Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Another View: Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control system worth keeping

Doug Winston


By Doug Winston

Douglas S. Winston is a retired petroleum engineer and has been an instrument rated commercial pilot for 33 years. He has a perfect safety record thanks to Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers who, he says, "have saved my bacon on more than one occasion."


Michael Turnipseed's Viewpoints column blaming the FAA and the air traffic control system for airline delays is simply wrong ("Let’s bring air traffic control system into 21st century,” Sept. 25). He is using talking points taken directly from the airlines themselves, which are trying to gain control of the air traffic control system using a private non-profit business concept to their advantage and the detriment of general aviation and rural America.

This would be like having the largest trucking companies control the national highway system. Do you think automobile drivers would benefit from that?

As for his comment that other countries are far ahead, also wrong.

The U.S. air traffic control system is a model for the world. It is the largest, most modern, safest system. Most airline delays occur primarily due to weather and the airlines themselves. Specifically, airline scheduling practices and lack of airport capacity. I challenge Turnipseed to fly with me into Los Angeles airspace and experience firsthand how the ATC system works. He will quickly see that big city airports are forced to capacity. You can’t make things go any faster than they already are at these locations because you simply can’t safely make aircraft fly closer together at these locations.

How many times have you been forced to wait on the tarmac because there’s a plane at your gate? Turnipseed mentions old fashioned 1940s radar. Well, today's radar is not your grandad’s radar. We’ve had altitude encoding for decades now, so aircraft are seen in three dimensions as well as their identity, type, ground speed and direction of flight. Conflicts due to converging aircraft sound alarms to prevent mid-air collisions.

Turnipseed also mentions superior ATC in other countries that don’t use radar. The problem is there are none. Radar is used in Europe, Asia and every other developed country. We also have ground radar at busy airports like LAX. Turnipseed does not mention that in addition to horrendous fuel taxes in Europe, they also charge fees for services (landing, flight service, ATC and many more) which creates a humongous bureaucracy and the reason general aviation in Europe is tiny and horribly expensive when compared to the U.S.

ATC is only one division of many in the FAA which is a part of the Department of Transportation. Some hard numbers straight from the FAA:

• Some 5,000 aircraft in the sky at any given time.

• 43,864 flights per day were handled by FAA in 2016; that's over 16 million flights for the year.

• 39.9 billion pounds of freight were flown in 2016

• Aviation contributes 5.1 percent to the U. S. GDP; aviation jobs create over $446 Billion in annual earnings.

In other words, ATC makes us one heck of a lot of money and operates many moving parts that keep us safe in the air. ATC can be and is funded by jet fuel and avgas taxes. Congress needs to remove it from the federal sequestration requirements and let it stand on its own, giving ATC a stable funding source.

There is innovation and modern technology on a huge scale here as well. By January 2020, a major part of NextGen will be fully implemented, removing radar as the primary aircraft location and separation technology. It eliminates radar blind spots (mountains, etc.), updates many times per second instead of every sweep of a radar beam and is more accurate.

My own little Cessna will have this technology installed by then to fly in complex airspace. I choose to wait until the last minute to do so because it's going to cost me $3,000 to $4,000. Those paper strips that are used by ATC are preferred by the controllers; that's the reason they are still used. Not because better technology doesn’t exist.

Don’t get me wrong: I am a small government advocate and the FAA is far from perfect, but the FAA is improving its practices and NextGen is awesome. With all due respect, Turnipseed is creating a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist because he doesn’t know the facts and has never experienced the system.

Throwing out one of the most successful government systems would cost tens of billions more and create another too big to fail private entity. Ever hear of Amtrak and the USPS? If you are happy with those government non-profits (and I use that term because they do nothing but lose the taxpayer’s money), then you’ll love privatized air traffic control.

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


Michael Turnipseed


Let’s bring our air traffic control system into the 21st century

BY MICHAEL TURNIPSEED

Michael Turnipseed is executive director of KernTax.

America pioneered aviation. Since the Wright Brothers first flew at Kitty Hawk, we have led the world in air travel. But, like most great American innovations, the passing decades have added bureaucratic morass and unnecessary costs that stifle productivity, burden the taxpayers and threaten our leadership in the world.

So it’s time to shake off the rust and modernize our country’s aviation system. Fortunately, Congress has the power to act now, but it needs to act quickly to turn things around.

The current system under the Federal Aviation Administration isn’t working.

Representing taxpayers here in Kern County, we should be concerned that despite spending billions of taxpayer dollars to try modernizing our country’s air traffic control system over the last 30 years, the system still depends on 1940s-era radar technology, while other countries are springing ahead with better systems at a fraction of the cost.

It gets worse: After billions in taxpayer spending, our air traffic controllers are still managing the movement of planes by manually passing paper strips from controller to controller.

We believe it is important to ensure every taxpayer in Kern County knows there is legislation that our congressional members can vote to support that will save taxpayer dollars and reduce the continual air travel delays.

Government agencies, watchdog groups and aviation experts have documented for years the FAA’s chronic inability to improve its air traffic systems. But it’s not for lack of spending. In 2009, the FAA unveiled its behemoth modernization campaign called “NextGen,” which proposes ongoing spending projects through the year 2025. So far, these “NextGen” projects have cost well more than $7 billion, without realizing any benefits for taxpayers or travelers.

Many of us have experienced the frustration when we drive down to Burbank or LAX: You arrive at the airport on time for your flight only to realize it’s been delayed again, and again, and again. And all the while, who takes responsibility for the delays? In fact, LAX has the fourth highest rate in the nation of total arrival delay minutes that is attributed to air traffic. The highest rate is at SFO — San Francisco International.

After spending $7 billion in taxpayers’ money, there is still zero accountability. Today, “NextGen” is widely regarded as simply a marketing ploy to keep Congress funding its failing projects. In fact, the inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation recently warned that if the FAA implements the full menu of its proposed “NextGen” projects, it will cost taxpayers as much $120 billion, and it will take an additional decade to complete. And by then, the technology will be obsolete. Our country is not on a forward-moving track when it comes to aviation upgrades.

The problem is a broken governance and financing structure that has changed little since the FAA was created in 1958. The agency is expected to operate as an agile high-tech service provider when in reality it is a lumbering government bureaucracy of nearly 50,000 employees. But the FAA’s difficulties should not be a surprise. When “NextGen” was launched nearly a decade ago, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report finding “the FAA faces cultural and organizational challenges in implementing NextGen capabilities.”

That is why I am urging our representatives in Congress to pass the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act, or AIRR Act, which would cut the red tape in Washington and use commonsense management principles to put American jobs, American innovation and the traveling public first again.

The AIRR Act would establish a federally chartered, fully independent nonprofit organization to operate and modernize our nation’s air traffic control services. Rather than rely on a massive government bureaucracy, the AIRR Act’s nonprofit would be set up as a business with a CEO who is accountable to a board of directors chosen by aviation experts and users. They would have access to capital markets, the freedom to invest in a modern air traffic control system, and authority to make decisions based on realities in the market instead of dysfunctional political interests.

Importantly, the FAA would still have total authority to regulate air traffic for safety — it just wouldn't be in charge of making improvements or, in the FAA’s case, spending billions of taxpayers’ money.

These changes would get aviation improvements back on track, and save taxpayers billions while ensuring a safe, efficient and modern air traffic system for America’s future.

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

Justice companies sued in New York over helicopter loan

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A lawsuit has been filed against Gov. James C. Justice II and his companies over a defaulted helicopter loan.

Citizens Asset Finance Inc. filed the lawsuit against Justice Aviation,  Justice and James C. Justice Companies Inc. on Sept. 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Citizens and the defendants entered into a loan and aircraft security agreement on Dec. 30, 2009, for an Agusta SpA model A109S helicopter.

The defendants executed a promissory note in the original sum of $6.6 million, according to the suit. As of Jan. 4, the defendants there was $4,283,631.73 left on the loan.

Despite repeated demands for payment, the defendants have failed to pay Citizens the amounts due under the loan documents, according to the suit.

Citizens claims the defendants have not made a payment on the rotorcraft since April and the lender wants to take back the helicopter.

The defendants are in breach of the guaranty and have caused Citizens damages, according to the suit.

Citizens is seeking damages and the foreclosure sale of the aircraft. It is being represented by Daniel C. Green, Douglas J. Lipke and William W. Thorsness of Vedder Price.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York case number: 1:17-cv-07115

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

Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri: Local pilots aid in hurricane relief

Relief supplies from Kennett were delivered by three planes, a 2001 Cessna Stationair flown by Marc Hoskins (right), a 1968 Beech Bonanza flown by Larry Ray (left) and a 1966 Piper Cherokee Six flown by Josh Ray.



Three Kennett-based pilots are assisting hurricane relief efforts in Florida. Larry Ray, Marc Hoskins and Josh Ray loaded their planes with donated supplies ranging from food, cleaning supplies and dog food to deliver to central Florida and the Florida Keys. Larry and Josh Ray dropped some supplies off at a staging area in Ocala, Florida on Wednesday. Larry then delivered others to Marathon, Florida. Hoskins, who recently participated in the Cajun Airlift from Louisiana to Texas following Hurricane Harvey, will make a delivery to Florida later this week. 

Rear seats were removed from each plane to allow the pilots to carry more, although each plane had various weight restrictions.

All of the items that were delivered were either donated or purchased by the three volunteer pilots who are coordinating their efforts with Aero Bridge, a national relief group that uses volunteer pilots to deliver supplies to hard-to-reach places.

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

Van's RV-8, N184SJ: Accident occurred September 26, 2017 at Orange Municipal Airport (KORE), Franklin County, Massachusetts

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

Location: Orange, MA
Accident Number: GAA17CA557
Date & Time: 09/26/2017, 1250 EDT
Registration: N184SJ
Aircraft: BELLET JAMES J VANS RV 8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported that, during a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that, during the climb, he noticed the engine cylinder heat temperature gauge exceed 500°F. The pilot added that he immediately turned back to the departure airport, and while in the downwind for the landing runway, the engine lost power. The pilot further added that the airplane immediately lost altitude and cleared a tree line in the path to the runway but then impacted terrain hard in a base-to-final flightpath near the runway threshold. He added that, when he exited the airplane, he observed an engine cowl plug installed on the right side of the engine cowl and removed it.

The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The FAA inspector reported that he traveled to the accident, and while on-site, he observed the left cowl plug melted onto the engine cylinders. He added that the right cowl plug was found on the ground near the airplane.

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

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

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: 
The pilot's failure to remove the engine cowl plugs during preflight, which resulted in excessive engine cylinder head temperatures during climb and a total loss of engine power.

Findings

Aircraft
Engine cowling system - Inadequate inspection (Cause)
Descent/approach/glide path - Attain/maintain not possible
Engine (reciprocating) - Failure

Personnel issues
Lack of action - Pilot (Cause)
Preflight inspection - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight
Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Approach-VFR pattern downwind
Loss of engine power (total)

Landing
Loss of control in flight
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 69, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/03/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: BELLET JAMES J
Registration: N184SJ
Model/Series: VANS RV 8 UNDESIGNAT
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 81645
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: IO-360
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dawn
Observation Facility, Elevation: KORE, 555 ft msl
Observation Time: 1652 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 19°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Orange, MA (ORE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination:
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 1240 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: ORANGE MUNI (ORE)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 555 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 32
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4801 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing; Full Stop 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 42.570000, -72.288611 (est)

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Bradley, Connecticut

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
  
http://registry.faa.gov/N184SJ

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA557
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, September 26, 2017 in Orange, MA
Aircraft: BELLET JAMES J VANS RV 8, registration: N184SJ
Injuries: 2 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector reported that, during a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that during the climb he noticed the engine cylinder heat temperature gauge exceed 500° F. The pilot added that, he immediately turned back to the departure airport, and while in the downwind for the landing runway, the engine lost power. The pilot further added that, the airplane immediately lost altitude, cleared a tree line in the path to the runway, but impacted the terrain hard in a base to final flight path near the runway threshold. He added that when he exited the airplane, he observed an engine cowl plug installed on the right side of the engine cowl and removed it.

The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. 

The FAA inspector reported that he traveled to the accident, and while on-site, he observed the left cowl plug melted onto the engine cylinders. He added that the right cowl plug was found on the ground near the airplane. 

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

The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. 




ORANGE (CBS) — A small plane crashed during landing at the Orange Municipal Airport Tuesday afternoon, leaving two people injured.

The two-seat aircraft appears to have skidded across a field and a runway before coming to a stop around 12:17 p.m.

The Orange Fire Department said two people were taken to an area hospital. The extent of their injuries was not yet known.

“A Van's RV-8 aircraft went into the grass after its nose gear collapsed as it landed on Runway 1/19 at Orange Municipal Airport,” the FAA said in a statement.

The plane is currently on its belly off to the side of the runway, with debris scattered nearby.

Orange Fire said fuel was spilled on the runway as a result of the crash.

According to FAA.gov, the plane is registered to a man from Klamath Falls, Oregon.

The FAA said they will investigate the crash.

Story and video ➤ http://boston.cbslocal.com


Sky Ranger footage shows emergency crews and investigators at the scene of a plane's hard landing at Orange Municipal Airport. 

Watch video ➤ http://www.necn.com




ORANGE, Mass. —  A small plane skidded across a runway after its nose gear collapsed as it landed in Orange on Tuesday afternoon.

Police confirmed they were responding to the incident and said there were no injuries or fire.

When Sky5 arrived overhead, it saw the damaged plane in the grass, at the end of skid marks that stretched across the runway.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Van's RV-8 aircraft was landing around 12:50 p.m. when the nose gear collapsed and it slid into the grass. 

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

Former Klamath County Commissioner Jim Bellet and his wife, Sherry, suffered injuries Tuesday from a hard landing of their experimental aircraft while on a vacation trip to the East Coast.

The accident took place at Orange Airport in Massachusetts.

Bellet, who talked with the Herald and News from his hospital bed Friday, said that the engine failed while he was piloting his two-seater, Vans R-V 9 aircraft he had been flying since 2003.

Bellet, 69, was traveling with Klamath Falls friends, Mike and Kristi Redd, who were also flying their lightweight aircraft.

“The Redds were in front of us when I radioed I was having engine trouble and turned back toward the airport. The engine just sort of quit and didn’t want to fly anymore. We sort of had a hard landing and the Redds were the first on the scene. They called 911 and the emergency vehicles showed up within five minutes.”

Bellet suffered some broken vertebrae and his wife, also 69, suffered a cracked vertebrae in her neck and broken ankle, he said.

They are staying at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., and have undergone surgery. Bellet said they expect to be released from the hospital early next week, sporting back and neck braces.

“We were on our way up to Maine to vacation and then fly onto Niagra Falls. We’re both banged up, but we’re gonna make it. And our friends, the Redds, are here by our side helping us.”

Bellet was a county commissioner for one term, having been elected in 2012. He dropped out of the race in 2016, handing the seat to Derrick DeGroot.

He was also a co-chair for Klamath Community College's successful "Completing the Transformation" fundraising effort for new computer equipment for its new classrooms.

KCC launched the campaign in January, with a goal to raise $650,000 to purchase equipment for the college’s new Work Skills Technology Center (WSTC). When the campaign closed Aug. 31, 128 donors had contributed $760,057.

Stillwater Regional Airport (KSWO), Payne County, Oklahoma: New assistant director from Stillwater Police Department




After nearly 15 years of law enforcement service and seven years of experience in aviation and management education, Paul Priegel is eager to channel his passions for serving Stillwater and aviation as Stillwater Regional Airport’s assistant director.


“This is truly a tremendous opportunity,” Priegel said. “Our airport’s growth and progress has only begun and to come in at such a pivotal time and grow along with it is very exciting.”


He joins the airport with more than 11 years served with the Stillwater Police Department. He joined the department in 2006 as police officer after previously working for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and rose to the rank of police sergeant in 2012.


During his career with the SPD, Priegel served as a patrol supervisor and remained heavily involved in community and extracurricular activities within the department, including the coordination of the department’s Community Outreach Program and serving as president of Crisis Negotiators of Oklahoma.


His experience with aviation is also extensive; he was the airport's law enforcement liaison as it prepared for the new regulations and protocols that were required for commercial air service and earned a master’s degree in Aviation and Space from Oklahoma State University in 2012. 


“Although I took it for the management and leadership focus to develop my law enforcement profession, this degree inadvertently led me to teaching aviation classes at OSU,” Priegel said. “I am going on my seventh year of teaching, with courses ranging from basic aviation accident investigation to management and security areas concerning security countermeasures, networking and legal and regulations issues.”


He added that he will miss serving with the professional group of men and women at the police department and is grateful for the professional development and opportunities he was afforded through the organization.


“The airport administration team and myself are very excited to have Paul onboard,” Airport Director Gary Johnson said. “With the airport’s addition of commercial airline services and the growth we are embracing, Paul adds much needed support and balance to our team.”


Priegel’s office is at Stillwater Regional Airport at 2020-1 W. Airport Road. His email is ppriegel@stillwater.org.


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

Boeing Recruits Insurers to Fill Financing Gap: Agencies will provide less creditworthy airlines with guarantees that make their aircraft purchases cheaper



The Wall Street Journal 
By Doug Cameron
Sept. 26, 2017 9:52 a.m. ET


Boeing Co. has found a new source of financing for jetliner orders that are expected to approach $200 billion a year by the end of the decade: insurance companies.

The aerospace company has helped form an alliance of insurers to provide lenders with loan or bond guarantees for jet sales. The new partnership could fill a gap in aircraft financing created by the extended closure of export credit agencies in the U.S. and Europe. Those agencies provide less creditworthy airlines with guarantees that make their aircraft purchases cheaper.

“This could be the industry’s biggest new source of finance,” said Robert Morin, a former U.S. Export-Import Bank official hired in June by insurance broker Marsh McLennan to develop the product under the banner of the Aircraft Finance Insurance Consortium.

Only a quarter of new aircraft are paid for in cash, with the balance financed through bank loans and the capital markets. More financing from insurers could attract fresh investors and draw back others who’ve pulled back from the market, industry experts say.

An initial consortium of four insurers-- Allianz AG , Axis Capital, Sompo International and Fidelis SA--has been assembled to provide guarantees that loans or bonds are paid, replicating the role of the big export credit agencies.

“It’s credit insurance on steroids,” said Jon Byron, senior vice president at Apple Bank Inc, which co-arranged the purchase of a Boeing 747-8 freighter using the structure for lessor Intrepid Aviation, which is renting the plane to Russia-based AirBridgeCargo.

Intrepid Chief Financial Officer Mike Lungariello said the new program isn’t a replacement for export credit financing. Boeing has lobbied fiercely for the return of U.S. export credit guarantees, which have been suspended since July 2015 due to a fight over the program in Congress.

“Export credit remains a necessary financial instrument with large capacity, especially in tight credit markets,” a Boeing spokesman said.

Airbus SE customers have also been unable to tap export credit funding, with agencies in the U.K., France and Germany closed to large aircraft business because of a probe into alleged corruption.

While Boeing was heavily involved in developing the new finance structure, it could be used by other jet makers as well, including Airbus. “It is another tool to finance aircraft purchases,” said an Airbus spokesman

Apple Bank has been regularly involved in export credit deals while poor returns kept co-arranger ING Group NV out of the market for a number of years before being attracted back by the new structure.

Planes such as the 747 jumbo are among the toughest to finance because of a relatively small customer base. Boeing has opted to rent some of the planes in recent years after airlines found them tough to buy with commercial funds.

Norwegian Air Shuttle AS A has been the biggest customer through the new program. Greensill Capital, a supply chain finance specialist, has used insurance-backed bonds to finance six Boeing 737 Max planes for the Norwegian low-cost carrier’s leasing arm.

London-based Greensill is a new entrant to aircraft finance, though is active in the broader aerospace industry, running a supply chain finance network for Airbus.

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

Mooney M20E, N5684Q: Incident occurred September 23, 2017 at Perris Valley Airport (L65), Riverside County, California

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

Aircraft left main gear collapsed on landing.

http://registry.faa.gov/N5684Q

Date: 23-SEP-17
Time: 22:00:00Z
Regis#: N5684Q
Aircraft Make: MOONEY
Aircraft Model: M20E
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: PERRIS
State: CALIFORNIA

Cub Crafters CCK-1865, N722DB, Colaur LLC: Incident occurred September 25, 2017 at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (KBZN), Belgrade, Gallatin County, Montana

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana

Aircraft ground looped on landing.

Colaur LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N722DB

Date: 25-SEP-17
Time: 21:59:00Z
Regis#: N722DB
Aircraft Make: CUB CRAFTERS
Aircraft Model: NOT RECORDED
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
City: BOZEMAN
State: MONTANA

Cessna 150L, N19494, Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum: Incident occurred September 25, 2017 at Compton/Woodley Airport (KCPM), Compton, Los Angeles County, California

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach, California

Aircraft struck two (2) parked aircraft (N513B, N7864Z) while taxiing.

Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum:  http://registry.faa.gov/N19494

Date: 25-SEP-17
Time: 18:20:00Z
Regis#: N19494
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 150
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
City: COMPTON
State: CALIFORNIA

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Cessna 172P Skyhawk, N5448K; accident occurred September 25, 2017 near Guam International Airport (PGUM), Tamuning, Guam









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

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


Location: Tamuning, GU
Accident Number: WPR17LA216
Date & Time: 09/25/2017, 1715 LCL
Registration: N5448K
Aircraft: CESSNA 172P
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal - Sightseeing 

On September 25, 2017, about 1715 local time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N5448K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power near Guam International Airport (PGUM), Tamuning, Guam. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sky Guam Aviation, Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from PGUM at 1650.

The pilot reported that the accident flight was scheduled as a 20-minute local sightseeing flight, and that it was his last flight of the day. He conducted a normal preflight and reported no issues during the beginning of the flight. While enroute, the pilot noticed fire sparks with smoke on the left side and smoke started to fill the cabin. The pilot opened the left window to disperse the smoke. He did not observe fire, but the smoke continued to accumulate in the cockpit. Shortly after, the engine lost power and the airplane started to shake violently. The pilot decided to return to the airport and made a mayday call to inform the tower of the engine failure. While enroute to the airport, he attempted to restart the engine, but he was unsuccessful. The pilot realized he did not have sufficient altitude to land on the runway and initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane landed short of the airport perimeter fence.

Due to the location of the accident, representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration were not available for post-accident examination oversight. A local mechanic and an employee from Sky Guam Aviation, Inc. conducted the post-accident examination of the airplane. They stated that they found evidence of oil around the No.4 engine cylinder and observed that the intake pipes were wet and shiny. They found that the oil dipstick/filler cap was not screwed into the filler neck, and the oil quantity indicated zero. The pilot told them that he checked the oil level before the first flight of the day and had flown the airplane ten more times that day but did not check the oil level prior to those flights.

The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) required the pilot to check the engine oil quantity and confirm that the oil dipstick/filler cap is secured before each flight.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 35, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Balloon
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/24/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/22/2016
Flight Time:  1669 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1469 hours (Total, this make and model), 1492 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 305 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 101 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N5448K
Model/Series: 172P 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17274115
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/27/2017, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 9874.8 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320 SERIES
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: PGUM, 250 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0754 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 77°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 12000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 30°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.85 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 25°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Tamuning, GU (GUM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Tamuning, GU (GUM)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1655 LCL
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: GUAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (GUM)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 305 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Rough
Runway Used: 06R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 10014 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 13.477778, 144.777500 (est)

NTSB Identification: WPR17LA216
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, September 25, 2017 in Tamuning, GU
Aircraft: CESSNA 172P, registration: N5448K
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

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

On September 25, 2017, about 1715 LCL, a Cessna 172P, N5448K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine at Guam International Airport (GUM), Tamuning, Guam. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sky Guam Aviation, Inc. under the provision of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated from GUM at 1650.

The pilot reported that the accident flight was scheduled as a 20-minute local sightseeing flight and that it was his last flight of the day. He conducted a normal preflight and reported no issues during the beginning of the flight. While enroute, the pilot noticed sparks on his left side and smoke started to fill up the cabin. The pilot opened the left window to disperse the smoke. He did not observe fire but the smoke continued to accumulate in the cockpit. Shortly after, the engine lost power and the airplane started to shake violently. The pilot decided to return to the airport and made a mayday call to inform the tower of the engine failure. While enroute to the airport, he attempted to restart the engine but he was unsuccessful. The pilot realized he did not have a sufficient altitude to land on the runway and initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane landed short of the airport perimeter fence.





Initial findings show the Cessna 172P Skyhawk landed off the A.B. Won Pat International Airport runway on Monday was experiencing an electrical fire in-flight.

Guam International Airport Authority spokeswoman Rolenda Faasuamalie said the pilot of the Sky Guam Aviation aircraft advised control tower operators of an onboard electrical fire requiring an emergency landing.

The crash occurred approximately 5:12 p.m. that day. But the site wasn't cleared until 8 a.m. the following day after officials could conduct an on-site investigation.







'Incident is very unusual'

"This incident is very unusual. It's definitely not something that occurs often here," Faasuamalie said.

"Their maintenance schedules are up to the company's discretion. GIAA's capacity is just to ensure they have the correct certifications and licenses to fly," she said.

Onboard the aircraft were two passengers and one pilot, all of whom were conscious and responsive when Guam Fire Department officials arrived.

The pilot, who wasn't identified, stayed at the crash site until all responders left the site Monday night.

No flames or smoke were seen when the plane hit the ground.

No other flights were disrupted, Faasuamalie has said.

The aviation company has been in business for at least five years and is listed as a tourism business with the Guam Visitors Bureau.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.postguam.com