Nova Scotia: Debert airport property no place for ATV use, officials say - Glider tow rope could present danger to unsuspecting drivers

 

 Capt. Doug Keirstead of the Air Cadet Regional Gliding School in Debert is issuing a reminder to off-highway vehicle riders of ongoing glider activity in the area and that the airport property is off limits to ATVs. 

HARRY SULLIVAN TRURO DAILY NEWS

DEBERT - Officials with the air cadet gliding school in Debert are expressing concern with ATV riders who are travelling across the glider landing areas. 

 And one of the concerns is that a rider may have an encounter with the tow rope that is strung out behind a tow plane as it comes into land.

"We are taking this issue very seriously and, as responsible citizens, we will continue to work with the community to ensure OHV (off highway vehicle) riders are aware of the dangers associated with entering the airfield during glider operations," said Capt. Doug Keirstead of the Air Cadet Regional Gliding School.

Gliding is ongoing most days during July and August, from dawn until dusk. Glider tow aircraft land with a 200-foot tow rope - which is used to tow gliders aloft - that has a steel ring attached to the end of it. OHV riders who may think it is safe to cross a landing area, based on their visual perception of a landing aircraft, may not be aware of or be able to see the attached tow rope in time to avoid a dangerous encounter, he said.

"And, you know, we keep a really close eye on this type stuff so whenever we see anybody nearby we go over and speak to them and let them know the dangers and things like this."

But that is not always enough, Keirstead said, and what the riders may not realize, is that the grass strips besides the paved landing strips are where the gliders actually land on

While officials try to keep a close eye on the ATV activity, that is not always enough, Keirstead said.

"We had a group of ATVs actually drive out onto the landing area, which forced the (tow) pilot to abort his landing," he said. "But in this particular case we went over and spoke to that group only to have them return later and drive across the same landing area, forcing the pilot to again abort his landings."

Hazard signs are also posted in the area, but some of those have been vandalized and taken down by suspected ATV riders, he said.

"It's a genuine concern for us," Keirstead said. "If other ATV users come along and that signage has been torn down, they're not able to see that, so we're being very diligent right now to make sure that we are keeping an eye on the signage."

Glider officials are working with the local RCMP and Department of Natural Resources officers to monitor the situation, as well as the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia (ATVANS), to help communicate the concerns to its members.

"We are committed to helping the gliding school deliver this important message to all ATV riders," executive director Barry Barnet said.

Source:   http://www.trurodaily.com

When should Dana Air fly again?

Following the incident involving Dana Air Flight 0992 on June 3 in which all passengers and crew tragically lost their lives along with a number of people on the ground, the airline operator promptly cancelled all flight operations scheduled for the next day.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) then followed up with a formal order indefinitely suspending the operations of the airline and denying the operator access to their aircraft. The reaction was an understandable one. The outpouring of grief and emotion across Nigeria following the tragic accident was immense and raw.

Today, we are approaching two months since the tragic accident and Dana Air remains grounded. As far as the author has been able to ascertain, neither the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) nor NCAA, nor even the Ministry of Aviation has issued any clear guidelines to the airline on potential resumption of flights. In fact, it seems that there are no clear policies regarding airline operations post an aviation incident at all. Each case appears to be treated very differently. In the case of Bellview, for instance, the airline carried on normal commercial operations almost immediately, while Sosoliso and ADC never flew again following their accidents in 2005 and 2006.

Sam Adurogboye, a spokesperson for the NCAA, was reported by the BBC following the accident as saying, “Their operational licence has been suspended until we carry out their recertification…this is standard practice after such an event.” This is not entirely true. In fact, and internationally speaking, this is an aberration. What does the NCAA mean by recertification? We would assume that they mean the fleet should be checked and certified as airworthy before operations can begin again?

In 2008, BA Flight 38 operated by ‘the world’s favourite airline’, British Airways, crash-landed just short of the runway at Heathrow Airport. Soon after the crash, the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that they were aware of the incident and that the incident would be investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport. British Airways’ licence was not suspended. In fact, they carried on with scheduled flights shortly after.

Just over a year later, in June 2009, Air France Flight 447 operated by an Airbus A330 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 216 passengers and 12 aircrew. The accident is on record as the deadliest aviation incident in the history of Air France and still ranks as having one of the highest numbers of fatalities to-date. Following the incident, the French authorities launched two separate investigations – a criminal investigation and a technical investigation. The final technical investigation report was submitted three years later on July 5, 2012. At no point during the investigations were Air France operations suspended, nor was Air France asked to undergo ‘recertification’.

Bellview Airline’s Flight 210 mentioned earlier, which crashed en route to Abuja killing all 117 passengers on board in October 2005, is still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians. The airline operator carried on flight operations up until it was forced to close shop in 2009 due to dwindling customer confidence and incessant delays caused by acute lack of aircraft. Their licence was not indefinitely suspended in the same way that Dana Air’s was. So, once again, one has to wonder what makes Dana’s case so different.

The move by the NCAA is legally ambiguous in that the AIB, whose job is not to apportion blame but to ascertain exactly what went wrong so as to ensure that such an incident never happens again, is still investigating the incident and a final report could take 12 months. If an inspection of the Dana fleet has not taken place, or any fault found if such an inspection has, then what is the basis for the ongoing suspension?

Very few individuals, and indeed professional bodies, have come out to speak up against this type of arbitrary behaviour. One of the few people to have the confidence to speak up about the matter was the secretary-general of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Joji, a retired captain. Joji spoke out objectively alluding to undue pressure by the Senate on both the NCAA and the Ministry of Aviation. He faulted the calls for Demuren to be suspended and the Federal Government’s suspension of the airline. He rightly stated that there was no way Demuren or the NCAA could hinder the independent investigations of the AIB. He went on to say that it was necessary for investigations to be carried out before acting against the airline.

Captain Joji is right, and if one may add, the action of the Federal Government sets a dangerous precedent. What this says is that, regardless of international best practice, some airlines will be judged and punished without the need for investigations by the professionals empowered to do so by the laws of the land. It also means that a business investment is not safe because there are no clearly articulated guidelines for such a scenario with which a business can model its risks clearly before investing.

Granted, the incident remains a great shock and embarrassment to the country and many lives were tragically lost, but one hopes that the relevant institutions will act quickly and articulate a clear policy regarding an airline’s operations post an incident, fatal or otherwise. A good starting point for redressing the situation will be for the NCAA to clearly state if it has indeed carried out any inspections on the grounded fleet, what its findings are, and how, if at all, this will affect the so-called ‘recertification’ process. We cannot hold our aviation sector up as a success story until we consistently abide by the best practice that defines world class service and world class regulation.


Source:   http://www.businessdayonline.com

Turbulence incident: flight crew suspended

After preliminary investigations, the crew of Air India’s A330 aircraft that operated from Delhi to Shanghai on July 5 have been grounded in connection with an incident of the aircraft encountering turbulence, which left two of the crew and 18 passengers injured. 

 The incident is being investigated by the Office of Director Air Safety (WR) in the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation. Data has been obtained from the Digital Flight Data Recorder to analyze the aircraft’s altitude when the incident occurred, an official spokesman said on Wednesday.

The aircraft was under the command of Captain S.P.S. Suri with Captain Rajesh Mirchandani as the first officer, when it faced turbulence owing to bad weather.

As per a report filed by the pilot, when the aircraft encountered mild turbulence, passengers and the cabin crew were told to be seated and strapped.

However, five minutes later, it ran into a severe turbulence. All galley items were thrown out.

The flight took off with 60 passengers and 11 crew members and was in Indian airspace when the incident occurred.

After the incident, the passengers tried to impress upon the crew and the pilot the need to land at the nearest airport, which is Kolkata, but that did not happen.

Furthermore, the pilot did not report the matter to either the airline or the DGCA, but just wrote that there was a little turbulence.

The pilot and the crew will remain grounded till the completion of the investigation.

Source:   http://www.thehindu.com

AV-8B Harrier crashes near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma; pilot ejects safely

A Marine Corps pilot was able to eject safely from his AV-8B Harrier just before it crashed during a training exercise about 15 miles northwest of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma this afternoon. The incident happened at about 3:30 p.m.

 The aircraft landed in an unpopulated area near Felicity, California. It is a total loss, officials said. It was unknown yet whether or not the jet fighter was carrying live ammunition during the mission to the Chocolate Mountain Range.

The harrier is assigned to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, which is stationed at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina. The squadron is in the Yuma area to conduct aerial combat training operations.

According to Capt. Staci Reidinger, director of public affairs for MCAS Yuma, the pilot was able to eject safely, and upon landing used his cell phone to contact the base for help. Following his phone call, a Search and Rescue helicopter and crew stationed at MCAS Yuma was dispatched to the area of the crash to transport the pilot.

A crash response team has been ordered to the site to secure the area, begin an investigation into the matter, and to initiate clean-up procedures.

“The command here is working diligently,” Reidinger said. “The most important thing the command wanted to make sure was the safety of the pilot and to secure the area of the crash to ensure there was no danger to people in the surrounding area.”

The cause of the incident is under investigation. No other information was available.

Source: http://www.yumasun.com

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Kfir F-21C2, N404AX: Accident occurred March 06, 2012 in Fallon, Nevada

NTSB Identification: DCA12PA049 
 Nonscheduled 14 CFR Public Use
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 06, 2012 in Fallon, NV
Aircraft: ISRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES F21-C2, registration: N404AX
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 traveled in support of this investigation and obtained data from various sources to prepare this public aircraft accident report.

On March 6, 2012 at 0914 pacific standard time, an Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Kfir F-21C2 single-seat turbojet fighter type aircraft, registration N404AX, operated by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) under contract to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) as a civil public aircraft operation, crashed upon landing at Naval Air Station Fallon, Fallon, Nevada. The sole occupant pilot aboard was killed, and the airplane was substantially damaged by impact forces and fire. The flight had departed Fallon at 0752 the same day, and attempted to return following an adversary training mission. The pilot initiated two Ground Control Approach (GCA) radar approaches to Fallon and then attempted to divert to Reno but was unable to land there as the field was reporting below minimum weather conditions. The pilot then turned back toward Fallon and stated to air traffic controllers that he was in a critical fuel state. The pilot descended and maneuvered first toward runway 31, then toward runway 13. The airplane struck the ground in an open field in the northwest corner of the airport property and impacted a concrete building on the field. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as snowing with northerly winds of 23 knots gusting to 34 knots, and visibility between one-half and one and one-half miles.

 

This submitted photo to the LVN was taken about 90 minutes after a jet owned by Airborne Tactical Advantage Co., crashed into a structure near the west gate at NAS Fallon, killing the pilot.

SueAnn Andrews / LVN

RENO, Nev. — A fighter pilot on a Navy training mission told air traffic controllers he was running out of gas before he crashed and died at Fallon Naval Air Station in March. 

Retired Capt. Carroll LeFon had been playing the enemy in an Israeli-built F-21 before attempting to land at the base 60 miles east of Reno.

The National Transportation Safety Board hasn’t ruled on a cause but raised the fuel issue in a preliminary report on Wednesday.

The NTSB said LeFon abandoned two initial attempts to land at Fallon and diverted to Reno but found the same snowy and windy conditions there. Headed back to Fallon, he told controllers he was in “a critical fuel state” before he maneuvered toward one runway, then another and crashed into a concrete building.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N404AX.html

Savannah-based Gulfstream reports second quarter growth

With double-digit growth in both revenue and operating earnings, Savannah-based Gulfstream Aerospace continued to be the bright spot for corporate parent General Dynamics, which Wednesday reported a drop of nearly 3 percent in second-quarter earnings. 

“Gulfstream continues to enjoy a sizeable multiyear large-cabin order backlog in a robust order pipeline,” company CEO Jay Johnson told investors and analysts in a morning conference call.

Gulfstream — one of four General Dynamics business units — designs, develops, manufactures and services business-jet aircraft, including the flagship of the fleet, the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650, currently in development.

“We are nearly complete with FAA requirements for G650 flight testing and remain on track to obtain type certification in the third quarter,” Johnson said. “We continue to believe we can attain our objective of delivering about 24 green G650 aircraft this year and around 17 completed aircraft, with most completions coming in the fourth quarter.”

The G650 still has a backlog of nearly 200 orders with a five-year waiting list, Johnson said. The company’s other large-cabin, long-range business jets, the G450 and the G550, have waiting periods of 18 to 24 months.

“We expect to see improvement in General Dynamics’ second half orders, especially in aerospace.” Johnson told analysts.

Overall, General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) reported second-quarter 2012 net earnings of $634 million, or $1.77 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared with 2011 second quarter net earnings of $653 million, or $1.76 per share fully diluted. Second quarter 2012 revenues were $7.9 billion.

Company-wide operating margins for the second quarter were 12.2 percent, compared to 11.3 percent in the same quarter 2011.

Funded backlog at the end of the second quarter 2012 was $46.9 billion, and total backlog was $52.3 billion, much of it fueled by healthy demand for Gulfstream aircraft.

A softness in the company’s information technology segment — its largest business unit — and continued uncertainty in the defense spending arena, resulted in the earnings drop for the quarter, Johnson said.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 93,000 people worldwide.

Source:  http://savannahnow.com

Cessna TR182, N73VX: Accident occurred July 24, 2012 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

NTSB Identification: CEN12LA473
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in Steamboat Springs, CO
Aircraft: Cessna TR182, registration: N73VX
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

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 July 24, 2012, at 1230 mountain daylight time, a Cessna model TR182 airplane, N73VX, was substantially damaged during a wheels-up landing at Steamboat Springs Airport (KSBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Steamboat Springs Flying Club, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 while on an instrument flight rule (IFR) flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated from Rangely Airport (4V0), Rangely, Colorado, about 1100.

The pilot reported that he canceled his IFR flight plan after the airplane had descended beneath the cloud ceiling during his instrument approach to runway 32 (4,452 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He then proceeded to land without extending the landing gear. The airplane slid on its lower fuselage approximately 1,200 feet before it struck a runway edge identifier light and a lighted taxiway sign. The lower fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged.

At 1233, the airport's automatic weather observing station reported the following weather conditions: wind from 220 magnetic at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, broken ceiling 12,000 feet, temperature 27 degrees Celsius, dew point 04 degrees Celsius, altimeter 30.21 inches of mercury.

Photo by Matt Stensland 

 The Cessna 182 Skylane that landed gear up at the Steamboat Springs Airport is owned by the Steamboat Flying Club.

Steamboat Springs — No one was injured after a plane apparently landed without its landing gear down Tuesday afternoon at Steamboat Springs Airport.

Airport Manager Mel Baker said the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified about the accident.

“This is what we would call substantial damage,” Baker said about the condition of the plane.

The airport closed after the crash but had reopened by mid-afternoon.

Baker said the male pilot was the only person in the plane.

Anne Small, public information officer for the city of Steamboat Springs, refused to release the name of the pilot Tuesday.

Steamboat Flying Club President Bob Maddox said the four-passenger Cessna 182 Skylane is owned by the club, which has been in existence for five years and has 34 members and three planes. He said the 1978 plane was well maintained and recently had been inspected.

“This is our first incident,” Maddox said.

He said he spoke with the pilot, whom he also refused to name, and Maddox thinks the man simply forgot to lower the landing gear. That’s despite an alarm that likely was sounding to warn the pilot the gear was not down.

“It could happen to anybody,” Maddox said. “You just have to train and train so it doesn’t.”

Story and photo:   http://www.steamboattoday.com
  
http://registry.faa.gov/N73VX

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N73VX

FAA IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 73VX        Make/Model: C182      Description: 182, Skylane
  Date: 07/24/2012     Time: 1910

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

LOCATION
  City: STEAMBOAT SPRINGS   State: CO   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT LANDED GEAR UP, AND STRUCK LIGHTS, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     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: Unknown      Phase: Landing      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: DENVER, CO  (NM03)                    Entry date: 07/25/2012 

Cirrus SR22, N86AA: Accident occurred, July 14, 2012 in Salina, Utah

NTSB Identification: WPR12FA305 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 14, 2012 in Salina, UT
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N86AA
Injuries: 2 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 July 14, 2012, about 1130 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cirrus Design Corp SR22, N86AA, impacted terrain near Salina, Utah. Springhill Aviation LLC, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The local cross-country personal flight departed Concord, California, with a planned destination of Aspen, Colorado. Visual and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed along the route of flight, and no flight plan had been filed.

The airplane was a subject of an ALNOT following the loss of radar contact. Local law enforcement and the Civil Air Patrol initiated a search for the airplane. The airplane was located by personnel from the Sevier County Sheriff’s department flying in a civilian provided helicopter about 1800, on July 15, 2012.

The radar track for the flight was reviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC). It indicated that while traversing from west to east at a Mode C reported altitude of 13,700 feet mean sea level (msl), and during the last 2 minutes of recoded radar data, the target climbed to an altitude of 14,200 feet msl. The last radar return was at 11:28:54, at 13,500 feet msl. The accident site was located 1.5 nautical miles (nm) southeast of the last radar return.

The preliminary review of weather in the area of the accident indicated that the cloud base was at 9,000 feet msl, and the cloud top was at 27,000 feet msl with light rain.

Investigators examined the wreckage at the accident scene. The accident site was located on the northern slope of a ridgeline in the Fish Lake National Forest. The debris field was roughly 100 feet wide by 425 feet long running parallel to the crest of the ridge from east to west, with a debris path along a 263-degree magnetic heading. The first point of impact was a pine tree; the trunk was broken approximately 17 feet from the base of the tree. A ground scar was noted 30 feet beyond the broken pine tree. The ground scar was roughly 3-4 feet wide and continued for 15 feet ending in a crater that was approximately 2 to 3 feet deep with the engine, firewall, and some of the center console structure buried at the end of the crater.

The accident site was documented and the airplane and engine were recovered for further examination.

SALINA — A California couple killed in a plane crash near Salina earlier this month may have had obstructed vision before slamming into the mountainside. 

Peter and Ramona Branagh, of Lafayette, Calif., died when the single-engine Cirrus SR22 crashed July 14 in Saleratus Canyon, about 30 miles southeast of Salina. The couple was traveling from Concord, Calif., to Aspen, Colo. The couple did not file a flight plan, according to a preliminary report released Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The plane was flying at an altitude of 13,700 feet, but climbed to 14,200 feet during the last two minutes before crashing, the NTSB report stated.

"The preliminary review of weather in the area of the accident indicated that the cloud base was at 9,000 feet msl (mean sea level), and the cloud top was at 27,000 feet msl with light rain," according to the report.

The crash was discovered the next day "on the northern slope of a ridgeline in the Fish Lake National Forest," according to the NTSB. The debris field was about 100 feet wide and 425 feet long. The crash ended in a crater, 2 to 3 feet deep, with the plane's engine and part of the center console buried.

"The first point of impact was a pine tree, the trunk was broken approximately 17 feet from the base of the tree," the report states.

Peter Branagh was a real estate developer and director of the California Bank of Commerce. Ramona Branagh owned an interior design business in Danville, Pacific Bay Interiors.
Source:   http://www.deseretnews.com

United States Airlines Work Force Up 1.6% In May From Year Earlier - Bureau of Transportation Statistics

U.S. airlines' work force rose 1.6% on a full-time-equivalent basis in May from the same month last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Strong air-travel demand, particularly from corporate customers, has moved many carriers to add to their ranks over the past year.

Total full-time-equivalent employees reached 390,957 in May, versus 384,974 a year earlier and 390,243 in April, according to the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Full-time-equivalent calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee.

Network carriers' work force rose 1.3% in May over a year earlier. Of the network airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc. reduced its staff from 2011, reflecting ongoing efforts to eliminate duplicate positions in the wake of its 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines. American Airlines, whose parent company AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy last year, also trimmed its workforce in May.

Discount carriers posted a 5.3% jump in work force for the month. All reported year-to-year increases except Frontier Airlines.  

Source:  http://online.wsj.com

A brand new Pilot International INC Cessna Caravan, N20480, lands at Gander International Airport ( CYQX ) from Bangor International ( KGBR ) before what appears to be it's first trip across the Atlantic Ocean

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N20480

Associated Mission Aviation: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan - Landing Angguruk Yalimek - Papua, Indonesia

 

July 25, 2012 by Mek Yali 

Salah satu (Associated Mission Aviation) AMA arahan Grand Cessna Caravan (208B) di Anggruk, sebuah desa yang terletak di daerah dataran tinggi tengah Papua, Indonesia. Dikemudikan oleh Brian Pottinger dan video oleh pilot sesama Geerten Vruegdenhil

Associated Mission Aviation  Cessna Grand Caravan 208B in Anggruk, a village located in the central highlands of Papua, Indonesia.  Piloted by Brian Pottinger and video by a fellow pilot Geerten Vruegdenhil

Jonesboro Municipal Airport (KJBR), Arkansas: Thieves cut through airport fence, steal equipment

Police increased patrols around the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, 3901 Lindbergh Drive, after someone cut through the perimeter fence. 

According to Officer Lane Holmes, someone cut approximately 45 feet of fencing, worth approximately $1,500, near the airport’s back gate on Earhart Drive.

He said sitting next to the fence was a piece of a field planer implement with “fresh marks from a cutting torch.”  He also reported seeing “4-wheeler tracks going under the fence and headed out of the airport toward Airport Road.”

While investigating the incident, Officer Holmes reportedly learned that officers had been called out Monday night regarding a 4-wheeler complaint in the 200-block of Kathleen Street.

Officer Holmes went to that location and found “4-wheeler tracks leading over the BNSF railroad tracks and into the airport’s property.”  He also found more pieces of the farm implement, valued at $4,500, near the railroad tracks.

If you have any information that can help police identify the suspects, call CrimeStoppers at 935-STOP (7867).

Source:  http://craigheadcounty.kait8.com

Reno Air Races could get sponsorship from state

 RENO, Nev. - Nevada's tourism commission is considering a new state sponsorship role to help prop up the Reno National Championship Air Races as organizers scramble to raise the final $600,000 needed to cover an increase in insurance costs after last year's tragic crash that killed 11 and injured more than 70.

Organizers remain committed to the 49th annual competition set for Sept. 12-14 and have obtained the $100 million in necessary insurance at Reno-Stead Airport but face a Sept. 1 deadline to pay off the $2 million premium - up a whopping $1.7 million from last year's $300,000.

The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Association's board is scheduled to vote Thursday on an RSCVA advisory panel's recommendation earlier this month to provide $75,000 to help cover the bills.

But race officials said Wednesday that they're still short, and any potential help from the state could prove critical as they move into "crunch time."

"The importance of this event, both on the social landscape and economic well-being of the state, cannot be understated," said Mike Houghton, the race director who cites studies estimating the annual impact on the local economy between $55 million and $80 million.

The races and the possible "parameters around sponsorship" are on the Nevada Commission on Tourism's agenda for a public meeting scheduled via teleconference on Thursday. They appear on the "presentation" section and no amount of money is listed but NCOT spokeswoman Chris Moran confirmed a vote could be taken.

"It is an action item," she said.

Moran said the commission currently sponsors two events in the Reno area - The Great Reno Balloon Races and the Tour de Nez, each for $10,000. In recent years, she said, such sponsorships have typically been in the $10,000 to $20,000 range but had been worth as much as $50,000 during more prosperous years.

At a meeting next month, the Reno City Council also intends to discuss the possibility of taking on some sort of sponsorship role at the air races, city spokeswoman Michele Anderson said Wednesday.

Houghton, the local community and "air race fans around the world" have combined to help raise $1 million for this year's event, which he said annually attracts nearly 200,000 fans and fills hotel rooms for a combined 50,000 nights. Reno-Stead Airport is just north of town.

"Buoyed by the overwhelming support of our fans and many of those affected by last year's tragic accident, we remain committed to holding this historic event," Houghton said Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press.

"However, we still remain more than $600,000 short of the required amount," he said. "We are excited about the opportunity to work with the Nevada Commission on Tourism and are deeply grateful for the NCOT's generous efforts and potential sponsorship to ensure the continuation of this great and important event."

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, chairman of the commission, was not available Wednesday to comment, a spokeswoman for his office said.

Race officials have not requested any specific amount of assistance but have kept state officials apprised of their financial situation and the "need to pay this premium," said Mike Draper, a spokesman for the air races. He said they welcome any help and are anxious to discuss any circumstances surrounding potential sponsorships.

"It's crunch time for us," Draper said. "It's not desperate, but it's urgent."

"Sept. 1 is our drop-dead date, but we need commitments well in hand before Sept. 1. We're looking to the state to pitch in and help keep alive an event that has attracted many tourists to the area for a very, very long time."

http://www.dailycomet.com
RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Nevada's state tourism commission is considering kicking in some money to help prop up the Reno National Championship Air Races. 

 The 49th annual competition is set for September but organizers have been struggling to keep up with higher insurance costs after last year's tragic crash near the grandstand that killed 11 and injured more than 70.

Tourism commissioners are scheduled to consider a formal sponsorship during a teleconference meeting Thursday. There's no set amount on the agenda but some current sponsorships carry as much as $10,000 and some in the past were worth more.

The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Association recently provided a $75,000 grant to help cover the $1.7 million increase in insurance premiums. Race organizers said last week they're close to reaching their goal but still need donations.

Source:    http://www.weartv.com

Atkinson Municipal Airport (KPTS), Pittsburg, Kansas: City OKs hangar repair

PITTSBURG — The City of Pittsburg is in the middle of a drought. But tell that to the hangar at Atkinson Municipal Airport.

When the only major storm in the last month snuck up on the north side of Pittsburg on July 7, it caused powerful winds that damaged one hangar at the airport. Pittsburg Public Works Director Bill Beasley showed pictures of a garage door that was blown into one of the hangars, stripping away insulation in the process. And that was just one portion of the damage.

“Inside the building, the wind pushed up the partitions,” Beasley said. “The big hangar door was pushed in by the force of the wind. You can’t imagine the amount of pressure on that door frame.”

In fact, the damage was so bad that officials were and are worried that the hangar door was going to be rendered unusable. Since that date, the doors have been opened once — to move the three planes that were inside the hangar to other available space. It hasn’t been opened since.

Read more here:   http://www.morningsun.net

Roanoke Municipal (7A5), Alabama: Airport regains certification

Roanoke Municipal Airport is officially open for the first time in at least six years and has the certificate to prove it.

"We got closed up, I believe, in the second year of Mayor Spec Bonner's term in office. The airport was closed because of obstructions at the airport," Donnie Cash said. The Streets Department supervisor has worked steadily trying to meet requirements set by the Aeronautics Division of the Alabama Department of Transportation.

In June DOT came in and inspected the airport, and Cash said they did not call him. They said the city did a good job and presented it with an airport operating license for 2012-2013.

Cash said if a plane flies into a airport that is not certified or officially open and crashes or is damaged it is not likely insurance will pay for the damage.

The airport was built in 1952 when K.L. Hooper was mayor and has undergone a number of changes, such as the Corps of Engineers expanding the runway several years ago. Creating problems for the airport were obstructions such as trees and houses, which were eventually removed.

Read more here:    http://www.therandolphleader.com

Employment Opportunity: Lead Line Service Technician at Cape May County Airport (KWWD), Wildwood, New Jersey

LEAD LINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – SEASONAL

Location: Cape May Airport, NJ

Hourly Rate: $14.00

Opening Date: July 20, 2012, Closing Date: August 20, 2012

POSITION SUMMARY
Lead Line Service Technicians provide aviation ground support services to customers in a  positive and professional manner. He/she will perform in all facets of the ground handling  operation including but not limited to aircraft fueling/defueling, baggage/cargo handling, aircraft towing, using marshalling signals for aircraft parking, providing lavatory/potable water service and using other various ground support equipment to help support the needs of customer and  their aircraft.

Read more: http://www.drba.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jJ8VLWkwFWY%3D&tabid=96

Aerial firefighter a rare breed with demands for highly skilled flying, fighter pilot's nerves: Pilots for single-engine retardant planes hard to come by, company owner says

 

Andy Taylor, Owner of New Frontier Aviation, right, and Wayne Faw talk Monday, July 16, 2012 about how they do their jobs of fighting fires from the air. 

(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

HELP WANTED: Single-engine firefighting pilots. Must be willing to fly one-seat aircraft low enough to high-five the ground crew, make circus-ride turns over mountain ridges, buzz smoky mountainsides, drop fire retardant in swirling winds, work long days followed by hours of tedium, then consider it all as routine as driving a Honda on I-15. Will need a fighter pilot's nerves, plus hundreds of hours of flying experience and ground school.

There is a shortage of pilots who are qualified to fly single-engine air tankers — about 100 in all of America, says one expert. The only thing there is no shortage of these days is wildfire. The West is on fire, and those fires are being put out by land and air.

"I've got airplanes in the hangars because I don't have pilots to fly them," says Andy Taylor, pilot and owner of New Frontier Aviation, an aerial firefighting company based in Montana.

On Monday morning last week, Taylor and fellow pilot Wayne Faw were on call at the Tooele Valley Airport with nothing to do but wait. They have been contracted by the BLM to be ready for firefighting duty, but today there is a rare lull in the action. In the last few weeks, firefighting pilots have flown 350 missions and dropped 250,000 gallons of fire retardant in BLM's West Desert District, which is everything west of I-15 to Nevada, and then south to Beaver and north to Idaho. Today there is nothing to do but wait in a trailer.

"It's a thrill a minute, followed by hours of boredom," Faw is saying, as he stands by his plane on the tarmac.

It's good work if you can get it, which, translated, means you have serious skills and there must be, well, fires. Faw and Taylor aren't exactly cheering for rain. There have been seasons when they just couldn't find enough fires to make a living. So far, 2012 has been a bonanza.

Read more, photo gallery and comments:  http://www.deseretnews.com

 

Air attack pilots Andy Taylor and Wayne Faw of New Frontier Aviation talk Monday, July 16, 2012 about how they do their jobs of fighting fires from the air.

 (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

3 Capes Helichallenge launched at Shoreham Airport, UK

 

The Crew of the 3 Capes Helichallenge at Shoreham Airport.

THREE pilots have begun a 6,000 mile journey in a single engine helicopter.

Charles McCann, Brian Johnston and Charles Stewart officially launched their 3 Capes Helichallenge from Shoreham Airport last week.

The challenge will see them fly from Nordkapp, in Norway, to Cape Wrath, in Scotland, then through Europe and down to Cape Town, in South Africa.

Single engine piston helicopters, particularly the Robinson R44 which the men are using, are designed to fly four people in relative comfort from locations between 50 and 200 miles apart.

Charles, Brian and Charles plan to fly around 6,000 miles, 1,500 of which is over some of the most inhospitable landscapes in the world.

The pilots are taking on the challenge in a bid to raise £100,000 for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – a charity flying small aircraft in the developing world, delivering aid and supplies to people living in isolated places – and Motivation UK, a charity providing wheelchairs for people in the developing world.

Anyone who would like to follow the crew’s progress throughout the challenge can visit www.3capeshelichallenge.com.

Source:  http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk

Diamond DA42 NG - VFRMagazine - Italy

 

July 25, 2012 by emanueleterzo 

Prova in volo del Diamond DA42 NG. Con la collaborazione di Urbe Aero FTO. Test di Giacomo Iannelli. Foto, video e montaggio di Emanuele Terzo.
 
Flight test of the Diamond DA42 NG. With the collaboration of Urbe Aero FTO. Giacomo Iannelli test. Photos, video and installation of Emmanuel the Third.

Genoa, Ohio: Man’s business draws national attention thanks to Penn State controversy

GENOA, OH (Toledo News Now) - Jim Miller runs a business that is always up in the air. His "Air America Aerial Ads" tows banners above events mostly promoting businesses.   But sometimes they also tow controversial opinions, like one that flew over College Station, Pennsylvania Tuesday, even making an appearance on ESPN.

"My youngest son and I were sitting at dinner [watching ESPN]. It flew right across. I was shocked it made that much of an impression" said Miller.  The banner read "Take the statue down or we will," a reference to a statue of disgraced Penn State football coach Joe Paterno that still stands on campus.

Mr. Miller will not say who hired him but says the feedback has been positive and good for business.

Read more here:   http://www.toledonewsnow.com
 

 

Strata targets assembling 8-14 seat passenger plane in Abu Dhabi by 2018: Aviation industry’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s GDP to increase to 3% by 2030

Abu Dhabi: Strata Manufacturing, a Mubadala Aerospace’s composite aero-structures plant, is targeting assembly of an 8-14 seat passenger plane for businessmen by 2018 in Abu Dhabi in cooperation with Piaggio Aero of Italy. 

Delivering a lecture titled “Strata and the aviation industry in Abu Dhabi from vision to reality”, Homaid Al Shemmari, executive director of Mubadala Aerospace’s Business Unit, said “Our investments in Strata is about Dh850 million and we have contacts of Dh7 billion until 2020.”

Al Shemmari added: “We are eyeing an increase in aeronautical industries’ contribution to Abu Dhabi’s GDP from 1-3 per cent by 2030. We also plan to create up to 10,000 new jobs by 2030 as Strata is transforming itself into an aviation hub.   “Strata’s 230,000 square foot facility is located at the Al Ain Aerospace Centre at Abu Dhabi’s Al Ain International Airport,” he pointed out.

“The steady and rapid upsurge in contracts from the world’s largest planemakers reveal that the Dh850 million factory project is starting to pay off,” he said.

Read more here:   http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/strata-targets-assembling-8-14-seat-passenger-plane-in-abu-dhabi-by-2018-1.1053504

Weapons seized at Belfast International Aiport

Stun guns, CS gas sprays, extendable steel batons and butterfly knives are among weapons seized in the last two weeks at Belfast International Airport.

 The UK Border Force said two illegal air rifles had also been seized as had knuckle-dusters.

The majority of the items have been found in luggage off-loaded from holiday flights returning from Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia.

The force has warned those found with such weapons could face imprisonment.

John Spence, from Border Force in Northern Ireland, said: "My message to holiday-makers is simple - don't do it.

Read more here:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18984544

Security probe launched as boy, 11, sneaks onto Rome jet without ticket or passport

Airport officials have launched an urgent investigation after an 11-year-old boy took a flight to Rome on his own from Manchester Airport without a passport or boarding pass. 

 Liam Corcoran passed through security without being checked, before making his way on to the Jet2.com flight yesterday.

Staff have been suspended over the incident, in which Liam evaded five security checks to board the flight.

An investigation has been launched and the incident has prompted concerns from the highest levels of government.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "This extremely serious matter is now being urgently investigated by officials from the airport and airline. It is clear that documentation has not been checked correctly at security and the boarding gate.

Read more and comments:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/9425348/Security-probe-launched-as-boy-11-sneaks-onto-Rome-jet-without-ticket-or-passport.html

New trend reflects growing demand for small aircraft

At the invitation of Dassault Aviation Group, Arab News visited Dassault factory in Paris, to see the strides taking place in aviation industry and also meet with the officials and technicians. 

 The destination was Bordeaux city, which was followed by a trip on board the Falcon 2000 that headed to Marseille city, south of France, and a tour of the stages of manufacturing of the special Falcon X7 and the Flight Test Center. This was an amazing experience, thanks to the generosity of the officials of Dassault Aviation Group Factory who gave a briefing on its background and activities.

Dassault Aviation Group is a leading manufacturer in the aerospace industry and aviation in Europe and the World, and is considered the only group in the world that designs and manufactures and supports aircrafts industry and commercial aircraft. The group is one of the companies in the forefront of technical and industrial revolution of digital technology, also the last group in the world owned by the founding family and bears the name Dassault. The group produces the well-known model aircraft Falcon.
-
Read more here:  http://www.zawya.com/story/Growing_demand_for_small_aircraft-ZAWYA20120725030531/

Faulty valve blamed for oxygen deprivation among F-22 pilots

 

The military believes it has found the source of the potentially deadly oxygen problem that has plagued America's most expensive fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, for years, Pentagon spokesperson George Little said today. 

"I think we have very high confidence that we've identified the issues," Little told reporters, before announcing a long-term plan to lift strict flight restrictions imposed by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on the $79 billion fleet in May. "This is a very prudent way to ensure that we, in a very careful manner, resume normal flight operations." 

The mystery problem with the F-22 Raptor was the subject of an ABC News "Nightline" investigation, which found that since 2008, F-22 pilots have experienced unexplained symptoms of oxygen deprivation -- including confusion, sluggishness and disorientation -- while at the controls of the $420 million-a-pop jets on more than two dozen occasions. In one instance, a pilot became so disoriented that his plane skimmed treetops before he was able to pull up and save himself. The Air Force subjected the F-22 to intense scrutiny for years, including a nearly five-month fleet-wide grounding last year, but was unable to solve the problem. When the grounding was lifted, the service awarded the plane's manufacturer, defense contracting giant Lockheed Martin, a nearly $25 million contract in part to help identify the problem, but still no answer was found. 

 The source of the issue, the Pentagon now says, is believed to be a faulty valve in the high-pressure vest that is worn by the pilots at extreme altitudes -- one that Air Force officials believe is constricting the pilots' ability to breathe. 

"To correct the supply issue and reduce the incidence of hypoxia-like events, the Air Force has made two changes to the aircraft's cockpit life support system," Little said. "First, the Air Force will replace a valve in the upper pressure garment vest worn by pilots during high-altitude missions. The valve was causing the vest to inflate and remain inflated under conditions where it was not designed to do so, thereby causing breathing problems for some pilots... Second, the Air Force has increased the volume of air flowing to pilots by removing a filter that was installed to determine whether there were any contaminants present in the oxygen system. Oxygen contamination was ruled out." 

Read more here:   http://abcnews.go.com

Drought affecting business for crop dusters: Dry weather shrinking demand

WAKARUSA, Ind. – Though Tuesday’s rain helped some, crop dusters are feeling the effects of the drought just like the farmer’s they serve. 

David Eby, owner of AgriFlite Services in Wakarusa, has been flying “aerial application” flights for nearly 40-years and said 2012 has been one of the worst in memory.

"Our business has really grown the last four years, but this year the corn is in such a sorry state that people have not put the money in it like they have the last few years," Eby explained.  “It’s the cost plus the potential return on investment; they’re looking at this corn and watching it dry up in front of them.”

Typically this time of year AgriFlite’s business is mostly focused on applying fungicides, with the dry weather this year demand is way down.

“This is a very unusual year, normally this time of year we’d have 12 other airplanes up here, we bring them in from Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas,” Eby described.  “This year we’re just running our own 5 airplanes and keeping caught up.”

This July AgriFlite has about 30-percent of the workload they would typically have.  The dry weather has attracted pests not normally seen this type of year and that is helping business.

“It’s so dry we have an unusual insect called ‘spider mites’ and they’re breaking out,” explained Eby.  “Been so dry they’ve shown up in corn and we have a lot of seed corn that’s going to be sprayed here in the next couple of days.”

Like most everybody in the agriculture industry, Eby and his employees are praying for more rain.

"We got two inches this morning, so somebody’s been praying,” Eby said.  “Trouble of it is on the corn it's probably too late for a lot of it, it pollinated the last two-weeks and it didn’t have any moisture.”

Eby explained the 2012 might not be too bad for AgriFlite because they have saved money by not contracting more planes and pilots.  Still, he said they’d rather have a good crop to spray.

Source:   http://www.abc57.com/news/local/Drought-affecting-business-for-crop-dusters-163632646.html

Piper PA-25-235, N7313Z: Accident occurred July 23, 2012 in Westerly, Rhode Island

NTSB Identification: ERA12LA474
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2012 in Westerly, RI
Aircraft: PIPER PA-25-235, registration: N7313Z
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

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 July 23, 2012, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25, N7313Z, registered to and operated by Simmons Aviation, was presumed substantially damaged following a forced landing into the Atlantic Ocean, near Westerly, Rhode Island. The certificated airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from Westerly State Airport (WST), Westerly, Rhode Island, about 1445. The banner tow flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed with 25 gallons of fuel, for a 45 minute flight, and had not taken on any fuel that day. About 12 minutes into the flight, the engine began running "roughly", and then it sounded as though the engine misfired before it lost power completely. The pilot subsequently ditched the airplane approximately 6 miles from shore. The pilot transmitted a distress call, and was later rescued by a civilian boat. The airplane was last seen floating east, and to date has not been recovered.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N7313Z



A pilot described his rescue to ABC6, Tuesday, for the first time since his plane went down in Block Island sound the day before. 

 That pilot, Mark Simmons, was back up in the air, Tuesday, to finish the job he started before the crash.

He landed safely at the Westerly Airport. It was a much better landing than Monday's, when he ended up in the water and had to be rescued.   

More good news, the woman he was carrying the "Will you marry me" sign for said yes.

Small plane pilot Mark Simmons took off, Tuesday, the same way he did the day before with the hopes of a better result.

"About ten to twelve minutes into the flight the engine all of a sudden ran rough and then shut off," said Simmons.

Mark was forced to ditch his plane into Block Island Sound. He strapped his landing gear to his body to stay afloat and was stuck in the water for about an hour.

"What was going through my mind was how am I going to live through this," said Simmons, "What can I do to make sure I'm going to live."

He lucked out. Boaters saw him waving his orange shorts around and picked him up. Simmons' eight year old son is so grateful to them he wore the name of their boat on his hat.

"If he went missing and we never saw him again," said Ethan, "Part of my life would be over because he's the instructor I want to get taught to fly by."

And now little Ethan will have that chance. His dad sent a message to him Tuesday, when you fall get right back up and try it again. He flew a marriage proposal banner back to Block Island just a day after he almost lost his life.

 "I want to make sure I take off in an airplane and then come back to the place that I took off, so my son at least knows that every time I go out it doesn't mean I'm not going to come back," said Simmons.

Simmons admits he has crashed before but never this bad. Every weekend in the summer he pulls banners on one of his small planes for special occasions. He loves it and tells us something like this won't make him stop anytime soon.

Source:    http://www.abc6.com

Aircraft, registration unknown, experimental, during taxi, flipped over - Ionia County Airport (Y70) Ionia, Michigan

FAA IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: UNK        Make/Model: EXP       Description: 
  Date: 07/24/2012     Time: 1635

  Event Type: Incident   Highest Injury: Minor     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Unknown

LOCATION
  City: IONIA   State: MI   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT, REGISTRATION UNKNOWN, EXPERIMENTAL, DURING TAXI, FLIPPED OVER, 
  IONIA, MI

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   1     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    


OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Taxi      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: GRAND RAPIDS, MI  (GL09)              Entry date: 07/25/2012 

ORANGE TOWNSHIP, Mich — Michigan State Police are reporting that a man was injured when his experimental aircraft flipped-over.

 The incident happened in Orange Township, at the Ionia County Airport, just before noon Tuesday. Berlin-Orange Township Fire and EMS responded to the airport after receiving a report of an aircraft accident.

Preliminary reports say that a 69 year old Lowell man was injured when his experimental aircraft turned over in a field while taxiing near the runway. He was taken to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids with severe injuries.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration are handling the investigation.
 
Source:    http://www.fox17online.com

IONIA COUNTY, Mich. — An experimental, homebuilt aircraft known as the Midget Mustang flipped forward on the grass about 11:45 a.m. today at the Ionia County Airport, injuring the pilot.   

The pilot, who has not been identified, was taken by LifeEMS to the hospital, but "he is going to be okay," said Margaret Wint, office manager of Benz Aviation, which provides aircraft maintenance, towing, rental and instruction at the Ionia airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified. Ionia County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police responded to the scene.

Source:    http://www.sentinel-standard.com

IONIA COUNTY, MI -- Rescue crews are at the scene of an airplane crash at the Ionia County Airport, with one person injured.

The crash of the experimental plane was reported about 11:40 a.m. and airport staff said the pilot was simply practicing taxiing maneuvers on a grass runway when the accident happened.

Witnesses told dispatchers that the pilot was in and out of consciousness and had a head injury.

Later, ambulance staff reported that the man was 69. He had cuts to his head and was being taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Firefighters at the scene reported that fuel was leaking from the plane's tank.

The crash is the second at the airport, on State Road just south of Ionia, in about two months.

In late May, a 53-year-old Minnesota man competing in a glider competition died when the plane crashed as the pilot came in for a landing.

Source:   http://www.mlive.com

Ten have died in Northeast Mississippi aircraft accidents since 2002

TUPELO - Aberdeen resident John Lee Wilson and his two passengers boarded a single-engine Bonanza aircraft in Hattiesburg on a clear Friday morning, Nov. 21, 2003, and took off toward Okolona.

Wilson, an experienced pilot with more than 3,500 hours in the cockpit, was returning from a football game the previous evening between the University of Southern Mississippi and Texas Christian University. With him were the 22-year-old son and 46-year-old sister of Hattiesburg attorney and family friend Don Medley.

The first hour of the flight passed without incident. But as he approached his business, Wren Body Works, the 59-year-old pilot started flying dangerously low.

Employees who witnessed the aircraft say Wilson buzzed the building, then flew north and turned around to come back. He crossed over U.S. 45 and buzzed the building again before clipping the top of some trees and losing control of the plane.

It went into a tailspin and crashed in an open area near the business, skidding some 100 feet before bursting into flames. Wilson, George Medley and Sarah Andrews all died from massive head trauma.

"The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing result(ed) in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain," according to the play-by-play accident report published by the National Transportation Safety Board, which also cited as a crash factor "the pilot's ostentatious display."

The incident is one of 29 aircraft accidents - five of them fatal - that have occurred in Northeast Mississippi, and one of 169 statewide, since January 2002. Ten people died in those wrecks; 61 lost their lives statewide.

These aren't unusual numbers. Aircraft accidents - usually involving small, private planes - occur almost daily across the nation. Smaller states like Delaware witnessed as little as two dozen in the past decade, while larger ones like California have seen hundreds.

Human error usually is to blame, according to Tupelo Regional Airport Executive Director Josh Abramson.

"Flying an aircraft is probably one of the safest means of transportation, with the caveat that it's one of the most unforgiving for mistakes," said Abramson, also a pilot. "If you don't put enough gas in car, you pull over on the side of the road. If don't put enough in an airplane, you're forced to land. Or if you don't pay attention to the weather, you're in trouble."

The NTSB blamed human error on more than four of every five Northeast Mississippi aircraft accidents whose causes have been determined. Mechanical problems caused just four incidents. Four others, including the July 8 crash near New Site that claimed three lives, remain under investigation.

Northeast Mississippi has the state's second-highest number of air-related accidents and second-highest number of fatalities in the past decade, according to NTSB data.

Ten people died in five of the 29 accidents.

The sprawling Delta region claims the most accidents with 39, but the third-most fatalities. Eight deaths out of five crashes.

Jackson's populous metro area saw the most fatalities. Thirteen people died in six of its 25 aircraft accidents in the past decade.

The Gulf Coast had 21 accidents during the same time period. Two were fatal, and two people died.

Read more, photos, map and comments:  djournal.com - Ten have died in Northeast Mississippi aircraft accidents since 2002

NTSB Identification: MIA04FA023.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Friday, November 21, 2003 in Okolona, MS
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/28/2006
Aircraft: Beech G35, registration: N4214D
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

The flight departed under visual flight rules and shortly after takeoff the pilot obtained his instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance to the destination airport. The flight continued and air traffic control (ATC) communications were transferred to several ATC facilities. The pilot cancelled his IFR clearance when the flight was near the destination airport and he proceeded to fly to his business location and was noted to be "buzzing." While flying low witnesses noted the airplane collided with the tops of trees, then either entered a "spin", or "spiraled" and impacted the ground. A postcrash fire consumed the cockpit, cabin, and section of the left wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed for roll, pitch, and yaw. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's intentional low altitude maneuver and buzzing resulting in collision with trees, uncontrolled descent, and in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the pilot's ostentatious display.

HUGHES 269C, N9679F: Accident occurred July 24, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida

NTSB Identification: ERA12LA477 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 24, 2012 in St. Petersburg, FL
Aircraft: HUGHES 269C, registration: N9679F
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

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 July 24, 2012, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9679F, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and an uncontrolled descent during hover over the owner's business property in St. Petersburg, Florida. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the pilot the helicopter's last annual inspection was completed 12 years prior to the accident flight. On the day of the accident he decided to fly it to lubricate the parts. After liftoff, he brought the helicopter to a hover about 25 feet in the air and initiated some pedal turns. The nose of the helicopter then began to drift towards the right. He applied left pedal but did not experience a response. The helicopter then continued to circle; the pilot dropped the collective, the helicopter impacted the ground on the left skid, struck a fence, and then rolled over on its left side.

According to witnesses the helicopter hovered about 50 feet in the air. It did not circle but, appeared to move side to side, and was described as being out of control before it impacted the ground.

Post accident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the helicopter which would have precluded normal operation. During the examination it was discovered however, that the cyclic control system would not move freely as the friction lock was on.

According to FAA and maintenance records, the helicopter was manufactured in 1971. At the time of accident, the helicopter had accrued approximately 2,393 total hours of operation.

According to FAA and pilot records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and rotorcraft-helicopter. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on April 26, 2012. He reported that he had accrued 1,183 total hours of flight experience, of which, 365 hours were in the accident helicopter make and model.

The reported weather at Albert Whitted Airport (SPG), St. Petersburg, Florida, at 1900, included: winds 250 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 29 degrees C, dew point 26 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.

FAA IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 9679F        Make/Model: H269      Description: 269, 200, 280, 300, TH-300, SKY KNIGHT (
  Date: 07/24/2012     Time: 2250

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

LOCATION
  City: SAINT PETERSBURG   State: FL   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  N9679F HUGHES 269 ROTORCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, SAINT 
  PETERSBURG, FL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     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: Unknown      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: TAMPA, FL  (SO35)                     Entry date: 07/25/2012 

 http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=9679F

 

 [LARA CERRI | Times]

LEALMAN — A small helicopter crashed into a fence Tuesday night at a salvage yard in the 3600 block of 45th Avenue N. 

The crash occurred about 6:50 p.m. as the pilot, Wayne Parker, was taking off in the Hughes 300 two-seater helicopter from a field in the salvage yard, fire officials said. Parker noticed a problem with the tail rotor just before he crashed.

When rescue personnel arrived, they found Parker, the aircraft's lone occupant, standing outside the helicopter. He was not injured.

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies secured the scene of the crash while waiting for officials from the Federal Aviation Administration to arrive. The National Transportation Safety Board will also conduct an investigation.

"My guess is the blades hit the fence, but that's not his story," said Lealman Fire District Capt. Jim Millican.

Parker, 60, has the helicopter for his personal use and regularly parks it at the salvage yard, authorities said. He is the owner of A-1 Key & Safe on 54th Avenue N, authorities said.

Fire officials said Parker told them he did not wish to speak with the media Tuesday evening.

 http://www.tampabay.com


ST. PETERSBURG — Authorities are on the scene of a helicopter crash at a salvage yard in the 3600 block of 45th Avenue N. 

Fire officials received the call of the crash at about 6:50 p.m. When they arrived, they found the pilot, who was the lone occupant, outside of the helicopter. He was not injured.

Authorities identified him as Wayne Parker, 60, and said he used the helicopter for personal use. He is the owner of A-1 Key & Safe on 54th Avenue N, officials said.

Fire officials said Parker parks his helicopter in a nearby field and was taking off Tuesday evening when he noticed a problem with his tail rotor. The helicopter then crashed into a fence, officials said.

Officials said the helicopter is a 2-seater. They identified it as a Hughes 300.

Fire officials said Parker told them he did not wish to speak with the media Tuesday evening.

No other details were immediately available, but check back with tampabay.com for more information.

Source:  http://www.tampabay.com

 ST. PETERSBURG --  A helicopter has crashed in the Lealman area of St. Petersburg.

It happened at 46th Avenue N. and 35 Street N.

The reports came in about 7 p.m.

In a phone interview, Lealman Fire District Capt. Jim Millican said the pilot, identified as 60-year-old Wayne Park, was operating a Hughes 300-type aircraft. The pilot took off and somehow the tail rotor came apart and the chopper crashed, according to Millican.

The pilot was not injured. There were also no reports of injuries on the ground.

The FAA is headed to the scene.

Source:  http://www.baynews9.com

 St. Petersburg, Florida -- A helicopter lost a tail rotor and spun to the ground in Lealman tonight, the sheriffs office reported.

The crash happened at the A1 Key & Safe, 4550 35th Street North shortly before 7 p.m.

Owner/pilot Wayne Parker, 60, who keeps the Hughes 300 helicopter at his business, said he was moving the helicopter by hovering to another locaton on the property when he lost a tail rotor, went into a spin and crashed into a fence.

He was not injured.

No fuel was spilled, and there was no fire.

The FAA and NTSB have been notified and will conduct the investigation, the sheriff's office said.

Source:  http://www.wtsp.com

Search for downed plane called off - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge Police have called off the search for a reported downed ultralight plane in a wooded area in the 14000 block of South Choctaw Drive, Baton Rouge Police spokesman Cpl. Tommy Stubbs said. 

Stubbs said police, the Civil Air Patrol and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, utilizing the department’s helicopter, all searched for the plane but nothing was ever found.

Source:   http://theadvocate.com