MENLO PARK, Calif. — Residents should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying airplane over the northern Sacramento Valley and surrounding hills starting around August 17.
For about two months, an airplane operated under contract to the U.S. Geological Survey will be making low-level flights over parts of northern Sacramento Valley, from the western margin to the eastern margin of the valleys. The survey will cover as far north as the city of Shasta Lake and as far south as Stony Gorge Reservoir. The survey will cover the cities of Redding, Red Bluff, Orland, and numerous other towns in the area with the purpose of collecting and recording geologic measurements.
Anyone observing the low-flying plane should not be alarmed when they see it fly over or pass below the horizon. The airplane is operated by experienced pilots who are specially trained for low-level flying.
This survey is designed to remotely study geologic and hydrologic units that lie below land surface. It is part of an ongoing USGS program to identify hidden features such as changes in rock types, ultimately providing a better understanding of the geology and hydrology of the area.
The airplane is operated by Firefly Aviation of Calgary, Canada, which is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure flights are in accordance with U.S. law.
Editor: In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the USGS is announcing this low-level airborne project. Your assistance in informing the local communities is appreciated.
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3365#.UC2eSpb3u70
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Jetstar A320-232, VH-VQA: Flight under investigation; Incorrect aircraft configuration near Queenstown International Airport, New Zealand, July 16, 2012
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating a Jetstar flight which flew lower than it was supposed to part way through its descent into Queenstown.
The incident happened on an Airbus A320 flight from Auckland to Queenstown on July 16.
"During descent, the crew had an incorrect descent profile selected and subsequently descended below the minimum safe altitude," the ATSB said.
Jetstar said the plane's pilots had reported that on approach an incorrect autopilot setting resulted in the aircraft going off its pre-determined track.
"This never put the aircraft in danger and the incident didn't trigger any cockpit alerts. The pilots realised the error and corrected it promptly. Even if the error had not been corrected, the aircraft would still have landed safely," Jetstar said.
The two pilots had a combined total of 23,000 hours experience and have been flying in-and-out of Queenstown for the past two years without incident.
A company spokesman said that for a short time when the plane was supposed to be at 7300 feet (2225 metres) it had dropped down to 6300 feet, and had then gone back up to 7300 feet.
The ATSB expects to have its investigation finished by November.
http://www.stuff.co.nz
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2012/aair/ao-2012-103.aspx
The incident happened on an Airbus A320 flight from Auckland to Queenstown on July 16.
"During descent, the crew had an incorrect descent profile selected and subsequently descended below the minimum safe altitude," the ATSB said.
Jetstar said the plane's pilots had reported that on approach an incorrect autopilot setting resulted in the aircraft going off its pre-determined track.
"This never put the aircraft in danger and the incident didn't trigger any cockpit alerts. The pilots realised the error and corrected it promptly. Even if the error had not been corrected, the aircraft would still have landed safely," Jetstar said.
The two pilots had a combined total of 23,000 hours experience and have been flying in-and-out of Queenstown for the past two years without incident.
A company spokesman said that for a short time when the plane was supposed to be at 7300 feet (2225 metres) it had dropped down to 6300 feet, and had then gone back up to 7300 feet.
The ATSB expects to have its investigation finished by November.
http://www.stuff.co.nz
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2012/aair/ao-2012-103.aspx
RAW VIDEO: August 06, 2012 - NORAD Fighters Intercept Two General Aviation Aircraft - Long Island, New York
Aug 6, 2012 by LIBEACH19 T
"This video was taken on 8-6-12 at approximately 7:20pm. I heard my house shake andt hough a plane was going to crash. To my surprise I looked up in the sky and found several fighter jets flying across the sky. I was able to capture this single jet majestically flying. The location of this video was on the South Shore of Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. The exact location was Bellport. UPDATE: I found out that two F-15 fighter jets intercepted two separate private planes flying in a "NO FLY ZONE" while the president was campaigning in the tri-state area. One of the fighter jets forced one of the private planes to land at Islip Airport where Secret Service and police were waiting for this plane to land.. This is an example that a lot has changed since 911. While we go about our day and rest our eyes, our Military is protecting us 24 hours a day.... God Bless America...."
Aug. 6, 2012
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Two F-15 fighters under the direction of the North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted two general aviation aircraft during separate responses.
The fighters intercepted the first aircraft at approximately 7:00 p.m. EDT over Long Island, NY after it entered the temporary flight restricted area. After intercepting the aircraft, the F-15’s followed it until it landed without incident, where the plane was met by local law enforcement. The second aircraft was intercepted at approximately 7:30 p.m. EDT near New Haven, CT in the temporary flight restricted area. Following the intercept the aircraft was allowed to proceed to its destination.
Read more: http://www.norad.mil/News/2012/080612.html
Piper PA-30, Canadian Registration C-GLGJ: Accident occurred August 13, 2012 in Kelowna, Canada
NTSB Identification: ANC12WA087
14 CFR Unknown
Accident occurred Monday, August 13, 2012 in Kelowna, Canada
Aircraft: PIPER PA-30, registration: C-GLGJ
Injuries: 1 Fatal,3 Serious.
On August 13, 2012, about 1729 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, (Canadian Registration C-GLGJ) was on a VFR flight plan from Penticton to Boundary Bay, British Columbia. The Canadian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received an ELT signal, and a search was commenced. The aircraft had crashed in a wooded area near the Brenda Lake mine site, approximately 18 nm west of Kelowna, BC. One of the occupants was deceased, and the other three were transported to the hospital with critical injuries.
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Canadian government. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Canadian government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th Floor
Hull, Quebec K1A 1K8
Canada
Tel.: (1) 819-994-4252
(1) 819-997-7887 (24 hour)
E-mail: airops@tsb.gc.ca
Fax: (1) 819-953-9586
Website: http://www.tsb.gc.ca
Friends said Jayson Dallas
Wesley Smith and Lauren Sewell were a good match. On Thursday, the BC Coroners Service confirmed both were killed in a plane crash near Kelowna Monday.
B.C.'s chief coroner announced Thursday morning that Sewell died in hospital the day after a four-seat Piper Twin Commanche crashed 30 kilometres west of Kelowna Monday afternoon.
She was the girlfriend of 30-year-old Jayson Dallas Wesley Smith, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was a Vancouver resident who grew up in the White Rock area.
Two survivors of the crash reportedly remain in hospitals in Kamloops and Vancouver in critical condition. Their identities have not yet been released.
According to an employee of the company listed as a registered owner of the airplane, Maplewood Landscaping in Delta, one survivor is a family member of one of the business owners.
In her Thursday statement, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said that with the consent of her family, Sewell became an organ donor.
"The BC Coroners Service commends the family for the generosity of their decision in a time of immense grief," Lapointe said.
Friends of Smith and Sewell said the two became a couple after Smith returned from a nearly year-long trip around the world in 2011.
Alexis Bennett, a long-time friend of Smith, described Sewell a "super-nice girl."
"She was a good fit for Dallas because she was so calm and centered."
When Smith turned 30 on June 30, Sewell bought him flying lessons as a birthday present.
It isn't clear whether the flight they were on was part of the gift.
Sewell attended Elgin Park Secondary school in South Surrey, while Smith went to Semiahmoo Secondary.
Even though each moved to Vancouver after finishing high school, they made regular trips back to the Peninsula to visit, friends said.
On Tuesday, friends held an informal memorial get-together for Smith, remembered as an avid outdoorsman and traveller who possessed great personal charm.
As well, friends and family of Dallas Smith have established a memorial fund in his memory. Donations can be made to the account "Pamela Smith in trust" at any branch of the Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, and has appealed for witnesses.
The wreckage has been removed from the site and the next phase is a detailed examination of the evidence, said TSB investigator Bill Yearwood, noting all parts of the plane have been accounted for.
That's not always the case with crashes of this kind, Yearwood said. The plane had a full gas tank and the impact could easily have sparked an evidence-destroying fire, as was the case with a floatplane crash in the same area four months ago.
In Monday's crash, the plane was found in a treed area not far from a large clearing on the Brenda Mines site, a few kilometres beyond the Brenda Mines turnoff.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria was first notified that the flight had gone down around 3 p.m. when an emergency beacon was triggered by the impact. The pilot had not placed a distress call.
A Buffalo search and rescue plane located the crash site by 5 p.m. Rescuers parachuted into the scene to find the plane in pieces and only one person still conscious.
Yearwood said there is little information so far to determine what the pilot was attempting to do.
"We're hoping to find people who may have seen the flight go down," said Yearwood. "We only have one person who thinks they may have seen the flight in its last moments."
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the TSB at 604-666-5826.
http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/166462476.html
14 CFR Unknown
Accident occurred Monday, August 13, 2012 in Kelowna, Canada
Aircraft: PIPER PA-30, registration: C-GLGJ
Injuries: 1 Fatal,3 Serious.
On August 13, 2012, about 1729 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, (Canadian Registration C-GLGJ) was on a VFR flight plan from Penticton to Boundary Bay, British Columbia. The Canadian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received an ELT signal, and a search was commenced. The aircraft had crashed in a wooded area near the Brenda Lake mine site, approximately 18 nm west of Kelowna, BC. One of the occupants was deceased, and the other three were transported to the hospital with critical injuries.
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Canadian government. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Canadian government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th Floor
Hull, Quebec K1A 1K8
Canada
Tel.: (1) 819-994-4252
(1) 819-997-7887 (24 hour)
E-mail: airops@tsb.gc.ca
Fax: (1) 819-953-9586
Website: http://www.tsb.gc.ca
Friends said Jayson Dallas
Wesley Smith and Lauren Sewell were a good match. On Thursday, the BC Coroners Service confirmed both were killed in a plane crash near Kelowna Monday. 
Jayson Dallas
Wesley Smith
Lauren Sewell, 24, was enrolled in BCIT's first-year human resources program.
A second fatality in this week's plane crash near Kelowna has been
identified as 24-year-old Lauren Patricia Sewell, a Vancouver resident
originally from South Surrey.
B.C.'s chief coroner announced Thursday morning that Sewell died in hospital the day after a four-seat Piper Twin Commanche crashed 30 kilometres west of Kelowna Monday afternoon.
She was the girlfriend of 30-year-old Jayson Dallas Wesley Smith, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was a Vancouver resident who grew up in the White Rock area.
Two survivors of the crash reportedly remain in hospitals in Kamloops and Vancouver in critical condition. Their identities have not yet been released.
According to an employee of the company listed as a registered owner of the airplane, Maplewood Landscaping in Delta, one survivor is a family member of one of the business owners.
In her Thursday statement, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said that with the consent of her family, Sewell became an organ donor.
"The BC Coroners Service commends the family for the generosity of their decision in a time of immense grief," Lapointe said.
Friends of Smith and Sewell said the two became a couple after Smith returned from a nearly year-long trip around the world in 2011.
Alexis Bennett, a long-time friend of Smith, described Sewell a "super-nice girl."
"She was a good fit for Dallas because she was so calm and centered."
When Smith turned 30 on June 30, Sewell bought him flying lessons as a birthday present.
It isn't clear whether the flight they were on was part of the gift.
Sewell attended Elgin Park Secondary school in South Surrey, while Smith went to Semiahmoo Secondary.
Even though each moved to Vancouver after finishing high school, they made regular trips back to the Peninsula to visit, friends said.
On Tuesday, friends held an informal memorial get-together for Smith, remembered as an avid outdoorsman and traveller who possessed great personal charm.
As well, friends and family of Dallas Smith have established a memorial fund in his memory. Donations can be made to the account "Pamela Smith in trust" at any branch of the Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.
Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, and has appealed for witnesses.
The wreckage has been removed from the site and the next phase is a detailed examination of the evidence, said TSB investigator Bill Yearwood, noting all parts of the plane have been accounted for.
That's not always the case with crashes of this kind, Yearwood said. The plane had a full gas tank and the impact could easily have sparked an evidence-destroying fire, as was the case with a floatplane crash in the same area four months ago.
In Monday's crash, the plane was found in a treed area not far from a large clearing on the Brenda Mines site, a few kilometres beyond the Brenda Mines turnoff.
The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria was first notified that the flight had gone down around 3 p.m. when an emergency beacon was triggered by the impact. The pilot had not placed a distress call.
A Buffalo search and rescue plane located the crash site by 5 p.m. Rescuers parachuted into the scene to find the plane in pieces and only one person still conscious.
Yearwood said there is little information so far to determine what the pilot was attempting to do.
"We're hoping to find people who may have seen the flight go down," said Yearwood. "We only have one person who thinks they may have seen the flight in its last moments."
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the TSB at 604-666-5826.
http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/166462476.html
Landing at Vegas in a Cessna Citation V: Showers and a 25 kts crosswind on the approach to runway 19R
Crew:
Guido Warnecke
Mike Piraru
Landing at Las Vegas (KLAS) runway 19R
Rain showers and strong crosswinds
N365EA Citation V
August 11, 2012
Mike Piraru
Landing at Las Vegas (KLAS) runway 19R
Rain showers and strong crosswinds
N365EA Citation V
August 11, 2012
Piper PA-38-112, United Kingdom registration G-BODP: Accident occurred August 16, 2012 in Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom
NTSB Identification: CEN12WA562
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Thursday, August 16, 2012 in Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Aircraft: PIPER PA-38-112, registration: G-BODP
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On August 16, 2012, about 1940 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, United Kingdom registration G-BODP, impacted terrain during an instructional flight near Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The local flight departed from Hawarden Airport (EGNR).
On August 16, 2012, about 1940 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, United Kingdom registration G-BODP, impacted terrain during an instructional flight near Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The local flight departed from Hawarden Airport (EGNR).
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained from the government of the United Kingdom.
Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Farnborough House
Berkshire Copse Road
Aldershot, Hampshire
GU11 2HH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0) 1252 510300
Website: http://www.aaib.gov.uk
Email: enquiries@aaib.gov.uk
Police guard the area in a field where the pilot and passenger came down in a light aircraft last night near Chester
Police investigations are underway after two men were killed in a light aircraft crash near Chester.
Air accident investigators are currently at the scene. The bodies are still thought to be in the wreckage.
A police helicopter is also at scene of the crash, where it will help search for the wreckage.
Emergency services were called to a field near Chapel Lane, Aldfrod, where crews found a two seater plane had crashed into a field yesterday evening.
The two men on board the aircraft, one from North Wales and a second man from Surrey, sustained fatal injuries.
Story and photos: http://www.itv.com
Two men have been killed in a light aircraft crash on England’s border with Wales. Police have confirmed their plane came down near the village of Churton, south of Chester, last night.
The two victims of the crash have not yet been named.
'Sadly the two men on board the aircraft, one from North Wales and a second man from Surrey, sustained fatal injuries,' a Cheshire Police spokeswoman said today.
'Their next of kin have been informed but formal identification has not yet taken place.'
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said last night it was called to Chapel Lane, Aldford, at 8.45pm after reports that a light aircraft crashed in a field.
'Two fire engines from Chester went to the scene and on arrival crews found a two-seater plane had crashed into a field,' a spokesman said.
'Police and paramedics were also on the scene and firefighters assisted them in gaining access to the aircraft which contained two men.'
Story and photo: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
9:13pm: A short while ago a light aircraft crashed near the English/Welsh border this evening, sadly with reports of two fatalities. One of our reporters is en route to Chapel Lane, Saighton where the incident took place.
UPDATE 10:45pm:
The light aircraft, incorrectly reported locally to be a ‘glider’, crashed to the north east of Wrexham just outside of Alford.
The crash site is located by the eastern / waverton approach to the Grosvenor estate, home of the Duke of Westminster, just off Chapel Lane near the hamlet of Bruera .
When we arrived on the scene, several emergency vehicles were parked outside the local church including one fire engine and several police and medical cars.
Currently a recovery operation is underway with the scene illuminated by emergency vehicles, as pictured in the distance.
Police say the plane was reported ‘missing’ at 20:55 this evening and a police helicopter spotted the wreckage. They went on to say “Two fire engines from Chester went to the scene and on arrival crews found a two-seater plane had crashed into a field. Police and paramedics were also on the scene and firefighters assisted them in gaining access to the aircraft which contained two men.”
Cheshire Police also told us Air Accident Investigation Branch have been informed.
UPDATE 00:45
The plane involved is a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk. The plane is two seater and often used for training purposes with a cruising speed of 103 mph. Local flying schools around Chester & Liverpool all have fleets of this type of aircraft for day & night training purposes.
http://www.wrexham.com
A light aircraft with two people on board has crashed in Cheshire, police said.
The aircraft came down near the village of Churton, south of Chester and close to the border with Wales, a Cheshire Police spokesman said.
He was unable to confirm the condition of the pilot or passenger.
"Police remain at the scene and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been informed," he said.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Chapel Lane, Aldford, at 8.45pm on Thursday after reports of a light aircraft crashed in a field.
"Two fire engines from Chester went to the scene and on arrival crews found a two-seater plane had crashed into a field," a spokesman said.
"Police and paramedics were also on the scene and firefighters assisted them in gaining access to the aircraft which contained two men."
North West Ambulance Service said it sent an ambulance and two rapid response vehicles to Chapel Lane but they were not used.
http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk
14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Thursday, August 16, 2012 in Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Aircraft: PIPER PA-38-112, registration: G-BODP
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On August 16, 2012, about 1940 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, United Kingdom registration G-BODP, impacted terrain during an instructional flight near Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The local flight departed from Hawarden Airport (EGNR).
On August 16, 2012, about 1940 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, United Kingdom registration G-BODP, impacted terrain during an instructional flight near Bruera, Cheshire, United Kingdom. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The local flight departed from Hawarden Airport (EGNR).
The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained from the government of the United Kingdom.
Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:
Air Accidents Investigation Branch
Farnborough House
Berkshire Copse Road
Aldershot, Hampshire
GU11 2HH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0) 1252 510300
Website: http://www.aaib.gov.uk
Email: enquiries@aaib.gov.uk
Police guard the area in a field where the pilot and passenger came down in a light aircraft last night near Chester
Police helicopter at the scene
Credit: Andy Bonner
Two men have been killed in a light aircraft crash near Chester.
Credit: Andy Bonner
Air accident investigators are currently at the scene. The bodies are still thought to be in the wreckage.
A police helicopter is also at scene of the crash, where it will help search for the wreckage.
Emergency services were called to a field near Chapel Lane, Aldfrod, where crews found a two seater plane had crashed into a field yesterday evening.
The two men on board the aircraft, one from North Wales and a second man from Surrey, sustained fatal injuries.
Story and photos: http://www.itv.com
Two men have been killed in a light aircraft crash on England’s border with Wales. Police have confirmed their plane came down near the village of Churton, south of Chester, last night.
The two victims of the crash have not yet been named.
'Sadly the two men on board the aircraft, one from North Wales and a second man from Surrey, sustained fatal injuries,' a Cheshire Police spokeswoman said today.
'Their next of kin have been informed but formal identification has not yet taken place.'
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said last night it was called to Chapel Lane, Aldford, at 8.45pm after reports that a light aircraft crashed in a field.
'Two fire engines from Chester went to the scene and on arrival crews found a two-seater plane had crashed into a field,' a spokesman said.
'Police and paramedics were also on the scene and firefighters assisted them in gaining access to the aircraft which contained two men.'
Story and photo: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
9:13pm: A short while ago a light aircraft crashed near the English/Welsh border this evening, sadly with reports of two fatalities. One of our reporters is en route to Chapel Lane, Saighton where the incident took place.
UPDATE 10:45pm:
The light aircraft, incorrectly reported locally to be a ‘glider’, crashed to the north east of Wrexham just outside of Alford.
The crash site is located by the eastern / waverton approach to the Grosvenor estate, home of the Duke of Westminster, just off Chapel Lane near the hamlet of Bruera .
When we arrived on the scene, several emergency vehicles were parked outside the local church including one fire engine and several police and medical cars.
Currently a recovery operation is underway with the scene illuminated by emergency vehicles, as pictured in the distance.
Police say the plane was reported ‘missing’ at 20:55 this evening and a police helicopter spotted the wreckage. They went on to say “Two fire engines from Chester went to the scene and on arrival crews found a two-seater plane had crashed into a field. Police and paramedics were also on the scene and firefighters assisted them in gaining access to the aircraft which contained two men.”
Cheshire Police also told us Air Accident Investigation Branch have been informed.
UPDATE 00:45
The plane involved is a Piper PA-38 Tomahawk. The plane is two seater and often used for training purposes with a cruising speed of 103 mph. Local flying schools around Chester & Liverpool all have fleets of this type of aircraft for day & night training purposes.
http://www.wrexham.com
A light aircraft with two people on board has crashed in Cheshire, police said.
The aircraft came down near the village of Churton, south of Chester and close to the border with Wales, a Cheshire Police spokesman said.
He was unable to confirm the condition of the pilot or passenger.
"Police remain at the scene and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has been informed," he said.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Chapel Lane, Aldford, at 8.45pm on Thursday after reports of a light aircraft crashed in a field.
"Two fire engines from Chester went to the scene and on arrival crews found a two-seater plane had crashed into a field," a spokesman said.
"Police and paramedics were also on the scene and firefighters assisted them in gaining access to the aircraft which contained two men."
North West Ambulance Service said it sent an ambulance and two rapid response vehicles to Chapel Lane but they were not used.
http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk
Beech A36TC Bonanza 36, N678DR: Accident occurred August 15, 2012 in Clifton Park, New York
NTSB Identification: ERA12FA508
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012 in Clifton Park, NY
Aircraft: BEECH A36TC, registration: N678DR
Injuries: 1 Fatal,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 August 15, 2012, at 0727 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N678DR, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing near Clifton Park, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured, and the certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight departed from Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York at 0724, and was destined for Plattsburg Airport (PBG), Plattsburg, New York. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Review of preliminary air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed that the airplane departed from runway 01 at ALB, turned northeast, and continued to climb. At 0725, at an altitude of 1,100 feet msl, the pilot advised air traffic control, “eight delta romeo just lost our engine”. No further transmissions were received from the flight, and radar contact was lost about 30 seconds later at an altitude of 300 feet msl.
According to FAA records, the left seat pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land, as well as a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 1, 2012, at which time he reported 10,691 total hours of flight experience. The pilot seated in the right seat held a commercial pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on December 20, 2011.
The accident site was located in a residential area approximately 3 miles northeast of ALB. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 150 feet in length, oriented approximately 320 degrees magnetic, extended through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of right wing, right wing tip fuel tank, and ailerons were located approximately 40 feet prior to where the fuselage came to rest between two pine trees. The left wing was located approximately 20 feet beyond the fuselage along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and 2 of the 3 propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage. One blade was bent aft about 45 degrees near the mid-span point and the other blade was bent aft about 90 degrees near the mid-span point. None of the blades exhibited chordwise scratching or leading edge gouging.
Watch the NTSB press conference in its entirety
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- "So there's one of the wings," said Waterford resident Matthew Rushkowski. "Where's the other one?"
A steady stream of curious onlookers made their way to Van Vranken Road in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry to see the wreckage from the deadly plane crash that killed prominent businessman Walter Uccellini and left his second in command, James Quinn, critically injured. Most were looking for answers as well.
"It's not every day you have a plane crash in Clifton Park. It's just...I mean, it's not every day you hear of a plane crash," Rushkowski said.
Family members of the victims were also at the crash site, seeking closure. NTSB investigators are still combing the scene for clues.
"We have recovered three pieces of electronic equipment, electronic devices that were either handheld in nature or installed in the airplane that we hope may contain recorded data," said NTSB Air Safety Investigator Dennis Diaz.
Quinn was named as the pilot of the Beechcraft that took off from Albany International Airport Wednesday morning for an ill-fated trip to Plattsburgh. Officials said both Uccellini and Quinn were certified as pilots. Complicating the investigation was that the plane was equipped with dual controls where both men were seated.
Diaz said, "It can be sometimes difficult to make an exact determination of who may have been flying the plane at any one particular point."
Though engine trouble was initially reported, NTSB officials said naming a cause will take some time. A preliminary report will be issued in 5 to 10 days. In 9 to 12 months they will release a factual report which will contain all the information they've gathered throughout the investigation. About three months after that, a probable cause will be named.
Watch Video: http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com
Watch the NTSB press conference in its entirety
http://registry.faa.gov/N678DR
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N678DR
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012 in Clifton Park, NY
Aircraft: BEECH A36TC, registration: N678DR
Injuries: 1 Fatal,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 August 15, 2012, at 0727 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N678DR, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing near Clifton Park, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured, and the certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight departed from Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York at 0724, and was destined for Plattsburg Airport (PBG), Plattsburg, New York. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Review of preliminary air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed that the airplane departed from runway 01 at ALB, turned northeast, and continued to climb. At 0725, at an altitude of 1,100 feet msl, the pilot advised air traffic control, “eight delta romeo just lost our engine”. No further transmissions were received from the flight, and radar contact was lost about 30 seconds later at an altitude of 300 feet msl.
According to FAA records, the left seat pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land, as well as a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 1, 2012, at which time he reported 10,691 total hours of flight experience. The pilot seated in the right seat held a commercial pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on December 20, 2011.
The accident site was located in a residential area approximately 3 miles northeast of ALB. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 150 feet in length, oriented approximately 320 degrees magnetic, extended through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of right wing, right wing tip fuel tank, and ailerons were located approximately 40 feet prior to where the fuselage came to rest between two pine trees. The left wing was located approximately 20 feet beyond the fuselage along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and 2 of the 3 propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage. One blade was bent aft about 45 degrees near the mid-span point and the other blade was bent aft about 90 degrees near the mid-span point. None of the blades exhibited chordwise scratching or leading edge gouging.
Watch the NTSB press conference in its entirety
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- "So there's one of the wings," said Waterford resident Matthew Rushkowski. "Where's the other one?"
A steady stream of curious onlookers made their way to Van Vranken Road in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry to see the wreckage from the deadly plane crash that killed prominent businessman Walter Uccellini and left his second in command, James Quinn, critically injured. Most were looking for answers as well.
"It's not every day you have a plane crash in Clifton Park. It's just...I mean, it's not every day you hear of a plane crash," Rushkowski said.
Family members of the victims were also at the crash site, seeking closure. NTSB investigators are still combing the scene for clues.
"We have recovered three pieces of electronic equipment, electronic devices that were either handheld in nature or installed in the airplane that we hope may contain recorded data," said NTSB Air Safety Investigator Dennis Diaz.
Quinn was named as the pilot of the Beechcraft that took off from Albany International Airport Wednesday morning for an ill-fated trip to Plattsburgh. Officials said both Uccellini and Quinn were certified as pilots. Complicating the investigation was that the plane was equipped with dual controls where both men were seated.
Diaz said, "It can be sometimes difficult to make an exact determination of who may have been flying the plane at any one particular point."
Though engine trouble was initially reported, NTSB officials said naming a cause will take some time. A preliminary report will be issued in 5 to 10 days. In 9 to 12 months they will release a factual report which will contain all the information they've gathered throughout the investigation. About three months after that, a probable cause will be named.
Watch Video: http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com
Watch the NTSB press conference in its entirety
http://registry.faa.gov/N678DR
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N678DR
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 678DR Make/Model: BE36 Description: 36 Bonanza
Date: 08/15/2012 Time: 1210
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: CLIFTON PARK State: NY Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE, THERE WERE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD, 1
WAS FATALLY INJURED, 1 SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES, CLIFTON PARK, NY
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 2 Fat: 1 Ser: 1 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: ALBANY, NY (EA01) Entry date: 08/16/2012
SCENE VIDEO: Pilot suffers life-threatening injuries in ultralight plane crash near Calgary
RCMP officers at the scene of an ultralight plane crash in a canola field south of the Indus ultralight airstrip east of Calgary, Alberta, on August 16, 2012. (QMI Agency/MIKE DREW)
RCMP officers at the scene of an ultralight plane crash in a canola field south of the Indus ultralight airstrip east of Calgary, Alberta, on August 16, 2012. One person was injured and taken to hospital by STARS air ambulance. MIKE DREW/CALGARY SUN/QMI AGENCY
A member of the Strathmore RCMP inspects the wreckage of an ultralight plane after it crashed into a canola field south of Indus Thursday.
Photograph by: Colleen De Neve, Calgary Herald
Pilot hospitalized after plane crash east of Calgary
A man in his fifties is in hospital with serious injuries after his ultralight plane crashed near Indus, east of Calgary.
He is stable condition although he suffered potentially life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses say the plane climbed about 130 metres after taking off from the Indus Winters airport, when it suddenly began to descend. It then disappeared below the horizon.
The witnesses launched a search and found the ultralight in a canola field about two kilometres south of the Indus airport.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and the STARS air ambulance flew the pilot to Calgary’s Foothills Hospital.
Strathmore RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
A man in his 50s suffered serious, possibly life-threatening injuries in an ultralight plane crash on Thursday afternoon.
A light blue ultralight plane crashed into a thick field of canola Thursday afternoon south of Indus.
Witnesses say the single engine plane took off from the Indus Winters airport around 12:30 p.m., reaching a height of 400 feet before disappearing behind the trees, according to Strathmore RCMP Cpl. Mark Harrison.
The two people from the airport then went and checked on him, finding the pilot unconscious under the plane.
Emergency crews — including the RCMP, EMS and STARS air ambulance — were all called to the scene by the airport, which is off Highway 22X at Range Road 282.
The plane was single engine with 20 foot wingspans and a canvas outerlay.
"There is extensive damage," Harrison said.
Once paramedics arrived, the man was taken for medical care. At the scene he was determined to have suffered serious, possibly life-threatening injuries.
"The crews on scene found him beside the airplane so he might have been extricated by one of the witnesses on scene," said EMS spokesman Ryan Collyer.
The man was taken to the Foothills Medical Centre by STARS.
Strathmore RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are investigating the crash.
F-16 Jet Crashes in Northern Belgium; Birdstrike Suspected
Photo: http://www.hbvl.be/limburg/peer/f16-neergestort-in-kleine-brogel.aspx
An F-16 fighter jet crashed in northern Belgium while on a training mission from the Kleine- Brogel air base near the town of Peer, the country’s military said. No one was injured.
The accident occurred at 3:01 p.m. local time about one kilometer from the Kleine-Brogel base, the military said today in an emailed statement. The pilot was able to eject and was found safe, it said. No one else was hurt in the incident, Belga newswire reported.
An investigation is under way and initial information indicates that a collision with birds could be the cause, according to the statement by the military.
At least 37 of Belgium's F-16 aircraft have crashed in almost 35 years of service in the country, according to Belga. The nation ordered 160 of the planes in the 1970s and 1980s, the newswire said.
The mayor of Peer activated the town’s municipal disaster plan after the accident, according to Belga.
The Kleine-Brogel air base is home to Belgium’s 10th Tactical Wing, which has taken part in international crisis missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Libya and Afghanistan as well as NATO defense missions, according to its website.
http://www.bloomberg.com
F-16 neergestort in Kleine Brogel
Even na 15u is op de luchtmachtbasis van Kleine Brogel een F-16-straaljager neergestort. De piloot, Jean Francois Van Cranem (24), raakte slechts lichtgewond. Hij was nog in opleiding, maar had die bijna afgerond. Na de crash heeft de burgemeester van Peer, Theo Kelchtermans, het gemeentelijk rampenplan afgekondigd. Dat werd om 17 uur weer afgeblazen
De F-16 in kwestie vertrok om 14.44 uur van op de basis van Kleine Brogel voor een trainingsvlucht. Bij het terugkeren voerde de piloot een lage overvlucht uit, waarbij de controletoren vuur opmerkte aan de achterkant van het toestel. Het toestel was in een vogelzwerm terechtgekomen.
Schietstoel
Het toestel stortte op zo'n 3 à 4 km van de piste, net buiten het militair domein, neer. De piloot kon zich met behulp van zijn schietstoel redden. Van Cranem kwam met zijn schietstoel en parachute in een boom terecht. Hij hing te hoog om zelf op de begane grond te geraken en daarom moesten de brandweerdiensten hem met een ladder uit zijn benarde situatie bevrijden.
Na de crash was hij nog bij bewustzijn. Hij raakte lichtgewond en klaagde over pijn aan de schouder. Voor een medische controle is hij naar het ziekenhuis in Overpelt overgebracht.
Het toestel zelf vloog een paar honderd meter verder en stortte in een bomenrij neer, waar het in brand vloog. Er bleef niet veel meer over van de F-16. De brandweer van de basis en de korpsen van Lommel en Bree bestreden de vlammenzee.
Bird strike
In totaal had de Waalse man 500 vlieguren ervaring en 132 uren daarvan met een F-16. "Een bird strike zit uiteraard in de training met een vluchtsimulator vervat. Per jaar gebeurt er een tiental bird strikes zonder fatale afloop", zei generaal-majoor Claude Van De Voorde. "We proberen een vogel te ontwijken als we die zien. Naar omhoog gaan is een normale reflex. Als dit hoger gebeurd was, had hij misschien nog kunnen proberen te herstarten."
Deskundigen van het Air Safety Directorate (ASD) van de luchtmachtcomponent zijn gestart met een onderzoek naar het wrak van het neergestorte toestel. Aan de hand van foto's wordt een reconstructie gemaakt van het vliegtuig en er wordt ook bekeken welke vogel in de motor is terechtgekomen.
Photo: http://www.hbvl.be/limburg/peer/f16-neergestort-in-kleine-brogel.aspx
Pilots: Ryanair pushes us to run on empty; Irish Airline Pilots' Association blames Ryanair 'corporate culture' for three mayday calls
Budget airline Ryanair is putting its pilots under so much pressure to save money that they are flying with just enough fuel on board to reduce costs – a practice that forced three planes to make emergency landings in Spain recently.
"If an airline has to do emergency landings three times on one day due to a lack of fuel, something's wrong with the system," spokesman for the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit, Jörg Handwerg, told Financial Times Deutschland on Thursday.
The three Ryanair airplanes were forced to land in Valencia rather than Madrid because their tanks were almost empty, he said.
"Fuel is the biggest cost factor, particularly with budget airlines," Handwerg said.
And the more fuel an aircraft is carrying, the heavier that aircraft is, thereby pushing up consumption, he argued.
Nevertheless, it should be left up to a pilot how much fuel they take on board, because it is ultimately the pilot who is responsible for the safety of a flight, said Handwerg.
Ryanair was exerting heavy pressure on pilots whose jets showed the highest fuel consumption, he complained. "This infringes on the pilots' rights," Handwerg said.
The Irish airline, which stands accused by consumer organisations of having put passengers in danger, said this was not the case. It said both planes landed with enough fuel for another 30 minutes' flight time, or 300 flight miles - in accordance with Boeing security rules and those of the EASA European aviation security authority.
The Spanish transport ministry said earlier this week it was investigating a complaint by airport operator AENA against Ryanair.
Airline spokesman Stephen McNamara said Ryanair supported the investigation and was ready to cooperate with the authorities.
AFP/The Local/jlb
IALPA blames Ryanair 'corporate culture' for three mayday calls
The IALPA said that Ryanair’s league tables on the use of fuel led to the three planes making low-fuel emergency landings at Valencia Airport.
However, Ryanair has denied its fuel policy was responsible for the mayday calls on 26 July, when bad weather caused the flights to be diverted from Madrid.
It said the mayday calls occurred in extraordinary circumstances after more than an hour of extra flight time.
It added that the planes were not in imminent danger and landed with the required 30 minutes’ worth of fuel on board.
The Spanish Consumer Association has accused Ryanair of jeopardising passenger safety.
The Irish Aviation Authority and its Spanish equivalent are investigating the mayday calls.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, IALPA’s Evan Cullen said that Ryanair's corporate culture is putting pressure on pilots to make decisions they are not comfortable with.
Mr Cullen said: "These pilots came under the legal definition, the very regulations, of imminent danger, that's why the mayday calls were issued.
"The reasons why these guys hadn't enough fuel is because of the Ryanair policy and corporate culture with regard to fuel and the fuel policy."
However, speaking on the same programme, Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara denied the claims.
He said the airplanes were not in imminent danger, but were required to make the mayday calls so that they could land with the required amount of leftover fuel.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0816/ryanair-spain.html
"If an airline has to do emergency landings three times on one day due to a lack of fuel, something's wrong with the system," spokesman for the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit, Jörg Handwerg, told Financial Times Deutschland on Thursday.
The three Ryanair airplanes were forced to land in Valencia rather than Madrid because their tanks were almost empty, he said.
"Fuel is the biggest cost factor, particularly with budget airlines," Handwerg said.
And the more fuel an aircraft is carrying, the heavier that aircraft is, thereby pushing up consumption, he argued.
Nevertheless, it should be left up to a pilot how much fuel they take on board, because it is ultimately the pilot who is responsible for the safety of a flight, said Handwerg.
Ryanair was exerting heavy pressure on pilots whose jets showed the highest fuel consumption, he complained. "This infringes on the pilots' rights," Handwerg said.
The Irish airline, which stands accused by consumer organisations of having put passengers in danger, said this was not the case. It said both planes landed with enough fuel for another 30 minutes' flight time, or 300 flight miles - in accordance with Boeing security rules and those of the EASA European aviation security authority.
The Spanish transport ministry said earlier this week it was investigating a complaint by airport operator AENA against Ryanair.
Airline spokesman Stephen McNamara said Ryanair supported the investigation and was ready to cooperate with the authorities.
AFP/The Local/jlb
IALPA blames Ryanair 'corporate culture' for three mayday calls
The IALPA said that Ryanair’s league tables on the use of fuel led to the three planes making low-fuel emergency landings at Valencia Airport.
However, Ryanair has denied its fuel policy was responsible for the mayday calls on 26 July, when bad weather caused the flights to be diverted from Madrid.
It said the mayday calls occurred in extraordinary circumstances after more than an hour of extra flight time.
It added that the planes were not in imminent danger and landed with the required 30 minutes’ worth of fuel on board.
The Spanish Consumer Association has accused Ryanair of jeopardising passenger safety.
The Irish Aviation Authority and its Spanish equivalent are investigating the mayday calls.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, IALPA’s Evan Cullen said that Ryanair's corporate culture is putting pressure on pilots to make decisions they are not comfortable with.
Mr Cullen said: "These pilots came under the legal definition, the very regulations, of imminent danger, that's why the mayday calls were issued.
"The reasons why these guys hadn't enough fuel is because of the Ryanair policy and corporate culture with regard to fuel and the fuel policy."
However, speaking on the same programme, Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara denied the claims.
He said the airplanes were not in imminent danger, but were required to make the mayday calls so that they could land with the required amount of leftover fuel.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0816/ryanair-spain.html
Ridge Lowell H JAYBIRD, N365R: Aircraft lost power and made a forced landing, Long Lake, New York
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 365R Make/Model: EXP Description: EXP- JAYBIRD
Date: 08/16/2012 Time: 1235
Event Type: Incident Highest Injury: Minor Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: LONG LAKE State: NY Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. LONG LAKE, NY
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 1 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 1 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ALBANY, NY (EA01) Entry date: 08/17/2012
http://registry.faa.gov/N365Rhttp://flightaware.com/live/flight/N365R
Small plane crashes in western Adirondacks (2nd update)
Two people rescued; no injuries reported
A small, private plane contracted by the U.S. Defense Department to support a military training excercise crashed in a lake in a remote area of the western Adirondacks this morning.
The plane had taken off from Burlington, Vt., was bound for Rome, N.Y., and crashed in Gull Lake, in the northeast corner of Herkimer County: west of Lake Lila, south of Cranberry Lake and north of the Stillwater Reservoir.
"The tail was sticking out of the water, as I understand it," Ray Brook-based state police Lt. Walter Teppo said. "The pilots were able to get to shore. They were unharmed."
The New York Air National Guard helped rescue the two men involved in the crash. A pair of HH-60 helicopters from the Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, based on Long Island, were flying in the area at the time of the plane went down, according to Maj. Giuseppe Scaglione.
"We were en route to the Army base at Fort Drum, doing some training," Scaglione said. "We heard the mayday message over the radio. Air traffic control asked us if we could support and vectored us into the last known coordinates. Our pilots took over from there and conducted some search operations. They found the aircraft as well as the two crew members. My understanding is they were both standing along the shore, so they had made it out of the aircraft on their own."
The two were not seriously injured, Scaglione said. They were picked up and helicoptered to Fort Drum to be checked out by medical personnel there.
"It's just very fortunate for the crew that went down that our guys happened to be nearby," Scaglione said. "Our mission here at the 106th Rescue Wing is, of course, rescue. These guys train for it, day in and day out."
The Vermont National Guard issued a press release about the crash late this afternoon. It says the small, fixed-wing aircraft was a civilian plane contracted by the Department of Defense to support a Vermont Air National Guard military training excercise in the local area. It was not carrying any weapons, the release states.
"The Department of Defense regularly contracts civil aircraft to provide support for training exercises," the release says. "The crash occurred in a remote location and will not affect public safety. A formal investigation will take place and until the investigation concludes no other information is available at this time."
The Federal Aviation Administration has been called in to investigate the crash. FAA spokesman Jim Peters said in an email that the plane was a single-engine, home-built aircraft. It reportedly had an engine problem shortly before the crash, he said.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman David Winchell said his agency received notice of the crash around 9 a.m.
"We have state police helicopters, forest rangers, environmental conservation officers and spill response staff on the ground trying to locate the site of the crash and secure the crash site and determine if there's any fuel leaking or environmental issues," Winchell said just after 11 a.m.
The names of those involved and the type of plane they were flying have yet to be released.
http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com
Two people were reportedly rescued by a military helicopter after their small, private plane crashed in a lake in a remote area of the western Adirondacks this morning.
Emergency services officials and state Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 spokesman David Winchell said the plane crashed in Gull Lake, which is located in the northeast corner of Herkimer County: west of Lake Lila, south of Cranberry Lake and north of the Stillwater Reservoir.
"It was a civilian aircraft with two occupants," Winchell said. "Fort Drum responded to a mayday and picked up the two occupants and brought them back to Fort Drum."
Winchell said DEC received notice of the crash around 9 a.m. He said he didn't have any more specific information about the incident at this point.
"We have state police helicopters, forest rangers, environmental conservation officers and spill response staff on the ground trying to locate the site of the crash and secure the crash site and determine if there's any fuel leaking or environmental issues," Winchell said. "We're waiting for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) or NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) to step in and take over the investigation of the crash."
A Ray Brook-based state trooper said the two occupants of the plane were not seriously injured and were transported to a medical unit at Fort Drum, the Army base near Watertown, to be checked out. He said the military helicopter was in the area on a training mission when it heard the distress call.
Both Winchell and the trooper said they were told that the small plane was some type of experimental aircraft.
A Fort Drum spokeswoman said the helicopter that assisted in the rescue was a U.S. Air Force Black Hawk, not a helicopter based at the home of the Army's 10th Mountain Division. She confirmed that the plane's occupants were treated at Fort Drum but wasn't immediately able to provide any other information.
http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com
LONG LAKE — A small seaplane crashed into Gull Pond here Thursday morning, but all three occupants were rescued safely.
The pilot and two passengers were all picked up with only minor injuries, officials said.
The State Police helicopter based at Saranac Lake Regional Airport was used to rescue the trio from the water, after a passerby called 911.
It’s not known if the float plane was trying to land or take off at the time of the crash.
State Police, Long Lake Fire Department and Emergency Squad and State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers are all at the site.
The names of the occupants have not been released.
Gull Pond is located near the St. Lawrence, Hamilton and Franklin counties lines.
http://pressrepublican.com
A search is underway after 911 dispatchers say a single engine plane went down in the Town of Long Lake in Hamilton County on Thursday.
Dispatchers say there are two victims and that there is no word on the extent of the injuries.
The emergency call came in around 8:43 a.m. on Thursday morning. That call initially came in from Herkimer County, who sent it over to Hamilton County.
Fort Drum was called into service shortly afterward to help search for the plane, and the Long Lake Fire Department has set up at the scene.
As of this writing, there is no word on where the plane was coming from or where it was going.
Beech A36TC Bonanza 36, N678DR: Accident occurred August 15, 2012 in Clifton Park, New York
NTSB Identification: ERA12FA508
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012 in Clifton Park, NY
Aircraft: BEECH A36TC, registration: N678DR
Injuries: 1 Fatal,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 August 15, 2012, at 0727 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N678DR, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing near Clifton Park, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured, and the certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight departed from Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York at 0724, and was destined for Plattsburg Airport (PBG), Plattsburg, New York. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Review of preliminary air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed that the airplane departed from runway 01 at ALB, turned northeast, and continued to climb. At 0725, at an altitude of 1,100 feet msl, the pilot advised air traffic control, “eight delta romeo just lost our engine”. No further transmissions were received from the flight, and radar contact was lost about 30 seconds later at an altitude of 300 feet msl.
According to FAA records, the left seat pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land, as well as a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 1, 2012, at which time he reported 10,691 total hours of flight experience. The pilot seated in the right seat held a commercial pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on December 20, 2011.
The accident site was located in a residential area approximately 3 miles northeast of ALB. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 150 feet in length, oriented approximately 320 degrees magnetic, extended through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of right wing, right wing tip fuel tank, and ailerons were located approximately 40 feet prior to where the fuselage came to rest between two pine trees. The left wing was located approximately 20 feet beyond the fuselage along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and 2 of the 3 propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage. One blade was bent aft about 45 degrees near the mid-span point and the other blade was bent aft about 90 degrees near the mid-span point. None of the blades exhibited chordwise scratching or leading edge gouging.
Watch the NTSB press conference in its entirety
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- "So there's one of the wings," said Waterford resident Matthew Rushkowski. "Where's the other one?"
A steady stream of curious onlookers made their way to Van Vranken Road in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry to see the wreckage from the deadly plane crash that killed prominent businessman Walter Uccellini and left his second in command, James Quinn, critically injured. Most were looking for answers as well.
"It's not every day you have a plane crash in Clifton Park. It's just...I mean, it's not every day you hear of a plane crash," Rushkowski said.
Family members of the victims were also at the crash site, seeking closure. NTSB investigators are still combing the scene for clues.
"We have recovered three pieces of electronic equipment, electronic devices that were either handheld in nature or installed in the airplane that we hope may contain recorded data," said NTSB Air Safety Investigator Dennis Diaz.
Quinn was named as the pilot of the Beechcraft that took off from Albany International Airport Wednesday morning for an ill-fated trip to Plattsburgh. Officials said both Uccellini and Quinn were certified as pilots. Complicating the investigation was that the plane was equipped with dual controls where both men were seated.
Diaz said, "It can be sometimes difficult to make an exact determination of who may have been flying the plane at any one particular point."
Though engine trouble was initially reported, NTSB officials said naming a cause will take some time. A preliminary report will be issued in 5 to 10 days. In 9 to 12 months they will release a factual report which will contain all the information they've gathered throughout the investigation. About three months after that, a probable cause will be named.
Watch Video: http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com
http://wnyt.com
REXFORD, N.Y. -- The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a press conference today to discuss the plane crash in Saratoga County that killed one man and left another critically injured.
The single engine plane had taken off from Albany International Airport shortly before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and was headed for Plattsburgh. Just a few minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported engine problems and went down off Van Vranken Road in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry.
The passenger, Walter Uccellini, 67, died in the crash. The pilot, James Quinn, 68, was taken to Albany Medical Center and is in critical condition.
The 3 p.m. press conference will be held at the Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Company in Rexford and will be led by NTSB. Other local officials who responded to the scene will also be at the press conference.
http://registry.faa.gov/N678DR
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N678DR
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012 in Clifton Park, NY
Aircraft: BEECH A36TC, registration: N678DR
Injuries: 1 Fatal,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 August 15, 2012, at 0727 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36TC, N678DR, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing near Clifton Park, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured, and the certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight. The flight departed from Albany International Airport (ALB), Albany, New York at 0724, and was destined for Plattsburg Airport (PBG), Plattsburg, New York. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Review of preliminary air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed that the airplane departed from runway 01 at ALB, turned northeast, and continued to climb. At 0725, at an altitude of 1,100 feet msl, the pilot advised air traffic control, “eight delta romeo just lost our engine”. No further transmissions were received from the flight, and radar contact was lost about 30 seconds later at an altitude of 300 feet msl.
According to FAA records, the left seat pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land, as well as a flight instructor certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 1, 2012, at which time he reported 10,691 total hours of flight experience. The pilot seated in the right seat held a commercial pilot certificate with multiple ratings, including airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on December 20, 2011.
The accident site was located in a residential area approximately 3 miles northeast of ALB. The initial impact point was identified by several damaged tree limbs, and a wreckage path about 150 feet in length, oriented approximately 320 degrees magnetic, extended through the impact area. Fragments of the airplane, including portions of right wing, right wing tip fuel tank, and ailerons were located approximately 40 feet prior to where the fuselage came to rest between two pine trees. The left wing was located approximately 20 feet beyond the fuselage along the wreckage path. The engine remained attached to the fuselage, and 2 of the 3 propeller blades exhibited impact-related damage. One blade was bent aft about 45 degrees near the mid-span point and the other blade was bent aft about 90 degrees near the mid-span point. None of the blades exhibited chordwise scratching or leading edge gouging.
Watch the NTSB press conference in its entirety
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- "So there's one of the wings," said Waterford resident Matthew Rushkowski. "Where's the other one?"
A steady stream of curious onlookers made their way to Van Vranken Road in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry to see the wreckage from the deadly plane crash that killed prominent businessman Walter Uccellini and left his second in command, James Quinn, critically injured. Most were looking for answers as well.
"It's not every day you have a plane crash in Clifton Park. It's just...I mean, it's not every day you hear of a plane crash," Rushkowski said.
Family members of the victims were also at the crash site, seeking closure. NTSB investigators are still combing the scene for clues.
"We have recovered three pieces of electronic equipment, electronic devices that were either handheld in nature or installed in the airplane that we hope may contain recorded data," said NTSB Air Safety Investigator Dennis Diaz.
Quinn was named as the pilot of the Beechcraft that took off from Albany International Airport Wednesday morning for an ill-fated trip to Plattsburgh. Officials said both Uccellini and Quinn were certified as pilots. Complicating the investigation was that the plane was equipped with dual controls where both men were seated.
Diaz said, "It can be sometimes difficult to make an exact determination of who may have been flying the plane at any one particular point."
Though engine trouble was initially reported, NTSB officials said naming a cause will take some time. A preliminary report will be issued in 5 to 10 days. In 9 to 12 months they will release a factual report which will contain all the information they've gathered throughout the investigation. About three months after that, a probable cause will be named.
Watch Video: http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com
http://wnyt.com
REXFORD, N.Y. -- The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a press conference today to discuss the plane crash in Saratoga County that killed one man and left another critically injured.
The single engine plane had taken off from Albany International Airport shortly before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and was headed for Plattsburgh. Just a few minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported engine problems and went down off Van Vranken Road in the hamlet of Vischer Ferry.
The passenger, Walter Uccellini, 67, died in the crash. The pilot, James Quinn, 68, was taken to Albany Medical Center and is in critical condition.
The 3 p.m. press conference will be held at the Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Company in Rexford and will be led by NTSB. Other local officials who responded to the scene will also be at the press conference.
http://registry.faa.gov/N678DR
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N678DR
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 678DR Make/Model: BE36 Description: 36 Bonanza
Date: 08/15/2012 Time: 1210
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: CLIFTON PARK State: NY Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE, THERE WERE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD, 1
WAS FATALLY INJURED, 1 SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES, CLIFTON PARK, NY
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 1
# Crew: 2 Fat: 1 Ser: 1 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: ALBANY, NY (EA01) Entry date: 08/16/2012
7 American troops die in Afghan helicopter crash
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Seven American troops and four Afghans died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash on Thursday in southern Afghanistan, the NATO military coalition said. The Taliban claimed their fighters shot down the aircraft.
The crash marked another deadly day for the U.S. in Afghanistan, less than a week after six American service members were gunned down, apparently by two members of the Afghan security forces they were training to take over the fight against the insurgency as international combat troops prepare to exit the country by the end of 2014.
The spike in American deaths and attacks by Afghan allies have stirred fresh doubts about the prospects for the U.S. plan to leave a capable Afghan government in place when most troops depart after more than a decade of war.
Spokesman Brig. Gen Gunter Katz said the NATO coalition is investigating the cause of Thursday's crash in Kandahar province. The coalition had no immediate comment on the insurgents' claim that they shot down the helicopter.
Kandahar is a traditional Taliban stronghold and the spiritual birthplace of the hardline Islamist movement that ruled Afghanistan before being ousted in 2001 by the U.S.-led alliance for sheltering al-Qaida's terrorist leaders.
Among the dead were seven American service members, three members of Afghan security forces and one Afghan civilian interpreter, said Jamie Graybeal, a spokesman for the coalition. He said there were no survivors of the crash.
He declined to give any details on the mission of the helicopter, a UH-60 Black Hawk.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said insurgent fighters shot down the helicopter in Kandahar province on Thursday morning.
"Nobody survived this," Ahmadi told The Associated Press by phone.
The helicopter was shot down in Kandahar's Shah Wali Kot district, which lies in the northern part of the province, said Ahmad Jawed Faisal, a spokesman for the provincial government said. He declined to give further details.
The area where the helicopter went down — a stretch of Kandahar along the border with Uruzgan province — is seen as a Taliban stronghold and key transit route. The insurgents regularly attack police checkpoints around the rural villages of the district and plant bombs in the road to catch passing government vehicles.
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a medium-lift helicopter that has served as the U.S. Army's workhorse since the 1980s.
The U.S.-led NATO force in Afghanistan has relied heavily on utility helicopters such as the Black Hawk to ferry troops, dignitaries and supplies around the mountainous terrain, thus avoiding the threat of ambushes and roadside bombs.
Thursday's crash is the deadliest since a Turkish helicopter crashed into a house near the Afghan capital, Kabul, on March 16, killing 12 Turkish soldiers on board and four Afghan civilians on the ground, officials said.
In August last year, insurgents shot down a Chinook helicopter, killing 30 American troops, mostly elite Navy SEALs, in Afghanistan's central Wardak province.
At least 221 American service members have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year.
http://www.chron.com
Plane with 'Free Payton' banner flies over field during Saints' practice
A plane towing a banner that read "Free Payton" paid a visit to Saints camp on Wednesday morning
On Wednesday, their brainstorming came to fruition.
Marshall, a 54-year-old United Airlines pilot based in California who grew up a Saints fans and attended the very first game, flew a small private plane from St. Tammany Parish to Metairie carrying a banner with big block letters spelling FREE PAYTON behind it.
It took 21 days but fans finally had their say about Sean Payton’s year-long suspension during training camp.
“It’s pretty sweet,” starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod said. “It kind of caught us off guard. I was over there taking a knee after our repos and I seen it kind of just flying around. That’s kind of neat.
“You’ve got a city that’s going to back their coach and their players.”
The plane circled the two practice fields more than eight times before heading east towards downtown and back to St. Tammany Parish.
Marshall said air traffic control at Armstrong International Airport was “very accommodating” and dubbed his plane Who Dat 1.
The plane almost didn’t make it to its primary destination, Marshall said, after the plane ran hot. He piloted the plane through a rain storm to cool the engine down.
Seconds after the plane left the airspace, Saints safety Roman Harper turned to fans, jokingly saying he bought the banner. Quarterback Drew Brees, meanwhile, made it clear that there was a possibility the players would get together for just such an act.
“If there’s a team something that we want to do, yes, I’ll always chip in,” Brees said, before adding, “(and) not what people would probably twist that to mean. If it’s a legal and funny thing like that, then yeah, I’d do it.”
The duo started a website called FreePayton.org, on which it says the group “will be initiating our indefinite air campaign in support of Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints who have been wrongfully persecuted by the National Football League.”
Marshall and Luhrman paid a total of $2,100, a cost that included aviation fuel and the banner, for the three-hour flight. And they’re hoping it’s not the last time the $700-an-hour banner flies. They'll be posting buzz updates on Twitter @PaytonAir
Already they’ve received queries about flying the banner over NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s home in New York, to which Marshall responded, “We can do that.”
http://www.wwltv.com
Air France flight to Beirut lands in Damascus after Lebanese capital airport road blocked
Air France took the decision to divert the flight late Wednesday after armed Shiite demonstrators blocked the road to Beirut International Airport with burning tires.
An Air France flight from Paris to the Lebanese capital Beirut was diverted to Cyprus as the Syrian conflict spilled over the border, leading to tensions around Beirut airport, French media reports said Thursday.
Air France took the decision to divert the flight late Wednesday after armed Shiite demonstrators blocked the road to Beirut International Airport with burning tires.
The demonstrators were protesting the capture by rebels inside Syria of a member of Lebanon's powerful Shiite al-Mokdad clan. The clan said it had responded by kidnapping more than 20 Syrians and a Turkish national inside Lebanon.
An Air France spokeswoman in Paris told dpa the airline asked to divert flight 562, which was carrying 174 passengers, "after the security situation around the airport became complicated."
"The threat was perceptible, because the men were armed," she said.
Aviation authorities offered to divert the plane to Amman but the plane didn't have enough fuel to reach the Jordanian capital.
Ironically, Air France was forced to make a stopover for fuel in the Syrian capital Damascus - the scene of intense fighting in recent weeks - before deciding eventually to reroute to Larnaca, Cyprus.
"Luckily there were enough hotel rooms in Larnaca," the spokeswoman said, adding the passengers remained calm throughout.
The flight was set to continue on to Beirut Thursday afternoon at 1:40 GMT.
http://www.haaretz.com
An Air France flight from Paris to the Lebanese capital Beirut was diverted to Cyprus as the Syrian conflict spilled over the border, leading to tensions around Beirut airport, French media reports said Thursday.
Air France took the decision to divert the flight late Wednesday after armed Shiite demonstrators blocked the road to Beirut International Airport with burning tires.
The demonstrators were protesting the capture by rebels inside Syria of a member of Lebanon's powerful Shiite al-Mokdad clan. The clan said it had responded by kidnapping more than 20 Syrians and a Turkish national inside Lebanon.
An Air France spokeswoman in Paris told dpa the airline asked to divert flight 562, which was carrying 174 passengers, "after the security situation around the airport became complicated."
"The threat was perceptible, because the men were armed," she said.
Aviation authorities offered to divert the plane to Amman but the plane didn't have enough fuel to reach the Jordanian capital.
Ironically, Air France was forced to make a stopover for fuel in the Syrian capital Damascus - the scene of intense fighting in recent weeks - before deciding eventually to reroute to Larnaca, Cyprus.
"Luckily there were enough hotel rooms in Larnaca," the spokeswoman said, adding the passengers remained calm throughout.
The flight was set to continue on to Beirut Thursday afternoon at 1:40 GMT.
http://www.haaretz.com
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Man arrested for throwing unlit lighter at jet fuel storage tank: Orion Flight Services at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin
A Milwaukee man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he threw
an unlit lighter a storage tank containing jet fuel on the airport
grounds.
Oshkosh Police received a report from a witness who saw the 49-year-old man throw an object at a fuel storage tank at Orion Flight Services, 525 W. 20th Ave., at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Police found the man, who was intoxicated, outside the Wittman Regional Airport terminal. A cigarette lighter was found by the fuel storage tanks, said Joe Nichols, spokesman for the Oshkosh Police Department.
No damage was done to the tanks and no fuel was exposed to the lighter, Nichols said.
Police said they didn’t believe it was a public safety issue since the lighter was not lit when the man threw it.
The man was arrested for disorderly conduct and taken to the Winnebago County Jail, where a no bond condition was placed on him.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com
Oshkosh Police received a report from a witness who saw the 49-year-old man throw an object at a fuel storage tank at Orion Flight Services, 525 W. 20th Ave., at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Police found the man, who was intoxicated, outside the Wittman Regional Airport terminal. A cigarette lighter was found by the fuel storage tanks, said Joe Nichols, spokesman for the Oshkosh Police Department.
No damage was done to the tanks and no fuel was exposed to the lighter, Nichols said.
Police said they didn’t believe it was a public safety issue since the lighter was not lit when the man threw it.
The man was arrested for disorderly conduct and taken to the Winnebago County Jail, where a no bond condition was placed on him.
http://www.thenorthwestern.com
Settlement reached in F-22 Raptor crash that killed Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson pilot
In March, defense contractors were sued
by the widow of award-winning Air Force pilot Capt. Jeff Haney, who
died in a crash in the Alaska wilderness in November 2010, after the
oxygen system in his F-22 Raptor malfunctioned during a training flight
from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Anna Haney named Lockheed Martin, Boeing Co., Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, the jet's primary contractors, in the suit. She claimed Lockheed knowingly sold the U.S. Air Force "dangerous and defective" planes.
This week, a settlement has been reached between Haney and the named parties, the Air Force Times reports. The amount of the settlement is unknown. A record of the proceedings has been sealed, and John Gagliano, Haney’s attorney, could not provide any details, although he did confirm that a settlement was reached.
The F-22 Raptor has been criticized over ongoing concerns that the plane’s oxygen system causes pilots to experience symptoms of hypoxia, a form of oxygen deprivation, while in flight. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta blamed the problem on a pressurized vest pilots wear, which has in some cases inflated “before it should," making breathing difficult. Panetta said the early inflation is due to a faulty valve, and pilots have been ordered not to wear the vests until the valves have been switched out.
A hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for September.
Read more, here.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com
Anna Haney named Lockheed Martin, Boeing Co., Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, the jet's primary contractors, in the suit. She claimed Lockheed knowingly sold the U.S. Air Force "dangerous and defective" planes.
This week, a settlement has been reached between Haney and the named parties, the Air Force Times reports. The amount of the settlement is unknown. A record of the proceedings has been sealed, and John Gagliano, Haney’s attorney, could not provide any details, although he did confirm that a settlement was reached.
The F-22 Raptor has been criticized over ongoing concerns that the plane’s oxygen system causes pilots to experience symptoms of hypoxia, a form of oxygen deprivation, while in flight. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta blamed the problem on a pressurized vest pilots wear, which has in some cases inflated “before it should," making breathing difficult. Panetta said the early inflation is due to a faulty valve, and pilots have been ordered not to wear the vests until the valves have been switched out.
A hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for September.
Read more, here.
http://www.alaskadispatch.com
Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N4001Z: Aircraft crashed on landing, near Surprise Glacier, Farewell, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska— A plane crash near Healy Wednesday in which one person suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries is being responded to by Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Air National Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Alaska National Guard spokesperson Maj. Guy Hayes says the crash occurred above the Surprise Glacier, about 181 miles southwest of Fairbanks.
Guardsmen were alerted by troopers after someone reported the incident from a satellite phone.
The crash reportedly involved a pilot who was picking up a hunter and crashed on landing.
The pilot may have a broken arm and leg.
The 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center is sending an HC-130 search plane and an HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter to rescue the pilot and hunter.
Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=4001Z
Alaska National Guard spokesperson Maj. Guy Hayes says the crash occurred above the Surprise Glacier, about 181 miles southwest of Fairbanks.
Guardsmen were alerted by troopers after someone reported the incident from a satellite phone.
The crash reportedly involved a pilot who was picking up a hunter and crashed on landing.
The pilot may have a broken arm and leg.
The 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center is sending an HC-130 search plane and an HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter to rescue the pilot and hunter.
Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=4001Z
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 4001Z Make/Model: PA18 Description: PA-18 Super Cub (L-18C, L-21, U-7)
Date: 08/15/2012 Time: 2230
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Serious Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Unknown
LOCATION
City: FAREWELL State: AK Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON LANDING, NEAR SURPRISE GLACIER, FAREWELL, AK
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 1 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: FAIRBANKS, AK (AL01) Entry date: 08/16/2012
Cirrus SR20-G3: Flying start for charity - Lance Weller of Angel Flight NZ
Lance Weller of Angel Flight.
The founder of a Northland non-emergency air ambulance service has flown his first flight for the charity.
Lance Weller, 64, founder of Angel Flight NZ (AFNZ) flew the service's seventh and eighth mission last week.
His flight involved flying from his base in Whangarei to Kaitaia, where he collected 11-year-old Kauri Potaka and his mother, Sylvia.
They left Kaitaia at 9.30am and landed at Whenuapai Air base in Auckland at 10.25am, where an "Earth Angel" drove the boy and his mother to Middlemore Hospital.
Kauri had an appointment with a surgeon to review his progress after five cleft palate operations. Mr Weller said it would not have been possible for the mother to be back with her six other children the same day without the free Angel Flight.
He said it would have taken them three to four days on the Hospital Shuttle bus, which would have resulted in Kauri missing another three days of school.
Mr Weller said the flight was enjoyed by all. "Kauri hadn't been in a plane before," he said.
"He sat next to next to me. I said 'well, Kauri you can help me fly this thing down there'.
"As an 11-year-old boy, his eyes were everywhere, it was pretty exciting for him."
Mr Weller said coincidentally it was his first landing at Whenuapai. The first time he flew in an aircraft was when he was an 11-year-old in a DC3.
The AFNZ service began when Mr Weller returned to New Zealand after spending 43 years living abroad.
The retired businessman was most recently in Australia where he flew for Angel Flights there. "When I came back over here, I wanted to keep doing it but it didn't exist, so I put the money in and set it up."
Mr Weller estimated he has spent at least $13,000 setting up the charity.
Not wanting to leave his beloved Cirrus SR20-G3 plane behind, Mr Waller flew the single-engine plane across the Tasman, stopping at Lord Howe and Norfolk islands on the way.
The day he arrived, January 16 was the day AFNZ was officially established in New Zealand.
AFNZ now has 25 volunteer pilots and aircraft spread throughout the country ranging from the North Shore airfield, Ardmore, Hamilton, Wellington to Nelson and Christchurch.
As support for the charity grows, Mr Weller plans to have planes on hand in Dunedin, Invercargill, New Plymouth and Gisborne.
Also involved in the AFNZ team are 22 Earth Angels and four mission co-ordinators.
AFNZ pilots have flown 1680 nautical miles and Earth Angels have driven 622km.
Story and photo: http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz
Related:
TravelNevada.com Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show Presented by Breitling
John Bagley displays his P-51 in this file photo. / Marilyn Newton/RGJ
Reno air races get a new name; 'it's a mouthful' ...
The new official name of the air races is “TravelNevada.com Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show Presented by Breitling.”
The Nevada Commission on Tourism unanimously approved the name today as part of its three-year, $600,000 title sponsorship of the longtime event that was marred last year by a fatal crash.
Breitling, a watch company, is a presenting sponsor with a $200,000 commitment.
The new name prompted concern from commissioner Ryan Sheltra, general manager of the Bonanza Casino in Reno, who said, “Twelve words and a ‘dot.com,’ it seems like an awful lot. Try to make it all sit on a T-shirt.”
But Chris Baum, CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, said the lengthy name is essentially an on-paper reference only.
“People will shorten it to what’s comfortable with them,” he said. “They’ll still call it the Reno Air Races. Yes, it’s a mouthful, but not what people expect to say in normal conversation.”
Added Mike Houghton, Air Races CEO/president, “It can play very effectively to all of us.”
The $600,000, to be paid in full this year, is seen as crucial to the Reno Air Racing Association’s efforts to keep the event going after the plane crash a year ago that killed 11 people, including Pilot Jimmy Leeward, and injured more than 70.
http://www.rgj.com
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