San Juan College pursues helicopter flight degree -Kathryn's Report

Mike Lewis, manager of the Four Corners Regional Airport in Farmington, stands on Friday inside the hangar where San Juan College may house a new helicopter flight training program it is developing.

FARMINGTON — San Juan College officials are pursuing a new degree program for helicopter flight training that could get off the ground as early as next spring.

During a presentation to the college board at Tuesday’s work session, Vice President for Learning Barbara Ake and Vice President for Administrative Services Ed DesPlas updated the board on progress college staff have made toward offering an associate of applied science degree in aviation technology.

Discussions about a potential helicopter flight training degree have been underway for a number of years.

Ake and college President Toni Pendergrass gave a presentation to the board on Jan. 6, 2015, about a meeting they had in December 2014 with representatives from Guidance Aviation about opening a possible location in Farmington.

Right now, the college is developing a request for proposals document for companies interested in partnering with the school to operate the program, DesPlas said. The request could be issued in August or September.

After that, the board could vote on the proposal at its Oct. 4 meeting. If the board approves the measure, DesPlas said the program could start in the strong 2017 semester.

The program would be similar to an airplane pilot program that San Juan College and Mesa Airlines operated from 1989 to 2010.

Depending on negotiations, the flight school partner would likely be responsible for operating flight simulators and two to four helicopters at the Four Corners Regional Airport, as well as assisting in recruiting adjunct flight instructors for the first several semesters that the program operates, according to DesPlas’ presentation.

College staff are working to develop the curriculum for the program, which will need to be approved by the New Mexico Higher Education Department, the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Mexico branch of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The college or its flight school partner will lease or sublease hangar and classroom space at the Farmington airport, according to DesPlas' presentation.

Airport manager Mike Lewis said a large hangar recently vacated by Great Lake Airlines would provide more than enough space for the program.

He also said the program could contribute to economic development in the area by bringing new employees and students to the area.

Enrollment in the program would primarily consist of veterans because benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs cover tuition and program fees for helicopter flight training, DesPlas said. The projected tuition cost for the two-year program is about $175,000.

The VA benefits can be used if no more than 85 percent of the enrolled students are veterans. San Juan College is seeking a waiver to that rule that would extend the benefits even if more than 85 percent of the enrolled students are veterans.

Changes to VA benefits set to go into effect on Aug. 1 will benefit San Juan College, DesPlas said.

The new rules state that for a flight training program to receive funding from the VA for tuition and fees, it must be administered by a higher learning institute, instead of a vocational program or third-party vendor, Ake said.

DesPlas said that change will impact private flight schools and potentially put San Juan College in a more competitive position.

"Because of the change in the veterans’ rules and benefits, the market has changed and made it much more attractive to us, because there is not as much competition out there now," DesPlas said.

Read more here:   http://www.daily-times.com

Piper PA-28RT-201 Arrow IV, N42JA: Accident occurred June 12, 2016 near Little Mount International Airport (7KY3), Taylorsville, Spencer County, Kentucky

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Louisville, Kentucky 
Piper Aircraft; Vero Beach, Florida 
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania 

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N42JA

Location: Taylorsville, KY
Accident Number: ERA16LA212
Date & Time: 06/12/2016, 1931 EDT
Registration: N42JA
Aircraft: PIPER PA28RT
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On June 12, 2016, at 1931 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 28RT-201, N42JA, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Little Mount International Airport (7KY3), Taylorsville, Kentucky. The pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight destined for Samuels Field Airport (BRY), Bardstown, Kentucky. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

Due to his injuries, the pilot did not recall the accident.

A witness located near a hangar about one-quarter of the way down the approximate 1,750-foot-long turf runway, observed the airplane during the takeoff roll. The engine was "sputtering" and the airplane "seemed slow" as it passed by, at an estimated speed of about 30 knots. The witness attempted to contact the pilot using a handheld radio and asked him if he was going to reject the takeoff, but the pilot did not respond. The airplane rotated and climbed briefly, then descended and impacted downward sloping terrain about 500 feet below, and 250 yards beyond the departure end of the runway.

Examination of the accident scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the grass on the turf runway was between 4 to 6 inches long throughout its length. The airplane came to rest inverted in a wooded area and was mostly consumed by a postcrash fire. The left wing had separated during the impact sequence and was located about 25 feet up the debris path closer to the runway. The left wing contained fuel and was not fire-damaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the rudder, elevator, and right aileron, and from the cockpit to the left wing area.

One propeller blade was bent slightly aft near the root, the other was straight. No gouges were observed in the leading edge of either blade. The engine sustained fire damage and the crankshaft could not be rotated by hand.

Capital City Airport (FFT), Frankfort, Kentucky was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, at an elevation of 804 feet. At 1953, the reported weather included winds from 330 degrees at 4 knots, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 21 degrees Celsius. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/29/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/12/2015
Flight Time: 2225 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: PIPER
Registration: N42JA
Model/Series: PA28RT 201
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28R-7918110
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:  4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 07/18/2015, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2749 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 250 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 9000 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO360-CIC6
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 210 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: KFFT, 804 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1953 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 66°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Taylorsville, KY (7KY3)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: BARDSTOWN, KY (BRY)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1931 EDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: LITTLE MOUNT INTL (7KY3)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 750 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 15
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1750 ft / 70 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  38.072222, -85.233889 (est)

NTSB Identification: ERA16LA212
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, June 12, 2016 in Taylorsville, KY
Aircraft: PIPER PA 28RT-201, registration: N42JA
Injuries: 1 Serious.

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

On June 12, 2016, at 1931 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 28RT-201, N42JA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from Little Mount International Airport (7KY3), Taylorsville, Kentucky. The pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight destined for Samuels Field Airport (BRY), Bardstown, Kentucky. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

A witness located near a hangar about 1/4 of the way down the 2,000-foot-long turf runway, observed the airplane during the takeoff roll. The engine was "sputtering" and the airplane "seemed slow" as it passed by, at an estimated speed of about 30 knots. The witness attempted to contact the pilot using a handheld radio, and asked him if he was going to abort the takeoff, but the pilot did not respond. The airplane rotated and climbed briefly, then descended and impacted downward sloping terrain about 500 feet below, and 250 yards beyond the departure end of the runway.

Examination of the accident scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the grass on the turf runway was between 5 to 8 inches long throughout its length. The airplane came to rest inverted in a wooded area and was mostly consumed by a post-crash fire. The left wing had separated during the impact sequence and was located about 25 feet up the debris path closer to the runway. The left wing contained fuel and was not fire-damaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the rudder, elevator, and right aileron, and from the cockpit to the left wing area.

One propeller blade was bent slightly aft near the root, the other was straight. No gouges were observed in the leading edge of either blade. The engine crankshaft would not rotate by hand.

The engine was retained for examination at a later date.


Capital City Airport (FFT), Frankfort, Kentucky was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, at an elevation of 804 feet. At 1953, the reported weather included winds from 330 degrees at 4 knots, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 21 degrees Celsius.

SPENCER COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- KSP dispatch in Frankfort have confirmed that a plane has crashed in Spencer County. 

It happened at a private airport in Little Mount on Sunday.

Early investigations show a single engine Piper Arrow had engine problems during takeoff.

The pilot, 60-year-old Stan Thompson of Taylorsville, exited the runway into a wooded area, where the plane hit trees and caught fire.

Thompson was taken to University Hospital with minor injuries and burns.

Story and video:  http://www.wdrb.com

Two weeks after a popular Owensboro doctor was killed in a plane crash only minutes after taking off from Falls of Rough airport, on Saturday night about 7:00, Taylorsville first-responders arrived on the scene of an airplane crash in Little Mount, about 82 miles northeast of Leitchfield.

The initial investigation indicates that the pilot, 60-year-old Stan Thompson, experienced engine trouble at the onset of the takeoff. The plane exited the edge of the runway, traveling into a wooded area. The aircraft then hit several trees, overturned and caught fire, according to WAVE.com.

Thompson, though, was able to escape the plane and was transported to University Hospital in Louisville. He suffered moderate injuries and burns, but his current condition is not known.

The FAA has been notified and the National Transportation Safety Board will have personnel on the ground on Monday to investigate the crash.

Original article can be found here:  http://www.k105.com

LITTLE MOUNT, Ky. (WKYT) - A pilot survived a fiery plane crash in Spencer County on Sunday.

Kentucky State Police said a single engine Piper Arrow crashed into several trees and overturned during takeoff at a private airport in Little Mount.

The aircraft caught on fire. KSP said the pilot, Stan Thompson, 60, of Taylorsville, was taken to University Hospital in Louisville with moderate injuries and burns.

The FAA has been notified and an Inspector from the NTSB will be at the crash site Monday.

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

SPENCER CO., Ky. (WHAS11) – Kentucky State Police reports that there was a plane crash in Spencer County.

The accident happened just around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night.

The FAA is investigating after a Piper PA28 plane went down at a private airstrip at the Little Mount International Airport.

Officials said that the plane was attempting to take off, that is when the accident occurred.

One person was seriously injured and transported to University of Louisville Hospital.

Original article can be found here:   http://www.whas11.com

LITTLE MOUNT, KY (WAVE) - A Taylorsville man suffered moderate injuries and burns when the single-engine aircraft he was piloting crashed on takeoff from a grass airstrip in Little Mount on Sunday evening.

At 6:58 p.m. Sunday first-responders arrived on the scene to find a Piper Arrow engulfed in flames, according to a press release. The preliminary investigation indicates that the pilot, 60-year-old Stan Thompson, experienced engine problems at the onset of his takeoff run and exited off the edge of the runway and into a wooded area. The aircraft hit the trees, overturned and caught fire.

Thompson was able to escape the burning wreckage, however, he was transported to University Hospital in Louisville. His condition is not known. 

Original article can be found here:  http://www.wave3.com SPENCER COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- KSP dispatch in Frankfort have confirmed that a plane has crashed in Spencer County. 

It happened at a private airport in Little Mount on Sunday.

Early investigations show a single engine Piper Arrow had engine problems during takeoff.

The pilot, 60-year-old Stan Thompson of Taylorsville, exited the runway into a wooded area, where the plane hit trees and caught fire.

Thompson was taken to University Hospital with minor injuries and burns.

Story and video:  http://www.wdrb.com

LITTLE MOUNT, Ky. (WKYT) - A pilot survived a fiery plane crash in Spencer County on Sunday.

Kentucky State Police said a single engine Piper Arrow crashed into several trees and overturned during takeoff at a private airport in Little Mount.

The aircraft caught on fire.

Kentucky State Police said the pilot, Stan Thompson, 60, of Taylorsville, was taken to University Hospital in Louisville with moderate injuries and burns.

The FAA has been notified and an Inspector from the NTSB will be at the crash site Monday.

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

LEXINGTON, Ky (LEX 18) - A man was in the hospital Sunday night after police say he crashed in a small engine plane. 

It happened around 7 p.m. at the Little Mount International Airport in Spencer County. 

Firefighters say the plane was taking off from a grass airstrip and crashed shortly after takeoff. 

The pilot was the only person on board and was taken to U of L Hospital. 

The plane caught fire but was extinguished soon after.

Original article can be found here: http://www.lex18.com

Boeing, Airbus Clash Over Safety System: Aircraft makers disagree about need to require feature that helps prevent runway overruns -Kathryn's Report

The Wall Street Journal
By ANDY PASZTOR
July 10, 2016 8:47 p.m. ET


LONDON—Leaders of Boeing Co. and Airbus Group SE like to say they don’t compete over safety, and that message is likely to reverberate throughout the international air show that begins Monday at a suburban airport near here.

But crash experts believe that isn’t the case when it comes to devising ways to prevent one of the most common types of airliner accidents: planes rolling off the sides or ends of runways during landings.

Runway excursions, as they are called, have been the first or second most frequent category of commercial-aviation accidents world-wide for well over 15 years, prompting a series of maneuvers by both companies to try to grab the lead in combating the hazards.

These runway events don’t result in the largest number of fatalities, though they can end with everything from collapsed landing gears to fractured fuselages. By some measures, sliding off a strip causes roughly one-fifth of all global airline accidents that produce substantial aircraft damage.

The two leading jet makers remain at loggerheads about a fundamental point: the need for joint U.S.-European technical standards to enhance pilot awareness about the dangers of touching down too fast or too far down a runway.

Since 2009, Airbus has marketed a proprietary system, now installed on about 430 airliners, that automatically assesses speed, altitude, flight-control settings, runway topography, winds and parameters eight times per second. The goal is to warn pilots beforehand that they likely won’t be able to safely stop on a runway, and automatically exert maximum braking force on the ground when necessary.

Chicago-based Boeing hasn’t developed its own offering, but is working with partners.

What had been a behind-the-scenes tussle is now becoming more public, because Airbus and European aviation authorities are stepping up efforts to promote common standards and new runway safeguards.

In an interview last month, Patrick Ky, executive director of the European Aviation Safety Agency, said Airbus initially asked it to mandate its proprietary technology. Mr. Ky said EASA told Airbus it wasn’t going to mandate its technology.

But EASA is pushing ahead with a rule that is likely to require installation of some new unspecified technology, at least on the production line, according to Mr. Ky.

European technical advisers to EASA, meanwhile, expect to issue detailed engineering standards in this area by February.

U.S. regulators have responded by arguing that at this point, any international standard runs the risk of being skewed to unfairly benefit Airbus.

“We haven’t been convinced a standard is necessary,” said Bruce DeCleene, a manager at the Federal Aviation Administration. “We have a lot of airplanes that already have” various runway excursion protections on board, without waiting for FAA mandates, he said on the sidelines of an industry conference last month.

A Boeing spokesman said “we endorse a coordinated, international approach,” but regulations “should not prescribe one technology or another” to achieve safety goals.

Fallout from the friction, according to people familiar with the details, has roiled suppliers and other segments of the industry torn about what direction to take. Honeywell International Corp., for example, has a competing warning system that also is in the marketplace and has been voluntarily adopted by some carriers on certain Boeing models.

Last month, Lou Volchansky, an FAA technical manager, said the FAA isn’t likely to follow Europe’s lead because “this is something that’s not on a safety critical path.”

But Mr. Volchansky added that the FAA does “recognize the need for” runway-excursion protections, and U.S. carriers can embrace the Airbus solution as long as they get necessary approvals.

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

Bryan City Council Asked To Tackle Geese Problem At Williams County Airport (0G6) -Kathryn's Report

The council was asked to come up with ways to reduce the number of Canada Geese at a retention pond at the Williams County Airport.

The request came from the Williams County Airport Boosters and made at the July 5 City Council meeting. The request did not specify what action the council should take, only that there was a real need for a solution.

The retention pond sits at the end of a runway and draws a large number of geese. This presents a safety hazard for planes taking off and landing. There was an incident this year where a goose collided with a private plane and caused $5,000 damage to the aircraft.

The problem time is the fall when 1,000 geese can be in the area during migration times for the birds.

The pond is not supposed to constantly have water in it, but it has become that way to improve the aesthetics of the area for cyclists and walkers.

The pond is a result of a large project from the previous decade meant to alleviate conditions following the devastating floods of 1996.

The problem will never be eliminated as the state limits the number of geese that can be culled. Deer are also culled on a regular basis.

Council discussed options, which will have to involve the Department of Natural Resources.

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

Cessna A185E Skywagon 185, N85CF: Accident occurred July 19, 2016 in Iliamna, Alaska

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

NTSB Identification: ANC16LA046
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Illiamna, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/26/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA A185, registration: N85CF
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The commercial pilot reported that he made a normal approach and landing to an unimproved landing strip and that the left main landing gear (MLG) wheel assembly separated from the landing gear leg at the axle bolts during rollout. The gear leg then dug into the gravel landing surface, which resulted in a sudden left turn, ground loop, and subsequent substantial damage to the left wing, left aileron, and elevator. The pilot and the passenger stated that it did not feel as if the airplane hit anything during the landing rollout. The pilot also stated that the initiating event may have been a crosswind landing on a hard-surfaced runway with large tundra tires earlier in the week, during which he inadvertently “put a side load on the landing gear.” 

Postaccident examination of the left MLG axle assembly and bolts revealed that the left axle had separated from the landing gear leg due to a rearward overload event. The initial separation was due to the shearing of the forward bolt threads by tensile forces on the bolts, which was followed by the bending deformation of the aft bolts, consistent with a fore-to-aft overload.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The overstress fracture of the left main landing (MLG) gear axle attachment bolts and the subsequent separation of the left MLG wheel, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to control the airplane.

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage and Wasilla, Alaska

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N85CF

NTSB Identification: ANC16LA046 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Illiamna, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA A185, registration: N85CF
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

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 July 19, 2016, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N85CF, sustained substantial damage following a separation of the left main wheel and axle from the landing gear leg during the landing rollout at an unimproved landing strip about 20 miles northwest of Illiamna, Alaska. The commercial pilot, and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 20, 2016, the pilot stated that after a normal landing to a flat, level ridgeline, the left wheel and axle separated from the landing gear leg during the landing rollout. The gear leg then dug into the gravel landing surface which resulted in a sudden left turn and subsequent ground loop. The left wing, left aileron and elevator struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The left wheel assembly came to rest about 25 feet from the airplane. 

A passenger of the accident flight stated during an interview that the she did not feel the landing was hard and did not feel the airplane hit anything on the landing roll out.

The pilot stated on NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, that the landing was normal and he did not feel the aircraft hit anything. He stated that, while on large tundra tires, he inadvertently put a side load on the landing gear earlier in the week during a landing on a hard-surfaced runway with a strong crosswind.

An NTSB metallurgist conducted an examination of the left axle connecting bolts. The bolts were identified as heavy duty and appropriate for installation per the Cessna 185 Illustrated Parts Catalog. Magnified examinations of the separations revealed fracture features and deformation patterns consistent with bending overstress separations. No indications of preexisting cracking or corrosion were visible. (Refer to the Materials Laboratory Factual Report in the public docket for further information regarding the fractured components.)

The closest weather reporting facility is Illiamna Airport, Illiamna, Alaska, about 20 miles southeast of the accident site. At 0953, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from the Illiamna Airport was reporting in part: wind from 320° at 10 knots gusting to 18 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 63° F; dew point 48° F; barometric pressure 30.19 inHg.

NTSB Identification: ANC16LA046
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Illiamna, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA A185, registration: N85CF
Injuries: 4 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 July 19, 2016, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N85CF, had the left main wheel and axle separate from the landing gear strut during the landing rollout at an unimproved landing strip 20 nm west-northwest of Illiamna, Alaska. The commercial rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) other work-use flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 20, 2016, the pilot stated that during the landing roll out, the left wheel separated from the axle and rolled away from the airplane. The left main landing gear leg dug into the gravel landing surface, which resulted in a sudden left turn. The left wing, elevator, lower engine cowling, and propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 

A postaccident examination by the pilot revealed that the 4 wheel bolts at the axle connection were broken. The attach bolts and axle have been retained and a detailed examination is pending. 

The closest weather reporting facility is Illiamna Airport, Illiamna, about 20 miles southeast of the accident site. At 0953, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Illiamna Airport was reporting in part: wind from 320 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 18 knots; sky condition clear; visibility 10 statute miles; temperature 63 degrees F; dew point 48 degrees F; barometric pressure 30.19 inHg. The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Wasilla, Alaska

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N85CF

NTSB Identification: ANC16LA046 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Illiamna, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA A185, registration: N85CF
Injuries: 4 Uninjured.

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 July 19, 2016, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N85CF, sustained substantial damage following a separation of the left main wheel and axle from the landing gear leg during the landing rollout at an unimproved landing strip about 20 miles northwest of Illiamna, Alaska. The commercial pilot, and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 20, 2016, the pilot stated that after a normal landing to a flat, level ridgeline, the left wheel and axle separated from the landing gear leg during the landing rollout. The gear leg then dug into the gravel landing surface which resulted in a sudden left turn and subsequent ground loop. The left wing, left aileron and elevator struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The left wheel assembly came to rest about 25 feet from the airplane. 

A passenger of the accident flight stated during an interview that the she did not feel the landing was hard and did not feel the airplane hit anything on the landing roll out.

The pilot stated on NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, that the landing was normal and he did not feel the aircraft hit anything. He stated that, while on large tundra tires, he inadvertently put a side load on the landing gear earlier in the week during a landing on a hard-surfaced runway with a strong crosswind.

An NTSB metallurgist conducted an examination of the left axle connecting bolts. The bolts were identified as heavy duty and appropriate for installation per the Cessna 185 Illustrated Parts Catalog. Magnified examinations of the separations revealed fracture features and deformation patterns consistent with bending overstress separations. No indications of preexisting cracking or corrosion were visible. (Refer to the Materials Laboratory Factual Report in the public docket for further information regarding the fractured components.)

The closest weather reporting facility is Illiamna Airport, Illiamna, Alaska, about 20 miles southeast of the accident site. At 0953, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from the Illiamna Airport was reporting in part: wind from 320° at 10 knots gusting to 18 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 63° F; dew point 48° F; barometric pressure 30.19 inHg.

NTSB Identification: ANC16LA046
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Illiamna, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA A185, registration: N85CF
Injuries: 4 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 July 19, 2016, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 185E airplane, N85CF, had the left main wheel and axle separate from the landing gear strut during the landing rollout at an unimproved landing strip 20 nm west-northwest of Illiamna, Alaska. The commercial rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) other work-use flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 20, 2016, the pilot stated that during the landing roll out, the left wheel separated from the axle and rolled away from the airplane. The left main landing gear leg dug into the gravel landing surface, which resulted in a sudden left turn. The left wing, elevator, lower engine cowling, and propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 

A postaccident examination by the pilot revealed that the 4 wheel bolts at the axle connection were broken. The attach bolts and axle have been retained and a detailed examination is pending. 

The closest weather reporting facility is Illiamna Airport, Illiamna, about 20 miles southeast of the accident site. At 0953, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Illiamna Airport was reporting in part: wind from 320 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 18 knots; sky condition clear; visibility 10 statute miles; temperature 63 degrees F; dew point 48 degrees F; barometric pressure 30.19 inHg.

Bell OH-58A (206). Tri Rotor Spray & Chemical Inc., N588MP: Accident occurred July 10, 2016 in Surprise, Arizona

TRI ROTOR SPRAY & CHEMICAL INC: http://registry.faa.gov/N588MP

FAA Flight Standards District Office:  FAA Scottsdale FSDO-07

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA372
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Surprise, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/31/2016
Aircraft: BELL OH 58, registration: N588MP
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 of an aerial application helicopter reported that after spraying a field he noticed that he missed a portion of the field. The pilot further reported that he maneuvered at a low altitude to the south end of the field, made a quick right turn to the north, dove into the field at approximately 45 knots, flew into his own vortices, and impacted the terrain.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
While at a low altitude, the pilot's decision to do an abrupt descending right downwind turn which resulted in flying through his own vortices and an impact with terrain.

WADDELL, AZ - The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are on the scene of a helicopter down in Waddell Sunday afternoon.

It happened near Olive and Sarival avenues around 12:30 p.m.

MCSO says the pilot suffered life-threatening injuries and is being transported to the hospital.

Officials later upgraded the pilot's condition, saying he was expected to survive.

The helicopter is believed to be a crop-dusting helicopter.

No other people were believed to be onboard at the time. No word yet what caused the helicopter to go down, or the extent of the damage.


Story and video:  http://www.abc15.com

A crop-dusting helicopter crashed in Waddell on Sunday afternoon, leaving the pilot with life-threatening injuries, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. 

The helicopter went down in the area of Olive and Sarival avenues in the Waddell area west of Phoenix.

Chris Hegstrom, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said that the pilot was the only passenger in the aircraft. He was initially reported with minor injuries, but was transported to the hospital with what have been determined to be non-life-threatening injuries.

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

WADDELL, AZ (KPHO/KTVK) -   A pilot suffered life-threatening injuries after his crop-dusting helicopter went down in a farm field in the West Valley Sunday afternoon, Maricopa County sheriff's spokesman Chris Hegstrom said.

"According to initial reports, the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft," Hegstrom said. 

Sheriff's deputies and other first responders were at the scene near Olive and Sarival avenues.

Cessna 310, N116BG: Incident occurred July 20, 2016 in Catalina, California

http://registry.faa.gov/N116BG

Date: 21-JUL-16
Time: 00:40:00Z
Regis#: N116BG
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 310
Event Type: Incident
Highest Injury: None
Damage: Minor
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
City: CATALINA
State: California

AIRCRAFT NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING TAXI. CATALINA, CALIFORNIA.

Wings Over North Georgia returns in October with concert, fireworks, Thunderbirds -Kathryn's Report

The Wings Over North Georgia air show will roar into town for the fifth year this October and advance tickets are available now.

The show will be Oct. 29-30 at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport. Tickets are available on the air show’s website, with prices starting at $25 for general admission. The advanced tickets are discounted now, with several package deals available.

“We will start selling general admission tickets in August at the airport,” said show director John Cowman. “But it is a good time to buy now online. The box seating sells out pretty quickly.”

The show will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as well as multiple aerobatic aviation performers.

The Saturday show — on Oct. 29 — will also feature a concert and fireworks show. Country star Travis Tritt is the show’s headliner, performing right before the fireworks start.

Camping options are available, Cowman said, including a new premium option.

Because of lack of sponsors, the Smoke-n-Thunder BBQ Classic Competition was canceled, so organizers decided to put the space usually reserved for the competition to good use.

The site will be used to house premium infield camping for RVs with power, sewer and water hookups, Cowman said. An added benefit is that campers may arrive as early as the Thursday before the show begins to watch the aviation teams arrive.

Camping is also available for tents in other areas. Camping reservations may be made on the show’s website as well.

The show regularly brings in between 75,000 to 100,000 people, Cowman said.

The event draws large crowds, partly because of a good location, he added.

“It is in the perfect ABC triangle — Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga — and it has a minimum of air traffic that you can run into in larger metro areas,” he said.

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

Boeing Says If Congress Blocks Its Iran Jet Deal, Rivals’ Should Be Halted Too: Some members of Congress are vehemently against selling commercial airliners to Iran -Kathryn's Report

The Wall Street Journal
By JON OSTROWER
July 10, 2016 12:24 p.m. ET

LONDON— Boeing’s commercial jetliner chief said Sunday that if its deal to sell Iran passenger aircraft is blocked by the U.S. Congress, all other U.S. companies that supply to its rivals should be prohibited as well.

Ray Conner, the chief executive of Boeing’s commercial jetliner unit, said in a media presentation Sunday on the eve of the biennial Farnborough Air Show outside of London that any effort to legislatively block its 80-jet deal with Iran Air shouldn’t unfairly disadvantage the plane maker against its rivals.

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed amendments that would block the use of Department of Treasury funds for granting licenses for export or re-export of commercial passenger aircraft and their parts and services as enabled by the six-nation Iran Nuclear Deal. A further amendment would prohibit any U.S. financial institution from participating the export of passenger aircraft to Iran.

Airbus has said it, too, requires Washington’s approval to export airliners to Iran because the planes involve U.S.-made parts.

The global business of selling jetliners means U.S. firms such as engine makers and providers of other components contribute significantly to the designs of Boeing’s biggest rivals like Europe’s Airbus Group SE. Airbus in January signed a cooperation agreement for 118 jetliners for Iran’s airlines.

The amendments passed last week by the House “will be between Congress and the administration and we’ll follow the lead of which the government tells us what we can do and what we can’t do,” Mr. Conner said. “If we’re not allowed to go forward, then sure as heck no other U.S. company should be allowed to go forward either. That would mean any other U.S. supplier to any other manufacturer.”

Boeing’s deal, worth $17.6 billion at list prices, has drawn vehement opposition from members of Congress who believe that delivering commercial aircraft to the Islamic Republic’s airlines would be equivalent of bolstering its armed forces and its sponsorship of terrorism.

Iran has sought to modernize its decrepit fleet of airliners, decimated by years of sanctions that prohibited it from acquiring new jets or buying spare parts from their manufacturers. The promise of renewed airlines in the Islamic Republic has been used as a significant incentive to enticing Iran to abide by the terms of the nuclear deal, which went into effect in January.

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

Ernie Hall's aviation legacy lives on -Kathryn's Report

HOWLAND, Ohio -

You might not even realize it, but one of the major forces in early aviation is from Trumbull County. Ernie Hall played a big role, and community members are taking steps to make sure his legacy is not forgotten.

"Here's a guy from our hometown who was instrumental in early aviation," said Ernie Hall Aviation Museum director Bill Griffin.

Hall was born in Gustavus in Trumbull County. He hung out with the Wright Brothers, and in 1911 built and flew his own airplane.

"His first airplane he made out of chicken wire and paper mache'. And he copied the Bleriot airplane from France is what he copied," said Warner Taiclet, the vice president of the Howland Historical Society.

And so began a life, dedicated to helping more and more people reach for the clouds.

"He was one of the first few people to get what they called a pilot's license. He is one of only a handful of people who was a civilian who gave pilot training to military people in World War I and World War II," said Griffin.

Back home, he ran his flying school in Warren for 50 years. The museum that bares his name is a scaled-down replica.

"I took my very first flying lessons from Ernie Hall," said Bill Hunter, on the Board of Directors for the museum. "My brother conned me into going down there one day when he had his airport up on 46. He says, let's go down and go for an airplane ride with Ernie. I did, and I was hooked."

The Ernie Hall Aviation Museum in Howland is two years old, and this past they added a historical marker outside. Griffin says, it is a chance to do more than just honor Hall's memory. It's an opportunity to share his legacy with generations to come.

"Ernie Hall died in 1972 and it seemed like his legacy kind of disappeared over the years," said Griffin. "We wanted to make sure that he's remembered forever, and for the next generation and generations to come. I thought it was just a natural, to go along with the museum, to have the historical marker for Ernie."

A big piece of Valley history that lives on, both on the ground and in the skies.

Story and video:  http://www.wfmj.com

McDonnell Douglas MD-90, Delta Air Lines, N955DN: Incident occurred August 16, 2017 at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL), Georgia -and- Incident occurred July 09, 2016 at Tulsa International Airport (KTUL), Oklahoma

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Delta Air Lines Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N955DN

Delta Air Lines flight DAL1293:  Aircraft, while at the gate, a vehicle struck aircraft.  One person on the ground and one person on the aircraft sustained unknown injuries. 

Date: 16-AUG-17
Time: 19:34:00Z
Regis#: N955DN
Aircraft Make: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS
Aircraft Model: MD90
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: STANDING (STD)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA AIRLINES
Flight Number: DAL1293
City: ATLANTA
State: GEORGIA

TULSA -- Several passengers voiced their frustrations after a flight from Atlanta to Denver was diverted to Tulsa.

Dylan Doyle was on his way from Atlanta to Denver to see his girlfriend, however; the trip was cut short when Delta flight 1817 was forced to land because 9 people were feeling nauseous. 

"As people started seeing other people freaking out everybody just kind of went into a panic," said Doyle.

"We arrived, assisted with evaluating 12 patients who had complained of or were showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning," said Tulsa Fire Captain Stan May.

One passenger was transported to the hospital for unrelated medical issues, while around 150 other passengers were moved off the plane without their baggage, spending most of the day waiting in the terminal.

“So everyone is just sitting here quarantined and they’re not telling us anything and it’s getting to the point where people, tensions are running high," said Doyle.
   
Firefighters said the source of the carbon monoxide is still unknown. 

“Whether it’s something on the airplane or the airplane itself, but for the safety of the passengers and the crew they’re going to go ahead and continue their travels on another plane," said May.
   
Doyle said although he’s glad he can finally leave the airport, he wishes the situation was handled better. 

“It’s just one of those situations where it just kind of wreaks of them trying to cover their own behind, like a lawsuit or something," said Doyle. 

Passengers were put on a different plane late Saturday night.

Officials say the original plane will be taken to the maintenance to figure out the source of carbon monoxide within the next couple of days. 

Delta told 2 Works For You the safety and security of their customers is their top priority. 

Story and video:  http://www.kjrh.com