Docket And Docket Items - National Transportation Safety Board: http://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
National Transportation Safety Board - Aviation Accident Data Summary: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO-09
NTSB Identification: CEN15FA342
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 09, 2015 in Harbor Springs, MI
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/23/2016
Aircraft: PIPER PA 32R-300, registration: N43829
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
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 private pilot was completing a long cross-country flight during dark, night visual meteorological conditions. While on a visual approach to the runway, the airplane impacted trees and terrain less than a mile from the end of the runway. The pilot had not logged night flight experience in several years and had not logged any night flight experience in the make and model of the accident airplane. Additionally, he had not logged a flight into the airport in his logbook.
The airport's tree obstructions and nonstandard precision approach path indicator with a 4.0-degree glidepath were noted in the airport facility directory. However, it was the pilot's first flight into the airport; thus, it is likely that his unfamiliarity with the airport environment, including the trees close proximity to the airport and nonstandard glidepath, and the dark, night conditions led to his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. The witness marks on the trees and the damage to the airplane were consistent with the airplane being in a relatively wings level descent when it impacted the tops of the trees. The condition of the landing gear and flaps were consistent with the airplane being configured to land. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, engine, or related systems that would have precluded normal operation at the time of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees during the approach in dark, night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On August 9, 2015, about 2325 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 32R-300 airplane, N43829, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain east of the Harbor Springs Airport (MGN), Harbor Springs, Michigan. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to the Tuskegee Airman National Historical Museum and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Coleman A Young Municipal Airport (DET), Detroit, Michigan, about 2000.
According to the Emmet County Sheriff's Department and colleagues of the pilot, he was flying to MGN for a conference. He communicated with a colleague via text message and indicated he would arrive at MGN around 2325. The wreckage of the airplane was located at 0730 on August 10th by employees of Emmet Brick & Block after they arrived for work. The initial impact point was located at the top of a tree several hundred feet east of the main wreckage.
There were no known witnesses to the impact. Several witnesses reported seeing or hearing a low flying airplane around the time of the accident. The pilot was not receiving services, nor was he required to be, from air traffic control.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 58, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating reissued on January 28, 2015. The certificate was first issued on July 17, 2009. He was issued a special issuance third class airman medical certificate on August 5, 2014. The certificate contained the limitations "Not valid for any class after 08/31/2015. Must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision."
On the pilot's medical certificate application, dated July 28, 2014, he reported 380 hours total time, 14 hours in the past 6 months. The pilot's personal flight logbook was located in the wreckage. It contained entries from November 10, 2006, through July 22, 2015. A review of the logbook indicated that the pilot had logged no less than 406.9 hours total time in single engine airplanes; 78.4 hours of which were in the accident airplane and 95.5 hours in high performance/complex airplanes. He received his complex airplane endorsement on November 16, 2011, and his high performance airplane endorsement on July 17, 2012. He had logged 19.5 hours at night and his last logged night flight was on November 8, 2013. He had not logged any night experience in the accident airplane nor did his logbook reflect that he had ever flown to MGN.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The accident airplane, a Piper PA32R-300 (serial number 32R-7780527), was manufactured in 1977. It was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a standard airworthiness certificate for normal operations. An Avco Lycoming Aircraft Engine, IO-540-K1G5D, rated at 300 horsepower at 2,700 rpm powered the airplane. The engine was equipped with a Hartzell 3-blade, variable-pitch propeller.
The airplane was registered to the Tuskegee Airman National Historical Museum, Detroit, Michigan, owned by the United States government, and operated by the pilot. The airplane was maintained under an annual inspection program. A review of the maintenance records indicated that an annual inspection had been completed on July 8, 2015, at an airframe total time of 4,825.7 hours (tachometer time 3,648.5). On August 6, 2015, the vacuum pump was removed and replaced. The airplane had flown approximately 16.8 hours between the last inspection and the accident and had a total airframe time of 4,842.5 hours.
The Tuskegee Airman National Historical Museum received the airplane from the Michigan State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP) for the use of training juveniles in piloting and maintenance. The terms of the five year property transfer contract prohibited the airplane from being rented or used for personal purposes. During this restriction period the airplane was the property of the United States Government.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The closest official weather observation station was MGN, located 1 nautical mile (nm) west of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 677 feet mean sea level (msl). The routine aviation weather report (METAR) for MGN, issued at 2335, reported wind calm, visibility 10 miles, sky conditions were scattered clouds at 4,100 feet, broken clouds at 5,000 feet, broken clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 20 degrees Celsius (C), dew point temperature 19 degrees C, and altimeter 29.94 inches.
According to the United States Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department Sun and Moon Data, the sunset was recorded at 2057 EDT and the end of civil twilight was 2130 EDT. The moon rose at 0207 EDT, and set at 1711 EDT on the day of the accident. The phase of the moon was waning crescent with 23 percent of the moon's visible disk illuminated.
AIRPORT INFORMATION
MGN is a public, uncontrolled airport located three miles east of Harbor Springs, Michigan, at a surveyed elevation of 685.8 feet. The airport had one open runway - runway 10/28 (4,149 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). Runway 10 was equipped with a 4-light precision approach path indicator (PAPI) on the right side which provided a 3.5 degree glide path. Runway 28 was equipped with a 4-light PAPI on the left which provided a 4.0 degree glide path. The PAPI for runway 28 was classified as nonstandard and unusable beyond 2 degrees left of the centerline of the runway.
Additional remarks for the airport included lighted obstacles for both runway 10 and runway 28. Runway 28 had 80-foot trees in side slope which were lighted, 201 feet from the runway and 170 feet from the runway on both sides of the centerline. The departure procedures for runway 28 also described trees, 100 feet above ground level, abeam the end of the runway and 350 feet south of the runway.
According to the airport manager, after the accident, one of the bulbs (one of eight) in the PAPI system was found inoperative and was immediately replaced. The PAPI system remained operational despite this bulb outage.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
The accident site was located in forested terrain just east of the airport. The accident site was at an elevation of 704 feet msl and the airplane impacted on a magnetic heading of 280 degrees.
The initial impact point was characterized by deciduous and coniferous trees. The left wing tip was located in the top of one tree and debris extended from this point west to the main wreckage.
The airplane came to rest oriented on a heading of east. The terrain sloped 45 degrees up and to the south. The main wreckage included the engine and propeller assembly, fuselage, and empennage. The right wing separated from the airframe and came to rest adjacent to and north of the main wreckage. The right side of the fuselage was crushed and twisted towards the left. The front windscreen and side windows separated and were fragmented. The bottom of the fuselage was crushed up and twisted to the left.
The engine, instrument panel, and nose landing gear were twisted and the engine came to rest on its left side. The nose landing gear appeared to be extended. All three propeller blades remained attached and exhibited chordwise scratching and leading edge polishing. Two of the three propeller blades exhibited twists and bends.
The followings settings and positions were documented in the cabin:
Kollsman window - 29.93
Fuel selector valve - right tank select
Gear handle - up
Flap control handle – First notch – 10 degrees
Tachometer -3665.3
Hobbs - 1204.2
Mixture Control – full forward
Propeller Control – full forward
Throttle Control – full forward
Alternate Air Door - closed
The right wing included the right aileron. The right flap separated from the wing assembly and was located 5 feet north of the right wing. The flap was buckled at midspan. Buckled and torn metal was observed along the entire leading edge of the right wing. The flight control was continuous from the aileron inboard to the separation point. When the right wing was moved about 1 gallon of fuel was observed and additional fuel poured out. The right main landing gear separated from the wing and was located 10 feet to the north of the right wing. The assembly was otherwise unremarkable.
The left wing separated from the fuselage and was located to the south and uphill from the main wreckage. The outboard leading edge piece separated. Buckled and torn metal was observed along the entire leading edge of the left wing. The landing gear assembly remained attached and was down and locked. The left flap separated partially and remained attached at the flap track. The flap was buckled at midspan. The flight controls were continuous from the left aileron inboard to the separation point.
The empennage included the left and right stabilators, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The outboard 22 inches of the leading edge of the left stabilator were crushed inboard and aft. Tree bark was imbedded within this crush zone. The trim tab was "down." The right stabilator was not visibly damaged. The upper leading edge of the vertical stabilizer was crushed aft and twisted to the left. The entire horizontal stabilator was twisted towards the front of the airplane on the right side and the back of the airplane on the left side. Flight controls were continuous from the forward column aft to the stabilator and rudder. About 7 threads were visible on the stabilator trim – this correlated to a slight nose up trim setting. Impact damage limited the ability to move the controls at the control yoke or the control surfaces through their full range of motion.
A 55-inch portion of the left wing was located 30 feet east of the main wreckage. This piece was torn at midspan and exhibited leading edge crushing. Bark was embedded along the crush zone. The right wing tip (24-inch piece) was located to the north of the left wing piece and east of the main wreckage.
The rotating beacon, plexiglas, bent and torn metal, broken tree limbs/branches, and personal effects were located in debris field scattered around the main wreckage. Several of the branches exhibited 45 degree cuts.
The airplane was moved from the side of the hill to the level ground below to facilitate further examination.
The upper bank of spark plugs was removed. The number 5 spark plug exhibited signatures consistent with a lean mixture. The number 6 spark plug exhibited signatures consistent with a rich mixture. The valve covers and propeller were removed from the engine and the engine was rotated at the propeller flange. Tactile compression and accessory gears and valve train continuity were observed on all cylinders.
The fuel manifold contained fuel and was unremarkable. The fuel injector servo was unremarkable and the screen was free of visible debris or contamination. The number 5 fuel injector nozzle was partially occluded. All remaining fuel injector nozzles were unremarkable.
The ignition harness was impact damaged on the left side. The single drive dual magneto was removed from the engine and produced spark when rotated by hand. The vacuum pump rotated when actuated by hand and air movement was observed. Further internal examination revealed no anomalies. The fuel pump contained small amounts of fuel and functioned as designed when actuated by hand.
No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The autopsy was performed by Sparrow Forensic Pathology on August 11, 2015, as authorized by the Emmett County Medical Examiner's office. The autopsy concluded that the cause of death was "multiple injuries" and the report listed the specific injuries.
The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological tests on specimens that were collected during the autopsy (CAMI Reference #20150016001). Results were negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. Testing of cavity blood and urine revealed amlodipine.
The FAA Aerospace Medical Research website listed amlodipine as a "calcium channel blocker heart medication used in the treatment of hypertension." It provided the warning "adverse reactions include edema, dizziness, and palpitation."
On the pilot's medical certificate application dated July 28, 2014, he reported using medication to control his hypertension with no side effects.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
According to the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) – Chapter 2. Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids 2-1-2. Visual Glideslope Indicators b. Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI). "The precision approach path indicator (PAPI) uses light units similar to the VASI but are installed in a single row of either two or four light units. These lights are visible from about 5 miles during the day and up to 20 miles at night. The row of light units is normally installed on the left side of the runway…"
Four white lights indicated the glide path was high. Three white lights and one red light indicated the glide path was slightly high. Two white lights and two red lights indicated the glide path was on. One white light and three red lights indicated the glide path was slightly low. Four red lights indicated the glide path was low.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 09, 2015 in Harbor Springs, MI
Aircraft: PIPER PA 32R-300, registration: N43829
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators 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 August 9, 2015, about 2325 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 32R-300, N43829, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain east of the Harbor Springs Airport (KMGM), Harbor Springs, Michigan. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was registered to the Tuskegee Airman National Historical Museum and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from the Detroit, Michigan, area at an unknown time.
According to the Emmet County Sheriff's Department and colleagues of the pilot, he was flying to KMGM for a conference. He communicated with a colleague via text message and indicated he would arrive at KMGM around 2325. The wreckage of the airplane was located at 0730 on August 10, by employees of Emmet Brick & Block. The initial impact point was located at the top of a tree several hundred feet east of the main wreckage.
The main wreckage of the airplane was located on the edge of the Emmet Brick & Block property, in sloping and forested terrain. The nose of the airplane was oriented to the east and the main wreckage of the airplane included the fuselage, empennage, and engine and propeller assembly. The right wing separated and came to rest immediately adjacent and to the north of the main wreckage. The left wing separated and came to rest uphill and to the south of the main wreckage.
Any witnesses should email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday, October 20th ordered U.S. flags within the State Capitol Complex and on all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, Oct. 22, in honor of Department of Natural Resources conservation officer First Lt. Arthur Green III.
Green died in a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance plane crash Aug. 9 while en route to a DNR meeting in northern Michigan. The flag honoring date was selected in consultation with the Green family.
“First Lieutenant Green dedicated an entire life of service to the state of Michigan, protecting its residents and natural resources,” Snyder said. “He truly exemplified public service and his death is a tragic loss for the entire state of Michigan. His family, friends and colleagues remain in my prayers.”
Green, 58, was a nearly 20-year veteran officer of the DNR, serving as supervisor of the southeast district covering Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, Genesee, Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties. Most recently, Green helped to secure a smooth transition of Belle Isle Park to DNR management.
Prior to joining the DNR, Green was a Detroit police officer and had also served in the U.S. Air Force and the Michigan Air National Guard, including two tours in Kuwait, before retiring in 2004. He resided in Farmington Hills and is survived by his wife, two sons and three grandchildren.
This flag order is in accordance with Executive Order 2013-10. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday, Oct. 23.
A top Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officer from Farmington Hills was texting while flying shortly before his plane crashed, according to preliminary federal findings.
An initial report by the National Transportation Safety Board said Lt. Arthur Green “communicated with a colleague via text message” indicating he would arrive at Harbor Springs airport at 11:25 p.m. Aug. 9.
Federal spokesmen declined further comment, but Emmet County Sheriff Peter Wallin said Green’s text was sent at 11:10 p.m. — 15 minutes before local police estimate as the time of the crash.
The text asked Conservation Officer Damon Owens to meet him at the airport and Green said he was about 25 minutes away, Wallin said.
An earlier text by Green was sent at 9:03 p.m. saying he would arrive between 10:45 p.m. and 11 p.m., Wallin said.
Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB spokespersons declined further comment as the investigation continues.
Department of Natural Resources spokesman Ed Golder said the agency is withholding comment until the investigation is complete.
Texting while flying is generally against Federal Aviation Administration regulations under a new policy in place since May. Under rules for general aviation, including small aircraft, “no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device.”
One exception, however, is if the pilot has determined the device “will not interfere with the safe operation of the navigation or communication system of the aircraft.”
The airport’s final approach instructions warn pilots to “overfly open field, brick yard and gravel pit as long as is practical before aligning with runway centerline.” It also instructs pilots to “avoid low, dragged-in approaches.”
Eighty-foot trees are located 201 feet from the runway’s asphalt approach, according to airport information.
Wreckage from the Piper plane was located at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 10, by employees of Emmet Brick & Block, which is located across the street from the end of the airport’s runway. The initial impact point was at the top of a tree several hundred feet east of the main wreckage.
Green, 58, was an experienced pilot. He had served in the U.S. Air Force and the Michigan Air National Guard before retiring in 2004. He served two tours in Kuwait.
The single-engine plane was owned by the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum in Detroit and built in 1977, according to FAA registry records.
Green was one of 13 DNR law enforcement first lieutenants in Michigan. He supervised a seven-county district made up Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, Lapeer, Monroe, and St Clair. There are 218 conservation officers in the state.
Green was en route from Detroit City Airport to the Harbor Springs airfield, three miles east of the popular tourism resort.
http://www.detroitnews.com
A Farmington Hills man is killed in a plane crash in northern Michigan.
Arthur Green III was piloting a Piper Cherokee plane from Detroit to northern Michigan when it crashed for some reason, killing him.
Green was the only person aboard the plane, which went down sometime Sunday night but he was discovered 7:30 a.m. Monday.
While loved ones wait to learn why, they are making sure his accomplishments in life are not forgotten.
"I consider him by brother, he wasn't just a friend - he was my brother," said his friend Larry Sargent.
A former Detroit police officer who served two tours in Iraq, he was also the president of the Detroit chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, and lieutenant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Larry Sargent has been by his side since the beginning.
"He called me one day, I will never forget, he said 'I got an airplane,' I said 'No you don't have an airplane.'"
A love of flying started in 2008 taking up hundreds of kids as part of the Tuskegee Airmen's program to get kids interested in a career in aviation.
He also flew planes for his job with the DNR. In fact he was flying out for training when the plane went down in little Traverse Township early Monday morning.
Sargent spoke with the night before the crash.
"I told him to not be in a hurry to get up there," he said. "Check the weather, because I see a few storms popping up on the northwest part of Michigan. I said just make sure everything is clear. He said 'I'll take care.' That's why I trusted him because he had done it before."
But even before he received the news of his death, Sargent didn't feel right about the trip.
"I had a gut feeling when I got up," he said. "Normally when we fly on any trip, the guys in our organization will always text somebody and let them know what was going on. I didn't hear anything. Then around 10:30 his wife called and I got the news."
It is unknown what caused the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating.
"He died with the passion that he loved," Sargent said. "He loved flying."
Story, video and photo gallery: http://www.fox2detroit.com
LANSING – A Michigan Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officer died Sunday after the plane he was piloting crashed in northern Michigan, the DNR said in a news release.
First Lt. Arthur Green III, 58, of Farmington Hills, was supervisor of the DNR district covering Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, Genesee, Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties, the release said. He was flying a private Piper Cherokee to a meeting of the DNR Law Enforcement Division at about 11 p.m. Sunday when the plane crashed during its approach to the Harbor Springs Airport in Emmett County, the DNR said.
Green was alone in the plane. The accident remains under investigation.
“F/LT. Green’s death is a profound loss for the DNR and for the citizens of the state,” DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler said in a statement. “He was a dedicated professional who was deeply committed to protecting our nation, its citizens and Michigan’s natural resources. Most recently, F/LT. Green was instrumental in the smooth transition of Belle Isle Park in Detroit to DNR management. He will be greatly missed.”
Green joined the DNR in 1996, the release said.
Story was updated to include information from Sheriff Pete Wallin.
EMMET COUNTY, MI – The Sheriff's Department identified Arthur A. Green III, 58, of Farmington Hills, as the pilot who was killed in a plane crash.
Green served as a first lieutenant for the state Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Sheriff Pete Wallin said Monday, Aug. 10.
The crash happened as Green's Piper Cherokee approached Harbor Springs Airport sometime after 11 p.m. Sunday.
A worker at Emmet Brick & Block Co., spotted the downed plane behind the business on M-119 when he showed up for work at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Green was the only one on the plane. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash, police said.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.mlive.com
Authorities have confirmed the male pilot of a small private plane is dead after the aircraft crashed near the Harbor Springs airport overnight.
The plane, a Piper Cherokee, was discovered by an employee at Emmet Brick and Block around 7:30 a.m. Monday, Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said.
Authorities believe the plane crashed on approach to the Harbor Springs airport Sunday around 11 p.m.
The male pilot, Authur A. Green III, 58, of Farmington Hills, was the only person on board the plane, according to Wallin.
Green served as a First Lieutenant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.
Wallin said officials from the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified, and the investigation will be turned over to them upon their arrival.
Harbor Springs Fire Department and Emmet County EMS also responded to the scene.
Story, comments and photo gallery: http://www.petoskeynews.com
Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday, October 20th ordered U.S. flags within the State Capitol Complex and on all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, Oct. 22, in honor of Department of Natural Resources conservation officer First Lt. Arthur Green III.
Green died in a Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance plane crash Aug. 9 while en route to a DNR meeting in northern Michigan. The flag honoring date was selected in consultation with the Green family.
“First Lieutenant Green dedicated an entire life of service to the state of Michigan, protecting its residents and natural resources,” Snyder said. “He truly exemplified public service and his death is a tragic loss for the entire state of Michigan. His family, friends and colleagues remain in my prayers.”
Green, 58, was a nearly 20-year veteran officer of the DNR, serving as supervisor of the southeast district covering Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, Genesee, Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties. Most recently, Green helped to secure a smooth transition of Belle Isle Park to DNR management.
Prior to joining the DNR, Green was a Detroit police officer and had also served in the U.S. Air Force and the Michigan Air National Guard, including two tours in Kuwait, before retiring in 2004. He resided in Farmington Hills and is survived by his wife, two sons and three grandchildren.
This flag order is in accordance with Executive Order 2013-10. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday, Oct. 23.
A top Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officer from Farmington Hills was texting while flying shortly before his plane crashed, according to preliminary federal findings.
An initial report by the National Transportation Safety Board said Lt. Arthur Green “communicated with a colleague via text message” indicating he would arrive at Harbor Springs airport at 11:25 p.m. Aug. 9.
Federal spokesmen declined further comment, but Emmet County Sheriff Peter Wallin said Green’s text was sent at 11:10 p.m. — 15 minutes before local police estimate as the time of the crash.
The text asked Conservation Officer Damon Owens to meet him at the airport and Green said he was about 25 minutes away, Wallin said.
An earlier text by Green was sent at 9:03 p.m. saying he would arrive between 10:45 p.m. and 11 p.m., Wallin said.
Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB spokespersons declined further comment as the investigation continues.
Department of Natural Resources spokesman Ed Golder said the agency is withholding comment until the investigation is complete.
Texting while flying is generally against Federal Aviation Administration regulations under a new policy in place since May. Under rules for general aviation, including small aircraft, “no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device.”
One exception, however, is if the pilot has determined the device “will not interfere with the safe operation of the navigation or communication system of the aircraft.”
The airport’s final approach instructions warn pilots to “overfly open field, brick yard and gravel pit as long as is practical before aligning with runway centerline.” It also instructs pilots to “avoid low, dragged-in approaches.”
Eighty-foot trees are located 201 feet from the runway’s asphalt approach, according to airport information.
Wreckage from the Piper plane was located at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 10, by employees of Emmet Brick & Block, which is located across the street from the end of the airport’s runway. The initial impact point was at the top of a tree several hundred feet east of the main wreckage.
Green, 58, was an experienced pilot. He had served in the U.S. Air Force and the Michigan Air National Guard before retiring in 2004. He served two tours in Kuwait.
The single-engine plane was owned by the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum in Detroit and built in 1977, according to FAA registry records.
Green was one of 13 DNR law enforcement first lieutenants in Michigan. He supervised a seven-county district made up Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, Lapeer, Monroe, and St Clair. There are 218 conservation officers in the state.
Green was en route from Detroit City Airport to the Harbor Springs airfield, three miles east of the popular tourism resort.
http://www.detroitnews.com
A Farmington Hills man is killed in a plane crash in northern Michigan.
Arthur Green III was piloting a Piper Cherokee plane from Detroit to northern Michigan when it crashed for some reason, killing him.
Green was the only person aboard the plane, which went down sometime Sunday night but he was discovered 7:30 a.m. Monday.
While loved ones wait to learn why, they are making sure his accomplishments in life are not forgotten.
"I consider him by brother, he wasn't just a friend - he was my brother," said his friend Larry Sargent.
A former Detroit police officer who served two tours in Iraq, he was also the president of the Detroit chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, and lieutenant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Larry Sargent has been by his side since the beginning.
"He called me one day, I will never forget, he said 'I got an airplane,' I said 'No you don't have an airplane.'"
A love of flying started in 2008 taking up hundreds of kids as part of the Tuskegee Airmen's program to get kids interested in a career in aviation.
He also flew planes for his job with the DNR. In fact he was flying out for training when the plane went down in little Traverse Township early Monday morning.
Sargent spoke with the night before the crash.
"I told him to not be in a hurry to get up there," he said. "Check the weather, because I see a few storms popping up on the northwest part of Michigan. I said just make sure everything is clear. He said 'I'll take care.' That's why I trusted him because he had done it before."
But even before he received the news of his death, Sargent didn't feel right about the trip.
"I had a gut feeling when I got up," he said. "Normally when we fly on any trip, the guys in our organization will always text somebody and let them know what was going on. I didn't hear anything. Then around 10:30 his wife called and I got the news."
It is unknown what caused the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating.
"He died with the passion that he loved," Sargent said. "He loved flying."
Story, video and photo gallery: http://www.fox2detroit.com
First Lt. Arthur Green III
~
LANSING – A Michigan Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officer died Sunday after the plane he was piloting crashed in northern Michigan, the DNR said in a news release.
First Lt. Arthur Green III, 58, of Farmington Hills, was supervisor of the DNR district covering Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, Genesee, Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties, the release said. He was flying a private Piper Cherokee to a meeting of the DNR Law Enforcement Division at about 11 p.m. Sunday when the plane crashed during its approach to the Harbor Springs Airport in Emmett County, the DNR said.
Green was alone in the plane. The accident remains under investigation.
“F/LT. Green’s death is a profound loss for the DNR and for the citizens of the state,” DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler said in a statement. “He was a dedicated professional who was deeply committed to protecting our nation, its citizens and Michigan’s natural resources. Most recently, F/LT. Green was instrumental in the smooth transition of Belle Isle Park in Detroit to DNR management. He will be greatly missed.”
Green joined the DNR in 1996, the release said.
Story was updated to include information from Sheriff Pete Wallin.
EMMET COUNTY, MI – The Sheriff's Department identified Arthur A. Green III, 58, of Farmington Hills, as the pilot who was killed in a plane crash.
Green served as a first lieutenant for the state Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Sheriff Pete Wallin said Monday, Aug. 10.
The crash happened as Green's Piper Cherokee approached Harbor Springs Airport sometime after 11 p.m. Sunday.
A worker at Emmet Brick & Block Co., spotted the downed plane behind the business on M-119 when he showed up for work at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Green was the only one on the plane. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash, police said.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.mlive.com
PETOSKEY, MI – The pilot of a small plane was found dead on Monday, Aug. 10, after the plane crashed behind Emmet Brick & Block Co.
A worker spotted the plane just after 7 a.m., salesman Jeff Dufek said.
When he showed up for work, the worker noticed a large tree limb in the road where there are no nearby trees. He went out back and saw the plane. He looked inside the plane and saw that the man was dead.
The business is in the flight path of Harbor Springs Municipal Airport in Emmet County.
Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said the Piper Cherokee crashed during its approach sometime after 11 p.m. Sunday.
Police withheld the victim's name pending notification of family. He was the only one on the plane.The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate, Wallin said.
The plane was partially hidden from view, Dufek said.
He said investigators have cordoned off the area with police tape.
Source: http://www.mlive.com
A worker spotted the plane just after 7 a.m., salesman Jeff Dufek said.
When he showed up for work, the worker noticed a large tree limb in the road where there are no nearby trees. He went out back and saw the plane. He looked inside the plane and saw that the man was dead.
The business is in the flight path of Harbor Springs Municipal Airport in Emmet County.
Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said the Piper Cherokee crashed during its approach sometime after 11 p.m. Sunday.
Police withheld the victim's name pending notification of family. He was the only one on the plane.The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate, Wallin said.
The plane was partially hidden from view, Dufek said.
He said investigators have cordoned off the area with police tape.
Source: http://www.mlive.com
Authorities have confirmed the male pilot of a small private plane is dead after the aircraft crashed near the Harbor Springs airport overnight.
The plane, a Piper Cherokee, was discovered by an employee at Emmet Brick and Block around 7:30 a.m. Monday, Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said.
Authorities believe the plane crashed on approach to the Harbor Springs airport Sunday around 11 p.m.
The male pilot, Authur A. Green III, 58, of Farmington Hills, was the only person on board the plane, according to Wallin.
Green served as a First Lieutenant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.
Wallin said officials from the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified, and the investigation will be turned over to them upon their arrival.
Harbor Springs Fire Department and Emmet County EMS also responded to the scene.
Story, comments and photo gallery: http://www.petoskeynews.com
On final, touchdown in sight. May he RIP.
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