Support John Connell's Runway to Recovery

Imagine getting the call you dread from your friend about her father and member of the flying club you run, “My dad was in an airplane crash”.

The person calling was Kristen, one of John and Jane’s five children. As a United States Air Force captain, and C-130 pilot, she knew the outcome of these kind of accidents isn’t often survival. On July second John’s aircraft, a Vans RV-12 impacted the ground with such force witnesses stated “the airplane bounced into the air thirty feet”. John’s body was held in by the seat belts but his head, face, back and legs took the full impact causing extreme traumatic injuries.

Incredibly John was found alive, barely, clinging to life. He was rushed to the hospital, paramedics described his condition as “touch and go”. What followed was attempts to stabilize him leading to countless hours of surgery. There will be several more surgeries in the future, but John is slowly healing. What is certain is that recovery will be measured in months, likely years.

As a friend of the Connell family, it is my privilege to share with all of you a message on behalf of Kristen and her family:

My dad John Connell, experienced a near-fatal plane crash in an RV-12 at Scappoose Airport in Scappoose Oregon, while flying solo and doing traffic pattern training for fun. In 2018, at the age of 57, my dad fulfilled his lifelong dream of flying by earning his FAA pilot certificate. He became an inspiration to many with his evident passion for aviation pursuing this later in life. John earned his light-sport pilot license in a vintage Piper J-3 Cub. Dad wasn’t ready to own his own airplane but heard about a flying club at the airport he trained at, a group of people that shared a 1938 J-3 Piper Cub. This group of people shared a 1938 J-3 Piper Cub. He joined the "Cub Club" and regularly flew the J-3 at Grove Field in Camas, Washington. The club has become Dad’s aviation family and the group has inspired Dad to continue pursuing his training. Dad’s aviation friends he has flown with like to mention his natural talent as a pilot. I have flown with Dad many times, enjoying every minute of sharing the skies with him. It isn’t often dad and daughter get to share such an uncommon passion.

Dad, recently retired after forty years as a mechanical engineer, leaving more time to pursue his aviation interest. As for us, we are a very close-knit family and Dad has a loving wife, our incredible Mom, Jane Connell. Mom has been at Dad’s bedside every day since the accident. Mom and Dad have five adult children, a daughter-in-law that also flies, a son-in-law, and their first grandchild on the way. Beyond flying, Dad is an avid sailor, outdoor enthusiast, dedicated churchgoer, and now works as an elementary school bus driver in his local school district. Dad’s love and dedication to our family and his community has been central to everything he does.

The day of his accident started routinely. Dad was building solo time in the RV12 as a requirement for his training program to upgrade his license to Private Pilot’s License. His goal is to become a Certified Flight Instructor and share his passion with those new to flying like he was. His training sadly was cut short by this horrific accident.

The cause of the crash remains unknown. Thanks to the quick response of first responders and the skill of surgeons at the level 1 trauma hospital Dad survived. He suffered multiple serious injuries, including severe facial fractures, a cracked L4 vertebra, and shattered both ankles. He also experienced a small brain bleed and a severe concussion. Dad has undergone multiple surgeries, with more to come, and faces a long recovery, including time in a rehab facility before he can return home. Fortunately, all five of us children and our significant others were able to return to Washington to be with their Dad while he was in the ICU. We also provided crucial support to our Mom during this challenging time.

We are grateful to be focused on his recovery rather than his survival, as was the case in the critical first 24 hours post-accident. However, the medical bills are substantial and forecast to be astronomical despite good insurance. Any donations, no matter the amount, would be greatly appreciated by Mom and Dad, and will help significantly to cover these costs. Our friends, our community and his aviation family mean a great deal to Dad and the support shown all around is truly heartwarming.

As president of John’s flying club, as a friend of the family and a person that looks up to John I appeal to friends for a donation and to our fellow aviators, if you could spare a gallon of a gas or a hundred dollar hamburger everything will be appreciated by those close to him and it will be used to secure the best possible medical care for John so that he one day returns to poking holes in the sky.

I’d like to share a small anecdote from my visit in the hospital with John. Through his shut jaws and trach tube he still insisted he would be joining family and friends as we flew to Oshkosh in Wisconsin to attend Air Venture, the largest fly in airshow in the world. He insisted his family let him use his phone to schedule more flying lessons. John very much has joined this family of people that walk with their eyes to the sky and we’d love to have him back.

John’s wings were clipped but our contributions will help line him up on the “Runway to Recovery” and see him takeoff again. Please help and we do, very much look forward to celebrating his healing with everyone of you when John is recovered enough.

With immense gratitude,

Matthew Bises

President Camas Washougal Flying Club