Friday, March 23, 2012

Plane crash injures Linton, Indiana, couple

A Linton couple have been injured -- one with a potential broken back -- after a small plane crashed Friday evening near Shawnee airfield.

Multiple Greene County deputy sheriffs and ambulances were dispatched to the scene of the 8:55 p.m. crash.

"We're assisting at the scene," said Indiana State Police Corp. Dustin Starnes. "The (Federal Aviation Administration) FAA is en route. There have been no casualties."

The pilot and passenger reported injured were Brent Sears, who may have suffered a broken back and complained of losing sensation in his legs at the scene; and his wife Renee Sears, reported to have suffered scrapes and bruises, per investigating officers.

Both were reportedly taken to Indiana University Health-Bloomington Hospital for treatment.

Their conditions were not being released by the hospital due to hospital policy.

Details were otherwise sketchy at press time as officers continued to investigate the wreck.

"We're not really in the loop," said Greene County Sheriff's Department dispatcher Bruce Porter. "As far as I know, the state's going to wind up working it, and we're just assisting."

The small private plane was reported to be hanging near the edge of Lattas Creek, located just southeast of Shawnee Field.

The airfield is located four miles west of Bloomfield.

"There's a couple of different ideas what happened," said Starnes.

"Right now, we don't know if they were taking off, or landing, or what."

Source:  http://www.gcdailyworld.com

Four lawsuits filed in Reno air race crash as organizers move forward with this year's race

Organizers began selling tickets for Reno National Championship Air Races this week, but they also were busy responding to lawsuits, including one that was filed in federal court Thursday by a spectator injured in last year’s horrific crash.

Edward Larson’s lawsuit brings to four the number filed after a vintage P-51 slammed into the tarmac in front of the box seats during a race on Sept. 16.

Organizers announced in January that they planned to host an event in 2012, and said they formed a “blue ribbon panel,” charged with finding safety problems and recommending solutions. Their report is expected in mid-April, said Mike Houghton, president and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association.

He declined to comment on the lawsuits, but said “all we hope is the right thing is done for all of the victims.”

Although the panel’s report is still being written, the air racing association acted on one of its early recommendations: the appointment of a safety director to its board, Houghton said.

Michael Stollings, with 40 years of commercial and military aviation experience, was appointed to the board last month, Houghton said.

“Everybody involved is concerned with safety, but safety will be Mike’s total focus,” Houghton said. Stollings is a retired flight deck chief engineer for Boeing and was responsible for everything from flight deck safety to operations for all in-service Boeing airplanes, he said.

There is no word yet on when the National Transportation Safety Board will release its findings on the probable cause of the crash, which killed the pilot and 10 spectators, and injured dozens.

NTSB spokesman Terry Williams would only say on Thursday that “this is still an ongoing investigation.”

Meanwhile, three lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Reno and one in a Texas federal court are slowly moving forward. In most of the cases, the defendants are working on their responses.

Larson, a 59-year-old part-time Reno resident who lives in San Diego, initially filed his lawsuit in Washoe District Court last month, but it was moved to federal court.

Larson was not available for comment, but his lawyer, John Kirsch, said he sends his condolences to everyone who lost family members in the crash.

“And his prayers are with those who have been injured for their speedy and full recovery,” Kirsch wrote in an email. “He is a supporter of the air races and hopes that they will continue, albeit with some modifications.”

Larson was the first injured crash victim to speak to the media. He held a press conference at Renown Regional Medical Center days after the accident to tell his story.

Larson was munching corn dogs and drinking beer in Box No. 50 with his back turned to the tarmac, when pilot Jimmy Leeward’s plane, the Galloping Ghost, began to spin out of control, he told reporters in September.

“It veered over, and now it’s coming right at us,” Larson said then.

The next thing he remembered was being loaded into a helicopter with other crash victims, he said. The blast had knocked him down face-first and shrapnel from the plane cut into his head, back and legs, he said.

In his lawsuit, Larson alleges that he was injured because of “negligence and carelessness” on the part of all of the defendants, including the racing association, pilot, and his company, Aero-Trans Corporation, doing business as Leeward Aeronautical Sales in Florida.

“The grandstand area appeared to (Larson) not to be part of the race course designated by RARA and was impliedly represented by (the association) to be a relatively safe place from which to view the event,” the suit said. But while seated there, the aircraft crashed into the ground adjacent to the seats and injured or killed people sitting there, the suit said.

Source:  http://www.rgj.com

City stands behind Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL) Cleveland: Burke plays a vital role says airport director


CLEVELAND - Ricky Smith walked the ramp near the terminal building of Burke Lakefront Airport, contending the smaller of Cleveland's two airports was vital to the local economy. While he spoke, several small aircraft landed on the runway of the airport, nestled along the shoreline of the city within sight of Cleveland's skyline.

"What is not always recognized is the importance of general aviation, corporate aviation, and flying schools," said Smith, director of Cleveland's two airports -- the larger Hopkins International and the smaller Burke. "There are important aspects not just for aviation, but important to the economy.”

It was during an interview on the role the airport has played. Though there are no longer any regularly-scheduled airlines in and out of the airport, which is sandwiched between the city's East Shoreway and Lake Erie, there have been years of airlines here. In the 1960s, TAG Airlines flew twin-prop plans, shuttling passengers between Cleveland and Detroit.

Years later, in the late 1970s and early 80, Wright Airlines flew passengers from Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati. Those days are gone, but Smith contends there is still air traffic to warrant the airport's existence on the 500 acres of prime land.

"If we were to add those operations to Hopkins International Airport," said Smith, "It would severely slow the traffic there and it would be costly to the region."

For the last few years, there have been calls periodically for the city to close the smaller airport for the land to be developed into something more. Cleveland recently unveiled a big plan for continued waterfront development, but it is to the west of the downtown airport.

Burke is the nation's only airport built on a Great Lake in the downtown area of a major city. Smith speaks highly of that fact, citing the numbers of flights, many of them during overnight hours, which bring canceled checks destined for the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland. He also said medical patients are often flown into Burke when they are bound for Cleveland hospitals. He also said human organs destined for transplant patients are also flow in through Burke with less traffic they would encounter at the larger Hopkins International Airport.

Smith said he believed the importance of Burke would grow.

"General aviation, particularly corporate aviation, is going to grow," he said as he looked out of the wide windows of the control tower at the airport. To his north was the wide Lake Erie. To his southwest, about a two-minute drive from the airport, was the skyline of Cleveland.

Michael CHR Safari helicopter, N105KM: Accident occurred March 13, 2012 in Middle Valley, Tennessee

NTSB Identification: ERA12LA226 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 13, 2012 in Middle Valley, TN
Aircraft: MICHAEL S/MICHAEL K SAFARI, registration: N105KM
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.

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 may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.


On March 13, 2012, at 1745, eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built, Michael CHR Safari helicopter, N105KM, registered to and operated by an individual, incurred substantial damage during an autorotation in Middle Valley, Tennessee. The pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The flight originated from the passenger’s private property about 1735.

The pilot stated he flew about a mile from his home to reach the passenger’s property. He landed in an open field and secured the helicopter before assisting the passenger on board, and briefed him what to expect during the flight. The helicopter was started and maneuvered about 150 feet above the ground before flying over a wooded area near the passenger’s property. Not long into the flight, the pilot felt the helicopter’s engine surge. He decided at that moment to return to the open field that he departed from. While in the turn, the engine surged again, followed by a loss of power. The pilot performed an autorotation onto the trees below. The helicopter landed on top of a tree, which lower the helicopter gently as it bent over toward the creek below. As the helicopter reached the water, it rolled on to its side. Fuel from the fuel tanks spilled and caught on fire. The pilot was able to assist the passenger out of the helicopter moments after the start of the fire and contain the flames with creek water until the local fire department arrived and extinguish the flames.

The helicopter was retained for further examination.


Ivan Vernon and Steve Michael




HAMILTON COUNTY, TN. (WRCB) -- "They took skin off my thigh and graphed onto this arm," Ivan Vernon says as he points to his right arm.

Both of his arms are wrapped from shoulder to fingertips.

"Then they put pig skin on this one," says Vernon.

It's been nine days since the 91-year-old's first helicopter ride ended in a fiery crash in north Hamilton County. Now he's recovering, surrounded by friends and family including pilot Steve Michael.

"I've been flying since 1974," says Michael.

He says they'd been planning the ride in his homemade helicopter for three months. However, soon after take off Michael says the chopper began loosing power.

"I could tell something was wrong with the engine and I told him, I said, 'look, we got a problem,' so I started to turn back," Michael says.

However, they never made it. Michael tried to land the chopper in the trees without power.

"Well I really didn't know what was happening," says Vernon.

They crashed near a creek.

"Did Steve climb out over me and save himself? No! He started out over me and got me by the hands and pulled me out from under the chopper and just as he pulled me out it burst into flames," says Vernon.

"I pulled him out and we both sat in the water for a minute," Michael says.

They had survived what normally would end as a deadly crash.

"I was thanking God for another episode that he pulled me through," says Vernon.

The two walked away with their lives and a closer friendship.

"I was telling somebody it's kind of like when your playing with your kids, sometimes you hurt them accidentally and it makes you feel bad and that's kind of how I feel," Michael says crying. "I'm just glad he's back."

Michael says he built the homemade helicopter with his son after he returned from Afghanistan. They had flown it for three years.

When asked if he'd ever get back in a helicopter, Vernon says," I guess I would in time."

Source:  http://www.wrcbtv.com

NTSB to investigate hard landing by Palm Beach County sheriff's helicopter west of Delray Beach


The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate what caused a Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy this afternoon to make a hard landing while flying the sheriff's Eagle 1 helicopter, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.

Two deputies, the pilot and co-pilot, were aboard the helicopter that landed just before 3 p.m. in a wooded area on West Atlantic Avenue in suburban Delray Beach, just west of Lyons Road, said Teri Barbera, sheriff's spokeswoman.

By the time Palm Beach County Fire Rescue crews arrived at the scene, the two male deputies were out of the helicopter and walking around. The deputies, whose names were not released by Barbera, were taken to Delray Medical Center with minor injuries.

The helicopter was seen by witnesses flying south along State Road 7, then east, then north. As it went north it was seen "significantly" dropping in latitude, Barbera said.

"It didn't really crash," Barbera said. "It landed very hard."

The pilot landed the aircraft facing north with its nose against a wall surrounding Four Seasons, a gated community just north of West Atlantic Avenue. The pilot missed a convenience store, landing just north of its back wall. Witnesses at the store thought the aircraft was headed straight for them, Barbera said.

"We know that the pilot did a great job of missing that convenience store" and the homes, she said.

The cause of the crash is unknown and Barbera did not know where the pilot was headed during the flight.

The helicopter was flying in clear conditions with winds out of the east at 10 mph.

Midair collision would be fifth in Colorado since 2000

The crash of two planes over Longmont on Friday, if confirmed by authorities to be a midair collision, would be the fifth midair collision in Colorado since 2000, according to a National Transportation Safety Board database.

The last midair collision occurred near Boulder in February 2010, when a Cirrus SR20 carrying two people and a Piper Pawnee that was towing a glider collided. All three people on the two planes died in that accident.

Other midair collisions occurred in Denver in 2003, in Snowmass Village in 2003 and in Whitewater in 2008.

The airplanes involved in Friday's crash were small general aviation aircraft, and much of the local airspace is designated as uncontrolled by the FAA. In normal daytime conditions, pilots may operate without flight plans or communicating with controllers and other pilots in uncontrolled airspace.

http://www.timescall.com

Former Cirrus owner files bankruptcy


About that sale of Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft last year… One could now say thank goodness!

Arcapita, the company’s former majority shareholder, filed for bankruptcy this week, after failing to reach an agreement with creditors, according to Bloomberg news.

Arcapita, a Bahrain-based private-equity firm, listed $3.06 billion in assets, but $2.55 million in liabilities in its filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.

The global recession had reduced the company’s asset values and stymied the Arcapita Group’s ability to obtain needed liquidity from capital markets, according to Bloomberg.

Money owed includes a $1.1 billion “syndicated shari’ah complaint loan” due this month, Bloomberg said. Chapter 11 will allow the company to restructure without being hounded by creditors.

In June, the sale of Cirrus to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. based in Zhuhai, China, became final. Since then, Cirrus is apparently getting the needed funding to advance its jet program that it wasn’t getting from its previous owners.

Source:  http://biz.areavoices.com

Ornge air ambulance makes forced landing

An Ornge air ambulance helicopter is shown after making an emergency landing in Colonel Samuel Smith Park near Humber College, Friday, March 23, 2012

An Ornge air ambulance helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a Toronto park after a mechanical issue, which caused a door to open in flight on Friday evening.

A spokesperson with Ornge said the helicopter departed from its base in Toronto at approximately 6:15 p.m. to do a patient transport with two pilots and two paramedics on board.

The patient was not yet on the helicopter when the mechanical issue forced the emergency landing in Colonel Samuel Smith Park, which is located on the western waterfront near Humber College.

There was some structural damage to the helicopter as a result of the landing, Ornge said.

The helicopter will remain in the park until the Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating, gives Ornge permission to move it.

Ornge will also do its own investigation into the emergency landing and the mechanical issue, the spokesperson said.

Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse, Aces Aviation (rgd. owner: O Toole Aviation LLC), N166SE: Accident occurred March 23, 2012 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

http://registry.faa.gov/N166SE

http://ysflight.in.coocan.jp

NTSB Identification: ERA12LA246 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 23, 2012 in Beaver Falls, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/23/2013
Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 20-C1, registration: N166SE
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the flight instructor, while on final approach, he perceived that the airplane was low on the desired glidepath. He said that he issued corrective instructions to the student twice before taking the flight controls. The instructor moved the throttle forward to increase power, and the engine stopped producing power. He selected a forced landing site, issued a Mayday call to the tower, and attempted an engine restart. However, he had to conduct a power-off landing on a roadway. Before ground contact, the airplane struck wires, and, during the accident sequence, the nose gear and tail section of the airplane separated.

During the examination of the wreckage, the engine was started, and it ran continuously on the airframe using the airplane's own fuel system. However, when the power was reduced to idle, the engine did not respond as expected to subsequent throttle and mixture inputs. After the initial run, the operator's director of maintenance was asked to produce the tools and documents used to calibrate the fuel system at installation. He produced instructions and gauges that resembled those used at the manufacturer’s factory, but no calibration stickers were displayed on the gauges. The gauges were installed, and, during a subsequent engine run, both the metered and unmetered fuel pressure readings were below factory specifications.

The fuel system was removed and flow tested at the engine manufacturer's facility. The fuel pump and fuel control assembly were intact, and bench testing demonstrated their ability to function, but both were found with several parameters outside of their respective calibrated specifications. The fuel manifold and nozzles were also tested and found to exhibit a normal flow vs. pressure indication on the test bench. The fuel pump was found adjusted "down" and flowed less than the required fuel flow specifications. The throttle body and mixture control unit were found adjusted to a position that allowed more than the required fuel flow at three specific settings. The combination of both the fuel pump and throttle body mixture control adjustments resulted in an idle fuel flow rate 2.5 times the maximum required. When the throttle was advanced quickly to full throttle, the fuel flow rate was 40 percent of the required rate. This significant transition in fuel flow rates likely resulted in a momentary "cavitation" of the fuel pump, which allowed air to enter the system and resulted in a total loss of engine power.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The operator’s maintenance personnel’s improper adjustment of the engine's fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 23, 2012, about 1220 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA20-C1, N166SE, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while on final approach to land at Beaver County Airport (BVI), Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The certificated flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the student pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight operated by Aviation Certification and Education Solutions (ACES), Inc., and conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the flight instructor stated that the purpose of the flight was for his student to conduct a navigation exercise. The instructor followed the student as she conducted her preflight, and the instructor noted that there was approximately 13 gallons of fuel in the 26-gallon tank.

After completing the approximate 45-minute round-trip flight, that included a landing and takeoff at an intermediate stop, the airplane entered a left downwind for landing on Runway 10 at BVI. While on final approach, the instructor perceived that the airplane was low on the desired glidepath based on the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights. He said that he issued corrective instructions to the student twice before taking the flight controls.

The instructor increased the throttle, and the engine stopped producing power. He selected a forced landing site, issued a Mayday call to the tower, attempted an engine restart, but completed a power-off landing to a roadway. Prior to ground contact, the airplane struck wires, and during the accident sequence the nose gear and tail section of the airplane separated.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine, multiengine, and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued May 10, 2007. The instructor reported 593 total hours of flight experience, 206 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model.

The student pilot was issued a third class medical certificate on August 22, 2011. She reported 30 total hours of flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model.

AIRPLANE INFORMATION

According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 2004, and issued a standard airworthiness certificate on June 16, 2004. The most recent annual inspection was completed December 6, 2011, at 1756.8 total aircraft hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued 1,825.7 total aircraft hours.

Examination of maintenance records revealed that the engine was removed for overhaul on October 4, 2011, and reinstalled December 6, 2011, at the time of the annual inspection. At the time of the engine installation, calibration of the fuel system was required and performed by the operator's Director of Maintenance (DOM).

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1147, the weather reported at BVI included clear skies and wind from 110 degrees at 3 knots. The temperature was 23 degrees C, and the dewpoint was 8 degrees C.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

On March 28, 2012, an engine examination and test run were conducted under the supervision of FAA aviation safety inspectors. The engine was started and ran continuously on the airframe using the airplane's own fuel system. However, when the power was reduced to idle, the engine did not respond as expected to subsequent throttle and mixture inputs.

After the initial run, the operator's DOM was asked to produce the tools and documents used to calibrate the fuel system at installation. He produced factory instructions and gauges that resembled those used at the Diamond Aircraft factory, but no calibration stickers were displayed on the gauges.

The gauges were installed, and during a subsequent engine run, both the metered and un-metered fuel pressure readings were below factory specifications.

The fuel system was removed, and flow-tested at the engine manufacturer's facility in Mobile, Alabama, under the supervision of an NTSB investigator. According to the examination report:

"The fuel pump and fuel control assembly were intact and demonstrated the ability to function, but both were found with several parameters outside of each of their respective calibrated specifications. The fuel manifold and nozzles exhibited a normal flow vs. pressure indication on the test bench."

The fuel pump was found adjusted "down" and flowed less than the required fuel flow specifications. The throttle body and mixture control unit were found adjusted to a position that allowed more than the required fuel flow at three specific settings.

The combination of both the fuel pump adjustments and throttle body mixture control adjustments resulted in an idle fuel flow rate 2.5 times the maximum required. When the throttle was advanced quickly to full throttle, the fuel flow rate was 40 percent of the required rate.


FAA IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 166SE        Make/Model: DA20      Description: DIAMOND DA 20-C1
  Date: 03/23/2012     Time: 1625

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: BEAVER                      State: PA   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED OFF THE END OF THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, BEAVER 
  VALLEY, PA

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   2     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    


OTHER DATA
  Activity: Training      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: ALLEGHENY CO., PA  (EA03)             Entry date: 03/26/2012 


Video: Uploaded on June 8, 2011 
07Jun2011 @ approx. 1800 hrs EDT in Diamond DA20-C1 (N166SE) from KBVI.

 
















An airplane with two passengers went down around 12:30 p.m. Friday in a yard in Chippewa Township on McClain Road. The pilot was out and walking about, but both he and his passenger, a woman, were taken to Heritage Valley Beaver hospital for examination. 









Crash site photo gallery

CHIPPEWA TWP. -- A two-person training plane attempting an emergency landing crashed at 11:45 a.m. Friday on McClain Road in Chippewa Township, a half-mile from Blackhawk High School.

Chippewa police said pilot Dan Soloski was able to climb from the plane, but his passenger, Shakura Rowe, 19, complained of back pain and was helped from the aircraft by emergency responders. Both were taken to Heritage Valley Beaver hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Rowe, from Edwardsburg, Mich., is an air traffic control student at the Community College of Beaver County, according to a CCBC release. Soloski is an instructor for Aces Aviation, a Beaver County Airport-based business contracted by the college.

The plane, a Diamond C1-Eclipse, came to rest in a nose-down position, partially on McClain Road and partially on the lawn of Ray Blazak, 199 McClain. It stopped six feet from a tree, six feet from a parked car, and in a hollow 200 yards from the end of a runway at Beaver County Airport. The runway sits on a bluff above McClain.

The tail section of the plane was fractured, and the pilot-side landing gear was detached.

Blazak, a former small-plane pilot, was installing a fence around his garden and witnessed the incident. He said the plane was having problems with its engine.

"He had no engine," Blazak said. "It made a distinctly different sound. You could hear the wind rushing through the landing gear, and that's not a sound you can hear when the engine's running."

Blazak said the plane was approaching the runway from the west and began losing altitude. The pilot banked, approached McClain from the north, and was centered over the road as he descended.

"He was in control and gliding," Blazak said. "I would call it a controlled crash landing."

The attempted landing was interrupted when some part of the plane, possibly the tail section, got hooked on a power line.

"It just slammed him down," Blazak said.

Alan Kincade, who lives at 197 McClain, was cleaning an oil lamp on his porch when the plane crashed 150 feet from him.

"It shook the whole house," Kincade said. "I looked down and couldn't believe there was an airplane on the road."

The force of the landing brought down a utility wire leading to Kincade's home.

Federal Aviation Administration officials conducted an on-site investigation, but will not determine a cause for the crash.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators, after examining the engine and instruments, will determine a cause. NTSB officials were not on site as of Friday afternoon.
===========
BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — The Federal Aviation administration said a small plane with two people aboard hit a power line and crashed onto a road in Chippewa Township, Beaver County, but there were no serious injuries. 

FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac said the single-engine, two-seat Diamond DA20 was attempting to land Friday just after noon at Beaver County Airport when it struck a power line and ended up on McClain Road, not far from Blackhawk High School.

The pilot declared a mayday just before the crash, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters.

The tail was nearly snapped off and the plane pitched forward with its propeller on the ground.

Ray Blazak said he was working in his garden when the plane nearly hit him before crashing.

“It slammed right into the ground, nose first. By time I got there, the pilot was opening the canopy and I helped him out,” Blazak said. “The girl, his student, was screaming and crying. She was in severe back pain she said, but we got her to move her arms and legs.”

Salac said both people in the plane were taken to a nearby hospital to be checked out; the injuries were not serious.

The aircraft is registered to Curtis Cousins of Shelton, Wash., Peters said. He did not identify the pilot or the passenger.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash.

- See more at: http://www.wpxi.com

Aircraft engine-builder Pratt & Whitney Canada lays off 40 employees in Longueuil

MONTREAL - Aircraft engine-builder Pratt & Whitney Canada is laying off 40 non-union salaried employees at its main Longueuil plant, effective immediately, saying recovery from the 2009 global economic downturn has been slower than expected and it must trim costs.

Worldwide, the small turbine builder will lay off 100 salaried staff, Annick Lambert, manager of corporate communications, said Thursday.

Besides the 40 Longueuil layoffs, there will be 10 at the Halifax, Mississauga and Alberta operations and 50 more overseas.

The company said it has already curtailed all new hiring in its efforts to deal with global market uncertainties.

It has also restricted employee travel and the use of outside consultants.

Pratt says it wants to minimize the impact of the layoffs.

The staffers being laid off in Canada will get severance and outplacement services, Lambert said.

Of the 40 laid off in Longueuil, 26 were willing to go early and leave with full benefits and severance.

The other 14 will get severance and outplacement help.

P&WC said its R&D activities are not affected – it spends around $400 million annually on a range of programs – and it must be right up to speed when fuel prices ease and the small turbine market expands again.

One program covers a new high-efficiency engine for larger regional turboprops. Pratt & Whitney Canada, owned by U.S. conglomerate United Technologies Corp., has 9,000 employees worldwide, including 5,000 in Quebec.

The International Air Transport Association this week downgraded the airline industry’s 2012 profit outlook due to soaring oil prices. Orders for new aircraft and engines are likely to be delayed.

Allegiant Air to offer introductory fare for some flights

Allegiant Air’s $59.99 introductory fare from Hagerstown to Orlando is only for some flights, airline spokeswoman Jessica Wheeler said Friday.

In his announcement Thursday that Allegiant would offer twice-weekly flights between Hagerstown Regional Airport and Orlando starting May 25, Allegiant Manager of Airports Eric Fletcher announced an “introductory fare of $59.99 each way.”

The company news release issued at the time of the announcement said the rate is “not available on all flights” and must be purchased by April 12 for travel by Nov. 13.

In fact, prices listed on Allegiant Air’s booking website Friday included some lower than the advertised price and some higher, ranging from $38.29 to $81.29.

Of the 42 available flights, more than half were $55.49, but some — mostly Friday flights in August and those in November — were $71.29, and a few of the earliest dates were $49.29.

“We advertise the lowest fare that we have the most inventory of,” Wheeler said.

Tickets are available from allegiant.com, from the ticket counter at Hagerstown Regional Airport on Mondays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 702-505-8888.

A fee of $14.99 per segment is applied to purchases through Allegiant call centers, the release said.

Opinion/Letter: Announcers at airports must be professionals

I AGREE with the comments by Marina Mahathir on the poor quality of public announcement at airports (“Net video the modern PA system” – The Star, March 14).

I suggest that all announcers at airports must be professionally trained for their jobs. Not everyone can be roped in to be one.

The airport managements must ensure that the PA system at their establishments are in top order. After all, millions are spent monthly to maintain the airports.

This kind of obfuscation seldom happened in the 1960s and 1970s.

To project a good image of our developed level of education, announcements in Malaysian airports must be rendered in good and audible English to impress the foreign visitors.

The same goes for recorded voices of hotline numbers.

ANG ENG SAM,

Muar, Johor.

 http://thestar.com.my

Bob Hope Airport may dump $14,600-a year luxury valet parking

Apparently there is a limit on how much people are willing to pay to pamper their car and save a few minutes, even in car-crazy L.A.

An effort at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank to provide super luxury valet parking for $14,600 a year has been a flop and has been recommended for discontinuation.

Despite the upsides -– reserved, extra-wide, covered spaces and shortened wait times -– the deluxe valet service has not drawn a single customer.

“We’ve had no takers since the product was introduced,” said Clint Joy, a vice president for Standard Parking, which took over operations at Bob Hope last month.

The recommendation covers the Black Diamond and Platinum parking, the top rungs for valet service at the airport. The luxury services debuted in December 2009.

While the Black Diamond was the priciest service at $14,600, the Platinum valet offering was a more reasonable $31 a day. But it too, Joy said, has not been faring well.

The recommendation to eliminate the services is a bit of a reality check for airport authority officials, who have been grappling for months with how to stem the decline of parking revenue, a vital source of income for the airport.
Joy recommended that the Gold valet service, which costs $21 a day, be enhanced, perhaps with a “frequent parker” program. Similar to frequent flier programs that airlines offer, it would let Standard identify each driver so employees could address them by name.

An enhancement that’s already in place is a shortened average wait time for valet customers picking up their vehicles, Joy said. Customers wait an average of three minutes now that Standard has taken over the service, he said.

“Prior to that, it was closer to seven or eight minutes,” he added.

Standard representatives also outlined possible ways to increase revenue, such as an online parking reservation system that would designate a certain number of parking spaces near the terminal that would be available by reservation. Drivers would pay a premium for the service, said Pamela Brown, vice president of business development for Standard, adding that it could either be a flat fee or calculated on a per-day basis.

Brown said the reservation system would cost the airport $2 per permit.

At other airports, the online service has filled spaces mid-week and generates a couple of thousand dollars a month, Brown said.

“It’s been a very popular convenience,” she said.

Kenya Airways eyes ambitious Sh299b growth plan

NAIROBI, Friday

Kenya Airways will spend Sh299 billion ($3.6 billion) over the next five years on new planes and routes, mainly to connect travellers between Africa and Asia, its chief executive said.

Titus Naikuni said trade between Africa and China and India had soared in recent years, growing at an annual rate of about 200 per cent, creating huge opportunities in the travel market.

"We are looking at African markets. We are looking at Asia, India and we need to connect these three land masses," Naikuni said an interview.

Ranked as one of Africa’s largest airlines, the carrier that is 26 per cent held by Air France KLM, is undertaking a Sh20.7 billion ($250 million) rights issue that will go towards funding the plan.

"I’m expecting subscriptions will be 100 per cent if not more. It is going to be a success," Naikuni said, saying that Air France KLM and the Government, which holds a 23 per cent stake, had agreed to take up their rights.

"What we are looking for is Sh10.4 billion ($125 million). We have been out in the market place and a number of foreign investors are very keen.

That is what makes me very optimistic."

If the cash call is successful, Kenya Airways will get a boost to its debt equity ratio, allowing it to borrow a further $2.2 billion.

The balance of the required funds would be generated from internal resources, he said, giving the airline a chance to double its passenger fleet to 68 planes and add eight freighters. It operates a sole, leased freighter.

Extra aircraft would enable the carrier to start six new routes to China, six new routes to India, a service to Madrid as well as increase frequencies on its numerous African routes.

"We are starting Delhi in the next two months. In fact if I had aircraft I would put a double daily to Mumbai," he said. Kenya Airways’ strategy hinges on connecting Africa with the outside world through its Nairobi hub.

Naikuni said the airline would start operating daily frequencies across the continent. The airline is expecting 10 E-190 Embraer jets due for delivery next year through to 2013. It also signed a deal for the purchase of 787-8 Dreamliner planes with Boeing.

The main risk facing the firm’s plan is the expansion of Nairobi’s main airport, which although built in 1978 to handle 2.5 million passengers a year, manages five million.

"This airport must be expanded quickly ... Let’s break the ground quickly because if we continue talking, another year could go by," Naikuni said, adding that the new facility should have a capacity of 20 million passengers.

— Reuters

Averett University flight center dedicated

Averett University President Tiffany Franks and Averett Vice President for Institutional Advancement Buddy Rawle presents Betty Falk a framed photo of George J. Falk at a dedication ceremony Friday.

George and Betty Falk have been a force in the Averett University community for years.

On Friday, the late George Falk was honored for his years of service with Averett when the Flight Operations Center was dedicated to him.

Falk, who died Dec. 31, was the director of financial aid at Averett and was instrumental in forming the aviation program. Before that, he served in World War II in the U.S. Army as a pilot and spent 23 years with Dan River Inc.

The aviation school was his passion. It was formed in 1980 and is now the sixth largest major at Averett.

Aviation student Dan Schaffer said Falk’s gift to the program has provided them with new equipment and hardware to enhance the programs, including the spidertacks that allow the chief flight instructor to track the students flying.

“The addition of the spidertracks GPS tracking system not only enhances safety, but can be used as a great training tool for aviation students as well,” said Travis Williams, chief flight instructor. “And the added weather stations in the Flight Operations Center make it easier for students to prepare for each flight in one location, using one resource.”

Most of the dedication ceremony was spent honoring George Falk. His grandson, Adam Sanders, talked about how his grandfather taught him many things and how he loved working with the students.

“He really always was a teacher,” said Sanders.

Jeff Gilliam, an airline captain, said Falk was always providing him with “fatherly advice.”

“For the people that never knew him, you missed a great man,” said Gilliam.

More than 50 people attended the dedication, including Falk’s daughter, Susan, and his grandchildren. Averett President Tiffany Franks presented Betty Falk with a picture of George Falk that will hang in the Flight Operations Center.

Betty Falk has also volunteered with Averett for many years. Franks said it is not surprising to find Betty Falk on campus, still working and volunteering for the students.

Because of her donation to the aviation school, the dedication was possible, but it was George Falk’s work that made the aviation school possible.

“A lot of the alumni here will tell you, had it not been for George, they would have never gone into aviation,” Franks said.

Source:  http://www2.wsls.com

Cessna 182R, N6279N: Woman who shot husband sought court protection. West Tisbury, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard

West Tisbury police and State Police crime scene investigators remained at the house for much of the morning.

Cynthia Bloomquist, 63, who weeks earlier had sought and been denied the protection of the court, was armed with a pistol when her husband, Kenneth Bloomquist, 64, armed with a shotgun, broke into the house they owned at 19 Skiff's Lane in West Tisbury, early Friday morning.

An exchange of gunfire between the estranged couple ended with the husband dead and the wife wounded in the torso.

Mr. Bloomquist died at the scene. Cynthia Bloomquist was transported by ambulance to Martha's Vineyard Hospital where the hospital trauma team had already assembled.

Ms. Bloomquist had surgery and was reported to be in fair condition Friday afternoon.

The couple was separated, police said. Cynthia Bloomquist lived in the two-bedroom house, just off Old County Road.

At 7:45 am, West Tisbury police received a report of a man pointing a gun at a woman at the Skiff's Lane house, police said in a press release. West Tisbury requested that the Island's Tactical Response Team also respond.

"While in route to the scene, the police department was advised that the female was shot and that the man was dying," the press release said. "Dispatch then advised that both parties had been shot. Two ambulances were called to the scene.

"A team of four officers went into the house and found the parties upstairs in the residence. The woman was transported to the Martha's Vineyard Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound, and the male died at the scene."

Mr. Bloomquist arrived on the Vineyard on the 6 am boat this morning, according to one person with knowledge of the investigation. He cut the telephone wire to the house and broke in the door, armed with a shotgun. He then shot his wife and she returned fire with a pistol, killing him. Ms. Bloomquist called 911 on her cellphone.

Police blocked the intersection of Old County Road and State Road, following reports of the shooting, as emergency vehicle sirens sounded down-Island.

Martha's Vineyard Hospital, alerted to the developing emergency by the police calls, held the emergency room night shift and alerted the hospital's special trauma unit. Two surgeons and an anesthiologist were waiting when the ambulances arrived.

"The trauma team was ready for anything," Tim Walsh, hospital chief executive, told The Times. "Everybody did a great job."

Imminent danger

The Boston Globe reported Friday that Ms. Bloomquist had sought a restraining order against her husband earlier this month. The Globe, quoting West Tisbury Sgt. Skipper Manter, said Ms. Bloomquist went to the West Tisbury police station on March 1 and filled out an affidavit for "an order of protection from abuse" from her husband.

Such orders must be appproved by a judge and are based on a fear of imminent bodily harm. Superior Court Judge Robert Kane denied the request, the Globe reported.

State Police crime scene investigators, assigned to the Cape and Islands District Attorney's office, arrived on the Island Friday to assist West Tisbury with the investigation.

Citing the ongoing nature of the investigation, West Tisbury Police Chief Dan Rossi referred all calls and requests for information to the office of Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe.

In a telephone call Friday afternoon, Mr. O'Keefe told The Times he would not confirm that Ms. Bloomquist had sought a restraining order or make any copies of police reports available at this time.

Mr. O'Keefe said the shooting remained under investigation, but that further information would be released as the investigation progressed.

Mr. O'Keefe confirmed that Mr. and Ms. Bloomquist were licensed to carry firearms. He said that Ms. Bloomquist "had access to a small caliber pistol."

He said it apppears that Mr. Bloomquist shot his wife with a shotgun, but a more complete picture of what occurred would be available next week as the investigation progressed.

State Police crime scene investigators assigned to the Cape and Islands District Attorney's office arrived on the Island Friday to assist West Tisbury with the investigation.

Longtime seasonal residents from Harvard, Massachusetts, the retired couple were pilots and owned a Cessna 182-R airplane. They traveled frequently to the Vineyard. Ms. Bloomquist was a retired MIT administrator, Mr. Bloomquist a retired businessman.

The couple sold the home they owned on South Shaker Road in Harvard on October 25, 2011, for $520,000, according to assessor's records.

School took action

The scene of the shooting was less than one mile from the West Tisbury School on Old County Road. Principal Michael Halt said he called Chief Dan Rossi as soon as he heard about police activity on Skiff's Lane.

"Several kids either have that bus stop or drove past it on school buses or in their parents' cars, and clearly saw a large presence of police activity going on there," Mr. Halt said. "In this community, we don't see a tactical response team every day on someone's front lawn, so that certainly heightened everyone's concerns."

Mr. Halt said that his initial concern was that the incident might have involved a student.

"In the midst of everything Chief Rossi was dealing with, he took the time to inform me of what was going on and quickly put my mind at ease," he said. "He let us know what we didn't need to worry about and made sure we knew what we did need to do. I shared that information with the appropriate school staff members."

Mr. Halt said assistant principal Donna Lowell-Bettencourt, secretary Sue Merrill, and head custodian Manny Estrella joined several teachers in front of the school building. Their calming presence as students arrived was very beneficial, he said.

Mr. Halt said it was fortunate that police made the decision to block off a section of Old County Road after the last school bus run, which helped minimize the impact of the incident on the students' arrival. Once classes were underway, he and Ms. Lowell-Bettencourt made the rounds through the building to make sure everyone was okay.

"The kids were great," he said. "We were relieved to find there were no issues or concerns. I really appreciate the close working relationship we have with Chief Rossi and the rest of his force, and the professionalism of all of our staff members."

Hang glider accident causes major trauma to pilot. Peters Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania

A hang glider accident in Franklin County took place in this field.
(Barbara Schindo)

A hang glider has crashed in Peters Township, Franklin County and the pilot has suffered major trauma. A rescue helicopter has landed to transport the injured pilot as of 450 p.m.

The accident is just south of Fort Loudon, between Mountain Road and Long Lane.

State Police in Chambersburg are now investigating the accident.


Source:  http://www.whptv.com

Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian, Mascaro Air LLC, N21EP: Accident occurred March 23, 2012 in Wellington, Florida

http://registry.faa.gov/N21EP

NTSB Identification: ERA12LA250 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 23, 2012 in Wellington, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/11/2014
Aircraft: PIPER PA46, registration: N21EP
Injuries: 1 Serious.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

A witness reported that the airplane veered left during the takeoff roll and headed toward a large ditch that surrounded the runway. It appeared that the pilot did not attempt to stop the airplane or abort the takeoff. The airplane continued toward the ditch, and, upon reaching the ditch’s edge, the airplane rotated and reached an altitude of about 50 feet. The airplane’s left wing collided with trees. The airplane rolled left and then right before stalling and crashing. The pilot stated that the airplane seemed to pull left on takeoff, possibly due to a right quartering tailwind, and that he did not realize where he was positioned on the runway. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with a tree.

On March 23, 2012, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N21EP, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees at the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38), West Palm Beach, Florida. The airline transport pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Mascaro Air LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

A witness reported that they watched as the airplane began its takeoff roll on runway 33. The witness stated that the winds favored runway 15. As the airplane continued its takeoff roll, it veered to the left and headed towards a large ditch that surrounded the runway. It appeared that no attempts were made to stop the airplane or abort the takeoff. The airplane continued towards the ditch and upon reaching the ditch's edge, the airplane took off, reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The airplane's left wing collided with trees, and the airplane rolled to the left and then right before stalling.

According to the owner of the airplane, the pilot was hired to give him instruction in the airplane. He stated that the airplane had approximately 40 hours of flight time since delivered. The purpose of the flight on the day of the accident was to fly the airplane to another airport for an avionics check. The owner watched as the pilot taxied to the turf runway for takeoff. The airplane lifted off approximately midfield and appeared to have directional and control problems. The airplane climbed to a height of 60-80 feet before brushing into palm trees. The airplane entered a steep downward left turn before impacting the ground.

In a statement from the pilot, he stated that after the accident he had no recollection of the flight due to a concussion. In the months that followed after the accident, knowing the circumstances he stated, that after lining up on runway 33, he applied power and was unable to maintain the airplane on the centerline, since it was not marked. He went on to say that the airplane seemed to pull to the left of the grass runway. He felt that the reason he did not abort the takeoff was because he was not aware of how far left of the centerline the airplane had gone. He also believed that the airplane reached the rotation speed for a soft field takeoff and he decided to lift off. Not realizing how far left he was of the centerline and with a nose high attitude right after takeoff, apparently the airplane brushed the top of a palm tree with the left wing tip and caused the airplane to yaw to the left and he lost control of the airplane.

The Wellington Aero Club Airport is a private airport located 5 miles west of West Palm Beach, Florida. The 4,000 foot by 100 foot lighted turf runway features short, firm Bermuda grass. The runway is oriented 33/15 and is at an elevation of 20 feet.

At 1753 EDT the Palm Beach, FL weather reporting station, located approximately 11 nautical miles east of the accident site, reported winds were 130 degrees at 9 gusting to 16 knots with 10 statute miles of visibility.

Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a representative from Piper revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted on a 320-degree heading on the patio decking of a residential home. All major aircraft components and control surfaces were identified and located at the wreckage site. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces except for impact and recovery-related cable separations. Fuel was noted around the wreckage site and in the swimming pool. On initial examination the FAA inspector noted that the elevator trim was positioned near maximum nose up. It was also noted that the flaps were in the neutral position for takeoff; review of the flight manual recommends 20 degrees for grass runways.

Examination of the engine revealed that the firewall structure, engine mounts, exhaust stubs, starter/generator, auxiliary alternator, air conditioning pump, torque system, and the cowling remained attached with impact damage and deformation. All airframe to engine connections were connected and intact. Examination of the engine revealed that contact signatures within the internal components showed that it was developing power at the time of impact. Examination of the engine revealed no indications of any preimpact anomalies or distress that would of precluded normal engine operation prior to impact.


NTSB Identification: ERA12LA250 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 23, 2012 in Wellington, FL
Aircraft: PIPER PA46, registration: N21EP
Injuries: 1 Serious.

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.

On March 23, 2012, about 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N21EP, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees at the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38), West Palm Beach, Florida. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Mascaro Air LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

A witness reported that they watched as the airplane began its takeoff roll on runway 33. The witness stated that the winds favored runway 15. As the airplane continued its takeoff roll, it veered to the left and headed towards a large ditch that surrounded the runway. It appeared that no attempts were made to stop the airplane or abort the takeoff. The airplane continued towards the ditch and upon reaching the ditch’s edge, the airplane took off reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet. The airplane’s left wing collided with trees. The airplane rolled to the left and then right before stalling.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted. The fuselage was buckled and both wings were broken away from the fuselage. The airplane was recovered for further examination.


Allen Eyestone/Palm Beach Post
A single-engine airplane crashed into the backyard of a home in the Wellington Aero Club Friday afternoon.

WELLINGTON, Fla. (WSVN) -- A pilot sustained minor injuries after his aircraft crash landed merely inches away from a home.

The crash occurred Friday afternoon.

The pilot was trying to land on a grass runway in a Wellington neighborhood, when he suddenly lost control of the aircraft and crashed just inches away from a luxury home.

The small plane crash landed upside down, and the pilot was stuck inside.

Fire rescue crews doused the plane with foam to prevent it from catching fire while they attempted to rescue the pilot from the plane.

Then, they used a ladder to get to the aircraft, carefully climbing inside the cabin and removing the pilot from the plane. He was transported to a medical helicopter that was waiting on the grass runway.

Neighbors could not stop talking about the crash. "From what I hear, the plane was purchased two weeks ago, and it was a flight instructor that was heading back to get it serviced," one resident said.

The pilot only suffered minor injuries and is expected to be OK. A neighbor said, "I wish the best for him and his family. God bless them."



Pilot injured in Wellington, Florida, plane crash
Photo courtesy: Nicole Hamilton







WELLINGTON — A single-engine airplane crashed into the backyard of a home in Wellington Aero Club this afternoon.

The aircraft, a Piper PA46, came to rest in an upside-down position and is hanging over the pool of the home at 15850 Britten Lane, east of Flying Cow Road, said Capt. Don DeLucia, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue spokesman.

The pilot was the only person aboard the plane. He is conscious, DeLucia, and he is being flown to a hospital by Trauma Hawk.

Fire Rescue crews are putting foam down on the site to soak up leaking fuel. One person and one dog were evacuated from the home as a precaution.

Crews were dispatched to the community, a private airpark where home sare built around a runway, at 5:09 p.m.

The owner of the plane is a company managed by licensed private pilot Joseph P. Mascaro, 66, who lives in the neighborhood, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The plane today left from the North Palm Beach County Airport at 10:10 a.m. and landed at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas just before 11 a.m., according to flight records.

WELLINGTON — Palm Beach County Fire Rescue crews this afternoon are responding to an airplane that crashed into the backyard of a home in the Wellington Aero Club community.

Crews were dispatched to 15850 Britten Lane, east of Flying Cow Road, at 5:09 p.m.

The aircraft, a Piper PA46, landed upside down and is hanging over the home's pool, said fire rescue spokesman Capt. Don DeLucia.

Crews are putting foam down to clean up leaking fuel.

The pilot is conscious and is still in the plane. He may need to be extricated, DeLucia said.

The Wellington Aero Club is a private airpark community where houses are built around a runway.

The owner of the plane is a company managed by Joseph Mascaro who lives in the neighborhood, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

WELLINGTON, Fla. - A small plane has crashed in Wellington, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The aircraft, which appears to be a Piper Malibu, went down in the 15 thousand Block of Britten Lane in the Aero Club.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said the pilot is conscious and crews are working to remove the pilot from the wreckage. They have placed a ladder to the pilot's door in preparation for the pilot's extrication.

Fuel was spilled and fire rescue has been applying foam on the aircraft.

NewsChannel 5's Captain Julie Stevens said it appeared from the air that the plane dug hard into the grass runway, flipped upside down and came to rest next to a swimming pool.

Wellington, Fla. - The Wellington Aero Club is a community divided.

On one side, those who want to keep their backyard green.

"I care, I want it to stay grass," said Kevin Proodian, who is for keeping the grassy runway.

On the other side, there are those who would prefer less green and the addition of pavement. "Is it worth it to lose someone's life on the runway for the sake of having a pretty, grassy-green runway? No," said Joe Mascaro. "During periods of heavy rain, the runway becomes very dangerous for landing and takeoff.'

But not everyone agrees safety is an issue.

"To make that argument that it's unsafe, then you'd have to change the hundreds of grass runways in the state of Florida and nationwide, and tell all those homeowners that they are not safe," said Proodian.

Then there are residents who just want a say in the decision on whether or not to pave.

"We're just upset, because it’s not fair they're not giving us a say, we're going to have to spend the money, pay the assessments, we should have the right to vote on this," said James Ciuffetelli, who is for keeping grass.

"It is like living in a golf course community and having your board of directors tell you they don't want that golf course to be there anymore," said Proodian.

Residents on both sides of the issue will go before a judge Thursday.

Those supporting the grassy runway hope to get a temporary restraining order to keep pavers away.