Suspended Disney monorail pilot releases statement
Distraught, surviving pilot from fatal monorail incident is under doctor’s care.
Alan Rubino, 62, piloted the reversing monorail that crashed into the train driven by 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, killing the young man.
Rubino’s friend Dennis Pickering read a statement from the pilot to local media.
“Alan wishes to extend to family and friends of Austin his deepest and heart-felt condolences. Given the current investigation, it would be inappropriate for Alan to comment,” said Pickering, who is also a part-time monorail pilot.
According to Pickering, Rubino was following instructions when the collision happened. He states that monorail pilots don’t take any action with the monorail unless they’ve instructed to do so.
Read the full story, with a video, at the Orlando Sentinel.
WESH: Ex-pilot says Disney monorail supervisor routinely off-site
Related posts:
- Disney Mononrail Crash Triggered by Employee Mistakenly Radioed He Activated Track Switch
- NTSB Agency Says It Could Be 6 Months Before Final Report on Disney Monorail Crash
- Disney’s monorail procedures changed in years leading up to accident
- Mother of Deceased Monorail Pilot Expects to Sue Disney
- Family, friends remember Austin Wuennenberg as more than a Disney monorail pilot
Tim
It’s a shame this whole thing happened however I firmly believe Rubino must be certifiably retarded to not realize he was on the wrong track, there are several different ways, I would think the fact that the track was on his left instead of his right would be a clue.. This clown shouldn’t be operating any heavy equipment if he’s that dense. As an aircraft pilot we’re trained that in the end it all comes down to the pilot in command and that is the case here. Other mistakes were made but this is clearly the worst and biggest mess up because it was so preventable by just maintaining situational awareness and he couldn’t even do that.
Jul 30, 2009 @ 6:16 pm