Vandenberg Air Force Base's Airfield Operations team supported an emergency landing of a Cessna 206 on the runway at the base Thursday afternoon.
According to the report, four local residents were on board when the aircraft landed. One crew member jumped out of the aircraft around 2,000 feet, pulled his reserve chute and landed safely near the airfield at Vandenberg.
"A base member saw the parachutist land near the airfield," said Lt. Col. Dieter Haney, Operations Support Squadron commander. "He did the right thing, followed standard protocol and turned the individual over to the Security Forces."
According to Anthony Galvan, transient alert and maintenance member for United Paradyne, this is not the first time this aircraft had an emergency landing on Vandenberg's runway.
"This is the second time that this same aircraft has landed here," Galvan said. "A few years ago it called in for an emergency landing for the same issue — a blown engine."
According to Galvan, the pilot managed to provide a safe, smooth, yet unpowered landing.
The 30th Space Wing emergency response team reported no injuries or any damage to the runway.
The aircraft is part of Sky Dive Santa Barbara and typically operates out of the Lompoc Airfield. Members from the Lompoc Airfield are scheduled to disassemble the Cessna and transport the aircraft off base early next week.
Source: http://www.noozhawk.com
Friday, August 16, 2013
Piermont Fire Department: Local and state emergency responders will take part in a simulation of a plane landing with a high number of casualties on the Hudson River
Piermont Pier will be closed to all non-emergency vehicles Saturday, but not for the summer motor vehicle free day some expected.
Though emergency personnel and vehicles will be on the pier and in the area, it will not be the emergency it seems, either.
The Piermont Fire Department will host the simulation of a plane landing in the Hudson River with "mass casualties" Saturday involving local volunteers and state agencies from New York and New Jersey. The drill will be staged from Piermont Pier between 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The drill comes less than a month after multiple agencies worked together to respond near when a speedboat crashed into a construction barge near the Tappan Zee Bridge near Piermont July 26, killing two passengers and injuring four other people aboard.
Source: http://nyack.patch.com
Though emergency personnel and vehicles will be on the pier and in the area, it will not be the emergency it seems, either.
The Piermont Fire Department will host the simulation of a plane landing in the Hudson River with "mass casualties" Saturday involving local volunteers and state agencies from New York and New Jersey. The drill will be staged from Piermont Pier between 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The drill comes less than a month after multiple agencies worked together to respond near when a speedboat crashed into a construction barge near the Tappan Zee Bridge near Piermont July 26, killing two passengers and injuring four other people aboard.
Source: http://nyack.patch.com
Emergency Training Exercise at Jamestown Regional Airport (KJMS), North Dakota
JAMESTOWN - Local emergency response agencies will participate in a full scale training exercise at Jamestown Regional Airport on Monday, August 19th. The exercise is designed to test the airport's emergency operations plan and resource capabilities as well as the response capabilities of local response agencies in the event of an aviation-related accident.
Local emergency response agencies will respond and volunteers pretending to be victims will be treated for fake injuries. Some of the victims will be transported via ambulance to Jamestown Regional Medical Center where a secondary emergency exercise will also be taking place. The event will not be real; however, the simulated response will be as realistic as possible.
The exercise will start at about 6:30 p.m. Monday evening and will take place mainly on Airport property. Emergency response vehicles utilized during the exercise will be pre-staged at the Jamestown High School parking lot. Response agencies will be responding with lights and possibly sirens. All normal traffic rules will be followed during this exercise.
For safety reasons and to avoid traffic congestion, law enforcement officials will be restricting airport access to only emergency response vehicles and personnel as well as those having a specific need to be on airport property. Airport access restrictions will be in place for the length of the exercise which is scheduled to end at about 8:30 p.m.
Those organizations participating in the training exercise include: Jamestown Regional Airport, Great Lakes Airlines, Jamestown Police Department, Stutsman County Sheriff's Office, ND Highway Patrol, Jamestown Fire Department, Jamestown Rural Fire Department, Jamestown Area Ambulance, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Central Valley Health District, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Stutsman County Communications, and Stutsman County Emergency Management.
-information provided by Jerry Bergquist, Stutsman County Emergency Mgr.
Source: http://www.ksjbam.com
Local emergency response agencies will respond and volunteers pretending to be victims will be treated for fake injuries. Some of the victims will be transported via ambulance to Jamestown Regional Medical Center where a secondary emergency exercise will also be taking place. The event will not be real; however, the simulated response will be as realistic as possible.
The exercise will start at about 6:30 p.m. Monday evening and will take place mainly on Airport property. Emergency response vehicles utilized during the exercise will be pre-staged at the Jamestown High School parking lot. Response agencies will be responding with lights and possibly sirens. All normal traffic rules will be followed during this exercise.
For safety reasons and to avoid traffic congestion, law enforcement officials will be restricting airport access to only emergency response vehicles and personnel as well as those having a specific need to be on airport property. Airport access restrictions will be in place for the length of the exercise which is scheduled to end at about 8:30 p.m.
Those organizations participating in the training exercise include: Jamestown Regional Airport, Great Lakes Airlines, Jamestown Police Department, Stutsman County Sheriff's Office, ND Highway Patrol, Jamestown Fire Department, Jamestown Rural Fire Department, Jamestown Area Ambulance, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Central Valley Health District, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Stutsman County Communications, and Stutsman County Emergency Management.
-information provided by Jerry Bergquist, Stutsman County Emergency Mgr.
Source: http://www.ksjbam.com
No need for more communication regulations: Saskatchewan pilots - Response follows Transportation Safety Board report into St. Brieux crash
Saskatchewan pilots don’t see the need for increased communication
rules in the province despite a deadly two plane crash last year.
The two planes crashed mid-air near St. Brieux killing all five people aboard the two aircraft including 11-year-old Wade Donovan.
A report by the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said the two planes likely didn’t see each other until it was too late. Both aircrafts were flying under visual flight rules – meaning they were relying on sight alone to spot other aircraft – but their positions would have made it difficult to see each other.
The report said both planes were seen on air traffic control but they weren’t required to communicate.
Planes are only required to communicate with air traffic control if they are flying above 12,500 feet, according to Regina Flying Club spokesperson Tom Ray. The two planes were flying at 4,500 feet.
“Not only are they not reachable by radar at those low levels when they’re out there’s no requirement either,” Ray said.
However, despite the fact that roughly 90 per cent of Saskatchewan is uncontrolled airspace, Ray doesn’t think panic or mandatory radar coverage and communication are necessary.
“The incident that did happen is so extremely rare and unfortunate but there just isn’t enough traffic in Saskatchewan to worry about radar coverage,” he said.
The TSB recorded 17 mid-air collisions in Canada over the past decade. Eight involved formation flying, three were in practice training areas and six were in uncontrolled air space like the St. Brieux accident.
Globally most collisions occur during takeoff and landing where the concentration of planes is much higher.
In Canada planes that carry at least 15 passengers must have collision avoidance systems. Both planes were smaller but were equipped with passive collision avoidance systems. Investigators could not determine whether they were on or working at the time of the crash.
Ray said the best safety procedure for pilots is to see and be seen.
“See and be seen,” he said. “There’s nobody to talk to out there, there’s nobody that’s going to give your position off radar. It’s just you have to keep a good look out.”
Source: http://www.newstalk650.com
The two planes crashed mid-air near St. Brieux killing all five people aboard the two aircraft including 11-year-old Wade Donovan.
A report by the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said the two planes likely didn’t see each other until it was too late. Both aircrafts were flying under visual flight rules – meaning they were relying on sight alone to spot other aircraft – but their positions would have made it difficult to see each other.
The report said both planes were seen on air traffic control but they weren’t required to communicate.
Planes are only required to communicate with air traffic control if they are flying above 12,500 feet, according to Regina Flying Club spokesperson Tom Ray. The two planes were flying at 4,500 feet.
“Not only are they not reachable by radar at those low levels when they’re out there’s no requirement either,” Ray said.
However, despite the fact that roughly 90 per cent of Saskatchewan is uncontrolled airspace, Ray doesn’t think panic or mandatory radar coverage and communication are necessary.
“The incident that did happen is so extremely rare and unfortunate but there just isn’t enough traffic in Saskatchewan to worry about radar coverage,” he said.
The TSB recorded 17 mid-air collisions in Canada over the past decade. Eight involved formation flying, three were in practice training areas and six were in uncontrolled air space like the St. Brieux accident.
Globally most collisions occur during takeoff and landing where the concentration of planes is much higher.
In Canada planes that carry at least 15 passengers must have collision avoidance systems. Both planes were smaller but were equipped with passive collision avoidance systems. Investigators could not determine whether they were on or working at the time of the crash.
Ray said the best safety procedure for pilots is to see and be seen.
“See and be seen,” he said. “There’s nobody to talk to out there, there’s nobody that’s going to give your position off radar. It’s just you have to keep a good look out.”
Source: http://www.newstalk650.com
Cessna 206 Super Skywagon, N2070K: Fatal accident occurred August 16, 2013 in Brooklyn, Iowa
Wayne F. Kidrowski
December 25, 1956 - August 16, 2013
~
Wayne Kidrowski, 56, fell to his death on Aug. 16 after he was sucked out of an open door of an airplane owned by Brooklyn-based Skydive Iowa. The parachute he was told to wear deployed in the plane without warning, according to the lawsuit.
Kidrowski’s parachute got caught on the plane’s tail before he fell 600 to 700 feet to the ground, the lawsuit said.
Attorneys for Kidrowski’s wife, who was named administrator of his estate, believe the plane’s pilot and owners weren’t in compliance with federal safety regulations, according to the lawsuit sent to Poweshiek County on Tuesday. The lawsuit names Skydive Iowa and its owner, Bruce Kennedy, as well as the pilot, Andrew Arthur, as plaintiffs.
Kennedy declined to speak with a reporter, citing the litigation. Kennedy said the skydiving business remains open. Arthur could not be reached for comment.
During the August flight, Kidrowski had agreed to ride with Arthur in the Cessna 206 from Brooklyn to the Grinnell Regional Airport so that the airplane could undergo maintenance, according to the lawsuit. The plane had no seat for Kidrowski with a safety belt, because all seats except for the pilot’s had been removed, the lawsuit said.
An employee of the skydiving company who is also named in the lawsuit, Brent Rhomberg, gave Kidrowski a parachute to wear during the flight even though Kidrowski had no intention of skydiving, according to the lawsuit. Rhomberg acted negligently in requiring the parachute, the lawsuit said.
“Wayne Kidrowski would not have been pulled from the aircraft and killed if he had not been required to wear a parachute,” the lawsuit said.
The plane’s right-side door had been removed, and a “roll-up style door” on the airplane was not used during the flight, leaving the door open, according to the lawsuit.
Under federal law, planes can be flown without doors specifically for skydiving, the lawsuit said.
Further, the pilot failed to provide a pre-flight briefing, which could have included safety equipment information, the lawsuit said.
Kidrowski’s parachute deployed when the plane was flying at an altitude of more than 1,000 feet, according to the lawsuit. The wind dragged the parachute and Kidrowski out of the plane, and then the parachute got caught on the plane’s tail, the lawsuit said.
The parachute, stuck on the tail, caused the plane to stall and descend about 300 feet, according to the lawsuit. When Arthur got control of the aircraft again, Kidrowski’s parachute came off the tail, and the pilot believed Kidrowski “had control” of the parachute, the lawsuit said.
Kidrowski was a father of two adult daughters and had two granddaughters and worked at the Brooklyn Elevator, his widow, Cindy Kidrowski, confirmed for The Des Moines Register through an attorney.
The lawsuit asks for damages for “loss of spousal support” as well as “loss of enjoyment of life” and “pre-impact terror.” The lawsuit also asks for punitive damages, levied to punish plaintiffs for negligent or reckless behavior.
An average of 21 people die each year in skydiving accidents, said Jim Crouch, director of safety and training for the United States Parachute Association. Such deaths are commonly caused by human error, such as opening a parachute once a skydiver is too low to the ground, or by two divers colliding mid-air, he said.
Crouch said the association was aware of Kidrowski’s death, but did not include the death in its count because he wasn’t on a skydiving flight.
Crouch declined to comment on the specific actions leading to Kidrowski’s death, but said all skydive operators are responsible for ensuring they are complying with all laws and Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
Source: http://www.desmoinesregister.com
Wayne Kidrowski - Obituary: http://www.smithfh.com
Skydive Iowa Inc: http://www.skydiveia.com
BROOKLYN AIR INC., N2070K: http://registry.faa.gov/N2070K
NTSB Identification: CEN13LA500
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Brooklyn, IA
Aircraft: CESSNA 206, registration: N2070K
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 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.
On August 16, 2013, about 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 206 airplane, N2070K, was damaged inflight near Brooklyn, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured; however, the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Brooklyn Air Inc., and operated by Skydive Iowa Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Skydive Iowa Airport (09IA), Brooklyn, Iowa, and was en route to Grinnell Regional Airport (KGGI), Grinnell, Iowa.
=========
Wayne Kidrowski, 56, of Holiday Lake near Brooklyn, IA died on Friday, August 16, 2013, of injuries he received in an accident near Brooklyn.
A celebration of life gathering will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013 at the Holiday Lake Community Center.
Should friends desire, memorials may be directed to the Wayne Kidrowski Memorial Fund and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Wayne was born on December 25, 1956, in Cresco, IA to Robert H. and Giovanne Pecinovsky Kidrowski. He attended Mayo High School in Rochester, MN and later attended Hawkeye Technical College in Waterloo, IA.
He worked with the Iron Workers Local Union #89 for over 23 years and lived in Waterloo, IA. Following his retirement he worked for the Brooklyn Elevator and worked as a maintenance man at the Guernsey location. He was married to Cindy Johnston Eakins on September 4, 2011 at Holiday Lake near Brooklyn.
Wayne was a master welder and was involved in the construction of the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, IA and the Isle Casino in Waterloo, IA. He was an avid Harley motorcyclist and he enjoyed traveling to bike rallies in Sturgis, SD and Daytona Beach, FL. Wayne received his work ethic and skills from his father, which enabled him to do such things as to build his own home at Holiday Lake. While living at Holiday Lake he enjoyed fishing and spending time outdoors.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy Kidrowski of Grinnell; two daughters, Kari Kidrowski of Muskegon, MI and Kristi Kidrowski of Evansdale, IA; one step-daughter, Shanna Eakins of Waterloo, IA; one step-son, Joel Eakins of Ames, IA; two granddaughters, Kiara and Winter McGee; four sisters, Renee (Robert) Smeby of Lake Shore, MN, Cheryl Kidrowski of Plainview, MN, Mary (Vince) Anderson of New Port Richey, FL, and Carolyn (Pete) Jorland of Bovey, MN; and three brothers, Fred (Colleen) McCall of Mantorville, MN, Bobby Kidrowsky of Bloomington, MN and Jack (Angie) Kidrowski of Dickinson, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
===========
The widow of a Brooklyn man killed last year in an unlikely airplane accident has filed a lawsuit claiming that negligence by a skydiving company and pilot caused her husband's death.
Wayne Kidrowski, 56, fell to his death on Aug. 16 after he was sucked out of an open door of an airplane owned by Brooklyn-based Skydive Iowa. The parachute he was told to wear deployed in the plane without warning, according to the lawsuit.
Kidrowski's parachute got caught on the plane's tail before he fell 600 to 700 feet to the ground, the lawsuit said.
Attorneys for Kidrowski's wife, who was named administrator of his estate, believe the plane's pilot and owners weren't in compliance with federal safety regulations, according to the lawsuit sent to Poweshiek County on Tuesday. The lawsuit names Skydive Iowa and its owner, Bruce Kennedy, as well as the pilot, Andrew Arthur, as plaintiffs.
Kennedy declined to speak with a reporter, citing the litigation. Kennedy said the skydiving business remains open. Arthur could not be reached for comment.
During the August flight, Kidrowski had agreed to ride with Arthur in the Cessna 206 from Brooklyn to the Grinnell Regional Airport so that the airplane could undergo maintenance, according to the lawsuit. The plane had no seat for Kidrowski with a safety belt, because all seats except for the pilot's had been removed, the lawsuit said.
An employee of the skydiving company who is also named in the lawsuit, Brent Rhomberg, gave Kidrowski a parachute to wear during the flight even though Kidrowski had no intention of skydiving, according to the lawsuit. Rhomberg acted negligently in requiring the parachute, the lawsuit said.
"Wayne Kidrowski would not have been pulled from the aircraft and killed if he had not been required to wear a parachute," the lawsuit said.
The plane's right-side door had been removed, and a "roll-up style door" on the airplane was not used during the flight, leaving the door open, according to the lawsuit.
Under federal law, planes can be flown without doors specifically for skydiving, the lawsuit said.
Further, the pilot failed to provide a pre-flight briefing, which could have included safety equipment information, the lawsuit said.
Kidrowski's parachute deployed when the plane was flying at an altitude of more than 1,000 feet, according to the lawsuit. The wind dragged the parachute and Kidrowski out of the plane, and then the parachute got caught on the plane's tail, the lawsuit said.
The parachute, stuck on the tail, caused the plane to stall and descend about 300 feet, according to the lawsuit. When Arthur got control of the aircraft again, Kidrowski's parachute came off the tail, and the pilot believed Kidrowski "had control" of the parachute, the lawsuit said.
Kidrowski was a father of two adult daughters and had two granddaughters and worked at the Brooklyn Elevator, his widow, Cindy Kidrowski, confirmed for The Des Moines Register through an attorney.
The lawsuit asks for damages for "loss of spousal support" as well as "loss of enjoyment of life" and "pre-impact terror." The lawsuit also asks for punitive damages, levied to punish plaintiffs for negligent or reckless behavior.
An average of 21 people die each year in skydiving accidents, said Jim Crouch, director of safety and training for the United States Parachute Association. Such deaths are commonly caused by human error, such as opening a parachute once a skydiver is too low to the ground, or by two divers colliding mid-air, he said.
Crouch said the association was aware of Kidrowski's death, but did not include the death in its count because he wasn't on a skydiving flight.
Crouch declined to comment on the specific actions leading to Kidrowski's death, but said all skydive operators are responsible for ensuring they are complying with all laws and Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
======
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Brooklyn, IA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/07/2014
Aircraft: CESSNA 206, registration: N2070K
Injuries: 1 Fatal,1 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.
Before departure for the positioning flight, the pilot was told that an observer/passenger would be joining him for the flight. The airplane, which was typically used in skydiving operations, had its right cabin door removed, and a fabric roll-up jump door had been installed; it was not closed during the flight. The pilot reported that the passenger sat behind him on the right side of the airplane and that he heard him attach his seatbelt. During the flight, the passenger moved forward in the cabin, which resulted in the passenger's reserve parachute inadvertently deploying and the passenger being pulled through the open jump door. The passenger hit the doorframe, and the parachute became entangled with the empennage, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. The parachute eventually separated from the empennage, and the pilot was able to regain control of the airplane and land it without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed that the passenger had inadvertently attached his seatbelt to the handle that released the reserve parachute. Therefore, the reserve parachute deployed when the passenger moved. The pilot did not conduct a safety briefing before the flight; however, the improper routing of the seatbelt may not have been identified even if he had conducted a safety briefing. Additionally, if the jump door had been closed, it is likely that the passenger would not have been pulled out of the airplane.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The improper routing of the seatbelt, which resulted in the inadvertent deployment of the reserve parachute, and the open jump door, which allowed the passenger to be pulled from the airplane.
On August 16, 2013, about 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 206 airplane, N2070K, was damaged inflight near Brooklyn, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured; however, the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Brooklyn Air Inc., and operated by Skydive Iowa Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Skydive Iowa Airport (09IA), Brooklyn, Iowa, and was en route to Grinnell Regional Airport (KGGI), Grinnell, Iowa.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to position the airplane to Grinnell, Iowa, so that maintenance could be conducted. After starting the airplane engine and preparing to taxi, the pilot was notified by the company tandem master that a passenger would be joining him for the flight to Grinnell as an observer. Both the pilot and passenger were wearing parachutes, as required by the company policy. The airplane was used in skydive operations and the right-side, cabin door had been removed.
The pilot reported that the passenger boarded the airplane, took a seat on the right side of the airplane, behind the pilot, and fastened his seatbelt. He stated that he did not inspect the seatbelt and had heard the "click" of the seatbelt as it was latched. No passenger briefing was provided by the pilot. Shortly after departure, the passenger elected to move from his position behind the pilot to a position in the front of the airplane, beside the pilot. As the passenger was moving, the reserve parachute, in the passenger's parachute-pack, deployed and the passenger was pulled from the airplane.
The pilot stated that as the passenger exited the airplane, he heard a loud "bang". At the same time, the parachute became entangled in the empennage. The airplane pitched up approximately 50 degrees, banked 80 degrees to the right, and stalled. Eventually, the parachute separated from the empennage and the pilot was able to recover the airplane between 600 and 700 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot observed the parachute open, and about 100 feet agl, the parachute made a sharp right turn. The pilot assumed that the passenger was controlling the parachute.
According to one witness on the ground, he observed the canopy of the parachute circle several times before the parachute seemed to go straight down. Another witness commented that the parachute was very low and very fast. A witness responded to the location where the parachute came down and found the passenger unconscious and without a pulse. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, who conducted the autopsy, the passenger died from multiple blunt force injuries.
The pilot continued to KGGI and landed without further incident. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed minor damage to the fuselage at the door frame and skin damage to the horizontal stabilizer. Blood was found on the door frame of the airplane where the passenger egressed. Further examination revealed that the "D" ring, or handle that released the reserve parachute, was buckled into the seatbelt.
A review of the airplane operating limitations, "Limitations for the Operation of an Aircraft with a Door Removed" – stated that "when operations other than intentional parachute jumping and skydiving are conducted, a suitable guardrail or equivalent safety device must be provided for the doorway."
The pilot reported that a "roll-up door" was installed on the airplane but was not in use at the time of the accident flight because of the warm temperatures and because one of the devices used to fasten the corner of the door to the airframe was broken, preventing them from properly securing the door.
Despite multiple attempts, the pilot refused to provide the required Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1/2.
http://registry.faa.gov/N2070K
NTSB Identification: CEN13LA500
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Brooklyn, IA
Aircraft: CESSNA 206, registration: N2070K
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On August 16, 2013, about 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 206, N2070K, sustained minor damage inflight near Brooklyn, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured; however, the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Skydive Iowa Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Skydive Iowa Airport (09IA), and was en route to Grinnell Regional Airport (KGGI), Grinnell, Iowa.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident, the airplane was on a positioning flight for maintenance. Both the pilot and passenger were wearing parachutes, per company policy. Approximately 1,500 feet mean sea level, the passenger attempted to move forward in the airplane and sit next to the pilot. The d-ring on the passengers parachute was inadvertently activated, deploying the parachute, and egressing the passenger out of the airplane.
The pilot heard the egress, circled over the passenger, and observed a deployed canopy from the parachute. The pilot continued to KGGI and landed without further incident.
=============
The eastern Iowa man who died in a parachute accident aboard a skydiving plane Friday was on the plane to observe, not jump, said Skydive Iowa owner Bruce Kennedy. The victim, whose name is still being withheld by authorities, died after his parachute prematurely deployed during take-off from the Skydive Iowa facility at Brooklyn, in Poweshiek County, around 5:24 p.m. Friday.
The pilot, the only other person on the plane, was uninjured. “It appears that (the victim) had injuries from the ejection out the door,” Kennedy said Saturday. Anyone who goes up in an aircraft at Skydive Iowa wears a parachute, Kennedy said. The victim had previously gone on 10 to 12 observation rides.
“He knew everybody who works here,” Kennedy said. “It’s a very sad day.” Premature openings of parachutes have caused accidents, but not at Skydive Iowa, Kennedy said. He described the incident as “a freak accident.” The accident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, Iowa State Patrol and the Poweshiek County sheriff’s office, according to a news release.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com
Owner of Skydive Iowa in Brooklyn, Bruce Kennedy says yesterday was an ideal day for skydiving. Kennedy says, “5-10 mile an hour winds it’s just perfect.”
Despite last night’s perfect conditions, his long-time customer wanted to enjoy the weather from a plane instead. Even though his friend had no plans of diving, Kennedy requires everyone wear a parachute just in case. But this symbol safety turned deadly, when it accidentally opened… sucking the rider out of the plane during takeoff. Kennedy says, “It’s tragic. There’s just no words to describe it.”
Not knowing what went wrong, the only thing he wants to do is the one thing he can’t. Kennedy says, “Doesn’t do much good just to crawl in a hole, which is what we all kind of want to do but so it’s best that we just go on with our daily routine.”
Avoiding the darkness he looks to the sky and thinks of his friend. Kennedy says, “He could have been a skydiver you know with his Harley Davidson and his hunting skills and stuff, he lived on the edge.” And shares this edge with others looking for the rush he enjoys every day.
Lasers pointed at two planes in the Teterboro, New Jersey, area
Lasers were pointed Thursday night at three aircraft, two of which were on their approach to Newark Liberty International Airport, authorities said.
At about 9:20 p.m., a green-and-white beam originating about 10 miles southwest of Newark airport hit a Eurocopter, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Friday.
Then green lasers near Teterboro were pointed at about 9:55 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the two planes bound for Newark. Both landed safely and no one was injured, said Joe Pentangelo, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman.
Pointing a laser at an airplane is a federal crime and can be punished with up to five years in prison. Despite that, people continue to point lasers at aircraft, said Jim Peters, an FAA spokesman.
In 2012, there were 3,482 events reported nationally, 66 in New Jersey and 18 in Newark, according to the FAA. Through Aug. 2, there have been 2,292 events reported nationally, 27 in New Jersey and 8 in Newark.
In 2004, David Banach, of Parsippany, pointed a green laser at a Cessna carrying six people. He temporarily blinded the two aviators as they approached Teterboro airport.
Banach and his 7-year-old daughter were playing with a Jasper Class 3a laser in their back yard when he pointed it into the cockpit of the Cessna, which was traveling at about 3,000 feet. The green beam blazed through the windshield three times, the federal indictment said.
Banach, who was charged under the federal Patriot Act and faced 20 years in prison, was sentenced to two years of probation because a judge said he was reckless but did not have any terroristic intent.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.northjersey.com
At about 9:20 p.m., a green-and-white beam originating about 10 miles southwest of Newark airport hit a Eurocopter, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Friday.
Then green lasers near Teterboro were pointed at about 9:55 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the two planes bound for Newark. Both landed safely and no one was injured, said Joe Pentangelo, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman.
Pointing a laser at an airplane is a federal crime and can be punished with up to five years in prison. Despite that, people continue to point lasers at aircraft, said Jim Peters, an FAA spokesman.
In 2012, there were 3,482 events reported nationally, 66 in New Jersey and 18 in Newark, according to the FAA. Through Aug. 2, there have been 2,292 events reported nationally, 27 in New Jersey and 8 in Newark.
In 2004, David Banach, of Parsippany, pointed a green laser at a Cessna carrying six people. He temporarily blinded the two aviators as they approached Teterboro airport.
Banach and his 7-year-old daughter were playing with a Jasper Class 3a laser in their back yard when he pointed it into the cockpit of the Cessna, which was traveling at about 3,000 feet. The green beam blazed through the windshield three times, the federal indictment said.
Banach, who was charged under the federal Patriot Act and faced 20 years in prison, was sentenced to two years of probation because a judge said he was reckless but did not have any terroristic intent.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.northjersey.com
Robinson R66, Robinson Helicopter Co, N646AG: Accident occurred July 27, 2013 in Noxen, Pennsylvania
http://registry.faa.gov/N646AG
NTSB Identification: ERA13FA336
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Noxen, PA
Aircraft: ROBINSON R66, registration: N646AG
Injuries: 5 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On July 27, 2013, about 2220 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R66, N646AG, registered to Hampton Roads Charter Service, collided with trees and terrain near Noxen, Pennsylvania. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight from Tri-Cities Airport (CZG), Endicott, New York, to Jake Arner Memorial Airport (22N), Lehighton, Pennsylvania. The helicopter was destroyed and the commercial pilot and 4 passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated from CZG about 2151.
There was no record with Lockheed Martin AFSS or CSC or DTC DUATS that the pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing before departure.
According to preliminary air traffic control information, after takeoff the non-instrument rated pilot called Binghamton Approach Control and advised the controller that the flight had just departed CZG, and was requesting visual flight rules (VFR) flight following. The controller provided the altimeter setting (30.00 inches of Mercury) and asked the pilot the destination and requested altitude, to which he replied 22N, and 3,000 feet msl.
A discrete transponder code was assigned (4604), and the flight was radar identified 3 miles southwest of CZG. The flight proceeded in a southwesterly direction flying about 3,000 feet until about 2157, then turned to a south-southeasterly heading while flying between 2,600 and 3,000 feet msl (variations in altitude were noted).
Air traffic control communications were transferred to Wilkes-Barre Approach Control, and the pilot established contact with that facility advising the controller that the flight was level at 3,000 feet msl. The Wilkes-Barre Approach controller acknowledged the transmission, and issued an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of Mercury. While in contact with that facility the flight proceeded in a southeasterly direction with altitude and slight heading changes until about 2219, at which time recorded radar reflects a left turn to a northeasterly direction. Shortly thereafter, the pilot advised the controller, “we’re inadvertent IMC, reversing ah, can you give us a heading to the nearest airport, please"
The controller asked the pilot if he wanted a heading to the nearest airport and if the flight was in IFR conditions but the pilot did not respond to that transmission. The radar data reflects that the left turn continued to a north-northwesterly heading for about 9 seconds, at which time the radar reflects the helicopter turned to a north-northeasterly heading, followed by a turn to a northerly heading. The controller instructed the pilot to fly heading 068 degrees for a vector to Sky Haven Airport (76N), Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, to which the pilot immediately replied at about 2220:03, “6 alpha gulf having trouble maintaining control here.”
The radar data from Wilkes-Barre Approach reflects that between 2219:53, and 2220:03, the flight descended from 2,800 to 2,600 feet and proceeded in an east-southeasterly direction, and between 2220:03 and 2220:17, the flight proceeded in a northeasterly heading with some altitude deviation noted. The controller then asked the pilot, “helicopter 6AG ah you having trouble maintaining altitude sir", to which the pilot immediately replied, "Affirmative 6AG." The radar data reflected that between 2220:17, and 2220:27, which was between the time the pilot informed the controller he was having trouble maintaining altitude, the helicopter descended from 2,600 to 2,300 feet, and changed direction to the southeast. There were no further recorded communications from the pilot.
The helicopter crashed on privately owned wooded land leased to an energy company; there were no known witnesses to the accident.
The ELT activated and a search was initiated but adverse weather (heavy fog) caused the search to be called off in the early morning hours. The search resumed when the weather allowed, and the wreckage was located on July 28, 2013, about 1350.
TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. — A Virginia woman sued Friday over a helicopter crash last month in northeastern Pennsylvania that killed her young son and four others, saying a charter company “negligently and recklessly” allowed a pilot to fly when he was not fully trained.
Crystal McKain of Leesburg, Va., filed the wrongful-death lawsuit in Wyoming County over the death of Noah McKain Woodland, 3.
She sued Hampton Roads Charter Service over what she called a lack of training for pilot David Jenny Jr., 30.
Jenny wasn’t certified for instrument-only flights and hadn’t gotten a weather briefing before the scheduled flight from Endicott, N.Y., to Lehighton, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The boy’s father, 29-year-old Carl Robert Woodland, of Lovettsville, Va., also died in the July 27 crash.
“This was a tragic helicopter crash because it was so utterly preventable,” said McKain’s lawyer, Gary Robb. “Given his limited training, this pilot never should have left the ground in these weather conditions, knowing that he was incapable of flying the helicopter in any kind of cloud cover.”
McKain is seeking more than $550,000 in damages. The charter company did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.
But Robinson Helicopter Co., the Torrance, Calif.-based company that owns the craft, has said it believes the helicopter was caught in a thunderstorm. The pilot had asked air traffic controllers in Wilkes-Barre to be directed to the nearest airport before experiencing problems and then losing communications, according to the NTSB report.
The county coroner’s office identified the other passengers as 58-year-old Bernard Michael Kelly, of Ellicott City, Md., and his daughter, Leanna Mee Kelly, 27, of Savage, Md.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com
NTSB Identification: ERA13FA336
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Noxen, PA
Aircraft: ROBINSON R66, registration: N646AG
Injuries: 5 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On July 27, 2013, about 2220 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R66, N646AG, registered to Hampton Roads Charter Service, collided with trees and terrain near Noxen, Pennsylvania. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight from Tri-Cities Airport (CZG), Endicott, New York, to Jake Arner Memorial Airport (22N), Lehighton, Pennsylvania. The helicopter was destroyed and the commercial pilot and 4 passengers were fatally injured. The flight originated from CZG about 2151.
There was no record with Lockheed Martin AFSS or CSC or DTC DUATS that the pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing before departure.
According to preliminary air traffic control information, after takeoff the non-instrument rated pilot called Binghamton Approach Control and advised the controller that the flight had just departed CZG, and was requesting visual flight rules (VFR) flight following. The controller provided the altimeter setting (30.00 inches of Mercury) and asked the pilot the destination and requested altitude, to which he replied 22N, and 3,000 feet msl.
A discrete transponder code was assigned (4604), and the flight was radar identified 3 miles southwest of CZG. The flight proceeded in a southwesterly direction flying about 3,000 feet until about 2157, then turned to a south-southeasterly heading while flying between 2,600 and 3,000 feet msl (variations in altitude were noted).
Air traffic control communications were transferred to Wilkes-Barre Approach Control, and the pilot established contact with that facility advising the controller that the flight was level at 3,000 feet msl. The Wilkes-Barre Approach controller acknowledged the transmission, and issued an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of Mercury. While in contact with that facility the flight proceeded in a southeasterly direction with altitude and slight heading changes until about 2219, at which time recorded radar reflects a left turn to a northeasterly direction. Shortly thereafter, the pilot advised the controller, “we’re inadvertent IMC, reversing ah, can you give us a heading to the nearest airport, please"
The controller asked the pilot if he wanted a heading to the nearest airport and if the flight was in IFR conditions but the pilot did not respond to that transmission. The radar data reflects that the left turn continued to a north-northwesterly heading for about 9 seconds, at which time the radar reflects the helicopter turned to a north-northeasterly heading, followed by a turn to a northerly heading. The controller instructed the pilot to fly heading 068 degrees for a vector to Sky Haven Airport (76N), Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, to which the pilot immediately replied at about 2220:03, “6 alpha gulf having trouble maintaining control here.”
The radar data from Wilkes-Barre Approach reflects that between 2219:53, and 2220:03, the flight descended from 2,800 to 2,600 feet and proceeded in an east-southeasterly direction, and between 2220:03 and 2220:17, the flight proceeded in a northeasterly heading with some altitude deviation noted. The controller then asked the pilot, “helicopter 6AG ah you having trouble maintaining altitude sir", to which the pilot immediately replied, "Affirmative 6AG." The radar data reflected that between 2220:17, and 2220:27, which was between the time the pilot informed the controller he was having trouble maintaining altitude, the helicopter descended from 2,600 to 2,300 feet, and changed direction to the southeast. There were no further recorded communications from the pilot.
The helicopter crashed on privately owned wooded land leased to an energy company; there were no known witnesses to the accident.
The ELT activated and a search was initiated but adverse weather (heavy fog) caused the search to be called off in the early morning hours. The search resumed when the weather allowed, and the wreckage was located on July 28, 2013, about 1350.
TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. — A Virginia woman sued Friday over a helicopter crash last month in northeastern Pennsylvania that killed her young son and four others, saying a charter company “negligently and recklessly” allowed a pilot to fly when he was not fully trained.
Crystal McKain of Leesburg, Va., filed the wrongful-death lawsuit in Wyoming County over the death of Noah McKain Woodland, 3.
She sued Hampton Roads Charter Service over what she called a lack of training for pilot David Jenny Jr., 30.
Jenny wasn’t certified for instrument-only flights and hadn’t gotten a weather briefing before the scheduled flight from Endicott, N.Y., to Lehighton, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The boy’s father, 29-year-old Carl Robert Woodland, of Lovettsville, Va., also died in the July 27 crash.
“This was a tragic helicopter crash because it was so utterly preventable,” said McKain’s lawyer, Gary Robb. “Given his limited training, this pilot never should have left the ground in these weather conditions, knowing that he was incapable of flying the helicopter in any kind of cloud cover.”
McKain is seeking more than $550,000 in damages. The charter company did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.
But Robinson Helicopter Co., the Torrance, Calif.-based company that owns the craft, has said it believes the helicopter was caught in a thunderstorm. The pilot had asked air traffic controllers in Wilkes-Barre to be directed to the nearest airport before experiencing problems and then losing communications, according to the NTSB report.
The county coroner’s office identified the other passengers as 58-year-old Bernard Michael Kelly, of Ellicott City, Md., and his daughter, Leanna Mee Kelly, 27, of Savage, Md.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com
Concord Regional Airport (KJQF) looks to lure low-cost carrier
Concord Regional Airport has applied for $250,000 worth of federal grants to help lure a low-cost carrier – possibly Allegiant Air – to begin regular service to four vacation destinations.
Concord’s airport currently handles charter planes and general aviation, but has no scheduled air service from a passenger carrier. According to documents filed by the airport, Concord officials believe that a low-cost carrier would offer travelers more options and an alternative to flying from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The application says Concord Regional is seeking non-daily service from Concord to Las Vegas, Tampa, Orlando and the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area. The airport argues that Concord fliers are priced out of many flights from Charlotte Douglas.
“Travelers in and out of Charlotte pay, on average, 33 percent more than their counterparts in other cities in the Southeast,” wrote Concord Regional officials. They say federal data shows that passengers flying from Charlotte Douglas pay an average of 22 cents per mile, while the average for East Coast hubs is 16.5 cents.
“Concord passengers are being suppressed by high fares at Charlotte,” officials wrote. “These passengers would be best served by local air service, at Concord Regional Airport, rather than an additional competitor at Charlotte.”
For example, Concord Regional officials say that the average fare from Charlotte to Tampa has increased 27 percent since 2007, to $188 each way. That would add $320 to ticket costs for a family of four, Concord Regional officials wrote, which they believe is enough to drive people to travel by car instead.
Allegiant Air filed a letter in support of Concord Regional’s application. “While I cannot guarantee Allegiant Air would begin service at (Concord), we have very serious interest in this market,” wrote Eric Fletcher, Allegiant’s manager of airport planning.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air uses a distinctive business model. The carrier buys old planes and flies exclusively from small cities to vacation destinations, using fees for everything from water and overhead bins and ancillary revenue from hotels and rental cars to supplement its rock-bottom fares.
Concord Regional, which is owned by the city, would also spend $100,000 worth of local money in addition to the federal grant. The money would be used to fund advertising to make fliers aware of the new service. In addition to the cash subsidy, Concord Regional would waive landing fees and terminal rent for two years for the airline, and unnamed local media companies would offer discounted advertising rates, according to the application.
Concord Regional officials wrote that they have met with multiple airlines over the past eight months, and that service could begin as soon as this winter if the federal grant is approved. Last year, 40,154 passengers flew to and from Concord Regional on charter flights.
The application was reported earlier by the John Locke Foundation.
Concord’s airport currently handles charter planes and general aviation, but has no scheduled air service from a passenger carrier. According to documents filed by the airport, Concord officials believe that a low-cost carrier would offer travelers more options and an alternative to flying from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The application says Concord Regional is seeking non-daily service from Concord to Las Vegas, Tampa, Orlando and the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area. The airport argues that Concord fliers are priced out of many flights from Charlotte Douglas.
“Travelers in and out of Charlotte pay, on average, 33 percent more than their counterparts in other cities in the Southeast,” wrote Concord Regional officials. They say federal data shows that passengers flying from Charlotte Douglas pay an average of 22 cents per mile, while the average for East Coast hubs is 16.5 cents.
“Concord passengers are being suppressed by high fares at Charlotte,” officials wrote. “These passengers would be best served by local air service, at Concord Regional Airport, rather than an additional competitor at Charlotte.”
For example, Concord Regional officials say that the average fare from Charlotte to Tampa has increased 27 percent since 2007, to $188 each way. That would add $320 to ticket costs for a family of four, Concord Regional officials wrote, which they believe is enough to drive people to travel by car instead.
Allegiant Air filed a letter in support of Concord Regional’s application. “While I cannot guarantee Allegiant Air would begin service at (Concord), we have very serious interest in this market,” wrote Eric Fletcher, Allegiant’s manager of airport planning.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air uses a distinctive business model. The carrier buys old planes and flies exclusively from small cities to vacation destinations, using fees for everything from water and overhead bins and ancillary revenue from hotels and rental cars to supplement its rock-bottom fares.
Concord Regional, which is owned by the city, would also spend $100,000 worth of local money in addition to the federal grant. The money would be used to fund advertising to make fliers aware of the new service. In addition to the cash subsidy, Concord Regional would waive landing fees and terminal rent for two years for the airline, and unnamed local media companies would offer discounted advertising rates, according to the application.
Concord Regional officials wrote that they have met with multiple airlines over the past eight months, and that service could begin as soon as this winter if the federal grant is approved. Last year, 40,154 passengers flew to and from Concord Regional on charter flights.
The application was reported earlier by the John Locke Foundation.
Advisory chair questions Pratt about airport plans: Lawrence County Airpark (KHTW), Chesapeake/Huntington WV, Ohio
If Lawrence County has to borrow money to pay for the settlement of an ongoing eminent domain lawsuit at the Lawrence County Airport, it will do it without the vote of Commission President Bill Pratt.
For about 30 minutes at the Thursday county commission meeting, Bill Nenni, chair of the county’s airport advisory board, questioned Pratt about the county’s intentions toward the airport, in particular the status of a proposed lighting project and funding for acreage the county is currently seeking through eminent domain at the airport.
The land is sought to meet safety directives from the Federal Aviation Administration including cutting trees at the end of the runways. The county’s appraiser has valued the land at $280,000 while the owners, the Wilson family, say it is worth $1.8 million.
Pratt has publicly expressed concern that, if the court would declare the value of the property closer to the Wilson’s appraisal, the county would have difficulty covering that cost. The commission president has also been a long advocate of shutting down the airport to market the land for commercial development.
According to Nenni, if certain FAA procedures are followed in eminent domain lawsuits, the agency can provide up to $450,000 to pay for acquiring the property.
Nenni asked if the price were above that, would the county borrow the remainder of the funds needed.
“I don’t intend to vote to borrow money to settle the eminent domain,” Pratt said.
Nenni questioned if Chesapeake attorney Richard Meyers, who represents the county in the lawsuit, was aware of these FAA requirements.
“Mr Meyers is a very capable attorney,” Pratt said. “He has done a lot of eminent domain lawsuits in the past.”
Commissioner Les Boggs suggested the commission write a letter to Meyers detailing the FAA regulations.
“If there were steps to follow, it would be a horrible thing if the steps were not followed and we would not be eligible for anything,” Boggs said.
If the county didn’t borrow the funding, the airport could not cover that cost with its $30,000 a year budget, Nenni said.
“I don’t see any reason we have to be treated any different than other offices,” Nenni said. “None of the other offices owned real estate and yet we are expected to pay for real estate.”
Nenni also questioned Pratt about the commissioner recently joining the board of the Huntington-Tri-State Airport. At the time he joined, Pratt said that it would give Lawrence County another voice in Tri-State development.
“How much does it cost Lawrence County to have a member on the Huntington airport board?” he asked.
Pratt said the annual fee was $5,000
“We are going to spend $5,000 on the Huntington Airport and not a nickel on our own,” Nenni said.
“That’s up to these two gentlemen over here (referring to Boggs and Commissioner Freddie Hayes)” Pratt said.
Nenni also expressed concern about the possibility of losing FAA grant money to install radio-activated lights at the airport runways to allow night flying. The county can get $25,500 to pay for the project.
Pratt has wanted the Tri-State Pilots Association to pick up the 10 percent match, which Nenni said it had available.
As far as moving forward on the project, the commission did not take any action on Thursday.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.irontontribune.com
For about 30 minutes at the Thursday county commission meeting, Bill Nenni, chair of the county’s airport advisory board, questioned Pratt about the county’s intentions toward the airport, in particular the status of a proposed lighting project and funding for acreage the county is currently seeking through eminent domain at the airport.
The land is sought to meet safety directives from the Federal Aviation Administration including cutting trees at the end of the runways. The county’s appraiser has valued the land at $280,000 while the owners, the Wilson family, say it is worth $1.8 million.
Pratt has publicly expressed concern that, if the court would declare the value of the property closer to the Wilson’s appraisal, the county would have difficulty covering that cost. The commission president has also been a long advocate of shutting down the airport to market the land for commercial development.
According to Nenni, if certain FAA procedures are followed in eminent domain lawsuits, the agency can provide up to $450,000 to pay for acquiring the property.
Nenni asked if the price were above that, would the county borrow the remainder of the funds needed.
“I don’t intend to vote to borrow money to settle the eminent domain,” Pratt said.
Nenni questioned if Chesapeake attorney Richard Meyers, who represents the county in the lawsuit, was aware of these FAA requirements.
“Mr Meyers is a very capable attorney,” Pratt said. “He has done a lot of eminent domain lawsuits in the past.”
Commissioner Les Boggs suggested the commission write a letter to Meyers detailing the FAA regulations.
“If there were steps to follow, it would be a horrible thing if the steps were not followed and we would not be eligible for anything,” Boggs said.
If the county didn’t borrow the funding, the airport could not cover that cost with its $30,000 a year budget, Nenni said.
“I don’t see any reason we have to be treated any different than other offices,” Nenni said. “None of the other offices owned real estate and yet we are expected to pay for real estate.”
Nenni also questioned Pratt about the commissioner recently joining the board of the Huntington-Tri-State Airport. At the time he joined, Pratt said that it would give Lawrence County another voice in Tri-State development.
“How much does it cost Lawrence County to have a member on the Huntington airport board?” he asked.
Pratt said the annual fee was $5,000
“We are going to spend $5,000 on the Huntington Airport and not a nickel on our own,” Nenni said.
“That’s up to these two gentlemen over here (referring to Boggs and Commissioner Freddie Hayes)” Pratt said.
Nenni also expressed concern about the possibility of losing FAA grant money to install radio-activated lights at the airport runways to allow night flying. The county can get $25,500 to pay for the project.
Pratt has wanted the Tri-State Pilots Association to pick up the 10 percent match, which Nenni said it had available.
As far as moving forward on the project, the commission did not take any action on Thursday.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.irontontribune.com
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, C-GPVB, Air Nootka: Accident occurred August 16, 2013 near Hesquiaht Lake, Vancouver Island, B.C. - Canada
Wreckage of a Nootka Air float plane is visible from the air above a steep treed slope on the Hesquiat Peninsula. The aircraft crashed minutes after takeoff Friday. (CBC) Pilot killed in Hesquiat Lake plane crash identified: Grant Clifford Howatt, aged 66, from Ladysmith, was the pilot of Air Nootka plane
The B.C. Coroners Service has identified the pilot who died in a float plane crash near Hesquiat Lake north of Tofino last weekend.
"Grant Clifford Howatt, aged 66, from Ladysmith, was the pilot of the Air Nootka plane which crashed moments after taking off from Hesquiat Lake on a flight to Gold River late on the morning of Aug. 16," said a statement issued by coroner Barb McLintock.
Mountaineer Charles Henry Turner, 63, was previously identified by his friends as the second person killed in the crash.
Four other passengers survived when the small plane struck a tree while taking off from the remote lake.
The BC Coroners Service, Transportation Safety Board, and WorkSafeBC continue to investigate the crash, said McLintock.
"Grant Clifford Howatt, aged 66, from Ladysmith, was the pilot of the Air Nootka plane which crashed moments after taking off from Hesquiat Lake on a flight to Gold River late on the morning of Aug. 16," said a statement issued by coroner Barb McLintock.
Mountaineer Charles Henry Turner, 63, was previously identified by his friends as the second person killed in the crash.
Four other passengers survived when the small plane struck a tree while taking off from the remote lake.
The BC Coroners Service, Transportation Safety Board, and WorkSafeBC continue to investigate the crash, said McLintock.
John Young survived the Air Nootka crash and spoke exclusively to Global News.One of the four survivors of the deadly float plane crash in a remote area near Tofino on Vancouver Island on Saturday spoke exclusively to Global News about the terrifying plane crash.
Nanaimo resident John Young is lucky to be alive, recovering in Victoria General Hospital with a shattered sternum, broken ribs, broken clavicle and third-degree burns to his legs.
He is one of two survivors who are in hospital; the other, a female hiker who suffered serious burns to her legs and a broken upper arm.
Young was seated next to the pilot on the flight.
Two people died in the crash, including the pilot who had 25,000 hours of flying experience.
Young says the pilot died in the ensuing blaze after the crash.
Two other people on the plane managed to escape with minor injuries.
The Air Nootka plane had picked up the group of five hikers to take them 40 kilometres to Gold River.
Young says due to poor weather, the pilot altered his course south across Hesquiat Peninsula en route to Gold River.
“It was very foggy and drizzling, because of the low cloud ceiling, we didn’t head directly to gold river from Hesquiat Lake, we went south and across Hesquiat Peninsula,” says Young.
It was when the plane was over the peninsula that it started to go down.
“We started to go down, and the pilot said, ‘Mayday we are going down,’ I saw a tree looming and the wing must have hit the tree.”
“Then we hit the ground, I could hear people moaning, and the pilot was yelling ‘open the doors, open the doors!’”
“10 seconds after we hit the ground, there was a pouf of flame in front of me, I couldn’t get the door open beside me, so I could see that the pilot door swung open, so I started to crawl over there.”
“The person behind me reached for the alarm button the dash, and then his hand stopped moving. I figured he must have died.”
“I went to try to get out and my feet were trapped between the seat and the front. I pulled and pulled and couldn’t get them loose, then I stopped pulling and squirmed, and I got out of the plane.”
“I could hear one of the women on the other side screaming to help her, and I went around; one hand was out, there were flames around her, I grabbed and pulled her, and she couldn’t move. Then I got her out, but she was in pretty bad shape, her pants had melted on her.”
“The pilot was there and he had one hand reaching out, I pulled, and brought him a little bit out, but I couldn’t get him out any more. He died.”
“I met up with the other hiker and the two that weren’t hurt, got us all together and kept us warm, and the rescue helicopters found us.”
Young says they waited about four and half hours to be rescued. He says the two hikers who were not seriously injured constructed a lean-to for shelter.
“We heard a helicopter right away, so we knew that they knew there was an accident, but because the beacon wasn’t set up, they didn’t know where we were,” he says.
“We heard them doing their grid search, twice they got really close to us, but then they turned back. The third time, they hovered really close for a minute, and then they came closer and were above us.”
“Then they lowered their three paramedics down, got us out of there.”
Young says the fire started in the front of the plane. He says the two people who survived with only minor injuries were seated in the rear of the plane.
The identities of the two hikers who died have not yet been released, but Young says the group was made up of people from Courtenay and Salt Spring Island.
Watch Sunday’s News Hour for more on this story and audio from the interview.
When the distress call came, Dianne Ignace’s stomach dropped.
“It said, ‘Mayday. Downed craft,’” she said.
“I thought, ‘Oh my god, I just met all of those people.’”
The Hesquiaht Village local had just finished serving a breakfast of eggs and hash browns for 20 campers on Friday morning when she heard three float planes fly overhead, on their way to pick up different groups of hikers from nearby Hesquiat Lake on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
When she later heard two float planes returning, Ignace said she didn’t think anything of it until those three panic-filled words rang out over the marine radio in her living room.
That call for help triggered a four-hour ground, air and marine search after a De Havilland Beaver float plane carrying a pilot and five passengers, believed to be hikers, crashed shortly after taking off from Hesquiat Lake, about 53 kilometres northwest of Tofino, B.C. An aircraft with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre found the crash site and four survivors around 3 p.m. Friday.
Of the people on board, two are dead, two are seriously injured and two others are “OK,” said Bill Yearwood of the Transportation Safety Board. Those two were reportedly well enough to be able to walk away from the crash.
The two injured were taken to Victoria General Hospital, where they were in stable condition Saturday, an improvement from earlier when one was listed as critical, said Vancouver Island Health Authority spokesman Dan MacLennan.
The injured were transported by Cormorant helicopter to hospital, while the two seemingly uninjured passengers were taken to CFB Comox to be checked out by medical staff, said Capt. Patrick McSorley of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
B.C. Coroners Service spokeswoman Barb McLintock wrote by email that identities of the deceased would not be released until all family are notified. That’s not expected to happen until at least Monday.
Tofino RCMP, West Coast Search and Rescue crews and officials with the Coroners Service travelled to the crash site on Saturday, according to Cpl. Darren Lagan of Island District RCMP.
RCMP officers were reportedly guarding the site overnight as the bodies of the two deceased remained with the wreckage.
Attempts to travel to the site by air were hampered Saturday morning by poor weather conditions. The RCMP’s Air 8 helicopter was on stand by to assist if weather improved, according to an Island District RCMP release.
The float plane was chartered by Air Nootka, a Vancouver Island float plane operation that was still operating from its Gold River headquarters Saturday. The company said it is co-operating with Transportation Safety Board investigators and RCMP.
“All Air Nootka aircraft are professionally maintained to the highest standards by an independent company,” the company wrote in a statement. “Safety is Air Nootka’s number one priority and the company is compliant with all federal and provincial regulations.”
Ignace, who’s lived on Hesquiat Peninsula for 38 years, said float planes travelling back to Gold River after picking up the hikers at Hesquiat Lake, typically fly southwest into the harbour to go around the mountain range. She said the flight path doesn’t go directly to the northeast straight to Gold River. On a clear day, she said, it’s possible to cut west across the peninsula, flying overland.
But in bad weather, with low visibility, Ignace said it’s considered safest to fly south along the coast, where visibility is clearest.
Ignace speculated that it’s possible the pilot may have tried to cut across the peninsula, before crashing into the forested area near Boat Basin.
Ignace said she discussed this version of events with a local pilot and they both believed it seemed likely. A man who answered the phone Saturday at Air Nootka also agreed it seemed possible.
Weather conditions in the region can change quickly, Ignace said, and the visibility was likely significantly worse on the return leg of the pilot’s flight to Gold River than it was on his approach into Hesquiat Lake.
“The fact that anybody survived is probably due to some immediate reaction time of the pilot,” Ignace said. “If he had not done something right, they would have all been gone. So his immediate reaction was probably good.”
Friday’s crash isn’t the first time an Air Nootka float plane has found itself in distress.
In August 2005, one of the company’s float plane carrying eight hikers overturned when it hit a sandbar during an emergency landing at Louie Bay on Nootka Island, about 25 km southwest of Zeballos. The passengers were uninjured in the incident, but the pilot needed a few stitches for a gash to the forehead.
Hesquiaht Village is a popular spot for hikers along the Hesquiat Peninsula trail.
Ignace, who runs a gift shop that sees about 100 hikers a year, said she met the five hikers involved in the crash when they stopped by her gift shop on Wednesday.
“You just get to know somebody, somebody new, and then next thing you know, they’re in a crash,” Ignace said. “It’s really sad.”
The hikers bought fudge, water, cedar bark roses and refilled their water, items which Ignace recorded in a ledger. Ignace remembered the hikers clearly because of the Japanese glass fishing float that she sold to one of the women. Ignace found the glass ball washed up on the shore, which she believes may have been debris from the Japanese tsunami.
Ignace said she believed the hikers were white, in their 50s and spoke English, but she wasn’t sure if they were from the Lower Mainland.
The group was about halfway through the 50-kilometre hike. Hesquiat Lake is a two-day hike away, and most hikers get picked up by float plane and returned to Gold River, she said.
Officials with the rescue centre found the wreckage and crash site near Boat Basin at the head of Hesquiat Harbour around 3 p.m. on Friday, said Lt. Navy Greg Menzies of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
After getting the distress call, Menzies said the centre dispatched multiple aircraft, including two Cormorant military helicopters from CFB Comox and a Buffalo aircraft, to search a 34-square-kilometre area in Hesquiat Lake Provincial Park.
Poor weather conditions and a low cloud ceiling hampered rescue efforts, forcing the Cormorants to fly about 150 feet above the tree tops, he said.
The low cloud ceiling forced the Buffalo aircraft involved in the search earlier to return to base, said Menzies.
The RCMP West Coast Marine Section had a ship in the area as well, while ground crews also took part in the search efforts.
Jean Jackson of the Hesquiaht First Nation, members of which took part in the search efforts for the plane wreckage, said bad weather could have been a factor in the plane crash.
“It was just pouring down this morning, like huge, hard gale-force winds,” she said on Friday. “The boats couldn’t get out of the harbour. If you got in, you couldn’t get out.”
Josh Charleson, a member of the Hesquiaht First Nation, formed a search party to find the crash site and look for survivors.
Charleson said the weather was gusty and foggy on Friday morning. “It was pretty ugly most of the day,” he said.
After hearing about the crash, the 24-year-old said he hopped on a quad and tried to reach the crash site, located on the side of a mountain about 90 metres from a logging road, but the Cormorant helicopter found the plane wreckage first, he said.
“I’m kind of glad that we didn’t (get there first),” he said.
Source: http://www.theprovince.com
Aviation Ground School course at Red Bluff Municipal Airport (KRBL), California
Local Certified Flight Instructor Irwin Fust will be conducting an Aviation Ground School course for those interested in pursuing a Sport Pilot or Private Pilot license in the future.
The next class begins on Thursday, Sept. 12 and runs for 11 consecutive 6-9 p.m. Thursdays. The ground school will take place at the Terminal Building at Red Bluff Municipal Airport. The total cost of the 11 classes is $280, which includes all required books and supplies.
The course will include flight instruction on the class's three screen, level one Flight Simulator and an introductory instructional flight in the school's two place training aircraft. The ground school course will cover all of the topics necessary to take and pass the FAA written knowledge test, which is required before completing flight training.
The course will cover all of the elements necessary to acquire the knowledge for the test: airplanes and aerodynamics, aircraft engines, instruments and systems, federal airspace, airports, Air Traffic Control and federal aviation regulations, airplane performance and weight and balance, aviation weather and weather services, navigation charts, navigation systems and cross country flight planning.
The information taught in the course is necessary in understanding how airplanes fly and how to safely fly in American airspace. It is required knowledge for those seeking pilot's licenses. But, the course also appeals to anyone who wants to understand the concepts of flight.
Call Fust at (530) 351-8203 by Sept. 1 to reserve a place in the class. The number of student slots are limited. You can call the same number for information or you can send an email to ifust@digitalpath.net.
Source: http://www.redbluffdailynews.com
The next class begins on Thursday, Sept. 12 and runs for 11 consecutive 6-9 p.m. Thursdays. The ground school will take place at the Terminal Building at Red Bluff Municipal Airport. The total cost of the 11 classes is $280, which includes all required books and supplies.
The course will include flight instruction on the class's three screen, level one Flight Simulator and an introductory instructional flight in the school's two place training aircraft. The ground school course will cover all of the topics necessary to take and pass the FAA written knowledge test, which is required before completing flight training.
The course will cover all of the elements necessary to acquire the knowledge for the test: airplanes and aerodynamics, aircraft engines, instruments and systems, federal airspace, airports, Air Traffic Control and federal aviation regulations, airplane performance and weight and balance, aviation weather and weather services, navigation charts, navigation systems and cross country flight planning.
The information taught in the course is necessary in understanding how airplanes fly and how to safely fly in American airspace. It is required knowledge for those seeking pilot's licenses. But, the course also appeals to anyone who wants to understand the concepts of flight.
Call Fust at (530) 351-8203 by Sept. 1 to reserve a place in the class. The number of student slots are limited. You can call the same number for information or you can send an email to ifust@digitalpath.net.
Source: http://www.redbluffdailynews.com
Why Do Cargo Planes Have Spottier Safety Records?
August 16, 2013 5:03 PM
Audie Cornish talks with Alan Levin, a Bloomberg News reporter covering aviation safety and the Federal Aviation Administration, about cargo plane safety and why cargo plane accidents appear to be increasing worldwide
Audio and Comments/Reaction: http://www.npr.org
Audie Cornish talks with Alan Levin, a Bloomberg News reporter covering aviation safety and the Federal Aviation Administration, about cargo plane safety and why cargo plane accidents appear to be increasing worldwide
Audio and Comments/Reaction: http://www.npr.org
Trick Trikes Storm Trooper, N5157G: Accident occurred August 16, 2013 near Covert, Michigan
NTSB Identification: CEN13LA493
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Covert, MI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/23/2014
Aircraft: TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER, registration: N5157G
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The student pilot made two low-altitude passes in a weight-shift airplane over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the airplane entered into a steep, right bank turn at low altitude and impacted the beach. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos, which indicated that the engine was operating normally and that the wing structure appeared normal. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of 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 control while maneuvering at low altitude over a congested beach area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.
On August 16, 2013, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Trick Trikes Storm Trooper weight-shift aircraft, N5157G, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Covert, Michigan. The student pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan from an unknown location near Cassapolis, Michigan.
According to witnesses, the aircraft made two low altitude passes over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the aircraft made a turn and impacted the beach area in a steep right bank, damaging the structure of the wings, landing gear, and front section of the aircraft. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos. Engine noise was present on the video and no anomalies with the wing structure were indicated in the photos.
Examination of the airframe and engine by Federal Aviation Administration personnel revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Pilot and maintenance records were not available for the investigation. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120, despite repeated requests to do so.
http://tricktrikes.org
http://registry.faa.gov/N5157G
NTSB Identification: CEN13LA493
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Covert, MI
Aircraft: TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER, registration: N5157G
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On August 16, 2013, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Trick Trikes Storm Trooper airplane, N5157G, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Covert, Michigan. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan from an unknown location.
According to witness statements, the airplane made two low altitude passes over a coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the airplane made a turn and impacted the beach area in a steep right bank attitude, damaging the structure of both wings.
JONES, Mich. -- ABC 57 spoke exclusively with the fifteen year old boy who survived one of the most recent ultralight plane crash.
Dillen Smith, 15, suffered a broken nose, several broken ribs, an injured leg, and a concussion.
Smith says he does not remember falling out of the sky.
"We were turning to land and the pipe broke and knocked me out," Smith recalled.
Smith says since the accident he has focused on enjoying every second of his life.
For his mom, this journey has been a little more difficult.
She says there are no words to describe how she felt when she got the call that her son was in a plane crash.
"It could have killed my boy, but the way the pilot, Scotty braced him in his chair when he saw that they were going to crash saved my son's life at great costs to himself," said Smith's m other.
Smith’s uncle, who was flying the plane, says that he stuck his legs out to try to protect Dillen and take most of the impact.
He is still in the hospital, he broke his back in three different places and crushed his legs.
Story, Video and Related Content: http://www.abc57.com
COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A South Bend
teen and Cassopolis man are recovering from an ultralight plane crash
in southwest Michigan on Friday.
15-year-old Dillen Smith, a freshman at Clay High School, went flying with Timothy Feathers in the ultralight from Cassopolis to a beach along Lake Michigan. They were planning on a going for a swim.
Dillen and his mom, Yvonne Smith, called WSBT Friday night to tell us a wing broke off the ultralight while the small aircraft was 100 to 150 feet off the ground. They were approaching Covert Township Park Beach in Van Buren County when it happened.
Dillen suffered a concussion, broken nose and several broken ribs but has been released from the hospital.
Feathers, on the other hand, could be laid up in the hospital for a couple of weeks with two broken vertebrae and two broken legs.
Feathers is being treated at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, but officials there won't release his condition due to privacy laws.
Dillen says there was no sign the plane was having any problems, but all of a sudden, the wing broke. That’s all he can remember. He says he woke up on the beach after the crash-landing.
Feathers was able to call Dillen tonight to say he was sorry the crash happened.
When asked if he would fly again, Dillen quickly said he would.
Source: http://www.wsbt.com
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Covert, MI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/23/2014
Aircraft: TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER, registration: N5157G
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The student pilot made two low-altitude passes in a weight-shift airplane over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the airplane entered into a steep, right bank turn at low altitude and impacted the beach. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos, which indicated that the engine was operating normally and that the wing structure appeared normal. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of 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 control while maneuvering at low altitude over a congested beach area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s ostentatious display.
On August 16, 2013, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Trick Trikes Storm Trooper weight-shift aircraft, N5157G, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Covert, Michigan. The student pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan from an unknown location near Cassapolis, Michigan.
According to witnesses, the aircraft made two low altitude passes over a congested, coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the aircraft made a turn and impacted the beach area in a steep right bank, damaging the structure of the wings, landing gear, and front section of the aircraft. The final seconds of the flight were captured by witness video and photos. Engine noise was present on the video and no anomalies with the wing structure were indicated in the photos.
Examination of the airframe and engine by Federal Aviation Administration personnel revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Pilot and maintenance records were not available for the investigation. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120, despite repeated requests to do so.
http://tricktrikes.org
http://registry.faa.gov/N5157G
NTSB Identification: CEN13LA493
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 16, 2013 in Covert, MI
Aircraft: TRICK TRIKES STORM TROOPER, registration: N5157G
Injuries: 1 Serious,1 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On August 16, 2013, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Trick Trikes Storm Trooper airplane, N5157G, impacted terrain while maneuvering near Covert, Michigan. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which departed without a flight plan from an unknown location.
According to witness statements, the airplane made two low altitude passes over a coastline beach area. Following these two passes, the airplane made a turn and impacted the beach area in a steep right bank attitude, damaging the structure of both wings.
JONES, Mich. -- ABC 57 spoke exclusively with the fifteen year old boy who survived one of the most recent ultralight plane crash.
Dillen Smith, 15, suffered a broken nose, several broken ribs, an injured leg, and a concussion.
Smith says he does not remember falling out of the sky.
"We were turning to land and the pipe broke and knocked me out," Smith recalled.
Smith says since the accident he has focused on enjoying every second of his life.
For his mom, this journey has been a little more difficult.
She says there are no words to describe how she felt when she got the call that her son was in a plane crash.
"It could have killed my boy, but the way the pilot, Scotty braced him in his chair when he saw that they were going to crash saved my son's life at great costs to himself," said Smith's m other.
Smith’s uncle, who was flying the plane, says that he stuck his legs out to try to protect Dillen and take most of the impact.
He is still in the hospital, he broke his back in three different places and crushed his legs.
Story, Video and Related Content: http://www.abc57.com
Dillen Smith, 15, South Bend
(Facebook)
15-year-old Dillen Smith, a freshman at Clay High School, went flying with Timothy Feathers in the ultralight from Cassopolis to a beach along Lake Michigan. They were planning on a going for a swim.
Dillen and his mom, Yvonne Smith, called WSBT Friday night to tell us a wing broke off the ultralight while the small aircraft was 100 to 150 feet off the ground. They were approaching Covert Township Park Beach in Van Buren County when it happened.
Dillen suffered a concussion, broken nose and several broken ribs but has been released from the hospital.
Feathers, on the other hand, could be laid up in the hospital for a couple of weeks with two broken vertebrae and two broken legs.
Feathers is being treated at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, but officials there won't release his condition due to privacy laws.
Dillen says there was no sign the plane was having any problems, but all of a sudden, the wing broke. That’s all he can remember. He says he woke up on the beach after the crash-landing.
Feathers was able to call Dillen tonight to say he was sorry the crash happened.
When asked if he would fly again, Dillen quickly said he would.
Source: http://www.wsbt.com
Air Tractor AT-401, C-FEKO, BP Airspray and Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee, C-GFKY
Since the field had been sprayed prior to the crash, the picture provided by RCMP was taken from a distance.
AYLSHAM, Sask. – A second crop duster has crashed in Saskatchewan this week.
RCMP say the latest crash happened on Friday morning on a farm near Aylsham.
The pilot told officials one of the plane’s wheels touched the ground while he was making a turn, causing the crash.
The pilot, a 66-year-old Carrot River man, was not injured.
Mounties say the plane is a write-off.
Transport Canada has been advised and the crash is under investigation.
Aylsham is approximately 25 kilometres southeast of Nipawin, Sask.
On Tuesday afternoon, a pilot suffered minor injuries after a crop duster crashed just outside Quill Lake.
http://globalnews.ca
http://www.nipawinjournal.com
At 7:52 am a single-engine, crop-duster airplane crashed on a farm near Aylsham, leaving the pilot unharmed but the plane severely damaged.
The 66-year-old pilot from Carrot River left the crash without injury, and said the plane crashed while he was making a turn and one of his wheels hit the ground. This is said to have caused the plane to spin out and crash.
Nipawin RCMP arrived at the field at 8:00 am and have advised Transport Canada of the crash. This afternoon RCMP issued a press release stating no one was hurt and no environmental damage was caused by the crash.
The incident is currently under investigation by Transport Canada.
SpiceJet flight aborted as loader jumps out on runway
VASCO: A major tragedy was averted as the pilot of an Ahmedabad-bound SpiceJet flight made an emergency landing at Dabolim International Airport on noticing that the plane's cargo loading door was open.
It was later revealed that the door was open as a loader had jumped off the aircraft just before it took off from Dabolim airport on Friday evening.
At about 4:30pm, SG 138, Goa-Ahmedabad via Mumbai, took off from Dabolim with 110 passengers including, ten sarpanchas from the state on board. Police said aircraft loaders closed the cargo chamber door leaving behind one of their colleague in the cargo chamber. When the plane started taxing for takeoff, the loader inside the cargo chamber opened the door and jumped from the aircraft.
Police said the pilot did not realize that the door of cargo chamber was open till the plane was well in the air. It was only when an indicator showed one of the doors as open, that the pilot immediately sought an emergency landing and the flight was allowed to land.
Central industrial security force (CISF) checked the aircraft and finding nothing the plane was allowed to takeoff from the airport at around 6.30pm.
CISF personnel traced the loader among some bushes where he was hiding after jumping from the aircraft. Police said investigations into the incident are on.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
It was later revealed that the door was open as a loader had jumped off the aircraft just before it took off from Dabolim airport on Friday evening.
At about 4:30pm, SG 138, Goa-Ahmedabad via Mumbai, took off from Dabolim with 110 passengers including, ten sarpanchas from the state on board. Police said aircraft loaders closed the cargo chamber door leaving behind one of their colleague in the cargo chamber. When the plane started taxing for takeoff, the loader inside the cargo chamber opened the door and jumped from the aircraft.
Police said the pilot did not realize that the door of cargo chamber was open till the plane was well in the air. It was only when an indicator showed one of the doors as open, that the pilot immediately sought an emergency landing and the flight was allowed to land.
Central industrial security force (CISF) checked the aircraft and finding nothing the plane was allowed to takeoff from the airport at around 6.30pm.
CISF personnel traced the loader among some bushes where he was hiding after jumping from the aircraft. Police said investigations into the incident are on.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Cessna U206 Super Skywagon, N2141F: Aircraft crashed on landing - Sleetmute, Alaska
http://registry.faa.gov/N2141F
NTSB Identification: ANC13CA080
Accident occurred Thursday, August 15, 2013 in Sleetmute, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA U206, registration: N2141F
NTSB investigators will use data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator, and will not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
Pilot, 64, injured in rural crash, boards flight to Anchorage for treatment
SLEETMUTE, Alaska — A Sleetmute pilot was injured in crash during a test flight.
Alaska State Troopers say 64-year-old Henry Hill at about 11 a.m. Thursday was conducting a maintenance test flight of a Cessna 206.
The airplane crashed just south of the Sleetmute Airport (PASL) runway in a heavily wooded area.
Troopers say the airplane was demolished.
Hill hiked to Sleetmute and took a commercial flight to Anchorage. He was treated and released for chest pains and a bloody nose at a hospital.
Sleetmute is a southwest Alaska community of 84 on the Kuskokwim River. It's 66 miles northeast of Bethel and 243 miles west of Anchorage.
http://www.adn.com
Diane Rowden confronts Aviation Authority chairman over private meetings with other Hernando commissioners
BROOKSVILLE — One of the first things Hernando County Aviation Authority Chairman Gary Schraut did this week when he returned from his vacation in Colorado was to set up a series of meetings.
On Wednesday, Schraut met individually with four of the five county commissioners to discuss the ongoing power struggle between the Aviation Authority and the County Commission.
Also in the meetings was SunTrust Bank executive Jim Kimbrough.
According to commissioners, the agenda included blaming recent airport controversy on the one commissioner not invited — Diane Rowden — and criticism of the job being done by County Administrator Len Sossamon. There was also a primer on proper airport procedures.
At Thursday's Aviation Authority meeting, Rowden, the commission's liaison to the Airport Authority, called Schraut out over his tactics.
"We know this board has been under a lot of ridicule and scrutiny for the past few weeks, and I have been accused publicly and privately for being behind this controversy, and that is not the case,'' Rowden said.
The "secret meetings'' with commissioners, she said, "really deeply concern me."
"Evidently I'm a demon or evil'' because, Rowden said, some commissioners were told she was behind the recent controversy over leasing airport space to Corporate Jet Solutions, an airplane maintenance company.
Commissioner Nick Nicholson said that's what he was told in his meeting with Schraut and Kimbrough. He was also told that Sossamon had overstepped his bounds as administrator. Nicholson said that does concern him, and he plans to talk to Sossamon about why he recommended approval of a particular airport issue.
When questioned about the issue, which was to approve the air ambulance company Jet ICU as a fixed-base operator, Sossamon said it was Commissioner Wayne Dukes who wanted the issue on the agenda.
Sossamon said he was flabbergasted about the individual meetings with commissioners.
"I just don't know what to say,'' he said.
Commissioner Jim Adkins acknowledged that Rowden and Sossamon were discussed in his meeting, but he declined to elaborate.
"I don't want to pick Diane out," Adkins said. "She's a nice lady, but we have to understand that we have procedures we need to go through.''
During Thursday's Aviation Authority meeting, the first since Rowden criticized Schraut during a commission meeting for attempting to discredit Sossamon, she asked Schraut why he didn't call her to a private meeting.
"Ma'am, I think it's pretty clear by reading the newspapers that you have had plenty to say about me in the newspapers. I needed to speak with commissioners who didn't have things to say,'' Schraut said "I have that right.''
His message to commissioners, he said, was, "There is nothing wrong with this airport. There is nothing wrong with the Hernando County staff and ... there is nothing wrong with this authority. I felt I needed to say that to them directly.''
Adkins said Kimbrough had a message, too.
"He's concerned, by the comments he did make, that the airport is a jewel and we should make sure to keep it going and stop with all the controversy,'' Adkins said.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com
On Wednesday, Schraut met individually with four of the five county commissioners to discuss the ongoing power struggle between the Aviation Authority and the County Commission.
Also in the meetings was SunTrust Bank executive Jim Kimbrough.
According to commissioners, the agenda included blaming recent airport controversy on the one commissioner not invited — Diane Rowden — and criticism of the job being done by County Administrator Len Sossamon. There was also a primer on proper airport procedures.
At Thursday's Aviation Authority meeting, Rowden, the commission's liaison to the Airport Authority, called Schraut out over his tactics.
"We know this board has been under a lot of ridicule and scrutiny for the past few weeks, and I have been accused publicly and privately for being behind this controversy, and that is not the case,'' Rowden said.
The "secret meetings'' with commissioners, she said, "really deeply concern me."
"Evidently I'm a demon or evil'' because, Rowden said, some commissioners were told she was behind the recent controversy over leasing airport space to Corporate Jet Solutions, an airplane maintenance company.
Commissioner Nick Nicholson said that's what he was told in his meeting with Schraut and Kimbrough. He was also told that Sossamon had overstepped his bounds as administrator. Nicholson said that does concern him, and he plans to talk to Sossamon about why he recommended approval of a particular airport issue.
When questioned about the issue, which was to approve the air ambulance company Jet ICU as a fixed-base operator, Sossamon said it was Commissioner Wayne Dukes who wanted the issue on the agenda.
Sossamon said he was flabbergasted about the individual meetings with commissioners.
"I just don't know what to say,'' he said.
Commissioner Jim Adkins acknowledged that Rowden and Sossamon were discussed in his meeting, but he declined to elaborate.
"I don't want to pick Diane out," Adkins said. "She's a nice lady, but we have to understand that we have procedures we need to go through.''
During Thursday's Aviation Authority meeting, the first since Rowden criticized Schraut during a commission meeting for attempting to discredit Sossamon, she asked Schraut why he didn't call her to a private meeting.
"Ma'am, I think it's pretty clear by reading the newspapers that you have had plenty to say about me in the newspapers. I needed to speak with commissioners who didn't have things to say,'' Schraut said "I have that right.''
His message to commissioners, he said, was, "There is nothing wrong with this airport. There is nothing wrong with the Hernando County staff and ... there is nothing wrong with this authority. I felt I needed to say that to them directly.''
Adkins said Kimbrough had a message, too.
"He's concerned, by the comments he did make, that the airport is a jewel and we should make sure to keep it going and stop with all the controversy,'' Adkins said.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com
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