Thursday, September 11, 2014

Robinson R44 Raven II, N699TQ: Accident occurred September 06, 2014 in Macedonia, Pottawattamie County, Iowa

NTSB Identification: CEN14CA487
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Saturday, September 06, 2014 in Macedonia, IA
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N699TQ
Injuries: 1 Serious.


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

On September 6, 2014, about 1245 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N699TQ, impacted a suspended power line near Macedonia, Iowa. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Mills County Choppers, Inc. and operated by Johnson Helicopter Services under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at an unknown time.

The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that witnesses observed the helicopter strike the power lines and then impact terrain. The pilot was able to egress the wreckage and was flown to a hospital for treatment.

A GPS was recovered from the accident site and was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Recorders Lab for download.

Flight Standards District Office: FAA Des Moines FSDO-61

MILLS COUNTY CHOPPERS INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N699TQ


A man injured in a helicopter crash in Pottawattamie County on Sept. 6 has died. 

 Chris Moore, the pilot, died on Thursday, according to Creighton University Medical Center, where he had been taken following the crash that occurred near 340th Street and Pioneer Trail.

Moore was crop dusting a bean field south of that area when he struck a power line crashing the copter into the bank of a cropland terrace, according to authorities who responded to the scene.
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OMAHA, Neb. —A helicopter pilot who crashed in western Iowa over the weekend remains in critical condition.

Authorities said pilot Chris Moore hit a power line in the crop-dusting helicopter in a field near Macedonia on Saturday afternoon.

Treynor Fire Chief Russ Maguire said Moore was out of the wreckage and conscious when paramedics arrived.

He was taken to CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition.

Macedonia is about 30 miles east of the Omaha metro.


Source: http://www.ketv.com


Book a seat on a private jet from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU) with this app

A new app lets you book a seat on a private jet so you can fly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to business meetings and leisure trips.

JetSmarter allows you to book any jet worldwide from your smartphone, and perks increase if you become a member - for $7,000 per year.

Without the membership, you would pay about $40,000-$98,000 for a week-long round trip from RDU to San Francisco for two people. The cheapest commercial flight on American Airlines in first class for the same trip costs just over $1,200 before taxes.

But for the those who don’t want to spend time in security and waiting on the concourse at RDU, this app is your fast track through General Aviation, onto a private jet that you might share with a handful of other people. And if you’ve booked seats but haven’t filled them, you can sell them through the app.

Members get push notifications when empty seats near them are available at a discounted rate.

The buzz around the Internet is that the app works like auto-ride share apps Uber and Lyft, but for private jets. RDU’s stance toward JetSmarter is much more relaxed than toward the ride-shares.

“I am not aware of JetSmarter’s service. But this is very different from Uber and Lyft. We provide permits to them to operate here; we do not do that for aircraft,” says RDU Communications Director Mindy Hamlin.

It’s not a new concept, however. Companies such as Flight Group Corp allow people to book a seat on a private jet for equity, and NetJets does as well.

“[JetSmarter] sounds a bit like a NetJets type of thing along with a ride sharing idea,” says Trey Walters, owner of RDU-based Blue Line Aviation, a private jet flight school. “There are some ride-sharing types of sites, but most recently for small private planes. Not sure if anyone has ever done it with chartered jets.”

- Source:  http://www.bizjournals.com

Federal agents, including Homeland Security, serve warrant at home in Erie Airpark Thursday



Officials with the City of Erie said the "enforcement action" took place at a private home, but they did not release any other information.

The Airpark neighborhood is a group of multi-acre home sites with taxi easements leading to a nearby runway at the Erie airport. The neighborhood is full of people who love flying and who own their own small planes.

Homeland Security spokesman Carl Rusnok said no arrests have been made. He said his department was working with the FBI, ATF, Diplomatic Security Services and local officers to serve a search warrant as part of an "ongoing investigation."

The federal and local police presence has scaled back since the morning, but there is still heavy police presence at the home. 7NEWS spotted the Boulder County Bomb Squad leaving the area.

Neighbor Michelle Bratton said the federal investigation at the Airpark, happening on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was a concern.

"I'd hate to see anything like that in our area. And it's kind of scary," Bratton said. "Is it safe to be here?"

Bratton said the home being searched has been under construction since a new owner moved in last year. She said the owner has kept to himself. She said the owner built a new, sturdy white hangar in the back and has added trees to the property.

Police blocked Piper Drive at Cherokee Court on Thursday afternoon, requiring drivers to show photo ID, proving they live in the area, before they could get home. Bratton said earlier in the day, police were also checking IDs of everyone leaving.

7NEWS interviewed the owner of the home, Ting Wu Song, while he was on vacation with his family.  When asked where he was vacationing, he said he wasn't sure he should say and didn't.

"I have no idea what's going on," Song said. "I'm away from home and I got a call from my neighbor this morning that police cars swarmed my house."

When asked about why he thinks federal agents could be at his house, Song replied, "Quite frankly I don’t know what to say because they might hold it against me.  I don’t know what happened."

Neighbors know Song as "Rick," who drives a red Ferrari.  He confirmed to 7NEWS that he’s a race car driver and he's of Chinese nationality.

Song also confirmed to the The Denver Post  that his family owns a large chemical company in China.

Neighbor Wayne Charles Muhler, 65, told the paper that Song told him he was attending the University of Colorado in Boulder seeking a master's degree in business administration. However, CU spokesman Ryan Huff said there is no one by the names of Ting Wu Song or Rick Song enrolled at the university.

Authorities left the house and drove off about 5:15 p.m.

Story, Video and Photo Gallery:  http://www.thedenverchannel.com








Hawker Siddeley HS-125-600A, N600AE, Aircraft Holding Solutions LLC Trustee

At least five planes vanish from airports in last five years: Listin 

 Santo Domingo.- At least five private planes have vanished from Dominican Republic’s airports during the last five years, outlet listin.com.do reports citing data from Las Americas International Airport.

The most recent case occurred Wednesday when a Hawker Siddeley HS-125-600A, US-registry (N600AE), vanished just 10 minutes after takeoff with a flight plan to Punta Cana Airport.

A 12 passenger aircraft also went missing on December 15, 2008, which took off Santiago’s Cibao International Airport toward Grand Turk, but never arrived.

Another aircraft disappeared in April 2009 after taken off from Las Americas, headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and  Cessna light aircraft took off from the La Isabela Airport at Higuero bound for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in March,2010, but presumably headed to South America instead, although that reoprt was never confirmed.

In October 2011 unidentified thieves took a plane of the Puntacana Group a La Isabela Airport, found months later in Venezuela, and the only one that has been located.


- Source:  http://www.dominicantoday.com

Plane stolen at La Isabela Airport.

 

http://registry.faa.gov/N600AE  

Cockers and Cockfighting:

Translation:   A group of cockers and Honduran businessmen, Mexicans, Venezuelans and Americans came to the country on board the plane Wednesday night two pilots took off from AILA, violating the flight plan issued by the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC).

The data comes amid investigations holding a commission official, who served where a source said the information that the aircraft presented a technical fault and was brought to the terminal of the Americas for repair.

The plane made ​​a flight from South America to the Dominican Republic on 11 July, and once passengers left the airplane registration N600AE, 
Hawker Siddeley HS-125-600A, the pilots of the aircraft was pronounced with mechanical failures, and was carried the general aviation area.

According to informants, this aircraft had taken two other trips to Dominican Republic from Venezuela, and one of them came a very close person to President Nicolas Maduro and a general of the Venezuelan Navy.

According to research undertaken in the country, on 11 July, the aircraft brought the cockers who went to participate in a cockfighting event in a still undisclosed place in Santo Domingo.

According to investigators, the two pilots, Fabio Urbino and Hector Rios, a Venezuelan national, appeared before the authorities of the International Airport of Las Americas as aircraft mechanics, who allegedly declared broken.

After simulating the repair of the device, the two mechanical assumptions would perform a test flight from Las Americas to Punta Cana, a situation that used to change the flight plan and go to South America.

Were futile efforts by journalists covering the source of the Americas to get a reaction on the case by the head of the Specialized Airport Security Corps and the Civil Aviation-CESAC, although several soldiers who were at night departure of the aircraft are under investigation.


Story and Comments:  http://www.diariolibre.com

Un grupo de empresarios habría llegado en el avión desaparecido

La nave, que arribó al AILA el 11 de julio, la reportaron con fallas

AEROPUERTO LAS AMÉRICAS. Un grupo de galleros y empresarios hondureños, mexicanos, venezolanos y norteamericanos vinieron al país a bordo del avión que la noche del miércoles dos pilotos despegaron del AILA, violando el plan de vuelo otorgado por el Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC).

El dato surgió en medio de las investigaciones que lleva a cabo una comisión de oficiales, donde una fuente que sirvió la información dijo que la aeronave presentó una falla técnica y fue traída hasta la terminal de las Américas para su reparación.

El avión realizó un vuelo desde Sudamérica hasta la República Dominicana el pasado 11 de julio, y una vez los pasajeros salieron del avión matrícula N600AE, tipo Hawker l25, los pilotos de la aeronave la declararon con fallas mecánicas, y fue llevado a la zona de aviación general.

Según los informantes, este avión había dado otros dos viajes a República Dominicana desde Venezuela, y que en uno de ellos vino una persona muy allegada al presidente Nicolás Maduro y un general de la armada venezolana.

Según las investigaciones que se desarrollan en el país, el día 11 de julio, la aeronave trajo a los galleros, quienes se dirigieron a participar en un evento gallístico en un lugar todavía no revelado en Santo Domingo.

De acuerdo con los investigadores, los dos pilotos, Fabio Urbino y Héctor Ríos, de nacionalidad venezolana, se presentaron ante las autoridades del Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas como mecánicos del avión, al que declararon supuestamente averiado.

Luego de simular la reparación del aparato, los dos supuestos mecánicos realizarían un vuelo de prueba desde Las Américas a Punta Cana, situación que utilizaron para cambiar el plan de vuelo y dirigirse a Sudamérica.

Fueron inútiles los esfuerzos hechos por los periodistas que cubren la fuente de Las Américas para obtener una reacción sobre el caso por parte del jefe del Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Aeroportuaria y de la Aviación Civil-CESAC, pese a que varios militares que estuvieron en la noche de la salida del avión se encuentran bajo investigación.

A pesar de que se ha difundido que la aeronave fue detectada por las autoridades aeronáuticas de Miami en Honduras, los militares a cargo del cuidado de la terminal manejan la información con hermetismo, y algunos han explicado que han sido amenazados por sus superiores, si hablan con los reporteros que cubren la terminal aeroportuaria.

“El general Aracenis Castillo de la Cruz está en reunión con todos los representantes de las agencias de investigaciones de las Fuerzas Armadas, y cuando termine hablará con ustedes”, fue la respuesta recibida de parte del asistente del alto oficial.

Los informes indican que, además de los militares que estaban de servicio en la zona de rampa y la puerta de acceso a la terminal, también son investigados sobre el caso, empleados de compañías contratadas por líneas aéreas para el manejo de los equipajes destinados a aeronaves ejecutivas.

Perfil de alto riesgo

Las autoridades investigan si la aeronave N600 AE tipo Hawker 125, cuyo paradero se desconoce, tiene un perfil de alto riesgo ya identificado por la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD). “Hay unos aviones que la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas los tiene como un perfil de alto riesgo. Hemos estado buscando si está dentro de esos, porque son varios”, informó ayer el presidente de la DNCD, mayor general Julio César Souffront Velázquez. Indicó que la avioneta salió la noche del miércoles con un plan de vuelo y luego, a unas 70 millas al sur, apagó el transponder. “Obviamente, al apagar, y a todas luces con un sentido, digamos de infringir la ley, se dirigió hacia el sur. Tenemos entendido que con dirección a Venezuela (…) Hasta el momento entendemos que el avión, si iba a Venezuela, no iba cargado de droga”, dijo. Al describir el modus operandi de los aviones que realizan operaciones similares, indicó que estos salen a Sudamérica para luego cargar allí e ir a Centroamérica, desde donde parten a territorio estadounidense.

Story and Comments:  http://www.diariolibre.com


 US pledges more funds for Dominican Republic’s war on drug trafficking 

Santo Domingo.- The U.S. Embassy on Friday pledged an additional US$10.0 million to escalate Dominican Republic’s war on drug trafficking and bolster public safety.

The funding, announced during the signing of the agreement by US ambassador James W. Brewster and acting Foreign Affairs minister José Manuel Trullols, bolster Washington’s support for Dominican security and law enforcement agencies statement.

"These new funds will be used by our office to enforce the law on International Narcotics Affairs (INL), in continued collaboration with Dominican Republic’s Government in areas of vital interest, such as to support the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. Our common goal is to strengthen the institutional capacity of national security agencies and increase citizen national public safety," Brewster said.

Washington’s and Santo Domingo’s joint efforts led to the confiscation of 25% of the estimated 60 metric tons which passed through the country in 2013.

 The US Embassy’s INL programs also support the 911 emergency system and its expansion to other regions, and a multi-year project coordinated with Colombia’s National Police to train some 600 Dominican agents.

The funds will also benefit the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), will non-lethal equipment and a telecommunications platform; training on investigative methods, and evidence-processing for criminal prosecutions.

"The United States is and will continue being a committed partner in the fight against the proliferation of drug trafficking, which is a mutual concern for both countries," Brewster said, and reiterated that the U.S. will continue collaborating with the Dominican Government, and the public safety and anti-narcotics agencies.

- Source:  http://www.dominicantoday.com
 
Santo Domingo.- U.S. Aeronautics security agencies in Miami determined that the plane reported missing  after takeoff from Las Americas International Airport headed to Punta Cana changed course toward Venezuela, and to Honduras from there.

Although information is still sketchy the aircraft is suspected of heading towards Venezuela to pick up drugs, fly to Honduras and then Mexico, where Mexican drug cartels smuggle it to the U.S.

The 12-passenger Hawker jet with U.S. registration N600AE and reportedly for several months was registered at the airport of the Americas.

The plane, whose pilots have been unofficially identified as Venezuelan nationals Fabio Urbina and Héctor Ríos, took off at 10:40pm toward Punta Cana, but just 10 minutes into the flight the Las Americas control tower noted that it veered sharply from that route, and lost by radar around 60 nautical miles south of the terminal.

On Thursday Dominican Aviation (IDAC) authorities confirmed the incident, pointing out that the aircraft failed to follow its flight plan.

Local media report that the crew bought US$2,000 worth of jet fuel.

Precedent

Early last year a twin-engine plane was stolen from La Isabela International Airport, and found several weeks later in a forest in Venezuela.


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


DNCD investiga si aeronave desaparecida tiene perfil de alto riesgo
 
SANTO DOMINGO. Las autoridades investigan si la aeronave N600 AE tipo Hawker 125, cuyo paradero se desconoce, tiene un perfil de alto riesgo ya identificado por la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD).

"Hay unos aviones que la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas los tiene como un perfil de alto riesgo. Hemos estado buscando si está dentro de esos, porque son varios", dijo esta mañana el presidente de la DNCD, mayor general Julio César Souffront Velázquez.

Indicó que la avioneta salió la noche del miércoles con un plan de vuelo y luego, a unas 70 millas al sur, apagó el transponder. "Obviamente, al apagar, y a todas luces con un sentido, digamos de infringir la ley, se dirigió hacia el sur. Tenemos entendido que con dirección a Venezuela (...) Hasta el momento entendemos que el avión, si iba a Venezuela, no iba cargado de droga", dijo.

Al describir el modus operandi de los aviones que realizan operaciones similares, indicó que estos salen a Suramérica para luego cargar allí e ir a Centroamérica, desde donde parten a territorio estadounidense.

Mientras las autoridades profundizan las investigaciones, esta mañana el embajador de los Estados Unidos, James W. Brewster, y el Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores en funciones, José Manuel Trullols, suscribieron un acuerdo de cooperación por US$10 millones que serán destinados a ampliar las acciones contra el narcotráfico y fortalecer la seguridad y el orden público en el país.

Brewster dijo que en el 2013, los esfuerzos conjuntos realizados por los gobiernos de los Estados Unidos y la República Dominicana resultaron en el decomiso del 25 % de las 60 toneladas métricas de droga que se estiman transitaron ese año por el país.

Los fondos también se destinarán para apoyar el Sistema Nacional de Emergencia 9-1-1 y su expansión a otras regiones del país.

http://www.diariolibre.com


Translation:  

DNCD investigating whether missing aircraft has a high risk profile

SANTO DOMINGO. Authorities are investigating whether the aircraft Hawker 125 type N600 AE, whose whereabouts are unknown, has a high risk profile and identified by the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD).

"There are planes that the National Drug Control Directorate has them as a high risk profile.'ve Been looking for if you are into those, because they are many," he said this morning DNCD president, Major General Julio César Velázquez Souffront .

He said the plane came Wednesday night with a flight plan and then, about 70 miles south, turned off the transponder. "Obviously, when you turn off, and obviously with a sense, you say to break the law, headed south., We understand that the direction of Venezuela (...) We understand that the plane, if it was to Venezuela, no drug was loaded, "he said.

Describing the modus operandi of the planes that perform similar operations, indicated that these go to South America and then to load there and go to Central America, from where they leave American territory.

While authorities deepen research, this morning the ambassador of the United States, James W. Brewster, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Jose Manuel Trullols signed a cooperation agreement for $ 10 million that will be used to expand the actions against drug trafficking and strengthen security and public order in the country.

Brewster said that in 2013, the joint efforts of the governments of the United States and the Dominican Republic resulted in the confiscation of 25% of 60 metric tons of drugs that are considered transited through the country that year.

The funds will also go to support the National Emergency System 9-1-1 and its expansion to other regions.

Translation: 

Technical Airworthiness Department of the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) investigate the whereabouts of the aircraft type N600AE Hawker 125 that took off from the Americas International Airport at 10:42 pm on Wednesday, bound for Punta Cana where he never came.

The investigation also involves the FAA, the National Investigations Department (DNI), the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), the National Police, and the A-2 and J-2 of the Ministry of Defence.

The pilots who manned the plane departure, were identified as Fabio Urbina and Hector River, who according to authorities in this terminal obtained permission for takeoff.

DL knew that the crew stocked up on fuel to fly for about three hours while authorities AILA manage information about the case with secrecy.

Yesterday, the FAA confirmed that the aircraft took off with a flight plan that violated minutes later, changing the final destination is still unknown.

Although all state security agencies converging on the Las Americas International Airport, where the plane took off were activated and initiated investigations, no one want to explain whether the plane left with passengers or goods carried.

The aircraft is billed on behalf of Hawker Siddeley, an American, and the same, according to the information obtained was loaded with $ 2,000.00 fuel.

According to a source, the control tower radar AILA maintained in the aircraft, which minutes later disappeared from the screen, without being able to communicate with it, although they tried to contact the pilots via radio communication.

Technical consulted in this air port, said that could be a robbery, because the ship left the radar scopes to an unknown destination, and has not yet had any information of his whereabouts.

It is recalled that the last day October 23, 2011, at the Airport Higüero was stolen from another aircraft, turbo-pro model 2000, brand Viscrat-200, American enrollment N871C owned subsidiary Airport Corporation East (CAE II LPD ), valued at $ 2.5 million. This aircraft was found in Venezuela five days later.

Search
It was reported that the authorities trace the Caribbean Sea where the trace indicate that the aircraft was moving, but until now has found traces of the same, while the search was suspended during night hours in the day to continue .

The FAA gave the alarm to the international organizations, in addition to the location of the aircraft.

According to reports, several countries in South and Central America and the Caribbean, and the United States makes crossing data to try to determine the whereabouts of the plane changed course.

Characteristics of the airplane

The N600 AE Hawker 125 aircraft type, disappeared Wednesday night when detachment from Las Americas International Airport, according to his flight log, is owned by the corporation Aircraft Holding Trust Solutions LLC based in Dover DE (Delaware ) United States. According to es.flightaware.com website, the aircraft has an engine capable of 367 horsepower (turbo jet), weighing more than 20,000 pounds, and a speed of 345 mph. It was manufactured in 1976 for standard transport under serial number 256068, consisting of eleven seats and two engines.

The records also indicate that the last operation was on 12th August.

http://www.diariolibre.com

 Avión desapareció de radares; autoridades no dicen qué sacó 

 La aeronave salió del AILA a las 10:42 p.m. del pasado miércoles

AEROPUERTO LAS AMÉRICAS. Técnicos del Departamento de Aeronavegabilidad del Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC) investigan acerca del paradero de la aeronave N600 AE tipo Hawker 125 que despegó del Aeropuerto Internacional de las Américas a las 10:42 p.m. del pasado miércoles, con destino a Punta Cana, adonde nunca llegó.

En la pesquisa participan, además del IDAC, el Departamento Nacional de Investigaciones (DNI), la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD), la Policía Nacional, y el A-2 y J-2 del Ministerio de Defensa.

Los pilotos que tripulaban el avión a su salida, fueron identificados como Fabio Urbina y Héctor Río, quienes según las autoridades en esta terminal obtuvieron el permiso de despegue.

DL supo que los tripulantes se abastecieron de combustible para volar por espacio de tres horas y media, mientras que las autoridades del AILA manejan la información en torno al caso con hermetismo.

Ayer, el IDAC confirmó que la aeronave despegó con un plan de vuelo que minutos más tarde violó, cambiando el destino final que aún se desconoce.

Aunque todos los organismos de seguridad estatal que convergen en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas, de donde despegó el avión fueron activados, e iniciaron las investigaciones, nadie quieres explicar si el avión salió con pasajeros o cargaba mercancías.

La aeronave se encuentra facturada a nombre de Hawker Siddeley, de nacionalidad estadounidense, y la misma, de acuerdo con las informaciones obtenidas fue cargada con US$2,000.00, de combustible.

Según una fuente, la torre de control del AILA mantenía en el radar la aeronave, que minutos más tarde desapareció de la pantalla, sin que se pudiera establecer comunicación con la misma, a pesar que trataron de contactar a los pilotos, a través de radio de comunicación.

Técnicos consultados en este puerto aéreo, manifestaron que podría tratarse de un robo, debido a que la nave salió de los alcances del radar con destino desconocido, y todavía no se ha tenido ninguna información de su paradero.

Se recuerda que el pasado día 23 de octubre del 2011, en el Aeropuerto El Higüero fue robada otra aeronave, un turbo-pro modelo 2000, marca Viscrat-200, matrícula norteamericana N871C, propiedad de la subsidiaria Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este (CAE II LPD), valorado en US$2.5 millones. Dicha aeronave fue localizada en Venezuela cinco días más tarde.

Búsqueda

Se informó que las autoridades rastrean la zona del mar Caribe por donde indican la traza que la aeronave se desplazaba, sin que hasta ahora se haya encontrado rastro de la misma, en tanto que la búsqueda se suspenderá en horas nocturnas, para proseguir en el día.

El IDAC dio la voz de alerta hacia los organismos internacionales, que se suman a la localización del avión.

Según informes, varios países de Sur, Centroamérica y el Caribe, así como los Estados Unidos hacen cruce de datos para tratar de dar con el paradero del avión que cambió su rumbo.
Características del avión

La aeronave N600 AE tipo Hawker 125, desaparecida la noche del miercoles cuando despego del Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas, de acuerdo con su registro de vuelo, es propiedad de la corporación Aviones de  la Explotación Agrícola Soluciones LLC Fiduciario con asiento en Dover DE (Delaware) Estados Unidos. Acorde al portal es.flightaware.com, la aeronave tiene un motor con capacidad de 367 caballos de fuerza (turbo jet), con un peso de más de 20 mil libras, y una velocidad de 345 mph. Fue fabricada en 1976 para transporte estándar, bajo el numero de serie 256068, consta de once asientos y dos motores.

Los registros indican, además, que su última operación realizada fue en fecha 12 de agosto pasado.


Desaparece avión que despegó anoche del AILA 

Se trata de una aeronave Hawker 125, matrícula N600AE

SANTO DOMINGO.- Las autoridades dominicanas indagan el paradero de una aeronave que  anoche   despegó del Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas (AILA) con destino a Punta Cana y hasta el momento se desconoce su destino.

De acuerdo a versiones recogidas por Diario Libre en el AILA el avión despegó a las 10: 42 pm, con un plan de vuelo que supuestamente fue presentado a la torre de control de que aterrizaría en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana.

La aeronave Hawker 125, matrícula N600AE, con capacidad para 12 pasajeros, presuntamente tenía cinco meses estacionada en la rampa sur del AILA, en un lugar denominado aviación general, próxima a un recinto militar del Cuerpo Especializado en Seguridad Aeroportuaria y de la Aviación Civil (CESAC).

El Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC) activó a su departamento técnico y  notificó a la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas, al CESAC, al IDAC, a la Policía Nacional y la Dirección Nacional de Investigaciones, sobre este caso.

En estos momentos los técnicos de operaciones de vuelo de aeronáutica civil localizan las últimas trazas del avión para establecer su ubicación.

Noticia and Comentarios:   http://www.diariolibre.com
 
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — An formal with the Civil Aviation Authority in the Dominican Republic states a small executive jet is missing after taking off from Las Americas airport in the capital. 

 Civil Aviation spokesman Hector Olivo states the Hawker Siddeley was flying from Santo Domingo to Punto Cana on the eastern tip of the nation but never arrived at its destination.

Olivo stated authorities were searching for the plane Thursday and were not certain how many individuals were on board.

The jet is registered to a company based in Dover, Delaware. It took off Wednesday and the control tower lost contact shortly afterward.

In October 2011, a plane disappeared from an airport north of the capital and was located various days later hidden in a forest in Venezuela.

===========
Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Civil Aviation Institute has confirmed that the plane failed to follow the flight plan submitted.  

Local media report that an executive jet has gone missing  after departing 10:42pm from Las Americas Airport (AILA) and whose flight plan was presumably submitted to aviation authorities to land at Punta Cana International Airport.

Local authorities investigate the whereabouts of the plane, a 12-passenger Hawker 125, registry N600AE, reportedly parked at  AILA’s south ramp during the last five months.

The Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) said it has notified national authorities to launch an investigation and locate the plane’s last point of contact, reportedly 10 minutes into the flight.


- Source:  http://www.dominicantoday.com

Authorities in the Dominican Republic were searching Thursday for any sign of a small jet registered in the U.S. that never reached its destination after taking off from the capital.

The control tower at the Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo lost contact with the twin-engine Hawker Siddeley shortly after it took off late Wednesday with a flight plan to Punta Cana, about 125 miles to the east, said Hector Olivo, a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority.

The plane, registered to a company based in Dover, Delaware, never reached Punta Cana and authorities had been unable to locate the aircraft or any wreckage, Olivo said.

The Special Airport Security Agency said the pilot and co-pilot were the only two people on board.

In October 2011, a plane disappeared from an airport north of the capital and was located several days later hidden in a forest in Venezuela.

Cargo pilot hours should be regulated, too: Column

FAA safety regulation shouldn't play politics.

Jim Hall and Peter Goelz 

6:46 p.m. EDT September 11, 2014 

In Washington, it is rare when a public official actually tells the truth. But recently, the nation's top aviation medical official, James Fraser, courageously acknowledged the truth behind the "cargo carve-out," a rule allowing exhausted cargo pilots to fly when safety rules would ground other commercial pilots. We owe him a debt of gratitude for letting us see how Washington really works.

At the Air Line Pilots Association's Air Safety Forum last month, Fraser, the Federal Aviation Administration's chief air surgeon, said the FAA's exclusion of cargo pilots from new fatigue rules was done for political reasons. Fraser said the aviation professionals at the FAA understand that there is no difference between pilots who fly cargo and pilots who carry passengers, other than the fact that cargo carriers' management complained that increased rest for pilots would cost too much.

"I'm going to leave that for the political arena," Fraser said, "and just tell you that it's not those of us that are in the trenches at FAA headquarters that are against (including cargo pilots under the rule). It's a political issue in terms of the cost of making those changes for cargo pilots."

In Washington, they say you should always "follow the money." The trail is obvious: UPS and FedEx, the nation's largest cargo airlines, have spent more than $140 million in lobbying and political contributions since President Obama took office. Small wonder that this administration carved cargo pilots out of the rule.

The FAA's new pilot fatigue rules, enacted in January, were the first major revisions to pilot flight and duty limits in 60 years. They are based on modern knowledge of the effects of sleep and circadian rhythm on the human body. Cargo pilots were included when the regulations were proposed by the FAA, but the White House ordered the agency to remove them. This despite the fact that cargo airlines use the same aircraft as passenger airlines, take off and land on the same runways and fly the same jet routes as all of us.

Just days ago, the National Transportation Safety Board reported the findings of its investigation into the 2013 crash of a UPS cargo plane in Birmingham, Ala., which killed two crew members. The NTSB, in part, blamed pilot fatigue for the crash. The cockpit voice recorder captured the plane's crew discussing how tired they were just before the doomed flight took off.

As a result of the investigation, the NTSB took some minor steps to increase communication about fatigue between crew members. That's far from enough.
 
Millions of Americans who fly, and the many more who live under the flight paths of cargo airliners, are threatened by the effects of fatigue. If the FAA is unwilling or unable to resist the political pressure to keep its fatigue rules from applying to all pilots, including those from cargo airlines, then Congress needs to step in to restore one level of safety to our skies.

Jim Hall, a former chairman of the NTSB, is president of Hall & Associates. Peter Goelz, a former NTSB managing director, is a principal at O'Neill & Associates.

- Source:  http://www.usatoday.com/opinion

Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, N830SS: Fatal accident occurred June 22, 2013 in Idaho Falls, Idaho

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

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

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

NTSB Identification: WPR13FA281
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Idaho Falls, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/28/2014
Aircraft: PIPER PA-30, registration: N830SS
Injuries: 2 Fatal,1 Serious.

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.

The rear passenger reported that shortly after departure, about 100-200 feet above ground level, the right engine surged. Two witnesses on the ground reported hearing several “pops” before the airplane banked sharply to the right. The airplane collided with the terrain shortly thereafter. The confined distribution of wreckage was consistent with a low-altitude aerodynamic stall.

A witness, who fueled the accident airplane, noted that he did not see the pilot sump the airplane’s fuel tanks during the preflight. Fuel samples obtained after the accident from the fuel strainer assemblies tested positive for water contamination. During the postaccident engine examination, the fuel strainer assemblies were disassembled, and the filter elements, selector valve housing assemblies, and both fuel bowl assemblies exhibited water contamination, rust, and deposits. Visible sediment and rust were observed in several fuel system components on both engines.

The airplane’s single-engine performance could not be calculated using the airplane’s performance charts because the airplane was over the maximum weight by 176.85 lbs. Further, the calculated density altitude was 6,108 feet. The surge and a possible power reduction to the right engine was likely due to the fuel contamination. Although the airplane was over its maximum weight and took off in a high density altitude—both of which would have affected the airplane’s performance—the pilot still failed to maintain adequate airspeed and control of the airplane.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane. 

HISTORY OF FLIGHT 

On June 22, 2013, about 1335 mountain daylight time, a Piper, PA-30, N830SS, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with the ground following a loss of aircraft control during takeoff initial climb at Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), Idaho Falls, Idaho. The personal business flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured and one passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was departing IDA with a destination of Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), Jackson, Wyoming.

About 1300, the pilot had the airplane refueled at his hangar. In a written statement from a ramp employee, as he was refueling the accident airplane he observed the pilot performing his preflight and walk-around. After the pilot completed the preflight, he began replacing the fuel caps and securing the covers over the fuel caps. The ramp employee did not see the pilot sump the airplane's fuel tanks during the preflight. The ramp employee finished the refueling and returned back to the fixed-base operator (FBO). He further stated that he heard the accident airplane takeoff from runway 17 and then 3 popping sounds. Another witness observed the airplane departing south bound above the tree line and heard several pops. The airplane then banked to the right and collided with terrain about 200 feet from his location.

During a conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the rear seat passenger recalled the departure and flight. He said the accident airplane was 'topped-off' with fuel and the pilot performed a preflight at the owner's hangar. After taxiing to the runway and getting a clearance from air traffic control (ATC), they started their takeoff roll. Just after departing the runway he recalls seeing white and yellow lights from the instrument panel and then the sound of the right engine surging. About 100-200 feet above ground level the pilot said there was a leak on the right wing. The airplane banked sharply to the right and the pilot said to "brace for impact". The airplane collided with terrain west of the departure end of runway 17 and adjacent the main entrance road to IDA.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 64, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane rating. A third-class airman medical certificate was issued in February 3, 2010, with limitations stating that he must wear corrective lenses. The pilot reported on his most recent medical certificate application; that he had accumulated 1,850 total and no flight hours in the last 6 months. The pilot's medical was not valid at the time of the accident.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The four-seat, low-wing, twin-engine, retractable-gear airplane, serial number (S/N) 30-1958, was manufactured in 1969 by Piper Aircraft and was powered by two Lycoming IO-320-C1A engines, both rated at 160 horsepower. The airplane was also equipped with two Hartzell constant speed propellers. The airplane was maintained under the manufacturer's approved inspection program.

Review of the maintenance logbooks revealed an annual inspection was completed on May 11, 2013 at a Hobbs meter reading of 526.0 hours and an airframe total time of 2,711.7 hours. Logbooks also revealed that a 100-hour inspection was completed on both engines on May 10, 2013 and May 11, 2013 with an engine time since major overhaul of 1,032.7 hours each.

According to the maintenance documentation, during the last annual inspection, a new fuel tank bladder was installed on the left inboard tank and fuel flow transducers and fuel injectors were installed on both engines. The documentation also reported that several Airworthiness Directives were complied with and one of which was AD 83-10-01, which requires inspection every 50 hours to prevent retention of water and deterioration of the fuel system. The AD requires in part removal of the fuel strainers, and to inspect the screens.

On May 20, 2013, avionics work was performed by Intermountain Aerospace in Idaho Falls, Idaho. No flight time was recorded between the last annual and the avionics work.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

A review of recorded data from the Idaho Falls International Airport automated weather observation station, located near the accident site, revealed at 1253; wind was from 210 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 22 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 4,300 feet above ground level, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 4 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of Mercury. At 1353; wind was from 220 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 24 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 6,000 feet above ground level, temperature 19 degrees Celsius, dew point 2 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of Mercury. Using the reported weather conditions and field elevation, the calculated density altitude was about 6,108 feet. According to the METAR at 1253, the crosswind component for the departure would have been 9 knots from the right.

COMMUNICATIONS

According to a written statement to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ATC gave the clearance for take-off for runway 17 and the read-back of the clearance was the last transmission made by the accident airplane. The ATC controller stated that after giving the clearance the accident airplane started its departure roll and departed about 3,000 feet down the runway and climbing. She then turned her attention to the inbound traffic, when shortly after she heard "what sounded like an engine revving up". The controller immediately looked for the accident airplane and heard the impact sound and saw a dust cloud rise from the area near the accident site.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

The Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) is a controlled airport that operates under class D airspace. The reported field elevation for the airport was 4,744 feet mean sea level (msl). The airport is equipped with two asphalt runways (17/35) and (2/20). Runway 17/35 is 4,051 feet in length and 75 feet wide with a 0.2 percent positive gradient. Standard traffic pattern for runway 17 are left turns. The runway surface is asphalt and was in good condition.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain about 500 feet west of the departure end of runway 17 at an elevation of about 4,750 feet msl. The handheld GPS coordinates for the accident site were recorded as N43 30.7155', W112 03.9069'. The aircraft came to rest with the wings and cabin area inverted. The aft section of the fuselage from the empennage to the rear cabin area was partially separated, crushed and found between the cabin area and the ground. The empennage remained partially attached to the aft fuselage. The cabin area came to rest on a magnetic heading of about 300-degrees. The wreckage debris remained within a 70 foot radius of the main wreckage.

The first identified point of contact (FIPC) with terrain was a ground scar and multiple straight impressions of about 6 inches in width and about 50 feet in length. The FIPC contained fragments of painted filler material. Extending from the impressions are 3 deep ground scars about 30 to 50 feet from the FIPC. The first of the ground scars show propeller strikes. The second was a large flat portion of disturbed dirt. The third ground scar shows propeller strikes in the dirt near the left propeller assembly that was half buried in the soil. Further down the impression a small area of disturbed dirt and grass contained painted filler material. The cabin roof and forward fuselage section including the nose cone was about 30 feet further down the debris path. The outboard right wing including the tip tank was next in the debris path near the main wreckage. The right propeller assembly was found near the main wreckage and exhibited chord-wise scratching and buffing near the tips. The blades were bent and had missing material from one. The main wreckage came to rest about 100 feet beyond the FIPC.

The engines separated from both wings and remained partially attached by control cables and various wires. The right engine came to rest upright on the ground forward of the right wing. The left engine came to rest on the bottom side of the left wing near the fuselage belly. According to witnesses, smoke and fire was visible from the left engine and was extinguished by use of a dry chemical fire extinguisher. There were no fire suppression activities that included the use of water at any time.

WEIGHT AND BALANCE

A weight and balance was calculated and the aircraft's CG was within limits. The weight of the airplane was over maximum gross weight by 176.85 lbs.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot on June 24, 2013, by the Bonneville County Coroner's Office, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The autopsy findings included "severe blunt force trauma," and the report listed the specific injuries. The cause of death was severe blunt force trauma as a result of an aircraft accident.

Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology report stated no carbon monoxide, ethanol or drugs were detected in the specimens.

TESTS AND RESEARCH

The examination of the recovered airframe and engines was conducted on June 24, 2013. Fuel samples were obtained from the fuel strainer assemblies and tested positive for water contamination. The fuel strainer assemblies were disassembled and the filter elements, selector valve housing assemblies and both fuel bowl assemblies revealed water contamination, rust and deposits. During the examination of the engines, fuel samples were obtained and were tested positive for water contamination. Visible sediment and rust were observed in several fuel system components on both engines. See the examination report in the public docket for further information.

Two fuel samples were sent to the Core Laboratories in Deer Park, Texas for further examination. According to their report the results for both samples are consistent with aviation gasoline (100LL).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The airplane's single engine performance data could not be calculated utilizing the aircraft performance charts due to the aircraft being operated above the certified gross weight of 3,725 pounds. The airplane was out of operating limitations by 176.85 lbs.




Citizens’ Watch Patrol member Phil Bowyer looks over the wreckage of a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche plane that went down shortly after takeoff on June 22, 2013. Mark J. Schell, of Idaho Falls, and Brian W. Hymas, of Rexburg, died in the crash and a 13-year-old boy was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. A report by the National Transportation Safety Board found no specific cause for the crash but uncovered several contributing factors. Post Register file / Monte LaOrange


NTSB Identification: WPR13FA281 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Idaho Falls, ID
Aircraft: PIPER PA-30, registration: N830SS
Injuries: 2 Fatal,1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 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 June 22, 2013, about 1335 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N830SS, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 17 at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), Idaho Falls, Idaho. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a cross-country personal flight. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured and one passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, with an intended destination of Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming.

In a written statement, a controller from the Air Traffic Control Tower reported that after clearing the accident airplane for takeoff, she watched as the airplane started it’s takeoff roll and subsequent climb about 3,000 feet down the runway. The controller stated that she turned her attention to inbound traffic and shortly after heard an airplane’s engine revving up. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw dust in the air in the area of the accident site.

Witnesses adjacent to the accident site reported observing the airplane depart runway 17 and that it sounded like the engines were “surging and popping.” Witnesses stated that the airplane climbed to an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level, and turned to the right, in a steep turn toward a small open grass lot. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain near an office building and about 1,000 feet southeast of the terminal building at IDA.



A report by the National Transportation Safety Board found no specific cause for a fatal 2013 crash at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

However, the NTSB report listed multiple factors that could have contributed to the June 22 accident that claimed the lives of two eastern Idaho men.

Mark J. Schell, 64, of Idaho Falls, Brian W. Hymas, 43, of Rexburg, and a 13-year-old boy climbed aboard the Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche at about 1:30 p.m., heading to Jackson, Wyo.

According to the report, after the plane climbed more than 100 feet in the air, several loud “pops” were heard and the right engine cut out. The plane banked sharply to the right, striking the ground about 200 feet from where it took off.

The pilot, Schell, and Hymas died in the crash. The boy survived.

The report, released Aug. 28, cited test results found water and rust in the fuel of the aircraft. The investigation reported that a ramp employee at the airport said he witnessed Schell adding fuel to the plane, but that he didn’t see him sump the fuel tanks. Sumping is taking a sample from the bottom of a fuel tank to check for particles and moisture.

But Melvin Wagoner, owner of Av Center Inc., a private air charter company in Pocatello, said water or rust in the fuel isn’t a definitive cause of engine failure. He said it would take a lot of water to cause the engine fail. He called the finding a “link in the error chain” rather than the cause of an accident.

Wagoner is a pilot of 27 years who has logged about 20,000 flight hours.

The report also indicated that Schell hadn’t flown in six months. While a pilot certificate isn’t invalid unless it is officially surrendered, suspended or revoked, there are certain things pilots need to do to remain current. One is practicing take-offs and landings at least three times in the past 90 days before flying a passenger.

Not flying for six months before the crash, Wagoner said, was another link in the error chain, but taken alone likely was not the cause of the crash.

A third major factor investigators found was that the plane was 176.85 pounds past its weight limit at takeoff, but still within the plane’s center of gravity range. When a plane is out of its center of gravity range, it becomes unstable and difficult to control.

Wagoner said it would be unlikely for the extra weight to have caused the crash.

“You couldn’t definitively say that if you could eliminate all of these factors that it would prevent the accident,” he said.

But none of those factors helped the situation, either, he said.

In Wagoner’s opinion, the report shows a “pretty classic error-chain situation.” Ultimately, he said, the cause of the accident was failure to maintain control of the aircraft.

“What caused the engine to quit, you really can’t say,” he said.


- Source:  http://www.postregister.com


Mark Jefferson Schell

Brian Hymas

FAA investigating UPS plane's emergency landing at Chicago/Rockford International Airport (KRFD), Illinois

 

ROCKFORD — The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into reported hydraulic trouble Wednesday on a UPS plane that landed without incident at Chicago Rockford International Airport. 

Mechanics were working today on the Airbus 306.

“The aircraft is being repaired in Rockford and it will be going back into service in a few hours,” said UPS Spokesman Mike Mangeot.

UPS Flight 8621 was en route from Ontario, California, to Louisville, Kentucky, when around 9:45 p.m. the crew reported loss of all hydraulics. The Airbus 306 was diverted to Rockford.

Hydraulic systems power flight controls, landing gear, brakes, nose wheel steering and other equipment essential to aircraft operation.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Services personnel and area firefighters were dispatched to the airport after the report. The pilot later said some of the plane’s hydraulic systems were working again, but emergency crews remained at the airport until the plane landed at 11:07 p.m.

The cargo was shifted to a spare aircraft and flown to Louisville early this morning, Mangeot said.

FAA Spokesperson Elizabeth Isham Corey said investigators will speak with the plane’s pilots, inspect the aircraft and check records related to maintenance, pilot training and operation of the plane. The investigation is expected to last several weeks.

“We look at everything when we do an investigation,” said Isham Cory.

Story, photos and video: http://www.rrstar.com



Directorate General of Civil Aviation crackdown on pilots: Jet Airways blames it on ‘lack of clarity’

Mumbai, September 11:    Jet Airways said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s recent crackdown on 131 of the carrier’s pilots was due to ‘Lack of clarity’ in regulations.

According to recent media reports, the DGCA found 131 Jet Airways pilots to have flown planes on expired licenses following an audit of the airline’s training facilities.

“Some of the audit findings have resulted due to a lack of clarity in the regulatory interpretation of the processes… The airline welcomes the inputs of the regulator and confirms that it will comply with all established norms,” a spokesperson for Jet Airways said in a media statement.

Further, the carrier said that its senior management will meet the DGCA and his team to discuss the ambiguity in “some of the existing regulation and will work closely with DGCA to close all the findings”. However, the Jet spokesperson did not provide details.

Last week, DGCA came down heavily on Jet Airways after an audit of its pilots and cabin crew training program and issued show cause notices to 131 pilots of the airline.

After the audit carried out by a three-member team, DGCA had issued the notices asking the pilots why their licenses should not be suspended as they were flying without clearing their Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) tests which have to be carried out every six months. The tests ascertain the overall knowledge level and proficiency of a pilot.

Passengers detained after captain reports security threat on plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), Seattle, Washington

SEATTLE — A flight from Seattle to Denver was delayed around 2:00 p.m. Thursday because of a security threat onboard the plane, Port of Seattle officials said.

Few details were immediately available, but officials with Southwest Airlines said the captain in command of flight 3677 reported a potential security threat to authorities.

“The aircraft was taxied to a remote part of the airport where Customers and luggage are being re screened,” a Southwest Airlines official said.

According to Southwest.com, the flight was scheduled to depart Sea-Tac at 11:35 a.m. It departed at 3:02 p.m.

The plane eventually returned to the gate. The plane originally had 131 passengers and five crew members onboard, but officials said the plane was heading to Denver with 130 passengers.


Stay with Q13 FOX News for updates on this developing story.

Accident occurred September 11, 2014 in Monticello, San Juan County, Utah

MONTICELLO, San Juan County — A helicopter conducting a survey for an energy company crashed Thursday in northern San Juan County, injuring the pilot.

The helicopter, owned by Minuteman Aviation, crashed about 11:30 a.m. near the Anticline Overlook area of Lockheart Basin, according to a post from San Juan County Sheriff Rick Eldredge on his department's Facebook page.

"The crash was not severe and it is believed that the pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained non-life-threatening injuries," Eldredge wrote. "The helicopter did not come apart or catch fire."

A second helicopter in the area was able to land near the crash site and fly the injured pilot to Moab Regional Hospital.

"At this time it is unknown what caused the accident," the sheriff wrote, adding that the helicopters were in the area doing survey work under a contract with Green River Energy.

The crash investigation will be handled by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, according to Eldredge.

- Source:  http://www.deseretnews.com

FOUND ACFT CANADA INC. FBA-2C1, N500FA: Accident occurred September 11, 2014 at Cascade Airport (U70), Idaho

NTSB Identification: WPR14CA372
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, September 11, 2014 in Cascade, ID
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/13/2014
Aircraft: FOUND ACFT CANADA INC FBA 2C1, registration: N500FA
Injuries: 3 Minor.

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

The pilot was landing the tail-wheel equipped airplane in variable wind conditions. He reported that on final approach, he noticed a right crosswind, input the appropriate correction, and made a good landing. Immediately after touchdown the airplane turned left. He was unable to correct with right aileron control and right rudder pedal input. The pilot initiated a go around however, the airplane hit a fence post. The airplane stalled and turned to the right, about 20-30 feet above the ground. The airplane impacted the runway on its right wing, right main landing gear, and nose. The airplane sustained structural damage to its wings and fuselage. 

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

FAA Boise FSDO-11

TV HELICOPTERS LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N500FA

CASCADE -- Authorities in Valley County are responding to a small plane crash at the Cascade Airport that happened just before 11 this morning

Three men were in the plane, two received minor injuries while another was taken to Cascade Hospital with knee injuries.

Deputies say, according to the pilot, he had landed and a gust of wind pushed him off the runway. He made a low arc but didn't gain a lot of altitude, clipped a fence and some trees. When he tried to land again, he crashed on the runway.

Witnesses said they did not see and smoke or fire coming from the aircraft.


We are working to gather more details about the crash, and will update this story as more information becomes available.


CASCADE, Idaho (KBOI) -- A small airplane has crashed at the Cascade Airport -- sending one person to the hospital. 
 
 Valley County dispatch says three people were on board the plane, which was flying in from McCall.

Dispatch says the pilot was coming in for the landing when the plane caught some wind under the aircraft and pushed it over.

The person transported reportedly had a knee injury.


- Source: http://www.kboi2.com

Toronto port authority launches WebTrak, which monitors and tracks all aircraft near Billy Bishop airport

A new tracking service of aircraft in and around Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will let users see details such as flight path, destination and whether a plane is flying too low.

The Toronto Port Authority, which operates the island airport, launches the WebTrak service on its website on Thursday. It is not disclosing what it is paying for the service, which includes the initial startup cost as well as annual fees, but it is free for the public to use.

WebTrak is already in place in more than 50 airports around the world including London’s Heathrow and Stansted airports, Los Angeles’ LAX, New York’s JFK as well as Toronto’s Pearson airport.

“We want to give full transparency to our neighbours,” said Gene Cabral, Billy Bishop airport’s executive vice-president, during a demonstration of the new web portal. “There’s no denying aircraft do make noise. Mitigation, it is a priority.”  
 
The airport has had a rocky relationship with area residents. At the annual general meeting in September, port authority officials heard from many residents who complained about the noise, including from an actor who complained about loud disruptions during performances at the Harbourfront Centre.

Cabral said the port authority is committed to dealing with noise issues. That’s why, he says, the port authority has purchased this new Internet-based tool, that will let anyone monitor and track aircraft near the airport, with a computer, smartphone or tablet.

“It puts the information in the community’s hands,” he said. “You’ll be able to see a flight if it breaks curfew.”

The tracking has a 10-minute delay for safety reasons, but users will be able to see planes moving over a map, within a 30 nautical mile radius of Billy Bishop, showing flight paths, type of aircraft, departures and destinations, and altitudes.

It will not show the tail number of a plane on the public website, though the port authority will have access to it. Tracked aircraft includes small private planes, commercial turboprops flown by Air Canada and Porter Airlines, as well as helicopters.

Cabral says WebTrak will give residents and businesses more information to file any complaint with the port authority, directly through the website.

However, due to Canadian regulations no information on military planes, police flights, or medical evacuation flights such as by ORNGE will be available on WebTrak.

The island airport has a curfew that only allows emergency flights or medical evacuations to land at the airport between 11 p.m. and 6:45 a.m., but ORNGE flights won’t be listed on the WebTrak.

While that specific information won’t be available, Cabral said anyone is still free to file any complaints. As well, users can go back and look at historical data to pinpoint dates and times.

In 2013, the airport’s noise management office received about 500 complaints, up from 350 in 2012. Many of the complaints were related to engine run-up noise.

The airport has two spots where it measures noise, one on the mainland and one on the island, and those noise levels will be displayed on the new web portal, in almost real-time.

Airport duty manager Michael MacWilliam, who investigates citizen complaints, said most of the commercial flights from the island airport follow a flight plan over Lake Ontario to reduce noise, and this web tracking program will be able to show it.

Sometimes, the airport will receive complaints about aircraft flying to close to an individual’s home or condo, but the planes are actually headed for other airports such as Pearson, Buttonville or Hamilton, so MacWilliam says they will now have more specific information.

“Previously, you would have to trust me, when I said it was a Piper out of Hamilton, flying at a certain height,” he said. “Now you can see with your own eyes, instead of reading an email.”


- Source:   http://www.thestar.com