Saturday, June 11, 2016

South Carolina Air National Guard Resumes Flight Operations

Kathryn's Report: http://www.kathrynsreport.com



Columbia, SC (WLTX) – The   South Carolina Air National Guard resumed flight operations today, less than a week after the aircraft incident in Louisville, Ga., Tuesday night. Flying was temporarily halted after two F-16s crashed while on a routine night-time training mission.

The 169th Fighter Wing, here at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, is preparing for an upcoming deployment to the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility, and the Swamp Fox pilots and maintenance crews will resume training for the deployment.

“Over the last few days we have been focused on aircraft recovery, reviewing our processes and preparing assessments, and we are ready to get back to the business of training for combat,” said Col. Nicholas Gentile, 169th Fighter Wing commander.

Gentile added the Aerospace Control Alert unit based at McEntire, providing around-the-clock fighter aircraft capable of responding to threats along the eastern coast of the United States, remains fully operational.

“We have continued our vigilant watch in defense of the nation,” Gentile said.

The aircraft crash Tuesday night is the first loss of a Swamp Fox jet in more than 30 years. The fighter wing had more than 170,000 accident-free flying hours.

An U.S. Air Force Safety Investigation Board, made up of experienced Air Force aviation and safety experts, is convening to determine the cause.

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

Tecnam P2002 Sierra, N323TC: Accident occurred June 09, 2016 near Marshall County Airport (KMPG), Moundsville, West Virginia

http://registry.faa.gov/N323TC 


NTSB Identification: GAA16CA300
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, June 09, 2016 in Moundsville, WV
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/31/2016
Aircraft: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2002 SIERRA, registration: N323TC
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 as the airplane entered the landing flare, a crosswind gust "picked up the right wing." He further reported that he applied full power to go-around, and the airplane drifted to the left. Subsequently, the airplane struck trees next to the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and both wings.

The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

The nearest automated weather observing station, which was 18 nautical miles north of the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 320 degrees true at 10 knots gusting to 16 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on a runway with a 240 degrees magnetic heading.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.


 
MARSHALL COUNTY, Ohio — A single-engine plane crashed in Marshall County near the airport around 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil said the pilot was headed from Michigan to Virginia and tried to stop to refuel, but a burst of wind caused him to crash just off the runway near a hill.

Marshall Co. Sheriff Kevin Cecil said he is unsure what caused the crash, but one man has suffered minor injuries.

"He was actually approaching, getting ready to land and a gust of wind came through and threw him off the runway, off course and down into a small ravine," Cecil said.

The pilot, who was alone in the plane, suffered minor injuries and refused aid.

The sheriff says the pilot does not own the plane. It was being delivered, he believes, to a new buyer when the crash occurred.

The crash is under investigation, but right now the pilot has not been cited.

The airport is located on Roberts Ridge off Kull Lane.

Story and video: http://wtov9.com







MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. -

Officials in Marshall County say a small plane crashed around 1:00 p.m. Thursday.

Marshall County EMA Director Tom Hart says the pilot was flying from Michigan to Virginia and was planning to stop and fuel the plane.

According to Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil, the pilot tried to land at the Marshall County airport on Robert's Ridge when a wind gust lifted the plane and caused it to land in a small ravine.

The pilot suffered injuries but refused treatment.

Officials say the light duty, small single pilot plane was a total loss.

Officials are continuing the investigation.

Van's RV-10, N255CP: Accident occurred August 03, 2022 and Incident occurred June 11, 2016

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois

August 03, 2022:  Aircraft experienced engine issues and crashed in a field.  

Sierra Papa Delta LLC


Date: 03-AUG-22
Time: 15:30:00Z
Regis#: N255CP
Aircraft Make: VANS
Aircraft Model: RV10
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: HURST
State: ILLINOIS
 
June 11, 2016


Jonesboro, Union County, Illinois - A plane involved in the Big Muddy Air Race was able to land on IL Rt. 146 after some engine troubles.

According to Sam Hoskins, the race organizer, the pilot was not hurt in the emergency landing. Hoskins identified the pilot as Pete Polete.

He added that they were able to get the plane off of the road and into a driveway to allow traffic to get back to normal.

June 11, 2016

June 11, 2016


JONESBORO, Illinois - A small plane made an emergency landing on Route 146 in Jonesboro, Illinois on Saturday, June 11, 2016.

According to authorities, the plane was headed to Carbondale, Illinois and had participated in the Big Muddy Air Race in Murphysboro, Illinois when it lost power.

The plane was forced to to land between two cars. The cars traveling the road, along with a nearby mailbox, made it easier for the pilot to land the plane.

Mooney M20E Super 21, N7830V: Fatal accident occurred June 11, 2016 at Collegedale Municipal Airport (KFGU), Hamilton County, Tennessee


Todd Silver
Tragically, Todd Sterling Silver, 57, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, succumbed to his injuries on June 12, 2016, in Collegedale, Tennessee. He was the owner and founder of the international company Todd's Canopies and had a deep passion for flying. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Tetiana Silver, whom he adored, and a caring father to his four children. Todd was loved not only by family and friends, but by members of the aviation community all over the world. He was a very gifted pilot and engineer. 

Suzanne Joyce Silver
Suzanne Joyce Silver lost her life in a tragic airplane crash in Collegedale, Tennessee on June 11, 2016 along with her son, Todd Silver, and grandson, Gerhard Silver. Her granddaughter, Gabriella, survived the crash.

Gerhard Stefan Silver
June 14, 2002 - June 11, 2016
Gerhard Stefan Silver, son of Todd Silver and Jennifer Moritz, was born June 14, 2002 and called up to Jesus June 11, 2016. We rejoice that he is in God’s glory and presence.  Gerhard lived his young life as a servant of our Lord and is painfully missed. 


The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee 
Lycoming Engines; Arlington, Texas

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/N7830V


Location: Collegedale, TN
Accident Number: ERA16FA208
Date & Time: 06/11/2016, 1246 EDT
Registration: N7830V
Aircraft: MOONEY M20E
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 3 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On June 11, 2016, about 1246 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20E, N7830V, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering after a go-around at the Collegedale Municipal Airport (FGU), Collegedale, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and one passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight.

According to information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the flight originated from the North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, and landed at the Harris County Airport, Pine Mountain (PIM), Georgia, before continuing to FGU. Flight track data recovered from an onboard GPS device showed that the airplane departed PIM at 1128:14 and proceeded toward FGU.

A flight instructor reported that he was conducting a flight with a student pilot and was about 3 miles east of FGU setting up to land on runway 21, when he saw the accident airplane on short final approach to land on runway 3. The flight instructor contacted airport personnel via the common traffic advisory frequency and confirmed that the wind was favoring runway 21. The flight instructor did not hear any radio communications from the accident airplane. Shortly thereafter, he observed the accident airplane in a climbing left turn near the departure end of runway 3, about 80 to 100 ft above the ground. The airplane then made a steep 45° to 60° bank to the right, with a nose-high attitude. As it progressed through the turn, the airplane's nose dropped, and it began a slow 270° rotation at a high descent rate.

Figure 1 shows the airplane's GPS track during the approach and go-around at FGU. The go-around began at 1245:20; the airplane made a left climbing turn at groundspeeds that varied between 79 and 67 mph and, about 1245:50, reached a maximum GPS altitude of about 1,080 ft. The left turn continued for another 10 seconds as the airplane descended to 990 ft with an average groundspeed of about 75 mph. The airplane's last GPS target recorded at 1246:01 indicated a right turn, at a GPS altitude of 971 ft and a groundspeed of about 74 mph.


Figure 1. Plotted GPS Data for Approach and Go-Around


The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest upright on a grass area adjacent to the east side of runway 3, about 1,000 ft from the approach end of runway 21.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/26/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/28/2015
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 550 hours (Total, all aircraft), 70 hours (Total, this make and model) 

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on January 26, 2015, with no limitations. At that time, he reported a total flight experience of 550 hours.

A pilot logbook obtained by an FAA inspector indicated that the pilot had logged about 16 hours in the airplane between February and April 2015 and that he had satisfactorily completed a flight review in accordance with 14 CFR Part 61.56 on January 28, 2015. The last entry in the logbook was dated April 11, 2015. The investigation could not determine the pilot's flight experience during the 14-months preceding the accident.



Todd Silver


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: MOONEY
Registration: N7830V
Model/Series: M20E
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1964
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 452
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/01/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2575 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 25 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3015 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-A1A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 200 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear, all-metal airplane was manufactured in 1964. It was powered by a 200-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A1A engine, equipped with a three-blade constant-speed Hartzell propeller assembly.

According to FAA records, the pilot purchased the airplane on February 13, 2015. Review of the airplane's logbooks revealed that its most recent annual inspection was performed on February 1, 2016, at an airframe total time of about 2,990 hours. At the time of the inspection, the engine had accumulated about 93 hours of operation since major overhaul. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been operated about 25 hours since the annual inspection and about 70 hours since it was purchased by the pilot.

Stall speed information for the airplane was contained in a stall speed vs bank angle chart located in the owner's manual (see figure 2).


Figure 2. – Stall Speed vs Bank Angle Chart


METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The 1253 weather observation at Lovel Field Airport, Chattanooga, Tennessee, located about 9 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported calm wind, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 5,000 ft above ground level, temperature 33°C, dew point 16°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of mercury.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

FGU was owned by the City of Collegedale and classified by the FAA as a public airport. The airport elevation was 860 ft above mean sea level, and the asphalt runway was configured in a 3/21 orientation. The runway was 4,986 ft-long by 75 ft-wide. The runway 3 threshold was displaced 400 ft due to trees before the approach end of the runway.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

A 70-ft-long ground scar, oriented on a magnetic heading of about 200° led to the main wreckage, which was resting on a magnetic heading of about 050°.

All major portions of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The landing gear was in the retracted position, and the fuel selector was positioned to the left fuel tank. The right wing separated near its wing root. The right flap remained attached to the wing, which was compressed aft, bent upward, and twisted at the outboard end. The right fuel tank was compromised, and no fuel was observed in the right fuel tank. The left wing remained attached to the fuselage. The left flap was separated and located under the wing. The underside of the left wing was compressed upward along the entire leading edge. An undetermined amount of fuel was observed leaking from the left fuel tank, and about 15 gallons of fuel were recovered from the tank. The aft 5 ft of the fuselage before the empennage was deformed.

The airplane's flight controls were actuated by push-pull tubes. All primary flight controls remained connected at their respective attach points. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the elevator and rudder control surfaces to the forward cockpit area. Due to impact damage, flight control continuity could not be confirmed from the forward cockpit area to the control yokes or from the left and right ailerons to the forward cockpit area. In addition, the preimpact position of the hydraulically-controlled flaps could not be determined due to impact damage.

The front portion of the airplane, which included the engine, was displaced downward and to the right. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand via the three-blade propeller assembly, which remained attached and displayed evidence consistent with rotation on two of the three blades. Valve train continuity was observed, and thumb compression was obtained on each cylinder. In addition, all cylinders were examined using a borescope, and no anomalies were observed. The oil suction and fuel servo inlet screens were absent of contamination. Both magnetos were impact damaged; however, they produced spark from their respective towers when rotated by hand.



MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Office of the Hamilton County Medical Examiner, Chattanooga, Tennessee, performed an autopsy on the pilot. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was "multiple blunt forces injuries." No significant natural disease was identified. Toxicological testing performed on specimens from the pilot as part of the autopsy was negative for any tested substances.

Toxicological testing performed by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on specimens obtained from the pilot's initial hospital admission identified midazolam in blood and serum. Midazolam is a sedative hypnotic benzodiazepine medication commonly used during resuscitative efforts. Hospital records indicated that paramedics administered midazolam to the pilot as part of the his on-scene care. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CHA, 682 ft msl
Observation Time: 1253 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 270°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 5000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 16°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: PINE MOUNTAIN, GA (PIM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Collegedale, TN (FGU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1128 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: COLLEGEDALE MUNI (FGU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 860 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4986 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Go Around

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 35.047500, -85.018056
























NTSB Identification: ERA16FA208 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, June 11, 2016 in Collegedale, TN
Aircraft: MOONEY M20E, registration: N7830V
Injuries: 3 Fatal, 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On June 11, 2016, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20E, N7830V, owned and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering after a go-around at the Collegedale Municipal Airport (FGU), Collegedale, Tennessee. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. One passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to initial information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the flight originated from the North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, and landed at the Harris County Airport, Pine Mountain (PIM), Georgia, before continuing to FGU.

A flight instructor reported that he was conducting a flight with a student pilot and was on approach runway 21 at FGU, when he witnessed the accident airplane on short final approach to runway 3. The flight instructor contacted the airport via Unicom and confirmed that the landing runway was runway 21. In addition, he did not hear any communications from the accident airplane. Shortly thereafter, he observed the accident airplane in a climbing left turn, near the departure end of runway 3, approximately 80 to 100 feet above the ground. The airplane then made a steep 45 to 60 degree bank to the right, with a nose high attitude. As it progressed through the turn, the airplane's nose dropped and it began a slow 270 degree rotation at a high decent rate.

The airplane impacted ground and came to rest upright on a grass area adjacent to the east side of runway 3, about 1,000 feet prior to the approach end of runway 21. A 70 foot-long ground scar, oriented about a magnetic heading of about 200 degrees preceded the main wreckage, which was resting on a magnetic heading of about 50 degrees.

All major portions of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The landing gear was in the retracted position and the fuel selector was positioned to the left wing fuel tank. The right wing separated near its wing root. It was also compressed aft, bent upward, and twisted at the outboard end. The right fuel tank was compromised and no fuel was observed in the right fuel tank. The left wing remained attached to the fuselage. The underside of the left wing was compressed upward along the entire leading edge. An undermined amount of fuel was observed leaking from the left wing fuel tank, and approximately 15 gallons of fuel was recovered from the tank. The aft 5 feet of the fuselage prior to the empennage was deformed. The airplane's flight controls were actuated by push-pull tubes. All primary flight controls remained connected at their respective attached points. Initial examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand via the three-bladed propeller assembly; which remained attached and displayed evidence consistent with rotation on two of the three blades. Valve train continuity was observed and thumb compressions were obtained on all cylinders. The oil suction and fuel servo inlet screens were absent of contamination.

A portable global positioning system receiver was recovered from the accident site and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for download.  According to FAA records, the pilot purchased the airplane on February 13, 2015. In addition, he reported 550 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA third-class medical certificate, which was issued on January 26, 2015.  The recorded weather at an airport located approximately 9 miles west of the accident site, at 1253, included calm wind, visibility 10 statute miles, and temperature 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit).


The pilot of an aircraft that crashed at the Collegedale airport has succumbed to his injuries, according to a statement released by his company.

"Tragically, Todd passed away suddenly on June 12, 2016 following a plane crash. His funeral will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the Collegedale Church, located at 4829 College Drive E, Collegedale, TN, 37315. This will be live streamed online and the link will be available closer to the time."

Investigators are looking into the crash of the 1964 Mooney M20E on Saturday that has now claimed the lives of three passengers, including Suzanne Silver and her juvenile grandson, according to Collegedale police.

After the crash, Todd Silver and his daughter were airlifted to Erlanger hospital for treatment.


The exact cause of the crash is still unknown, but a preliminary report will be released by the National Transportation Safety Board within the next week.






The pilot of a small plane that crashed at the Collegedale Airport on Saturday has died from his injuries.

Family members said Todd Silver passed away on Sunday.

His mother, Suzanne Silver, died in the crash along with the pilot's young son, Gerhard Silver.

His daughter was also airlifted after the crash.

The family, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was in Collegedale for a family gathering.


The funeral for Suzanne Silver, Todd Silver and Gerhard Silver will be Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Collegedale Church at 4829 College Dr. 


COLLEGEDALE, TN (WRCB) -

Aviation officials spent the early part of Sunday surveying what's left of the single-engine plane that crashed Saturday at the Collegedale Airport. They hope the wreckage will help determine what caused the Mooney M20E Super 21 to go down.

“They are going to look at how it impacted, they are going to look at what the propeller blades looked like. Was there an indication of the power on these blades when they hit,” said Dan Barks.

Collegedale police now say two of the four people on board were killed. The pilot, Todd Silver from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, survived and is in critical condition at a local hospital. 

“It is very, very sad, my family sends out condolences and prayers to all the families involved in this crash,” said Bob Etheridge, a witness to the crash.

FAA records shows Silver purchased the aircraft last spring. Not only does he enjoy flying planes, he also enjoys working on them. He's the owner of Todd’s Canopies. It is a business that designs and fits different kinds of aircrafts with canopies.

On his public Facebook page, he recently posted pictures of a trip to Key West in the same plane that crashed in Collegedale.

”Unfortunate, you're thinking of the families that are waiting for loved ones to come home and may not see them tonight. That’s the price of these crashes,” said Barks.

Eyewitnesses say they saw Silver struggling to reach altitude and could quickly tell something was wrong. Bob Etheridge believes the plane may have been returning to the airport immediately following take off due to some kind of issue.

“Circling rather quickly maybe the pilot was trying to come back. Unfortunate he didn't make it,” said the Etheridge.

As officials comb through the wreckage for answers, news of this deadly accident is still sinking in.

“Tragic, it's sad, it's tragic. You can feel it. It's terrible.. it's terrible,” said one neighbor.

Silver was flying with his mother, Suzanne Silver, and his two children, a boy and girl when the crash happened.

Silver's mother and son were pronounced dead on the scene.

Silver and his daughter were flown to a local hospital where they were listed in critical condition as of Saturday. 


Story and video:  http://www.wrcbtv.com




On Saturday, around 12:50 p.m., Collegedale Police along with Tri-Community Fire Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Emergency Management, Hamilton County Rescue, and Hamilton County EMS, responded to a plane crash at the Collegedale Airport.

The plane was a Mooney M20E Super 21, bearing the tail number N7830V. The aircraft was registered to the pilot, Todd Silver, of Ft. Lauderdale. The pilot was traveling with his mother, Suzanne Silver, and his two children. Ms. Silver and a male child were pronounced deceased on the scene. Mr. Silver and his daughter were air-lifted by Life Force and UT Lifestar 5 to Erlanger Hospital.

The crash is being investigated by the Collegedale Police Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

A nearby resident said the plane took off and then took a hard right as if trying to get back to the runway. 

The plane crashed just off the end of the runway.  

Residents of nearby Apison told of seeing a plane flying unusually low just before the crash.

Flights at the Collegedale Airport were canceled for the rest of the day.

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



A Fort Lauderdale man was flying the Mooney M20E Super 21 aircraft that crashed Saturday at the Collegedale Municipal Airport killing his mother and his son.

Todd Silver, the pilot, and his daughter survived the crash and were airlifted to Erlanger hospital, according to Tonya Sadler with the Collegedale Police Department. 

Their conditions were not immediately available this afternoon.

Responders at the scene Saturday said Silver apparently was trying to land the craft when it crashed beside the tarmac at 12:50 p.m. 

The accident is under investigation by the Collegedale Police Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

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



COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a pilot and his mother involved in a small plane crash in Tennessee.

Collegedale police spokeswoman Tonya Sadler says the single-engine plane crashed Saturday as it was coming in to the Collegedale airport. Collegedale is about 20 miles east of Chattanooga.

Sadler said Sunday in a news release that the plane was registered to the pilot, Todd Silver, out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The release says Silver was traveling with his mother, Suzanne Silver, and his two children.

Sadler says Suzanne Silver and a male child were pronounced dead at the scene. Todd Silver and his daughter were taken to a Chattanooga hospital. Their conditions Sunday weren’t immediately known. The children’s names weren’t released.



Hamilton County officials say a plane crashed in Collegedale on Saturday afternoon.

It happened shortly before 1:00 p.m. at the Collegedale Airport.

According to the Graysville Fire Department, two people were killed and two more are in critical condition in Erlanger Hospital.

Collegedale police say the single-engine plane was landing when it crashed just off the runway. 

With few answers, neighbors near the airport are turning to prayer.

"It's sad, it's tragic. And you can feel it. It's terrible," said Vounett Sanders, who lives just near the runway. "We hear planes take off all the time. Didn't really pay any attention. Heard a plane take off and it just.. immediately, you hear a loud crash, like maybe something ran into a tree, or a loud car back fired."

Sanders said she then saw two helicopters taking off from Erlanger Hospital.

"This thing went into a left bank and was probably 300 feet off the ground," he said. "It did probably 270 degrees and was still just barely above the trees when it started coming back toward my property. It looked like the guy tried to straighten it up and then he lost power, stalled and went into the ground nose first."

"It's like it just fell out of the sky," said the eyewitness, who stayed on scene until first responders arrived.

The airport remains closed, following the crash. It is expected to stay closed until a full investigation into what caused the crash can be completed. 

Story and video:  http://www.wbir.com




Collegedale, TN — The pilot in the deadly plane crash in Collegedale Saturday has died.

According to a statement from family members, Todd Silver passed away June 12th.

Three other people were in the plane at the time of the crash. 

Todd's mother, Suzanne Silver and a male child were pronounced dead at the scene.

His daughter was airlifted to Erlanger hospital.

The crash is being investigated by the Collegedale Police Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Silver's were in Collegedale because they were in for a family gathering.

Suzanne Silver, Todd Silver and Gerhard Silver funeral will be held on Thursday, June 16, at the Collegedale Church, at 4829 College Drive, in Collegedale. 

Memorial service for the victims of the Collegedale plane crash June 11, 2016 will be held June 16, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Collegedale Church Sanctuary.



HAMILTON COUNTY, TN (WRCB) -

Dan Barks was getting ready to land at Collegedale Airport Saturday afternoon when he was told to divert to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

“When you hear something like that in this business you know it's because of a crash. your first thought is I hope no one was injured, your second thought is I hope no one was killed,” said Barks, Aviation Attorney.

Airport officials say shortly before 1 PM this single engine airplane carrying four people attempted to land when it crashed.

Two people died at the airport. The other two were flown to Erlanger.

“We were able to land in Chattanooga and we were given a car to come back here and tidy some things up and pick up some gear, and that's when we saw what had happened,” said Barks.

Barks who works as an aviation attorney says unfortunately he's investigated hundreds of plane crashes throughout his career.

“Immediately you are thinking of the families who are waiting for loved one's to come home and may not see them come home. That’s unfortunate the price of these crashes,” said Barks.

Barks says whenever there is a plane crash the FAA steps in to investigate. He says they will take statements, pictures, and pick up the wreckage.

“So the FAA is going to come, they are going to look at how it impacted, they are going to look at what the propeller blades looked like,” said barks.

Barks says looking at the debris he can only speculate about what happened.

“It looked like it was a very flat impact, meaning not an impact where one might think of an airplane where it crashes nose down. This appeared to be very flat,” said Barks.

According to the FAA registry, the plane was registered to a pilot out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Officials have not confirmed the names of the four people who were on board when the plane crashed, but Barks says he will be keeping them in his thoughts.

“I cannot imagine. This is all I’ve done, dealing with families who lost everything and they lose it in an instant,” said Barks.

The NTSB will be at the Collegedale Airport Sunday doing their investigation.

Story and video:   http://www.wrcbtv.com



COLLEGEDALE, TN (WRCB) -

UPDATE: Airport officials say the single engine plane was landing in the airport when it crashed. They're hoping the FAA can answer many of their unanswered questions.

“Circling rather quickly maybe the pilot was trying to come back. Unfortunate he didn't make it,” said Bob Etheridge. It is a sight he will never forgot, a plane crashing right in front of his eyes. “It didn't gain a lot of altitude, like about 300 feet. Then it started into a hard left bank which was unusual.”

He lives right behind the Collegedale Municipal Airport. He was near the tarmac when the plane took off. He knew something wasn't right. “Bank to the left, bank to the right. And then unfortunately the plane went right into the ground.”

He immediately sprang into action hoping to help the four people on board. “I jumped out of the car and grabbed my phone and went to see if anyone got out of the plane and dialed 911.”

As we wait to learn the cause of the crash, Etheridge says the victims and their families are his number one concern. “It is very very sad, my family sends out condolences and prayers to all the families involved in this crash.”

The airport will remain closed until the FAA completes their investigation.


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



Two people are dead and two others injured after a single-engine plane crashed near the Collegedale Municipal Airport early Saturday afternoon.

Responders worked quickly to remove two severely injured people and two bodies from the crumpled husk of a single-engine plane that crashed while trying to land. The front half of the plane was obliterated by the impact, and as responders treated the occupants, they stepped over the twisted remnants of the cockpit and wings.

Investigators held up white sheets to shield the grisly scene from spectators.

The two survivors, one critically injured, were airlifted by UT Lifestar 5 and Life Force to the Erlanger trauma unit. Nothing was released about the identities of the people in the plane or the extent of the survivors' injuries.

Tonya Sadler, a public information officer for the Collegedale Police Department, described the plane as "transient" and said the crash occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m.

The Collegedale airport does not record radio traffic between the tower and pilots, but archived recordings with the Chattanooga tower just after the crash shed some light on the immediate aftermath.

Minutes after the crash, an unidentified pilot radioed the tower and said calmly, "We have something to tell you. There was an accident in Collegedale, just letting you know. It's closed."

The controller radioed back, "Is the aircraft on the runway?"

"It's just off the runway, but it's a bad accident."

"Did it look like there was emergency response en route or at the airport?"

"There were a lot of emergency vehicles on the runway, yes."

On the ground, squad cars, ambulances and firetrucks littered the runway, lights flashing. Collegedale police officers helped airport staff shut down the entire runway for several hours in anticipation of a required investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Employees at the airport declined to comment on the crash, which isn't the first fatal accident near there.

In the most recent crash, in September 2014, Don Edens was killed after his plane crashed in a nearby field as a result of equipment failure.

Alone in the craft and just moments before impact, Edens radioed air traffic control in Chattanooga and said, "I've got oil all over my windshield and am going to need some help for line-up."

After being redirected from the Chattanooga runway to Collegedale, he said,"Looks like we're not going to make it."

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







COLLEGEDALE, TN (WRCB) - A plane crashed in Collegedale on Saturday shortly before 1 p.m. and claimed two lives. 

It happened at the Collegedale Municipal Airport after a Mooney M20E took off from the runway, according to the FAA.

Graysville Fire Department asking for prayers after Collegedale plane crash with 2 reported fatalities.

Channel 3 spoke to an eyewitness who told Channel 3 he called 911 when he saw the plane go down shortly after taking off.

"This thing went into a left bank and was probably 300 feet off the ground," he told Channel 3.

"It did probably 270 degrees and was still just barely above the trees when it started coming back toward my property. It looked like the guy tried to straighten it up and then he lost power, stalled and went into the ground nose first," he described.

"It's like it just fell out of the sky," said the eyewitness, who stayed on scene until first responders arrived. 

Officials confirm two people were killed in the crash that also left two others injured.

A spokesperson for Erlanger Medical Center tells Channel 3 the two injured passengers were airlifted to their Chattanooga facility.

According to the FAA registry, the plane is registered to a pilot out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; however, authorities have not confirmed who was on the plane at the time of the crash.

Story and video:   http://www.wrcbtv.com



COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. — Two people have died and two others suffered injuries after a plane crash at the Collegedale Airport Saturday afternoon. 

Collegedale Police tell NewsChannel 9 the plane crashed while trying to land at the airport. Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are on the way to the scene.

A helicopter rushed the two survivors to the hospital shortly after the crash. Collegedale Police say at least one of them was critically injured, and underwent surgery. NewsChannel 9 is working to get an update on the conditions of both survivors.

Later in the afternoon, the airport closed, cancelling all remaining arrivals & departures for the day.

Investigators describe the plane that went down as single engine transient plane.

The accident happened at 12:50 p.m., under a partly cloudy sky, near the Collegedale Municipal Airport. The exact address given by dispatchers was 5100 Bess More Road (the airport's main address).

NewsChannel 9 reporter Alana Laflore describes the crash site as about two miles northeast of the airport's main entrance.

As the drama unfolded other local EMS departments helped spread the word of what was happening.


Original article can be found here: http://newschannel9.com








Two people were killed and two others taken to a hospital after the crash of a small, single engine plane at Collegedale Saturday afternoon. 

Two people were air-transported by UT Lifestar 5 and Life Force to the Erlanger Trauma Unit.

A nearby resident said the plane took off and then took a hard right as if trying to get back to the runway. 

The plane crashed just off the end of the runway.  


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









Two people were killed and two others airlifted to a hospital after a single engine plane crashed Saturday afternoon. 


A plane crashed near the Collegedale airport early Saturday afternoon, a dispatcher with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the Times Free Press. 

Multiple agencies responded to the 4600 block of McDonald Road, east of the airport, shortly before 1 p.m.