Monday, April 30, 2012

SkyWest Airlines Receives Top Reliability Honors - Named Most Reliable CRJ200 Operator in North America

ST. GEORGE, Utah, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., is the proud recipient of Bombardier's 2011 Annual Airline Reliability Performance Award. Topping the CRJ100/200 product category for the North America region, SkyWest took the prestigious title for the second year running and for the fourth time in the last five years. SkyWest earned the title in the same product and region category in 2007, 2008 and 2010. The airline also received top honors for overall dispatch reliability.

"This award recognizes the caliber of SkyWest's professionals throughout our operation," said President and COO Russell "Chip" Childs. "I am extremely proud of our unparalleled team of more than 11,000 who work together to safely complete more than 1,700 flights every day."

Todd Young, vice president of customer services and support for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, added "Congratulations to your management team and to all the employees that contribute tirelessly to SkyWest's operational excellence."

Bombardier's reliability award recognizes operators of Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets that logged dispatch reliability rates of 99% or better throughout the year.

SkyWest Airlines celebrates forty years of flight in 2012. As a leading air service provider offering global access to millions of people each month, SkyWest partners with the world's largest network carriers including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways and Alaska Airlines. With a fleet of 316 aircraft, SkyWest's more than 11,000 aviation professionals operate more than 1,700 flights each day to 158 destinations throughout North America. SkyWest has also been awarded the FAA's AMT Gold Award for maintenance training four times, most recently in 2011. SkyWest also received the AMT Diamond award in 2006. The airline is headquartered in St. George, Utah.

AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes Apologizes for Malaysia Election Video: Malaysian businessman says he ‘will forever regret’ video showing support for former Prime Minister Najib Razak

The Wall Street Journal 
By James Hookway
Updated May 13, 2018 5:41 pm ET

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—-The country’s best-known businessman published a video apologizing for supporting former Prime Minister Najib Razak ahead of last week’s election loss, prefiguring what could be a period of corporate realignment in a country where political connections often determine whether businesses succeed or fail.

“I buckled. It wasn’t right. I will forever regret it,” Tony Fernandes said in a video he uploaded to his Facebook page on Sunday.

Mr. Fernandes, 54 years old, is a household name in much of Asia. A former music-industry executive, he turned a rundown carrier called AirAsia into one of the world’s most successful budget airlines by tapping into an explosion in air travel. He played the Donald Trump character in the Asian spinoff of “The Apprentice” television show and invested in Formula One motor racing and an English soccer club.

He has sometimes supported government political candidates in the past. But he also butted heads against regulators to secure landing rights or build airport facilities for AirAsia. Mr. Fernandes has said that, as an ethnic-Indian Malaysian, he was disadvantaged when competing against the majority Malay establishment symbolized by the United Malays National Organization. That organization ruled the country uninterrupted for more than 60 years, until newly installed Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad ’s shock landslide win on May 9.

His passengers, then, were surprised—and many of them were dismayed—to see him appear in a video that came out during the election campaign in which he talked about how Mr. Najib’s government had helped him expand his business.

Mr. Fernandes painted one of his normally red-and-white aircraft in blue government colors and flew it to pick up Mr. Najib from a rally and fly him to Kuala Lumpur, with the two men smiling for photos in front. Some passengers threatened to boycott AirAsia, while others questioned what kind of pressure had been applied to Mr. Fernandes.

“I never imagined that he would do that,” said Aziz Abdullah, 38, who said he regularly flies on AirAsia.

Mr. Fernandes said he made the campaign pitch to fend off Mr. Najib’s government, which had urged him to stop additional flights to help voters get back to home districts to vote. Mr. Fernandes said the government had also pressured him to silence Rafidah Aziz, the chairwoman of his long-haul affiliate. She actively campaigned for 92-year-old Dr. Mahathir’s alliance and the man to whom he intends to hand power, Anwar Ibrahim. Mr. Anwar is currently jailed on what he says are trumped-up sodomy charges and expects to be freed on Tuesday.

Mr. Najib couldn’t be reached for comment.

Ms. Rafidah defended Mr. Fernandes on Sunday, saying he had been “publicly crucified” for trying to protect the airline from any further pressure that could threaten shareholders or employees.

“Tony badly misjudged the public mood,” a person close to Mr. Fernandes said.

That is an assessment that the AirAsia chief executive shared. In his video, he said that he, too, embraces the idea of a new-look Malaysia that casts off the race-based politics of the past.

“I apologize once again for the pain and the hurt I caused,” he said in the video.

Mr. Fernandes’ attempts to dissociate himself from UMNO point to what could a sweeping realignment of how business works in Malaysia, especially for private companies that have to deal with regulators or with large, state-sector companies such as oil firm Petronas, power company Tenaga Nasional Bhd., or, in AirAsia’s case, Malaysia Airports Holdings.

“It’s important to be seen to be on the right side,” said James Chin, a Malaysian academic and director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania in Australia.

Mr. Chin notes how business groups that rose to prominence during Dr. Mahathir’s first stint as prime minister from 1981 to 2003 might also play a more significant role. Among them are entrepreneur Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary ’s business empire and businesses connected to Daim Zainuddin, a veteran businessman and technocrat who Dr. Mahathir appointed to a panel of advisers on Saturday. In Malaysia, political parties are financed solely by private donations, so commercial support is unusually important.

This commercial shift is being accelerated by the worsening situation facing Mr. Najib, some political analysts said.

On Saturday, authorities issued a travel ban preventing Mr. Najib or his wife Rosmah Mansor from leaving the country. The new government is preparing to open a probe into a financial scandal involving a state investment fund that is already the subject of investigations in several other countries. U.S. authorities allege that at least $4.5 billion was misappropriated between 2009 and 2015, including $681 million allegedly received by Mr. Najib, whom lawsuits in the U.S. referred to as “Malaysian Official 1.”

Mr. Najib and the fund, 1Malaysia Development Bhd., have denied wrongdoing, and Malaysian investigations carried out during Mr. Najib’s premiership have cleared him. On Sunday, police cordoned off Mr. Najib’s Kuala Lumpur home.

Namibia: Namibian Defence Force's Air Wing Acquires Three More Military Helicopters

Windhoek — The Namibian Defence Force's (NDF) Air Wing has acquired three more military helicopters for an unspecified amount of money.

The three helicopters - one Cheetah and two Chetaks - were manufactured and supplied by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), an Indian-based company that specialises in the manufacturing of military helicopters.

The helicopters were officially handed over to senior officers of the Namibian Air Force during a ceremony held at the Eros Airport in the capital on Friday morning.

The three helicopters will mainly be used by the Air Force in their responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Namibia and during emergencies.

Speaking at the event, Defence Minister Charles Namoloh said the NDF's Air Wing is now able to respond effectively to the needs of national defence responsibilities and emergency relief duties.

"You should strive to maintain these military assets in good shape, and make sure that those who will operate them should have the necessary competencies to do so.

You must, therefore, always keep in mind this responsibility as you lead the NDF's Air Force to greater heights. Furthermore, keep in mind that these assets cost the Namibian Government a fortune, and we are not expecting sub-standard service delivery," Namoloh appealed to Air Force officers.

The Defence Minister applauded a training team from the Indian Air Force for providing the needed technical and professional support to the Namibian Air Force manpower.

The handing over of the three helicopters on Friday follows the delivery of an unspecified number of helicopters to the NDF at the Grootfontein Army Base in the Otjozondjupa Region last week.

Sabah, Sarawak to get major share in airline

New Straits Times
Monday, Apr 30, 2012

KUCHING - Sabah and Sarawak would have a 60 to 70 per cent share in the restructured regional airline MASwings, Sarawak Tourism and Heritage Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said yesterday.

"I cannot reveal too much as MAS (Malaysia Airlines) is a public-listed company.

"But it will give Sabah and Sarawak a substantial share in the airline."

He said this at his home in Petra Jaya to provide details on the restructuring exercise which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak disclosed when opening the Jelajah Janji Ditepati carnival on Saturday.

MASwings, set up to operate the rural air services in the two states, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAS.

Abang Johari, who started the push for the two states to have a controlling stake in the airline last year, described the talks as being quite advanced and added that the deal could be wrapped up before the year-end.

He said the rationale for having control of MASwings was to give Sabah and Sarawak the right to exploit opportunities in the Asian travel and tourism business.

"We not only need direct connectivity. We have to compete with other airlines. This region will be lucrative. It is important we have a say."

Although the future of the airline is still being thrashed out, its operations would no longer be confined to servicing rural communities in Sabah and Sarawak and flying to some destinations on Borneo island.

MASwings now flies to Brunei from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. It also flies to Tarakan, Pontianak and Balikpapan in Kalimantan.

Abang Johari said the restructured MASwings would fly primarily to east Asian destinations in South Korea, Japan, China and Hong Kong. It would also fly to India.

"The network we're planning will have a huge impact on the development of the tourism economy in the two states."

The airline will no longer have a turbo-prop fleet. Abang Johari said MASwings would purchase Boeing 737-sized aircraft to service the proposed east Asian routes.

Some of its Twin Otters, he said, would be retrofitted with floats to land on the Bakun and Batang Ai dam reservoirs and the Batang Lupar in Sri Aman.

Bakun and Batang Ai are being developed as major eco-tourism areas while the Benak tidal bore festival on the Batang Lupar in Sri Aman has become a major tourist draw.

Unknown or Undetermined: Cirrus SR22, N110EB; fatal accident occurred April 21, 2012 in Newcomerstown, Ohio

National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Final Report: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

National Transportation Safety Board  -  Docket And Docket Items:
http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

National Transportation Safety Board  -  Aviation Accident Data Summary: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: CEN12FA251
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Newcomerstown, OH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/04/2015
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N110EB
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

About 5 minutes before the accident, when the airplane was in cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), at 8,000 ft mean sea level (msl), and at 156 knots ground speed, an air traffic controller updated the altimeter setting via the radio. The pilot acknowledged the call, and his voice sounded normal. No other radio transmissions were received from the pilot, and he made no distress calls. Radar data showed that the airplane then began a descending right turn, that the airspeed increased slightly through the turn, and that the airspeed then suddenly decreased to 61 knots as the turn radius decreased. The airplane had turned about 270 degrees and descended to an altitude of 4,900 ft msl before radar contact was lost. A witness reported seeing the airplane coming out of the low clouds (the cloud ceiling was about 700 to 800 ft above ground level) in a nose-down descent with the wings about level before it disappeared behind a tree line. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

Data from the on-board recoverable data module (RDM) showed an anomaly in the electrical bus voltages, autopilot mode changes, and a momentary dropout of the pilot transmission frequency. Specifically, the RDM data showed that the airplane was flying at 8,000 ft pressure altitude at an airspeed of 148 knots with the autopilot on when alternator 1 dropped offline followed by alternator 2 dropping offline; the airplane is equipped with a two-alternator, two-battery, 28-volt direct current electrical system. About 3 seconds later, the autopilot disengaged. The RDM data confirmed that the airplane then entered a descending right turn with the airspeed increasing slightly and then suddenly decreasing. The data further showed that the airplane then rolled right and that the pitch attitude sharply decreased. The airspeed then increased, and both the roll and pitch reversed back toward wings level before the data ended.

The bolster switches for alternator 1, alternator 2, battery 1, battery 2, and the avionics were cycled “on” and “off” on an exemplar airplane to determine what may occur in the cockpit when the bolster switches are manually moved. Seven sets of various electrical bolster switch activations and deactivations were documented. During the tests, bolster switch operation on the exemplar airplane yielded recorded data similar to the accident flight data; however, the reason for the recorded electrical anomalies could not be determined because the RDM does not record the physical position of either the bolster switches or circuit breakers. The data did reveal that the airplane began its deviation off course and its subsequent descending right turn in IMC conditions a few seconds after the alternators went offline and that the pilot was likely attempting to troubleshoot the electrical anomaly with bolster switch activations and deactivations as the airplane descended and turned through the clouds. The electrical anomalies likely distracted the pilot and led to his subsequent loss of airplane control. The witness’s statement that the airplane came out of the low clouds with the wings about level and the RDM data indicate that the pilot may have been able to recover from the turn and rapid descent to some degree but that there was insufficient altitude for a full recovery.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s loss of airplane control in instrument meteorological conditions due to his distraction by electrical system anomalies, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. The reason for the electrical system anomalies could not be determined. 


HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On April 21, 2012, approximately 1220 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corp SR22, N110EB, registered to Photopheresis INC., of Morristown, New Jersey, was substantially damaged when it impacted heavily wooded terrain in the vicinity of Newcomerstown, Ohio. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross country flight. The flight originated at 1013 from the Somerset Airport (SMQ), and its intended destination was Ohio State University Airport (OSU), Columbus, Ohio.

According to radar data and recorded radio communications provided to the NTSB by the FAA, approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident, the airplane was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet msl at 156 knots ground speed, when Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) updated the altimeter setting via radio. The pilot acknowledged the call and his voice sounded normal. No other radio transmissions or distress calls were from received from the pilot after the altimeter setting acknowledgment.

Radar data showed the airplane begin a descending right turn with airspeed increasing slightly through the turn and then suddenly decreasing to 61 knots as the radius of the turn decreased. The airplane had turned approximately 270 degrees of heading and descended to an altitude of 4,900 feet msl before radar contact was lost.

There were no eye-witnesses to the accident, however, a boy who was a passenger of a car reported that he thought that he saw the airplane coming out of the low clouds in a descent, about wings level before it disappeared out of sight behind a tree line. The boy stated that he then saw black smoke.

Recovered data from the on-board data module (RDM) showed an anomaly in the electrical bus voltages, autopilot mode changes, a momentary drop out of the pilot transmit frequency, and a descending right turn with a decreasing radius until impact. Detailed information is provided in the TESTS AND RESEARCH section of this report.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

According to FAA records, the pilot held a valid private pilot certificate with Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL) and Instrument Airplane ratings. He held a valid third class medical certificate, issued April 28, 2010. At the time of his most recent medical exam, the pilot reported about 1,200 hours total flight time, of which 100 hours were within the preceding 6 months. The pilot attended and completed the Cirrus Standard Perspective Differences and Cirrus Turbo Differences Course on April 14, 2009. Additionally, he completed the Cirrus Icing Awareness Course on October 5, 2009.

According to information provided by a flight instructor who had flown about once a month with the pilot in recent years, the pilot completed a successful bi-annual flight review in the SR22 on February 17, 2012.

Remnants of the pilot's logbook were found at the accident site, but the contents were damaged from impact and could not be documented.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Cirrus SR22-3423, registration number, N110EB, received its standard airworthiness certificate on April 13, 2009. Cirrus records indicate that the pilot purchased the airplane new and took delivery on April 13, 2009. According to the records on file at Cirrus Aircraft, the airplane was equipped with: Garmin Perspective avionics with dual AHRRS and a single air data computer, Chartview, a GFC 700 autopilot with yaw dampener, Enhanced Vision System (EVS), Synthetic Vision, air conditioning, a Tornado Alley turbo-charging system, supplemental oxygen, engine monitoring, traffic alerting system, terrain awareness system (TAWS-B), XM weather/radio, FIKI, a Tanis heater, and a recoverable data module (RDM). 

The cover for the airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks were found at the accident site, but the pages were not located. 

The airplane was equipped with a two-alternator, two battery, 28-volt direct current (VDC) electrical system designed to reduce the risk of electrical system faults. The system provides uninterrupted power for avionics, flight instrumentation, lighting and other electrically operated and controlled systems during normal operation. The electrical system also provides automatic switching from either battery or alternator to the Essential Bus in the event of an electrical system failure by the opposing alternator or battery. 

The bolster panel contains the pilot switches for operating ALT 1, ALT 2, BAT 1, and BAT 2. The switches are mounted adjoining so that a pilot can control all four switches with a single hand. Power generated from the alternators is fed into the Master Control Unit (MCU). The MCU regulates and distributes the power to the batteries and the system loads. Each alternator provides constant charging current for the corresponding battery and primary power to the aircraft electrical system during normal system operation.

The flight instructor who had given the pilot his most recent bi-annual flight review reported that there had been one instance whereby the autopilot had disengaged during a flight sometime in the fall of 2011. He recalled that the problem may have been associated with a battery issue, but could not recall all of the details.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The closest weather reporting location to the accident site was from Zanesville Municipal Airport (ZZV), Zanesville, Ohio, located approximately 24 miles southwest of the accident site at an elevation of 900 feet. The airport had an un-augmented ASOS and reported the following conditions at the approximate time of the accident: Zanesville (ZZV) special weather observation at 1222 EDT, automated, wind from 340º at 5 knots, visibility 7 miles in light rain, ceiling broken at 800 feet agl, overcast at 1,200 feet, temperature 6º C, dew point 4º C, altimeter 29.89 inches of Hg. Remarks - automated observation system, ceiling 600 variable 1,000 feet, hourly precipitation 0.01 inch.

The pilot of N110EB contacted the Washington, DC, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contract Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) at 0745 EDT (1145Z) on April 21, 2012 and obtained a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan. A copy of the event reconstruction for that briefing was obtained and is included as Attachment 1 in the NTSB Meteorology Group Chairman's Factual Report. An audio file was also reviewed and documented to evaluate the accuracy and content of that briefing, which follows: The pilot initially contacted the AFSS for an outlook briefing for the flight departing at 0800 EDT on April 22, 2012. 

A complete meteorological factual report prepared by a NTSB meteorology specialist is available in the supporting docket for this report.

FLIGHT RECORDERS

The Recoverable Data Module (RDM) was located in the debris field and sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory in Washington DC for evaluation and download. 

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

General

The airplane's main wreckage was located on a heavily wooded hillside at 40°14'58.32" North latitude, 81°32'44.95" West longitude at an approximate elevation of 1,060 feet msl. The direction of energy was about 093 degrees magnetic. The hillside had a 10-degree up slope. The initial point of impact consisted of two trees about 31 feet apart. One tree had missing bark and tree scars on one of its large branches approximately 44 feet above the ground. The second tree's trunk was broke off approximately 34 feet above the ground. Three more tree trunks in the direction of energy ranging in size from 4-8 inches were freshly broken off. 

About 80 feet from the initial point of impact there was a 3-4 foot deep crater that measured approximately 11 feet long. Within the crater, the propeller hub remained attached to a portion of the crankshaft, which still had the #6 cylinder attached to it by the piston and connecting rod. There were two trees at the far end of the crater. The main wreckage including the firewall, engine, instrument panel, and center console, was found leaning uphill against the trees. 

The remainder of the airplane was severely fragmented and dispersed over a debris field that measured roughly 370 feet long by about 250 feet wide at its widest point. Evidence of spot fires were present throughout the debris field. Brown wilted vegetation was present that was consistent with fuel damage. Evidence at the site was consistent with the airplane impacting the trees about 25-30 degrees nose down and level wings.

Engine

The main portion of the engine was located approximately four feet from the impact crater and exhibited impact damage. The forward portion of the crankshaft and propeller hub, and the number six cylinder were located in the impact crater and was embedded the ground. Fractured pieces of the engine crankcase and oil sump were located in the impact crater along with a turbocharger, forward section of the cam shaft, parts of the propeller governor,and magneto drive gears. The engine and all components and accessories exhibited impact damage. The right magneto was separated from the engine, exhibited impact damage and the housing was fractured. The magneto was disassembled with no pre-impact anomalies noted. The left magneto was separated from the engine, exhibited impact damage and the housing was fractured exposing the internal parts of the magneto. The magneto was disassembled with no pre-impact anomalies noted. The ignition harness exhibited impact damage. The spark plugs exhibited impact damage and had light colored combustion deposits. The electrodes were normal when compared to the Champion Check A Plug chart. The fuel pump was fractured free of the engine and located in the debris field. The fuel pump exhibited impact damage. The drive coupling was fractured and only half of it was located. The fuel pump turned freely by hand using a screw driver. The fuel pump was disassembled and exhibited normal operating signatures. The oil pump remained attached to the engine. The cover was not removed due to damage to the oil pump housing studs. The oil sump exhibited impact damage and was fractured into several small pieces in the impact crater.

Cylinder number six and a portion of the crankshaft were separated from the engine and located in the impact crater. Cylinder five was separated from the crankcase and remained attached to the crankshaft by the piston and connecting rod. All six cylinders exhibited impact damage. All cylinders were inspected using a lighted bore scope. The internal combustion chambers exhibited a material consistent with that of light combustion deposits. The cylinder bores were clear of scoring and no evidence of hard particle passage was observed in the cylinder bore ring travel area. Dirt was observed in the combustion chambers and all induction risers were fractured from the cylinders. Impact damage to the valve train, rocker arms and rocker arm covers was observed. The rocker arm covers were removed and those that were not breached contained a residue of oil. All damage noted was consistent with impact damage. The crankcase exhibited impact damage and the forward section was fragmented. The accessory portion of the crankcase was fractured. The crankshaft was fractured between the number 5 and number 6 rod journals. The forward portion of the crankshaft was separated from the crankcase and the propeller hub remained attached to the propeller flange. The camshaft gear and magneto drive gears were found in the wreckage and exhibited impact damage.The starter was fractured at its base and exhibited impact damage. The base remained attached to the starter adaptor and the other half of the starter remained attached to the firewall by a cable.

The propeller hub remained attached to the engine crankshaft propeller flange. All three of the composite propeller blades were fractured near the hub and located in the debris path. All three blades exhibited nicks, gouges, and portions of the blades were missing.

Fuselage and Cabin Section

The fuselage was severely fragmented along the debris path. Both crew doors were fragmented. Larger portions of the upper and lower sections of both doors were located within the debris field. The latching mechanisms for the upper and lower latches for both doors were located and exhibited impact damage. The baggage door was found separated from the fuselage and exhibited impact damage.

All the seats were fragmented. The left front crew seat airbag was deployed. A large portion of the right front crew seat was hanging in a tree and was not accessible for examination. The right front airbag could be seen and was deployed.

Cockpit

Switch positions and settings could not be documented due to severe impact damage. A flight bag, Jeppesen chart notebooks, airplane manuals, and miscellaneous items (baggage tie down straps, fuel sampler cup, etc.) were present in the debris field. A rolled up set of sun reflector mats were present in the debris field. The pilot's logbook was present in debris field. It had sustained fire damage and no usable information was obtained. A propeller logbook binder cover was present in the debris field. Pages from the propeller logbook were not recovered. The cover for the airframe logbook was located in the debris field. Pages from the logbook were not recovered.

Seats and Restraints

All the seats were fragmented. The left front crew seat airbag was deployed. A large portion of the right front crew seat was hanging in a tree and was not accessible for examination. The right front airbag could be seen and was deployed.

Wing Section and Control Surfaces 

The wing was found severely fragmented. Three main pieces of aileron were identified in the debris field that made up the majority of the left aileron. Two main pieces of the left flap were located in the debris field that made up the majority of the left flap. The right flap was found separated from the wing and exhibited fire and impact damage. Three pieces of aileron were identified in the debris field that made up the majority of the right aileron. About 4 feet of the center aileron control cable was found from the left hand turnbuckle to the console aileron actuation pulley. The cable was fractured at the console aileron actuation pulley. When visually examined, the fracture had a broom straw appearance consistent with tension overload. The other end of the cable was fractured at the turnbuckle. Two sections of aileron control cable were located in the debris field with the flap hinge assemblies present on the cable. When visually examined, both sections of control cable had fractures with a broom straw appearance consistent with tension overload. 

The roll trim motor position could not be determined due to impact damage. 

The flap actuator shaft was found separated from the flap motor. When the flap motor components were laid out together the shaft extension was approximately 4 inches which was consistent with the flaps being in and 'UP' position.

Empennage and Stabilizers

The empennage was mostly fragmented. The horizontal stabilizer was found separated from the empennage and exhibited impact damage, with both the upper and lower skins mostly intact. Both elevators were separated from the horizontal stabilizer and exhibited impact damage. The pitch trim motor was in a neutral position. Elevator control cable continuity was confirmed.

The vertical stabilizer was found fragmented. The rudder was separated from the vertical stabilizer and exhibited impact damage. Rudder control cable continuity was confirmed.

Landing Gear

The nose landing gear assembly separated from the airplane and exhibited impact damage. The left main landing gear and its surrounding mounting structure separated from the wing and exhibited impact damage. The right main landing gear was fragmented.

Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS)

The CAPS safety pin was located in the debris field and evidence at the site was consistent with the system not being deployed prior to impact. The activation handle was found separated from the activation cable and was located in the debris field. About 10.5 feet of the activation cable remained attached to the igniter assembly. Most of the activation cable housing was not present. When visually examined the fractured end of the cable had a broom straw appearance consistent with tension overload.

The FS222 bulkhead was fragmented. The rocket motor launch tube assembly was found attached to the FS222 bulkhead and exhibited impact damage. The igniter base, when viewed looking down the launch tube, had a brownish appearance consistent with residue from a rocket motor ignition. The parachute enclosure was found separated from the FS222 bulkhead. The CB7 access panel was found separated from the FS222 bulkhead. There was forward bowing of the lower portion of the panel. Four cuts were present in the bowed portion of the panel that were consistent in size and shape of the 3-point shackles. Vertical scratching was present on the aft side of the panel.

The CAPS harnesses, risers and a portion of the parachute suspension lines extended from the main wreckage on an 80 degree magnetic azimuth and were tangled through several trees. The incremental bridle and lanyards remained attached to the D-bag. The incremental bridle was partially unstitched. There were 75 bar tack stitches present. When measured, the stitched portion of the incremental bridle was 36 inches in length. The parachute was found in the D-bag. The suspension lines of the parachute were found partially extracted from the D-bag. Part of the nylon D-bag appeared melted. The rear harness was partially undone with 20 inches remaining stitched together. One reefing line cutter was attached to a Y-strap. The ignition loop was bent but present in the reefing line cutter. The other reefing line cutter was not observed. The white cord that secures the triple D-ring assembly had been cut. A small portion of the white cord remained tucked behind the Velcro enclosure for the reefing line cutters.

The CAPS enclosure cover was located about 75-100 feet uphill of the main wreckage and exhibited impact damage.

The rocket motor was located approximately 165 feet uphill from the main wreckage. The placard atop of the motor canister was scratched and torn. The pick-up collar and support were present on the rocket motor and exhibited impact damage. The rocket motor and pick-up collar assembly had separated from the incremental bridle lanyards.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot and no medical issues were discovered that could have contributed to the accident. Toxicology tests performed were negative.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

RDM Description

The Heads Up Technologies RDM is a crash hardened unit installed in the tail of the aircraft in order to record flight, engine, and autopilot parameters. Data is logged once per second and stored internally on 4 thin small outline package (TSOP) memory devices inside the crash hardened enclosure. When the storage limit is reached the oldest record is deleted.

Autopilot Description

The Garmin GFC 700 digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) Autopilot system is a fully digital, dual channel, fail-passive digital flight control system composed of multiple Line-Replaceable Units (LRUs) and servos. The GFC 700 is fully integrated within the Cirrus Perspective Integrated Avionics System architecture and is used to stabilize the aircraft pitch, roll and yaw (optional) axes. Pitch auto trim provides trim commands to the pitch trim servo to relieve any long-term effort required by the pitch servo. 

Summary of RDM Data for the Accident Flight

The recorded data indicate that prior to the upset the airplane had been travelling at about 8000 feet pressure altitude, at an airspeed of 148 knots, heading 273 degrees magnetic while on autopilot (in the GPS lateral mode and ALT vertical mode) navigating to APE (the GPS way point for the Appleton, Ohio VOR antenna). 

About 16:18:30 UTC, the data for Alternator 2 became invalid after having been at a previous value of 25 Amps. At the same time, the data for Battery 1 also became invalid for one second, and then changed to -27 Amps. Subsequently, the voltages for the Main Bus 1 and 2, and the Essential Bus decreased from about 28-29 volts, to about 23-25 volts. 

About 3 seconds later at 16:18:33, the autopilot disengaged (the Autopilot/Flight Director parameter changed from AP/FD to FD only). About 2 seconds after that, the airplane began rolling to the right (right wing down) and the heading began to increase (right turn). About 10 sends later, the pitch attitude began to decrease (airplane nose down) and the altitude began to decrease. 

About 16:18:53, the autopilot was re-engaged, and the AP mode had changed from GPS and ALT to ROLL and PITCH. At this time, the roll attitude was about 32 degrees right wing down and the pitch attitude was about 5 degrees nose down. These values increased to a peak of about 63 degrees right wing down and 24 degrees nose down, before they began to reduce. When the values had reduced to 48 degrees of right roll and 16 degrees of nose down pitch and at an airspeed of 203 knots, the autopilot mode changed to LEVEL for both the lateral and vertical coupled modes at about 16:19:09. The engine power was reduced about 5 seconds later. 

The nose down pitch attitude then reduced gradually and continually was toward level and reached 0 at about 16:19:27. Over this time the roll attitude oscillated down (toward wings level) to about 30 degrees right wing down and then increased back to about 41 degrees right wing down at 16:19:27. 

The airplane then rolled sharply to the right, reaching 155 degrees of right roll, while the pitch attitude sharply decreased to about 71 degrees nose down. Shortly thereafter, the airspeed increased to about 277 knots. Both roll and pitch then reversed their trends back toward level, and had reached about 18 degrees right wing down and 46 degrees nose down, before the data ended at 16:19:47. During this trend reversal, the normal acceleration reached the recorded limit of 5 positive G's. 

Note: The entire Vehicle Recorder Laboratory Factual Report prepared by a NTSB vehicle recorder specialist is available in the supporting docket for this report.

Electrical System, Autopilot and RDM Data Observations in an Exemplar Airplane

During the week of September 29, 2014, under the oversight of the NTSB IIC, Cirrus SR22, serial number 3771, was ground run with the same Garmin Integrated Avionics (GIA) software version as the accident airplane (Version 6.07 also referred to as Phase C+). Bolster switches for ALT1, ALT2, BAT1, BAT2, and Avionics were cycled OFF then ON in various combinations to observe the cockpit displays and compare them with the RDM data recorded for the same time frame.

Seven sets of various bolster switch activations/deactivations were documented to demonstrate what occurs in the cockpit and what data the RDM records respective to manual movements of the switches (i.e., ON/OFF). The areas in the RDM data that were examined were: Essential Bus volts, Main Bus 1 volts, Main Bus 2 volts, Alternator 1 amps, Alternator 2 amps, Pilot Transmit Frequency, and Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) Modes. 

#1 Avionics Switch OFF, Then Turned Back ON 

The Avionics Switch was turned OFF for approximately 10 seconds. In the RDM data, the Essential and Main Bus voltages remained the same; the ALT 1&2 and BAT1 amp readings remained the same. The pilot transmit frequency changed from the selected communications frequency to a null value represented by 5 dashes. No change in the AFCS Modes occurred. 

The PFD displayed an "Avionics OFF" crew alerting system (CAS) message. A Red X was displayed over the location of the transponder information. 

During the time the Avionics switch was turned off the COM1 frequency number displayed on the PFD turned white. According to the Garmin Pilot's Guide when both active COM frequencies appear white it is an indication that no COM radio is selected for transmitting (on the audio panel).

Once the Avionics Switch was turned back on, the audio panel lights all lit up momentarily consistent with the unit conducting a self-test during normal start-up. Immediately following this, the selections that had been on prior to the Avionics Switch being shut off were re-illuminated. At about this time the COM1 frequency turned green again on the PFD. Additionally, the Red X over the Transponder Status Box was replaced with the transponder information. 

#2 BAT1 Switch OFF

The BAT1 switch was turned off for approximately 12 seconds. In the RDM data, the Essential and Main Bus voltages remained the same; the ALT 1&2 and BAT1 amp readings remained the same. No change in the Pilot Transmit Frequency or AFCS Modes occurred. The PFD did not display any messages during the time the BAT1 switch was in the OFF position.

#3 ALT 1&2 OFF

The ALT 1&2 switches were turned off for approximately one minute. In the RDM data, the Essential and Main Bus voltages decreased. ALT 1&2 amps decreased to zero or dashes. BAT1 amps increased. No change in the Pilot Transmit Frequency or AFCS Modes occurred. The PFD displayed multiple CAS caution messages.

#4 ALT 1&2 and Avionics Switch OFF, Then Avionics Switch Turned Back ON

The ALT 1&2 and Avionics Switch were turned OFF. Then the Avionics Switch was immediately turned back ON. In the RDM data, the Essential and Main Bus voltages decreased. ALT 1&2 amps decreased to zero or dashes. BAT1 amps increased. The Pilot Transmit Frequency went from the selected communications frequency to dashes for two seconds. No change in AFCS modes occurred.

The PFD behavior was consistent with the behavior described in #1 above.

#5 ALT 1&2 and BAT1 Switches OFF, Then BAT1 Switch Turned Back ON

The ALT 1&2 and BAT1 switches were turned OFF. Then the BAT1 switch was immediately turned back ON. 

In the RDM data, the Essential Bus and Main Bus 1&2 volts decreased. ALT 1&2 amps decreased to zero or dashes. BAT1 amps increased. The Pilot Transmit Frequency went from the selected communications frequency to dashes for two seconds. The autopilot data changed from "AGA--Y----" to "FGA-------". 

"AGA--Y---"

"A" = Autopilot and Flight Director engaged

"G" = GPS coupled lateral mode 

"A" = Altitude coupled vertical mode

"Y" = Yaw dampener ON

"FGA"-------"

"F" = Flight Director engaged

"G" = GPS coupled lateral mode

"A" = Altitude coupled vertical mode

"-" = Yaw Dampener OFF

The PFD displayed the AFCS Status Annunciation Warning: "PITCH." 

The AFCS Status Box displayed an Automatic Autopilot Disengagement indicated by a flashing red and white "AP" annunciation and by the autopilot disconnect aural alert, which continued until the AP Key was depressed on the AFCS control panel. 

Additionally, the AFCS Status Box displayed an Automatic Yaw Dampener disengagement indicated by a five-second flashing yellow "YD" annunciation. After five seconds the "YD" extinguished (went blank).

The COM2 frequency momentarily was Red X'ed. Multiple messages were listed in the Comparator Window. CAS caution messages were displayed over time with regard to electrical busses and BAT1. 

Approximately 18 seconds after the BAT1 switch was turned back on, the AP Key on the AFCS control panel was depressed. The aural alert tone "warbled" and the flashing red & white "AP" extinguished. The AP Key was pushed a second time and the aural alert was silenced. Normal operation usually requires the AP Key be depressed one time to silence the aural alert. 

Following this, additional attempts to depress the AP Key did not result in the engagement of the autopilot until the AFCS Status Annunciation Warning: "PITCH" extinguished. Once the warning did extinguish, depressing the AP Key immediately engaged the autopilot.

#6 ALT1&2, BAT1, Avionics Switch OFF, Then BAT1 and Avionics Switches ON

The ALT 1&2 and BAT1 switches were turned OFF. Then the BAT1 and the Avionics switch were immediately turned back ON. 

In the RDM data, the Essential Bus and Main Bus 1&2 volts decreased. ALT 1&2 amps decreased to zero or dashes. BAT1 amps increased. The Pilot Transmit Frequency went from the selected communications frequency to dashes for three seconds. The autopilot data changed from "AGA--Y----" to "FGA-------".

Ten seconds later the autopilot data changed from "FGA-------" to "FRP-------".

"FGA-------" 

"F" = Flight Director engaged

"G" = GPS coupled lateral mode

"A" = Altitude coupled vertical mode

"FRP-------" 

"F" = Flight Director engaged

"R" = Roll coupled lateral mode

"P" = Pitch coupled vertical mode

The PFD displayed the AFCS Status Annunciation Warning: "PITCH." 

The AFCS Status Box displayed an Automatic Autopilot Disengagement indicated by a flashing red and white "AP" annunciation and by the autopilot disconnect aural alert, which continued until the Autopilot Disconnect Button was depressed on the pilot's yoke.

The AFCS Status Box also displayed an Automatic Yaw Dampener disengagement, indicated by a five-second flashing yellow "YD" annunciation. After five seconds the "YD" extinguished (went blank).

The AFCS Status Box also indicated that the flight director was reverting to the default mode in both the lateral and vertical axis. This was displayed as a flashing yellow mode annunciation for both GPS and ALT for 10 seconds. After 10 seconds the flashing yellow annunciation stopped and was replaced with a green Roll Hold Mode annunciation (ROL) and a green Pitch Hold Mode annunciation (PIT).

Following this, additional attempts to depress the AP Key did not result in the engagement of the autopilot until the AFCS Status Annunciation Warning: "PITCH" extinguished. Once the warning extinguished, depressing the AP Key immediately engaged the autopilot.

#7 ALT1&2, BAT1&2, Avionics Switch OFF, Then All Switches Immediately Back ON

The ALT 1&2, BAT 1&2, and Avionics Switch were all turned OFF. Then all the switches were immediately turned back ON. 

In the RDM data, the Essential Bus and Main Bus 1&2 voltages remained constant. ALT1&2 and BAT1 amps remained constant. The Pilot Transmit Frequency changed from the selected communications frequency to 121.500 for one second then returned to the previously selected communications frequency. The autopilot data changed from "AGA--Y----" to all dashes. Engine monitoring data parameters continued to record whereas multiple other parameters reverted to dashes. 

The PFD momentarily displayed all possible flags except for the comparator and CAS message boxes. Shortly after this the "AHRS ALIGN: Keep Wings Level" message appeared while the screen background was all black. The AFCS Control Unit lights all extinguished.

Summary of Bolster Switch Operations

Bolster switch operation on the exemplar airplane yielded recorded data similar to the accident flight data. It also provided insights regarding power interruptions to key components like the autopilot and audio panel and data recorded in association with their operation. However, the source of the power interruption during the accident flight could not be definitively reproduced or identified – i.e., electrical anomalies, bolster switch operation, or circuit breaker operation because the RDM does not record the physical position of either the bolster switches or circuit breakers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

After the on-scene phase of the investigation, the airplane wreckage was recovered to Atlanta Air Salvage, Atlanta, Georgia, and later released to the owner's representative.


NTSB Identification: CEN12FA251 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, April 21, 2012 in Newcomerstown, OH
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N110EB
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On April 21, 2012, approximately 1220 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus Design Corp SR22, N110EB, registered to Photopheresis INC., of Morristown, New Jersey, was substantially damaged when it impacted heavily wooded terrain in the vicinity of Newcomerstown, Ohio. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross country flight. The flight originated at 1013 from the Somerset Airport (SMQ), and its intended destination was Ohio State University Airport (OSU), Columbus, Ohio.

According to preliminary radar data and recorded radio communications, approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident, the airplane was in cruise flight at 8,000 feet msl at 156 knots ground speed, when Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) updated the altimeter setting via radio. The pilot acknowledged the call and sounded normal. No other transmissions were from received from the pilot.

Preliminary radar data showed the airplane begin a descending right turn with airspeed increasing slightly through the turn and then suddenly decreasing to 61 knots as the radius of the turn decreased. The airplane had turned approximately 270 degrees of heading and descended to an altitude of 4,900 feet msl before radar contact was lost.

The airplane's main wreckage (cabin and engine) was located on a heavily wooded hillside at 40°14'58.32" North latitude, 81°32'44.95" West longitude at an approximate elevation of 1,060 feet msl. The direction of energy was about 093 degrees magnetic. The hillside had a 10-degree upslope. The initial point of impact consisted of two trees 31 feet apart from one another. One tree had missing bark and tree scars on one of its large branches approximately 44 feet above the ground. The second tree’s trunk was broke off approximately 34 feet above the ground. Three more tree trunks in the direction of energy ranging in size from 4-8 inches were freshly broken off. The remainder of the airplane was severely fragmented and dispersed over a debris field that measured roughly 370 feet long by about 250 feet wide at its widest point. Evidence of spot fires were present throughout the debris field. Brown wilted vegetation was present that was consistent with fuel damage. Evidence at the site was consistent with the airplane impacting the trees approximately 25-30 degrees nose down and about level wings.

The airplane's Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) system was examined at the accident site and evidence showed that it had not deployed prior to impact.

The airplane's Remote Data Module (RDM) was located in the debris field and taken into custody by the NSTB IIC for examination at the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory, Washington DC.

There were no eye-witnesses to the accident, however, a boy who was a passenger of a car reported that he thought that he saw the airplane coming out of the clouds in a descent before it disappeared out of sight behind a tree line. He stated that he then saw black smoke.

The closest weather reporting location to the accident site was from Zanesville Municipal Airport (KZZV), Zanesville, Ohio, located approximately 24 miles southwest of the accident site at an elevation of 900 feet. The airport had an un-augmented ASOS and reported the following conditions at the approximate time of the accident: Zanesville (KZZV) special weather observation at 1222 EDT (1622Z), automated, wind from 340º at 5 knots, visibility 7 miles in light rain, ceiling broken at 800 feet agl, overcast at 1,200 feet, temperature 6º C, dew point 4º C, altimeter 29.89 inches of Hg. Remarks - automated observation system, ceiling 600 variable 1,000 feet, hourly precipitation 0.01 inch.

After the on-scene phase of the investigation, the airplane wreckage was recovered to Atlanta Air Salvage, Atlanta, Georgia.


  
Dr. Emil Bisaccia of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, co-founder of Affiliated Dermatology, with offices in Liberty Corner, Morristown, New Jersey and Ohio. 
Credit Courtesy of Affiliated Dermatology


 
Dr. Emil Bisaccia was remembered Monday morning at his funeral at St. James Church as a true "renaissance man" whose personal and professional impact on family, friends, patients, fellow medical professionals and his students was both profound and far-reaching.

The Basking Ridge physician was 59 when he was killed last Saturday flying solo in a single-engine plane en route to Ohio, where one of his offices of Affiliated Dermatology Cosmetic Surgery Center is located. Other offices are in the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Township, Morristown, Roxbury and Somerville.

Those who eulogized Bisaccia listed his many accomplishments and affiliations. But although he was a pre-eminent cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of Affiliated Dermatology—and a professor at Columbia University in New York and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey—he was remembered first and foremost as a loyal and generous soul who loved his family and friends.

"We are his legacy," said his son Devon Bisaccia, 20, who said had many conversations with his father, one of the most recent being a talk about death about a month ago.

"He shared his opinion—that opinion is that it's important to live each day so that when the day ends you would have no worries or regret as to how you lived it," said his son, who now is a student at The Ohio State University, his father's alma mater.

"His ability to love was unrivaled," said his older son, Adam Bisaccia, 26. But he said his father also played the role of teacher in his life, someone to whom he could turn to for guidance.

Speakers said Bisaccia also was a writer, who sought peace of mind by setting aside time each day to fill a journal with his philisophical insights. "He structured his day to include an hour of thinking time," said his colleague and co-founder of Affiliated Dermatology, Dr. Dwight Scarborough.

And although the crash that killed him was "devastating," Adam Bisaccia said that somehow hundreds of pages of the writing his father kept close to him survived intact, and even in order.

He said that the first morning after his father's passing he had turned to the many handwritten journals at the Bisaccia home in Basking Ridge to seek guidance.

That home was the scene of many Christmas parties and other occasions with his brother and his wife, Teresa, that showed Bisaccia's fun side, according to his brother, Ron Bisaccia.

"I have never been on this planet without my brother," Ron Bisaccia said. "My brother was a force of nature, a force for good."

He recalled that his brother had been "a conquerer of problems," who had been somewhat like a superhero. "But Superman is not supposed to die."

Ron Bisaccia said his brother had been a hero to many people. "Many of us even called him by his nickname, 'Doc,'" he said of family members.

He said his brother often had written of the importance of making the most of time, and the people in life during that time.

"We find ourselves now in the biggest time of need without the one we rely on the most," Ron Bisaccia said.

Devon Bisaccia recalled a letter his father had written him for his younger son's high school graduation in which the physician had written, "I will be there behind you...in the darkness as well as the brightest of times."

His longtime colleague, Scarborough also spoke of how the two forged a professional and personal bond while in Ohio, and how they had joined together in setting up a practice.

"Emil's career had such incredible breadth," his colleague said, noting his work in treating skin cancer as well as cosmetic procedures.

During his "brief but full life," Bisaccia had many career achievements, but, "He lived for his family." Scarborough said.

He noted that Bisaccia had a quest to become a true "renaissance man."

Following the service, Dr. Ingrid Warmuth, who said she had been a student of Bisaccia's at Columbia University, said of her former professor, "He was my mentor."

Dr. Bisaccia also loved to fly, and his bi-weekly trips from Somerset Airport in Bedminster to Ohio to participate in surgery at that Affiliated Dermatology center later became visits to both of his sons after they had chosen to enroll at The Ohio State University, said Rev. Glenn Commandini, who led Monday's service.

Bisaccia also is survived by his father, Emil. Further obituary information was released last week by Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home in Basking Ridge, which handled arrangements. Interment was to be at Somerset Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum in Basking Ridge.

The Dr. Emil Bisaccia Honor Fund has been established at Columbia University in his recognition, according to the obituary on the Gallaway and Crane website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations can be sent to the Columbia University Department of Dermatology, c/o Marilyn Mullins, 100 Haven Ave., Suite 29D, New York, NY 10032 or the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675.


 
The funeral entourage for Dr. Emil Bisaccia of Basking Ridge, co-founder of Affiliated Dermatology, arrives Monday morning at St. James Church in Basking Ridge. The funeral was attended by hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues. Credit Linda Sadlouskos



The family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Emil Bisaccia, the Basking Ridge dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon who died in a single-engine plane crash a week ago, are expected today at a funeral service scheduled for 11 a.m. at St. James R.C. Church in Basking Ridge.
Today's service at St. James will be followed by interment at Somerset Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum in Basking Ridge, according to Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, which is handling funeral arrangements.

Bisaccia was a co-founder of Affiliated Dermatology Cosmetic Surgery Center, with offices in Liberty Corner, Morristown and other locations in Morris and Somerset counties. Among his other affiliations, he was a Professor of Clinical Dermatology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Gallaway and Crane posted an expanded obituary about Bisaccia following the initial information published last week. The website also includes many "candles" with messages of support from those who had known him on both a personal and professional basis.

"Emil was an extaordinary man who would drop everything to help a neighbor or friend. He will be dearly missed. Our prayers go out to the Bisaccia family for whom Emil's love was immeasurable," wrote the Riggio family.

Dr. Frank W. Yoder recalled, "I had the honor of teaching Emilio in 1978 at The Ohio State University Division of Dermatology. He was such an outstanding resident physician that I strongly recommended that he finish up at Columbia in N.Y.C. He will be missed by many including myself, his peers and his patients. He was a pillar in the dermatology community. My sincere condolences to his family."

Previously, Affiliated Dermatology had issued a statement in response to Bisaccia's loss.

The following is the more extensive version of the obituary published by Gallaway and Crane:

Emilio Bisaccia, MD, November 1952 — April 2012. Resident of Basking Ridge, N.J. Emilio passed away unexpectedly on Saturday April 21. Raised in Nutley, N.J. he went on to attend The Ohio State University graduating with a B.A. cum laude in June 1974. Emilio received a medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in June 1979, and held medical licenses in N.J., N.Y. and Ohio.

Emilio was a fellow in many professional organizations and societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the Academy of Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American College of Physicians. Among his many academic appointments, Emilio was Attending Physician and Medical Director of the Photopheresis Unit, and Section of Dermatology Chief at Morristown Memorial Hospital. In addition, he was Attending Physician at N.Y. Presbyterian Hospital and Professor of Clinical Dermatology at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. Emilio was well-published, authoring over 200 medical and surgical scientific articles, books and chapters.

Emilio was a co-founder of Affiliated Dermatology, a highly-respected practice with offices located throughout N.J. and Ohio.

Emilio was one of three children born to Emil and the late Lydia Bisaccia, was the beloved husband of Teresa Bisaccia and father to sons Adam and Devon. Emilio will forever be remembered by his devoted brother Ron and sister Carol Fossella. Over the course of his life, Emilio developed and treasured relationships with a group of friends whom he considered family.

Emilio drew no greater joy in this world than to gather with his friends and family as often as he could for meals and laughter. His generosity and commitment to helping those he cared about knew no bounds. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and the countless others whom he touched.

A Liturgy of Christian burial will be held on Monday April 30, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the St. James Church, 184 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge. Relatives and friends are invited to visit the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ on Sunday April 29, from 12-2 and 4-6 p.m. For more information, please contact the Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence please visit our website www.gcfuneralhome.com.

The Dr. Emil Bisaccia Honor Fund has been established at Columbia University in his recognition. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations can be sent to the Columbia University Department of Dermatology, c/o Marilyn Mullins, 100 Haven Ave., Suite 29D, New York, NY 10032 or the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Flexjet Gets Personal With New Brand Campaign

press release
April 30, 2012, 7:02 a.m. EDT 
~
Personalized service, unrivaled flexibility and aviation heritage fuel company's new ad campaign and website redesign  

DALLAS, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ( www.flexjet.com ) - Flexjet, a leader in business aviation solutions, is launching a new brand campaign on May 1, designed to appeal to the world's most successful people. The new ads and website redesign spotlight the company's world-class personalized service and unrivaled scheduling flexibility, while leveraging its unique passion and expertise that come with Bombardier's 100-plus years of aviation heritage. 

"We know there are three ways to fly. There's commercial, there's private and then there's Flexjet," said Fred Reid, President, Flexjet. "Once customers experience firsthand our relentless dedication to exceptional customer service -- paired with customized private aviation solutions that only we can offer -- they realize bigger isn't better; better is better." 

Visually, the new brand campaign features people in every ad, a departure from traditional campaigns that rely solely on aircraft images. The copy highlights Flexjet's industry-leading service and scheduling flexibility -- reinforcing the company's commitment to focus on the needs of its customers so they have more freedom to focus on the things most important in their lives. 

The ads also highlight Flexjet's innovative Customer Account Management program. Flexjet invested significantly to consolidate its client-facing departments, including billing and scheduling, in order to provide customers with a single, dedicated point person to streamline requests. Customer Account Managers ensure every client experience is personalized to their needs and sets the service standards by which other private aviation companies will be measured. 

Finally, the campaign underscores the unparalleled expertise and passion for performance Flexjet offers. By virtue of its Bombardier lineage, Flexjet's aviation experience reaches back to Short Brothers PLC, the first company to produce aircraft for the Wright brothers in 1909. 

Flexjet recently recorded one of its best years ever for "flawless" customer service and earned the prestigious FAA Diamond Award -- the highest honor for maintenance training -- for the 13th straight year.
The campaign was developed in conjunction with The Richards Group and new ads are slated to run in print and online media, including Elite Traveler, Bloomberg Markets, Forbes, Robb Report and The Wall Street Journal, beginning May 1. 

For more information about Flexjet, please call 1-800-FLEXJET or visit www.flexjet.com . 

About Flexjet 

Richardson, TX-based Flexjet -- a division of Bombardier, the world's largest business aviation manufacturer -- first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet now offers whole aircraft ownership and management, fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter brokerage services. Flexjet's fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjet is the first and only company to be honored with its 13th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet's fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft -- the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of approximately five years -- including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets. 

For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit: www.flexjet.com . 

Flexjet has an approved fractional ownership program pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K, and manages flights for individual aircraft owners under Part 91 whole aircraft management program. All other flights (e.g. Flexjet 25 jet card program, charter brokerage program, etc.) are provided by certificated air carriers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as Flexjet is not an air carrier. 

The Flexjet 25 Jet Card program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer with on-demand charter broker services when arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers. 

About Bombardier 

A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, were $18.3 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. 

Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Flexjet, Flexjet 25, Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60 and XR are either registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.