Saturday, August 29, 2020

Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (KMRB) announces partnership with Bravo Flight Training in the Eastern Panhandle


MARTINSBURG, West Virginia — Officials with the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority announced another expansion to its services in the form of a partnership with the Bravo Flight Training program, offering pilot courses to the residents of the Eastern Panhandle.

First opened on August 1, officials with the airport said the program’s facility in Martinsburg is the latest in its family of three flight schools, first originated in Frederick, Maryland, four years ago and later expanding to Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The flight school offers comprehensive flight training opportunities, including: private pilot, instrument, commercial and flight instructor.

“The location is perfect, because we’re able to draw from different markets while building our flying clientele, but still keep it local,” founder Brenda Tibbs said. “We love the Martinsburg community, and the experience of working with MRB has already been exceptional. We’re looking forward to a great partnership here.”

According to a release, Tibbs comes from a background in early childhood development, but, after taking her children to an airshow and participating in her own discovery flight, she completed training, started flight instruction and opened the flight school.

Tibbs was awarded the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Best Flight Instructor of 2016, with Bravo Flight Training being named a Distinguished Flight School in 2017 and 2018, the release added.

“Bravo is about getting people together and encouraging camaraderie through flying,” Tibbs said. “We organize a lot of activities to facilitate this, such as flyouts, camping as a group or short flights for group lunches in Cumberland or Lancaster.”

According to airport officials, EWVRA was considered an ideal location, because it has the space to allow for the construction of a maintenance shop, as well as both long and wide runways to accommodate the training.

In addition, the area provides different types of airspace for training and Class Delta air traffic control services, as well.

According to Nic Diehl, executive director of the EWVRA, what he believes sets the Bravo Flight Training at MRB apart is its Part 141 Certification, making it one of only two flight schools in West Virginia to have this certification.

“We talked to a number of flight schools that expressed interest in coming to Martinsburg. but in the end, we felt Bravo Flight training was the best partnership for us,” Diehl said. “We’re excited to have Bravo here, because we see MRB as a location where they can grow and where we can have more trained pilots for future use in commercial flying or flying for the military, and the more pilots we have in the area, the more aircraft we have in the area, the busier we are and the more benefit we can be to the area.”

Diehl said if somebody is interested in taking lessons, they are encouraged to take a discovery flight, which typically includes 30 minutes of both on the ground and in-the-air flight

According to a release from the EWVRA, the school already has roughly 10 students and employs two instructors and a mechanic with hopes to grow in the near future by adding more instructors and maintenance personnel.

https://www.journal-news.net

Presque Isle County, Michigan, to send letter to the Federal Aviation Administration

ROGERS CITY, Michigan — The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners voted Friday to send a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration in support of its airport, which could lose GPS landing capability if a proposed wind farm is built in Moltke Township.

The project would feature 66 wind turbines, each towering 574 feet above the ground, and each would probe into restricted airspace, the

Federal Aviation Administration determined recently.

Nine of the towers would be in the line of approach for aircraft, which the Federal Aviation Administration deems a risk for pilots.


The commissioners hope the developer, SStar Ridge-Run Energy, will work with the county to find a feasible solution that allows the project to move forward without any ill effects on the airport.


https://www.thealpenanews.com



ROGERS CITY, Michigan — A proposed Molke Township wind farm project could have a significant impact on Rogers City airport and its airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration has determined the height of the proposed wind turbines would be too tall and penetrate restricted airspace. The turbines would also present safety issues during landings and takeoffs unless alterations to the plan are made.

Presque Isle County Airport Manager Al Stiller said the FAA notified the county-owned airport of its findings and said nine of the 66 proposed turbines are in direct line with airport approach lines and would be an issue. All of the turbines, which would rise 574 feet above the ground, exceed the high structure guidelines set for aviation in the area.

The company behind the wind turbine project, SStar Ridge-Run Energy, could not be reached for comment.

Stiller said the airport can help convince the FAA to allow the project to move forward. He said there are some simple fixes, such as adding the structures to aviation charters to alert pilots of their location, putting lights on the turbines, or painting them a bright color.

If the towers are erected as currently designed, the airport could see major changes that would hurt its business model and slow financial progress.

If the nine towers in question are built as designed, Stiller said, one of the airport’s two instrument approach runways would lose its ability for electronic GPS landing assistance. That would force pilots to do more landings after circling the runway, which is more tricky and potentially dangerous, Stiller said.

He said losing the instrument approach would likely lead some pilots to simply bypass the airport and land at others nearby that offer instrument approach on its runways.

“The turbine’s height presents a hazard for navigation and the loss of instrument approach will decrease the usefulness of the airport,” Stiller said. “Pilots don’t like the circle-the-runway approach, so they will just go to Cheboygan, Alpena or Gaylord.”

The airport has seen an uptick in traffic the last several years. He said the number of planes landing is up 30% in 2020 when compared to the same time frame in 2019, and fuel sales are up 40%.

Losing customers and revenue could mean less federal funding, Stiller said.

“Less planes equals less funds, means less of a chance you have an airport,” he said. ” This could threaten the future of it. Things are looking up, and I think we have turned a corner. We’re doing good, and I don’t want to go backwards.”

Stiller said he wasn’t necessarily opposed to the project, but added that the airport is his first priority. He added he has had meetings with administrators of SStar Ridge-Run Energy to find a possible solution, and more talks could take place, but no date is set.

“This is an issue that needs to be discussed seriously, but, right now there is no timetable on anything,” he said.

https://www.thealpenanews.com

As furloughs loom for airline industry, aircraft mechanics still needed for parked planes

PHOENIX - Airplanes are grounded across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the week ending August 23, domestic air travel is currently down 67%. International air travel is down 87%, according to Airlines for America.

Rui Leonardo is the president of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association Local 32 which represents 1,100 mechanics, many of them in Phoenix.

Leonardo says constant maintenance on airplanes should keep them working.

"When you park an airplane and it's not being utilized, that aircraft still requires maintenance. It requires three-day checks, seven-day checks, 14-day checks. It requires storage checks. There's a whole bunch of stuff where we as maintenance people are still being required to do," Leonardo said.

But the unknown is approaching. American Airlines alone says it will have at least 40,000 fewer employees after October 1 compared to pre-pandemic numbers.

Of that amount, 19,000 are involuntary reductions. The rest are workers leaving on their own.

Leonardo points to companies outsourcing work overseas as a problem.

"They could actually reduce their outsourcing and bring some of that work back for our guys here."

In mid-May, the percentage of U.S. passenger airline fleets sitting idle peaked at more than 50% per A4A.

Leonardo hopes the public gets back to traveling soon but it may take more time.

"I think it's going to take 18 months for really the flying public to come back on board and feel safe."

Several labor unions are pushing to extend the payroll support provisions of the CARES Act through the end of March 2021.

Sixteen Republican senators, including Martha McSally, have backed another $25 billion in aid.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com

Belite, Unregistered: Fatal accident occurred August 29, 2020 at Prineville Airport (S39), Crook County, Oregon

Jackson Henry Edwards
October 12th, 1992 ~ August 29th, 2020
 (age 27)

Jackson Henry Edwards, 27, of Redmond, Oregon passed away on August 29th, 2020.

A full obituary and service information will be posted soon.

Whispering Pines Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

https://www.whisperingpinesfuneralhome.com


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.

PRINEVILLE — The homemade airplane crash Saturday in Prineville that killed the pilot will not be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board.

Ian Gregor, a spokesperson for the FAA, said the agencies only investigate crashes involving registered aircraft, and the homemade ultralight airplane was not registered.

“The FAA does not investigate because you don’t need a pilot license to fly one, and they do not need an FAA airworthiness certificate,” Gregor said.

Jackson Edwards, 27, of Redmond, was the only person aboard the homemade plane when it crashed shortly after taking off from the Prineville Airport at about 12:41 p.m. Saturday, according to Prineville Police. The plane crashed about 180 yards from the runway, witnesses told police.

Mechanical failure appears to be a factor in the crash, police said.

Edwards was pronounced dead at about 1:05 p.m. by Crook County Fire and Rescue officials.

It was the second fatal crash in Central Oregon since June.


https://www.redmondspokesman.com


PRINEVILLE, Oregon (KTVZ) – A Redmond man was killed Saturday afternoon in the crash of his ultralight aircraft, which apparently had a mechanical failure shortly after takeoff from Prineville Airport, police said.

Police were called to the airport around 12:40 p.m. on the reported crash near the end of the runway, Sgt. Robert Gray said.

Oregon State Police troopers and Crook County sheriff’s deputies also went to the scene and helped remove the pilot, identified as Jackson Edwards, 27, of Redmond, from the plane, Gray said.

The first responders attempted life-saving measures on the pilot, who was alone in the plane, and an AirLink helicopter was called in. But Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 1 p.m. by Crook County Fire & Rescue, the sergeant said.

Witnesses said Edwards had just taken off and the plane crashed within about 180 yards of the runway.

"At this time, it appears mechanical failure played a role in the crash" of the ultralight aircraft, Gray added.

A witness told NewsChannel 21 at the scene the pilot had brought the ultralight aircraft to a hangar, unfolded its wings, washed the plane and performed pre-flight tests, making slight adjustments to the airspeed indicator.

He said the plane took off and leveled off around 300 feet and was making a right turn when the engine apparently failed and it crashed. Another pilot said he heard the pilot report an engine failure shortly before the crash.

https://ktvz.com

Riverton votes to change name of Riverton Regional Airport (KRIW)

RIVERTON, Wyoming (WNE) — The Riverton City Council adopted a resolution unanimously Tuesday changing the facility’s name from Riverton Regional Airport to Central Wyoming Regional Airport.

The move came at the recommendation of the Riverton Airport Board, which has considered a name change for the facility several times in the past decade, most recently in 2017.

At that time, Airport Board chair Dean Peranteaux said he was opposed to the idea because the City of Riverton was funding the airport without support from other community stakeholders.

But since then, Lander and Fremont County have begun contributing regularly to the local air service fund, so “it makes sense” now to “get rid of that Riverton name (and) make it a little more regional.”

Riverton public works director Kyle Butterfield said the renaming discussion arose this year after a presentation from a marketing firm associated with the Fremont Air Service Team.

“(They) reported that a name change for Riverton Regional will help with search engine optimization and the regionalization of the airport,” Butterfield said Tuesday.

https://trib.com

Did you get stuck behind a plane on the highway in Connecticut? Here's why.



Connecticut State Police troopers escorted a military aircraft across Connecticut roads Friday, attracting an audience along the way.

Police posted photos of the plane, a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, on its Facebook page Saturday.

It was loaded onto a tractor trailer in CT, where troopers escorted the heavy cargo to the Rhode Island border. The plane is headed to New Hampshire, according to the State Police Facebook post.

"Many people were surprised to see this plane traveling along the interstate and through Bethel, Thomaston and other towns," police wrote in the post.

They did not specify where exactly the aircraft was headed, or where it was coming from.

https://www.ctpost.com

Letter: Drone operator should be prosecuted

Debbie Collazo
West side, Arizona

The Federal Aviation Administration says it has counseled the pilot of a drone that hindered Bighorn Fire suppression efforts in the early days of the inferno. That heavy penalty, counseling verbally and in writing, should put the fear into drone owners who selfishly want a birds' eye view of future blazes. Not for a second.

Over seven weeks this summer, the Bighorn Fire burned 120,000 acres and cost taxpayers $37 million to fight. Hundreds of firefighters risked their lives, and Tucsonans endured the pain of thousands of saguaros left dead or charred and untold human and wildlife disruption that will last for years.

And the drone operator is counseled.

Will counseling be enough if an air tanker or helicopter goes down in a collision with a drone?

Surely investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration, Forest Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation can press charges in the public interest. Who do they think they are protecting?

Debbie Collazo
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

https://tucson.com/opinion/letters

Minuteman Aviation Inc: Missoula aviation company seeing more private planes fly in


MISSOULA, Montana - While airports across the country are struggling with less travelers, a Montana aviation business is seeing the opposite.

The pandemic continues to take a hit to the Missoula International Airport (MSO).

“We’re running at about 55 percent of normal in terms of passengers,” Cris Jensen the MSO director said.

He said the MSO numbers aren’t great this summer, it’s better than what other international airports across the country are seeing.

But while MSO is suffering, Jensen said over at Minuteman Aviation, a tenant of MSO that specializes in private jets and smaller aircraft, they’re seeing more private planes land.

“Memorial day to labor day that’s when we see a lot of vacation travel and based on that time period we’re definitely seeing an increase,” Josh Johnson, the director of ground operations at Minuteman Aviation said.

Travelers are flying into Missoula from all over the country said Johnson. The increase is significant.

“I would say it’s about a 40 maybe even 50 percent increase over last year,” he said.

Jensen said more private planes landing is not just happening in Missoula but across Big Sky Country.

“All the airports in Montana, all the commercial service airports in Montana, are seeing a similar uptick in numbers. Our general aviation activity, which is the corporate jets down to the small single engine aircrafts,” Jensen said.

The possible reason?

“We see a lot of travelers to take advantage of the scenery and the great state we live in,” Johnson said.

https://www.khq.com

Embraer ERJ 170-200 LR, N823NN: Accident occurred July 9, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois

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 did not travel to the scene of this accident.

American Airlines Inc


Location: Chicago, IL 
Accident Number: DCA20CA122
Date & Time: July 9, 2020, 17:00 Local 
Registration: N226NN
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ170
Injuries: N/A
Flight Conducted
Under: Part 121: Air carrier - Scheduled

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Embraer Registration: N226NN
Model/Series: ERJ170 200LR
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held:
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: 
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: 
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition: 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting: 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 
Aircraft Damage: None
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 
N/A Latitude, Longitude: 41.889591,-87.620277 (est)

Passenger traffic, flights at John Wayne Airport (KSNA) down again in July, just not as much


Airline traffic is slowly inching its way back to normal at John Wayne Airport, where July statistics showed gains compared with the previous few months, but still nothing like the pre-pandemic volume of travelers.

Passenger traffic this July was down 74.7% compared with July 2019, according to airport data released this week. The more than 239,000 travelers who took off from or landed at JWA last month was a notable bump from the roughly 181,000 people who passed through the airport in May – and a vast improvement since April, when a little more than 25,000 travelers used the airport.

Aircraft operations, which include takeoffs and landings by private jets and hobby planes as well as commercial airlines, also are showing a steady increase since a precipitous drop that began in mid-March. Airport data shows total operations have climbed from 13,085 in April to 23,694 last month.

Airport officials recently said they hope to finish 2020 with at least 50% of last year’s passenger traffic, which totaled 10.6 million travelers. To help people feel safe and to lure them back, the airport stepped up its cleaning regimen, added hand sanitizer dispensers and made masks mandatory, and is offering some no-contact services such as a baggage check kiosk and food and drink orders from your smartphone.

https://www.ocregister.com

How quiet are skies above you? A look at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT) proposals

Shown in this image from Google Earth are the flights paths of planes departing north from KCLT on July 16th, 2018.


Shown in this image from Google Earth are the flight paths of planes arriving from the north to KCLT on July 16th, 2018.

While there are a good number of airplanes currently flying each day over eastern Gaston County enroute to nearby Charlotte Douglas International Airport, apparently there is little problem with noise.

However, recent recommendations from a community roundtable to the Federal Aviation Administration could result in more inbound and outbound flights from the international airport trekking overhead in the Belmont and Mount Holly areas.

Dan Gardon, who is the noise abatement specialist for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, said the overall intent of the recommendations from the Airport Community Roundtable was to meet two objectives: to increase altitudes for arriving flights and to further disperse departing aircraft over a wider area.

“These address the two most common complaints the airport receives,” he said.

Out of the more than 33,000 noise complaints received by the airport so far in 2020, just 12 of those complaints came from nine households in Gaston County.

Sara Nomellini, chairwoman of the community roundtable, said the majority of complaints received by the airport’s plane noise complaint recording system were from those living in the Steele Creek, South Park and Mountain Island Lake neighborhoods in neighboring Mecklenburg County.

Charlotte’s Airport Community Roundtable was created in June 2017 to provide input on airport-related noise. The group, comprised of 23 volunteers from Mecklenburg, Gaston and York, S.C., counties, has met monthly since 2017 with airport-funded consultants to review potential ways to reduce and equally disperse aircraft noise around the airport.

Sam Stowe is Gaston County’s lone representative. He is a lifelong aviation enthusiast and former licensed private pilot.

“I got involved with ACR at my wife’s suggestion,” Stowe said, “mostly because I had the background to understand the complex topic. I joined the group in October 2019.”

When the ACR was created, applications were sent to every resident who had submitted a complaint through the airport’s plane noise complaint system. That number included 16 Gaston County residents.

Airport officials said just one of the 16 Gaston residents completed the application and joined the ACR, but then left the group a few months later. They said, from that point on, the city of Charlotte Aviation Department attempted to recruit a representative from Gaston County with no success until Stowe joined in the fall of 2019.

Nomellini said there was a consensus from the group in its recommendations.

“The challenges with arrivals and departures were treated with equal importance and all recommendations were unanimously approved,” she said.

Gardon said the overall intent of the ACR’s recommendations related to departures is to reduce the number of overflights over any one specific area as much as possible.

“It is not to lessen the number of noise complaints over specific areas,” he said.

Currently, flights heading northwest from the airport follow a single heading before turning to join the next phase of flight. That path is directly over nearly all of Mount Holly.

One of the panel’s recommendations is to create divergent departure headings rather than follow that one path over Mount Holly.

“This recommendation would likely increase the amount of dispersion in the Mount Holly area,” Gardon said. “Dispersion is about trying to spread aircraft over a wider area so no one neighborhood or house gets a majority of overflights. Aircraft still produce the same amount of noise, but it would be more equitably spread with dispersion.”

Conversely, another recommendation by the panel to remove a two-mile restriction for southbound departures would shift flights departing west further north into Belmont and away from the Steele Creek area in southwest Mecklenburg County.

“It is important to note that this recommendation was submitted in tandem with two others that would further disperse noise from these flights,” Gardon said. “The ACR asked that the three be considered together.”

As far as the noise from inbound flights, the roundtable is asking that the FAA change the airspace and flight procedures in the region to the way it was before. In 2017, the FAA implemented its Charlotte Metroplex plan that it said would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

“This move was likely to increase efficiency and throughput in the airport, but had the undesired effect of lowering aircraft altitude by approximately 1,000 feet over a specific area in South Charlotte,” he said.

Gardon said the panel, as well as the consulting firm Harris Miller Miller and Hanson Inc., believe reverting to the pre-Metroplex plan would “reduce noise in that region while having minimal affect on the throughput rate of the airport.”

He said, “Increasing altitude would reduce ground-level noise.”

The six recommendations have been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for consideration. If the FFA pursues any of the recommendations, it would seek additional public input before moving forward.

In 2019, Charlotte Douglas International broke its passenger and operations record by serving more than 50 million passengers and handling 573,263 arrivals and departures. The airport ranked sixth nationwide in the number of arrivals and departures, averaging around 1,600 daily.

“Reaching 50 million passengers is a huge milestone,” said Aviation Director/CEO Brent Cagle in the airport’s 2019 annual report. “It’s the biggest jump in passenger traffic we’ve had since 2010, which shows our tremendous growth just within the past year.”

The airport had been on track for another record-setting year in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic struck.

In April, passenger traffic dove nearly 92 percent when compared with the previous year. There were only 340,265 arrivals and departures for the entire month, down from the 4.2 million passengers in April 2019.

Traffic has picked up in recent months. In May, the number of passenger arrivals and departures was just over 1 million, while there were a little over 1.5 million in June.

In June, there were 355 flights, which is down 54 percent when compared with the 769 flights recorded in June 2019.

https://www.gastongazette.com

Public meeting set on John Glenn Columbus International Airport (KCMH) noise study


A virtual meeting will be held online Wednesday to present for public comment the latest updated study information on aircraft noise levels in areas around John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority has for months been updating the airport’s Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study — a voluntary noise abatement program established through the Federal Aviation Administration and named for the part of the 1979 federal act that established it.

The study involves updating noise contour maps around the airport to identify where the average day-night sound levels from aircraft operations are measured at 65 decibels or above, which is considered incompatible for houses, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, churches and other noise-sensitive uses.

John Glenn airport’s two parallel runways operate about 77% of the year with takeoffs to the west and landings from the east. Wind and weather conditions the other times of the year reverse that.

Noise readings are collected from 16 permanent monitoring sites around the airport as well as 30 temporary sites added for the study. The airport authority’s goal is to reduce or mitigate aircraft noise levels over homes and other noise-sensitive land uses where possible. That can include evaluating air traffic control procedures to reduce excessive noise over residential areas.

The authority also uses the noise contour maps developed from the study to work with local and county planning and development agencies to try and limit noise-sensitive development in excessive noise areas.

The Part 150 Study for John Glenn airport — known to those in aviation by its three-letter FAA designation of CMH — was last updated in 2007. The future noise exposure levels in that study were for 2012 conditions.

The authority has held previous public meetings to collect citizen comment on the updated study. The meeting Wednesday is a final chance for the public to comment on the latest study for consideration before the plan is sent to the FAA.

The virtual public meeting will be held online from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, when the draft study findings and maps to date will be presented.

Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to participate in the meeting online by going to: www.airportprojects.net/cmh-part150/home/public-meetings/.

https://www.dispatch.com

Cirrus SR22 GTS X G3, N607SR: Fatal accident occurred August 29, 2020 near Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport (KLWV), Lawrence County, Illinois

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 did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois
Cirrus Aircraft; Duluth, Minnesota
Continental Aerospace Technologies; Mobile, Alabama

https://registry.faa.gov/N607SR

Location: Lawrenceville, IL

Accident Number: CEN20LA367
Date & Time: 08/29/2020, 0123 CDT
Registration: N607SR
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22
Injuries:1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On August 29, 2020, about 0123 central daylight time (CDT), a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N607SR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lawrenceville, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.


According to preliminary air traffic control data, the airplane departed Peter O Knight Airport, Tampa, Florida, about 2046 eastern daylight time (EDT), and landed at the Sullivan County Airport (SIV), Sullivan, Indiana, about 0126 EDT. At 1411 EDT, the pilot departed SIV on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan after refueling the airplane, en route to Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport (LWV), Lawrenceville, Illinois, which was located about 22 nautical miles south.


The airplane departed SIV to the north, turned left (south) toward LWV, and climbed to about 2,600 ft mean sea level. About 0117 CDT, the airplane began a descent toward LWV and the JEBDU waypoint. The controller asked the pilot to verify if he had the weather and NOTAMs at LWV and that he was requesting the RNAV GPS Runway 18 approach. The pilot verified he had the weather and NOTAMs, and the controller cleared the pilot for the approach starting at the JEBDU waypoint. The controller terminated radar service when the airplane was about 13 miles north of LWV and instructed the pilot to cancel the IFR flight plan in the air or on the ground at LWV. There were no further communications from the pilot to air traffic control. Multiple attempts to contact the pilot by air traffic control were unsuccessful, and an alert notice (ALNOT) was issued for the airplane.


According to law enforcement, due to fog conditions, air search and rescue efforts were not initially available until the weather conditions improved. The airplane was located by search and rescue personnel about 0730.


Examination of the accident site by a responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed multiple tree impacts north of the main wreckage. Several sections of wing skin and wing spar debris were located between the tree impacts and the main wreckage. The debris path measured about 250 ft in length on a measured magnetic heading of 180°. The main wreckage came to rest in wooded terrain, and a post impact fire consumed a majority of the fuselage, empennage, and fragmented wing sections. There was no evidence of an in-flight Cirrus Airframe Parachute System deployment.


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information


Aircraft Make: Cirrus

Registration: N607SR
Model/Series: SR22 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: Instrument Conditions

Condition of Light:Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: LWV, 429 ft msl
Observation Time: 0137 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 200 ft agl
Visibility: 0.5 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.74 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Sullivan, IN (SIV)
Destination: Lawrenceville, IL (LWV)

Wreckage and Impact Information


Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal

Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 38.789722, -87.605000

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.



 Judge Ryan D. Johanningsmeier
Knox County Superior Court II

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Illinois (WTHI) - We now know when the funeral for a judge killed in a weekend plane crash will happen. 


On Wednesday, the Lawrence County Coroner formally identified the victim as Judge Ryan Johanningsmeier. He was a judge in Knox County.


The crash happened Saturday morning in Lawrence County.


Investigators are still putting together what happened in the crash.


There's a prayer vigil set for Wednesday evening for Johanningsmeier. It is set to happen at 8 pm at the Knox County Superior Court 2.


If you attend, you are encouraged to bring posters, pictures, and flowers to create a memorial.


Johanningsmeier's visitation is set for Thursday, September 3 at Bethel Church in Edwardsport from 4 pm to 8 pm and on Friday from 9 am to 10:30 am.  
His funeral is set for Friday at Bethel Church at 11 am.

Read the full obituary here

The service will also be live-streamed at this link.

The Honorable Judge Ryan Dale Johanningsmeier, 44, of Edwardsport, went home to be with the Lord in the early morning of August 29, 2020.

Ryan’s exceptional life started on September 6, 1975. He was born in Vincennes, to Roger and Chris Johanningsmeier. Farming, family, and 4-H shaped his early life and instilled in him the virtues of hard work, friendship, and compassion. These experiences were the foundation of the man he was to become.


Ryan graduated from North Knox High School in 1994, Purdue University with highest distinction in 1997, and Indiana University Law School with honors in 2000. Upon passing the bar exam, he began his law career in private practice before taking a position with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. He returned home and was elected Judge of Knox County Superior Court II in 2014.


As Judge, his leadership was instrumental in establishing the Knox County Drug Court. True to his passion for helping people, this program offers an alternative to jail for those struggling with addiction and supports them in their life’s recovery. This is one of his greatest and proudest accomplishments in life and leaves a legacy that will be felt forever.


His commitment to the community was evident not only in his work, but in his personal life. He was a great friend to many, going above and beyond to help others. Whether using his legal expertise or his big heart, he provided comfort and support to countless people throughout the region. He was an active member of Bethel Church as a leader of the Church Council and a teacher in Sunday school. He touched countless lives.


Outside of work, Ryan sought adventure whenever possible. When not hunting and fishing, he was traveling the country to hike in National Parks and see the greatness of the natural world. He was also known for hosting great outdoor events on his property, featuring bonfires and fellowship which went long into the night. In recent years, his passion for flying opened up new opportunities making accessible many new adventures. He was always excited to take friends and family all over the country for extended trips, to view the farm fields, or sometimes just for lunch. Flying brought great joy to his life.


Ryan will be remembered for his selflessness, adventurous spirit, and engaging smile. He made an immeasurable impact during his short time on earth and he will be greatly missed.


He is survived by; his parents, Roger and Chris; his twin sister, Kari Johanningsmeier Preston of Carmel, and her children Claire and Grant; his brother, Jeff Johanningsmeier of Fort Wayne, and his wife Kate and their children Hannah and Noah.


Ryan is preceded in death by; paternal grandparents Carl and Marilyn Johanningsmeier, and his maternal grandparents Ray and Ida Bottema.


Visitation will be at Bethel Church, 13673 E. State Road 58, Edwardsport, IN 47528 on Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Friday from 9:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. Funeral services will be held at Bethel Church on Friday, September 4, 2020 a 11:00 A.M. Guidelines for Covid-19 will be followed while at the church. Social distancing should be maintained, masks are optional upon entry of the church and the family encourages everyone to please attend the visitation and share memories but to try to stay within state guidelines for the funeral service. You may watch the service as it will be livestreamed on the church facebook page.


Arrangements have been entrusted to Fredrick and SonMcClure-Utt Funeral Homes, Vincennes Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.fredrickandson.com. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Bethel Church 13673 E. State Road 58, Edwardsport, IN 47528 Or the Knox County Drug Court Foundation at the following address:

Knox County Drug Court Foundation

P.O. Box 1843
Vincennes, Indiana 47591

The crash is believed to have taken place about 2 a.m., CDT, in a cluster of trees about 1.5 miles north of the Lawrenceville-Vincennes Municipal Airport.

Judge Ryan Johanningsmeier was piloting the Cirrus SR22 GTS X G3, of which he was co-owner. 


Johanningsmeier, who had been a certified pilot for just over a year, had departed Florida at about 8 p.m. on the night of August 28th. He had traveled to an airport in Sullivan County, Indiana, to refuel, and was to return to Lawrence County, but never made it.


A search for Johanningsmeier Cirrus SR22 GTS X G3 commenced about 6 a.m. on August 29th. The wreckage was discovered shortly thereafter by a Lawrence County pilot as he flew over the area.


The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department was first on the scene, but the Illinois State Police soon took over the operation. At some point on August 29th, Federal Aviation Administration officials arrived to head the investigation.


The Lawrence County Coroner’s office was also at the crash site.


Reports are that Johanningsmeier body was burned beyond recognition, and that dental records would be required to determine positive identification. 


Witnesses say Federal Aviation Administration officials removed Johanningsmeier body from the aircraft about 3 p.m. on August 29th.


Other area pilots speculate that foggy conditions in the area played a part in the crash. 


In addition, the crash occurred at one of the highest points in the area of the airport.


Johanningsmeier had been in communication with the Lawrenceville-Vincennes Airport, but contact was lost. 


By Saturday morning Federal Aviation Administration officials had determined that the lighting at the Lawrence County airport were in proper working order, and that poor lighting did not contribute to the crash.


Specifically, the aircraft went down in the area in northeast Lawrence County where Beaver Creek Ditch and Otter Pond Ditch converge.


The crash location is about a mile north of the intersection of county roads 1650 East (Golleyville Road) and 1450 North (Beaver Pond Lane).


On the morning of August 29th, an area resident mowed a path to near the crash site, so that officials would have access to the area by vehicle.


Johanningsmeier was relatively new to flying, according to other pilots, but was very quick to advance his skills. 


While Johanningsmeier wasn’t a member of the recently-formed Mid-American Pilots Association, based at the Lawrenceville-Vincennes Airport, Johanningsmeier did much of the legal work to help the organization get off the ground.


Johanningsmeier crashed just south of where Vincennes businessman Clarence “Mac” McCormick was killed in a small plane crash on October 26th, 2006. McCormick, 55, was piloting his own airplane from Indianapolis to Lawrence County when the plane went down approximately four miles from the airport.


The Federal Aviation Administration was expected to return to the crash site late on the morning of August 30th, from the Nashville, Tennessee area. 


The plan was to gather the wreckage, and take to a Federal Aviation Administration warehouse in Nashville so that officials could try to determine the cause of the crash.


LAWRENCE COUNTY, Illinois  - A Knox County judge was killed in an early morning plane crash in Lawrence County.

Officials told News 10 Judge Ryan Johanningsmeier was killed in the crash. Johanningsmeier was the pilot, and alone in the plane.


Just before 5:00 Saturday morning, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office received a call about an overdue airplane that should have landed at an airport in Lawrence County.


Johanningsmeier stopped an airport in Sullivan County and fueled up before taking off to the airport in Lawrence County.


The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office started to search for the missing plane.


Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom requested an Indiana State Police helicopter, but because of fog, it couldn't be used.


Around 8:00 am another pilot reported what they believed was wreckage about three-miles north of the Lawrence County airport.


Now, the Federal Aviation Administration, Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, and the Lawrence County Coroner's Office are investigating the crash.


https://www.wthitv.com

An aircraft that departed Sullivan County early Saturday morning reportedly crashed before reaching an airport in Lawrence County, Illinois.

Federal Aviation Administration and Illinois law enforcement are investigating wreckage found three miles north of the Lawrence County Airport, according to a news release from Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom.

According to police Sullivan County Sheriff’s 911 dispatch received a call 4:53 a.m. Saturday in reference to an overdue aircraft that should have landed at the Lawrence County, Illinois airport.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s office had been informed by the Federal Aviation Administration, that the single-engine plane had touched down at the Sullivan County Airport while enroute to the Lawrence County Airport.

Cottom said a description of the plane and the plane’s tail number was given to Sullivan County Deputy Cole Boatright, who then went to the airport and met with airport officials.

After searching the grounds officials determined the pilot had made a brief stop at Sullivan before refueling and departing the airport.

Both Lawrence County Sheriff’s officials and Sullivan County Sheriff’s officials conducted a ground search between the two airports, Cottom said.

Cottom summoned the Indiana State Police, requesting a helicopter to search the area. But the ISP helicopter was unable to depart due to fog in the area, police said.

Shortly after 8 a.m. a local pilot reported what appeared to be wreckage approximately 3 miles north of the Lawrence County airport.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County Coroner's Office and the Federal Aviation Administration are working an investigation at that site.

https://www.tribstar.com

Cessna TU206B Turbo Super Skywagon, N3422L: Accident occurred August 28, 2020 near Grand Canyon National Park Airport (KGCN), Grand Canyon Village, Coconino County, Arizona

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 did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama

https://registry.faa.gov/N3422L


Location: Grand Canyon, AZ
Accident Number: WPR20LA291
Date & Time: 08/28/2020, 1100 MST
Registration: N3422L
Aircraft: Cessna TU206
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Skydiving

On August 28, 2020, about 1100 mountain standard time, a Cessna TU206B, N3422L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot sustained a minor injury. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air drop flight.

In a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident investigator, the pilot reported that while on the left downwind to land on runway 21, he was cleared to land and started to configure the airplane. He opened the cowl flaps, fuel mixture was full rich, and the propeller was full forward. The pilot stated that it was when he was abeam the approach end of the runway that a total loss of engine power occurred. He switched fuel tanks from right to left and turned on the electric fuel pump, attempted to restart the engine, but to no avail. Concerned that he would not make the runway, he elected to land on a highway, which is adjacent to the east of the airport. During the landing roll the right wing impacted a pole, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest inverted. The pilot also mentioned that two trips prior to the accident flight, he added 29 gallons of fuel. Subsequent to having egressed the airplane, he observed fuel leaking from both tanks.

The airplane was recovered to a secured storage facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N3422L
Model/Series: TU206 B
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: GCN, 6609 ft msl
Observation Time: 1054 MST
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 12000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 260°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Grand Canyon, AZ (GCN)
Destination: Grand Canyon, AZ (KGCN)

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: 35.936111, -112.131389 (est)






GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, Arizona — A small plane crashed at the Grand Canyon National Park Friday morning, causing a closure on State Route 64 near the park's south entrance.

The National Park Service said the plane crashed onto the roadway in Tusayan and resulted in minor injuries. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the pilot was the only person on board and injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

The crash scene blocked both north and southbound lanes of State Route 64.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Cessna TU206B Turbo Super Skywagon was making an emergency landing on the road north of Grand Canyon Airport around 10:40 a.m.

The FAA says the plane had departed from Grand Canyon Airport and the pilot was planning to return there. The FAA is investigating.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office is also investigating.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found the plane upside down and located the pilot. Andrew Dutzy, 24, was treated by Tusayan Fire Department and flown to Flagstaff Medical Center for neck and back injuries.

Dutzy is an employee at the Paragon Skydiving company that operates out of the Grand Canyon Airport. On his way back to the airport, the engine of his aircraft died. He attempted to make an emergency landing but the right wing caught on a light pole causing the crash, officers said.

https://www.12news.com

Boeing 767-3S2FER, N146FE: Accident occurred August 19, 2020 at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), 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 did not travel to the scene of this accident.

https://registry.faa.gov/N146FE


Location: Los Angeles, CA
Accident Number: DCA20LA138
Date & Time: 08/19/2020, 0505 PDT
Registration: N146FE
Aircraft: Boeing 767
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 121: Air Carrier - Non-scheduled

On August 19,2020, about 5:05 AM Pacific daylight time, FedEx flight 1026, a Boeing 767-300, N146FE, landed after the left main landing gear failed to extend at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), Los Angeles, California. The airplane received substantial damage. Both flight crew members exited the airplane using the cockpit emergency escape ropes and the first officer received a serious injury. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 121 as a domestic cargo flight from Newark International Airport(KEWR), Newark, New Jersey, to KLAX.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Boeing
Registration: N146FE
Model/Series: 767 300F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:No
Operator: Federal Express
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Flag carrier (121)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: