Friday, April 20, 2018

Interim Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR) director quits, cites new offer and weariness over council delays

Frustrated after spending a year and a half as interim aviation director, Baton Rouge airport chief Ralph Hennessy announced Friday that he's leaving the city-parish.

He described being left in limbo while the Metro Council has dragged its feet, recently hiring a search consultant that could add months more to the process.

"I've been waiting and waiting, and I was approached by a firm, and I said, 'Well, let's talk," Hennessy said. "It was a deal that I could not pass up."

Hennessy said his new employer has asked him not to reveal his new position until next Tuesday. Another significant event is also happening next week: on Monday, the airport search committee will meet with their consultants to discuss hiring a permanent director, now with more of a rush on their hands.

Hennessy has been at the Baton Rouge airport for 16 years and previously served as assistant aviation director before being promoted after his predecessor, Anthony Marino, announced his resignation in September 2016.

Hennessy’s departure, scheduled for on or around May 10, will leave the public airport without a director or assistant director.

“There’s somebody on the staff that’s going to have to step up on an interim basis. Who that is, I don’t know,” said Trae Welch, a metro councilman, airport commissioner and longtime aviator.

Welch championed Hennessy's case, saying he’s proven himself to be a capable leader. Now the airport must find an interim head who to get a permanent hire up to speed and who will then have to hire a new lieutenant.

“I just think it bodes poorly,” Welch said, trailing off. “I’d just hate to see it go backward.”

Airport Commission Chairman Cleve Dunn Jr. said he was surprised to receive Hennessy’s letter of resignation Friday morning. Dunn said he thought Hennessy was prepared to compete with the “best and brightest” candidates.

Councilwoman Chauna Banks, who serves on the search committee and whose district includes the airport, said her desire to go forward with  a search wasn’t about Hennessy. Rather, she said, she wanted to act in the city's best interests by going through an equitable process to select the next permanent airport director.

The key issue for Councilwoman Barbara Freiberg was just about finding the best ideas. Could Baton Rouge attract another airline? Can it better market the land that it owns and leases to businesses? Can it reach the next level?

“I don’t know, that’s the reason for having a search,” she said.

Pro Tem Scott Wilson, who supported Hennessy, said the circumstances that led him to walk away are indicative of a larger problem. Baton Rouge allows long-serving managers to retire and be rehired and keep working while they collect benefits. People always say they hate the practice because it impedes the promotion of younger staffers, Wilson said. But in this case, he said, the city-parish passed on an opportunity to name a qualified second-in-command to a directorship post.

“There’s nothing wrong with moving up. … I think we’re losing some experience,” Wilson said. “I think we should’ve made (Hennessy) director when we had the opportunity.”

The search committee was already scheduled to hold a meeting with its new consultants on Monday at 3 p.m. at the airport. The search committee is made of Metro Council members and airport commissioners. Dunn said that with Hennessy out, they will have to expedite their search for a permanent director.

The city-parish has not advertised the position or collected any applications, commissioners said. Dunn wants to have a new director in place in two or three months, which he thinks is doable if the consultants, commission, committee and council can all work together.

The plan is to bring three finalists before the Metro Council, which has final hiring authority. Search committee members have split on whether to name a preferred candidate, but without Hennessy, some may change their minds, Dunn said.

The group also will have to come up with a transition plan to find someone to replace Hennessy when he leaves in a few weeks.

The outgoing airport leader said he wouldn't endorse a particular candidate to replace him for the time being, but if the Metro Council approaches him to help evaluate the permanent airport leader, he'd give informal advice.

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

Butler County Regional Airport (KHAO) may break even for first time ever



BUTLER COUNTY —    Butler County’s financially fragile airport Hogan Field may break even operationally this year, a first ever officials say.

For years Butler County commissioners have dipped into the county general fund — as much as $100,000 — to bail out the airport by paying its bills. The airport has also not been able to shoulder around $155,000 in debt payments.

For that reason, commissioners fired airport administrator Ron Davis last summer. He was making $93,710 annually, with benefits about $110,000. Commissioners said they would likely hire an outside contractor — to eliminate the cost for benefits — or someone part-time to manage the airport. They haven’t yet.

County Administrator Charlie Young said the airport still can’t cover its debt payments or local Federal Aviation Administration grant matches — like the $100,000 match for the $2 million apron project that is about to start — but this year the operational costs for utilities, maintenance, mowing, snow plowing — the budget for 2017 was $288,000 — should be covered by revenues.

“We do believe it would be reasonable for the airport to cover all its costs, including debt service at some point,” Young said. “From my perspective first we want to break even from the operating perspective and the next step would be to cover the local share of the ongoing capital requirements and ultimately for it to be completely self-supporting, we’re just trying to take it one step at a time.”

The county has asked their fixed case operator Cincinnati Jet Center — the outfit that runs the day-to-day operations — to take on some more responsibilities at the airport, but the bulk of the work — dealing with the FAA and aviators who use the field — has fallen to Development Director David Fehr.

Commissioner Don Dixon said they don’t feel any sense of real urgency to hire more help because “pretty much the bleeding has stopped at the airport as far as the budget goes.”

“David Fehr has stepped in and it’s just a new management style,” Dixon said. “He’s already on the payroll, he’s already working for the county, so in our opinion it’s running better than it ever has in a long time.”

Young said they do intend to hire someone part-time for the airport post at some point because they want a county employee there to interact with the tenants.

Part of the problem the commissioners had with Davis — he filed a civil lawsuit against the commissioners this week — was his inability to bolster the bottom line by bringing in new business or develop a master plan for the future.

Fehr said he is now in talks with some people who want to build a new hangar at the airport but he doesn’t have a signed deal yet. They have also started publishing a newsletter, because their tenants were asking to be better informed about what is going on there.

In addition to Fehr’s efforts the commissioners were also able — after learning late from Davis in 2014 that the FBO contract was expiring — to negotiate higher fees to boost revenues. Dixon said the airport is evolving.

“We’re constantly looking and David is looking for ways to improve the revenue stream at the airport…,” Dixon said. “We will be doing a new master plan, but it’s not something that has to be done immediately, the airport is stabilized.”

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.journal-news.com

American Airlines, Airbus A320-200, N111US: Incident occurred September 13, 2020 at San Antonio International Airport (KSAT), Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Aircraft landed after declaring an emergency due to a left engine fire.

American Airlines Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N111US

Date: 13-SEP-20
Time: 03:28:00Z
Regis#: N111US
Aircraft Make: AIRBUS
Aircraft Model: A320
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: AMERICAN AIRLINES
Flight Number: AAL2441
City: SAN ANTONIO
State: TEXAS

Kolb Twinstar Mk III, local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, N9123R: Fatal accident occurred April 20, 2018 at Collegedale Municipal Airport (KFGU), Apison, Hamilton County, Tennessee

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

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

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/N9123R 

Location: Collegedale, TN
Accident Number: ERA18LA134
Date & Time: 04/20/2018, 1830 EDT
Registration: N9123R
Aircraft: STANLEY ERNIE SIGURD KOLB MARK
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 20, 2018, at 1830 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kolb Mark III, N9123R, was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from Collegedale Municipal Airport (FGU), Collegedale, Tennessee. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The airplane's owner reported that the pilot was supposed to be performing high-speed taxi testing of the airplane and that he did not know the pilot intended to take off. He stated that the pilot completed two high-speed taxis and "crow-hops" in the airplane (that is, he would "taxi, lift off, climb the airplane to about 10 ft above ground level [agl], and then land"). During the third taxi, the owner heard the pilot apply "full power," and the airplane then took off from the runway, turned right "above the trees" adjacent to the runway, and entered the traffic pattern. The airplane then "leveled, banked left, and dove into the ground." The owner added that it did not appear that the pilot attempted to correct the dive.

Another witness, who was located on the northeast end of the runway, reported seeing the airplane above the departure end of the runway about 500 ft agl when it "turned left…and dove straight" into the side of a hill. He said that it sounded as though the pilot reduced power before the turn but increased power during the descent and that the engine was "screaming" as the airplane descended to ground impact.

The owner provided a video recording of the airplane that was oriented in the direction of flight and which captured the ground taxi and takeoff and ended before the airplane's descent into terrain. A review of the video revealed that the takeoff roll was about 400 ft long. The engine sound was smooth, continuous, and remained unchanged throughout the takeoff roll and the 45 seconds of the climb that was recorded. The video showed that, after takeoff, the airplane had a high angle of attack and a steep angle of climb, and the tops of each wing were visible. The airplane drifted right of the runway centerline but remained flat in the roll axis.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate was issued on November 1, 1999, at which time, he reported 71 total hours of flight experience.

The Office of the Hamilton County Medical Examiner, Chattanooga, Tennessee, performed the autopsy on the pilot and determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries.

The FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing on the pilot and the test yielded results for the presence of a sedating over-the-counter antihistamine cetirizine in blood (0.012 (ug/ml, ug/g) and liver samples. According to the NTSB Medical Officer, the levels detected were below the therapeutic range, and assuming normal dosage at the time of ingestion, the levels suggested the pilot was within the FAA's recommended period for the performance of airman duties.

A review of photographs of the pilot's logbook revealed that the pilot had accrued about 248 total hours of flight experience. The low number and poor quality of the photographs prevented a determination of the total, type, and recency of his flight experience; however, the most recent entry and endorsement indicated that the pilot flew a tail-wheel equipped ultralight airplane on July 9, 2016, and an unidentified aircraft on September 10, 2016.

The airplane was manufactured in 1995 and registered to the owner on January 4, 2017. It was powered by a Suzuki 1.3 liter, 4-cylinder automobile engine.

According to the owner, he purchased the airplane disassembled and "half restored" from what appeared to be accident damage. He and the pilot completed the repairs and assembly of the airplane using a "build manual" and a set of plans. The owner did not have airframe or engine logbooks for the airplane, and a condition inspection had not been completed. The owner said the condition inspection was supposed to have been completed "before the first flight."

At 1853, the weather reported at Chattanooga Lovell Field, located 9 miles from the accident site, included few clouds at 25,000 ft, 10 miles visibility, winds from 010° at 10 knots, temperature 20°C, dewpoint -4°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.28 inches of mercury.

Examination of photographs of the wreckage provided by the FAA revealed that the airplane came to rest uphill of the initial ground scar, and the wreckage path was oriented along a magnetic heading of about 300°. Impressions in the grass on either side of the scar were of the same approximate dimensions as the leading edge and span of each wing.

Both wings were uniformly crushed aft in compression, and the fabric covering of each wing was shredded. The empennage remained largely intact. Control continuity could not be established due to the extent of the damage to the remainder of the airframe and the entanglement of structure and control cables. Examination of breaks and fractures in the cables and bellcranks revealed that they were consistent with overload failure.

The cockpit area was destroyed, and the instrument panel was separated. The engine cradle was separated and only remained attached by wires and cables. A nylon cargo strap was found entangled with the wreckage. According to the owner, the strap secured sand bags and a board used for ballast.

According to the Kolb Aircraft website, "Although Kolb aircraft are easy to fly and have gentle flight characteristics, they are also high-performance aircraft. We recommend training or some transition training before attempting flight in our aircraft."

FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-89B, "Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook," was issued to make amateur-built aircraft pilots aware that "test flying an aircraft is a critical undertaking," which should be approached with "thorough planning, skill, and common sense" and to provide recommendations and suggestions that could be combined with other sources on test flying (such as, the aircraft plan/kit manufacturer's flight testing instructions, other flight testing data) that would assist amateur owners to "develop a detailed flight test plan, tailored for their aircraft and resources."

The AC also provided guidance on developing a plan for each phase of an amateur-built airplane's production, including preparing for the airworthiness inspection, determining weight and balance, conducting taxi and flight testing, and developing emergency procedures. The suggested flight-testing regimen was separated into 10-hour segments for the 40-plus-hour flight testing requirement.

The AC also included guidelines for the experience level of the test pilot, which included, in part, the following:

The test pilot should be experienced and competent. He/she should have made a minimum of 100 solo flights in similar make, model, and type of ultralight and must follow the FLIGHT-TEST PLAN exactly. The FLIGHT-TEST PLAN should examine the ultralight and its performance capability, beginning with the pre-flight inspection and ending only after the test pilot has explored the ultralight's published flight envelope as described in the flight manual.

The owner reported that he was not familiar with FAA AC 90-89B. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/01/1999
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  71 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: STANLEY ERNIE SIGURD
Registration: N9123R
Model/Series: KOLB MARK III
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 4317477E
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Suzuki
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: LY8
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 95 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: KCHA, 688 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 265°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 25000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 10°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.28 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Collegedale, TN (FGU)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Collegedale, TN (FGU)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:  EDT
Type of Airspace: Airport Information
Airport: COLLEGEDALE MUNI (FGU)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 860 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4986 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 35.044444, -85.020000 (est)

Location: Collegedale, TN
Accident Number: ERA18LA134
Date & Time: 04/20/2018, 1830 EDT
Registration: N9123R
Aircraft: STANLEY ERNIE SIGURD KOLB MARK
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 20, 2018, at 1830 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kolb Mark III, N9123R, was destroyed when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from, Collegedale Municipal Airport (FGU), Collegedale, Tennessee. The private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In interviews with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane's owner explained that the pilot was supposed to perform high-speed taxi testing of the airplane, and that the takeoff and subsequent flight were a surprise to him. The owner stated that the pilot completed two high speed taxis during which he had "crow-hopped" the airplane; lifting off to approximately 10 feet above ground level (agl) and then settling back to the runway.

On the third taxi, he heard the pilot apply "full power" and the airplane departed runway 03, turned right "over the trees" adjacent to the runway, and then "leveled, banked left, and dove into the ground." According to the owner, there appeared to be no attempt to correct the dive.

A homeowner on the northeast end of the runway witnessed the accident and reported to the FAA inspector that the airplane was over the departure end of the runway about 500 feet agl when it "turned left and dove straight…" into a slope below the grass runway-overrun area. When asked about the sound of the engine, the witness said it sounded as though the pilot had reduced power prior to the turn, but increased power in the descent. He said the airplane went "screaming" into the ground. The witness added that he heard a "flapping" sound from the airplane similar to a banner-tow as it passed overhead.

The owner subsequently provided video recordings of the airplane during ground taxi in the parking area, and the takeoff. The takeoff recording ended before the airplane's descent into terrain. The video was recorded from the point of takeoff and oriented in the direction of flight.

The takeoff roll was approximately 400 feet long. The engine sound was smooth, continuous, and remained unchanged throughout the takeoff roll and the 45 seconds of climb that was recorded. After takeoff, the video depicted a high angle of attack and a steep angle of climb. The tops of each wing were visible throughout the recording. The airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline, but remained flat in the roll axis.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on November 1, 1999, and he reported 71 total hours of flight experience on that date.

According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1995 and registered to the owner on January 4, 2017. It was powered by a Suzuki 1.3 liter 4-cylinder engine from a Geo automobile.

According to the owner, the airplane was purchased disassembled and "half restored" from what appeared to be accident damage. He and the pilot completed the repairs and assembly of the airplane using a "build manual" and a set of plans. The airplane had no airframe logbook, no engine logbook, and a condition inspection had not been completed. The owner said the condition inspection was to be completed "before the first flight."

At 1853, the weather reported at Chattanooga Lovell Field (CHA) included few clouds at 25,000 feet, 10 miles visibility, and winds were from 010° at 10 knots. The temperature was 20° C, the dewpoint was -4° C, and the altimeter setting was 30.28 inches of mercury.

Examination of photographs provided by the FAA revealed the airplane came to rest uphill of the initial ground scar, and the wreckage path was oriented about 300°magnetic. Impressions in the grass on either side of the scar were of the same approximate dimensions as the leading edge and span of each wing.

Both wings were uniformly crushed aft in compression, and the fabric covering of each wing was shredded. The empennage remained largely intact. Control continuity could not be established due to the extent of the damage to the remainder of the airframe, and the entanglement of structure and control cabling. Breaks and fractures in cabling and bellcranks examined all presented the appearance of overload failure.

The cockpit area was destroyed, and the instrument panel was separated. The engine cradle was separated and remained attached only by wires and cabling. A nylon "come-along" cargo strap was found entangled with the wreckage. According to the owner, the strap secured sand bags and a board used for ballast.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: STANLEY ERNIE SIGURD
Registration: N9123R
Model/Series: KOLB MARK III
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
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: KCHA, 688 ft msl
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 9 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / -4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 25000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots, 10°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.28 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Collegedale, TN (FGU)
Destination: Collegedale, TN (FGU)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 35.044444, -85.020000 (est)




Robert's Obituary


Gillisse, Robert
10/16/1955 - 4/20/2018 
Ooltewah, Tennessee 

Robert P. Gillisse, 62, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed on Friday 20th, 2018. Robert was born in Bay City Michigan. He is a 20 year veteran in the Army. He had a passion to fly and with Jenne traveled to world for their retirement. Robert had a passion for the Lord. He is survived by his wife of 32 years Jenne Nowak Gillisse, his parents Joseph and Joyce Gillisse, brother Roger and Sister Susan Gillisse. No memorial service is planned.





Airport officials said the pilot was killed. He has been identified as 62-year-old Robert Gillisse, of Ooltewah.

UPDATE April 21 at 2:12 p.m.: The man killed in the plane crash Friday evening has been identified as Robert Gillisse, 62, of Ooltewah. 

One person was killed early Friday evening in a single-engine plane crash at the Collegedale Municipal Airport.

Airport officials said the pilot, who has yet to be identified by authorities, was alone and taking off when the two-seat plane crashed a couple dozen yards off the airstrip. Emergency responders at the scene put up sheets over a portion of the crash as the body was removed later Friday.

"It's always sad when something like this happens," said Chris Swain, director of operations at the airport.

Previous crashes at the Collegedale Airport:

September 2014: Don Edens was killed when his plane crashed in a nearby field as a result of equipment failure.

March 2013: Local resident David Richardson, 77, fell out of an aircraft and was killed after the canopy came loose in flight. The instructor pilot landed the plane.

December 2012: Clarence Andrews, 82, of Signal Mountain, crashed his home-built aircraft and died.

December 2004: A single-engine plane crashed but the lone pilot walked away.

December 2004: Five leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tennessee and Georgia died when their twin-engine plane crashed just after takeoff.

Details are limited about the circumstances behind the crash, but this is not the first fatal incident at the Collegedale airport. Five other planes have crashed at the airport since 2004 resulting in 11 fatalities.

Three of those deaths came in a particularly tragic incident in 2016 when a pilot tried to recover from a botched landing just before hitting the ground, according to a report compiled by the National Transportation Safety Board. The pilot, Todd Silver, was killed along with his mother and his son. His daughter was seriously injured but survived.

The Times Free Press reported previously that a flight instructor who was flying with a student nearby witnessed the crash. He told NTSB investigators that he saw the plane coming in on a short final approach.

The plane made a climbing turn to the left near the departure end of the runway, about 100 feet off the ground, and then made a steep bank to the right with the nose pulled high.

During that turn, the plane's nose dropped and the whole aircraft rotated as it rapidly descended into the ground.

The plane then slammed into the ground, leaving a 70-foot-long scar in the ground, according to the NTSB.

Swain said both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified about Friday's crash and investigators were expected to work through the night to unpack what happened.


http://www.timesfreepress.com




COLLEGEDALE, TN (WRCB) - UPDATE: One person was killed in a plane crash at the Collegedale municipal airport Friday evening.

The crash happened just before 6:30 p.m.

Channel 3 spoke to the director of airport operations about the crash. At this time the identity of the pilot has not been released and what caused the crash is under investigation.

We do know that the pilot was the only one in the aircraft and frequently used the Collegedale airport.

Channel 3 spoke with an eyewitness who lives about 150 yards from the crash site.

Morty Lloyd says he is also a pilot. He says today was nice day to be flying and he couldn’t see anything wrong with the plane. He says there was no smoke coming from the aircraft and the engine was running smoothly.

He describes what he saw from his back porch.

“He made a downwind turn and as he continued downwind he made a base turn as if he were turning towards the runway," Lloyd tells Channel 3. "The airplane had a steep dive, the engine was producing power, but the airplane never came out of the dive and it ended up hitting the hillside next to the runway.”

The FAA will begin investigating the crash Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

There will be security on the scene throughout the night.

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



APISON, Tenn. (WTVC) - One person is dead after a fatal plane crash in Hamilton County.  

Chris Swain, director of the Collegedale Municipal Airport, confirmed a person has died after the plane crashed on the runway Friday. 

Dispatch said the crash happened around 6:30 p.m. near 5100 Bess Moore Road in Apison, Tennessee.  

Swain said the single-occupant plane was taking off when it crashed. The plane is considered a total loss. 

The FAA and NTSB have been notified and are on the way to the scene. 

The identity of the person killed has not yet been released.  

Director Swain says that the victim has often flown from the airport. 

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









APISON, Tenn. — UPDATE (8:40 p.m.):  Chris Swain, director of the Collegedale Municipal Airport, says a person has died after a plane crash on the runway Friday.

Swain says the aircraft was taking off when it crashed. The plane is considered a total loss.

The FAA and NTSB have been notified, and will investigate the crash. Swain says the FAA will be on the scene around 10 a.m. Saturday

We do not yet know the identity of the person killed in the crash. Director Swain says that the victim was a frequent flier from the airport.

This isn't the first plane to crash at the Collegedale Municipal Airport.

In June 2016, a small plane crashed while trying to land there, killing a man, his wife and son.

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

Boeing 737-7H4, N402WN: Incident occurred September 15, 2020 at General Mitchell International Airport (KMKE), Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aircraft aborted takeoff after striking birds.

Southwest Airlines Company

https://registry.faa.gov/N402WN

Date: 15-SEP-20
Time: 13:15:00Z
Regis#: N402WN
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 737
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Flight Number: SWA2253
City: MILWAUKEE
State: WISCONSIN

Liberty County establishing aviation unit for use of drones in law enforcement work



Press release from the Liberty County Sheriff's Office:

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has joined the growing trend across the United States among both small and large law enforcement agencies in establishing an aviation unit and utilizing the new and growing technology of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ( UAV) for a multitude of assignments. The Unmanned Aerial System ( UAS ) that was put into full operation this week has been placed under the command of the Special Operation Division of the Sheriff’s Office after the agency purchased a Phantom 4 Pro Plus small unmanned aircraft with funds secured through court-awarded confiscated drug money.

Sheriff Bobby Rader explains that it has taken several months to get this program up and going. We had to gather the information that was needed to write rules and put together a policy that would address many issues. Once the policy was written we had Liberty County District Attorney Logan Pickett review it to assure it met all local and state legal requirements. The policy was then given to the Policy and Review Committee of the Sheriff’s Office to be certain the policy would meet all agency requirements, goals and objectives and to assure transparency of the UAV operations. The Sheriff went on to say he wanted to make sure the policy would prohibit the violations of anyone’s privacy rights and, in his opinion, that has been done and now additional flight training of both pilots and observers will begin.

It is stressed by Sheriff Rader that the main objectives of this program will be to save lives in the event of a disaster, find lost children and adults and help in the gathering of data needed to investigate a crime scene. The Sheriff said he believes this system has the ability to take away advantages that a tactical shooter may have in a school or commercial area. The Department of Public Safety already uses a system like this to survey fatal accidents as well as several fire departments across the nation to survey areas where there may be hazardous materials and fires so they may plan their strategy.

In November, Deputy Sean Mitchell attended a week long school presented by the Remote Pilot In Command School in Wichita Falls, Texas studying for his FAA examination which covered such subjects as aeronautical knowledge, flight characteristics, weather patterns, how to read aeronautical charts, introduction to law enforcement use of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and a multitude of other FAA related requirements. Upon completion of the school and testing by the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ), Deputy Mitchell earned his “Remote Pilot Certificate” in Part 107 dealing with small unmanned vehicles and is now the Pilot in Command of the Sheriff’s new Aviation Unit.

Dep. Mitchell has already assisted in two high profile cases where photos of the event scene could be critical in a court setting. One was in assisting the DPS in a four car fatal wreck on Hwy. 321 and another where the path traveled by a child later found drowned was flown to determine characteristics of the scene.

The UAV, by FAA regulations, has a height restricted to 400’ so in addition to the pilot there will always be an observer with Dep. Mitchell to help watch for any low flying aircraft, power lines or other nearby obstructions that could create a flight hazard for the small aircraft.

As technology of all kinds continues to move along rapidly in our technical society and more demands are placed upon public service agencies, the growing use of UAV’s in modern police work is a natural progression in investigative techniques just as DNA, polygraph examinations, fingerprinting, computers and so many other devises have been.

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

Omni Air International, Boeing 767-324, N423AX: Accident occurred August 28, 2020

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; New York IFO

Aircraft gear collapsed during landing.

Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N423AX

Date: 28-AUG-20
Time: 14:34:00Z
Regis#: N423AX
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 767
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: OMNI AIR
City: BUCHAREST
State: BUCHAREST
Country: ROMANIA

Envoy Air,Embraer ERJ-145, N668HH: Incident occurred January 25, 2020 at Quad City International Airport (KMLI), Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Greater Chicago

Aircraft on takeoff struck a bird.

American Airlines Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N668HH

Date: 25-JAN-20
Time: 16:00:00Z
Regis#: N668HH
Aircraft Make: EMBRAER
Aircraft Model: EMB145
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 121
City: MOLINE
State: ILLINOIS

Horry County councilor's contract with county increases 32 percent in one year

Al Allen, of Horry County Council and Allen Aviation, talks about the unique customers at each of the four county airports at the Conway-Horry County Airport.



Two Horry County councilors have companies that make money off contracts with Horry County, according to their statements of economic interest. And one saw his contract increase by more than 30 percent last year.

Those statements must be filed by March 30 of each year, and cover all elected officials’ sources of income and assets during the previous calendar year as well as the amount of any government contracts they have.

Al Allen, a county councilor since 2007, disclosed $65,625 from Allen Aviation’s contract with the county. Council Chair Mark Lazarus’s waterpark, Wild Water and Wheels, has a $19,500 contract.

Allen’s wife, school board member Shanda Allen, is the president of Allen Aviation. Al Allen is the registered agent and chief pilot. Al Allen's county biography says he started the company in 2000.

In 2016, Allen aviation got $49,550 from the county for mosquito spraying. In 2017, the amount increased 32 percent to $65,625.

From 2014 through 2016, Allen Aviation charged 55 cents per acre for areas sprayed by a single-engine plane and 60 cents per acre for areas sprayed by a twin-engine plane, according to the company’s contract.

But in April of 2017, the rates increased to 75 cents per acre for the single-engine plane and 90 cents per acre for areas sprayed by a twin-engine plane, according to the contract. County records show all the 2017 flights were conducted after the contract rate increase.

Despite the rate increase, Allen Aviation was still the lowest bidder.

Williamsburg Air and Clark Environmental Mosquito Management also bid on the work, and both submitted a higher price per acre than Allen Aviation. Williamsburg Air offered 96 cents per acre for twin-engine and single-engine plane spraying. Clark Environmental would have charged more than a dollar per acre for spraying.

Allen would not talk on the phone, citing spotty cell phone coverage.

In an email, Allen said, “Many factors contribute to a rate increase in this type of service such as insurance cost, fuel cost, along with supply and demand as with any other business.”

The acreage increased as well. In 2016, Allen Aviation sprayed 90,000 acres using only a single-engine plane, according to county records. In 2017, under the increased rates, the company sprayed 92,500 acres, including 12,500 acres with the twin-engine plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration puts restrictions on single-engine planes used for agricultural purposes over "congested" areas, which may account for the twin-engine flight.

Neighboring counties pay a little less for spraying. Charleston county pays Williamsburg Air 88 cents per acre for spraying done from a twin-engine plane, according to Charleston County spokesperson Shawn Smetana.

Williamsburg Air also contracts with Georgetown County for mosquito spraying and charges 77 cents per acre for spraying done with a twin-engine plane, according to Georgetown County spokesperson Jackie Broach.

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

Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, N8564N: Incident occurred April 20, 2018 in Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Carolina

Aircraft reported oil pressure loss and landed on a highway.

C & W Flying Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N8564N

Date: 20-APR-18
Time: 16:50:00Z
Regis#: N8564N
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA 28R 200
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: MYRTLE BEACH
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

Pilot Donald Crotty hugs a Myrtle Beach International Airport employee after performing an emergency landing in his private plane on International Drive in Myrtle Beach on April 20, 2018. 


HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Donald Crotty and his wife made it to the Myrtle Beach area, although they were roughly eight miles short of their intended landing zone.

The Pennsylvania couple were traveling to the Grand Strand with their dog in a single-engine plane when the aircraft started losing oil pressure mid-flight.

Crotty, who has been flying for 40 years, knew he had to find somewhere else to land, since making it to the airport didn’t look to be a possibility.

Fortunately, he saw the still-under-construction International Drive, which was free of any vehicles.

“All you could say was good place, really,” Crotty said when recalling how he felt when he spotted the road from the air.

Crotty landed the plane on International Drive Friday afternoon, and he, his wife and their four-legged companion were able to walk away from that landing.

“You’ve got to have nerves of steel,” Crotty said.

Shortly afterward, the veteran pilot admitted he was still shaken up by the experience, but credits a higher power with the safe landing.

“God was with me. God was with me,” he said.

Crews with Horry County Fire Rescue and North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue responded to International Drive near Highway 31 after the small airplane landed on the road.

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

Sherry Crotty and her dog Rocky after Crotty performed an emergency landing on International Drive in Myrtle Beach on April 20, 2018.















A couple on their "freedom flight" to celebrate retirement landed their plane on an unfinished section of International Drive outside of Myrtle Beach after the engine blew.

"You don't panic, you don't panic," said Sherry Crotty. " You just look for a place to put it down safely."

Sherry, her husband and pilot Donald and their dog Rocky all escaped injury in the incident. The plane landed on the road near S.C. 31 at about 1 p.m. on Friday. 

The plane came to a stop about a mile from the Academy for Arts, Science and Technology in a section still being paved and not open to traffic.

Sherry was complimentary of her husband, noting he didn't hit an orange construction barrel that lined the roadway as he landed the plane.

Donald said they were about eight miles from the Myrtle Beach Airport when the engine blew.

"It just stuttered, shut off and you could see smoke coming off the engine cockpit," he said.

He said he told air traffic controllers about his plan. At about 1,700 feet he spotted the unused road, which Donald described as the "safest place in the world" to land.

Before takeoff, and at landing, Donald said he says a little prayer when he flies.

"God was with me," Donald said.

The couple traveled from Hagerstown, Maryland to Myrtle Beach and planned to spend 12 days in the area.

Sherry Crotty said the two sold many possessions, but not the plane, which they've owned for 40 years. Both hold pilots licenses and Donald has a commercial license, Sherry said.

About a year ago, the engine blew and was then overhauled, Sherry said.

The wings will be removed from the plane and the vessel will be taken by truck back to the Pennsylvania home, Sherry said.

James Major lives three miles from where the plane landed. A friend called him as the plane had difficulty in the air over their homes.

Major, who flies himself and lost loved ones in a plane crash, tracked the flight online as it descended. He initially through it landed in the trees only to arrive and see it landed safely.

"It's my worst fear," Major said about watching the plane lose altitude.

Horry County Fire and Rescue, North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue and Horry County Police responded to the scene.

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