Adam’s Story
(As written by my dad, Mark Triplett)
I hope that this site brings you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ, through the story of my life and death. Here is my story…
My name is Adam M. Triplett. This page was created by my dad as a memorial to me. I died on August 4, 1997. I died in an airplane accident in New Richmond, Wisconsin while conducting a routine training flight in a Beech Twin Engine “Duchess” airplane.
I was a Flight Instructor for Wings, Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota. I held multiple certifications and ratings, including MEI/CFI (Multi-Engine Instructor / Commercial Flight Instructor).
My parents started a ministry of Love called LNF Ministries. LNF stands for “Love Never Fails”, and comes from the Bible verse found in 1Corinthians 13:8. It is also one of the major points in a sermon I preached back in 1995. You can hear it by clicking on the link provided later on this page. But first, let me tell you more about the story of my life.
I was born April 24, 1974, in St. Paul, Minnesota. I lived in Rochester, Minnesota for eight years, from 1978 to 1985, and then settled in White Bear Lake in August of 1985. I graduated from White Bear Lake High School in White Bear Lake, Minnesota in 1992.
I graduated with Honors and in the top 15% of my class with a GPA of 3.44. I earned an Academics Letter, won the prestigious Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz Trumpet, and was Solo Trumpet Champion at the Minnesota All-State Jazz Ensemble in 1991-1992.
One of my best moments growing up was when I was the “featured artist” on the trumpet at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the 1992 MMEA All-State Music Convention. “Wow, what a thrill!” My folks are very proud of me! After High School I went on to play Lead Trumpet for a local R&B group known as The Butanes, before attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.
I achieved my life-long dream of flying airplanes at the age of seventeen. I became a multi-engine, commercial rated Flight Instructor, working at Wings, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota. I had almost 800 hours of flight time logged at the time of my death. It was my life-long dream to fly a 747 for Northwest Airlines one day. Actually, I did fly their 747 simulator successfully. I loved flying!
I was married (but only for three months), and am survived by my wife Karin, my sister Katrina, my mom (I never called my mom by her first name — she’s only “MOM” or “MOMMY”), and then there’s my dad (who was one of my BEST students), and of course dozens of loving family members and friends. Although I died at age twenty-three, I lived a full life, and now I fly in Heaven, where I wait for all of you.
I received my first airplane ride at the age of five at a church picnic on June 29, 1979. It was then I knew that I wanted to be a pilot when I grew up. My mom and dad would take me to air shows whenever they could. I loved it! I dreamed of flying the big jets one day for Northwest Airlines. In fact, I even did a little “simulator time” in a 747, my favorite airplane.
Whenever our family would fly somewhere, my mom and dad would be sure to tell the Captain of the plane that I was on board. There were many times I made the family wait in the terminal while I was introduced to the flight crew and given a tour of the cockpit. It was the closest thing to Heaven on earth for me. It was the fuel that fired my passion for flying.
At the age of seventeen I started my flight training, flying in a Cessna 152 (N752AA) at a small airport in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. From there I “graduated” to a program at Inver Hills Community College in conjunction with Wings, Inc. of St. Paul Minnesota.
“Wings”, Inc. is a Parts 135 and 141 Flight School, and is considered the Premier Flight School in the Twin Cities by many aviators, including me! While at Wings, I flew mostly the Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the Twin-Engine Beech BE76 “Duchess”. The “Duchess” would be the aircraft that I would one day die in while training another very fine student pilot, Jason Naugle. Wings soon became the place of my employment as a Flight Instructor. It remained so for most of my flying career (except when I attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago).
I loved my job as a Flight Instructor! In fact, I once told my dad that I would rather fly for “zero pay” than do any other type of job for money. Sometimes as a Flight Instructor that is exactly what you get too — zero pay! Actually, I never really considered “flying” as work. Teaching — now THAT was work!!!
Before I died, I had logged almost 800 hours of flight time and earned the following Certifications and Ratings from approved FAA Flight Examiners in Minnesota:
- Instructor – Private Pilot Single Engine Land / VFR & IFR
- Instructor – Commercial Pilot & Instructor / VFR & IFR
- Instructor – Multi-Engine Land / VFR & IFR
- Instructor – Multi-Engine Land & Instructor / VFR
Some of my students have gone on to pursue full-time aviation careers, either as Commercial Pilots or Flight Instructors. They all made me proud to be a Flight Instructor and Professional Pilot (especially when they got hired by an airlines.)
When you look up at an airplane going overhead, consider this… it could be one of MY students! Give ’em a wave for me, ok? In addition to being a professional Pilot and Flight Instructor, I also was a professional musician.
Here is more about my musical career…
I began my musical career with piano lessons at the ripe age of seven. I hated it! I couldn’t sit still long enough to find any interest with the darned thing. I liked music sure enough, but the piano was not for me. I tried and tried to learn to play well but just didn’t find a place in my heart for it.
My folks told me that if I was able to finish at least one recital I could choose to play any instrument other than the piano, but I had to learn to play something. I chose the trumpet.
I had many ‘favorite’ trumpet players to study from but my very best favorite was Phil Driscoll. You can visit his web site at www.mightyhorn.com. Not only did Phil influence me in my trumpet playing, but also in my Christian walk as well. His personal story is one that everyone should hear.
I would practice for hours, sometimes with a cracked lip. Still, I wanted to sound like Phil when he played “We Shall Behold Him”, one of my favorite songs. I know I will see Phil in Heaven one day, and what a awesome time that will be!
My beautiful silver Besson trumpet sits silent now, waiting for my return with Jesus. And, I will return with Him! Some of my family and Christian friends believe that I may even “Sound the Trumpet Call” at Jesus’ return. Who knows, it could happen.
Are you ready for when He does return?
If not, please DON’T WAIT!!! Accept Jesus as your Savior now. Be assured of your life after death and I’ll see YOU in Heaven too!
Would you like to hear me playing my trumpet? Just click on the links below.
Listen to me playing “Bride of the Waves” and “Aim For The Heart” on my trumpet.
Now let me tell you about my education…
Shortly after High School, I attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. It was by far one of the best experiences of my life. While there for only one year, I studied to be a pilot with the MAF (Missions Aviation Fellowship). I majored in Aviation Technologies, with a minor in music (trumpet, of course).
Moody offers many diverse subjects of study, all with a strong emphasis on a Biblical foundation and framework. I received an intense study of the Scriptures and put them in action on the streets of Chicago. One of my “classes” was street evangelism.
At Moody they call it PCM (Practical Christian Ministries). My PCM focused on youth of the area, some of which came from a background of gangs and living on the streets. I also ministered to people of all ages while living in Chicago.
Through my PCM, I found one of the greatest gifts of God — the JOY of bringing others to Salvation in Jesus Christ. I reported to my parents that before I left Moody, all seven of my PCM group had accepted Jesus as their Savior, along with a few of the homeless I met while living there. I was filled with joy and a sense of fulfillment!
Would you like to hear the one and only sermon I preached? Just click the link below.
My Sermon: “Love Never Fails”:
The day I died…
August 4, 1997 — a beautiful day to fly! We were flying a Beech BE76 “Duchess”, twin engine aircraft (N18960). The weather was perfect for flying — blue sky, very few clouds, and temperatures in the 80s. It was a great day to fly!
We were conducting routine take-off and landings to get one of my advanced students ready for the check ride for his Multi-engine Flight Instructor Certification (MEI/CFI). His name was Jason Naugle. Reports from witnesses around the airport and in the town said we appeared to be turning “left base” from our “left down-wind” when our plane suddenly veered to the right and went down in the town. To many observers, it sounded as if we were experiencing engine trouble.
The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has indicated in their final report that the engines appeared to be running at full throttle, with the plane at or about 77 knots ground speed (one knot equals 1.151 miles per hour. 77 knots x 1.151 mph = 88.6 mph). After striking a tall pine tree at its top, the plane grazed a power pole taking out the power lines, landed on the street and slid into a small tree across the street.
The impact of hitting the small boulevard tree tore the right wing off and spun us around 180°, where we continued to slide into the side yard of a residential home, coming to rest about 10 feet from the structure. Critically burned already, I was able to escape the plane, but before I could get far enough away the plane exploded and both Jason and I were killed. The last thing witnesses heard me calling out was, “Jesus save me, Jesus save me.”. Then, I died.
Jesus “saved” me at the cross of Calvary two thousand years ago, and I accepted His gift of Eternal Life with Him when I was seventeen years old! Now I live FOREVER in Heaven, with Him, all the Saints of God, and all those beautiful creatures God created for His pleasure… like Angels!
My Christian friends say I may be the one to “Sound the Trumpet” on the last day when Jesus comes to “Rapture” His church. It could be so… and it could be soon! Be ready!!! Don’t wait to think about your eternal destiny. Please, accept Jesus now!
Please… accept Jesus as your Savior right now! And, consider this before you go to sleep tonight — if you don’t wake up tomorrow, where will you be? The Bible says you only get one chance to choose between Heaven and Hell. Make the right choice — now! You can call on Him to “Save” you too.
Just pray this prayer with me, right now…
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins and I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and my Savior. Thank you Lord for saving me just like you saved Adam Triplett. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Awesome!!! I WILL see you in Heaven one day and we will live FOREVER with God.
Praise the Lord!!!