Thursday, August 22, 2019

Cessna 560XL Citation Excel, N91GY: Accident occurred August 21, 2019 at Oroville Municipal Airport (KOVE), Butte County, California

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. 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California
Textron Aviation Inc; Wichita, Kansas

JOTTS LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N91GY

Location: Oroville, CA
Accident Number: WPR19FA230
Date & Time: 08/21/2019, 1132 PDT
Registration: N91GY
Aircraft: Cessna 560XL
Injuries: 10 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled

On August 21, 2019, about 1132 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 560XL airplane, N91GY, overran the departure end of runway 2 following a rejected takeoff from Oroville Municipal Airport (OVE), Oroville, California. The two airline-transport pilots and 8 passengers were not injured. The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire that consumed a majority of the airplane. The airplane was registered to Jotts LLC, and was operated by Delta Private Jets, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand charter flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Portland International Airport (PDX), Portland, Oregon.

The pilot flying reported that prior to takeoff, they had a waypoint fix and departure change, which he updated within the flight management system. As they taxied onto runway 2, he called for the before takeoff checklist. Following completion of the checklist, they initiated takeoff, and the non-flying pilot called "airspeed alive," V1, and Vr. The pilot flying stated that "it was just a weird sensation" as he pulled the yoke back and the airplane didn't lift off. The pilot flying further stated that he pulled the yoke back a second time and noticed no movement of the nose. Shortly after, the non-flying pilot called for an abort, and the pilot flying applied full thrust reversers and maximum braking. Subsequently, the airplane exited the departure end of the runway, impacted a ditch, and skidded across a grass covered area, where a post impact fire ensued.

Review of surveillance video from a fixed-based operator (FBO) located at OVE showed the airplane holding short of runway 2 for about 3 minutes, 44 seconds. The airplane then taxied forward toward runway 2, stopped, and remained stationary for about 18 seconds, until it began to taxi again onto the runway. After lining up on the runway, the airplane remained stationary for about 16 seconds. Once the takeoff roll was initiated, the airplane traveled out of the camera frame 48 seconds later. The position where the airplane moves out of the camera frame was about 730 ft beyond the departure end of runway 2.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest about 1,990 ft beyond the departure end of runway 2, on a heading of about 060° magnetic. See Figure 1. Review of a photo taken by a witness prior to the airplane being consumed by the fire, revealed that the airplane was mostly intact and resting on the underside of the fuselage and wings. Examination of the runway revealed tire transfer marks which originated from the runway 2 hold short line and progressed onto the runway, and continued throughout the entire length of the runway, overrun, adjacent runway, grassy area, taxiway, and grassy area near the main wreckage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.


Figure 1: View of the accident site and runway environment.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N91GY
Model/Series: 560XL
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Delta Private Jets
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOVE, 190 ft msl
Observation Time: 1853 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Oroville, CA (OVE)
Destination: Portland, OR

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 8 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 10 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.497222, -121.616667 (est)








OROVILLE — A plane crash at the Oroville Airport ignited a wildfire near the runways.

The crash, reported around 11:30 a.m. today caused a fire which the Oroville Fire Department and Cal Fire-Butte County are fighting.

By the time Oroville firefighters got to the crash at the north end of the runway, the plane was completely engulfed in flames, said Oroville Public Safety Director Joe Deal.

The 10 people inside — eight passengers and two pilots — all made it out of the downed plane without any injuries, Deal said.

Once firefighters accounted for everyone who had been in the plane, they turned their attention to fighting the wildfire.

Cal Fire-Butte County Public Information Officer Rick Carhart said the grass fire was quickly put out and the plane itself was doused with water.

The jet plane had just been refueled with 480 pounds of fuel, Deal said.

The CHP closed a portion of Highway 162 near the airport because there was a fear that spilled fuel could ignite.

Willows resident John Cecil took photos and videos of the plane on fire and said he heard what sounded like explosions.

Deal was proud of the emergency teams for getting the word out quickly and keeping people in the area informed of what was going.

The Federal Aviation Administration will be looking further into the crash, Deal said.

A crew from the Chico Fire Department also helped by spraying the burned wreckage with fire-suppressing foam shortly after 1 p.m.

Story and video ➤  https://www.orovillemr.com

Cessna 120, N4237N: Accident occurred August 21, 2019 at Livermore Municipal Airport (KLVK), Alameda County, California

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oakland

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N4237N


Location: Livermore, CA
Accident Number:WPR19LA233
Date & Time: 08/21/2019, 1150 PDT
Registration: N4237N
Aircraft: Cessna 120
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 21, 2019, about 1150 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 120 airplane, N4237N, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

The pilot reported that the airplane just came out of an annual inspection. The airplane started normally, and a runup was completed at 1,700 RPM with no noted anomalies. She aligned the airplane onto runway 25L and started the takeoff roll, during which she noted that the airplane was taking longer than expected to accelerate. She ensured the throttle was at full power. Shortly thereafter the airplane lifted off the runway and it started to climb. However, the engine seemed like it wasn't operating at full power despite it sounding normal. The airplane stopped climbing and the pilot initiated an off-runway landing. During the descent the left wing impacted the ground, the right landing gear separated, and the airplane slid to a stop.

The airplane has been recovered for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N4237N
Model/Series: 120 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:No 
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: LVK, 400 ft msl
Observation Time:1153 PDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting:29.94 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point:Livermore, CA (LVR)
Destination: Livermore, CA (LVR) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage:Substantial
Passenger Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious 
Latitude, Longitude: 37.689444, -121.818889 (est)






LIVERMORE, California -- A Cessna 120 crashed late Wednesday morning after taking off from Livermore Municipal Airport, according to a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

The pilot had just taken off from Runway 25L when the plane went down nearby around 11:50 a.m., FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.

The pilot was reportedly transported to the hospital with moderate injuries. She was alert and talking. No one else was on board.

The crash will be investigated by the FAA as well as the National Transportation Safety Board, the lead agency in the investigation, and that process typically takes about a year to determine the cause of a crash.

Story and video ➤ https://abc7news.com

Velocity XL-RG-5, N735D: Accident occurred August 21, 2019 in Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida -and- Incident occurred June 11, 2017 at Middle Peninsula Regional Airport (KFYJ), West Point, King William County, Virginia

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida 
CAT; Tampa, Florida 

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N735D

Location: Kissimmee, FL
Accident Number: ERA19LA253
Date & Time: 08/21/2019, 0848 EDT
Registration: N735D
Aircraft: Velocity XL-5
Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 21, 2019, at 0848 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Velocity XL-5, N735D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field in Kissimmee, Florida, after a complete loss of electrical and engine power. The commercial pilot/builder and the passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for the Sebastian Municipal Airport (9X26), Sebastian, Florida. The flight departed from the Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), about 0840.

The pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection and engine run-up prior to departure, and everything was normal. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of 2,000 ft, the engine and electrical system failed simultaneously. The pilot tried several times to re-start the engine, but to no avail. He feathered the propeller and made a forced landing to a field. The airplane flipped over during landing resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.

The airplane wreckage was retained for further examination.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical was issued on October 17, 2017. At that time, he reported a total of 822 flight hours.

Weather at ISM at 0856 was reported as wind from 110° at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 700 ft, temperature 28°C, dewpoint 26°, and an altimeter setting of 30.13 inches of mercury.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Velocity
Registration: N735D
Model/Series: XL-5
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: KISM, 82 ft msl
Observation Time: 0856 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 26°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 700 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 110°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Orlando, FL (ISM)
Destination: Sebastian, FL (X26) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 28.000000, -81.000000 (est)


ST. CLOUD, Florida - Authorities are responding to a plane crash in Osceola County that sent a man and woman to the hospital.

Sky 6 flew over the scene of the plane that crashed Wednesday afternoon at the end of Kissimmee Park Road in St. Cloud, just east of a lake.

Osceola County fire officials said they responded to the crash around 1:45 p.m. and found the man and woman inside the small plane. The woman was trapped, while the man was able to get out quickly, officials said. 

Both victims were flown to Osceola Regional Medical Center as trauma alerts, fire officials said.

Aerial views showed the small plane -- identified by Federal Aviation Administration officials as a Velocity XL-RG-5 -- belly-up in a grassy area with debris scattered around it.

After the initial rescue, fire officials said crews were working to control a fuel leak at the scene to prevent it from spreading.

Details on what led up to the crash were not immediately available. The FAA will investigate.

Original article ➤ https://www.clickorlando.com




ST. CLOUD, Florida — A small plane was found in a field in the St. Cloud area Wednesday afternoon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Authorities say the plane is a Velocity XL-RG-5. Osceola County deputies responded to the area of Kissimmee Park Road near Lake Tohopekaliga after reports of a crash.

Upon arrival, deputies say the plane was found upside down in a rural area.

There was a man and woman on board, says the FAA. The Sheriff's Office said they were airlifted to Osceola Regional Medical Center from the scene. Their conditions are not yet known.

Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said the terrain of the field made it tough to investigate.

"It’s a very rural area near Lake (Tohopekaliga) ... it does take some time to canvass an area such as this. It’s a rural area with high grass fields and things like that," said Major Jacob Ruiz, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office.

The FAA says it will investigate the incident. FAA records also show the plane is an experimental amateur-built plane registered to a man from Virginia.

Story and video ➤ https://www.mynews13.com

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Richmond

June 11, 2017: Aircraft on takeoff, went off the end of the runway into a marsh.

Date: 11-JUN-17
Time: 17:35:00Z
Regis#: N735D
Aircraft Make: VELOCITY
Aircraft Model: XLRG
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
City: WEST POINT
State: VIRGINIA

Cessna 310L, N2299F: Accident occurred August 21, 2019 at Tampa International Airport (KTPA), Hillsborough County, Florida

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N2299F

Location: Tampa, FL
Accident Number: ERA19LA255
Date & Time: 08/21/2019, 1235 EDT
Registration: N2299F
Aircraft: Cessna 310
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 21, 2019, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310L, N2299F, was substantially damaged while landing at Tampa International Airport (TPA), Tampa, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Car Zone LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated about 1013 from Perry-Houston County Airport, Perry, Georgia, destined for Pilot Country Airport (X05), Brooksville, Florida.

The pilot stated that after takeoff the flight proceeded to X05 where after lowering the landing gear, the right main landing gear would not indicate down and locked. He "wiggled" the light for the right main landing gear and changed the light bulb, but the right main landing gear did not indicate down and locked. He continued the approach and landed, but during the landing rollout, the right main landing gear began to collapse. He aborted the landing and climbed to altitude where he cycled the landing gear multiple times by manipulating the landing gear handle and also tried to extend the right main landing gear using the emergency gear extension procedure multiple times. He also attempted abrupt maneuvers but was unable to get the right main landing gear down and locked. He attempted a second landing at X05, with the same results. After the aborted landing at X05, he contacted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control, declared an emergency, and diverted to TPA. He performed one low-pass and one fly-by of the air traffic control tower at TPA and was told the right main landing gear appeared to be down. He returned for landing, again felt the right main landing gear was collapsing, and initiated another aborted landing. He informed the tower that he would land gear-up, and subsequently performed a gear-up landing on runway 19L with emergency equipment in-place.

During recovery of the airplane, airport maintenance personnel were unable to lock the right main landing gear using the emergency gear extension system, but were able to manually push the gear over-center, and brace it. They also secured the nose and left main landing gears over-center with heavy tie wraps and towed the airplane to the ramp.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration:N2299F
Model/Series: 310 L
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:No 
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: TPA, 26 ft msl
Observation Time: 1253 EDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 3500 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 160°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Perry, GA (PXE)
Destination: Tampa, FL (TPA)

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: 27.978889, -82.528333 (est)

Stinson 108-3, N647C: Accident occurred August 21, 2019 near Grand Rapids Airport (KGPZ), Itasca County, Minnesota

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Minneapolis

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N647C

Location: Grand Rapids, MN
Accident Number: CEN19LA281
Date & Time: 08/21/2019, 1338 CDT
Registration: N647C
Aircraft: STINSON 108
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On August 21, 2019, about 1338 central daylight time, a float-equipped Stinson 108-3 airplane, N647C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Grand Rapids/Itasca County Airport (GPZ), Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported running the engine for about 20 minutes because it had not been flown in about 1 year while it was imported from Canada. Some limited water taxi operations were conducted approximately 1 week prior with no anomalies noted. The pilot departed from the on-field/adjacent lake with the intention on flying north about 4 miles for practice runs on Lake Pokegama. Immediately after takeoff, during initial climb over the airport, the pilot noted a partial loss of engine power. He turned east with the intention of returning to the lake; however, the engine subsequently lost power completely. He executed a forced landing to a grass area east of the airport. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer were damaged during the landing.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: STINSON
Registration: N647C
Model/Series: 108 3
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No 
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: GPZ, 1356 ft msl
Observation Time: 1356 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 8°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 5000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 300°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 6500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Grand Rapids, MN (KGPZ)
Destination: Grand Rapids, MN (KGPZ)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 47.209167, -93.510000 (est)


Similarities between police officers and pilots

By Scott Johnson Grand Rapids Police Chief

It happens rarely, but any city that has an airport is eventually going to have to deal with a mishap involving an aircraft. We have all heard that it is safer to fly an airplane than to drive a car. After all, before every flight, pilots inspect their aircraft and an FAA licensed mechanic must inspect the airplane annually. In addition, pilots spend many hours of training before they receive a license to fly and then must engage in periodic training to maintain their knowledge and skills. For these reasons, with few exceptions, airplane accidents are rare. Last week was one of those exceptions.

A very experienced and well-respected pilot took off from the seaplane base at the Grand Rapids-Itasca County Airport. The airplane, a high wing single engine Stinson on floats, had been purchased in Canada by an out of state buyer and ferried to the airport where it had not flown for a number of months. The aircraft recently underwent an Annual Inspection and was returned to service but had not yet been flown. The pilot that day was alone and was taking the airplane up for the owner.

After the crash, Investigator Jeremy Nelson and I went to the hospital to learn from the pilot what had happened. He told us that he was very meticulous in his inspection of the airplane.  He took off from the lake on the north end of the airport and began climbing out to the west when there was a reduction in the power the airplane’s engine was delivering. The airplane was too low to perform a 180-degree turn back to the lake and in the meantime, the pilot tried everything he could think of to get the engine operating properly. With the engine producing limited power, climbing to gain altitude was pretty much out of the question. The pilot made a gradual turn back to the east with the intention to make another turn to line up and land on the lake. Unfortunately, the airplane had other plans as the engine quit dead. The only sound was that of the air rushing past the airframe. 

Resisting temptation, the pilot knew that he must not turn back toward the lake at that low altitude and airspeed. To do so would mean certain stalling of a wing and the airplane would have spun into the ground. 

The pilot’s many years of experience and training kicked in. He knew he had to land nearly straight ahead and was losing altitude rapidly. The only place to land was between a sewage treatment pond and a steep bank within the fenced in Waste Water Treatment plant. The landing site was not nearly long enough, but it was the pilot’s only option and he chose it. 

He touched the floats down on the grass at the slowest possible airspeed, just above a stall.  After a short distance the tip of one float dug into the grass, which caused the airplane to start going up onto its nose and pivot sideways. The left wing came into violent contact with the ground, causing it to collapse. A door ripped off and the rivets holding the aluminum on the top of the wing were sheared off, expelling one of the fuel tanks. Although the airplane was destroyed, because of his training and decisions, the pilot was not seriously injured. The next morning, Jeremy and I met at the crash site with two very experienced FAA investigators, Ed Martin and Nick Halatsis. They will conduct a thorough investigation and find the reason why the engine quit. They are very good at what they do and will get to the bottom of it.  

I have been to eight or nine airplane crashes during my career. Some of them didn’t have very good outcomes. I cannot help but contemplate the similarities between flying airplanes and performing police work. You know, the pilot had to undergo many hours of rigorous academic and practical training before he was licensed to fly. Police officers must do the same before they are licensed to practice law enforcement. The pilot was required to periodically refresh this training to stay current. Police officers do the same. He trained for the worst-case scenario. He had to deal with the unanticipated and unexpected and quickly come up with a plan. Police officers train for this religiously with shoot/don’t shoot scenarios and defensive tactics. The pilot had to quickly plan a course of action and then modify it at the last instant. As police officers, it seems that all too often the planned course of action changes. People are unpredictable. Sometimes, so are airplanes. Finally, the pilot did not give up. He flew that airplane as far as he could into the crash. Police officers are also taught to never, ever give up.

In both professions, we prepare for the worst and pray that it never happens. As was once said by Captain A. G. Lamplugh, a British WWI pilot, “Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” I guess the same can be said about police work.  


https://www.grandrapidsmn.com



A single-engine plane on floats made an emergency landing around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon near the Grand Rapids airport.

A statement from the police department said the pilot reported the engine began losing power shortly after takeoff, and he turned back toward Lilly Lake. The 68-year-old pilot, who is very experienced, according to police, set the plane down in a grassy area east of the airport, on the grounds of the Grand Rapids Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant.

There was extensive damage to the aircraft. One wing hit the ground. 

The pilot, who is from Grand Rapids, has injuries that are not life-threatening. He was taken to the hospital. No one else was in the plane.

“The pilot did an excellent job in a situation in which he had no other options. No other lives were endangered,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Scott Johnson. “We have been in contact with the FAA and they will conduct an investigation of the incident.” 

The Grand Rapids Police and Fire Departments, the Itasca County Sheriff's Office and an ambulance service responded. 

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

Cozy MK IV, N424PT: Incident occurred August 21, 2019 at Smyrna Airport (KMQY), Rutherford County, Tennessee

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville

Aircraft landed gear up.

https://registry.faa.gov/N424PT

Date: 21-AUG-19
Time: 13:40:00Z
Regis#: N424PT
Aircraft Make: EXPERIMENTAL
Aircraft Model: COZY MARK IV
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: SMYRNA
State: TENNESSEE