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In Memory of the N7383A Passengers Traditional Cache

Hidden : 3/28/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Memorial cache near the memorial plaque and benches. Cache has been relocated somewhat as of 8/2022 -- not updating the coordinates so they still bring you to the benches and memorial -- now you need to take twenty paces SW to the new container in a typical cache-y location.

NOTE: A traditional non-geocaching letterbox is very close to the same location. The geocache container is a pill bottle.


The rest of this cache page is the description from the original cache:

On December 21, 2005 a small aircraft, a Cessna 172 with the designation of N7383A, flown by a new pilot, made a crucial error and crashed into the ridge somewhere above. Details from the National Travel Safety Board report can be found here.

The pilot made an error in judgment and flew beyond his training and capability killing himself, his wife, his soon-to-be-adopted son, and a niece; and leaving two teenage daughters, who had remained at home, orphans. The story was written up in the Morgan Hill Times, the Gilroy Dispatch, and the Holister Free Lance.

This cache is also in memory for my father, who was also a private pilot, and at one time flew a Cessna 172. I remember spending many an hour sitting in some out-of-the-way airport in rural Minnesota or somewhere waiting for the weather to change so the he could fly using VFR (visual flight rules). He exemplified the attributes a pilot should have: boldness, yet caution. Bold in going up into the wide open sky, and caution in knowing his limits and his abilities against the weather. I had never felt in danger when flying with him.

Sit and rest for a bit, and reflect on how fragile our lives are, and that our lives are the sum of our decisions - good or bad; then enjoy your hike and the stunning views from the Coyote Ridge.

The log's title refers to N2327Y, that's the plane's designation as seen on the brass plaque. That designation actually refers to another ill fated crash of a Cessna 177 that crashed in March 3, 1968 while landing killing two.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fvg qbja, ybbx yrsg. Frr fpenttyl yvggyr gerr? Tb gurer.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)