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Wright plane replica crashes; pilot seriously injured

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Staff photo by Ron Alvey A Wright Flyer III replica crashed at Huffman Prairie, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

By John Nolan, Staff Writer Updated 9:33 PM Thursday, October 1, 2009

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — A pilot injured Thursday morning, Oct. 1, when he crashed a replica of the 1905 Wright Flyer III had undergone surgery late Thursday and was scheduled for another surgical procedure, said Tony Sculimbrene of the National Aviation Heritage Alliance.

Family members of pilot Mark Dusenberry were with him at Miami Valley Hospital, Sculimbrene said about 9 p.m. Thursday.

Dusenberry crashed during a practice flight in preparation for a re-enactment next week of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s historic demonstration of practical flight at Huffman Prairie.

The 48-year-old Dover resident had completed one practice flight and was on a second when the replica plane crashed, leaving the aircraft face-down in the middle of the field, its tail sticking up in the air.

Air Force spokesman Derek Kaufman said Dusenberry “was engaged in a second flight when he hit pretty hard.”

Dusenberry was taken to the hospital by CareFlight medical helicopter.

“The patient is awake, but he is in critical condition,” hospital spokeswoman Nancy Thickel said Thursday afternoon. “I don’t know what the extent of his injuries are.”

Neil “Skip” Raymond, a trustee with the National Aviation Heritage Alliance, which organized volunteers in support of the practice flights, said Dusenberry had been aloft for perhaps 20 seconds and was flying at 15 to 20 feet when the plane went down.

“It was going straight as an arrow, then straight down,” Raymond said.

Dusenberry, an Ohio Department of Transportation engineer who built and flies the replica plane, had been practicing for the re-enactment flight scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5. He and the plane also went down during an Oct. 5, 2007, re-enactment flight at Huffman Prairie. He escaped injury then.

Because of Thursday’s accident, the National Park Service said it has canceled the Monday re-enactment and a community breakfast that was to have preceded it. Affiliated educational events for school children from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday at Huffman Prairie will go on as scheduled, Ranger Julia Frasure said.

Huffman Prairie is part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Air Force manages the field, which is also part of the park aervice’s Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

Huffman Prairie is the field where the Wright brothers made the Oct. 5, 1905, flight that showed their flying machine was practical.

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Sorry about Mark's bad luck. How about an update on his condition. What is the prognosis for a good recovery?

Ron David
8:23 AM, 11/1/2009

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update on mark dusenberry. tore his aorta in two places and broke his back.

chris
3:21 PM, 10/30/2009

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For all those with negative remarks..shame on you. Mark is a fantastic person who doesn't deserve your negative comments. I will pray for those of you who feel the need to slam someone you don't know..you need the prayer's as much as Mark does. Get well soon Mark!
Love Eric, Carolyn, Jason, Jen and Janna Shaw..

Carolyn Shaw
8:46 PM, 10/6/2009

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My prayers are with Mark and his family at this time.I was raised by parents who loved history and my Dad was so thrilled to be invited to sit in the pilot's seat of the Wright B Flyer at the museum nearly 20 years ago.I keep hoping to go to Huffman Prairie to see how the Wright Brothers were able to make their plane fly and contribute to modern day aviation. I've seen a nice presentation about it. Mark, thanks for showing people what it would have been like to fly back then.God be with you.

Sharon
9:48 AM, 10/5/2009

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We are neighbors to Mark Dusenberry and got to be friends with Mark and the crew that works hard with Mark to fly his Wright Brothers REPLICA PLAIN.I had got the chance to see how much work and time it takes to just get the Wright Flyer ready to fly.Mark has had get togethers once a year to thank every one for putting up with his hobby of flying.I want Mark and his faimly to no if you need any help while Mark is getting well please e mail me.Every one here is wishing you a speedy recovery.

JEFF PETERMAN
5:47 AM, 10/5/2009

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