The Unauthorized Randy “Duke” Cunningham Page

Phil,

Yes, Cunningham was generally exonerated in the final, official report. But at the time, there were some serious questions.

Flying a "tail dragger" is initially very difficult for anyone who has never flown one, regardless of other flying experience. It requires some special instruction, and documentation of that instruction to be qualified to fly. Additionally, because of the very unique characteristics of tail-wheel aircraft, they are notorious for "ground loop" accidents, exactly like Cunningham's.

Although apparently resolved in the final report, there initially were questions about the actual existence of the reported small animal involved, and, if Cunningham indeed had received the proper instruction to qualify for that homebuilt, tail-wheel aircraft. There was also a strong hint of some political pressure involved.

A couple of years later, by coincidence, I happened to see the same investigator again. Curious, I casually asked him if he had ever resolved all the questions within that investigation. [I had never known the final outcome, nor had I ever seen the final report, until just recently.]

His response surprised me. Visibly upset by my question, he refused to discuss the matter, whatsoever. From this unusual reaction, I now find the final accident report, not surprising.