Spanish Fly Host Jose Wejebe Dies In Plane Crash

Menacer 4/10/2012, 9:23 pm

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April 9, 2012 - Outdoor Channel's popular Spanish Fly fishing show host, Jose Wejebe, 54 died on Friday in a plane crash in which he was flying. Wejebe had departed Everglades Airpark (X01) airport in Collier County, Florida just before 5 PM when the single-engine experimental aircraft appeared to have entered into a stall just after takeoff.

Wejebe was flying a single-engine experimental turboprop-powered Comp Air 8 SF (tail number is N548SF) kit aircraft manufactured by Comp Air of Florida. A witness reported he saw the aircraft takeoff and then a wind shifted.

The witness further stated he believes the pilot got caught in a crosswind at which point the aircraft reach its critical angle of attack and then came down nose first, crashed and exploded killing Wejebe who was the its sole occupant onboard. The weather at the time was reposted clear skies with light winds.

No one on the ground was injured. Wejebe held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land privileges that was issued in 2004, he also held a 3rd class medical certificate that was issued February 2011.

Wejebe who hosted the weekly “Spanish Fly” fishing show shared his fishing adventures whether on his home waters of the Florida Keys, or in some exotic locale like Venezuela, Costa Rica or even Brazil. The show, highlighted the down to earth fun side of fishing.

The Outdoor Channel released a statement on Friday night stating, "It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart as we mourn the loss of an important member of the Outdoor Channel family tonight...the entire Outdoor Channel family is shocked, saddened and stunned."
Wejebe who was a Cuban immigrant had worked with several charities including Make a Wish Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis and Big Brothers and Big Sisters when he was not out shooting his next fishing episode. He held strong believes when it came to youth and civic duties. It was reported that Wejebe was in the South Florida area for the past week taping an episode of his show on Ten Thousand Islands.