Athletes and aviation don't mix

By: Mike Lovecchio

Posted: 11/1/06

News of the fatal plane crash of New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle in Manhattan has sent shockwaves through the sports world. But just as the near fatal accident of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger provided a wake-up call for athletes who ride motorcycles without helmets, the Lidle tragedy should serve as a reminder of just how dangerous aviation can be.
Lidle, 34, crashed his single-engine aircraft into the 30th and 31st floors of a Manhattan apartment on Oct. 11 only eight months after earning his pilot's license on Feb. 9. It was the team's second air-related fatality in its history.
In 1979, Thurman Munson perished in the prime of his career. He was an all-star catcher and the Yankees' team captain. He had been flying for 18 months, but while preparing for a landing Munson pulled back on the throttle to lower the speed and altitude. Pulling back too far, Munson's loss of speed resulted in a loss of control of the plane and he crashed 600 feet short of the runway.
Now, 27 years later, athletes still look for adventure and many turn to aviation for their dose of adrenaline.
In fact, more athletes than ever rely on the air for their transportation and fatalitites are becoming more common. Since 1925, 47 active players and coaches have perished in airplane or helicopter crashes.
The danger of flying is so apparent that the NBA's uniform player contract forbids "operating an aircraft."
NASCAR drivers fly more than any other athletes, flying to and from the track each week. But just as in every other sport, NASCAR has had its share of air-related tragedies.
In 1993, the sport lost both its past champion and one of its most promising young drivers just four months apart when Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison were both involved in helicopter crashes.
Just three years ago, 10 members of the Hendrick Motorsports race team, including former Busch Series driver Ricky Hendrick, died en route to a race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia
While we can all hope that the Lidle crash will open athletes' eyes to the dangers of air travel, psychologist Jack Llewellyn told ESPN.com that he doesn't think they will get the hint.
"Athletes are aggressive. They're risk-takers and they have a real feeling of invincibility. That's what separates them from other people, and you can't take that away."

Athletes who died in aviation accidents over the past 15 years:

Jan. 27, 2001 - Two Oklahoma State basketball players along with six team staff members

Oct. 25, 1999 - Payne Stewart, two-time U.S. Open winning golfer

May 11, 1996 - Rodney Culver, San Diego Chargers running back

April 18, 1996 - Brook Beringer, Nebraska quarterback

July 13, 1993 - Davey Allison, NASCAR driver

April 1, 1993 - Alan Kulwicki, 1992 NASCAR champion