Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
Ronny Weston
WHITMAN COUNTY, Wash. - A pilot from Cheney died early Wednesday morning after crashing his ultra-light aircraft on the Snake River, according to the Whitman County Sheriff's Office. Just after 7:00 a.m., deputies were notified of the crash after an employee of the Granite Dam found the wreckage. Deputies arrived on scene and found the single-occupant of the North Wing Solairus Trike, identified as 64-year-old Ronny Weston of Cheney, deceased. Deputies say it is believed Weston was camping at Boyer Park with family and had used the airstrip earlier that morning, leaving on a short flight at around 6:30 a.m. Weston had just recently acquired the aircraft and was an experienced pilot, according to family members who spoke with the Whitman County Sheriff's Office. Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer confirmed with KHQ Wednesday night that Weston was a retired Spokane Firefighter. The Whitman County Coroner's Office is working with the Whitman County Sheriff's Office and will assist in determining the exact cause and manner of death. The FAA was advised of the accident. Our thoughts go out to Mr. Weston's family. Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.khq.com
A 64-year-old man died in a plane crash on the Snake River near Lower Granite Dam Wednesday morning. A dam employee told Whitman County Sheriff’s deputies he had discovered wreckage of a small aircraft crash during his morning commute at about 7:30 a.m., according to a press release from Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers. The caller said he had saw parts of an aircraft at Boyer Park on his drive to work. When officials arrived to the scene, they discovered and identified Ronny Weston of Cheney dead in the wreckage. They determined Weston as the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft, according to the news release. Weston was flying a North Wing Solairus Trike and took off from the airstrip in the park. Family members told deputies Weston was an experienced pilot, according to the news release. Officials have not released a cause of death or a cause for the crash.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://dailyevergreen.com
COLFAX, Washington — A pilot was killed after an ultralight aircraft crashed near the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River around 7:15 a.m this morning. An employee of the dam discovered the wreckage of the small aircraft on his way to work this morning. The employee told deputies from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office that he observed a portion of the small aircraft on the railroad tracks east of Boyer Park, which caused him to be concerned. He then called 911. Ronny Weston, 64, of Cheney has been identified as the pilot and sole occupant of the ultralight aircraft at the time of the crash. The North Wing Solairus Trike had been recently acquired. It is believed Weston was camping at Boyer Park with family and had used the airstrip earlier that morning, leaving on a short flight around 6:30 a.m. Family members told deputies Weston was an experienced ultralight pilot. The Whitman County Coroner’s Office is investigating to determine the exact cause and manner of death. The FAA has also been advised of the accident. Original article ➤ http://www.mycolumbiabasin.com
PULLMAN, WA — The Federal Aviation Administration issued Pullman Police Department their drone certification. They can now fly over a total of 7 counties in Washington and Idaho. Just last week PPD’S drones helped Washington State Patrol search for a driver who ran away from them. The added perspective from the air enabled Pullman officers to provide assistance, then return to patrol quickly. They've also documented major crime scenes, supported Quad Cities Drug Task Force operations and evaluated traffic patterns during major athletic events, Officer Alex Gordon is one of the drone pilots and is now a certified Federal Aviation Administration Pilot. He spent almost 30 hours learning to fly and how to use all the features. "One of the features is that we can set it to follow objects or things we've used that somewhat to try and test with us to follow a patrol car," Gordon said. They've also used it during training exercises to review their formations and driving. It will help the most when dealing with elevation they can search faster, maneuver hills and buildings. It also helps police in potentially dangerous situations. "We also have the availability of a heads up display so if it needs to go inside a structure officers can look using the heads up display and still navigate," Chief Jenkins said. Instead of an officer, they can send in their drone first just in case of an ambush. Four new drones, roughly $10,000 investment the chief says is worth every penny. "It definitely makes us more efficient and helps make the community safer," Chief Jenkins said. Original article can be found here ➤ http://klewtv.com
EGLIN AFB — As the summer travel season gets under way, long lines and missed flights are causing headaches for some travelers at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, commonly known as VPS.
The airport, which Bloomberg recently dubbed the “fastest growing airport in the United States,” has only four gates but has added at least 12 routes in the past year to bring its total number of cities to 27. It has seen an 18 percent increase in the number of travelers so far this year, and 2017 saw an almost 28 percent increase in travelers from 2016. But it appears the airport’s rapid growth, coupled with enhanced security screenings at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, has frustrated at least some passengers who missed or nearly missed flights because of longer-than-expected wait times. Jessica Courtwright, who lives in Austin, Texas, and traveled to Destin this past weekend, arrived at VPS on Monday at 6:30 a.m. for her 7:30 a.m. flight back to Austin. She said check-in was a “breeze,” but waiting in line at the TSA checkpoint was a different matter. “It looked like they had two lanes, but really they were only using one,” she said of the security lanes. “The line grew so long that they handed me a slip to monitor the wait times.” She said she was in the line for about 45 minutes and was still there when her flight was supposed to leave. She thought she was going to miss her flight, but a woman from the airline came out and asked how many people were waiting for that flight. Five people raised their hand. “They held the flight,” Courtwright said. “It was obvious that it was a common problem.” Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who also sits on the commission’s Aviation Board, said constituents have raised concerned about missing flights and longer wait times. “Having been here for over 30 years, we used to have a sleepy little airport and we were spoiled,” she said. “You could get there 45 minutes in advance, leisurely go through the checkout and sit in the holding area and then board, and you had plenty of time. But people need to know that now that we have all these expanded flights, it’s essential to get to the airport two hours in advance.” In 1998, the airport was seeing about 600,000 passengers traveling in and out. By 2017 that number had nearly doubled to a record 1,134,209 passengers. This year looks to be on track to break records again, according to County Airports Director Tracy Stage. “May 17th was ... the busiest day in the 60-year history of VPS” with a total of 5,032 passengers, he said in an email to the Daily News on Tuesday. “That said, each day since has trumped the previous and we continue to climb in passenger numbers.” Stage said the VPS was expected to have a record 5,498 passengers on Thursday. But the airport’s massive growth has come with apparent growing pains. Courtwright said when she was in line Monday she overheard a security guard telling people that as far as lines go, “this is a good day.” “He said it was actually going fast compared to the other days,” she said. “So I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to know what the wait normally is.’ ” Ketchel said the increased foot traffic has led to “bottlenecking” in the TSA lines. Combined with the agency’s newly-implemented screening rules for carry-on baggage, the lines have gotten longer and longer. “People are missing their flights because they don’t realize, even though we’ve tried to get the word out in many ways, that they need to do pre-check and they need to get there two hours early,” she said. The TSA announced in May that it was implementing stronger carry-on screenings at all U.S. federal airports, including VPS. The screenings include requiring passengers to place all personal electronics larger than a cellphone in bins for X-ray screenings, and having some travelers separate items from carry-on bags such as foods and powders. Ketchel and Stage said TSA is in the process of installing a third screening lane that’s expected to open June 19. “The TSA has seen this problem and they’ve given us another gateway to process passengers safely so that we can speed up the process,” Ketchel said. Stage said he believed VPS can “absolutely handle” the growth it’s experiencing, adding that in the past two-and-a-half years it has added 300 new jobs, including passenger ambassadors to help facilitate the crowds and curbside assistants to help people get in and out of the airport safely. “We are incredibly excited about the growth and the economic impacts that this growth brings,” he said. “It’s well worth the growing pains.” Original article ➤ http://www.waltonsun.com
OCEAN CITY, Md. - Officials in Ocean City are doing what they can to make the runways at the municipal airport safer. We're told their wetlands mitigation project will take down some trees in order to improve their over run, so that if something were to happen when landing, planes will now have more room. We’re told the town council just approved a $1.4 million project to contract with private owners to create new non-tidal wetlands in a nearby property for environmental needs to replace the area where they will remove trees. OC Councilman, Wayne Hartman says, "We were able to mitigate some of that within our own property at the airport but some of that we had to reach out to do a project offsite and that's what we approved for that project." They will remove dirt on the contracted property to make a bigger wetland area. The design for the over run will take place next year. Original article ➤ http://www.wmdt.com
HURLBURT FIELD — It will be a few days before an Air Force CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that made a precautionary landing Monday night in Alabama will be back at Hurlburt Field. The multiple-mission aircraft, assigned to the Hurlburt Field-based 1st Special Operations Wing, landed in a large field on the eastern edge of Ashland, Alabama, late Monday night when an unspecified maintenance issue developed during a routine training mission. The landing was made “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a Tuesday news release from the 1st SOW public affairs office. None of the five crew members was reported injured, according to the release, and there were no injuries on the ground, according to Ashland Police Chief Joseph Stanford. Col. Tom Palenske, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, said Tuesday via Facebook that Hurlburt maintenance personnel were “currently fixing the issue, and then we’ll be on our way.” In a Wednesday email, the 1st SOW’s public affairs office said the Osprey “has not been repaired yet, but the maintenance team is on the scene.” Also according to the 1st SOW email, the Osprey “is expected to be back on station on or about Saturday 9 June.” It is not yet clear exactly what prompted the crew to make the precautionary landing. “The maintenance issue is still under investigation,” stated the 1st SOW email. Ashland is a town of about 2,000 people in east central Alabama’s Clay County, 75 miles north of Montgomery and just east of Talladega National Forest. “We appreciate all the help and support we are receiving from the community and emergency services here in Ashland,” Lt. Col. David Lucas, the 1st Special Operations Group’s deputy commander, said in the Tuesday news release. Original article ➤ http://www.nwfdailynews.com
PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, plans to open a new maintenance facility at Pensacola International Airport. The new facility will create an estimated 30-35 jobs and support PSA's efforts to grow its fleet by about 20 aircraft. PSA will be looking to hire team members, including mechanics, leads, inspectors and stores personnel. In a news release, PSA said Pensacola International Airport was an ideal location for the new facility because the area provides a sustainable workforce, a strong local military presence and an abundance of technical schools. PSA currently has seven other maintenance facilities in the areas of Dayton, Ohio; Canton, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia. “The addition of PNS will enhance PSA’s reliability, provide much needed flexibility in meeting our maintenance program requirements, and ensure we meet our planned capture rate as we continue to grow,” Gary Pratt, PSA Airlines vice president of maintenance and engineering, said in a statement. PSA's more than 3,900 employees operate more than 800 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations, according to the company's website. PSA operates 35 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, 39 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft and 54 Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The airline expects to add additional aircraft, bringing its fleet count to 150. The city of Pensacola did not respond to requests for comment concerning PSA's new facility, but city officials have been working toward making the area a hub for the aviation and aerospace industries. The city has worked with local schools, colleges and universities to develop a workforce training pipeline. In March, the state announced Pensacola International Airport had been awarded a $4 million grant for airport development, including improvements to facilities for education and training for the budding aviation workforce. PSA's announcement comes the same week that VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. will hold the grand opening of a new, 173,452-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar at the airport. The city of Pensacola built the aircraft hangar complex on nearly 19 acres and is leasing the facilities to VT MAE for a 30-year term. The facility is expected to create roughly 400 jobs. PSA expects to open its maintenance facility in October 2018. For more information about the positions PSA will be filling at its PNS base operation, visit psaairlines.com/careers.
Original article can be found here ➤https://www.pnj.com
Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Little Rock, Arkansas Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Location: Springdale, AR Accident Number: GAA18CA327 Date & Time: 06/06/2018, 0948 CDT Registration: N748J Aircraft: JABIRU USA SPORT AIRCRAFT LLC J230-SP Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 1 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane started to veer left. He attempted to recover with right rudder input, but the airplane continued to veer left, departed the runway, and then came to rest in a ditch against the perimeter fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lift strut. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Probable Cause and Findings The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Findings Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause) Personnel issues Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause) Factual Information History of Flight Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event) Attempted remediation/recovery Runway excursion Student Pilot Information Certificate: Student Age: 54 Airplane Rating(s): None 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: None Last FAA Medical Exam: Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/04/2018 Flight Time: (Estimated) 30 hours (Total, all aircraft), 22 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 19 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: JABIRU USA SPORT AIRCRAFT LLC Registration: N748J Model/Series: J230-SP NO SERIES Aircraft Category: Airplane Year of Manufacture: 2011 Amateur Built: Yes Airworthiness Certificate: Special Light-Sport Serial Number: 727 Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 2 Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/01/2018, Annual Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating Airframe Total Time: 316.6 Hours as of last inspection Engine Manufacturer: Jabiru ELT: C126 installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: 3300 Registered Owner: Real Time Engineering PA Rated Power: 110 hp Operator: Real Time Engineering PA Operating Certificate(s) Held: None Meteorological Information and Flight Plan Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day Observation Facility, Elevation: KASG, 1353 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles Observation Time: 1448 UTC Direction from Accident Site: 150° Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility: 10 Miles Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR): Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots / Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None Wind Direction: 180° Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / Altimeter Setting: 29.99 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 20°C Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation Departure Point: SPRINGDALE, AR (ASG) Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR Destination: OZARK, AR (7M5) Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following Departure Time: CDT Type of Airspace: Class D Airport Information Airport: SPRINGDALE MUNI (ASG) Runway Surface Type: Asphalt Airport Elevation: 1352 ft Runway Surface Condition: Dry Runway Used: 18 IFR Approach: None Runway Length/Width: 5302 ft / 76 ft VFR Approach/Landing: None Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 1 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger Injuries:N/A Aircraft Fire: None Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 36.174167, -94.122222 (est)
SPRINGDALE (KFSM) -- An airplane ran off the runway into a ditch while attempted to take off at the Springdale airport Wednesday (June 6). The incident happened at about 9:45 a.m. Springdale Fire Chief Jim Vaughn said the department sent units to the scene to help safely relocate the plane. The pilot was the only person on board at the time and no injures were reported. The FAA is investigating, according to Lynn Lunsford, the FAA Southwest regional spokesman. Story and video ➤ http://5newsonline.com
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - A small aircraft ran off the runway at in an attempt to take off Wednesday morning. Airport officials say the incident happened around 9:45 a.m. at the Springdale Municipal Airport. The pilot was the only one on board that the time, and was not injured, officials say. The Springdale Municipal Airport is a city-owned, general aviation airport in Northwest Arkansas. According to the airport's website, it is located one mile southeast of the city center and occupies 221 acres. There is one runway located at the airport, Runway 18/36, measuring 5,302 feet in length. Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.kark.com
A plane slid off the runway at the Springdale Municipal Airport Wednesday afternoon crashing into a fence.
The student pilot was taxiing down the runway preparing to take off when the plane went off the runway according to James Hales, battalion chief with the Springdale fire department. Hales added a fence saved the plane from falling into a ditch. The fire department was called out to the scene just in case of a fire while airport employees pulled the plane from the ditch, Hales said. No one was injured in the accident. Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.nwaonline.com
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — A plane went off the runway at the Springdale Municipal Airport Wednesday morning, James Smith, Airport Manager, confirmed to 40/29 News. Smith was not aware of any injuries as a result of the incident. NTSB has been notified of the accident. A spokesman for NTSB says they are reviewing the information, but has not opened an investigation yet. Springdale Municipal is described on its website as one of the busiest airports in the State of Arkansas. Springdale Municipal has one runway, measuring 5,302 feet in length. It is located on the east side of town, bordered by Highway 412 and Highway 265. Jones Elementary School is located less than a half-mile away.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.4029tv.com
SPEARFISH — The Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field in Spearfish will soon be home to Black Hills Life Flight. The Spearfish City Council Monday approved a lease agreement between the city and Air Methods Corporation to locate a building at the airport to serve as an office and crew quarters to support Air Methods’ Black Hills Life Flight business operations. City Attorney Eric Davis explained that Air Methods, which is described as a Delaware corporation with a Greenwood Village, Colo., address in the agreement, approached the city about six months ago in regards to possibly locating a portion of its Life Flight operations at the Spearfish airport, and the city has since been working with the company to craft a lease agreement. Air Methods operates Black Hills Life Flight, which maintains medevac helicopters and crews. The base, which previously operated from Rapid City, will provide emergency air medical services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to Spearfish, as well as Northern Black Hills, eastern Wyoming and Montana, and southern North Dakota. The Life Flight base will be staffed by 13 crew members, which includes emergency medical services pilots, flight nurses, flight paramedics, and aviation maintenance technicians, and it will operate a Bell 407 at the Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field and with the support services of Eagle Aviation. “One in every three of our flights are across state lines,” said Dave Richardson, senior vice president at Air Methods, said Tuesday. “This base move will help improve access to critical care services and interventions for more communities. We offer a flying ICU (intensive care unit), bringing experienced trauma clinicians to the patient. Air medical services serve as a bridge between rural communities and healthcare systems, and we believe that everyone deserves access to these lifesaving services.” The agreement specifies that a 4,000-square-foot parcel would be leased to Air Methods for an initial term of five years, beginning May 21, 2018, and terminating on May 10, 2023. The rent for the parcel is set in the agreement at $600 per month, and beginning on Jan. 1, 2020, would increase 3 percent annually each January. The agreement states that Air Methods would locate a 23-foot-8-inch-by-56-foot doublewide trailer or modular building to the site, which would be used by the Life Flight crew, and the use and occupancy of the property would comply with the airport rules, regulations, and minimum standards. Air Methods is responsible for the maintenance of the property, and the city would provide rough grading to the parcel to prepare for the building and improve the driveway surface and parking area by applying asphalt millings to an approximately 20-by-40-foot space to accommodate four parked vehicles. The city would also trench and install a one-inch potable water line water service to the parcel, with Air Methods responsible for completing the final connections to the building and facilities. The company would also need to install a water pressure/storage tank to suit its purposes, with a commercial water account established. It would also need to design, install, and maintain a septic system: “Upon the extension of municipal water or sewer mains to the Property, Tenant shall have the obligation to connect to any and all storm sewer, sanitary sewers, and water mains located on or about the Property at Tenant’s sole expense,” the agreement states. Air Methods would be responsible for extending and installing phone, internet, electricity, and any other dry utilities, as well, with all utilities paid for by the company. Lawn service and snow removal would also be the responsibility of Air Methods. The agreement outlines the insurance coverage requirements for Air Methods, covenants for the tenant, lease termination, etc., and it also includes a section about future airport development, which describes that if the development of the airport requires the relocation of Air Methods’ building from the parcel, that the city would provide the company with a comparable location at no cost to Air Methods. “It’s been a pleasure working with Air Methods,” City Administrator Mike Harmon said. “We went back and forth and had good discussion. I think this supports what we’re doing at the airport. It will bring four to six new jobs to Spearfish. It also provides faster and quicker response for air medical transport services to the residents of our community, Lawrence County, and those that surround us, so overall, I think this is a great thing for Spearfish …” Mayor Dana Boke echoed the sentiment. “It’s not only good for Spearfish, it’s good for the greater community in having quicker access, so this is a very good partnership,” she said. The council unanimously approved the lease agreement. Councilman John Lee was absent. Air Methods has the option to renew the lease for two additional periods of two years, under the current agreement. Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.bhpioneer.com
Now that they’ve lost millions of dollars in jet fuel taxes from the world’s busiest airport, Clayton County and its school district are getting lifelines from two different sources. The Clayton County Commission on Tuesday accepted $26.8 million from the state of Georgia — the amount three years of fuel tax collections would have brought in. And Delta Air Lines has pledged an unspecified amount to help the county’s school system. The county government and school board split $18 million annually in jet fuel collections, using the money for parks, roads, school buses, technology improvements at the district’s schools and other projects. But last week, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that the municipal collections on jet fuel, a practice that has drawn the ire of the Federal Aviation Administration, would end July 1. He said the move will help ensure Georgia doesn’t lose federal transportation funding in the future for not complying with FAA regulations. Clayton County leaders had filed suit against the FAA, seeking to continue the tax collections, but simultaneously went to Deal during the recent legislative session to seek financial help if they lost. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case in April. The FAA argued the revenue should be used for the airport from which it is collected, not for the county in which the facility is located. “The best outcome for us would have been that we won our fight with the FAA and to collect the jet fuel tax for years to come,” Clayton Commission Chairman Jeff Turner said. “But with the governor about to sign an executive order to cease the collection of the jet fuel tax, that put us in a precarious situation where we’re looking at either some money or no money.” Clayton Schools Superintendent Morcease Beasley said that Delta has committed to help during the 2019 school year, but did not yet have full details on how much the airline would give because the parties are still negotiating. In thanking Delta for its support, Beasley said the revenue is “vital to the community and school district.” Airlines and cargo companies at Hartsfield, including Delta, are expected to save more than $20 million a year because of the change. Delta on Monday pledged to make contributions to local school districts impacted by the fuel tax elimination to “help ensure the funding of existing education projects,” according to reports. Turner said he thinks the rebound in Clayton property values will make up some of the loss. If that doesn’t cover it all, the county may have to make cuts to departmental budgets. His biggest hope, however, is that the county can find another way to get revenue from Hartsfield either through taxes or payments for services Clayton provides, such as a jail for anyone arrested at the airport. “We feel like we’re definitely not getting our fair share of money out of the airport that we should,” Turner said. Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.myajc.com
NTSB Identification: CEN18WA145 14 CFR Unknown Accident occurred Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Crumlin, Ireland Aircraft: CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY CESSNA 152, registration: Injuries: 2 Fatal. The foreign authority was the source of this information. On April 19, 2018, at 1230 UTC, a Cessna 152 airplane, G-UFCO, collided with the terrain in Crumlin, Northern Ireland. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was substantially damage by impact and postimpact fire. The wreckage was located in a field and the circumstances of the accident are unknown at this time. The local flight departed from the Newtonards Airport, Northern Ireland. This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the government of the United Kingdom. Any further information may be obtained from: Air Accidents Investigation Branch Farnborough House Berkshire Copse Road Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2HH, United Kingdom Tel: +44(0)1252 510300 This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from, the AAIB.
The two people who died in a light aircraft crash in County Antrim on Thursday have been named locally as Bryan Greenwood and Bob Farmbrough. Mr Greenwood, from Larne, was an aerial photographer and Mr Farmbrough was a former airline captain. The retired commercial airline pilot was originally from England but was living in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. They were in a small plane, thought to be a Cessna, that crashed between Nutts Corner and Loanends. Both Mr Greenwood and Mr Farmbrough's family and friends have paid warm tributes to them on social media. Mr Farmbrough was a highly experienced pilot who worked for a number of airlines, including Inter European Airways; Airtours International Airways and British Regional Airlines (which operated British Airways flights from Belfast). An eyewitness told the BBC the aircraft circled over houses and tried to land, before crashing in a field and catching fire. The crash is being investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). It removed the wreckage of the light aircraft from a field on Saturaday. The remains of the plane will now be taken to Farnborough, Hampshire, where the AAIB investigation will continue. https://www.bbc.com
Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Iowa 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/N84163 Location: Vinton, IA Accident Number: GAA18CA317 Date & Time: 05/28/2018, 1506 CDT Registration: N84163 Aircraft: AERONCA 7AC Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 2 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal After overflying the airport to determine the wind direction, the pilot reported that, she landed in variable crosswind conditions, during touchdown "at or near stall speed", the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind. She added, the airplane veered left and she attempted to correct with immediate application of right rudder and right brake. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway into the grass and the right wingtip struck the ground. She added that she was able to taxi the airplane to park. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right wing spar, and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34. Pilot Information Certificate: Sport Pilot Age: 18, Female Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land Seat Occupied: Front Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: Lap Only Instrument Rating(s): None Second Pilot Present: No Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No Medical Certification: Sport Pilot Unknown Last FAA Medical Exam: Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/12/2017 Flight Time: (Estimated) 86.3 hours (Total, all aircraft), 19.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 40.9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 9.7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: AERONCA Registration: N84163 Model/Series: 7AC Aircraft Category: Airplane Year of Manufacture: 1946 Amateur Built: No Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 7AC-2849 Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel Seats: 2 Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/03/2018, Annual Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1220 lbs Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating Airframe Total Time: 988 Hours as of last inspection Engine Manufacturer: Continental ELT: Installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: A65-8 Registered Owner: 88 CHARLIES INC Rated Power: 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: KVTI, 845 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles Observation Time: 2015 UTC Direction from Accident Site: 342° Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear Visibility: 10 Miles Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR): Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 18 knots Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None Wind Direction: 140° Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 36°C / 17°C Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation Departure Point: Grinnell, IA (GGI) Type of Flight Plan Filed: None Destination: Vinton, IA (VTI) Type of Clearance: None Departure Time: 1345 CDT Type of Airspace: Class G Airport Information Airport: VINTON VETERANS MEMORIAL ARPK (VTI) Runway Surface Type: Asphalt Airport Elevation: 842 ft Runway Surface Condition: Dry Runway Used: 34 IFR Approach: None Runway Length/Width: 2500 ft / 50 ft VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Go Around; Traffic Pattern Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 1 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger Injuries: 1 None Aircraft Fire: None Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 2 None Latitude, Longitude: 42.218611, -92.025833 (est)
Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Juneau, Alaska Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms https://registry.faa.gov/N203KL Location: Ketchikan, AK Accident Number: GAA18CA321 Date & Time: 06/01/2018, 1100 AKD Registration: N203KL Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC 2 Aircraft Damage: Substantial Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 6 Minor, 1 None Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing The pilot reported that, during approach to the ocean bay, the float-equipped airplane encountered very light turbulence. The touchdown was normal, but seconds later he "felt" a strong wind on the tail from the left, that lifted the tail of the airplane. The front of the right float submerged, and he immediately "pulled back and left" on the controls with no response. Subsequently, the right float struts collapsed and the right wing impacted the water, the airplane spun approximately 90° to 120° to the right, the left wing impacted the water, and the airplane came to rest upright on the floats. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 160° at 9 knots. The pilot landed to the south. Pilot Information Certificate: Airline Transport Age: 43, Male Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea Seat Occupied: Left Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 3-point Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: No Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/21/2018 Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/30/2018 Flight Time: (Estimated) 11900 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3000 hours (Total, this make and model), 8900 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 90 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 45 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5.3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: DEHAVILLAND Registration: N203KL Model/Series: BEAVER DHC 2 I Aircraft Category: Airplane Year of Manufacture: 1961 Amateur Built: No Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 1460 Landing Gear Type: Float Seats: 9 Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2018, Annual Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5090 lbs Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating Airframe Total Time: 21240 Hours as of last inspection Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney ELT: C91 installed, not activated Engine Model/Series: R-985 Registered Owner: RDM PILOT/GUIDE LTD Rated Power: 450 hp Operator: RDM PILOT/GUIDE LTD Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) Operator Does Business As: Operator Designator Code: Y3RA Meteorological Information and Flight Plan Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day Observation Facility, Elevation: PAKT, 76 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 20 Nautical Miles Observation Time: 1853 UTC Direction from Accident Site: 65° Lowest Cloud Condition: Visibility: 6 Miles Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3200 ft agl Visibility (RVR): Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots / Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / Terrain-Induced Wind Direction: 160° Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / Light Altimeter Setting: 29.79 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 7°C Precipitation and Obscuration: Departure Point: Ketchikan, AK Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown Destination: Ketchikan, AK Type of Clearance: Unknown Departure Time: 1015 AKD Type of Airspace: Class G Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 1 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial Passenger Injuries: 6 Minor Aircraft Fire: None Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 6 Minor, 1 None Latitude, Longitude: 55.216944, -132.233611 (est)
