September 23: Impacts from Fiona delay start of Cape Hatteras schools/Wanchese man held on meth and fentanyl charges/ Dare GOP postpones Saturday prayer rally.

By Outer Banks Voice on September 21, 2022

Update: The Town of Southern Shores has revealed the identity of the two men involved in the ultra-light glider accident that occurred on Sept. 21. The survivor is Steven William Fisher, age 36, from Lancaster PA, who was the passenger. The deceased has been identified as Kenneth Budd, 56, also of Lancaster, who was the pilot. The incident has been turned over the National Safety Transportation Board for further investigation.

Update: The town of Southern Shores now reports that the body of the second individual in today’s ultra-light glider crash has been recovered. No names are being released at this time. The Town of Southern Shores would like to thank all individuals and agencies involved in the rescue, search, and recovery effort; TI Coastal (survey boat), Kill Devil Hills Surf Rescue, the Coast Guard, Southern Shores Fire, Southern Shores Ocean Rescue, Southern Shores Police, and Duck Fire and Rescue.

The Town of Southern Shores has just released this information about of a Sept. 21 aviation accident in the waters off its beach. One of the passengers is still missing.

At 10:00 AM this morning, an ultra-light glider carrying two passengers malfunctioned and landed in the ocean. One individual was rescued and safely brought to shore. An active search is taking place for the second individual by the Coast Guard, Southern Shores Fire and Southern Shores Ocean Rescue, Duck Fire and Rescue, and two of the beach nourishment survey boats.No names are being released at this time.

This might be the birthbplace of aviation but it sure seems we are in the running for the deathplace for aviators. Another ultralight went down near Avalon Pier just in 2020. There was the 8 that got killed last year off Cape Lookout. The banner plane that went down in ’18. Feels like there are more. Very sad. Sorry for the families and friends.

I feel sorry for the people who parish while flying ultralights. I hope people know that there is no requirement for an aviation liscense for or FAA inspection of the craft. You are taking your life into your hand when you fly in an ultralight.

So tragic and sad. Our sympathies to the family & friends of the person who passed away. May he/she Rest In Peace.

I was sorry to learn of this crash , payers to the family

I was inspired to pursue my private pilot’s license after a friend took me for my first ride in an ultralight. Experiencing the Outer Banks from that open-air perspective was something I will always cherish. I saw our shadow on a cloud and the sun created a bright halo-effect around it. Being in the open air and able to dangle your feet above the ocean as you fly along the coast looking for schools of fish and waving to sunbathers on the beach is like a fairytale dream. My heart breaks for those affected by this tragic accident.

Retired pilot here. This was not a glider. A glider has no engine. This was an ultralight aircraft which does have a small engine. For what it’s worth.

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