Friday, March 20, 2015

Cessna 310Q, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, N7770Q: Accident occurred March 20, 2015 at St. George Municipal Airport (KSGU), Washington County, Utah

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


http://registry.faa.gov/N7770Q





Location: St. George, UT
Accident Number: WPR15LA129
Date & Time: 03/20/2015, 1900 MDT
Registration: N7770Q
Aircraft: CESSNA 310Q
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 20, 2015, about 1900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310Q airplane, N7770Q, experienced a left main gear collapse during the landing roll at St. George Regional Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed SGU about 1800.

The pilot reported that the purpose of this flight was to regain currency after the airplane had been in maintenance for an extended period of time. During the flight, three takeoff and landings were completed before the pilot departed the traffic pattern to practice inflight maneuvers. After finishing the maneuvers, he reentered the traffic pattern for landing. With normal landing gear indications in the cockpit, the pilot landed the airplane normally and uneventfully. During the landing roll, the left wing lowered more than normal; subsequently, the engine propellers and wingtip impacted the runway surface. The airplane slowly slid to the left and exited the runway surface.

A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the lower adjusting bolt on the left main landing gear was fracture separated. High quality photos of the fracture surfaces were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Laboratory for further examination. The NTSB Materials Laboratory specialist reported that both fracture surfaces exhibited fractographic features consistent with overstress fracture due to tensile and cantilever bending loads applied to the tie-rod end fitting. No indications of preexisting cracking was observed.

Review of maintenance logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was completed the same day as the accident. During the inspection, the left and right landing gear side brace bolts and bushings were replaced, and a gear retraction test was satisfactory.

According to a Cessna Representative, the area of the fracture is where a mechanic would place the spring scale to measure the down lock force. This area is one of two main fracture locations when the down lock is improperly adjusted.



Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/16/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/14/2013
Flight Time:  1071 hours (Total, all aircraft), 199 hours (Total, this make and model), 950 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N7770Q
Model/Series: 310Q
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 310Q0270
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/20/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5302 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8704 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGU, 2884 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1835 MST
Direction from Accident Site: 325°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1800 MDT
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: ST GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT (SGU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2884 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: Unknown
Runway Length/Width: 9300 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  37.091667, -113.592778 (est)

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N7770Q

Location: St. George, UT
Accident Number: WPR15LA129
Date & Time: 03/20/2015, 1900 MDT
Registration: N7770Q
Aircraft: CESSNA 310Q
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear collapse
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On March 20, 2015, about 1900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310Q airplane, N7770Q, experienced a left main gear collapse during the landing roll at St. George Regional Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed SGU about 1800.

The pilot reported that the purpose of this flight was to regain currency after the airplane had been in maintenance for an extended period of time. During the flight, three takeoff and landings were completed before the pilot departed the traffic pattern to practice inflight maneuvers. After finishing the maneuvers, he reentered the traffic pattern for landing. With normal landing gear indications in the cockpit, the pilot landed the airplane normally and uneventfully. During the landing roll, the left wing lowered more than normal; subsequently, the engine propellers and wingtip impacted the runway surface. The airplane slowly slid to the left and exited the runway surface.

A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the lower adjusting bolt on the left main landing gear was fracture separated. High quality photos of the fracture surfaces were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Laboratory for further examination. The NTSB Materials Laboratory specialist reported that both fracture surfaces exhibited fractographic features consistent with overstress fracture due to tensile and cantilever bending loads applied to the tie-rod end fitting. No indications of preexisting cracking was observed.

Review of maintenance logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was completed the same day as the accident. During the inspection, the left and right landing gear side brace bolts and bushings were replaced, and a gear retraction test was satisfactory.

According to a Cessna Representative, the area of the fracture is where a mechanic would place the spring scale to measure the down lock force. This area is one of two main fracture locations when the down lock is improperly adjusted. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/16/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/14/2013
Flight Time:  1071 hours (Total, all aircraft), 199 hours (Total, this make and model), 950 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N7770Q
Model/Series: 310Q
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 310Q0270
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/20/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5302 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hours
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8704 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGU, 2884 ft msl
Observation Time: 1835 MST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 325°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / -8°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots, 240°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: St. George, UT (SGU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1800 MDT
Type of Airspace: 

Airport Information

Airport: ST GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT (SGU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2884 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: Unknown
Runway Length/Width: 9300 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  37.091667, -113.592778 (est)

NTSB Identification: WPR15LA129
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 20, 2015 in St. George, UT
Aircraft: CESSNA 310Q, registration: N7770Q
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

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

On March 20, 2015, about 1930 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 310Q, N7770Q, sustained substantial damage follow a main gear collapse during rollout at St. George Municipal Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The local personal flight departed St George, Utah, about 1845. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. 

The pilot reported that during rollout on runway 19, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered left and exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. 

The airplane was recovered for further examination.




ST. GEORGE – A plane crashed at the St. George Municipal Airport Friday evening after it experienced a mechanical failure.

The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m., when a pilot was landing a twin-engine Cessna 310 on runway 19 and the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the plane to skid off the runway, Airport Operation Supervisor Brad Kitchen said.

Two people were in the six-seat aircraft when it crash-landed, but both walked away uninjured. The plane, however, may be totaled due to the potential extent of the damage, Kitchen said.

“There’s extensive damage to the aircraft,” he said. “Structural damage to the rear-left side of the aircraft and left wing as well as the engine and prop.”
A Cessna 310 crashed at the St. George Municipal Airport due to mechanical failure while landing, St. George, Utah, Feb. 21, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Brad Kitchen, City of St. George, St. George News

A Cessna 310 crashes at the St. George Municipal Airport due to mechanical failure while landing, St. George, Utah, March 20, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Brad Kitchen, City of St. George, St. George News

The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted about the incident and then, in turn, contacted the National Transportation Safety Board in order to gain permission for airport personnel to move the damaged aircraft.

Another plane crash previously occurred at the airport Feb. 21 when an experimental single-engine aircraft was hit by a crosswind while landing on runway 19. The pilot was ejected from the aircraft when it crashed but was uninjured with the exception of a few scratches.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by the authorities and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Story and photos: https://www.stgeorgeutah.com




Kansas City Council approves $1.75 million settlement in aviation lawsuit

The Kansas City Council has approved a $1.75 million settlement in an air cargo company’s lawsuit that claimed water damage to its premises on KCI property.

K.C. Air Cargo Services filed its lawsuit in 2013, alleging the city had allowed subsurface water from Kansas City International Airport land to migrate onto its leased property in the northwest portion of that land, with an address of 992-1044 Mexico City Avenue.

The company has leased those premises since 1986 and used its warehouse there for loading, unloading, handling and storage of items shipped via aircraft. For many years, cargo planes used a concrete aircraft apron on the leased premises to reach the shipping warehouse.

But the lawsuit claimed that water leaking from airport property had significantly damaged the concrete apron and the city repeatedly refused to meaningfully investigate or remedy the problem.

The city’s law department recommended the settlement, and the City Council approved it Thursday. City Attorney Bill Geary said he and the risk management committee had determined the settlement was in the city’s best interest.

Attorney Christopher Shank, representing the company, said Friday that he and his client hope the settlement resolves the water issues, and they had been told a city water line nearby had finally been taken out of service.

“There is a cash payment to us to compensate us for the damages we have suffered over time due to this condition,” Shank said.

The company’s lease with the city will also be amended to redefine its property boundaries and reduce the rent payments. The existing lease expires in 2017.

The settlement money will come from the aviation department’s unappropriated fund balance, or “rainy day fund.” Geary said the payment to the cargo company will not adversely affect funds to provide airport services.

Source: http://www.kansascity.com

New charge laid against pilot: Maule M5-235C, VH-HOG



A fresh  charge has been laid against a Goonengerry pilot who crashed his aircraft into the Clarence River killing a Murwillumbah girl last April.

Kayla Whitten, 11, was killed on April 12, 2014, when the Maule M-5 plane she was in struck a powerline and crashed into the Clarence River at Ewingar.

Following an investigation, 54-year-old John Patrick Crumpton was charged with manslaughter, causing reckless grievous bodily harm, flying an aircraft below 500 feet and reckless wounding.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report on the incident released in January found that after hitting powerlines, the plane flipped and came to rest with the cabin upside down and underwater.

Both the pilot and Kayla's father, 36, were sitting in the front row and escaped through a forward door but could not free Kayla from the back of the flooded cabin.

Her body was eventually removed through a cockpit door but repeated resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Lismore Local Court this week heard a fresh charged had been laid against Crumpton under the Section 20 A1 of Civil Aviation Act.

Crumpton was charged with operating an aircraft reckless to endangering the life of a person.

The court heard there had been progressive discussions between the crown prosecutor and Crumpton's barrister Peter O'Connor.

Magistrate David Heilpern adjourned Crumpton's matters until April to allow for further negotiations between the defence and prosecution.

It is anticipated Crumpton will be committed for sentence at his next appearance.

Story and photo:  http://www.northernstar.com.au

Investigation number: AO-2014-068

Investigation status: Completed

What happened

On 12 April 2014, a Maule M-5 aircraft, registered VH-HOG, collided with a powerline spanning the Clarence River, approximately 50 km west-south-west of Casino, New South Wales. The pilot was accompanied on the private category flight by two passengers, an adult and a child. The aircraft departed controlled flight after the wirestrike and impacted the water, coming to rest inverted with the cabin submerged.

The pilot and front-seat adult passenger escaped the cockpit through one of the forward doors and attempted to free the rear-seat child passenger from the flooded cabin. After repeated attempts by the pilot to open the rear-right cabin door, the rear-seat passenger was recovered through a cockpit door. Sustained attempts to resuscitate the rear-seat passenger were unsuccessful.

What the ATSB found

The aircraft was capable of normal operation prior to the wirestrike. The weather conditions in the vicinity were suitable for visual flight.

The wirestrike and resulting loss of aircraft control was an unintended consequence of the pilot’s spur of the moment decision to fly at very low level along the river, in an unfamiliar environment and below the minimum stipulated height for flights over unpopulated areas. The pilot reported seeing the powerline cables just before the collision, but with insufficient time to avoid a wirestrike. The pilot did not hold an approval to conduct low-flying operations and had not completed any training to identify the hazards associated with such operations. The powerline was not fitted with visual warning markers, nor was there any requirement for such markers in this case.

The submerged, flooded and inverted cabin increased the difficulty experienced by the occupants in exiting the aircraft. Furthermore, impact damage sustained by the right wing likely rendered the rear-right cabin door unusable as an emergency exit, delaying the recovery of the rear-seat passenger.

http://www.atsb.gov.au

Man shot and arrested at Louis Armstrong International Airport (KMSY), New Orleans, Louisiana



A man wielding a machete and a can of wasp spray entered Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Friday and was shot by a TSA officer as he threatened the agents.

The FBI responded to the scene along with local law enforcement, an FBI spokesman said. The man with the machete was identified as Richard White, a taxi driver, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said in a press conference tonight.

The TSA agent fired three shots, one of which grazed a bystander. Two other people received minor injuries fleeing the scene. The suspect had wounds to his chest, face and thigh, officials said. A TSA officer was sprayed in the face with the wasp repellent.

Police said they know of no connection between the suspect and anyone else at the airport and did not believe he was a traveler

Flights from the affected concourse were redirected to other terminals and operations continued except at Concourse B, which was closed for the investigation.

An officer said the suspect has been taken away from the scene, and would not comment on that person's condition.

Springfield-Branson National Airport (KSGF) cuts ribbon on new general aviation facility



SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -

City leaders helped cut the ribbon Friday morning at the Springfield-Branson National Airport’s new General Aviation facility.

The expansion project redeveloped about 12 acres of airport property and made it “development ready” for new general aviation airplane hangars. The general aviation complex (GA for short) is that part of the airport which caters to business/corporate aircraft.

The expansion helps fix a shortage of GA hangar space, which has existed for several years, by making ground ready for eight new hangars. Having land available for hangar construction is important for future economic development — adequate GA facilities is something business prospects often look for.

“General aviation is one those community assets that’s out of sight and out of mind,” says Tom Hilmes, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. “But it’s of vital importance to the business community — especially when it comes to economic development. Businesses that consider moving here often want to know if the airport has a place to hangar their corporate aircraft.”

Funding for the project came courtesy of a $5 million aviation grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The airport will provide $565,563, making the total cost of the project approximately $5.6 million. MoDOT aviation grants are funded by taxes on aviation fuel sold in Missouri.

Story and photo:  http://www.ky3.com

As American complains about Gulf carriers, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW) benefits




Every morning around 11 a.m., the south departure hall in Terminal D at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport fills up with hundreds of passengers heading to Dubai and beyond.

They’re waiting to board Emirates airline’s double-decker A380, which flies daily from DFW to Dubai, a route created as a result of the U.S. government’s “Open Skies” agreement with the United Arab Emirates. These flights and others have helped DFW log double-digit growth in international traffic in the past four years.

“Open Skies has been a grand slam for this region, and we wouldn’t want to see anything that would take away from Open Skies to afford us the ability to grow internationally,” airport CEO Sean Donohue said.

Now American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines want the government to re-evaluate agreements with the UAE and Qatar that allow the Persian Gulf carriers to fly unfettered into the U.S.

The three U.S. carriers allege that Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have received over $42 billion in government subsidies and loans, giving them an unfair competitive edge.

“There’s no question U.S. carriers can compete against any airline in the world, but we can’t be expected to compete against foreign governments and their bottomless resources,” American CEO Doug Parker said recently at an aviation conference in Washington, D.C.

By not having to worry about making money, the airlines allege, the Gulf carriers have added flights all over the globe — including at DFW — and spent lavishly to attract business customers with in-flight services like personal chefs, nannies and shower spas.

“We are working as hard as we can to upgrade the service on our aircraft,” said Andrew Nocella, American’s chief marketing officer, noting that the Fort Worth-based airline is spending $2 billion on lie-flat seats, new interiors and better entertainment offerings. “We’re really proud of it, but we’re not in a position to offer showers. That’s something we just can’t get to make economic sense for our business.”

Competing against the Gulf carriers is exactly what American has to do. All three airlines now offer flights to the Middle East from North Texas, and traffic on those routes has more than doubled. At the same time, traffic to Europe from DFW is down almost 8 percent.

As the war of words heats up between the U.S. and Gulf carriers, American and DFW Airport are finding each other on opposite sides of the battlefield.

The allegations


Since the mid-1990s, the U.S. government has been replacing older aviation treaties with Open Skies agreements that lessen the red tape for airlines when they want to launch new routes.

But the U.S. carriers say the Gulf airlines have expanded their networks to American cities to stimulate the UAE and Qatar economies without any benefit to the U.S.

“The routes that these subsidized airlines operate to the United States have not meaningfully increased passenger traffic. They merely serve to displace the market share of U.S. airlines and to shift good U.S. aviation jobs overseas,” the three airlines said in a presentation to the Obama administration.

Gulf carriers serve 13 U.S. cities with about 22 daily flights. American carriers have only two daily flights to Dubai, in the UAE, and none to Abu Dhabi, also in the UAE, and Doha, in Qatar.

The U.S. airlines allege that the $42 billion in subsidies include interest-free government loans, free land, subsidized airport charges and government assumptions of fuel-hedging losses.

“The airlines from Qatar and the UAE aren’t bound by normal market forces, particularly the need to make profits,” Parker said. “The competitive playing field must be level, and this one decidedly is not.”

Speaking at the same conference, Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan rebutted the allegations and noted that many airlines have had government bailouts and loans and — in the case of U.S. carriers — have had debt discharged during bankruptcy or have shifted pension obligations to the government.

“As one of the newest national airlines anywhere in the world, we’ve had to create everything from scratch. Everything. Our product, our operations, our infrastructure,” Hogan said.

Gulf trio at DFW

At DFW, the Gulf carriers have been a significant part of the airport’s growth in recent years.

Emirates launched daily service to Dubai in February 2012 and last fall almost doubled its capacity on the route by switching to an Airbus A380. Qatar Airways started daily service to Doha in July, and Etihad began flying three times a week between DFW and Abu Dhabi in December.

In 2014, DFW’s international passenger traffic grew 7 percent to 7.1 million, and Gulf carriers made up 20 percent of that growth. And with fare sales that Emirates has been offering on its Dubai route, its passenger count is up 50 percent in January from the previous year.

“We are a massive proponent of Open Skies because it’s meant so much for this region,” Donohue said. “If it wasn’t for Open Skies, we wouldn’t have all this international service, and that includes American. It’s not just the foreign-flag carriers.”

American says that it’s a big supporter of Open Skies, too, but that Qatar and the UAE are violating the trade agreements by subsidizing the Gulf airlines.

It’s all about India

U.S. airlines are worried that the Gulf carriers will continue to grow in the U.S. and take a larger share of the lucrative international business market.

Oil workers heading to rigs off West Africa or businessmen traveling to India can more conveniently connect through the Gulf states, allowing those carriers to siphon off connecting traffic that used to move through Europe.

“If they’re going to serve 20 destinations in the U.S., it will be every big city and every big hub, and that will direct a lot of traffic that used to be carried by the U.S. airlines and their joint-venture partners,” airline industry analyst Bob Mann said.

At DFW, traffic to Europe has dropped 6 to 8 percent in the last three months from a year earlier, while traffic to the Middle East has more than doubled.

In 2014, both KLM and Lufthansa increased their passenger counts at DFW — by 2.5 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. British Airways, which flies daily to London, saw its passenger traffic drop 2.5 percent last year.

Nocella said American Airlines is seeing a decline in passengers on its flights from DFW to London and has talked with its Oneworld alliance and joint business partner British Airways about the decrease in traffic on trans-Atlantic routes.

“That drop is getting worse over time,” Nocella said. “We have served India very efficiently via London for many, many years, and we’d like to continue to do so on an equal playing field.”

Original article can be found here: http://www.star-telegram.com

EXCLUSIVE: DHL, logistics companies ink leases at large speculative development near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), Arizona




One of the largest speculative industrial developments ever in Phoenix has secured three national tenants.

Logistics companies DHL Global Forwards, DLS Worldwide and Pilot Freight Services have leased more than 151,100 square feet at the Airport I-10 Business Park.

The 58-acre development is south of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport near 24th Street and Interstate 10.

The speculative industrial project is slated for a total of five buildings comprising close to 924,000 square feet.

The first 600,000-square-foot phase is under construction now and and is 35 percent preleased. That includes a previous 63,500-square-foot lease by Anixter International Inc., a cable and electronic wire distributor.

Airport I-10 is being developed by Wentworth Property Co. and Clarion Partners.

“Airport I-10 was designed to give modern industrial tenants a home in the heart of Phoenix’s industrial distribution network. We couldn’t be more pleased with the companies that have committed to space here,” said Wentworth Property Company Principal James R. Wentworth.

The industrial real estate market has outperformed offices in the Phoenix since the end of the recession. The Sky Harbor area — thanks to its access to the busy airport and Interstate 10 — is one of the most popular locations for warehouses, manufacturing and other industrial uses.

In the three new leases, JLL Executive Vice Presidents Pat Harlan and Steve Sayre and Associate Kyle Westfall represented the developers. On the tenant side, Mike Gordon of Cresa represented DLS. John Werstler, Jerry McCormick and Cooper Fratt of CBRE represented Pilot. Jim Wilson of Cushman & Wakefield represented DHL.

“Modern companies want modern buildings. This is making all types of users more sophisticated about what they look for in an industrial location,” said Harlan. “They are requiring the kind of improved function that you get from features like higher clear heights, better overall building layout and better truck maneuverability.

Original article can be found at:  http://www.bizjournals.com

New jet flight path breaks neighborhood quiet

A Happy Valley resident of 40 years, Patrick Lovejoy is annoyed with the new flight path of planes from Los Angeles to San Francisco flying directly overhead every few minutes.



SANTA CRUZ >> In a rural area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, a new flight pattern for planes heading to San Francisco International Airport is drowning out the nighttime symphony of owls, crickets and frogs that Patrick Lovejoy listens to every night.

“They’re starting their descent and changing the speed of the jet engines and the wing flaps,” said Lovejoy, who lives east of Scotts Valley. “This goes on until after midnight, at dawn. I don’t mind an occasional flight, but it’s going on every 10 minutes. It’s really getting on my nerves.”

The recent change, which happened March 5, is permanent, so annoyed neighbors will have to get used to it. It’s part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen plan unveiled in 2012 to modernize and simplify air traffic control operations for Bay Area and Sacramento airports, said an FAA spokesman. The program implements satellite-based navigation and reduces fuel use and carbon emissions through shorter flight routes.

Lovejoy’s home near Happy Valley Road sits underneath the new flight path, which cuts through Capitola and near Scotts Valley northward from the Monterey Bay. Certain planes are continuing to use the older route that passes over the Westside of Santa Cruz and southern San Lorenzo Valley.

“In terms of the distribution on where flights are flying over, it’s roughly the same as before,” said San Francisco International Airport spokesman Doug Yakel. “Aircraft are still flying over the same regions, though the path is still new.”

He added that the planes on the new route are flying at a slightly higher altitude and couldn’t firm whether planes begin their descents here.

Though the differences between the flight patterns are small, it’s a big nuisance to some residents who are now affected.

SFO has received 10 noise complaints from the area since the new change.

“That is above the norm,” Yakel said. “We only average one or two complains from this region over a month-long period.”

Lovejoy said he fears that eventually the FAA will phase out the older path, shifting all the traffic on the new route above his house.

“It already bothers me now,” he said. “I’m so tired of hearing it. It’s so repetitious. If it doesn’t bother anyone else, I guess I’m going to have to live with it.”

Most of the public outreach about the project in late 2012 happened in the San Francisco Bay Area. No public meetings were held around Santa Cruz. However, the FAA notified local, state and federal officials.

“If it’s creating problems then I’m interested in investigating it,” said Supervisor John Leopold, adding that he hasn’t heard any complaints so far. The new flight path is above areas of his district.

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

Cessna 182Q Skylane, N735KF: Fatal accident occurred March 17, 2015 in El Paso, Texas

NTSB Identification: CEN15FA174 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in El Paso, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/28/2015
Aircraft: CESSNA 182Q, registration: N735KF
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 pilot was conducting a visual flight rules aerial observation flight and returning to his home base. Radar and weather data showed the airplane maneuvering in instrument flight rules conditions before radar contact was lost. Examination of the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted rocky, mountainous terrain in a slight left-wing-low attitude at high airspeed, consistent with controlled flight into terrain. It is likely that the mountainous terrain was obscured by clouds and low ceilings at the time of the accident, which prevented the pilot from seeing the terrain. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented and damaged by fire, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into known instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT 

On March 17, 2015, about 1240 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182Q single-engine airplane, N735KF, was destroyed after impacting mountainous terrain while maneuvering near El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Brentco Aerial Patrols, Inc, Canton, Ohio. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The airplane departed from a private airstrip near Hobbs, New Mexico, at an unknown time, and was destined for the El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas.

According to company representatives, the airplane departed Snyder, Texas, approximately 0755, to perform a pipeline patrol aerial observation flight with a final destination of ELP. At 1056, the company dispatcher received a telephone call from the pilot who requested weather information for the southeast New Mexico and El Paso areas. The dispatcher informed the pilot that El Paso was reporting light rain. The pilot told the dispatcher he was going to depart, and "if he was going to make it, he had better get into the air."

Radar data showed the accident airplane about 30 miles northeast of ELP and traveling southwest at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet mean sea level (msl). About 25 miles northeast of ELP at an altitude of 5,850 feet msl, the airplane was observed to make a left turn towards the south and then execute a right turn back toward the north. After maneuvering to the north for approximately 2 miles, the airplane made a left turn at an altitude of 6,150 feet msl toward the west and radar contact was lost. 

After company personnel determined the airplane had not arrived at ELP, a search ensued with local authorities. The airplane wreckage was located by local authorities in mountainous terrain near the last radar contact about 0900 on March 18, 2015.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 70, held a commercial pilot certificate, with airplane single-engine land, airplane multi-engine land, and instrument ratings. The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on February 4, 2015, with a time limitation of "Not valid for any class after 11/30/2015" and "Must have available glasses for near vision."

According to the company, the pilot had accumulated 13,274 total flight hours, and 4,800 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot successfully completed a company flight review on November 7, 2014.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a 1977 Cessna 182Q, serial number 18265479. The airplane was powered by a Continental O-470-U reciprocating engine and a McCauley controllable pitch propeller. The airplane was issued a standard airworthiness certificate on March 10, 1977.

According to the company, the airplane underwent its most recent annual inspection on December 2, 2014, at a total airframe time of 15,742 hours and a total engine time of 837 hours since major overhaul.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The pilot did not receive an official weather briefing from Lockheed Martin Flight Service or any other official source. Prior to the flight, the pilot had a conversation about weather with the company dispatcher.

McGregor Range Base Camp (M63) was the closest official weather station to the accident site and had an automated weather observing system (AWOS) whose reports were not supplemented. M63 was located 11 miles west-northwest of the accident site at an elevation of 4,209 feet. 

M63 weather at 1230 was reported as wind from 010 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots, 6 miles visibility, light rain, few clouds at 1,300 feet above ground level (agl), scattered clouds at 2,000 feet agl, a broken ceiling at 2,900 feet agl, broken skies at 3,700 feet agl, temperature of 13 degrees C, dew point temperature of 11 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury. 

M63 weather at 1256 was reported as wind from 010 degrees at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, light rain, few clouds at 1,400 feet agl, a broken ceiling at 2,400 feet agl, broken skies at 2,900 feet agl, temperature of 13 degrees C, dew point temperature of 10 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury. 

El Paso International Airport (ELP) was located 4 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas, and had an automated surface observing system (ASOS), whose reports were supplemented by a human observer. ELP was located approximately 22 miles west-southwest of the accident site, at an elevation of 3,962 feet. 

ELP weather at 1151 was reported as wind from 140 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, light rain, few clouds at 2,700 feet agl, broken ceiling at 4,000 feet agl, overcast skies at 5,500 feet agl, temperature of 16 degrees C, dew point temperature of 10 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury. Remarks: automated station with a precipitation discriminator, rain ended at 1114, rain began at 1147, sea level pressure 1015.8 hPa, occasional clouds topping mountains west through northwest, one-hourly precipitation of a trace, 6 hourly precipitation of 0.01 inches, temperature 16.1 degrees C, dew point temperature 10.0 degrees C, 6-hourly maximum temperature of 16.7 degrees C, 6-hourly minimum temperature of 15.6 degrees C, 3-hourly pressure increase of 0.3 hPa. 

ELP weather at 1251 reported the wind from 090 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 7 miles, light rain, few clouds at 2,700 feet agl, broken clouds at 3,000 feet agl, sky overcast at 3,800 feet agl, temperature 16 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.

The observations from M63 and ELP indicated ceilings were likely between 6,000 and 8,000 feet msl around the time of the accident with light rain moving across the area and a gusty north to east surface wind. This was consistent with a cold front moving southward across the area at the accident time. In addition, the ELP observations indicated clouds topping and obscuring the mountainous terrain to the southwest through northwest of ELP. The mountains to the east of ELP were too far away to be included in the ELP observations, however, with clouds obscuring mountains and topping mountains to the west of ELP it was likely that the mountains and terrain near the accident site were also obscured due to clouds and precipitation at the accident time.

Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMETs) Sierra and Zulu were issued at 0845, with an update to AIRMET Sierra at 1215, and valid at the accident time for the accident site for below 15,000 feet msl. They forecasted mountains obscured by clouds and precipitation, ceiling below 1,000 feet agl with visibility below 3 miles in precipitation and mist, moderate icing between 12,000 feet and flight level 260, and moderate icing between 10,000 feet and flight level 210.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane wreckage was located in rocky, mountainous terrain at a measured elevation of about 6,195 feet msl. The airplane was fragmented and debris was scattered in a diameter of about 300 feet. The main wreckage consisted of the empennage, aft fuselage, left wing and engine. A postaccident fire consumed a majority of the fuselage, left and right wings, and empennage. Several small trees and vegetation displayed cut limbs in a pattern consistent with the airplane impacting in a slightly left wing low attitude.

The left wing, destroyed by thermal and impact damage, was separated from the fuselage. The flap and aileron were destroyed and remained partially attached to the wing. The right wing was separated from the fuselage and found fragmented and embedded within large rocks in the mountainous terrain. The flap and aileron were destroyed and remained partially attached to the wing.

The forward fuselage was fragmented and located within the debris field and displayed multiple areas of thermal damage. The cockpit and instrument panel were destroyed. The tachometer faceplate displayed a tachometer reading of 0711.0 hours, and the RPM indicating needle was captured at 2,400 RPM, which was at the end of the green arc and red line. The left and right cabin doors were separated and crushed with their respective locking pins engaged. One seat frame was located in the debris field and displayed thermal damage to the frame and seat cushion material. The three landing gear assemblies and tires were separated and located in the debris field.

The empennage remained attached to the aft fuselage. The left and right horizontal stabilizers were crushed and displayed thermal damage. The elevators remained attached to their respective horizontal stabilizers. The vertical stabilizer remained attached to the empennage and displayed minor crush damage. The rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer. 

Flight control continuity was partially established to all flight control surfaces. Several of the flight control system components were destroyed by thermal and impact damage. The flap position could not be determined due to thermal damage. 

The engine came to rest near the main wreckage. The number 1, 3, and 5 cylinders were separated from the engine. The number 6 cylinder head was separated from the remaining cylinder. The forward portion of the crankcase was fragmented. Both magnetos were separated from the engine and located within the debris field. The carburetor was separated from the engine, and the mixture, throttle, and fuel lines remained attached. The engine and its accessories displayed thermal and impact damage.

The propeller separated from the engine crankshaft at the propeller flange. The propeller flange was bent, twisted, and thermally damaged. The propeller hub was fragmented and portions of the hub were located within the debris field. Both propeller blades were separated from the hub. One propeller blade was bent, twisted, and the outboard 8 inches of the blade tip was missing. One propeller blade outboard section was located within the debris field. The inboard portion of the blade and blade hub were not located. The outboard portion of the propeller blade was bent, twisted, and contained leading edge gouges.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Medical Examiner of El Paso, Texas. The listed cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries as a result of a single airplane accident.

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on the pilot. The tests were negative for all screened drugs and alcohol.

NTSB Identification: CEN15FA174
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in El Paso, TX
Aircraft: CESSNA 182Q, registration: N735KF
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 March 17, 2015, about 1240 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182Q single-engine airplane, N735KF, was destroyed after impacting mountainous terrain while maneuvering near El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Brentco Aerial Patrols, Inc, Canton, Ohio. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The airplane departed from a private airstrip near Hobbs, New Mexico, and was destined for the El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas.

According to company representatives, the airplane departed Snyder, Texas, approximately 0855 central daylight time, to perform a pipeline patrol aerial observation flight with a final destination of ELP. At 1156 central daylight time, the company dispatcher received a telephone call from the pilot who requested weather information for the southeast New Mexico and El Paso areas. The dispatcher informed the pilot that El Paso was reporting light rain. The pilot told the dispatcher he was going to depart, and "if he was going to make it, he had better get into the air."

Preliminary radar data showed the accident airplane about 30 miles northeast of ELP and traveling southwest at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet mean sea level. Approximately 25 miles northeast of ELP, the airplane was observed to make a left turn towards the south and then execute a right turn back toward the north. After heading north for approximately 2 miles, the airplane made a left turn toward the west and radar contact was lost. 

After company personnel determined the airplane had not arrived at ELP, a search ensued with local authorities. The airplane wreckage was located by local authorities in mountainous terrain near the last radar contact location approximately 0900 on March 18, 2015.

At 1251, the ELP automated surface observing system, located approximately 22 miles southwest of the accident site, reported the wind from 090 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 7 miles, light rain, few clouds at 2,700 feet, broken clouds at 3,000 feet, sky overcast at 3,800 feet, temperature 16 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.

BRENTCO AERIAL PATROLS INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N735KF


From 2009 War Eagles Museum newsletter: The Museum’s latest acquisition is a 1942 Stinson L-5 Sentinel, one of the most important observation aircraft of World War II and the Korean War. El Pasoan “Doc” Nelson (left) was its former owner and restorer.  Waldo Cavender (r.) delivered it to the Museum from El Paso International Airport.



NTSB Identification: CEN15FA174
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in El Paso, TX
Aircraft: CESSNA 182Q, registration: N735KF
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 March 17, 2015, about 1240 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182Q single-engine airplane, N735KF, was destroyed after impacting mountainous terrain while maneuvering near El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Brentco Aerial Patrols, Inc, Canton, Ohio. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The airplane departed from a private airstrip near Hobbs, New Mexico, and was destined for the El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas.

According to company representatives, the airplane departed Snyder, Texas, approximately 0855 central daylight time, to perform a pipeline patrol aerial observation flight with a final destination of ELP. At 1156 central daylight time, the company dispatcher received a telephone call from the pilot who requested weather information for the southeast New Mexico and El Paso areas. The dispatcher informed the pilot that El Paso was reporting light rain. The pilot told the dispatcher he was going to depart, and "if he was going to make it, he had better get into the air."

Preliminary radar data showed the accident airplane about 30 miles northeast of ELP and traveling southwest at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet mean sea level. Approximately 25 miles northeast of ELP, the airplane was observed to make a left turn towards the south and then execute a right turn back toward the north. After heading north for approximately 2 miles, the airplane made a left turn toward the west and radar contact was lost. 

After company personnel determined the airplane had not arrived at ELP, a search ensued with local authorities. The airplane wreckage was located by local authorities in mountainous terrain near the last radar contact location approximately 0900 on March 18, 2015.

At 1251, the ELP automated surface observing system, located approximately 22 miles southwest of the accident site, reported the wind from 090 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 7 miles, light rain, few clouds at 2,700 feet, broken clouds at 3,000 feet, sky overcast at 3,800 feet, temperature 16 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.

BRENTCO AERIAL PATROLS INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N735KF