Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180091
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WINCHESTER - Oliver North's private pilot, who died in a March plane crash, had known for more than a year that the aircraft's fuel gauge system was inaccurate, investigators say.
Bobby R. Venable, 39, of Front Royal was the sole occupant of the twin-engine Swearingen SA-26AT when it crashed just south of Winchester Regional Airport on March 18.
A crash investigation found the fuel line to the plane's left engine was dry and the engine had stopped, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The report said a flight instructor had cautioned Venable about fuel gauge inaccuracies on Swearingen planes.
- Associated Press
Fire that killed 3 tots believed accidental
UNIONVILLE - A Saturday mobile home fire that killed three children between ages 2 and 5 appears to have been accidental, authorities said.
The fire victims were identified as Christina E. Hoffman, 5, Ashly N. Hoffman, 4, and Jonathan T. Hoffman, 2.
- Associated Press
Teen gets 53 years for shooting man
VIRGINIA BEACH - A judge on Monday sentenced a 16-year-old who robbed a pizza deliveryman to 53 years in prison - nearly 12 years more than the recommended maximum sentence.
Curtis Brandon shot James Murray in the heart because he took too long to hand over his wallet during the robbery Oct. 30, 1993. Afterward, Brandon and two friends picked up a pepperoni pizza Murray was delivering, took it to a nearby apartment and ate it as they watched rescue workers help Murray.
Murray's heart stopped during surgery at Virginia Beach General Hospital, but physicians were able to restart it.
- Associated Press
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB