Yankee Pitcher Dies in Crash (A Think)

Newspapers around the country are reporting on the death of New York Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle. Lidle died when his small plane crashed into a building on the Upper East Side of New York City. The New York Times is running an entitled, A Corridor in the Sky that Recreational Pilots Fear. The article states:

The northern end of the airspace over the East River is a treacherous, narrow corridor often filled with helicopters ferrying tourists, business people and traffic reporters along the edge of Manhattan. Small planes like Mr. Lidle’s are allowed to fly through the area at low altitude, but several pilots said they did not dare because it could be crowded.

Lesson Ideas:
1. Ask students if they think that the accidental crash and death of a New York Yankees pitcher deserves front page coverage in newspapers across the country. Encourage them to explain their opinions. Ask them if they think this story would have been placed on the front page in the days before 9/11/2001. You might ask students to write a persuasive essay in which they take a perspective on these questions. They might blog these essays.
2. The article explains that many pilots wouldn't dare fly over the East River as Mr. Lidle and his instructor had done. Tell students to consider why Mr. Lidle might have chosen to fly through such an area. In groups they should develop mock interviews with Mr. Lidle in which he explains what his objectives were in flying for the day? Students might podcast or vodcast these interviews.
3. Mr. Lidle and his instructor were flying over some incredibly beautiful human-made areas. Students might explore the skyline and streets of the area. This website is an album of New York City, ask students what pictures they might include in an album of your own community. If possible allow the students to actually create these albums. You might have them make wikis with the pictures. Perhaps you could also ask them to justify why they have taken each picture. (To make this even a bit more complicated you might limit the number of pictures they can take. What are the most important images from your town?)
4. The article discusses the effect that wind can have on flying. In a science class you might consider this effect. The article states that, "Yesterday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, the wind was blowing from the east at 14 miles per hour, conditions that would have made the turn wider." Ask students to consider why this might be the case.

Edit or expand upon these lesson ideas on our Lesson Wiki.