Monday, October 01, 2012

Malaysia Airlines has not shelved plans to turn Firefly into a low-cost carrier

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has not scrapped plans to turn community airline, Firefly, into a low-cost carrier, Group chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said.

He said MAS was keeping its options open for Firefly, its wholly-owned subsidiary, to operate as a budget carrier but stressed that it was not in the immediate term.

“For now, we have a plan and the plan is to keep the turbo-prop aircraft in Firefly and MAS will do all the jets operations,” he told reporters at MAS’ 40th anniversary celebrations.

A turboprop engine aircraft is more fuel-efficient for short distance travel while jet engine aeroplanes, commonly used by commercial airlines, are more cost-effective for long-haul flights.

Firefly currently flies to 25 destinations including 12 international flights.

Ahmad Jauhari also said the national carrier would have another flight for the newly received Airbus A380 for the KL-London-KL route.

He said MAS is also planning to replace the Boeing 737-400 fleet over the next two years in tandem with plans to reduce the average age of its aircraft, which currently stood at 7.7 years.

Meanwhile, to mark its 40th anniversary celebrations, Ahmad Jauhari said MAS would be giving 80 free seats to selected customers to destinations across the airline’s network. – Bernama

Jakarta Base Operations - Susi Air C208B Cessna Grand Caravan

 

 Published on September 25, 2012 by davelongdon  

"Okay, you've seen enough of my videos that shows outside the cockpit, but what happens on the inside during all this."

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle, Premier Aviation LLC, N1537T: Accident occurred September 29, 2012 in Selma, Alabama

NTSB Identification: ERA12LA589
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Selma, AL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/12/2013
Aircraft: CESSNA 421B, registration: N1537T
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

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

The pilot stated that he may have unintentionally positioned both the right and left engine fuel selectors to the left main fuel tank during the accident flight. When the right engine experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight, the pilot moved its fuel selector to right main fuel tank; however, the pilot did not select the fuel boost pump to "low" per the checklist and as a result, the system may have provided too much fuel to the engine for a restart. The left engine then lost partial power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a dirt road about 6 miles from the intended destination airport. Both fuel selectors were found positioned to the left main fuel tank, but the pilot also indicated he positioned the left fuel selector to the left auxiliary fuel tank at some point.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right main fuel tank had been compromised during the accident sequence; however, there was no evidence of fuel at the accident site. The right auxiliary fuel tank contained about 20 gallons of fuel and the right wing locker fuel tank was empty. The left main fuel tank, left wing locker fuel tank, and left auxiliary fuel tank were intact and did not contain any fuel.

Examination of the airplane and both engines did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. Although the airplane was not completely exhausted of fuel, operating with such low quantities would have required precise fuel management and fuel selector positions.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on the right engine and a partial loss of engine power on the left engine due to fuel starvation.

On September 29, 2012, about 1430 central daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N1537T, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a dirt road after the total loss of power on the right engine and a partial loss of power on the left engine. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport, Fairhope, Alabama (CQF); destined for Craig Field Airport, Selma, Alabama, (SEM).

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that he departed CQF en route to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for a football game. He added, "We were early for the game and decided to stop at SEM for lunch, cheap gas, and a little sight-seeing on the way." Ten minutes after departing CQF, the pilot stated that he switched from the left and right main tanks to supplying the left engine via the left auxiliary tank and the right engine via the right auxiliary tank. The pilot stated that while en route to SEM and in a descent from 4500 feet mean sea level (msl), the right engine started to "cough and lose power." He further stated that the right engine quit due to fuel starvation and he switched the right fuel selector valve to the right main tank and also said "I might have put the right fuel selector valve in the left main position." The pilot was unable to restart the right engine and elected to feather the right propeller. The pilot then stated that about 2 minutes later, the left engine began to "cough and lose power rapidly." The pilot recalled to the FAA inspector that both fuel selector valves should have been on left main tank; however, in his statement to an NTSB investigator, the pilot reported that his last action was to place the left fuel selector in the left auxiliary position. The airplane continued under partial power on the left engine for about 6 minutes, when the pilot realized that the airplane had descended down to 800 feet msl. At 600 feet msl, and 6 miles south of SEM, the pilot announced to the passengers that they would not reach the destination airport and selected a forced landing site. The pilot stated "at this time, I checked my boost pumps and put the left fuel selector back to the left auxiliary tank." The airplane touched down on a dirt road, crossed a bridge, clipped a tree, and came to rest in cotton field.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing main tank, right aileron, and buckling on the right lower wing aft spar area, about 2 feet out from the fuselage and 4 feet inboard of the wing tip. The FAA inspector noted that no fuel fumes, fuel leakage or fuel pooling was indicated where the plane came to rest. A visual examination of the left main tank, left auxiliary tank, and left wing locker tank indicated no visible fuel in all three tanks. A visual inspection of the right wing locker tank was zero, the right main tank was destroyed, and the right auxiliary tank indicated about 20 gallons.

Further examination and assessment of damage to the airplane by the FAA noted that the left and right fuel selector switches for both engines were in the left main tank detent. Battery power was applied to the airplane and the fuel system was configured so that the right fuel system would supply the right engine. After doing so, the right engine received good flow and a clean fuel sample. The fuel system was then configured for the left tanks to supply the left engine. The left engine was not receiving fuel for a sample. The inspector then crossfed the right side fuel system to supply the left engine and a clean sample was obtained. Both engines were inspected by the FAA with no anomalies or preflight conditions that would have precluded normal operations.

According to the pilot's written statement, on a previous day the airplane had 110 gallons of fuel onboard at last takeoff from CQF and 167 gallons on departure from SEM. According to the FAA inspector, no fuel was purchased at CQF or SEM on that day, from an airplane with the same registration as the accident aircraft. The last fuel receipt found for the airplane was from SEM on August 23, 2012, where 142 gallons was purchased, however; no cash or credit receipt was obtained by the FAA or NTSB. The pilot stated that on departure from CQF on the day of the accident, "my fuel gauges read the following: right main 28 gallons ,left main 31 gallons, right auxiliary around 20 gallons, and the left auxiliary about the same. Locker tanks 8 gallons and 0."

According to the Cessna model 421 owner's manual, the airplane should be operated via main tank fuel supply during takeoff, landing, and all normal operations. When fuel selector valve handles are changed from one position to another, the auxiliary fuel pumps should be switched to low, the mixture to full rich, and the pilot should feel for the detent to insure that the fuel selector valves are properly positioned.


 http://registry.faa.gov/N1537T



IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 1537T        Make/Model: C421      Description: 421, Golden Eagle, Executive Commuter
  Date: 09/29/2012     Time: 1854

  Event Type: Incident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Unknown

LOCATION
  City: SELMA   State: AL   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED ON A DIRT ROAD, NEAR SELMA, AL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   2     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: BIRMINGHAM, AL  (SO09)                Entry date: 10/01/2012 





SELMA, AL (WSFA) -  Need more proof that football is a way of life in the South? For die-hard fans flying to see the defending national champion Crimson Tide take on Ole Miss, not even a failed engine and a crashed landing would stop their journey.

The pilot and one passenger spoke with WPMI-TV in Mobile Tuesday and filled in some of the details of what happened. Four men headed out from the Mobile area on a trip to Tuscaloosa over the weekend. It was there where they were going to enjoy the SEC home opening game between the Tide and Ole Miss.

On-board the plane was John White-Spunner, an Auburn grad, who's well know for the construction company he operates under the same name. His 'Bama friends convinced him to go along for the trip, and he hopped aboard.

Along the way, the men decided they wanted to land in Selma for some BBQ.

White-Spunner told WPMI that the trip into Selma was where things went south. An engine went out. Moments later, the other engine started to die. The plane was going down. More than 20 miles out from Craig Field in Selma, the football fans prepared themselves for a crash landing. White-Spunner told WPMI they were "getting ready, probably [going to] die..."

The plane's pilot, Capt. George Arnold, said White-Spunner pointed out a dirt road as the plane edged downward. Both wings hit the trees as the plane lost altitude, still traveling at about 100 mph. Arnold managed to sit the aircraft down in a cotton field, only to learn of a new danger very quickly. Fuel was pouring out of the craft.

Ultimately, the football fans made it out of the plane unscathed. They knelt down and "got in a circle and got on our knees and said a prayer to Jesus," Capt. Arnold said.

A family nearby heard the plane go down and drove toward the crash expecting the worst. They found four football fans who were ready to continue their journey. The game didn't start until 8:30pm, so there was still time to make it to T-Town.

The men made the trek to Montgomery where they found a rental car company. A trip started by plane ended with a long car-drive into Crimson territory. The men made it to their game, and enjoyed the big win put up by the Tide.

Meanwhile, the Dallas County Sheriff's Department scratched its head. When authorities arrived on the scene to investigate the plane's discovery there were no people around. The Sheriff's Office said the plane did not appear to be damaged.

The Federal Aviation Administration took over the investigation as was planning to retrieve the plane Tuesday.


http://selma.wsfa.com


SELMA, AL (WSFA) - Need more proof that football is a way of life in the South? For die-hard fans flying to see the defending national champion Crimson Tide take on Ole Miss, not even a failed engine would stop their journey.

The pilot, from the Mobile area, said one of the two engines on his Cessna 421 failed and he tried to land at Craig Field in Selma. He didn't quite make it, however, instead putting the plane down in a cotton field "nearby".

Time to call for help? No. There's a game to be seen!

The pilot, whose name is not available at this time, and an unknown number of passengers exited the cotton field and hitched a ride to Montgomery. It was then that they found a rental car and drove on to Tuscaloosa for the game.

The Dallas County Sheriff's Department said when authorities arrived on the scene to investigate the plane's discovery there were no people around. The Sheriff's Office said the plane did not appear to be damaged.

The Federal Aviation Administration has now taken over the investigation and plans to retrieve the plane sometime Tuesday.

Beechcraft Super King Air: Plane with engine problems lands safely at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), Phoenix, Arizona

A twin-engine plane with nine people aboard landed safely at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

International Airport Monday morning after one of its engines had problems.

Sky Harbor briefly held off landings and takeoffs as the Beechcraft Super King Air landed at about 7 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

http://www.azcentral.com

Victoria Regional Airport (KVCT), Texas: Air service resumes with arrival of Sun Air


Did you know ... ?
Sun Air International hopes to hire two to three more licensed airplane mechanics to service Victoria's aircraft. Those interested can contact the Victoria Regional Airport at 361-578-2704.

The Victoria Regional Airport's terminal bustled with quiet activity Monday as cleaning crews wiped up smudges, travelers checked in and uniformed security personnel ensured everything was on the up-and-up.

Though a common scene for most airports, it was one long-awaited locally.

After three flightless months, Sun Air International took off in Victoria about 11:45 a.m.

Victoria's commercial air service has been grounded since Colgan Air pulled out June 30.

Monday's initial flight was the first leg of Victoria resident Joetta Rocha's weeklong trip to Cancun. The annual trip, now on its 12th or 13th year, is a family tradition.

Although she originally planned to drive to Houston, she said she was glad Victoria's air service began when it did. She read in the paper Sunday that passengers could book flights, she said, and asked her daughter to sign her up.

"This was much easier," said Rocha, one of two passengers who boarded the nine-seat plane about 11:30 a.m.

Local flights won't only help for trips out of town, Rocha said, but for visitors who make their way in to visit. Her two children venture to Victoria about twice a year each.

"We've missed our air service here," she said. "I just hope the community will sponsor it like they did the other company."

Thomas Cooper, president and CEO of Sun Air International, visited the airport to see the first flight off.

It's his policy to visit any new town his airline joins, he said, noting he found Victoria to be a welcoming community.

Cooper joked that employees cringe when he comes on site because he's picky about making sure things go smoothly. A Sun Air International sign behind the check-in counter was off-kilter by probably a quarter of an inch, he pointed out, explaining the little details matter.

"If I don't notice when something's wrong, a passenger will," he said.

Last-minute paperwork pushed the 10:15 a.m. flight back about an hour, he noted but he hoped to have each minor detail ironed out soon.

Cooper, a former pilot of 30 years, said customer service was his company's main goal.

Efforts to improve service include added flights - four round-trip flights between Houston and Victoria during weekdays and two on Saturday and Sunday - as well as an extra plane to avoid rescheduled flights due to mechanical issues. Interline ticketing and baggage agreements also allow passengers to check bags and go through security just once.

Sun Air rehired personnel who had previously worked at the airport, Cooper said, and established a two-person maintenance hub for the planes. Still, he said, he hoped to hire two to three more licensed airplane mechanics in the near future.

Jason Milewski, the airport's manager, found himself busy on Monday, running back and forth to work out last-minute details. Still, as passengers prepared to board, he said he was glad to see operations under way.

"We expected zero people today," he said with a smile. "This is great."

Cooper, too, said he was proud of the new beginning.

"I like to think that, with our agreements and arrangements, this airport is a gateway to the world," he said. "Via Houston."

Read more and photos:
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com

Helicopter pilot injured in crash - Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

A sub-contractor who was doing routine dust suppression work on Vale property crashed his aircraft near the Fisher Wavy pit off Big Nickel Mine Road on Monday afternoon.
 

Sudbury police, fire services and emergency crews attended what was called a minor crash.

Vale spokesperson Angie Robson said the pilot — who was the only occupant in the helicopter — was found conscious and responsive.

He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police noted the helicopter was carrying a non-toxic, non-flammable liquid and there were no fuel leaks.

Transport Canada has been notified of the incident. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.


http://www.cbc.ca

Cessna 310J, N4592A: Drug deal - Agents detain Bahamian pilot, Santiago businessmen



SANTO DOMINGO.-  Antinarcotics (DNCD) agents arrested a Bahamian pilot allegedly hired by Santiago businessmen to fly a drug-laden plane from Higüero Airport to Curacao.

It said Holmes Errol Outram, deported to the United States six years ago, was contracted by ex-convict Sergio Rene Gomez Diaz, owner of the 'Plaza Gomez Diaz," and Christian Antonio Javier Suarez, of the disco “Passion Night Club” in Santiago, businesses which the DNCD raided.

It said agents searched Gomez Diaz’s house and business, and seized cash, phones and other belongings.

In a statement, the DNCD said “very important papers were found in both businesses to serve in the prosecution."

DNCD press officer Roberto Lebron said Javier Suarez was arrested at his house on Las Americas highway in Santo Domingo, where they found the Bahamian pilot hiding inside, and seized several air navigation instruments.

"When the agents went to the address the pilot Errol Holmes Outram was found hidden in one of the rooms. He was recruited by Gomez Diaz to fly a Cessna 310 (N4592A) to Curacao," Lebron said.


Story and comments:  http://www.dominicantoday.com

http://registry.faa.gov/N4592A

Cessna 310J, N4592A: Captured Bahamian Pilot Linked to Drug Trafficking


Santo Domingo, Oct 1 (Prensa Latina) Anti narcotic forces and the General Attorney's Office of the Dominican Republic captured a Bahamian pilot hired to move a plane to Curaçao in drug traffic operations.

According to the note from the National Direction of Drugs Control (DNCD) released today, pilot Holmes Errol Outram, is related to the Dominican businessman Sergio Rene Gomez, also arrested with the latter.

He had been imprisoned in the United States and deported back to DR six years ago.

As part of the operation, the agents raided two of Gomez' business outlets in Santiago de los Caballeros, second city in importance in the country, where they found weapons, great amounts of money and communication devices.

Together with Outram they arrested Dominican Christian Antonio Suarez and occupied several air navigation instruments which would be used in the illegal flight.

The Dominican Republic, sharing the Caribbean island La Española with Haiti, is victim of drug trafficking mainly to Europe and the United States, the world's biggest consumer of those products.

North America, according to international organizations, is the number one market for drugs, with high levels of production, manufacturing, traffic and consumption in the three countries of the region: United States, Canada and Mexico.

The struggle against this pervasive activity also includes destruction of trafficking bands and distribution and sale outlets aimed at eliminating this illegal trade or reducing its existence to the minimum.


http://registry.faa.gov/N4592A


 

SANTO DOMINGO.- La DNCD y el Ministerio Público detuvieron a un piloto oriundo de Islas Bahamas, acusado de estar vinculado a actividades de narcotráfico.

El detenido es Holmes Errol Outram, quien alegadamente fue contratado por un empresario de Santiago, deportado hace seis años de Estados Unidos, para que trasladara un avión a Curazao, desde el Aeropuerto el Higüero, el cual sería utilizado para transportar drogas.

La DNCD dice que sus patrocinadores era el ex convicto Sergio René Gómez Díaz y Christian Antonio Suárez Javier, el primero propietario de la ‘Plaza Gómez Díaz’y la discoteca ‘Pasión Nigth Club’, ubicadas en Santiago. Ambos negocios fueron intervenidos por la DNCD y la Procuraduría Fiscal de esa jurisdicción.

"Oficiales adscritos a tres departamentos élites en la sede central de la agencia y de la División Regional Norte, con asiento en Santiago, actuaron en coordinación con varios fiscales adjuntos para arrestar Gómez Díaz, allanar su vivienda y los establecimientos cuya propiedad se le atribuye, logrando ocuparle armas, dinero en efectivo y teléfonos móviles, entre otras pertenencias", dice una nota de prensa de la DNCD remitida a ALMOMENTO.NET.

Gómez Díaz, a quien la DNCD daba seguimiento hace varios días por sospecha de estar ligados a actividades de narcotráfico, fue detenido en la calle 3 del sector María Auxiliadora, en Santiago, a bordo de una jeepeta Land Rover  gris, en la que fueron encontradas una pistola Glock, 9 milímetros; una escopeta calibre 12 y RD$30,420 en efectivo, entre otras propiedades.

Posteriormente, dijo la DNCD, fueron requisadas la denominada ‘Plaza Gómez Díaz’ y la discoteca ‘Pasión Nigth Club’, ocupando en el primer establecimiento RD$171,900 y US$420, mientras el segundo RD$242,350.  Además papeles que la DNCD y el Ministerio Público definen como muy importantes”.

Roberto Lebrón, portavoz de la DNCD, dijo que el piloto y Suárez Javier fueron detenidos en la vivienda del primero, ubicada en la calle D, Urbanización Las Américas, en Santo Domingo Este. Allí estaba escondido el piloto bahameño.

“Cuando el personal acudió a ese domicilio encontraron escondido en una de las habitaciones al piloto Holmes Errol Outram, quien fue reclutado por Gómez Díaz para trasladar a Curazao una avioneta Cesena Modelo 310, serie N4592A”, dijo Lebrón.

http://www.telenord.com.do

Buckeye 582 Dream Machine, N7508D: Accident occurred September 29, 2012 in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

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

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N7508D

NTSB Identification: ERA12CA587  
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 29, 2012 in North Huntingdon, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/31/2013
Aircraft: BUCKEYE 582 DREAM MACHINE, registration: N7508D
Injuries: 1 Minor,1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The noncertificated pilot was attempting to land a powered parachute in a field bordered on one side by trees and a residence on the other. Following two unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot aborted a third landing attempt about 20 feet above the ground. During the climb, the powered parachute drifted to the right toward the trees. The pilot was unable to stop the drift with application of full left pedal and struck a tree. The pilot then increased the engine power to full, but the powered parachute continued to descend and impacted another tree. The parachute subsequently caught one of the tree limbs and fell straight down. The powered parachute impacted the ground on all three wheels, resulting in substantial damage to the undercarriage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and stated that he should not have tried to land without the aid of a windsock and indicated wind direction.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The operation of a powered parachute by a noncertificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the climb following an aborted landing.




North Huntingdon police Sergeant Duane Kucera and Hartford Heights assistant fire chief Mark Gibas at the scene of an accident where and ultralight aircraft crash landed in a wooded area off of Nehrig Hill Road on September 29, 2012 near Ardara.


North Huntingdon Township, PA — An powered parachute with two men on board crashed Saturday afternoon in a heavily wooded area of North Huntington Township near Nehrig Hill Road off of Route 993 in Westmoreland County. Rescue crews had to use to All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's) to reach the site of the crash.

The two men were trying to land in a nearby field and overshot their landing zone.

Rob Leuthold. the Tactical Rescue Leader on-scene described the situation: "Look like that came down and clipped part of a tree... And basically hit the ground pretty hard."

A medical helicopter transported one of the victims to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital with broken bones and cuts. The second man was taken by ambulance. Both are expected to be okay.

Two men were injured Saturday afternoon when the powered parachute they were riding crashed into the woods in a remote hilltop in the Ardara section of North Huntingdon.  

One of the men was transported by ambulance to an area hospital and another was flown by medical helicopter to a trauma center in Pittsburgh, said Robert Leuthold, a North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue paramedic who was involved in the rescue.

North Huntingdon Police Sgt. Duane Kucera said he did not know the identities of those injured in the crash.

The powered parachute crashed at 3:58 p.m. in an area about 50 yards  off Nehrig Hill Road. The parachute was hanging in trees adjacent to the engine.

Rescuers found the men on the ground, but close to the edge of a 30-foot dropoff above a dirt road. It took emergency personnel about 15 minutes to place the injured men in wire-mesh Stokes baskets and lower them to the ground, said Jason Fait, a team leader of North Huntingdon EMS rescue division.

Kucera said that the Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the accident.

Leuthold said they were told that the men riding in the powered parachute were going to a birthday party in the area and were looking for a nearby level field to land when they crashed.

One Nehrig Hill Road resident, Joseph Popovich, said he had heard the propeller from powered parachute flying overhead for a while then heard a bang.

“I thought someone in an ATV had come out (of the woods) and hit a car,” Popovich said.

Jabiru J170-SP, Jabiru Horizons LLC, N582J: Accident occurred September 29, 2012 in Goshen, Indiana

http://registry.faa.gov/N582J


NTSB Identification: CEN12CA663
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Goshen, IN
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/22/2013
Aircraft: JABIRU USA SPORT AIRCRAFT LLC J170-SP, registration: N582J
Injuries: 1 Serious.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The student pilot stated that he was practicing a soft-field takeoff, and as soon as the nose wheel lifted off the runway, the airplane veered to the left. The student pilot tried to correct the left turn by applying right rudder and aileron but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway surface and came to rest, nose down on a parallel taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine nose wheel area, both wings, and the fuselage. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.

The student pilot stated that he was practicing a soft field takeoff and as soon as the nose wheel lifted off from the runway, the airplane veered to the left. The student pilot tried to correct the turn by applying right rudder and aileron, but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway surface and came to rest nose down on a parallel taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine nose wheel area, both wings, and the fuselage. The student pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.


IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 582J        Make/Model: LSA       Description: LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT
  Date: 09/29/2012     Time: 1320

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

LOCATION
  City: GOSHEN   State: IN   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT ON TAKEOFF, CRASHED, GOSHEN, IN

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: Take-off      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: SOUTH BEND, IN  (GL17)                Entry date: 10/01/2012 




GOSHEN — A student pilot has been hospitalize following a private plane crash at the Goshen Air Center early Saturday morning.

According to Roger Yoder, part-owner of the New Horizons Aviation flight school, the student, identified as a middle-aged male from Plymouth, was alone in the plane practicing maneuvers when the crash occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

“There was a student pilot out practicing some maneuvers that had a little accident on takeoff,” Yoder said. “He did get airborne, but then the accident occurred right after he took off.”

Yoder described the plane, a Jabiru J-170, as a single engine trainer in the light sport category.

“He was in the final stages of his training, getting ready to go take his check ride,” Yoder said. “So it’s an unfortunate accident.”

Yoder said the student was taken to a local hospital by paramedics for treatment of minor injuries.

“He had some bumps and bruises and a couple broken bones,” Yoder said, “but he should be fine.”

Following the crash, Yoder indicated that a team from the Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the airport to conduct an initial investigation. An exact cause of the crash is still pending.

“The FAA came out and did an investigation, but obviously it’s too early to get a report from them,” Yoder said. “Our primary concern is for the pilot and making sure he recovers nicely.”

The Goshen Air Center was not closed due to the crash, Yoder said, though a portion of the taxiway where the crashed plane came to rest was closed to air traffic for a time while the FAA’s investigation was under way. All air traffic has since resumed at the facility.

Yeti Airlines plane hit by bird


POKHARA, Oct 1: An Yeti Airlines plane  bound to Kathmandu from Pokhara has been forced landed at Pokhara Airport after it struck with a bird on Monday afternoon.

The 9NJC aircraft was safely landed back to the airport at 3:45 pm. The aircraft was struck with a bird as soon as it took off at 3:39 pm.

There was no report of casualties in the incident and all the passengers and crew members are safe. There were 26 passengers and three crew members on aboard.

The bird struck at the spring of the engine of the aircraft and it has sustained minor damage. 


http://www.myrepublica.com

Jetway hits China Eastern aircraft, no casualties

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) A China Eastern flight was hit by a mobile jetway on the apron at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Monday, with no casualties reported.

Flight number MU-2971 flew to the airport from Yancheng in China's Jiangsu Province with 89 passengers on board. After parking on the D9 apron, the plane was hit on the left side by a mobile jetway being maneuvered to help passengers disembark from the plane.

The collision caused obvious damage to the left door.

Following repair work and safety checks, the airplane took off later in the day with 82 new passengers for Nanchang in Jiangxi Province.

An investigation into the incident is currently under way. 

 
(By Bien Chin-feng and Elizabeth Hsu) 

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, N711WX: Dominican mountains - village of Tireo, Constanza, Dominican Republic


SANTO DOMINGO.- The circumstances surrounding the crash of the twin engine plane Friday in the village of Tireo, Constanza has sparked skepticism even though the Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) announced that 13 people are being questioned, including an Army lieutenant colonel, a sergeant major, an Air Force lieutenant, a former Police agent and seven others. 

The initial information included reports that airline owner Rafael Rosado had been arrested, but his name was stricken from the local media just hours after the alleged detention.

Rosado, who is again reported as being held, is the alleged owner of the Piper aircraft type, registration N711WX. He is the owner of the local airline Carib-Air

The investigation is conducted by a special commission, formed by the Armed Forces, the Civil Aviation Agency (IDAC), the DNCD and the Air Force.

 In addition to Rosado, a Venezuelan, two Americans and a Puerto Rican are being held.

The accident killed Leyba Eduardo Perez and the pilot Victor Hugo Sanchez.

 Leyba, who apparently served as co-pilot of the aircraft, was a police captain assigned to the DNCD in Puerto Plata.

The twin-engine plane left Constanza’s Junio 14 airfield and went down 9 miles from there.

11kilos


 Although the authorities are investigating on whether there is any residue of controlled substances in the charred plane, a source in Constanza affirms that at least 11 packages, weighing an estimated 1 kilo each, have already been seized at the crash site.

The source also told DT that the plane was being worked on for several days and took off “in a hurry” belching so much smoke from the engines, that “it looked as if was a crop duster.”

==========
  Un avión bimotor de matrícula N711WX y modelo PA31 , se precipitó esta tarde en la montaña de Constanza, en las inmediaciones de la presa Pinalito, jurisdicción del distrito municipal de Tireo. 

El piloto de la aeronave, identificado como Víctor Hugo Sánchez, murió en el accidente y otra persona que lo acompañaba, aún no identificada.
De inmediato no se informó si el piloto Sánchez era militar.
Fuentes de la Fuerza Aérea Dominicana revelaron que una brigada de oficiales y técnicos de Instituto Dominicana de Aviación Civil se dirigieron hacia el lugar para investigar el hecho.

Según versiones, dan cuenta que la aeronave llevaba tres pasajeros a bordo, de los cuales se desconoce su estado.

En el accidente murieron dos personas, de acuerdo con lo publicado por el periodista José Gutiérrez, en su cuenta de Twitter.
Se informó que los muertos no han sido identificados hasta el momento.

La Policía Nacional informó que la aeronave se precipitó poco después que despegó del aeródromo 24 de Junio del municipio de Constanza, donde efectivos policiales acordonaron el aérea a la espera de la llegada de los expertos del Instituto Dominicano de Aviación (IDAC).


"Se trata de una avioneta tipo bimotor modelo PA31, matrícula N711WX, la cual se precipitó a tierra a unos seis kilómetros de Constanza, conforme al reporte preliminar,  pendiente de verificación por parte del IDAC)", indicó.


La Policía dijo que ofrece toda la asistencia para que las autoridades cumplan el protocolo investigativo en estos casos.


De igual manera, ofrecer asistencia para el traslado de los cadáveres al Instituto Regional de Ciencias Forenses de Santiago,  para los fines correspondientes.


http://www.dominicantoday.com

http://www.diarioantillano.com

http://trome.pe

http://www.venyve.com

http://demaosoy.blogspot.com

http://walkergonzalez.com


http://www.hoy.com

 http://registry.faa.gov/N711WX

http://diariolibre.com

de Havilland DH-84 Dragon, VH-UXG: Accident occurred October 01, 2012 in Gympie, Queensland, Australia

What happened 
 
At about 1107 on 1 October 2012, the pilot-owner of a vintage de Havilland DH-84 Dragon Mk 2, registered VH-UXG, took off on a private flight from Monto to Caboolture, Queensland. On board with the pilot were five passengers, baggage and equipment. The pilot was not qualified and the aircraft not equipped for instrument flight. The weather on the coast and extending inland included low clouds and rain.

At 1315, the pilot radioed air traffic control (ATC) and requested navigation assistance, advising that the aircraft was in cloud. Over the next 50 minutes ATC provided assistance to the pilot and a search and rescue (SAR) helicopter was dispatched to the area. From the pilot’s radio calls it was apparent that he was unable to navigate clear of the cloud. Radio contact was intermittent and no transmissions from the aircraft were received after 1405.

An extensive search was initiated, and the aircraft wreckage was located on 3 October in high terrain. The aircraft was destroyed and there were no survivors.

What the ATSB found
With no or limited visual references available in and near cloud, it would have been very difficult for the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft. After maintaining control in such conditions for about an hour, and being unable to navigate away from the mountain range, the pilot most likely became spatially disoriented and lost control of the aircraft before it impacted the ground.
Due to the limited radio and radar coverage in the area, the ability of ATC and the SAR helicopter to assist was limited. However, the ATSB found that there were areas of potential improvement in the management of in-flight emergencies and coordination between ATC and SAR aircraft.
What's been done as a result

Airservices Australia and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of their existing memorandum of understanding to ensure the effectiveness of collaborative in-flight emergency responses. The review is anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.


Safety message

Though it remains unclear precisely how the aircraft came to be in instrument conditions, this accident highlights the importance of pre- and in-flight planning and decision-making in limiting exposure to risk. It is important for pilots to incorporate approved weather forecasts, knowledge of the terrain, and diversion options into their flight planning, to plan for contingencies prior to and throughout a flight, and to carry out those plans well before encountering difficulty.


http://www.atsb.gov.au



The ATSB is investigating an accident involving a DH82 Dragon aircraft that was reported missing in Queensland on 1 October 2012. 

 The aircraft departed Monto that day with six persons on board. The pilot later reported entering cloud and requested assistance from air traffic control to exit those conditions. Communication with the aircraft was subsequently lost.

A search for the aircraft was coordinated by Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR). The aircraft wreckage was located south-west of Gympie on 3 October 2012.

The ATSB has dispatched a team of four investigators to begin the on-site phase of the investigation. The team comprises experts in aircraft operations, aircraft maintenance and flight systems.

Investigators will be:

    examining the wreckage and surrounds for evidence
    interviewing witnesses and others involved in the aircraft’s operation
    obtaining the available recorded information, such as radio and radar data
    examining documentation relating to the aircraft’s maintenance history.

If you have any information about the accident please call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.

The ATSB aims to finalize its investigation within 12 months.

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2012/aair/ao-2012-130.aspx


UPDATED   It is likely the three Brisbane couples on board a red vintage plane died on impact because the plane was ‘‘fundamentally destroyed’’ when it crashed in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, according to authorities.

Des Porter, 68, was the pilot of a De Havilland DH84 Dragon which went missing on Monday with five other people on board – Mr Porter’s wife Kath and their friends John and Carol Dawson, both 63, and Les D'evlin, 75, and his wife Janice D'evlin, 61.

The Porters and Dawsons are from Tingalpa and the D’evlins live in Manly West.
This afternoon, the wreckage was discovered 14 kilometres northwest of the Borumba Dam by a search helicopter which had to land 200 metres away after radioing another helicopter.

Read more: 
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au




 
Des Porter with his beloved Dragon at Caboolture airport.
 Picture: Dane Beesley 
Source: Supplied

 
Des Porter in the 1934 De Havilland DH84 Dragon. 
Picture: Glenn Barnes 
Source: The Courier-Mail

Porter with the aeroplane. 
Picture: Glenn Barnes
 Source: The Australian


THE plane missing north of Brisbane is one of only four of its kind in the world still operational. The De Havilland DH84 Dragon was a successful pre-World War II commercial aircraft originally called the "Dragon Moth", but then marketed just as "Dragon". 
 
The biplane can seat six people, including the pilot, and the one owned by Des Porter was rebuilt eight years ago.

Mr Porter's friend, Warwick Henry, said the craft, named Riama, was one of the first to be rebuilt with original jigs from the fuselage brought from the United Kingdom.

Mr Henry said it was in much better condition than the Dragon that the Porter family owned in 1954, which ultimately crashed.

Mr Porter never stopped loving the aircraft, despite having been trapped in crash wreckage as a 10-year-old boy in an accident that claimed the life of his father and brother.

 "He knew the Dragon and it was a great aeroplane," Mr Henry said. Mr Porter used to fly mainly from Watts Bridge airfield near Toogoolwah, northwest of Brisbane.

His 1934 Dragon was rebuilt by the brothers Greg and Nick Challinor, who own vintage aviation specialist Mothcair, based at Murwillumbah Airport in northern New South Wales.

It was an expensive exercise but one friends say Mr Porter was enthusiastic about.

In an interview with Mackay's Daily Mercury earlier this year, he admitted: "Like everyone else, they (the Challinors) didn't know how much it would cost to rebuild a Dragon - no one had done it."
 

The pair had restored Tiger Moths, but never such a big biplane.

"They thought it would cost about twice as much as a Moth, but that was a bit optimistic, as it turns out," Mr Porter said in the interview. He declined to reveal just how much his love had cost. Piloting such a craft also required specialised knowledge. Even obtaining a licence required a specially-qualified pilot to administer the test.

When back in the skies, the old plane should have been able to fly for about three-and-a-half hours, or about 1000km, with six people on board.

The Dragon has a venerable history. According to the National Museum of Scotland, it was named after its creator Geoffrey De Havilland and first took flight in 1932.

It almost immediately became popular for short-haul flying and by 1933 Dragons were flying the London to Paris route.

During World War II, production shifted from Europe to Bankstown in Sydney. The RAAF used Dragons as navigational training craft.

Mr Porter was associated with the Queensland Vintage Aeroplane Group & Australian Flying Museum Inc, a group dedicated to the preservation of Australia's historic aircraft.

The group consists of both flying and non-flying members, as well as aircraft owners.

 http://www.theaustralian.com.au 


 How The Courier-Mail reported 1954 plane crash that killed pilot Des Porter's father and brother 

 THE pilot of a missing light airplane had been fundraising for charity before his craft carrying five people vanished in southeastern Queensland. 
 
Des Porter, 68, was giving scenic flights in his prized red 1930s biplane at an airshow in central Queensland this morning, according to the organiser of the Monto Fly-In.

Mr Porter is one of six people on board the 1930s de Havilland DH84 which left the town of Monto, 180 kilometres west of Bundaberg, shortly after 11am (AEST).

It's believed the other passengers were two elderly couples and Mr Porter's partner.

The plane had been due to arrive at Caboolture Airport, north of Brisbane, about 2.15pm (AEST) but never arrived.

A distress call from Mr Porter shortly after 1pm was picked up by a Nine Network helicopter pilot.

Mr Porter said he was having difficulty positioning himself and wanted assistance, the helicopter pilot said.

The aircraft's emergency beacon was activated at about 2.45pm (AEST), according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Police and Australian Search and Rescue are coordinating an air and land search west of the Imbil area and about 70km north of Caboolture.

Two helicopters conducted flyovers of the search zone on Monday afternoon but found no sign of the missing airplane or its occupants.

A spokeswoman for AMSA says search conditions were "not ideal", with low and thick cloud blanketing the area.

A night rescue aircraft with electronic search capabilities including infra-red and heat-sensing technology will continue searching overnight.

Planning is underway for a full-scale search on Tuesday morning, which will include more aircraft - both helicopters and fixed wing - and possibly people on foot.

Monto Fly-In organiser Myles Breitkreutz said Mr Porter was a highly experienced pilot.

He last saw his airplane taxiing from the airstrip, 180km west of Bundaberg, shortly after 11am (AEST).

The aviator said he'd invited Mr Porter to the airshow and felt terrible but wasn't giving up hope his friend was safe.

"I know the capabilities of Des as a pilot and we've got our thoughts and hopes that he's made an emergency landing in a paddock and waiting for weather to clear and everything's cool," he said.

Helping the Royal Flying Doctor Service and other people was Mr Porter's "passion and his life", Mr Breitkreutz said.

The six missing had been part of large number of aviation enthusiasts who descended on the small town of Monto for the weekend airshow.

Simone Ryan, from Monto's Three Moon Motel, said the motel was booked out for the entire weekend with many of the organisers of the airshow staying there.

"The people who were with that plane stayed here," she said told AAP.

"It's terrible, they were absolutely lovely people."

Mr Porter survived a fatal crash in the same model airplane which claimed the lives of his father and brother in the 1950s.

He was 10 when the plane flown by his father went down in a creek in Brisbane's south in 1954.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au


 
Rescue crews arrive at the wreckage of a vintage plane missing since Monday.
 Photo: Channel Nine

JDT Mini-MAX 1300R, N1532W: Accident occurred September 30, 2012 in Chula Vista, California

http://registry.faa.gov/N1532W


NTSB Identification: WPR12LA441 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 30, 2012 in Chula Vista, CA
Aircraft: TEAM INC Mini-Max, registration: N1532W
Injuries: 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On September 30, 2012, about 1835 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built TEAM INC Mini-Max 1300-R light sport airplane, N1532W, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a complete loss of engine power during approach to John Nichol's Field airport (OCL3), Chula Vista, California. The pilot/owner received minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no FAA flight plan was filed for the flight.

According to the pilot, he was not the builder of the aircraft, and had purchased the aircraft a few months prior to the accident. He based the aircraft at OCL3, which he termed an "ultralight park," and departed on the flight about 90 minutes before the accident. During the return to OCL3, when the aircraft was about 1 mile from the field, at an altitude of about 1,000 to 1,200 feet, the engine "froze up." The pilot selected a flat area in a park for his forced landing, but on the final approach, he realized that he had too much airspeed to land and stop in the available remaining distance, so he intentionally stalled the airplane to stop it quickly. The aircraft struck and came to rest against an embankment that bordered the park, and the pilot received minor injuries. The pilot reported that he "had no idea" why the engine ceased operation. Examination by a Chula Vista Police Department officer determined that the fuel tank was about 3/4 full after the accident.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) information, the aircraft was manufactured in 1991, and was equipped with a Rotax 503 series non-certificated engine. The pilot held a student pilot certificate.

The 1853 automated weather observation at an airport about 6 miles southwest of the accident location included calm winds; visibility 10 miles; clear skies; temperature 24 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of mercury.


IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 1532W        Make/Model: EXP       Description: MINI MAX 1300-R
  Date: 10/01/2012     Time: 0135

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

LOCATION
  City: CHULA VISTA   State: CA   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED ONTO A FIELD, NEAR CHULA VISTA, CA

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: SAN DIEGO, CA  (WP09)                 Entry date: 10/01/2012 

View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.

Emergency officials in Chula Vista responded Sunday to the report of a small plane's crash landing in a suburban park.

An experimental plane attempted to land on a soccer field to the south of Salt Creek Recreation Center.

Chula Vista police Lt. Eric Thurnberg said someone called around 6:40 p.m. to report an experimental plane crash at Salt Creek Park on Otay Lakes Road in the Eastlake area of Chula Vista.

The plane rolled approximately 10 to 20 feet across the grass officials said.

Then, the plane’s right wing struck a light pole and the aircraft came to rest on an embankment.

The pilot could be seen talking to officials and was not receiving medical treatment from the paramedics on the scene.

Steven Smith, 42, told NBC 7 San Diego he has been flying since he was 21 years old.

The NTSB has been notified.

No one on the ground was injured.


Read more - Click Here

Microlight crash pilot determined to return to the skies

DEFIANT pilot Gordon Wilson today vowed to return to the skies just days after his microlight crashed to earth from 40ft.

Mr Wilson emerged unscathed despite being trapped in the crumpled wreckage of his £7,000 aircraft after it fell to earth during the Great North Fly In at Eshott Airfield on Saturday.
 

The 50-year-old dad-of-two – who has more than a decade’s experience in the cockpit – was airlifted to hospital following the crash in front of hundreds of flight fans.

But while his passenger, a 30-year-old woman, suffered a broken arm, Ms Wilson suffered just cuts and bruises.

Gordon, who lives with wife Yvonne, 51, a teaching assistant, in Appletree Drive, Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “I was coming in to land and there was a helicopter in front of me. I flew into the turbulence and it destroyed the lift. I just dropped out of the sky from about 40ft in the air.

“It was just totally out of control and with the speed being so fast we just hit the floor. There was nothing I could do.”

Gordon, who has two sons, Gavin, 25, and Benjamin, 20, was training a 30-year-old female passenger at around 1.45pm on Saturday.

But as the pair came into land the flexwing microlight was thrown into a spin by the air currents from a helicopter that had just landed. The aircraft was a write-off after it slammed into the ground and was left a twisted wreck.

Gordon said: “We were out for a lesson, the lady had around 14 hours of flying experience built up and she hadn’t flown for a while, so we were having a lesson to familiarise her with the aircraft again.

“The take-off and flight was fine, but when I went to land the plane at Eshott there was a helicopter near the runway and I got caught in the wake turbulence, it lifted the wing of our aircraft and we plunged about 60 to 70ft down and tipped over.

“I just got too close to it. I didn’t leave enough room between our plane and the helicopter. It was a scary experience. It hasn’t put me off flying again, but I’ll need a few days off.”

Following the crash, the Air Accident Investigation Branch confirmed they were carrying out an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.

Fire crews and ambulance paramedics attended the scene after the crash and a Great North Air Ambulance helicopter was scrambled to the scene to treat the injured.

Mr Wilson, an IT trainer at a computer company in Wallsend, North Tyneside, said he was unfazed by the experience and he would continue to take to the skies above Northumberland.

He said: “We were trapped in the wreckage and I was immobilised and airlifted to the RVI. I was training a passenger at the time and she suffered a broken arm.

“I’m fine now but I was a little bit shaken at the time. I keep replaying it in my mind. I got some bruising down my right hand side to my ribs. I was scanned and given an ultrasound but everything was fine.

“It’s a high-energy sport and you have to expect this sort of things but you learn from your mistakes.”

Mr Wilson spent 16 years in the Army training recruits but during a diving exercise in Cyprus, he suffered decompression sickness which meant he was no longer able to continue as a diver.

Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk