SKIP PENNYWEIGHT 1967 - 1986 PILOT MKC MCI SLC DEN I was hired in July of 1967 and stayed till the end. Was based in DEN and the old MKC and the new MCI and a short spell in SLC. Spent a lot of time commuting to Kansas City and a bit to Salt Lake. I do remember the Beech incident, I remember that it was Thanksgiving eve, but having a hard time remembering the year, will check my log books as I kept them all. Do remember that we had 4 passengers, 3 guys and 1 gal, there were no injuries, we got everyone on the ground in good shape. The prop blade broke off and went thru the fuselage in front of Bob and I, do remember the details quite well, one would think I could remember the year, but will find it. I can relate the whole story from the take-off in Cheyenne until we finally got on the ground in Denver. I am not too sure of an incident report, Bob probably filed one but I never saw it. I remember that Bob and I got involved in a hearing with some lawyers as Frontier was suing for lost revenue and repairs to the aircraft. Wish I could help more, but will find the year that it happened, my wife kept a picture from the Rocky Mountain News, I believe, of Lukow and I in the hanger looking at this small incident. Lost the photo, somewhere in a move and Jan passed away about five years ago. She would have remembered right away. Will let you know. The year was 1971 or 1972, until I find that log book. -Skip Pennyweight (11/19/03) I found the date, I found my letter from Dick Orr, who was chief pilot at the time. It was November 24, 1971. Twas the night before Thanksgiving. -Skip Pennyweight (11/30/03) I only got to fly as a F/E for nine months, I got the rating in July of 1969 and Feldman came onboard in Jan. of 1970. One of the first things he did was to start getting rid of the 727s in favor of the 737s. We had five of the 727s, 3 stretch and 2 short ones as we on the line called them, I was displaced off the 727 in May of 70 and displaced to Kansas City to fly F/O on the 580. That was the beginning of my commuting career that lasted about 8 years on and off. At that time (1970's) we had pilot and F/A bases in Denver, Salt Lake City, Kansas City and Dallas. Kansas City was the only base I had enough seniority to fly as F/O. The other choice was to stay in Denver and fly the "third seat" on the 737, not a choice job at the time. -Skip Pennyweight (3/1/04) Hi Skip, Got your note & check today. Just wanted to check on your address. Is that 7755 61.50 Road? -Jake Lamkins (5/4/04) Thats correct Jake, the 61.50 road is part of several roads here that run north and south and that is the designator for me being 61.50 miles east of the Utah border. How in the heck they came up with that I don't know, but it is a true mailing address. West of me a mile or so 60.50 road and so forth until you run into the Utah state line. Guess if I am ever lost in a snowstorm if I can find the mileage marker I'll know how many miles I am away from the state of Utah, for all thats worth----some history I guess. No one here in the valley can explain how the settlers came up with that when laying out roads. But the mileage markers only run north and south, soooo, ur guess is as good as mine. -Skip Pennyweight (5/4/04) Skip's wife, Jan, has a recipe in 1979 FL Pilots' Wives Cookbook. She flew west on Aug 21, 1998. -Jake Lamkins (11/26/04) Just went and looked at the great pictures of the 99 "incident" that I was the FO on along with Lukow,,,great pictures,,I had never seen them,,,brings back a couple of memories,,I was a ripe ole pilot of 34 when that took place. I had forgot how much damage that blade from the number 2 engine did when it came out on Lukow side,,,you can really see it,,,if one looks close you can see the nicks it put in the number 1 engine propellors it hit as it departed the flying machine,,,,,mx guys told Bob and I later that we had about another 10 minutes of flying and those blades would have broke off and we would have been a 6 passenger glider,,not pretty at night...after the right engine departed the machine and we got it under control Bob and I elected to move to the left a bit over Greeley and follow I-25 to Denver in case we had to make an unscheduled landing,,,,chuckle,,,,that firewall that you see was like having a rather small barn door open as it was not really conducive to flight,,,we were able to maintain about 800 ft above ground while we flew onto Den. Bob and I discussed landing in Greeley as we could see the beacon,,,,fortunately for us and the passengers it was a beautiful clear night and you could see DEN,,,we decided against landing at Greeley as we did not know the full extent of the damage and we had no emergency equiptment available for us as at that time when it got dark in Greeley everyone went home.......I do remember that either the Denver Post or Rocky Mtn news team took a picture of Lukow and I standing in front of that thing with Lukow pointing at the firewall,,somewhere in time I lost the picture in one of my many moves but think now can maybe find that photo in their archives..... Also working with Beech for 4 yrs before coming to FAL I do know that Beech engineers had built into the design of that aircraft and all other twins that Beech built for the engine to twist off the mount and leave the airplane,,,Bob and I were lucky that it twisted off to the right and went under the airplane and not into the wing or cock-pit,,,if that would of happened I would'nt be here typing this letter to yall,,,,,thanks again for the great pictures,,,brings back a lot of memories of that night====also remember that Lukow and I made a trip to The Flair to de-brief as we used to say,,,,think we got just a touch loaded that evening. -Skip Pennyweight (12/3/04) Posted at the FL Club Our newest member is Gary Winn. Hey Gary Winn,,,,,,welcome,,,,ur instructor pilot buddy from Morris days. -Skip Pennyweight (12/20/04) Everyone gathered in front of the beautiful water fall in the hotel lobby for a group picture. Those who had started the party early and were unable to stand on their own were wedged into the middle of the group so they were supported by the crowd Pilots who were in attendance... Skip Pennyweight... -Posted at Phil Stalling 2004 reunion website (1/8/05) Posted at the FL Club 19 years after the bankruptcy! Here is what I remember,,,,my wife died the 21st of aug,,,kim's birthday is the 23rd of aug,,,we shut down all ops on the 22nd,,I was in Jackson Hole,,dispatch called me at 3 in the morning,,,told me to load up my crew and come home to Den,,,,plane was fueled,,,this we do owe to Ardell Afrsten,,,he set all this up...Ardell set up all fueling and get the airplanes home to Den,,,as I remember,,,,guess this is why I don't wanta go to these so called get togethers,,,,so am I Bitter,,,yes....guess so,,,but at least I will admit it,,,some won't............ -Skip Pennyweight (8/25/05) I will send you what I know and remember about the BEECH 99 N21FW incident. My crew on midnights did the maintenance check on the A/C and I signed the airworthy release on it. The A/C flew all day with out problem and on it's inbound evening flight the crew had their problem and called in that they had just lost an engine, (every one thought it was just an engine failure). As it taxied by the line office on old concourse A the foreman on duty Steve Bruley said they did lose an engine. The NTSB investigated the incident and interviewed all that had been involved with the A/C. The engine and propeller was found in a farmer's field just south of Greeley. FRONTIER rebuilt (repaired) the A/C in our hangar and returned it to Wichita to end the lease on it. FRONTIER then sued the propeller manufacture, BEECH AIRCRAFT and others to get their money back for the repairs. I was called in by the company and their lawyers to testify that I had inspected the propeller and found it airworthy. When I told them I hadn't seen the aircraft but had only certified that all of the paper work had been completed and if they would produce the paper work I could tell them who had actually inspected the propeller. On airplanes all of the paper work from the time it is built until it is totally scrapped out goes with the A/C. They informed me that the A/C was being flown to Washington State and hit a very high mountain peak and as far as I know it is still up there. FRONTIER settled their lawsuit out of court. This is a lot of rambling but it might put a little closure on the story. -Don Cecil (7/25/06) Posted at the FL Club 10/2/06: Pilot Skip Pennyweight Phil Stallings forwarded this email from Carol Stillman about Skip. Give him a call and cheer him up. -Jake Lamkins --------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Will you pass the word that Skip Pennyweight is in a care center in COS. He had a dangerous surgery in August, and still can't go home. He might be able to go home in 2 weeks, but it's not certain. He went for a checkup for a surgery he'd had years ago and had developed an aneurism. So they immediately put him in the hospital and operated telling him that there was only a 50-50 chance of survival. He survived, but even though he laughed when I was talking to him, he admitted to being down sometimes. And I sure understand that one!!! I know he'd appreciate hearing from any and all friends and FAL folk." -Carol Stillman (10/2/06) E R PENNYWEIGHT Seniority date 7/5/67 per the 9/1/72 & 9/1/86 FL/ALPA seniority lists. -Jake Lamkins (10/2/06) ERNEST RONALD PENNYWEIGHT 69 MONTROSE CO ERNEST R PENNYWEIGHT 69 COLORADO SPRINGS CO -US Search (10/3/06 This just in! -Phil Stallings ======================================== Captain Phil! please forward to all.....he is recovering and recovering well BUT misses his dog (that happens when yer over sixty!) Just off phone.....updated and have submitted the assistance of wagon/car-guest room-cash and dog for the night with guest room to Captain Skip.... Is better....50/50 at time of operation is under strict care will be able to return to Montrose CO. area after 14/16 October due to administration of medicines.....not to rush. Will keep informed and try to visit this weekend.... Godspeed tailwinds...love to all. -Dale Buss (10/3/06) I am doing well here,,,its been a darn long winter thou and its still not over,,,, Am planning on coming to the re-union in May,,,will see how the irrigating and hay is coming along,,,,, -Skip Pennyweight (2/25/07) Just received the following note from Ace in my morning email traffic ... no other info available at this time --------------------------------------------- I've just learned of the Gone West of Capt. Skip Pennyweight. I've contacted his son but no response as yet. Will keep you posted when I get word, etc. -Ace Avakian ------------------------------------------------ Until next time ... -Phil Stallings (11/11/09) Obituaries Ernest R. Pennyweight, age 72, of Montrose, passed away on Tuesday morning, Nov. 10. 2009, at the Montrose Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colo. -Montrose Press (11/11/09) "Skip" Ernest Pennyweight passed away yesterday. Many of you know Skip from the early, original Frontier days. After the demise of Frontier, Skip went on to work for Continental , America West, Sierra Pacific, Morris, and Western Pacific Airlines. As the only pilot retirement from Western Pacific, Skip settled with the FAA as an air carrier inspector in the Denver office. Skip joins his wife Jan in the heavens. Per his request there will be no service. His ashes will be scattered in the San Juan mountains of western Colorado . In lieu of flowers and cards Please say a prayer/thought for the aviators who have preceded Skip in their journey West. -Ace Avakian (11/12/09) E R PENNYWEIGHT Seniority date 7/5/67 per the 9/1/72 & 9/1/86 FL/ALPA seniority lists. Skip was FO on the Beech 99 flight in Nov 24, 1971 in which the engine fell off the aircraft near Greeley. The prop penetrated the cabin and narrowly missed Skip's foot. -Jake Lamkins (11/12/09) I spent the morning on the phone with a very good, and long term friend of Skip's that is handling his affairs. He didn't die on the operating table. But he died shortly thereafter. And this was in MTJ's hospital, not in COS. The exploratory surgery was to find a blockage in his intestines. When they got inside, his intestines were black, which pretty much means it's dead tissue. Doctor told Skip's friend that at most he had a couple of day; he didn't, but he didn't die on the operating table. He's been cremated, and his son, daughter-in-law and daughter scattered his ashes in a meadow in the mountains. His dog, Rosie, was checked out (she was visibly upset and wouldn't eat) by a vet, and taken in and hand fed by Skip's daughter-in-law and son. They live in the PHX area, and that's where Rosie is and will live out her life. but Skip is gone, and Rosie is still here. At any rate, I wanted to let you guys know what Skip's friend and my conversation this morning revealed. -Carol Stillman (11/15/09) I remember Skip well from my time in MKC and TOP/FOE. What a great guy! -Tom Schmidt (3/19/13) FLacebook with pic of Bob & Skip looking at missing engine November 24, 1971. Landed without injury due to the skill and ability of the crew! Best thanksgiving ever. Miss my dad. -Kim Pennyweight-Coble (1/21/15) I remember this like it was yesterday. Ardell told me that Lukow asked Skip to look out and see what the engine was doing and Skip told him that It's Gone! Lukow got a bit sterner and wanted to know what the engine was doing. Skip again said that It is totally gone. Those were the days and we didn't even know it. Thanks for sharing -Pat Arfsten (1/21/15) Another trip with Skip: on final approach to Ft Smith I saw the shadow of a little prop job just below and a bit in front of the Convair's shadow. I started banging on the cockpit intercom button, which NEVER worked on the Convairs!!! I was jumping out of my seat to run to the cockpit, when the airplane powered out of the approach pattern. Skip's calm voice came over the PA system: "Sorry folks, we have to go around. There's no problem". At the gate, Skip burst out of the cockpit and leaped down the stairs before they were fully extended. I neglected to say goodbye to the passengers, stepped into the cockpit to watch Skip yelling at the pilot of the prob job - arms flailing in anger. When he got back, I asked "When did you see that plane"? He said "About a second after you did". I'm sure that's not true. Probably the Ft Smith tower alerted them about it before I tried to. -Carol Kern Myers (5/21/15) FLacebook posting of Skip's photo I miss my dad. 3/7/37-11/10/09 -Kim Pennyweight-Coble (11/10/15) Great photo! He is not forgotten: http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Skip_Pennyweight.html Do you know the date of the photo, Kim? -Jake Lamkins (11/11/15) Approximately February or March 1999. It commemorates my dad's 62nd birthday and forced retirement from commercial airline flying. -Kim Pennyweight-Coble (11/11/15) Remember your dad well from our days at Western Plane Sales in GCK. We were a small group, but always had a lot of fun working together. Great memories. -Virginia Ulrich (11/11/15) FLacebook - FL Club MKC MCI SLC DEN pilot Skip Pennyweight's memorial webpage has been updated: http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Skip_Pennyweight.html New photo and several items added. -Jake Lamkins (11/27/15)