Vlado Lenoch, 64, died in the crash of P-51 Mustang “Baby Duck” on Sunday morning in Atchison County, Kansas. Also killed was passenger Bethany Root, 34, the manager of Amelia Earhart Airport, where Lenoch had performed the day before. The NTSB is investigating the accident, which happened shortly after takeoff at around 10:15 a.m. local time.
A corporate pilot, Lenoch began flying at age 17. He had accumulated more than 17,000 hours of flight time, including in his own P-51 (subsequently sold) and other warbirds, such as F4U Corsairs, F6F Hellcats and P-47 Thunderbolts.
With degrees from Purdue University and MIT, he was a 747 test pilot for Boeing and type-rated in the 727. He also flew gliders and competed in an aerobatic Pitts Special he built. Lenoch was a long-time member of the Heritage Flight, Commemorative Air Force and the Experimental Aircraft Association, among other groups.
Ironically, Lenoch’s great uncle Cvitan Galic, of Czech ancestry, was a German Luftwaffe Me-109 ace during World War II, with 39 victories.
Lenoch is best remembered for his generosity and good nature. Facebook is flooded with storiess involving him helping air museums in obtaining parts or of budding aviators whom he encouraged. Similarly, Root is being mourned as an energetic supporter of the airport and a rising star in promoting general aviation nationwide.