FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 11/30/2009)
As friends remember a Memphis businessman killed when his plane crashed near Memphis International Airport Sunday, we're learning more about the pilot and his airplane's history.
The single-engine Piper crashed near a runway Sunday evening.
57 Year old Emmett O'Ryan died.
O'Ryan's daughter, son, and a friend of his son, were all aboard the plane, and were injured.
Tonight, the FAA confirms that O'Ryan was caught flying an unsafe aircraft, not meeting FAA standards in 2007.
Records show that happened in Olive Branch, Mississippi and involved the same plane that crashed
What at first seemed like a terrible tragedy, took on a whole new meaning for Curt Gabardi this morning.
"When you hear something like this, you hope you don't know who it is and when you find out it is, it's tough," said Gabardi, choking back tears.
Gabardi's friend, 57 year old Emmett O'Ryan was killed in Sunday's crash.
Friends say O'Ryan was returning to Memphis from West Virginia, where he'd bought a home, and spent the holiday weekend with family and friends.
This afternoon, as a steady stream of well-wishers filed into the family's Central Avenue home, they remembered O'Ryan as a good businessman, a good friend, and a good father.
"The very fact that Emmett spent his last days with family, and friends says a lot about him," said Gabardi echoing those sentiments.
As CEO of Metropolitan Bank, Gabardi met O'Ryan when he was tapped to be a founding member of Metropolitan's board of directors.
O'Ryan was was a successful businessman, with his own company specializing in in-store displays, but Gabardi says his friend brought something more to the table than just business know-how.
He remembers O'Ryan's love of life, and infectious enthusiasm.
"I think everyone at the bank is numb and in shock about the news," explained Gabardi.
In time, he says they'll fill O'Ryan's seat on the bank board, but, in his words, they'll never find another Emmett.
"With his energy and with his positive outlook on things and always bringing us up a notch, or a level," recalled Gabardi, "that's something we're going to have to put in a box and hold."
As a result of the 2007 incident involving the plane's airworthiness, the FAA confirms O'Ryan had his pilot's license suspended for 30 days.
However, at the time of Sunday's crash, federal records show both O'Ryan and the plane involved had valid certifications.
scott.noll@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/30/2009)
- Federal records show plane involved in deadly crash was ruled unsafe by FAA in 2007
- 57 Year old Emmett O'Ryan killed, 3 others injured
- Federal investigators say it could take a year before cause of crash is known
(Memphis 11/30/2009)
As friends remember a Memphis businessman killed when his plane crashed near Memphis International Airport Sunday, we're learning more about the pilot and his airplane's history.
The single-engine Piper crashed near a runway Sunday evening.
57 Year old Emmett O'Ryan died.
O'Ryan's daughter, son, and a friend of his son, were all aboard the plane, and were injured.
Tonight, the FAA confirms that O'Ryan was caught flying an unsafe aircraft, not meeting FAA standards in 2007.
Records show that happened in Olive Branch, Mississippi and involved the same plane that crashed
What at first seemed like a terrible tragedy, took on a whole new meaning for Curt Gabardi this morning.
"When you hear something like this, you hope you don't know who it is and when you find out it is, it's tough," said Gabardi, choking back tears.
Gabardi's friend, 57 year old Emmett O'Ryan was killed in Sunday's crash.
Friends say O'Ryan was returning to Memphis from West Virginia, where he'd bought a home, and spent the holiday weekend with family and friends.
This afternoon, as a steady stream of well-wishers filed into the family's Central Avenue home, they remembered O'Ryan as a good businessman, a good friend, and a good father.
"The very fact that Emmett spent his last days with family, and friends says a lot about him," said Gabardi echoing those sentiments.
As CEO of Metropolitan Bank, Gabardi met O'Ryan when he was tapped to be a founding member of Metropolitan's board of directors.
O'Ryan was was a successful businessman, with his own company specializing in in-store displays, but Gabardi says his friend brought something more to the table than just business know-how.
He remembers O'Ryan's love of life, and infectious enthusiasm.
"I think everyone at the bank is numb and in shock about the news," explained Gabardi.
In time, he says they'll fill O'Ryan's seat on the bank board, but, in his words, they'll never find another Emmett.
"With his energy and with his positive outlook on things and always bringing us up a notch, or a level," recalled Gabardi, "that's something we're going to have to put in a box and hold."
As a result of the 2007 incident involving the plane's airworthiness, the FAA confirms O'Ryan had his pilot's license suspended for 30 days.
However, at the time of Sunday's crash, federal records show both O'Ryan and the plane involved had valid certifications.
scott.noll@wreg.com
(Memphis 11/30/2009)
