The news you’ve been waiting for
Mr Bernath was the sole occupant of the airplane at the time.
The incident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and basically, I’m going to avoid commenting until that investigation has been completed. I ask that you do the same.
As you may be aware, Mr Bernath has accused us of sabotaging his aircraft in the past. Of course, that wasn’t true. No one I know would stoop to that level of stupidity. I wouldn’t know how to even begin to sabotage an airplane and the fact that I’m wheelchair-bound doesn’t make me stealthy enough to pull it off, if I did. I’m sure his accusations will be part of the investigation, though. For that reason, I will not comment publicly until the investigation has ended.
Category: Bernath
Woah, for real?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B7ICnzjSt0
That’s all I’ve got to say about that.
I’d hoped that he would be around long enough to figure out what an asshat he’d been for the last 10 years. Given the news account that stated he was arguing with the control tower just before the crash, I’m guessing that he didn’t.
Regardless, his children are now fatherless, and I have to feel badly for them.
I’ve heard that at least one of his Daughters completely disowned him. I wonder if it was the one whose name he used to buy and register the first plane he wrecked?
Sounds like one daughter still believes her father was a good man, a good father, and a good grandfather. SMH. . .
Does this mean the DRG is ‘rudderless’?
He was the “leader” of that little band of nitwits. Whoever passed him on his check ride to be a private pilot must have been one of his drinking buddies.
Or a former client that did it in trade, instead of paying for services rendered.
Indeed.
Gravity still undefeated.
In the words of the late, great, Neptunus Lex, DAB has tied the world record for low altitude flight.
Fair winds and following seas, Lex.
Great website – was shocked on the day he was killed.
I heard once that each and every flight is a battle against gravity which always ends in one way or another.
Robert Heinlein wrote a book entitled, “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”
I always liked that book and the lessons inside, but I would add it appears Karma and the Moon might have that in common.
It looks like gravity was a harsher mistress for this POSer with a pilot’s license.
Wait, when did he get out of jail or the psych ward or wherever he was over Christmas?
Seriously, I thought he was still in custody.
He was released last Friday
Released on the 19th, crashes and burns on the 21st. That’s one straight up selfish, narcissistic SOB all the way to the end. Took no responsibility for his actions ever.
Feel bad for his kids.
Why?
Because regardless of how bad a father a man is, his children still have feelings for him. If nothing else, regret that he was not the father they wanted him to be, and now never can change to be.
Thats not true. Making a blanket statement like that is alwas dangerous
You just made a blanket statement.
I guess you like living dangerously?
FWIW, my statement is made after 30+ years of working with youth, some of whom had fathers who were convicts, or abusers, or just plain left them and their mother and followed their own little head somewhere.
The children of such father in my experience have always had some kind of feeling for their father, if nothing else wishing that their father would love them like a father ought to.
Even when they were glad that their sperm-donor was out of the picture, when he died, there were these regrets and longings left creating a pain and a grief for things that ought to have been.
And the justification for your pontification is?
I actually can identify with this sentiment. There’s a finality to the death of a parent when you realize that redemption and reconciliation will never happen. I wish his children peace tempered with the knowledge of what he did to people I know and love.
Too bad the newspaper article didn’t use his orange jumpsuit mug shot.
Nope, but that IS one of his earlier mugshots. Fitting.
I passed the latest mugshot to the media.
More on the incident…
https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2018/01/23/lcso-plane-deadly-bonita-springs-crash-headed-immokalee/1060006001/
The story that Jonn linked to stated that the next-of-kin were out of the country, which was the reason when it took so long to ID him.
I’m guessing that there is more to this story…
There always is.
This may be the quickest NTSB investigation in the agency’s history–if they start by looking at how much gas was in the tank.
My money says the fuel was in the tanks the hole time he was incarcerated, and full of moister.
moister than what?
kidding!
To echo Jonn, I will keep my thoughts/opinions about the nature/cause of the crash to myself until the NTSB does its job, which could be several months.
That being said, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I think happened.
//EOM NOTHING FOLLOWS
I know where you’re going, Sparky, and I’m there with you.
My vote is for “CIA faked his death so he could hunt American’s most wanted as a door gunner on the Zuma”
SSG Kane has best theory yet and we should go with that.
NTSB, FAA and a whole line of three lettered agencies will finish their inquiries, produce reports and then we can all say … told you so!
I know what my first thought was and likely that was the reason.
I also feel sorry for his children. The loss of a parent is always a tough transition. May their transition be smooth and I hope they remember the good times.
May he rest in pieces.
That is all.
A-fuckin-men.
Definitely a fitting last chapter to the book you’re writing.
The Title is:
Daniel Alan Bernath – From Plane Crash to Plane Crash: The Dissecting of the Most Prolific and Unapologetic Valor Thief in World History
I’d buy it.
Regardless, God rest his soul, condolences to the family.
So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.
No, not quite. Denethor actually had a moment of humanity just before the end.
Maybe Bernath did also, but you’re probably right.
At least he didn’t wreck with somebody’s dog duct taped to a seat in the plane.
(OVER)
Of course his demise would be as bizarre as his life. No other comment…
“National Transportation Safety Board officials are investigating the crash and are in the “on-scene gathering phase,” said Eric Weiss, a spokesman for the agency.
“We look at the human, the machine and the environment,” he said.
Weiss said the agency generates a preliminary report within seven to 10 days and usually completes its investigation, which will include a probable cause, in between 12 and 24 months.”
So it may be two years before we know for sure what happened, although they’ll give us a rough guess in a week to a week-and-a-half.
You can hear his voice on this news clip before he went down:
https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/audio-before-plane-crash-shows-pilot-s-ignorance
And this article discussed his previous plane crash as well as his disbarrment from CA:
https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/victim-of-fatal-bonita-springs-plane-crash-identified
He was flying a Vans RV12. According to this, the plane was an “experimental aircraft.”
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/37333417/investigators-plane-that-crashed-in-bonita-springs-was-an-experimental-aircraft
If you click on the link in this article, you can see the information on the plane:
http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2018/01/fatal-accident-occurred-january-22-2018.html
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N262WS
The audio clip sums him up.
Boy, does it ever. He sounded lucid and spoke clearly. Beyond that, I have nothing.
As a former pilot, it sounds like this poor guy had no business being at the controls? He failed to understand and respond to basic commands and instructions? How long has this idiot supposedly been a pilot? I learned this in my first 10 hours of flight instructions? It is a miracle this bone head didn’t kill innocent people on the ground??
WW: If you go to this site and type in his name, it looks as if was licensed since 2011 as a Sports Pilot:
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/interactive_airmen_inquiry/
It also states he did not meet ICOA Requirements.
You are right that is was a miracle that no one on the ground was injured or killed.
He’s on record, bragging about his piloting skills and using a 99 cent iPad app to display his speed while landing. Everyone in the pilot forums tried to tell him how stupid he was. I wonder if he used his iPad right up until the very end… Stall speed, don’t ya know.
I dunno, seems he left a fairly prominent skid-mark that would suggest much better than stall speed for a craft that size.
https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/plane-crash-in-bonita-springs-fl-1-22-18.108424/#post-2447737
Transcript reads like he thought he was talking to METRO.
I also was formerly a private pilot with an instrument rating. Since he was only licensed as a Sport Pilot, he could only fly Light Sport type aircraft. The requirements for the light sport license are substantially less that for a regular private pilot license, which requires over 40 hours of flight instruction time in the aircraft and a lengthy ground school. It is obvious from the transcript of his conversation with the air traffic controller he was not skilled at proper radio procedure. The fact that ATC had to repeat instructions to him over four times is telling. He was told to maintain 2,500 ft. altitude and a heading of 170 degrees and to stay “clear of clouds.” Therefore, he was being vectored to clear other aircraft or back to the airport. The “clear of clouds” direction means he was flying during overcast conditions. The aircraft he was flying was a light sport RV-12, a single engine two seater with a 100 hp Rotax motor. He likely ran out of fuel again or did something else stupid. Fortunately, no dogs or human passengers died with him.
Did something stupid, most likely.
The RV-12 is so airworthy that it has to be almost forced to land.
LOL… would have been a shame to loose a dog or any one on the ground.
He like to repeat his behavior I guess, as he has done the same/same in the past. He also like to try and sue the plane manufacturers. Last thing he was going after concerned the prop on his RV12. I would like to submit speculation on the incident but agree with Jonn, et al, best left to the experts and their findings.
Wow. Not the update I was expecting when I saw his mug this morning.
That didn’t take long. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was attempting to stage another incident with which to launch new allegations. He’d be just like that.
You may have a speculative point.
Goodbye, TAH
Good bye a$$hole.
Don’t forget your fuel gauge on the way out.
So I need to mark my calendar for early 2020 to get the next update?
See above – prelim report in about 2 weeks, final report may take up to 2 years.
“For that reason, I will not comment publicly until the investigation has ended.”
“…usually completes its investigation, which will include a probable cause, in between 12 and 24 months.”
I have to admit, my first thought was that he had committed suicide by airplane after just getting out of the klink.
My condolences to his family for having to deal with such an individual for so long.
That was my first thought as well, especially when his next of kin just happened to be out of the country. But, let’s let the NTSB do their thing.
Given the ATC conversation on the radio, I think suicide is unlikely. Incompetence is more likely.
I have to believe that Senior Chief and Mrs. Shipley are two of the most relieved people on Earth today.
God knows they needed that weight off their shoulders.
Well, since someone already said “Wow”, I’m going to go with….
“Uh, I’m kinda speechless”
That’s a first.
Sad.
This article discussed his arrest in 2016 as well as his recent jail time:
http://www.abc-7.com/story/37320899/small-plane-crashes-in-bonita-springs-field-one-dead
Sadly, IMHO, his family were the ones suffering from his poor judgment and past behavior. And now this. Speculating more of his “dirty laundry” may be written or aired via news media, local or national.
As I shared, it has started, i.e.his “dirty laundry” is coming out. This article addressef his Oregon incident as well as his “Stolen Valor” incident with the cut and paste headshot picture posted on this news site:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.naplesnews.com/amp/1061153001
At least he didn’t kill anybody but himself.
Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well.
9/11?
Do gators count?
I got nothing.
i thought he was still in jail…. see i was right about being as informed as a 2nd LT!
wow, just…wow.
And he crashed on my mom’s birthday…
And so, the greatest tale of stolen valor TAH has ever seen comes to a rather unsurprising end. The very first post- a small tale about a fake CPO- would have, in the greater world of stolen valor SEALs, Special Forces, and false tales of combat and medals for valor- quickly been forgotten. But the rantings and ravings of a man whose cheese began to slide off of his cracker, the numerous sock puppets, the ridiculous litigation, attempts at defamation, taking on the great Don Shipley himself, and not to mention aspecialdayguide- all of it only made Bernath more infamous among TAH and the stolen valor community as he rose through the ranks to heights unprecedented among his peers.
His formation/alliance of the Dutch Rudder Gang, his resolute determination on spiraling further into infamy and insanity, and the transition of Daniel Bernath from plaintiff to defendant cemented his status as that of a legend. And a legend he is, from a certain perspective; no stolen valor individual, I would argue, has reached Bernathian-level heights of absurdity, lunacy, and madness.
TAH used to hold an annual “Ballduster McSoulpatch Stolen Valor Tournament”, an event that so many looked forward to every year as we voted on our favorite valor thieves and placed our bets on who would take home the gold. I believe Bernath was the last to win, and he won so hard we never held another tournament- we simply didn’t need to. He was the tournament winner emeritus. The ultimate SV thief. Unbeatable. The GOAT.
He will go down in the annals of TAH history as one of the great epics of stolen valor thievery. He may be gone from this world, but his rambling, incoherent, delusional legend will live in infamy forever.
Requiescat in Inferno. Amen.
Amen!
In the words of the late great Slim Pickens, “Ditto!”
condolences to the family. however much a nut he may have been, he still left some behind.
create and retire a special category for him, and the tournament continues after the appropriate moments of silence.
bout that much oughta do it.
Name the trophy after him.
I second that motion. Perhaps reword it so it’s not obvious to a casual reader but everyone in the know should know i’s after him.
The
Cornfield Crash of Exceptional Shortsightedness
Trophy.
The DAB/DRG Stolen Valor award.
/just “obscure” enough.
I agree, the Bernath trophy
Here! Here! Tip/Clink!!
One thing is for sure and it’s that cornfields are much easier on a small airplane than pine trees are.
I feel bad for the NOK, not much else to say right now…
What do North Korean’s have to do with this?
Not NORKs, SSG, NOK.
Dang, you trying out 2Lt with that reading level? /jk
I need the promotion for retirement.
Do you don’t, Buddy.
Check this out, 2018 Pay Scale:
E-7 over 20 base pay: $4,676.10
O-1 over 20 base pay: $3,910.20
No need to lose close to $350.00 a month in retired pay. Stay with the enlisted side of the house./smile
Hmmm, Do should be No,.
Mea Culpa.
((Over))
SSG Kane:
NOK means Next of Kin.
It does get confusing at times, especially with North Korea being in the limelight in the past couple of months.
They are my last best hope for commie kill’n.
RIP, that is all
‘member that time he crashed his caddy into a pallet of potting soil at the local grocery store to protest them blocking a handicap spot?
Geetwillickers ‘members.
http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=71559
Seems like crashing to cause a scene is not a foreign concept to this dood. Just sayin’
Adios!
I wonder if he had a stroke or a TIA. I was a CFII for years and rarely observed the level of disorientation exhibited in those communications.
The initial investigation report will describe whether he had had a BFR (biennenial flight review) and current medical certificate. A pilot license is only valid when accompanied by a current medical certificate.
For the distance he had planned to fly, climbing to 8,000 feet would have been a waste of time and fuel.
The controller assigned a heading of 170 degrees, presumably to return the pilot to the airport from which he departed. Accordingly, he may have been on a heading of 340 degrees in which case his altitude should have been an even number plus or minus 500 feet, i.e., 2,500, 4,500, 6,500, etc.
An autopsy report will likely tell the tale, there could have been some indications adult onset dementia. Just look the courts response to the various gibberish entered as claims.
Autopsy report? Will they be disecting Alligator Shit?
They say it’s dog-eat-dog, out there.
Sure hope the lawyer in Chesapeake was working from retainer.
Do Sport Pilot licenses require a medical? I don’t think they do.
His incoherent ramblings on that transmission sound more like someone who is clueless, not experiencing a stroke. He is speaking quite clearly, but he obviously has no clue as to proper protocols for communicating with ATC.
You’re correct, I don’t think Sport License requires a medical. For some reason I had it in my memory that eventually upgraded to a Private Pilot rating. After just checking, the database shows him having a Sport Pilot rating.
Nothing of value lost, except the plane. Good riddance you scummy Moonbat.
I was honestly expecting a report of a conviction or a long stay in the grey bar hotel. After reading the short transcript, I guess this was like the old senile person getting confused at a intersection.
ALCON,
Please take a moment to read link below.
Although the news above is tantalizing and exciting for some, the link below is far more important.
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=69104
MCPO is keeping his promise to John Sheppard.
John Sheppard was a good man…
I felt great sorrow at the loss of John Sheppard. Not so much for Bernath. He helped make John’s life miserable.
Thank You, MCPO, for keeping your promise and acknowledging/reminding us about John Sheppard (Rest in Peace).
Salute.
I had the honor to speak to him on a few occasions via phone. He lived about 20 minutes away and we were making plans to have a Mongolian Beef Lunch some time, unfortunately he was going downhill at the time and I couldn’t get around well either, so it never panned out.
Been thinking over the last few hours… forgive me if this gets a little long winded.
DAB’s death won’t stop the harassment that Jonn, TSO, Scotty and others here at TAH and other Stolen Valor websites have faced over the years. Someone will take and step up to play the games that DAB and the other members of the DRG have. DAB’s death doesn’t end the issue – someone will step in and try to replace him.
If you have the time and cash, consider making a contribution to Jonn to help keep TAH going – or to any other website that ID’s individuals that engage Stolen Valor. I have tried to make it a habit of giving to help keep this site going, and hopefully helping Jonn out with any legal costs. Any little bit help him (and others) out.
Thanks…
Here-Here. Well said Sir.
Ditto.
You’re right.
It’s just a matter of time until Y0uKnOwWhoSluRp3Th41 shows up again.
I commented on the Admin post that I was in the dark about what it was about, so now I just saw the new post on the crash which was posted and I am not in the dark any more. I do not get IPN texts from Florida’s west coast unless it is something major.
I’m absolutely shocked and saddened by this loss. The Vans RV-12 is a damn fine home-built airplane (hence the “experimental” status). I hope to build one myself one day.
It will be missed.
It’s a plane that loves the air and hates to land. It has to be forced to return to the earth. Damned shame.
Well,
There goes my stock in catheters…right down the tubes.
Stop that.
Bad CN, bad.
*snerk*
😀
Kind of lost for words. But it is over as far as he is concerned. I just can’t imagine him having a current FAA medical cert showing him fit for flight. Thank God no one else was killed.
The karmic wheel turns slowly, but always gets its due.
Kamakrazee pilot…..possibly a suicide
Your comment as well as Graybeard’s reminded me of a great, but sad song “The Living Years” by Mike & The Mechanics.
This was a response to Claymore’s post.
So now the insanity passes
Crazy day it is
DB (Douche Bag ?) was a total waste.
Maybe he was trying to navigate a back azimuth off his ankle monitor ?
Hope he lived for awhile trapped in the wreckage and the gators had some lunch.
Good riddance.