Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Pilot in distress: My 'SWAT team' of calm air traffic controllers steered safe landing at Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL)

Left to right: Patrick Burrows, Nicole Surunis, Mason Braddock, Cathy Lewan, Clay Sutton, Keith Tyus 

Cathy Lewan



Cathy Lewan is extremely comfortable flying her single-engine plane. But in a 50-minute emergency call from last year, the nerves are easy to hear in her voice.

The radio traffic was just released from the February 14th, 2016 incident when Lewan, who was out for an aerial photography flight, found herself near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, flying solo with a broken throttle.

From his FAA air traffic control station, Mason Braddock handled Lewan’s mid-flight call, guiding her through an emergency landing with a team of air traffic controllers and aviation officials.

“I could hear the distress in her voice and that was my main concern," Braddock recalled. "Because I knew my team would figure out the appropriate response to her situation.”

In order to land safely, Lewan would need to dodge incoming and outgoing commercial airliners and land at the world’s busiest airport. 




“(I couldn’t) slow the plane down, and being in Hartsfield’s airspace, I knew I was a threat to them as well,” she recounted. 

Braddock is not a pilot, but he kept talking with Lewan as his team continued brainstorming. “You’re wracking your brain – what can I do, what can we come up with to help her out,” he said.

Lewan began praying: “Can I ask you one more favor,” she radios to Braddock. “Would you call my husband for me?"

She also asked him to ask her husband to “put a prayer chain out to my church and ask the whole church to start praying, and everybody else that’s listening…I’m going to be fine cause you’re helping me and the good Lord is helping me, but I always need prayer.”

Braddock’s response was “Not a problem…it’s gonna be fine.”




Clay Sutton was directing the traffic control center during the call. He moved air traffic controller Nicole Suruins to assist Braddock. Meanwhile, Patrick Burrows began coordinating a sea of other air traffic, and Keith Tyus, a certified flight instructor, offered directions for how Lewan should land.

“You’re about five miles west of the airport now,” Tyus said over the radio. “We are going to touchdown and cut power immediately to the airplane once we touchdown. Do you understand that?”

“Affirmative, affirmative,” Lewan radios back.

As Lewan prepared for the landing, Braddock continued to calmly talk her through it.

“You can take more time if you need," he coached from the tower. "Or what we can do is a fly-by, kind of get a look at the airport and the runway. It’s totally up to you.”

After a single-practice run, Lewan felt confident and made a safe landing, which she now credits to everyone but herself.

“What I got was my own SWAT team – the super, wonderful, Atlanta team,” she joked. “Tremendous, tremendous comfort and guidance. I couldn’t have done it anywhere else without being here and with this team.”

The air traffic controllers and aviation officials that were involved in the landing are being honored at an industry event in Las Vegas March 22. The five controllers involved will receive the Archie League Medal of Safety, which is the highest honor from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

Story, video and photo gallery:  http://www.11alive.com

Piper PA-12, N3654M: Accident occurred March 13, 2017 in Anchorage, Alaska

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Anchorage, Alaska

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

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


http://registry.faa.gov/N3654M

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA188
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, March 13, 2017 in Anchorage, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/15/2017
Aircraft: PIPER PA 12, registration: N3654M
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

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 the wheel/ski-equipped airplane reported that, after landing on skis and during the taxi on hard-packed snow, a wind gust pushed the airplane, and the left wing impacted a parked, unoccupied airplane.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift strut.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 360° at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

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 taxi on skis on hard-packed snow in gusting wind conditions.

Piper PA-28-181, CAE Oxford Academy Phoenix Inc., N4403F: Incident occurred March 13, 2017 at Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ), Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona

CAE Oxford Academy Phoenix Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N4403F

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Scottsdale

Aircraft on landing, struck runway light.  

Date: 13-MAR-17
Time: 18:10:00Z
Regis#: N4403F
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA28
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: MESA
State: ARIZONA

Lancair Legacy, N22YY: Incident occurred March 13, 2017 at Chino Airport (KCNO), San Bernardino County, California

http://registry.faa.gov/N22YY

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Riverside, California 

Aircraft on taxi, struck the propeller. 

Date: 13-MAR-17
Time: 23:53:00Z
Regis#: N22YY
Aircraft Make: LANCAIR
Aircraft Model: LEGACY 
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
City: CHINO
State: CALIFORNIA

AirSprint, Embraer 545, C-FLAS: Incident occurred March 12, 2017 at Denver International Airport (KDEN), Colorado

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Denver, Colorado 

Flight ASP820,  aircraft on takeoff struck wingtip.  Damage unknown. 

Date: 12-MAR-17
Time: 21:30:00Z
Regis#: CFLAS
Aircraft Make: EMBRAER 545
Aircraft Model: LEGACY460
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Aircraft Operator: AIR SPRINT AIRLINES
Flight Number: ASP820
City: DENVER
State: COLORADO

Bellanca 17-30A Viking, N1971V: Incident occurred March 12, 2017 in Buhl, Twin Falls County, Idaho

http://registry.faa.gov/N1971V

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Boise, Idaho

Aircraft on landing, gear collapsed. 

Date: 12-MAR-17
Time: 22:30:00Z
Regis#: N1971V
Aircraft Make: BELLANCA
Aircraft Model: 17-30
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: BUHL
State: IDAHO

Endeavor Air, Canadair CRJ-900, N302PQ: Incident occurred March 13, 2017 at Logan International Airport (KBOS), Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

Delta Air Lines Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N302PQ

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Boston, Massachusetts 
 
Flight EDV400,  aircraft on landing, number 2 engine ingested foreign object.  Damage unknown.   


Date: 13-MAR-17

Time: 12:15:00Z
Regis#: N302PQ
Aircraft Make: BOMBARDIER
Aircraft Model: CL600
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Aircraft Operator: PINNACLE AIRLINES
City: BOSTON
State: MASSACHUSETTS

Cessna 172, N734QX: Incident occurred March 12, 2017 in Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County, New York

http://registry.faa.gov/N734QX

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Farmingdale, New York 

Aircraft on landing, went off the runway. 

Date: 12-MAR-17
Time: 17:09:00Z
Regis#: N734QX
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: C172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: RONKONKOMA
State: NEW YORK

Cessna 182, N6330B: Accident occurred March 13, 2017 at Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Oklahoma

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

NTSB Identification: CEN17LA126 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, March 13, 2017 in Skiatook, OK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 07/26/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N6330B
Injuries: 1 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, while taxiing the airplane to the runway for departure, the airplane suddenly veered right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn by applying the left brake; however, the attempt was unsuccessful, and the airplane subsequently exited the taxiway, entered a drainage ditch, and then came to rest upright; the left horizontal stabilizer was bent. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the landing gear brake and nosewheel steering system that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The loss of directional control while taxiing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N6330B

NTSB Identification: CEN17LA126
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, March 13, 2017 in Skiatook, OK
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N6330B
Injuries: 1 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 March 13, 2017, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 182 single-engine airplane, N6330B, impacted terrain following a loss of control while taxiing for departure from the Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Skiatook, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that while he was taxiing the airplane to runway 36 for departure, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn by applying the left brake, however, the attempt was unsuccessful and the airplane entered a drainage ditch. The airplane came to rest upright off the taxiway surface in the drainage ditch.

On March 14, 2017, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and mechanic examined the airplane at the owner's facility. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left horizontal stabilizer was bent. The inspector and mechanic examined the landing gear brake and nose wheel steering systems. No mechanical or failures were noted within the landing gear system that would have precluded normal operation. 

NTSB Identification: CEN17LA126
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, March 13, 2017 in Skiatook, OK
Aircraft: CESSNA 182, registration: N6330B
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

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

On March 13, 2017, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 182 single-engine airplane, N6330B, impacted terrain following a loss of control while taxiing for departure from the Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Skiatook, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that while he was taxiing the airplane for departure to runway 36, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn by applying the left brake, however, the attempt was unsuccessful and the airplane entered a drainage ditch. The airplane came to rest upright off the taxiway surface in the drainage ditch.

Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed the left horizontal stabilizer was bent.

American Airlines, Airbus A321-231, N584UW: Incident occurred March 13, 2017 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW), Texas

American Airlines Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N584UW

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Dallas, Texas

Flight AAL809, aircraft while at gate left wing struck service truck.  No injuries.  
Date: 13-MAR-17
Time: 09:00:00Z
Regis#: N584UW
Aircraft Make: AIRBUS
Aircraft Model: A321
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: STANDING (STD)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: AMERICAN AIRLINES
Flight Number: AAL809
City: DALLAS
State: TEXAS

Cessna 172E Skyhawk, N3096U: Incident occurred March 13, 2017 at Coulter Field Airport (KCFD), Bryan, Brazos County, Texas

http://registry.faa.gov/N3096U

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Houston, Texas  

Aircraft on takeoff struck a coyote. Returned and landed without incident with damaged gear.  

Date: 14-MAR-17
Time: 01:30:00Z
Regis#: N3096U
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: C172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
City: BRYAN
State: TEXAS




BRYAN, TX (KXXV) -  The Federal Aviation Administration said that a plane had a hard landing at Coulter Field in Bryan Monday night.

They said the pilot hit a coyote while taking off. The impact damaged the nose gear and the landing gear.

The FAA said that instead of stopping, the pilot took off and became airborne. He was ordered to circle the airport to burn off fuel before attempting to land.

The plane landed safely after three hours. During landing, the plane was foamed to ensure there would be no fire.

The pilot received a medical evaluation and is okay.

The plane is a privately owned 1963 Cessna 172E fixed wing single engine aircraft. The owner is from Irving, TX.

Source:  http://www.kxxv.com

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle, N717LR: Incident occurred March 14, 2017 at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO), Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas

http://registry.faa.gov/N717LR 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

Aircraft on a rejected takeoff, went off the end of the runway.  


Date: 14-MAR-17

Time: 13:30:00Z
Regis#: N717LR
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: C421
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
City: CONROE
State: TEXAS



CONROE, Texas - A plane went off the runway Tuesday at the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, officials said.

The incident was reported around 8:45 a.m. at the airport in the 10200 block of Carl Pickering Memorial Drive.

No one was injured, officials said.

It was not immediately known why the aircraft went off the runway.

The Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, formerly known as the Lone Star Executive Airport, holds more than 300 aircraft and has 240 hangars, its website says. The airport caters to corporate and business travelers coming into the area from outside the United States.

Story and video:  http://www.click2houston.com






MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- A small plane went off the runway at a Conroe-area airport early Tuesday.

The incident happened at about 8:30 a.m. at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport. No injuries were reported.

Investigators and a cleanup crew are responding to the scene where there is reportedly a fuel leak.

The Cessna 421C is reportedly registered out of The Woodlands.

Source:   http://www.khou.com