Although a Virginia woman became the third wing walker to die in two years when a fiery crash killed her and a pilot at an Ohio air show, those in the business insist such fatal accidents are rare. Forty-four-year-old wing walker Jane Wicker and 64-year-old pilot Charlie Schwenker died Saturday in a crash witnessed by thousands of spectators at the Vectren Air Show near Dayton. John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows, says from 1975 to 2010 just two wing walkers in the U.S. were killed. However since 2011, three wing walkers have died, including Wicker. Cudahy says the spike appears to be a coincidence and that the business is "not quite as dangerous" as it seems. The cause of Saturday's crash remains unclear, and an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board could take months to complete.
Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.