Earlier today I submitted a post in which I attempted preemptively to defend Forrest Pollock against the accusations sure to come (they come in connection with every aviation-related incident) that he in some way was responsible or acted negligently as the pilot in the tragic accident that has claimed his life this week as well as that of his thirteen-year-old son. Some, upon reading that post, believed that it was insensitive. I can only conclude that my attempts to defend Pollock I had somehow communicated so poorly that they were read as accusations. It makes me wish that I had taken the step beforehand of having my post vetted behind closed doors.
Nay, nay, a thousand times nay. I am a pilot myself, and although I did not know Forrest Pollock well, I have empathetically grieved over his loss, pondering it every time I have seen my own wife and children this day.
Rather, I just know that the media and the NTSB are going to start trying to assign blame his direction, and I jumped the gun a bit in trying to explain how the NTSB is and to defend Pollock. Probably not helpful at this point. I've taken down the post at the request of others. I ask you to join me in praying for the Pollock family and for his church and his many friends tonight.
9 comments:
Bart,
I've known a lot of private pilots, and one of the best told me once: When you see a car wrapped around a tree, people say "That driver got himself killed" but when you see a plane in a heap, people say "Those airplanes will kill you every time". Since most folks drive and most don't fly, I guess that's natural.
It's just that running out of gas and things of that sort aren't really dangerous in a car, but it's a whole different game in a plane.
I always wanted to learn to fly, but didn't, mostly for that very reason.
Our hearts go out to the family and they will be in our prayers.
I did not know this man although one of our dearest friends and his family are members of Bell Shoals. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the family of Forrest and Preston Pollock.
Pastor Pollock was a true Man Of Valor and will be truly missed
"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" for believers in Jesus Christ. Forest Pollock was a self professing believer and I understand Preston
was also a believer. Sadly missed, but left a legacy of hope for many people who became new found believers during his ministy.
God gives, and God takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Jesus Christ " I am the Way, the Truth, & the Life." "no man comes to the father but by me." "neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Forest was a saved believer with hope. Have you considered your future? "Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God."
Forrest and Preston were my cousins and though I didn't know them very well, I never heard a negative word spoken about either, from other family members or friends. I have sincere sympathy for Dawn, the other five kids and my great aunt who lost her only son. My heart goes out to them all and I love all of you.
Please consider your future right now. Pastor Pollock lived each day to see people become saved believers. Pastor Pollock was prepared, but never expected to die so soon. You will face death whether later today or in years to come. Can you say for sure you are going to heaven? What will you say to God if He would ask you "why should I let you into heaven?" If you have any other answer than you have believed & trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior you are not a believer and are not presently going to heaven should you die. Here's what you have to consider. The Bible is very accurate.
Take a look at how accurate the Bible is on Israel, science, history, and prophesy. God's Word is Truth. The random possibility of predicting fulfilled prophesy in the Bible is one in trillions. Now, consider this truth. God loves you so much He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die as payment for your sins. You see God is love, but God is also righteous and requires payment for sin. Each person has to either accept Jesus Christ paying thru death for their sins or each person has to pay for their sins at death themselves. Now here's what is wonderfully exciting about God. God is not willing that any person should perish, but all become believers. However, God does not force belief & acceptance of His Son's work in our behalf down our throats. We have a God given free will to accept His Son or reject His Son. If we reject His Son we are still condemned to pay for our sins. I ask you has anyone ever taught you to lie, steal, or cheat. Of course not. Like me you are a sinner by nature born to sin. Because we are sinners, we need a Savior or we will face God's wrath at death in judgment. Finally, some knowledge to remember. Nothing can purchase your eternal life except Jesus Christ’s payment. No matter how good you are, just one sin in your lifetime makes you guilty with a punishment of spiritual death forever. Good works do not save anyone. Neither can any church, gift of money, act of kindness, or trying to be a good person. "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us."
" Truly, truly he who believes in Me has eternal life." Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth, and Life. Believe. Except a man believes he can not see the kingdon of God. Accept God's free gift of eternal life today by believing Jesus Christ, God's Son, died and rose agin paying your punishment for your sin. Please come to Bell Shoals. God's people love each other. Know today you have forgiveness for all your sins and have eternal life forever with a God that loves you enough to require His Son to die in your place. Life with God is priceless. If your not sure about being a believer, ask God to give you more information. The Bible and/or Bell Shoals is a great place to start looking for the Truth.
I'm a pastor who considers Forrest a friend. But I'm also a private pilot, multi-engine instrument rated with over 1,300 hours of flying time. My heart is grieving for Dawn and her family. I've had to make many "go/no-go flying decisions" over the past 30 years that I've been flying, and it is always a difficult decision, but I have always erred ont eh side of caution, and it appears that Forrest either ignored the weather conditions or didn't receive a full weather briefing before he took off. There were certainly SIGMETS that wanred of the unusually strong turbulence, or at least warnings of the conditions. Anyone who has ever flown over mountains (as I have) whether the Smoky Mountians, or Rocky Mountians understands that updrafts and downdrafts are exacerbated over mountainous terrain. Few pilots without a instrument rating would risk taking off in those kinds of conditions at dark. There is a saying among pilots, "there are bold pilots and old pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots." My heart is heavy when I think that my friend succumed to the fatal flaw of "get-there-itis." But God is good, and He will recieve glory in this tragedy.
I am a member of Bell Shoals. Some people did indeed say some awful things following the crash about Pastor Pollock. I am aure that you meant well and am happy to hear that you removed anything that might be offensive. While I don't know personally of his abilities, everyone said he was extremely cautious. He would never have done anything to endanger any child, let alone his own. Keep praying for his family and our church. It's very hard for us all. Thanks you!
Anonymous,
Basically, I said:
1. Expect that the NTSB will blame the crash on him...it always does.
2. Nobody is ever flying perfectly, just like nobody is ever driving perfectly. Mistakes that slip by a thousand times can kill you the thousand-and-first.
3. By all reports, Pollock was a careful pilot.
I think it was my exposition of #2 that some found offensive.
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