David-McCollum-Obituary

David E. McCollum

Washington, District of Columbia

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Washington, District of Columbia

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McCOLLUM DAVID ELLIS McCOLLUM David Ellis McCollum, 47, of Savannah, GA, a Flight Test Engineer at Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., died in a test flight crash on April 2, 2011 in Roswell, NM. A native of Highland, MD, David attended Atholton High School in Columbia, MD and graduated Marion Military...

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I can't believe it's been this long. Still love and miss you.

I remember David as such a warm, gentle, happy little guy. I babysat him, his brothers and sister occasionally when they were little and was so very saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Nancy, Mac, Shivers, Gene and Carolyn. What an accomplished young man David became! My husband, also a pilot, and I would love to have known him as a man. I am sure he knows how very proud of him you are and how loved and remembered he always will be. May God hold you close...

Land softly, David.

I am incredibly sad to hear this news.... David was the first pilot I flew a trip with after my training as a Flight Attendant with ASA. He was so patient with me and so kind. We went on to be friends, and shared several lunches and rides in the Mustang. I will miss you, my friend. Land softly in Heaven. Prayers and hugs to the family.

I worked with Dave at Pax River over twenty years ago, and greatly enjoyed the times we spent playing guitar and cruising around in his Boss 302. Luckily I was able to see him around Christmas after many years out of touch. He will be greatly missed. I also wish to offer my condolensces to Jane Ragusa and family, as I worked with Vivan on X-31 for several years. God Bless.

I got to know Dave about twenty some years ago when we worked together on the T-45 at Patuxent River. We had lost touch but recently met up again a few times since I returned to Maryland. Dave was a warm generous guy, and will be sadly missed.

I worked with Dave twenty years ago at Pax River on the T-45A and remember him as a fun-loving, thoughtful and valued member of the flight test team. Dave was always working towards his dreams, so I'm not surprised that he ultimately "flew the line" as an airline pilot and was able to transition back into flight test.

Dave was my friend. We flew Hueys, roomed, drank and even met a few girls together. When I first met him I thought he was a doctor. He just had that look and manner. He was the kind of guy that you would be OK with dating your sister or daughter. A great aviator too.
Every time I use one of the new radios in a Huey I will think of him.
Tim Adamson
AAHF Huey Pilot
Seattle WA

My prayers are with David's family. I did not know him, but my husband, Vivan, also perished on the plane. My heart is truly broken for all of us. May God be close to you and bring you comfort beyond measure. Praying always.