Man pleads guilty to operating an unregistered aircraft

CHEYENNE — A Colorado man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of operating an unregistered airplane in a case stemming from police seizure of over $250,000 cash from a Cody hotel room two years ago.

Scott Michael Lewis of Englewood, Colorado, pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne. The agreement calls for prosecutors to drop another charge of conspiracy to operate an unregistered aircraft.

Lewis, 27, faces up to 3 years in prison at his June sentencing. However, Johnson remarked, “This is a case where there very well may be arguments for a probationary sentence.”

Federal prosecutors agreed to allow Lewis to enter a conditional guilty plea. The conditional plea means Lewis could withdraw it if he can get a federal appeals court in Denver to reverse Johnson’s decisions denying requests to suppress evidence and dismiss the charges.

However, Johnson warned Lewis that he’s not likely to get the appeals court to reverse Johnson’s decisions after pleading guilty.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cheyenne filed criminal charges in January against Lewis and co-defendant Gilbert Wayne Wiles Jr. of Denver alleging conspiracy to operate an unregistered aircraft and operation of an unregistered aircraft.

The charges came nearly two years after authorities in Cody seized a Cessna airplane and over the cash from Lewis and Wiles.

Wiles is set to stand trial on Monday before Johnson in Cheyenne.

Authorities allege Wiles had purchased the Cessna plane in Texas for $130,000 cash in 2013, and instructed the seller to make out the bill of sale to a limited liability company incorporated in New Mexico. Wiles told people who serviced the plane that he and Lewis were working for an aerial photography business, prosecutors allege.

Prosecutors say a worker at Yellowstone Regional Airport first notified authorities that the men appeared suspicious after they landed there on Feb. 27, 2014. The worker told police that the pilot didn’t radio the airport before landing and sunshades were lowered over the windows even though the plane was about to be stored in a hangar.

A police officer testified last week at a suppression hearing that a drug dog alerted to the plane but no drugs were found. The officer said he interpreted the dog’s actions to mean the plane had been used for transporting drugs in the past. Prosecutors say officers found the cash in a hotel room the men had rented in Cody.

Prosecutors are pressing a separate civil case seeking to forfeit the cash and plane. Prosecutors allege the assets were involved in the illegal drug trade even though prosecutors haven’t filed criminal drug charges.

Lewis has asserted claims in the civil case asserting ownership of the plane and the cash while Wiles has not filed any claim. As part of his plea on Wednesday, Lewis forfeited any interest in the plane.

Lewis said in court he landed the Cessna at the Cody airport. In response to a question from federal prosecutor Thomas Szott, Lewis said, “I did know it was supposed to be registered.”

Defense lawyer Joe Bustos of Cheyenne represents Lewis. Bustos declined comment after Wednesday’s hearing.

Original article can be found here:  http://trib.com

Piper JC3-65 Cub, N98527: Fatal accident occurred June 30, 2019 near Elyria Airport (1G1), Lorain County, Ohio -and- Incident occurred April 13, 2016 at Willard Airport (8G1), Huron County, Ohio

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in a field.

https://registry.faa.gov/N98527

Date: 30-JUN-19
Time: 18:57:00Z
Regis#: N98527
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: J3C
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: ELYRIA
State: OHIO

Joseph Begany

CARLISLE TWP. — A National Transportation Safety Board investigator has arrived at the scene of a plane crash Sunday that left Elyria pilot Joseph Begany, 63, dead.

NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway confirmed an investigator arrived Monday afternoon to examine the crash site. The cause of the crash, he said, will not be released anytime soon.

“We don’t determine cause while on scene,” Holloway said. “At this point it’s really just gathering factual information.”

Holloway said the investigator will examine the scene, as well as request information about the pilot and the plane.

“We’ll be requesting medical records, maintenance records of the aircraft and looking at the pilot’s flying history and certifications,” Holloway said. “That’s all part of the early stages of the investigation.”

Holloway said a preliminary report on the crash will be released in about 10 days. The report will have more information but won’t determine the cause of the crash. He said the cause may not be determined for 12 to 18 months.

Begany flew out of Mole Airport, a private airport on Grafton-Eastern Road in Grafton Township where he rented a hangar. Mark Reed, who owns part of the airport and rented to Begany, said he doesn’t know how long Begany had been flying, but that he has rented the hangar for 18 months.

Reed described Begany as a personable man who loved to fly. He said Begany was easy going but serious about flying.

“He was serious when he needed to be serious,” Reed said. “That’s the sign of a good pilot.”

Reed said Elyria Airport is the closest place to Mole for pilots to buy fuel, and that it’s common for pilots to fly there. Other pilots at Elyria Airport confirmed he came there to buy fuel in the past.

Begany was an employee of NASA Glenn Research Center for more than 30 years, where he worked as an architect and project manager. An email was sent out to employees Monday announcing his death.

“It is with extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of a NASA Glenn employee, Mr. Joseph Begany, who died yesterday afternoon in a small plane crash in Lorain County,” the email read. “His untimely passing is a loss for us all and a reminder of just how fragile life can be.”

Story and video ➤ http://www.chroniclet.com

ELYRIA, Ohio — The pilot killed in a single-engine crash on Sunday near the Elyria Airport has been identified as a NASA Glenn employee, according to NASA.

Around 2:30 p.m., OSHP responded to reports of a plane crash near the Elyria airport, troopers said.

The Lorain County Coroner was called to the crash for a 63-year-old man who was the pilot of the plane, according to LifeCare Ambulance.

The Piper JC3-65 Cub was severely damaged and the pilot, later identified as Joseph E. Begany of Elyria, died from the injuries he sustained in the crash, troopers said.

Following the news, NASA Glenn released the following statement:

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Joseph Begany. Joseph was a valuable member of our team and a friend to many of us. We will miss him terribly. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family.”

Photos sent to News 5 by the homeowner of the property on which the plane crashed show the heavy damage.

No other injuries were reported, LifeCare Ambulance said.

Fellow pilots at Elyria Airport said they believe the pilot was based at a nearby airfield, Mole Airport, and came to Elyria Airport to get fuel.

The crash is currently under investigation and Federal Aviation Administration investigators are on the way to the crash site.

Story and video ➤ https://www.news5cleveland.com

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

April 13, 2016: Aircraft went off the runway into a ditch.

Date: 13-APR-16
Time:  21:40:00Z
Regis#:  N98527
Aircraft Make:  PIPER
Aircraft Model:  J3C
Event Type:  Incident
Highest Injury:  None
Damage:  Unknown
Flight Phase:  UNKNOWN (UNK)
City:  WILLARD
State:  Ohio

Three people arrested at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC) for smuggling 313 grams of heroin into Alaska

ANCHORAGE -  Three people were arrested at Ted Stevens International Airport on Thursday morning after attempting to smuggle 313 grams of heroin into Alaska, according to an online dispatch by Alaska State Troopers.

The arrests come as a result of an investigation by the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit that began in February. Investigators identified 53-year-old Oregon resident Rodney J. Anderson as a suspect involved in trafficking heroin from Portland to Alaska, troopers wrote in the dispatch.

At around 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning, authorities contacted Anderson at the Anchorage airport as he was disembarking from a commercial flight. He was travelling with two other people identified as 28-year-old Palmer resident Alyssa Dallmann and 39-year-old Oregon resident Joshua Martin.

“They were subsequently identified as couriers employed and paid by Anderson to smuggle heroin concealed in their body cavities into Alaska,” troopers wrote. “The three of them were found to be in possession of 313 grams of heroin.”

According to troopers, the investigation revealed that Anderson and his co-conspirators smuggled more than 11 pounds of heroin into Alaska over a one year period. The amount equates to about 50,000 individual doses and has a street value of over $1 million, troopers say.

All three individuals were arrested and charged with second degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Anderson is being held on a $100,000 bail while Dallman’s bail was set at $10,000 and Martin’s at $50,000. They are currently being housed at the Anchorage Jail, troopers say.

Original article can be found here: http://www.ktuu.com

Cessna 195, Lake City Aero Ltd LLC, N195CG: Incident occurred April 13, 2016 in Grenada County, Mississippi

LAKE CITY AERO LTD LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N195CG

Date: 13-APR-16
Time: 22:14:00Z
Regis#: N195CG
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 195
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Unknown
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Jackson FSDO-31
City: GRENADA
State: Mississippi

AIRCRAFT ON LANDING, GEAR COLLAPSED, GRENADA, MS

Runway Excursion: Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, N21SG; accident occurred April 13, 2016 at Furnace Creek Airport (L06), Death Valley National Park, California

Airplane as it came to rest. 

View of left wing and landing gear.

Recent Inspection. 

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

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/N21SG

Location: Death Valley, CA
Accident Number: WPR16LA092
Date & Time: 04/13/2016, 1105 PDT
Registration: N21SG
Aircraft: CESSNA 421C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Runway excursion
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 13, 2016, about 1105 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 421C airplane, N21SG, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion while landing at Furnace Creek Airport (L06), Death Valley National Park, California. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was privately owned and was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from St. George Regional Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah, about 0945.

The pilot stated that the flight was uneventful and that he entered the airport traffic pattern to land on runway 33 at L06. He stated that the airplane touched down within the first 500 ft of runway, and that upon application of brakes, he found the right brake "very soft" and "totally ineffective." The airplane departed the end of the 3,065-foot-long runway and the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

The airplane was not examined following the accident and was subsequently ferried from L06 to another airport for repair. No information was made available regarding the right brake, and the reason for the malfunction during landing could not be determined.

The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident report form 6120.1. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Flight Engineer
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/17/2016
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  11000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 435 hours (Total, this make and model), 4720 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 70 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 17 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N21SG
Model/Series: 421C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 421C0039
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/12/2016, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 7500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5576 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: GTSIO-520 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 375 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDRA, 3230 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 42 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1753 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 77°
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: 21°C / 6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: St George, UT (SGU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Death Valley, CA (L06)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0945 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Furnace Creek Airport (L06)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: -210 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3065 ft / 70 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 36.460556, -116.879722 (est)

NTSB Identification: WPR16LA092
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, April 13, 2016 in Death Valley, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 421C, registration: N21SG
Injuries: 3 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 April 13, 2016, about 1102 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 421C, N21SG, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion following landing at Furnace Creek Airport (L06), Death Valley National Park, California. The airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from St. George Regional Airport (SGU), St. George, Utah, about 0945. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. 

The pilot stated that the flight was uneventful and that he entered the airport traffic pattern to land on runway 33 at L06. He stated that the airplane touched down within the first 500 feet of runway, and that upon application of brakes, he found the right brake "very soft" and "totally ineffective." The airplane departed the end of the 3,065-foot-long runway and the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. 

Further examination of the airplane was scheduled for a later date.

Furnace Creek, CA (KTNV) - A small plane was heavily damaged when it ran off the end of the runway at a Death Valley airport Wednesday morning.

The Cessna 421C Golden Eagle airplane was attempting to land at 10:45 a.m. at the Furnace Creek Airport. The pilot attributed the incident to mechanical issues.

There were no injuries to the family of three people on board. Park rangers responded to the incident to confirm that there were no injuries.

Furnace Creek Airport was expected to be shut down until the plane wreckage was removed.  

The Federal Aviation Administration and  National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

Original article can be found here:  http://www.ktnv.com

Piper PA28R, N5037S: Incident occurred April 14, 2016 in Shell Lake, Washburn County, Wisconsin

http://registry.faa.gov/N5037S

Date: 14-APR-16
Time: 23:45:00Z
Regis#: N5037S
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28R
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Unknown
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Milwaukee FSDO-13
City: SHELL LAKE
State: Wisconsin

AIRCRAFT ON TOUCH AND GO STRUCK A DEER, SHELL LAKE, WI

Cessna 177RG Cardinal, N45677: Incidents occurred July 18, 2021 and April 13, 2016 at Wayne County Airport (KBJJ), Wooster, Ohio

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

July 18, 2021: Aircraft nose gear collapsed on landing. 

DR 45677 LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N45677

Date: 18-JUL-21

Time: 16:40:00Z

Regis#: N45677

Aircraft Make: CESSNA

Aircraft Model: 177RG

Event Type: INCIDENT

Highest Injury: NONE

Aircraft Missing: No

Damage: UNKNOWN

Activity: PERSONAL

Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)

Operation: 91

City: WOOSTER

State: OHIO

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cleveland, Ohio

April 13, 2016:  Aircraft on landing, nose gear collapsed. 

DR 45677 LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N45677

Date: 13-APR-16
Time: 16:19:00Z
Regis#: N45677
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 177RG
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: Minor
Damage: Minor
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: WOOSTER
State: Ohio

Cessna 175A Skylark, N6792E: Accident occurred April 14, 2016 in Wartburg, Morgan County, Tennessee

http://registry.faa.gov/N6792E

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Nashville FSDO-19

NTSB Identification: ERA16LA157
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, April 14, 2016 in Wartburg, TN
Aircraft: CESSNA 175, registration: N6792E
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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

On April, 14, 2016, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 175, N6792E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power to a highway in Wartburg, Tennessee. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, which originated at Rockwood Municipal Airport (RKW), Rockwood, Tennessee, about 1500, destined for Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport (BYL), Williamsburg, Kentucky 

The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to complete a solo cross country flight. The student pilot stated he performed a preflight inspection and engine runup before departure. The takeoff and climb were normal, however shortly after leveling off at 3,500 feet above mean sea level, the engine began to sputter. Then while checking the fuel mixture and fuel gauges, engine RPM dropped to about 1,000. Unable to regain power to the engine, the pilot performed a forced landing on a highway. During the landing, the airplane struck and then came to rest against a tree.

According to a first responder, there was fuel leaking from the airplane when emergency personnel arrived on scene.

On scene examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane had incurred substantial damage. The right wing and engine were separated from the airplane; the outboard portion of the left wing was impact damaged, and the fuselage, and empennage, displayed impact damage. 

The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.

WARTBURG (WATE) – A pilot escaped injury after a small plane crashed Thursday afternoon in Wartburg.

The Morgan County Emergency Management Agency says the crash happened just after 3:30 p.m. on Water Tank Hill Road just off Highway 27. The pilot was the only person on board and was able to get out of the plane on his own and talk to the sheriff’s department. Crews say he had only minor injuries.

Officials on the scene say the single-engine Cessna departed from Rockwood headed for Williamsburg, Kentucky. The cause of the crash is still not known. The FAA is en route to the scene.

A woman who spoke with WATE 6 On Your Side via Twitter said she had to swerve her car out of the way of the plane.

“I was driving and looked up to see it in my rearview mirror coming towards me, out of control. I swerved just before it crashed,” said Helen Campbell.

The plane’s registration number shows it is a Cessna 175A Skylark registered to Julian Ryan Murphy of Knox County.

Original article can be found here: http://wate.com

The pilot of a small plane walked away from a crash landing in Wartburg on Thursday afternoon.

The director of Morgan County 911 told 10News the call came in at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

A single engine plane crashed on the road in the Water Tank Hill area of Wartburg.

Only the pilot was on board, and walked away from the crash.

Wartburg Police and Fire, along with Morgan County EMS and the Sheriff's Department are all responding to the scene. A Tennessee Emergency Management Agency representative was en route as of 4 p.m.


Story and video:  http://www.wbir.com

WARTBURG, Tenn. (WVLT)- Dispatchers confirmed that a single engine plane crashed in Wartburg at about 3:30 Thursday afternoon off Watertank Hill Road.

Officials confirm there was at least one person on the plane. Dispatchers tell Local 8 News the pilot was standing outside the plane when crews arrived. Serious injuries were not reported.

Justin Emmons was driving a concrete truck when he watched the plane land on a stretch of road near the Sav-a-lot.

He tells Local 8 News the plane flew right over him, then tried to avoid oncoming traffic while attempting to land on the road. "I seen the bottom of the plane then I saw he landed it and started praying for him"

After landing, Emmons says the pilot clipped a pole with his wing and spun around several times before coming to a stop.

Emmons tells Local 8 News he was impressed with how the pilot landed the plane and says it looked like the pilot was taking great care to avoid hitting cars.

http://www.local8now.com

Rutan Long-EZ, N388TT: Incident occurred April 13, 2016 and incident occurred May 25,2016 in Camarillo, Ventura County, California

http://registry.faa.gov/N388TT

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Van Nuys FSDO-01

AIRCRAFT ON LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA.

Date: 25-MAY-16
Time: 19:28:00Z
Regis#: N388TT
Aircraft Make: RUTAN
Aircraft Model: LONGEZ
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Unknown
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: CAMARILLO
State: California

AIRCRAFT LANDED AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED, CAMARILLO, CA

Date: 13-APR-16
Time: 19:26:00Z
Regis#: N388TT
Aircraft Make: RUTAN
Aircraft Model: LONGEZ
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Unknown
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: CAMARILLO
State: California

East Hills Mayor Request Litigation Aid Against the Federal Aviation Administration From Town and County

Village of East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz sent  a letter to the Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County on Monday, asking them to file suit against the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce the number of flights over East Hills and other Nassau County communities.

“I urge you to immediately consider the institution of a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration to end the intolerable conditions being experienced by residents in our community and on the North Shore of Long Island,” Koblenz said.

Koblenz called his demand, which was sent in an email to East Hills residents, a last resort after repeated efforts by the village and other local municipalities to address the problem.

“It’s one plane after another flying loudly above the village,” Koblenz said on Tuesday.

He said the village had done all it could communicating its requests to FAA officials but the agency hadn’t taken steps to remedy the problems.

In 2013, after many complaints by residents, East Hills held a public hearing to create an action plan to combat the issue.

“We met with Congressman Steve Israel who was very supportive,” Koblenz said. 

In the letter to Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, Koblenz urged the two officials to consider suing the FAA on behalf of the village and other municipalities on North Shore of Long Island.

“As you are aware, the volume in the flight paths at Kennedy Airport have substantially increased,” he said. “The noise, vibrations, pollutants and other sever environmental burdens now seriously impact the quality of life in many Nassau County communities.”

Koblenz said the runways at JFK airport were extended to accommodate the big Airbus.

“This has been going on for years and it’s hard because we are just a village and we are doing the very best that we can,” he said.

He said someone besides the village of East Hills should take lead on the litigation process and expenses.

“We can’t sue the FAA by ourselves. If we did that and we got what we wanted, we would still be paying the legal fees for years,” Koblenz said.

Koblenz said the village has made every attempt to resolve the matter by involving elected officials at the highest levels of federal and state government but there efforts have been unavailing.

“We’ve had meetings with state Sen. Jack Martins and we were getting attentions with studies being done and a noise monitor being installed in the village but that’s where it ends,” Koblenz said.

He said he and other officials around Long Island affected by the airplane noise met with FAA officials in Brookville in 2014 but that their requests of equal distribution of landing patterns of airplanes have still not been granted.

“We are now left with no other alternative but to resort to judicial relief and with the high costs of litigation, we ask for your financial support, involvement and assistance,” he said.

Original article can be found here:   http://www.theislandnow.com

Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota, Sierra Canyon Enterprises, N2915T: Incident occurred April 13, 2016 in Ontario, San Bernardino County, California

SIERRA CANYON ENTERPRISES: http://registry.faa.gov/N2915T

Date: 13-APR-16
Time: 17:40:00Z
Regis#: N2915T
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Minor
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Riverside FSDO-21
City: ONTARIO
State: California

AIRCRAFT ON TAXI STRUCK A TAXIWAY LIGHT, ONTARIO, CA

Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N5376P: Incident occurred April 13, 2016 near Tucumcari Municipal Airport (KTCC), Quay County, New Mexico; Accident occurred June 04, 2016 near Loda, Loda Township, Iroquois County, Illinois

http://registry.faa.gov/N5376P

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Albuquerque FSDO-01

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA277
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, June 03, 2016 in Loda, IL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/31/2016
Aircraft: PIPER PA 24, registration: N5376P
Injuries: 1 Minor.

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

The pilot reported that while at cruise on a cross country flight the engine experienced a total loss of power and he switched fuel tanks. The airplane restarted, and then a total loss of power occurred again. The pilot was forced to land the airplane on a private grass airstrip. During the landing roll the left main landing gear impacted a low spot in the ground, veered off the runway to the left and impacted a fence with the left wing. 

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 

A postaccident examination revealed that the right and left fuel tanks were empty, and no fuel leaks could be identified. 

Fuel Management

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Foundation has published Safety Advisor SA16-01/05 Fuel Awareness (2005). This document discusses recommendations regarding fuel management for pilots and states in part:

1. Know How Much Fuel You Have - The first step in knowing how much fuel you have is to think of fuel not in gallons or pounds but hours and minutes. The Air Safety Foundation recommends that pilots of unfamiliar airplanes add one or two gallons per hour to their computed fuel consumption until they see how much that airplane actually burns.

2. Know Your Airplane's Fuel System - Pilots must also be familiar with and proficient in operating the fuel system on their airplanes.

3. Know What's in Your Fuel Tanks - Pilots must ensure their airplane contains the proper grade of uncontaminated fuel.

4. Update Your Fuel Status Regularly During Flight - It's good to do thorough preflight planning but, once in the air, things can change. Winds are rarely exactly as forecast and weather deviations add miles and minutes to your trip. The Air Safety Foundation recommends that pilots evaluate their fuel status each hour.

5. Always Land with Adequate Reserve Fuel - Aviation regulations require different fuel reserves for different operations. The Air Safety Foundation recommends that pilots never land with less than one hour of fuel in the tanks. That way all the regulatory reserve requirements are met and exceeded by at least 15 minutes.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to properly calculate the fuel consumption rate and to properly monitor the fuel status in flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing, runway excursion, and impact with a fence.

Ronald Beyers stands next to the tail of his Piper PA-24-250 Comanche.

Bernadette Beyers speaks with New Mexico State Police Officer Joshua Silva after she and her husband Ronald were forced to land their plane in the median. 

Interstate-40 traffic was a bit more congested than usual on Wednesday morning. An Indiana couple landed their single-engine airplane on the median about 15 miles west of Tucumcari, after losing power.

“This was the first landing without power for the both of us,” said Ronald Beyers.

“It’s also the last time, I hope,” said Bernadette Beyers.

Ronald Beyers said he was focused on landing the plane in the dirt median between the eastbound and westbound highways and he did not notice if there was any other traffic.

New Mexico State Police reported there were no injuries related to the incident.

The couple was flying to their home in West Lafayette, Indiana, from Mesa, Arizona, when their Piper PA-24-250 Comanche lost power.

“We were about a mile north of I-40,  said Ronald Beyers, who was piloting the plane.

He said he was flying as usual when he and his wife lurched forward in their seatbelts and the engine stopped.

He said he switched fuel tanks and turned on the booster pump but there was still no power to the plane.

“At that point, I began surveying the area for a possible place to land the plane,” Ronald Beyers said.

They began their descent shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

By the time Quay County Sheriff’s Office deputies and New Mexico State Police troopers arrived on scene, the  Beyers were unharmed and walking around the plane.

“It all happened so suddenly,” Bernadette Beyers said. “I’m just so grateful that we are both OK.”

She credited the safe landing to her husband’s experience as a retired Air Force pilot who earned the rank of colonel. Ronald Beyers served for 26 years.

Ronald Beyers said he called out a “may day” distress, advising authorities of his plan to land the aircraft on the interstate.

Officials early Wednesday afternoon were still on the scene, awaiting the arrival of officials from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Ronald Beyers said the plane will have to be hauled from where it landed.

Original article can be found here: http://www.qcsunonline.com

Around 11 a.m., a Piper PA-24-250 Comanche plane landed in the median on I-40 about 6 miles west of Tucumcari at Mile Marker 319 and everyone walked away. Quay County Sheriff Russell Shafer:

The median is about 60 feet wide. The pilot, who is in his 60s, has had extensive background which no doubt helped to keep the situation from becoming a disaster; he previously flew in the Air Force and as a commercial pilot. 

The pilot and his wife were the only passengers in the 4-seater plane. No emergency response was ever requested.

At this time, the plane is still in the median, and they are working on removing it.

Story and audio:  http://kgncnewsnow.com

TUCUMCARI, N.M. (AP) – Authorities say a Piper PA-24-250 Comanche plane made an emergency landing on Interstate 40 in eastern New Mexico.

State Police say no one was injured during the incident late Wednesday morning near Tucumcari and no damage was reported.

Circumstances of the emergency landing aren’t immediately known.

The plane was moved into the highway’s median until it can be removed. 

Date: 13-APR-16
Time:  16:30:00Z
Regis#:  N5376P
Aircraft Make:  PIPER
Aircraft Model:  PA24
Event Type:  Incident
Highest Injury:  None
Damage:  None
Flight Phase:  LANDING (LDG)
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Albuquerque FSDO-01
City:  TUCUMCARI
State:  New Mexico

AIRCRAFT FORCE LANDED ON A HIGHWAY, NEAR TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO.