and I plan to stop by and visit it. I have memorialized the family with annual visits to the yacht harbor beach where we used to train as instructors together. David and DeDe were both great instructors. I think of them often, anytime I am in Santa Cruz.