I was saddened to receive a newspaper article on the death of Alisa Howell, who introduced me to the Bell 206 Jet Ranger and flying the TV news helicopter in Richmond, Virginia (old weblog story plus some photos). I remember that Alisa had studied English at University of Washington before deciding to train towards a career as a helicopter pilot. She was a good writer, took care of two dogs, and had a wry sense of humor. She would have stood out in most crowds, but even more so at the airport where she was an attractive slender stylish young woman in a world of mostly beefy older slobbish guys. The details of the crash aren’t known, but it sounds as though marginal weather was a factor. I remember that Alisa was more cautious than the high-time guys at Helo Air with whom I flew later in the week. She also was a very capable and thorough pilot.
It is a real shame to lose someone like this.
I don’t know Alisa in person, but I went to school in Richmond, VA and lived there for about 5 1/2 years. Richmond is the first place that I had lived since I came to this country, so it feels like my home in the US. I remember hearing “from Sky 12” everyday on TV… and this news makes ripples on my mind..
I started reading your blog through your photo.net website and I even sent the link of your blog about women in science to a lot of friends of mine. But, this is my first time to leave a comment.
When I was living in VA, I loved VA sky and whenever I read your blog about flying over VA (especially Richmond), I imagined how much more beautiful it would be if I were flying, being in the sky.
I wonder why in this world those young talented people have to be taken away…
Phil,
I met her once at Hampton Roads Exectutive Airport (PVG) and it always makes me laugh when I think about it:
I was having lunch in the lounge with the mechanic, Steve Decker, who was performing the annual inspection on an R22 that I owned when this pretty girl walked in and began talking to us. Steve introduced me to Alisa and she spoke with me for a few moments before leaving.
I later asked Steve what she was doing there? Was she the cashier at the lounge, perhaps?
Steve then politely informed me that she was the person piloting the Jet Ranger that was just about to depart outside of the eatery.
I remember feeling a bit sheepish to have thought of her as a cashier, since one doesn’t normally equate professional pilots with attractive girls.
I pray for her family and loved ones.
Thank you.
Regards,
Mark D
Lynchburg,VA
Hello,
My name is Jorge Rodriguez, the young lady whom we lost last week was my niece. My wife Alisa (for who she was named after) and I cannot express the deepness of our loss. Although she lived on the other side of the country we often spoke of her as we sat at the dinner table. Our heart goes out to her mother, has lost her only child. Although it was a great tragedy, my thought is that she departed this world doing what she loved. Flying helocopters. Next time you hear a chopper, look up and remember our niece, Alisa “que dios te bendiga”.You will always be missed.
Jorge
Hello,
I did not know Alisa personally. I am the project manager for the property manager where Alisa resided. I was told by John Guazzo about this unfortunate event when he came by on December 15th to check on Bagheera, Alisa’s pet dog. Neither John nor I had met Bagheera, so she barked quite alot when I first opened the door but as I entered she stopped barking and was friendly. We found her leash and John walked her. We put Bagheera back in the appartment and went one street over to the manager’s office. I then went back to bring Bagheera to the office so she would not be alone – Bagheeera PULLED me along the way, straight to the office as if she knew that is where she needed to be. I walked her and petted her several more times that day – Bagheera would follow me, even without her leash, and didn’t want to be away from me; it was a strange sort of bond. Another tenant also walked Bagheera and watched her until Brad ?? came late that night. I believe Brad planned to adopt her.
As I mentioned before, I did not know Alisa, I had never spoken with her and had only seen her from a distance once or twice before. And yet, here I am feeling as though some part of me is missing, as though something was terribly wrong with the world.
I pray for her family and friends.
Mike
Montgomery County Gazette ran a detailed obituary of Joshua Freeman, the client whom Alisa Howell was flying back home from Dagsboro, Delaware, where the Carl B. Freeman company is building retirement communities. They mentioned that they took off and aborted the first flight before taking off again on the ill-fated one. Fog was especially dense and visibility was very poor.
Freeman was a notable philanthropist in the area where I live. One of his shopping malls in Potomac, Maryland, sponsors free children’s entertainment (puppet shows, concerts, arts & crafts) twice/month, and I’ve often taken Philip’s nephew to those. Father Carl died in a car accident in 1998. Very tragic all round.
Suzanne,
I looked through the Montgomery County Gazette archives for mentions of this tragic event and I failed to see any story that included the account of an aborted first flight as you purport.
The only thing mentioned was that the pilot landed short of her initial rendezvous point and awaited the client from there.
With a 42-yr old ex-marine for a customer and a 30-yr old pilot, this could be an incident where the passenger intimidated the pilot to fly under unsafe weather or weight-and-balance conditions. Air Taxi pilots must have the appropriate “head training” to resist this temptation to risk their lives because they want to be good customer servants.
Here’s a news blurb regarding the NTSB’s preliminary report on the accident:
According to the report, Howell picked up Freeman around 12:30 p.m. at his home and dropped him off at 1:30 p.m. in Ocean View, Del. The pilot refueled at the Georgetown airport and was scheduled to pick Freeman up around 5:30 p.m. to take him back to the Washington-Dulles airport.
The helicopter landed in a farm field around 5:15 p.m. A concerned property owner called state police; when a trooper arrived on the property, he spoke with the pilot. She said she could not land at the golf club due to fog.
A witness heard the chopper’s engine start and went outside to watch the takeoff. The witness reported seeing the helicopter climb to just above the tree line and hover. The witness said the landing lights turned on, off, on, and off again. The witness reported seeing the helicopter nose pitch downward and saw the helicopter accelerate forward in a shallow descent until it hit the ground. The sound of the engine was reported as “smooth and continuous.”
The NTSB has not yet released the probable cause of the accident.
Over the holiday I spoke with someone who knew the pilot well and they stated that she had expressed anxiety over flying in marginal VFR (visual flight rules) weather. The person gave her a few tips on overcoming vertigo/spatial disorientation if she inadvertantly got into an IMC (instrument meteorlogical conditions).
They also opined that the pilot probably felt pressure to get a “VIP” client to his destination on time.
Very sad indeed.
I knew Alisa – she trained with me at the same time in flightschool. I met her years later when she was flying out of Charlotte and landed at Raleigh Int. Airport- we shared a few laughs and chatted for quite a while. She was happy and glowing.
You should stop guessing or discussing wether she was pressured into doing something or what happened unless you know the details. Age does not have anything to do with all that- its experience that counts.
She loved her job and I know that she would not have been careless- Pilots like to get out of an aircraft alive at the end of the day.
Its a tragic loss and sad.
Angie,
I am sorry, but I wasn’t guessing about what happened and did not mean to sound as if I was.
The NTSB report spells it out pretty clearly, I believe:
Heavy fog and darkness and a non-instrument rated pilot who (according to eye witnesses) flew from a high hover into the ground during a gradually descending and accelerating take-off profile.
I also don’t think anyone here mentioned her age as being a possible cause of the accident.
Mark!
Yeah, I read the report as well. Still there is a lot of guessing and she might have made a mistake- dont we all sometime or another- the sad part is that she did not live to talk about it….we should learn from it and think about what we could have done better.( Don Shade mentions that age differences between client and pilot might have been a factor)
Anyways- I just want to say how much I regret her death- she was sweet and she was smart; she loved what she was doing and she died doing it. She walked a rough road to get there, but she loved flying helicopters and worked hard to finally get her licenses. 30 is too young to die, but I think she lived life to the fullest.
Angie,
Sorry to imply the pilot’s age had something to do with the accident. More, it could have been the client’s experience as a helicopter passenger in the Marines (mere speculation whether he ever flew in a Marine helicopter, and if he had, whether he was accustomed to low-flying operations) to lead him to urge the PIC to take the risk.
Just remembering back to when my Uncle, a Vietnam War Army Airborne veteran, looked at the ice on my wings one winter night in Washington, D.C. and said, “oh, that’s not a factor for flying.”
Josh Freeman had a wonderful wife and family, tons of friends and everything in the world to live for. To infer he would bully or insist the pilot fly in unsafe weather or conditions is crazy and hurtful. We’ll never know what happened, and it seems wise not to make bald-faced suggestions that have no basis in fact.
It’s June now, I googled Alisa and found this blog. I miss her and still think of her, not often as I should. As an experienced pilot I am sure what happened and understand how, and though I love her and mourn for her I am mad at her that she left us and made the mistake she did, the mistake we are all capable of. I want to chew her out in tears right now, I want to grab her and say why did you do that Alisa? She was snatched away. She is gone forever. I knew Alisa in flight school, I did a small amount of her training in California. We always hit it off in a special way and though over the years we lost touch a bit, I consider her close to my heart and a good friend. We shared some really great moments. She was so unique and special, though we all say that of the deceased Alisa really was a loss to our world. I just wanna hold her and hug her right now and tell her I love her, I miss you. I wish so much I could talk to her one more time and hear her voice one more time and say, we love you.
Rick Holbrook
Rick, I know what you mean. I just googled her, to see what might come up. I had met her once or twice on the job, just happened to think of her tonight. You are right, she was something special and it is nice to know people out there are still thinking about her. I do feel for her family and friends!!!
I know you do not get over the loss of friends, I guess you just keep moving on. I live in MD and remember the fog that night and I recall walking down town. It was as thick as I have ever seen it.
I hope you are well, Rick.
-Scott
Alisa was very special to me and I just learned about this last week. I knew Alisa growing up in Seattle while she lived in Gig Harbor. I was 16 and I think she was 17 at the time. Its hard to accept that this is real because I always knew Alisa and I would see each other again one day…for whatever reason, we were going to see each other again. As i sit here in tears, I am still so happy to learn that she was doing something she loved and that you have all kept this weblog alive with her memory. Alisa shared so many of her dreams with me and I treasure the memories I have from our youth. She was an amazing woman and my heart goes out to her mom and dad. We were all so lucky to have spent time with such a bright and glowing soul…her smile has been etched in my mind for 15 years and I’m so sad to know that its gone.
I am shocked to hear the news about Alisa’s passing. My prayers go out to her family and friends as it must still be a tremendously difficult time. It has probably been about 10 years since I last saw Alisa. She was then just studying to become a pilot. I had so much admiration for her: smart, beautiful, caring, hard working, sassy and fun. We were both going out with other people at the time, but I’ve always thought maybe we would’ve been good together. It seemed like we had such similar interests. If only I had the courage to ask her out. But, I thought someone so intelligent and attractive was way out of my league. Now, she is out of our lives, but she will always be in my heart, along with many of yours. I look forward to seeing her in the life after this. Farewell.
I was Alisa’s best friend all thru middle school and high school..we were inseparable. I lost touch with her after high school since I moved away and we reconnected a couple years ago. Her mom was on shift at the hosptital the day I had my first child and came to see the baby. I just found out about this event and I could not be sadder. I can’t believe this.OMG..she was smart, beautiful, sweet and always thought thru decisions. I knew her better than anyone outside of her family from the ages of 11-19 and she would not have been careless. PERIOD.
Hi Danielle,
I posted two messages back when I first found out about Alisa. It is approaching the 1 year mark since we lost her and I wonder if you might still be in the Seattle area? I am trying to connect with anyone who may be able to help me pay my respects to Alisa’s mother, and to find out anything I can from her family about a memorial or place that I might be able to visit in Alisa’s memory. If her mother is interested I would love to share some of my memories with her. This must be an awfully hard time for her mom and I really want to reach out to her. I am in Seattle now and I would love to connect with you, Danielle, even if only by email. I can share some pictures and memories of Alisa with you to prove I am real. If you knew Alisa during that time then you may somehow know of me as well. Anyways, I hope this reaches you well. Ben
ben
u can email me directly at phenomenalwoman505@hotmail.com..i am NOT in Seattle, I am in New Mexico..If you are who I think you are I can understand why this has hit you so hard..please email me asap and let’s relive some great memories of Alisa!
Thanks Danielle…i just wrote you there. Cheers. And to Phillip Greenspun, thank you so much for keeping your weblog alive…I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful thoughts about Alisa. I am Alisa’s Step-Father. Alisa’s Mother, Joan, and I live in Seattle. Our address is 2126 Northwest 86th Street, Seattle, 98117-3737. Alisa is buried in North Seattle at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery in the St. Leo section of the cemetery.
Much thanks to Alisa’s stepfather for posting that note for us! We think of Alisa every day and miss her dearly!
Danielle
Thoughts of Alisa still invade my mind. Just heard “One Sweet Day” on the radio. Still hard to believe that she is no longer on this Earth. She will forever be in my memory. Peace and well wishes to all her family and friends.
I was late in learning of Alisa’s passing but very happy to recently find this blog to read others’ fond memories of her. Though we lost touch, I always missed her and hoped that she was still living the life she had always dreamt. Apparently she did which brings me great joy. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Tim, your posting about wanting to ask her out made me smile…. I think I was the lucky guy to which you refered and she was totally out of my league too.
mario,
when did u know alisa? did you date her? email me so we can chat..i was her best friend in 6th-12th grade…
phenomenalwoman505@hotmail.com
danielle
” To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived…This is to have succeeded.”
This is part of a poem by Emerson(?) that Alisa had in her belongings. It really is how she lived her life and it gives me such joy to remember her this way.
Alisa was an old soul even as a child. She was a huge fan of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers-had quite a few of their movies. And, Cary Grant graced her walls. She was also a thinker. She collected all of Winston Churchall’s writings. Alisa had the habit of clipping out lyrics to songs or poems that really moved her. The “Man in the Arena” being her favorite. I think she was always looking for ways to improve herself.
For being such an attractive young woman, Alisa wasn’t a girlish girl. Almost all of her friends, with the exception of Danielle, were male. I always found this rather interesting about Alisa. It was part of her uniqueness and charm.
Bagheera, Alisa’s beloved dog has been my constant companion. She is goofy, sweet, and free spirited. A reflection of all the love and care Alisa gave her.
Thanks for allowing me to share some of my memories.
And, thanks to all of you who have shared your thoughts and insights about my daughter. In doing so, you have helped to make my life a little easier.
Alisa’s mom
Joan!
So good to hear from you I am glad you have her dog. I know she thought of her dog as her child. I always found it funny I was one of her only female friends,too. She just attracted men in general as you know and intimidated females with her intelligence and good looks. All the females liked Alisa, but Alisa preferred hanging out with the guys. I always found Alisa mature beyond her years, I often felt behind her even though I was along the same lines as our peers. She was ambitious and ahead in her thinking. I always thought she’d end up modeling or with a career in politics. All thru school she had such a love for it. I do think even though she was perfectly made for modeling, I don’t think it would be the mental stimulas she sought. There is something very personal I would like to discuss with you about Alisa, if you wanted to email me. phenomenalwoman505@hotmail.com. I also have several photos of us you may or may not have. I sent them to her Aunt Alisa, but I never heard back from her. I would also like to inquire as to how Alisa’s father is doing. Everytime I spoke with her , she had grave concern for his well being/health. I would just like to chat thru email with you.
Thanks.
Danielle
I believe that a message sent from the heart will some how reach its intended destination.
So, on this very special day, Happy 32nd Birthday Alisa. You are still my greatest joy!
LOL, mom and Boo
” High above the chimney top where trouble melts like lemon drops, that’s where I’ll find you. Somewhere over the rainbow…”
joan, Happy birthday to alisa….it was always fun with her and i having birthdays so close together. i hope one day you will email me.
love,
danielle
Dear Mrs. Lyons,
Thank you for the wonderful insights into Alisa’s being. My work often takes me past the Coast Guard’s helicopter hanger, and so, here I am again.
I have a foster dog named Elisa. I call her Elly. Think it would’ve been too tough if her name was Alisa. BTW, Mario, you are one lucky dog.
Aloha to all; Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Over The Rainbow” is one of my favorites.
I posted above awhile back, I knew Alisa from flight school. I remember visiting her in Charlotte way back when one weekend. We took this road trip to the coast in her jeep and we got about 2 hours down the road and realized she had left her oil cap off the engine, oil was all over the place. We stopped by the nearest place and bought an oil cap. We were laughing our butts off so hard I can remember. I can hear her laughing. She was so damn funny. We drove out to Kitty Hawk that weekend. I miss her so much and think of her often, I am having a difficult time sometimes understanding why she is gone forever. I want nothing more to just see her one more time to say hello, give her a hug and say I love you. I live in Portland Oregon now, and I have put off visiting her in Seattle, I am afraid of my emotions and my sadness. Alisa was always happy when I saw her, the little things didn’t mind her or bother her, she always lived in the day. That is so unique in a person. Her accident troubles me, I want to know every detail and wish I could follow her steps that day and stop her. She was too young to be taken from this world. Though I never met her family, her mother or father, I wish I could meet them someday.
Rick
Hello..
I had a dream last night about flying helicopters. It was just me flying. I was so excited by this dream that I went online today to start looking for flight schools as I thought this would be a great hobby.
I came across this blog after several websites. I used to date Alisa when we both lived in San Francisco. We both went through flight attendant school together and that is where I met her. This was, 1998 ish. She was living on a boat at the time – what a wonderful person she was. She inspired me to keep following my dreams of producing movies and tv. Always encouraging.
We separated after about a year. She was just starting pilot school in Concord and I was heading off to Los Angeles. I am deeply upset by this loss even though we haven’t talked in 10 years. I too have various pictures from those times and would be happy to share them with the family and close friends.
I live in New York now and I was at a used book store when I came across a book: Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach. In the book Richard Bach pilots his biplane above the cornfields of Illinois and discovers ageless truths. This, at the time we were together, was one of Alisa’s favorite books.
This, to me, was who she was. A free spirit, a wonderkin. I will always hold her spirit deep in my heart for as long as I live.
My email address is rick@noegoproductions.net.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rick
Hello,
Once again, thanks to all of you who have shared your thoughts and touching memories of Alisa.
I continue to miss my daughter tremendously. Nothing will ever fill the void created by her loss. I find myself always kind of searching for any tangible connection to Alisa, a confirmation of her past existence. I know this doesn’t make sense as she will always be with me on a spiritual level even though she can’t be here physically.
Alisa’s copy of “The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah sits on by bedside table, always within reach. It was a favorite of her Dad’s too
I inadvertently posted before I was finished with my note the other night.
What I really wanted to say is that I am so grateful to all of you who befriended Alisa. Her life was so much more colorful and richer because of all of you. I know a few of your names because of the stories Alisa used to tell me, all good and some pretty funny too. I would welcome and appreciate any pictures or stories any of you have of her.
My sincerest thanks, Joan ( jmlyons1664@msn.com )
I was a student of Alisa’s in Florida and in reference to an earlier post about her looks. I was flying out in San Francisco one year for a bit. When another helicopter landed at an airport one day. I talked with the other pilot for a bit when he mentioned he hired on this new female pilot who was really pretty. As he described her I just started laughing and asked him if her name was Alisa by any chance. He was shocked when I said her name. I got a phone call from her about 10 minutes later after he had departed from the field. The company was the one out of Charlotte. Really is a small world. Alisa is always in my prayers. Anyone ever wants to chat email me at turkyhuntr@hotmail.com or turkyhuntr@gmail.com
Even though you’ve left us, you cannot be forgotten. Que dios te bendiga Alisa.
I actually knew Alisa Howell very well. We had a great relationship as friends! She is actually as most described her already, very kind, and beautiful. She loved to read books and write. She loved to see movies and head to old town Portsmouth when she lived in Chesapeake. She introduced me to the love of flying helicopters while she flew for Sky13, and influenced me to join the Army and fly in UH-60’s. She was absolutely fanatical about flying the Bell 407, the aircraft she got in the accident in. The second she found out she was going to fly the 407 she made 100’s of white flash cards to study every single detail, limitation, spec about that aircraft. She was an amazing pilot, and I never figured out why this could’ve happened to her. I think she had nearly 4000 hours! Once she got caught in MVFR at Virginia Beach and she landed and shut down on the beach. She never really stepped across the boundary, she knew her limits and was very conservative with them.
So many times I’ve wished I could pick up the phone and call her. RIP Alisa.
God Bless you Alisa
Austin
I just arrived back on the island, a fog rolled over the valley as I made my way home. I spent the whole time on the ferry thinking back over the years about friends and family and how quickly the time has past by. I found out last night that Alisa’s father was passing away. This morning I walked into the room where he drew his last breath while in his mother’s arms. There were many tears from mother, brothers and sisters. There were pictures of Alisa on the wall… A long time ago I flew our little airplane and landed near Gig Harbor. I met up with Alisa’s father, we were reminiscing over the days when we were commercial fishermen. He wanted to introduce me to his daughter, she had graduated from high school I think and was working as a waitress at a restaraunt near the highway. She made quite an impression. She was carrying through with her plans…..What really is meaningful and heartfelt is to see the love a child has for father and mother and I saw that in that brief meeting so long ago. Today was a sad day we can only keep hope and faith in the good promises for the future when we can all be together again….. I just wanted to send my love to Alisa’s mom and Stepfather. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for such a special little girl !
I am Alisa’s Uncle and George the father’s older brother. As George lay dieing of MS, in my mind I saw Alisa in her helicopter, rotor blades whirling and the door wide open. Alisa is yelling, “Come on Dad, let’s go!!! Let’s go for a ride!” George and Alisa are finally together and you never so a more devoted father or daughter. You shouold have seen Alisa zip down the ski slopes. I miss them so much. It is so difficult to bear.
The Tacoma News Tribune, August 3, 2010 has a picture of George Howell as many of us remember him. The article briefly recaps a bit about Alisa’s father. My heart goes out to all that were mentioned especially Yuko, his mom. I love you all. Joan Alisa’s mom recently told me that George gave so much to his daughter and no doubt the adventure that was in her. I’m keeping all the good memories and treasuring all the stories told……………………Brada Fred
=( poor george, he was the greatest!
MEMORIAL FOR ALISA
Time Tuesday, December 14 · 2:00pm – 4:00pm
——————————————————————————–
Location 205 NE 205TH ST SEATTLE WA 98115, HOLYROOD CATHOLIC CEMETARY
THIS IS THE DAY 4 YEARS AGO she tragically left the earth. I have never been able to bring myself to see the grave and say goodbye. Would you please join me in saying goodbye to this angel? Must go during day because there are no lights at cemetary.
Contact numbers:
Danielle Rojas ( formerly Zulauf) 360 913 2955
Hollyrood Cemetary:425 774 0471
4 years ago today the world became a little less bright when a beautiful star burned out…RIP my bff alisa danielle howell.u are always loved and greatly missed by many. today i will be there to lay flowers on ur grave and finally have my chance to say goodbye.
Danielle, I wish I could have joined you. I’ve tried to say goodbye to Alisa in my own way a couple years ago, but I still can’t seem to put her passing behind me. I still think about her more often than I thought I would have by now. I’m glad this weblog exists so that I can somehow express my lingering feelings. I hope to one day make it out to the cemetary.
Authur, I love your visualization of Alisa calling out to her dad to come take a ride.
Peace and well wishes to you all.
tim going finally gave me closure and a chance to say goodbye and see it was real.if u need support when u go give me a call, my number is 360 913 2955
streaming pandora, and what comes up?……”Somewhere over the rainbow”…we still think of our departed niece, rest in peace Alisa.