03 Sep 2012 09:19:04
Richard Bach, the author of the 1970s bestselling novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull among other writings rooted in themes of flight, is in a serious condition after his small plane crashed in Washington state.
His son, James Bach, said his father was on his way to visit a friend on the San Juan Islands on Friday when his amphibian plane clipped a power line during landing and crashed.
Bach said his father, who was flying alone, suffered a head injury and broken shoulder. He was in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
"We're waiting for the sedation to wear off, for him to fully wake up," Bach said on Saturday morning.
In Jonathan Livingston Seagull, published in 1970, Bach writes of a philosophically minded seagull seeking to rise above the flock, which is focused on the dull regimen of finding food scraps. Jonathan is banished from the group only to come upon more enlightened gulls who guide him to spiritual lessons, which Jonathan then imparts to others.
The short, simply crafted book gained little critical attention upon publication, but rose to top the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks, and Bach quickly drew a loyal following.
A pilot throughout his adult life, Bach often touched on his experiences in the cockpit in his writings. His other popular works include Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, a mystical story of a pilot's quest for self-discovery. He often links the practice of flying to themes of a deeper spiritual quest.
"Dad described his religion as flying. He's a very avid aviator," his son said. "It would be terrible if he recovers and can't fly again."
Richard Bach moved to Washington state's remote San Juan Islands more than 20 years ago, living on Orcas Island, his son said. The scenic San Juans are about 100 miles northwest of Seattle, reachable by ferry or plane.
Bach posted footage of flying his plane, a 2008 Easton Gilbert Searey which he named Puff, on his website on Tuesday.
