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Hermance became Toyota’s point man for ongoing alternative fuel discussions with Congress, the media and the California Air Resources Board. (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/REG/61126001/1003/newsletter08&refsect=newsletter08)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Toyota_Corp_-_David_Hermance.jpgMark Rechtin - Automotive News - Nov. 26, 2006

LOS ANGELES -- David Hermance, Toyota's executive engineer for advanced technology vehicles, died Saturday, Nov. 25, when the airplane he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

Hermance, 59, was Toyota's top American executive for alternative-fuel vehicles and emissions technologies in North America.

He was also an avid pilot who enjoyed aerobatics competition.

According to eyewitness and police reports, Hermance's plane was performing a series of loops in airspace over the ocean near San Pedro, Calif., reserved for aerobatic stunts. Witnesses said the engine revved hard during a descent but the plane did not pull up and hit the water.

Toyota confirmed a Los Angeles County Fire Department report that it was Hermance's body that was recovered. The fire department spokesman said Hermance died on impact.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was an Interavia E-3 that took off from the Long Beach Airport with just the pilot on board.

This reporter, who heard the crash from his house at about 1:20 p.m., heard the plane's engine revving louder and harsher than typically associated with the descent arc of a loop. A witness told KNBC-TV that he thought he saw a parachute trailing behind the plane, but it was tangled and not deployed.

The plane crashed about 400 yards offshore in about 60 feet of water. A civilian boat arrived on the scene within two minutes, and a lifeguard stationed at Western Avenue beach paddled out to the crash site as well. At least four Coast Guard and Los Angeles Fire Department vessels arrived on scene within 15 minutes. Skies were clear, with the occasional light wind gust at sea level.

Hermance was a frequent competitor in International Aerobatics Club competitions. The Interavia E-3 is specially designed to perform elaborate stunts at high speeds. Hermance often flew off the San Pedro coast to practice aerobatics maneuvers, which included loops, spirals and stalls.

The National Transportation Safety Board was expected to investigate the crash.

Hermance joined Toyota in 1991 after a 26-year career at General Motors. At GM, he held jobs in the automaker's vehicle emissions and durability testing departments.

Based at the Toyota Technical Center in Gardena, Calif., Hermance's first job for Toyota was evaluating car engines for North America. In 1992, he was put in charge of engine and drivetrain calibrations for North America.

Later in his Toyota career, Hermance became the automaker's point man for ongoing alternative fuel discussions with Congress, the media and the California Air Resources Board.

According to his biography on Toyota's media Web site, Hermance is survived by his wife, Mary, and two grown children.

Very sad. :(

I am stunned.
Dave Hermance was a great man, and I was honored any time I got to be in his presence.
I don't know what to say upon hearing this sad, sad news.

Hi All:

___Another well written piece about David that everyone should have a chance to read …

Dave Hermance, Automotive Hybrid Systems Expert and Environmental Advocate

Obituary

Toyota Motor Company - 11/28/2006

David W. Hermance

Automotive Hybrid Systems Expert and Environmental Advocate

David W. Hermance, Toyota's top North American engineer for advanced technology vehicles, died Nov. 25, while performing aerobatic maneuvers in his plane off the coast of San Pedro, Calif. A resident of Huntington Beach, Calif., he was 59.

An eloquent spokesperson, Hermance championed the virtues of hybrid technology before scientists, regulators, environmentalists, legislators and consumers. With a knack for explaining complex hybrid and advanced technology, Hermance served as Toyota's hybrid engineering ambassador in the U.S.

"Dave Hermance was a gifted engineer and was highly respected by his peers in the automotive industry," expressed Yasuhiko Ichihashi, president of Toyota Technical Center, USA. "Dave's strong communication skills were instrumental in educating the public on Toyota's hybrid technology. He possessed unique skills which can not be replaced."

Hermance's successful careers at General Motors and Toyota spanned four decades. Hermance spent the first 26 years of his long automotive career with General Motors where he led Durability Test Development and served in a variety of roles in the Vehicle Emissions Laboratory.

In 1991, Hermance joined Toyota Technical Center U.S.A. in the Gardena, Calif. facility as Senior Manager in Engine Evaluation with responsibility for evaluating North American passenger car engines. In 1992, Hermance was promoted to General Manager of the Powertrain Department where he was responsible for the development of engine and drivetrain calibrations for the North American market. He went on to become the Executive Engineer for Advanced Technology Vehicles and oversaw advanced technology communication for the North American market and regulatory activities in California. Up until his death, Hermance worked tirelessly to promote hybrid and advanced technology vehicles in the U.S.

Within the industry, he was widely recognized as the most authoritative voice on hybrid power vehicles in the U.S. Hermance was instrumental in making hybrid technology appealing to mainstream consumers, in addition to environmentally aware car buyers. He was well -respected by industry analysts and environmentalists for his efforts to further advanced technology vehicles.

"We had a great deal of interaction with Dave over the years and found him to be a truly outstanding individual," said Dave Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, a nonprofit organization which focuses on trends and changes related to the automobile industry. "He possessed deep knowledge, was highly articulate and a pleasure to work with in every respect. On top of his professional attributes he was a terrific human being. He will be missed by all."

Among his many automotive accomplishments, Hermance may be best remembered for being the key person promoting the benefits of hybrid technology for consumers in the U.S. market. Hermance dedicated his life to championing advanced technology vehicles and will be remembered fondly for his contribution to Toyota, General Motors, and the environment.

Hermance earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the General Motors Institute. He served as a member of the Society of Autmotive Engineers. Hermance was an avid pilot who enjoyed aerobatic flying. With his flight instructor father, Hermance began learning to fly at 14, soloing at age 16, and earning his private pilot's license during college.

Born in Danville, IN, 09/27/47, Hermance is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary; two children, Keith Hermance (Lindsay Hermance) of Mission Viejo, CA and Kathy Bougher (Jeremy Bougher) of Lebanon, IN, grandson Colin Bougher and sister Bonnie Riley.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be sent to the Hermance family in care of Toyota at: Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, North America, 1630 West 186th St., Gardena, CA 90248.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Diabetes Association Research Foundation in the name of Dave Hermance at: Attn: Maria Price, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I've never flown a plane, but it's easy to imaging a one-second health problem or aircraft failure could have resulted in his untimely passing.

Without knowing David Hermance, you assume that they get to where they were by taking risks, but of course nobody ever beats the odds 100% and his life was at stake in this instance. :(

It may be slower, but his work will go on.

Wayne,

This reminds me of another very Smart Person. When I was with IBM, there was a man there that loved to fly also and he had a very-bad habit. He for some reason was known to not fill the plane full of fuel. In fact he was known for flying with low fuel in the plane.

He ran out of fuel with all his family in the plane except for one daughter that was in college. All of them died in the plane crash.

I was asked on occasion to fly with this fellow. I was just not brave enough so I declined the offers. Later I heard about him flying with low fuel. This is really hard to understand because this guy was over the IBM Facility and money sure was not of any concern. Hard to figure why he chose to do that.

Terry