Crashing similarities: pilot's harrowing tale of survival

Stewart Donaldson's harrowing story of survival resonates with the recent LaGuardia Airport tragedy, as he recounts a 2000 runway collision in the Bahamas.

Mirroring fates

The veteran Fort Lauderdale pilot, now 62, was landing his Piper Cherokee 6 at Staniel Cay airport when the plane struck a pickup truck on the runway, leaving Donaldson with a broken back and a passenger injured. Two others in the truck suffered serious injuries.

“I experienced the same thing as LaGuardia,” Donaldson says. “There were four people involved, and yes, it was a smaller airport and a smaller truck, but it was the exact same scenario, and all four of us lived.”

Donaldson, who spent a year recovering and another six months to regain full mobility, has studied the LaGuardia accident. He believes the pilots did everything in their power to avoid the collision.

“The airplane in their case was traveling at 113 knots, or 131 miles per hour,” he explained. “They did the best they could. It cost them their lives.”

Regarding the Port Authority fire truck cleared to cross the runway, Donaldson said, “As for the fire truck, why they didn't look down the runway, or if they did, I do not know. It is all speculation.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, cautioning against premature conclusions and promising a thorough examination of all factors.

Donaldson speculates that preliminary findings might be released within the next month, offering a glimpse into the complex investigation.