Van's RV-6, N6GH: Accident occurred August 30, 2017 at Orange County Airport (KMGJ), Montgomery, New York

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Teterboro, New Jersey

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/N6GH

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Location: Montgomery, NY
Accident Number: GAA17CA576
Date & Time: 08/30/2017, 1330 EDT
Registration: N6GH
Aircraft: HUNTER GEORGE RV 6
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

According to the pilot in the tailwheel equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane, during the takeoff roll on runway 3, there was a slight crosswind and he was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, possibly due to "wind shear." The airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage bulkhead and the vertical stabilizer.

According to the METAR at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3kts, the visibility was greater than 10 statute miles, and there were Few clouds at 3,800ft. The temperature was 72°F and the dew point was 57°F. Wind shear was not reported.

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

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 90, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
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 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/29/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/19/2016
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 3048 hours (Total, all aircraft), 200 hours (Total, this make and model), 3048 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: HUNTER GEORGE
Registration: N6GH
Model/Series: RV 6 UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: AIRLANE III
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/01/2016, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1700 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 200 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91  installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 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: KMGJ, 365 ft msl
Observation Time: 1654 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 199°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3800 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 14°C
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable, Variable
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Montgomery, NY (MGJ)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Montgomery, NY (MGJ)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1330 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: ORANGE COUNTY (MGJ)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 364 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5006 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor

Latitude, Longitude:  41.511944, -74.263611 (est)

MONTGOMERY - A 90-year-old New City man crashed his airplane at the Orange County Airport, suffering non-life threatening injuries, federal and state authorities said Thursday. 

The plane struck runway lighting and flipped over while landing at the airport about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

The crash has been ruled an accident, the FAA said, and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board for a probable cause. Those investigations can take months to a year to complete, though a preliminary report could become available in a couple of weeks, the FAA said.

The FAA identified the plane as a Van's RV-6, a two-seat, single engine plane that is sold as a kit and assembled by the owner.

FAA regulations define the plane as "an amateur-built aircraft," most of which has been fabricated and assembled by a person "solely for their own education or recreation." 

The pilot's name has not been released by the FAA or the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which oversaw the initial investigation with assistance from the New York state Police Troop F in Middletown. Sheriff's Capt. Scott Hamill didn't return telephone calls for comment Thursday morning.

Trooper Steven Nevel said the pilot suffered cuts to his head. He was taken to the Orange Regional Medical Center in Walkill.

The airport moved the disabled aircraft to a nearby hangar for inspection by the FAA, which is part of the overall investigation.

There is no age limit to having a pilot's license, the FAA said in a statement. 

"As long as a pilot can meet the medical requirements for the class of certificate that the pilot holds, he/she can fly," the agency said.

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

MONTGOMERY - A 90-year-old pilot was injured after his plane crashed at the Orange County Airport Wednesday afternoon, according to state police.

The man, from New City, was the only person on the plane, according to state police Spokesman Trooper Steven Nevel.

State police and emergency workers from Mobil Life Support Services were on scene as of about 2:20 p.m.

According to police, the man lost control of the plane on takeoff. The plane pulled left, hit an electronic marker box and flipped over.

The pilot suffered lacerations to the head and was taken to Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill.

The plane was removed from the runway after an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Original article ➤ http://www.recordonline.com

MONTGOMERY – Authorities are investigating the crash of a small airplane at Orange County Airport in Montgomery Wednesday afternoon.

The plane overturned on the side of a runway after it struck a utility box on the edge of the pavement, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Paul Arteta.

The pilot, a 90-year-old New City man, sustained a laceration to his forehead, he said.

The FAA was on the scene following the incident conducting an investigation.

State Police also assisted after the crash.

Original article ➤ http://www.midhudsonnews.com

Airport director talks McCarran’s capacity, goal of efficient passenger experience

Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of aviation, McCarran International Airport, speaks at a panel discussion at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit at Wynn Las Vegas on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017. She is flanked by Mark Thorpe, left, interim CEO Ontario International Airport Authority, and Scott Brockman, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority.

A trio of airport executives addressed issues they’re set to face, ones that could prevent them from spreading their wings and soaring.

Speaking at the International Aviation Forecast Summit at the Wynn Tuesday, Michael Boyd, chief executive officer of Boyd Group International, moderated a chat session featuring McCarran International Airport’s Director of Aviation Rosemary Vassiliadis; Memphis-Shelby County Airport President and CEO Scott Brockman; and Ontario International Airport CEO Mark Thorpe, aired the problems the aviation industry is expected to face in the future.

Vassiliadis was on hand to explain what the biggest issues McCarran faces going forward.

“Besides terrorism? Capacity of the system,” Vassiliadis said. “From the air all the way down to the ground.”

McCarran is the eighth-busiest airport in the country, seeing a record 47.4 million visitors in 2016. The airport is on pace to break that count this year, as made evident by the all-time single-month record of 4.3 million visitors last month. The visitor count is 2.4 percent ahead of last year’s record pace.

Getting ahead of possible problems, the construction of Terminal 3 at McCarran in 2012 has enabled it to stave off overcapacity for the next several years.

Aside from Terminal 3, the addition of a new roadway system and ramp are among other small upgrades that help McCarran run smoother.

Despite doing all they can to stay ahead of capacity, Vassiliadis said problems at other U.S. airports affect McCarran's daily workings as well.

“If there are timing issues at another airport, it affects us,” she said. “We could meet capacity here at McCarran, but if the decline is in LaGuardia, if the decline is in LAX, it impacts our system and the entire day could be off.

“Airports have been very strong on the needs that we all have to have and even though I may have capacity now, I have to worry about the entire system.”

With airports relying on ways to get in and out of the airport area quickly and smoothly, especially in Las Vegas where travelers want to land and get to their hotel as quickly as possible, having adequate travel modes is vital.

With McCarran having limited ways that travelers can go to and from the airport, additional modes have been studied.

From light rail to a monorail extension to elevated expressways, various options have been brought up as alternatives.

“We have a discretionary passenger — we’re a destination airport … they want to come to Las Vegas,” Vassiliadis said. If they are stuck at a light for several turns (after landing and heading to their hotel), and they can see their hotel, they don’t know that (the travel could take that long).

“All they know is they took off from, say, Chicago at 2 p.m. and don’t get to their hotel until 8 p.m. and that is all a part of the experience.”

Beyond travel efficiencies, there are challenges to fund airport projects regarding passenger facility charges (PFC).

PFCs are fees added to airline tickets that raise money used to upgrade an airport that collects them, such as projects to increase traffic flow in and out of the airport.

The maximum PFC McCarran can charge is $4.50 per ticket. McCarran generated $85.6 million in PFCs in fiscal year 2016.

Airlines oppose PFCs because any added fee to a plane ticket can deter a passenger from flying. Despite that, the funds help pay for needed projects that end up benefiting the airport and air carriers.

One such project is the airport connector tunnel project that was completed in 1994, which was built using PFCs and not local tax dollars.

Despite the project creating an easier commute to and from the airport, it was initially contested by airlines because of the use of PFCs.

Now with the tunnel being a vital part of travel here, airline executives praise it.

“A Southwest executive says in his speech, thanks goodness we did that,” she said. “Because that gives us that additional capacity of going in and out of the airport. We had one way going in and out of the airport before then.”

Original article can be found here ➤ https://m.lasvegassun.com

New drone flight-school designed to boost local businesses

State College, Centre County, Pa. - Drones are the future of flight school and class at South Hills School of Business and Technology in State College is in session.

Jeff Stachowski, Outreach Coordinator for the South Hills School, said drones are transforming from toys into a key tool for businesses.

For the first time, the school is offering a pilot certification class for drones.

The program is designed for anyone who wants to use the device for business.

"Drones are being used for surveys, mapping, for civil engineering types of work," Stachowski said.

A set of six classes are available in September and October and will take place during evenings and weekends .

The instructor, Chuck Ferrell, said it's a hands-on course to learn the essentials of flying.

"Learn to fly, get your license and when you go out don't be a drone cowboy flying past people's windows," Ferrell said.

Ferrell added that  with speeds up to 80 mph and hundreds of feet in the air, businesses may not realize the opportunities that come with drones.

"The 'a-ha!' moment is really coming to business that have gone 'ah-ha' we should use a drone, but they don't know how to use it yet," Ferrell said.

The course is $495.

 Students will learn flying techniques and the rules set by the Federal Aviation Administration to be part of the National Airbase System.

"You have to take into consideration, what airports are nearby, what helipads are nearby," Ferrell said.

After 18 total hours of class students should know what it takes to earn certification for commercial drone use.

And Ferrel said he's excited to share the air with fellow flyers.

"To teach people to fly legally, responsibly, and ethically," Ferrell said.

For more information on the course and enrollment, email Jeff Stachowski at jstachowski@southhills.edu

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

Petition calls for airport board shake-up: Bridgeport Municipal Airport (KXBP), Wise County, Texas

A petition has been filed with the city of Bridgeport requesting the removal of Airport Board President Gaylon Rice and board member Butch Baker.

The petition, obtained by the Messenger through an open records request, alleges Rice and Baker are in violation of six rules or restrictions of the board, including “conflict of interest,” “questionable ethics,” “term lengths,” “decisions that are not in the best interest of the airport,” “favoritism of certain people” and “non FAA approved operations.”

Eighteen signatures are on the petition, but four individuals wrote notes indicating their signatures pertain to “Gaylon only.”

Dean Love, who filed the petition, did not return a call for comment by press time Tuesday.

Rice offered no comment when contacted by the Messenger Tuesday. Baker did not return a call for comment.

City Manager Jesica McEachern said Tuesday the city council was aware of the petition but added the document holds no legal merit. The council has the authority to appoint and remove members of the board, she said, and the petition will likely be considered by the council at a future meeting.

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

Air and ground attacks help limit Dunsmuir Fire to 49 acres

Aviation resources and ground crews, including hot shot crews, helped limit the Bradley Fire in Dunsmuir to 49 acres Tuesday on a hillside west of town.

A hand line and hose line were established around it, and hot shot crews from Trinity and Feather River staffed it throughout Tuesday night, according to incident commander trainee Drew Graham of the US Forest Service in Mount Shasta.

The plan for Wednesday, Graham said, is to “hold what we have” while “mopping up the perimeter and securing it so it will withstand any winds.”

Three helicopters are available Wednesday, if needed in Dunsmuir or elsewhere in the area, Graham said. He said 275 personnel were returning to the Bradley Fire.

Smoke will continue to be visible for a while, and there may be pockets of fire inside the perimeter, “but we’ll have people on it all the time,” Graham said.

The fire that was first reported about 10 p.m. Monday started about two-tenths of a mile behind the Little League field in Dunsmuir and spread quickly uphill on steep terrain during a warm night with low relative humidity.

As many as four air tankers and four helicopters were used throughout the day Tuesday to drop retardant and water on the fire while ground crews created a line around it.

Graham, who is working with incident commander Todd Mack, said they are continuing to mitigate safety concerns because of snags and rolling rocks.

It was clarified Wednesday morning that there were no mandatory evacuations in Dunsmuir because of the fire. But the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office did issue evacuation warnings for residents along Simpson, Scarlett, Haven, and Goodsell roads Monday night.

Although the fire was reported to be only 25 percent contained, Graham said the fire’s growth had been stopped, but there was still the potential for fire to get outside the perimeter.

If that were to happen, he said they are confident the resources are in place to quickly deal with it.

Resources involved have included Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Dunsmuir-Castella Fire Department, Mt. Shasta Fire Department, and Yreka Fire Department, along with hot shot crews from outside the area.

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

Why not build an airport at sea? Long Beach bosses once wondered this

Yes, there were plenty of complaints about airport noise 50 years ago. It’s not a new thing. Noise, air pollution, the all-around ever-present danger of jets falling from the sky. All those headaches made Long Beach look toward the sea as the solution to the problems in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Why not build an airport at sea, wondered the city bosses.

Well, it would be quite a ways out at sea, for one things. You haven’t heard loud until you’ve disturbed the slumber of residents on the coast. It’s one thing to put up with bellyaching of Bixby Knolls and Los Altos. It’s quite another when the homeowners in Naples, the Peninsula and Belmont Shore get into the fray. And that’s fair. Unlike the others, they didn’t move next to an airport.

So the initial plans for an offshore airport called for it to be at least seven miles out, well past the breakwater.

The cost would be enormous. Just building a seven- or eight-mile road from town to the airport would be plenty, and then there would be the airport itself.

Still, dreamers dreamt, and as cities grew out to engulf airports that were once out in the sticks, airport designers looked for land at sea.

In 1971, the Federal Aviation Administration commissioned a report on the feasibility of building an offshore airport. Ralph M. Parson Co., which completed the study, said it could be done if planned properly and managed to not get rammed by, say, a big ship.

A study of the Long Beach offshore airport in particular, made by Quinton Engineers Ltd., again showed that the airport would be “technically feasible.”

The Parsons engineers explored four offshore airport ideas from the one you’ve already thought of, which is just pouring dirt in the water until you have an island, to floating airports, in which floatable blocks of concrete or steel would be hauled out to the site where they would be assembled and anchored. The latter method would be the best, reported the report, although it had such drawbacks as “the entire structure may break up and/or sink.”

So, we’re talking somewhere between $7 billion and $13 billion, and this was back in 1971 when you could buy a lot for a billion dollars. It’s the equivalent of $42 billion to $79 billion in today’s dollars.

The cost could be mitigated in a few ways, including have passengers do all their check-in and other matters on land before driving out to the airport and, perhaps, there could be oil-drilling from the airport to bring in some dollars. But, as John Mansell, who was city manager in 1971, noted, “There’s not enough oil all over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to pay for it.”

That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. Paul Deats, a city councilman and chairman of the council’s legislative committee, noted, “That represents every drop of oil that has been taken out of Signal Hill, and that’s a lot of money.” He added: “I don’t think it would do this city one bit of good.”

Mansell put the final kibash on the plan, saying that the city had no intention of developing the airport at sea and, at any rate, had never contemplated anything like the “gigantic proportions” of the proposed field.

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

Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) staffing shake-ups part of bold vision

WATSONVILLE >> The only public airport in Santa Cruz County is slated for a staffing shake-up that includes the creation of a new director position — part of a suite of changes that come as part of a city leaders’ vision to develop the aviation asset into a major economic driver.

At its Aug. 29 meeting, the Watsonville City Council approved the creation of the position of Airport Director to oversee the Watsonville Municipal Airport. The director will manage all airport staff and report directly to the city manager.

Also upcoming for the airport: A new runway lighting system to update the current approach indicators that have been in place since 1976. In the works for the past five years, the council Tuesday accepted a $222,000 federal grant to fund the lighting and accepted a bid for the installation from Royal Electric Company.

Owned by the city, the Watsonville Municipal Airport is the only public airport in Santa Cruz County. It serves about 40 percent of the aviation needs in the Monterey Bay Area, according to data provided on its website. The airport houses more than 300 planes, and its primary business use is for agriculture, according to the site.

The past year has have brought a number of changes to the airport as part of Watsonville City Manager Charles Montoya’s vision of developing the airport — which in recent years has struggled with debt — into one of the city’s major economic drivers.

In December of 2016, the council voted to reclassify the airport from a division of the department of public works to its own department. Tuesday’s staff changes come as part of that restructuring, according to a staff briefing.

In May, the council signed off on a development project to transform one of the airport’s hangars into an aviation-themed destination with a craft brewery, restaurants and outdoor seating.

But not everyone is pleased by the airport’s new flight plan. Knowlton Construction was served an eviction notice in the fall after 50 years of leasing airport property, according to owner Bill Knowlton.

And Granite Construction — one of the largest companies based in Santa Cruz County — announced plans to leave the airport earlier in August after nearly 100 years of use. It now plans to house its aviation operations out of Monterey Regional Airport, according to spokeswoman Jacque Fourchy.

“Our decision to exit the Watsonville airport was not easy given our nearly 100-year history with the airport but is in the best interest of the Company,” Fourchy said in a statement. She did not respond to a request to clarify Granite’s reason for the departure.

The public is invited to explore the airport Saturday at Wings Over Watsonville, an admission-free event featuring free flights for children ages 8 to 17 as well as introductory aircraft and helicopter rides, food, and an opportunity for pilots to showcase their own aircraft.

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

Greater Rochester International Airport (KROC) receives Federal Aviation Administration grant

The Greater Rochester International Airport has received a $1.2 million grant for improvements.

The Federal Aviation Administration grant will be used to rehabilitate an apron, enhance security, improve the drainage of storm water runoff and install apron flood lighting and fencing.

“The Rochester airport supports more than 10,000 jobs and adds more than $800 million to our local economy. It is vital that it remains a safe and reliable hub for the businesses and travelers that rely on it every day,” said Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Perinton, in a statement. “I’m proud to announce this major award to fund airport improvements that will help get goods and people where they need to go safely and efficiently.”

In July the airport received a $1.1 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation to reconstruct an existing deicing pad. Last year, the airport received a $1.9 million grant to build an 11,700-square-foot deicing containment facility.

Work continues on the airport’s $60 million renovation to transform it into a state-of-the-art transportation center. The project broke ground in April.

Original article can be found here ➤ http://rbj.net

Educators: Cooperation, collaboration key to filling South Carolina aerospace jobs

Lockheed Martin pilot instructor Chad Luntz (right) shows Royal D'Cunha, a research engineer with the University of South Carolina's McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research, how to operate a T-50A flight simulator on display Wednesday at the S.C. Aerospace Conference and Expo in Columbia. 

COLUMBIA — With aerospace engineering courses under way in six South Carolina high schools this year, education experts at the South Carolina Aerospace Conference and Expo on Wednesday called for more collaboration with the industry to help prepare students for careers in the fast-growing field.

That includes mentoring teachers, letting educators know what specific skills the industry needs and having workers who are willing to visit classrooms to give first-hand accounts of the types of jobs that are available.

"It's one thing to hear about it, it's another thing to see the person who does the work every day," said Darrell Johnson, superintendent of Greenwood School District No. 5, where Emerald High is among the schools taking part in the new aerospace curriculum. "Students need to see real world opportunities."

The high school program is designed to appeal to students who are curious about the design and flight of aircraft and spacecraft vehicles. The curriculum, designed by the Southern Regional Education Board, consists of four courses: fundamentals of aerospace technology; advanced aerospace technology; aeronautics engineering application; and astronautics engineering applications.

Each school will receive $50,000 from the state Department of Education to cover startup costs.

Students taking the courses will be better prepared for training at the state's technical colleges for certificates in advanced manufacturing careers with companies like Lockheed Martin, which is moving production of its F-16 fighter jet to the S.C. Technology and Aviation Center in Greenville from Texas this year, and Boeing Co., which makes its 787 Dreamliner commercial airplanes in North Charleston.

Molly Spearman, the state's superintendent of education, said the program is already generating interest among students and other schools that want to participate. Spearman said she recently visited R.B. Stall High School in North Charleston, where the curriculum is being taught, and "was surprised to walk into a classroom where the students were on a simulator learning how to fly a plane."

"Their interest has been sparked, and we need to now supply a pathway for them all the way from elementary to high school so they can walk right into the technical training they need to be successful," she said.

For the curriculum to succeed, however, Spearman and others said they need the industry's feedback.

"We don't know it all," Spearman told industry leaders. "If we're going to get every child in the state ready, we need help. You have an open invitation to come into our schools."

Marty Conner Sr., associate superintendent of Orangeburg County Consolidated District No. 3, said interaction with industry leaders is important both for students and teachers.

"To have industry come in and provide mentorships to teachers who don't know what the industry needs — that is critical," Conner said, adding that industry also must help provide resources for classrooms.

"We have textbooks, but not equipment," he said.

South Carolina's aerospace industry employs about 55,000 people at an average wage of about $70,000 per year and has an annual economic impact of $19 billion. Steve Townes — who helped push for the high school curriculum as head of industry group SC Aerospace — told the conference that he expects the state's aerospace businesses will employ 200,000 people and top $35 billion in economic impact by 2027.

"We're the fastest-growing state in aerospace," said Townes, who is CEO of Greenville-based Ranger Aerospace.

Townes said the six high schools teaching aerospace courses is a good start, but not enough. He envisions 16 high schools with programs linked to each of the state's 16 technical colleges, with a coordinated curriculum between the two levels. He points to a new aeronautical training center at Trident Technical College as a "world class" example of the type of programs needed to fill the industry's employment pipeline.

Lockheed Martin is among the aerospace companies investing in technical college training. Don Erickson, site director for the defense contractor, said the company has been providing scholarship funds to Greenville Technical College since 2007 for the school's aviation maintenance and training facility.

"They're going to come in with high-paying entry-level jobs, working on something like an F-16 ... just doing cool stuff in aviation," Erickson said of students in the college's program.

Townes said the industry and educators need to do a better job of letting young people know about the opportunities in aerospace jobs throughout South Carolina.

"There is a huge premium in salary, benefits and future opportunities if you learn to work on or around airplanes," he said. "It's a cool industry. It's high tech."

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

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk.I, N6LU, My Holdings Inc: Incident occurred August 25, 2017 - East Butterfly Lake, Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aircraft declared an emergency due to damage to #5 cylinder.

My Holdings Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N6LU

Date: 25-AUG-17
Time: 19:00:00Z
Regis#: N6LU
Aircraft Make: DEHAVILLAND
Aircraft Model: DHC-2 MK.1 BEAVER
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: EMERGENCY DESCENT (EMG)
Operation: 135
Aircraft Operator: TRAIL RIDGE AIR
Flight Number: UKN
City: EAST BUTTERFLY LAKE
State: ALASKA

Star Marianas Air, Piper PA-31-350, N4078J: Accident occurred August 30, 2017 at Saipan International Airport, Saipan Island, Mariana Islands

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Honolulu, Hawaii

Aviation Accident Final 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/N4078J

Location: Saipan, MP
Accident Number: GAA17CA570
Date & Time: 08/30/2017, 1808 LCL
Registration: N4078J
Aircraft: PIPER PA 31
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 7 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Scheduled 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, about 150 ft above the ground, while the landing gear were being retracted, the airplane impacted a flock of medium-sized birds. He noted that the landing gear unlock indicator remained illuminated and that the landing gear handle would not return to the up neutral position. No degradation of performance was noted, so the pilot chose to continue to his destination.

About 20 miles from the airport, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear but was unsuccessful. He contacted maintenance personnel on the ground and advised them of the landing gear issue. The ground maintenance personnel visually verified that the nose and right main landing gear (MLG) were down. The pilot performed the emergency gear extension checklist and noted little to no resistance on the hand pump. The pilot made multiple attempts to lower the landing gear without success. During the landing, the right MLG collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

Postaccident examination revealed snarge on both horizonal stabilizers, the left wing, and the fuselage and that the right inboard MLG door actuator hose had failed. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Impact with multiple birds while retracting the landing gear, which resulted in the subsequent failure of the right inboard main landing gear door actuator hose and prevented the pilot from being able to extend the landing gear. 

Findings

Aircraft
Hydraulic, main system - Failure (Cause)

Environmental issues
Animal(s)/bird(s) - Effect on equipment (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Birdstrike (Defining event)

Approach-IFR final approach
Attempted remediation/recovery

Landing
Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
Landing gear collapse

The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 150 feet above the ground, while the landing gear was being retracted, the airplane impacted a flock of medium sized birds. He noted that the landing gear unlock indicator remained illuminated and the landing gear handle would not return to the up neutral position. No degradation of performance was noted, so the pilot choose to continue to his destination.

About 20 miles from the airport, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear, but was unsuccessful. He contacted maintenance personnel on the ground and advised them of the landing gear issue. The ground maintenance personnel visually verified that the nose and right main landing gear were down. The pilot performed the emergency gear extension checklist and noted little to no resistance on the hand pump. After multiple attempts to lower the landing gear, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Support was requested. Soon after, the pilot received clearance to land.

During the landing the right main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

A postaccident examination revealed snarge on both horizonal stabilizers, left wing, and fuselage. It was noted that the right inboard main landing gear door actuator hose had failed. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 43, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/18/2017
Flight Time:   5847 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2005 hours (Total, this make and model), 5714 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 186 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 128 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N4078J
Model/Series: PA 31 350
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 31-8152057
Landing Gear Type:  Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 10
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/02/2017, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 7368 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  9341.1 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:  C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: TIO-540-J2BD
Registered Owner:  Marianas Transportation Management Solutions Inc
Rated Power: 350 hp
Operator: Star Marianas Air, Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commuter Air Carrier (135); On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PGSF, 10 ft msl
Observation Time: 0754 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 97°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4400 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 24°C
Lowest Ceiling:  Broken / 11000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots, 200°
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 29.79 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ROTA ISLAND, MP (GRO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Saipan, MP (GSN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1645 LCL
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: FRANCISCO C ADA/SAIPAN INTL (GSN)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 215 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7001 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 5 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 7 None
Latitude, Longitude:  15.117778, 145.726111 (est) Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Honolulu, Hawaii 

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/N4078J

Location: Saipan, MP
Accident Number: GAA17CA570
Date & Time: 08/30/2017, 1808 LCL
Registration: N4078J
Aircraft: PIPER PA 31
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 7 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Scheduled 

The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 150 feet above the ground, while the landing gear was being retracted, the airplane impacted a flock of medium sized birds. He noted that the landing gear unlock indicator remained illuminated and the landing gear handle would not return to the up neutral position. No degradation of performance was noted, so the pilot choose to continue to his destination.

About 20 miles from the airport, the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear, but was unsuccessful. He contacted maintenance personnel on the ground and advised them of the landing gear issue. The ground maintenance personnel visually verified that the nose and right main landing gear were down. The pilot performed the emergency gear extension checklist and noted little to no resistance on the hand pump. After multiple attempts to lower the landing gear, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Support was requested. Soon after, the pilot received clearance to land.

During the landing the right main landing gear collapsed and the left wing impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

A postaccident examination revealed snarge on both horizonal stabilizers, left wing, and fuselage. It was noted that the right inboard main landing gear door actuator hose had failed. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 43, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/13/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/18/2017
Flight Time:   5847 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2005 hours (Total, this make and model), 5714 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 186 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 128 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N4078J
Model/Series: PA 31 350
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 31-8152057
Landing Gear Type:  Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 10
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/02/2017, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 7368 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  9341.1 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT:  C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: TIO-540-J2BD
Registered Owner:  Marianas Transportation Management Solutions Inc
Rated Power: 350 hp
Operator: Star Marianas Air, Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commuter Air Carrier (135); On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PGSF, 10 ft msl
Observation Time: 0754 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 97°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4400 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 24°C
Lowest Ceiling:  Broken / 11000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots, 200°
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 29.79 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ROTA ISLAND, MP (GRO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Saipan, MP (GSN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1645 LCL
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: FRANCISCO C ADA/SAIPAN INTL (GSN)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 215 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7001 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing:  Full Stop; Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 5 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 7 None
Latitude, Longitude:  15.117778, 145.726111 (est)

A Star Marianas aircraft made a successful emergency landing on runway 24 at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on Wednesday. The plane was cleared off the runway on Friday afternoon.

Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Chris Tenorio said they are still working on a report on the cause of the emergency landing and will issue their findings as soon as the report is complete. CPA is glad that no one was hurt, he added.

The aircraft, a Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain, had five passengers and two crewmembers onboard when it made an emergency landing at the Saipan airport due to malfunctioning landing gear.

The aircraft departed from Rota airport on a scheduled flight at 4:45 p.m., Wednesday.

In a press statement, Star Marianas said there were no injuries to any of the people on board and that the passengers commended the pilot, Jun Shimada, for doing an exceptional job of landing the plane smoothly.

Shimada reported experiencing multiple bird strikes just after he departed Rota and was retracting the aircraft’s landing gear.

According to the pilot, the gear indicator light did not confirm that the gear had actually retracted and he also noted a decrease in his normal cruising airspeed.

As he was approaching Tinian, Shimada said the hydraulic pressure was insufficient when he attempted to extend the landing gear.

Shimada said he contacted the Star Marianas maintenance facility on Tinian and described his situation. The pilot then made several low passes that allowed the maintenance personnel to confirm that only the right gear was extended and that only partially.

After several attempts to lower the gear, he made the decision to continue the flight to Saipan and land on runway 24.

“The plane continued to fly for an additional 45 minutes to reduce its landing weight by using most of the fuel prior to landing. This also gave time for Saipan’s Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel to prepare for the emergency.

“Upon landing, the aircraft’s right wheel was extended but the left main and nose wheels remained in the up position. This caused the aircraft’s left wing to contact the ground as the aircraft slowed to a stop, sliding onto the grass just past the Delta taxiway.”

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