Friday, June 11, 2021

Progress being made on Punta Gorda Airport (KPGD) expansion



WINK News got an exclusive look Friday at the progress being made on Punta Gorda’s airport expansion plans. These plans include office spaces, a full-service restaurant and event space.

We asked travelers at the Punta Gorda Airport how they’d describe KPGD as it is now.

“It’s smaller from what I can tell so far,” said Dan Herlong from Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s small, it’s easy access to everything,” said Stacy Jacobs of Frankfurt, Ky.

The airport’s $18 million expansion project is taking off and airport staff gave WINK News a private tour of the progress.

Construction crews are building a general aviation center for private jet fueling, offices and events. Aircraft parking space is in the works as well.

“In order to give the commercial air service room to grow, we’re moving the private planes, charter services and fueling services over here to the north side of the airport,” said Kaley Miller, marketing and communications manager for the Punta Gorda Airport.

Right now, bidding is underway for a full-service restaurant in the new building. It would be the first sit-down restaurant on airport property. Allegiant and other commercial airline passengers would have to drive about a mile to get to the new site.

The new project represents growth and progress but still leaves room for that “small airport” appeal.

“It’s much more charming than flying into larger airports,” Jacobs said.

Construction on the Punta Gorda Airport is about a year behind because of the pandemic. The project is now set to wrap up in March of 2022.

Detroit man faces charges after shining laser at state police helicopter



DETROIT (WWJ) -- A 34-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly shining a laser at a Michigan State Police helicopter.

The crew was able to trace the laser to an apartment in Detroit.

Police got a warrant for the residence and arrested the man for aiming a directed-energy device at an aircraft. They also recovered the laser.

The man was arrested and faces a five-year felony.

Police say luckily, none of the helicopter crew was hurt, and they are continuing to investigate the situation.

Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604, N999PX: Accident occurred January 31, 2022 at London-Stansted Airport (STN/EGSS), United Kingdom

National Transportation Safety Board accident number: GAA22WA084

Lima Delta Co Trustee

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, N335TA: Incident occurred June 11, 2021 at Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport (KMWC), Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

BBJS Investments LLC


MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin —    A small plane made a hard landing Friday morning at Timmerman Airport in Milwaukee.

Exclusive video from News Chopper 12's Matt Salemme shows the moments the plane landed and its nose scraped the ground and skidded 954 feet.

"We always land after the morning news a little after 7 a.m. We got out of the helicopter, and normally, the chief of maintenance isn't standing right there," Salemme said.

Salemme said the maintenance chief learned a plane's nose gear had malfunctioned.

They watched as it did a flyby to manually try it, but video shows it was unsuccessful.

"The pilot did a magnificent job landing it safely, you know? It flared at the right time. He kept the nose off the ground as long as he could, you know, to make sure that he didn't have any problems. They had quite a bit of fuel onboard, so I know they were concerned about that," Salemme said.

It's not yet known what went wrong with the plane.

The Milwaukee Fire Department said when it first arrived on scene, no one was in the plane, but they were able to eventually track down the pilot.

Inside a nearby hanger, he told investigators he was alone in the aircraft and was OK.

The landing caused the most damage to the propellers, which bent.

After several hours on the runway, crews towed the plane so they can figure out why the landing gear failed.

It's unclear where the plane was heading but it's a Beechcraft King Air.

Salemme said it was part of Spring City Aviation Charter Department.

Woman stopped by TSA after loaded gun found in carry-on at Tri-State Airport (KHTS)



HUNTINGTON, West Virginia (WSAZ) - A woman from Scioto County, Ohio was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Huntington Tri-State Airport (KHTS) on Thursday when a loaded .380 caliber handgun was detected in her carry-on bag.

The handgun that was loaded with six bullets was confiscated by TSA officers.

“It’s important to know where your gun is when you pack for a flight. And where that is must not be in your carry-on bag,” said John C. Allen, TSA’s Federal Security Director for West Virginia. “Our TSA officers remain vigilant in their duties even as the end of the pandemic nears. We are still doing what we can to reduce touch-points to help prevent any cross-contamination, but when someone has a prohibited item in their carry-on bag, it means that our TSA officers are going to have to open that bag and go inside to remove it, thus creating additional touch-points. Take extra care not to have anything prohibited in your carry-on bag before you leave your house to come to the airport.”

ivil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Navy jets’ low flight riles neighbors near Santa Rosa

Kathleen Galvin was working on a writing project inside her home office Wednesday afternoon in the Woodbridge neighborhood northwest of Santa Rosa when she heard the jets rumbling overhead.

The sound startled her and lasted long enough that she went outside to see what was happening, she said.

“I thought that a plane was going to crash into our neighborhood,” Galvin said. "People were coming out of their houses. Everybody’s pets went berserk.“

But she needn’t have worried. The flights aren’t going to become a regular thing here.

The several Navy F-18 jet fighters just stopped off at the airport for a while and then took off, probably destined to stop at a naval base farther south, said Jon Stout, manager of the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport.

“They didn’t give us any information on their mission. Usually they are transitioning from one base to another,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for military aircraft to stop at the airport.”

Stout said the jets took off about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Some residents who wrote about the jets online said the Navy planes flew low and loud over west Sonoma County, and wondered if it would be a regular thing.

Galvin said she wants to know “what actually happened and what the future is going to hold.”

The jet stopovers occur about three or four times a year at the airport and are “not very frequent,” Stout said. “We see a lot more military helicopters than we do aircraft.”

A Navy spokesperson could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Mooney M20C Ranger, N6448U: Accident occurred April 28, 2021 near Warwick Municipal Airport (N72), Orange County, New York

On Friday, June 11, employees from Holly Tree Service removed the wing of an airplane that had been stuck in a tree at Wickham Woodlands since April 28 when a small airplane crashed shortly after taking off from the Warwick Municipal Airport. The pilot, Andrew Bender, of Greenwood Lake, was not injured in the crash.



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 Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Saddlebrook, New Jersey 

Location: Warwick, NY 
Accident Number: ERA21LA199
Date & Time: April 29, 2021, 12:17 Local 
Registration: N6448U
Aircraft: Mooney M20C 
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Mooney 
Registration: N6448U
Model/Series: M20C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMGJ,365 ft msl
Observation Time: 11:54 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 14 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C /11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 170°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Warwick, NY (N72)
Destination: Warwick, NY

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 41.278003,-74.294983

Cessna 172N Skyhawk II, N6176G: Incident occurred June 11, 2021 in Weston, Broward County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; South Florida

Aircraft experienced engine failure and landed on an interstate. 

A&N Flight School Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N6176G

Date: 11-JUN-21
Time: 17:17:00Z
Regis#: N6176G
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: MIAMI
State: FLORIDA

WESTON, Florida  — A Cessna 172N Skyhawk made an emergency landing in the median of Interstate 75 in Weston on Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The plane was on a training flight, according to Nazaria Noor, an owner of SkyDuo Flight Academy, which is based in Opa-Locka. The flight instructor and student pilot on board are both OK, Noor said.

“They’re both OK,” Noor said. “Even the plane doesn’t have any damage. They were able to control it and land it perfectly without any scratch.”

The Florida Highway Patrol said it appeared that engine failure was the reason for the emergency landing near mile marker 37, but Noor said the reason was uncertain. He said the Federal Aviation Administration is on the scene and the plane will be towed as soon as possible.

FHP said no cars were damaged during the emergency landing but the left northbound lane of the highway was closed for a short time. The highway was fully reopened by 2 p.m.

Plane at bottom of California lake is not from 1965 crash

A small plane recently spotted by sonar at the bottom of a Northern California lake is not the wreck of an aircraft that disappeared into the water after a midair collision in 1965, authorities said Wednesday, June 16, 2021.

The possibility arose last week when wreckage was spotted by technicians testing sonar equipment at Folsom Lake.

Dive team sergeants from the Placer and El Dorado county sheriff’s offices went out with the technicians to obtain better images and they determined it is an airplane that crashed in 1986, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.

The 1986 crash was reported and did not involve any fatalities, the office said in a statement.

The earlier crash occurred on New Year’s Day 1965. One plane managed to land safely at an airport but the other plunged into Folsom Lake. Remains of its pilot were recovered but the bodies of the three passengers were not found.

"The relatives of the deceased from the 1965 plane crash do not wish for others to search for the plane or remains. They would like the final resting place for their family to remain at the bottom of Folsom Lake," the statement said.

FAA's new cleaning methods at air traffic towers aim to curb flight delays

New York (CNN Business)  -    A new cleaning regimen is cutting back on flight delays as the skies grow busier this summer. But the new procedures aren't for planes or even airport terminals — they're for air traffic control towers.

The cleaning methods are being instituted in Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control towers and facilities around the country, federal officials tell CNN. The aim is to reduce the need for these behind-the-scenes employees who route aircraft to have to clear out after a colleague tests positive for coronavirus.

Covid cases among air traffic employees can ground flights, arrivals and departures to a halt. Employees at the busy New York Air Route Traffic Control Center have tested positive on more than two dozen occasions.

The new procedures have helped avoid more than 165 such "ATC zero" incidents, the FAA says. Increased access to Covid vaccines has likely also reduced the number of controllers falling ill.

Earlier in the pandemic, the FAA frequently closed facilities once it learned of a coronavirus case. A cleaning contractor would come in to treat the facility, and controllers working at the time were required to leave to avoid the odors of the cleaning chemicals.

This sometimes presented serious inconveniences. A March 2020 positive test for two employees, for example, led to a daytime ground stop for airports near New York City. And when a contractor tested positive the next month at the busy Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center in Leesburg, Virginia, the agency said it was forced to re-route some planes.

New cleaning protocols

The new daily cleanings are scheduled for the lowest-traffic periods, and they use non-toxic chemicals approved by the EPA. That allows controllers to continue working nearby.

In an exclusive interview, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told CNN the change "has really kept the supply chains running and it's allowed the aviation system to continue to function effectively."

"We're the most global society in the world," Dickson said. "It's been important throughout, really, to avoid any kind of shutdowns."

The FAA said the new process means 120 high-priority ATC facilities are cleaned every day, even when no coronavirus cases are detected among the employees.

"They may have to move around the control room a little bit, but they're able to work as these, as these cleanings are going on," Dickson said, which means the airspace or airport can remain operational, avoiding flight delays, cancellations and re-routing. Changes can lead to missed connections for passengers and checked baggage, he noted.

The procedure is used at the busiest airport towers, approach control facilities (known as TRACONs) that handle flights inbound to busy areas, and the air traffic control centers that work with planes crisscrossing the country at cruising altitudes.

"It's been a huge improvement," Dickson said. "Each one of these closures can generate quite a bit of disruption to the system. For example, if one of our high-altitude centers is closed for a couple of hours, there are hundreds of flight cancellations (and) delays."

The union representing FAA air traffic controllers said in a statement to CNN that it believes the procedures "keep our employees and their families safe."

National Air Traffic Controller Association President Paul Rinaldi noted air traffic controllers are essential workers and during the pandemic "have continued to go to work each day, keeping our system operating safely and efficiently and continuing the vital transport of people, cargo, and the Covid-19 vaccine. The type of work we perform does not allow for social distancing and requires shared workstations."

Busy skies

The nation's airports and skies are growing increasingly busier. The Transportation Security Administration said it screened a pandemic record 1.98 million people on Sunday, up from the low of just 87,000 last April.

Airlines are running more flights to meet the demand: 498,000 in March (the most recently reported data), more than double the pandemic-era low of 210,000 flights in May 2020, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

A normal month in pre-pandemic times saw between 600,000 and 770,000 flights, Bureau of Transportation Statistics data show.

Robert Mitchell earns accreditation as NAFI Master Flight Instructor

Robert Mitchell


The National Association of Flight Instructors is proud to announce that NAFI member Robert Mitchell, a resident of Enterprise, has earned accreditation as a NAFI Master Flight Instructor.

A Master CFI is an accreditation earned by less than 1,000 people since its inception.

Mitchell has dedicated most of his adult life to military and civilian flight instruction. He has been an active FAA Certified Flight Instructor for 34 straight years and has flown more than 8,000 flight hours, including 500 combat flight hours.

He currently works for CAE, a Canadian manufacturer of simulation technologies and training services to airlines, as an Advanced Instructor Pilot (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) in support of the U.S. Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training Program in Dothan.

In addition, he owns and operates Strikehawk Aviation, a full-time flight training school in Enterprise. Mitchell volunteers much of his time to organizations such as the EAA Young Eagles program and the Troy University Air Force ROTC You Can Fly Scholarship program.

Mitchell recently retired after serving 30 years in the U.S. Army. As a career Aeromedical Evacuation Officer, he served in numerous command and staff positions, including two combat tours.

In 2004-2005, he served as a Medevac Battalion Commander in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired in 2014 at the rank of Colonel.

He is a graduate of the University of Toledo where he was a starting wide receiver for the Rocket football team. He also holds master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the U.S. Army War College. He is also a member of the Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame at his high school as well as a member of the DUSTOFF Association Hall of Fame.

For more information about NAFI or the NAFI Master Instructor program call 866-806-6156 or visit www.NAFINet.org.

Commission Stalls on Longer Runway at Middleton Municipal Airport (C29)

MIDDLETON, Wisconsin -– Lengthening the main runway at the Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field garnered only a tie vote at last week’s Airport Commission meeting.

Mayor Gurdip Brar, an ex officio member of the commission, along with Alders Robert Burck and Luke Fuszard voted for the “no-build” option while chair John Hallick, David Lorman and Kevin Munson voted for a 440-foot extension to the 4,000-foot runway. Michelle Bond, a citizen member, abstained.

Before passing their recommendations on to the Common Council, the Commission considered the final chapter (Design Alternatives) of the draft Airport Master Plan, a two-year-long process that has brought the airport’s problems and potential to the forefront of public debate.

Making a rare appearance at the commission, Brar said the airport was safely operating now and 93 percent of users polled were satisfied with the current runway length.

“We don’t need bigger planes here. Only a small percent of the people who live and work in the city have hangars…There’s no need to increase runway length. There’s no safety issues, no issues, period,” he said.

An initial runway option was 5,500 feet, said Munson, who lives in Middleton Hills.

“I don’t want jets overhead at 5 a.m., and the original intent of the alternatives was to allow bigger planes,” he said.

However, Munson justified his vote saying that “everyone uses the airport,” as it’s used by UPS and serves as a reliever airport for Dane County Regional Airport.

Lorman, a pilot and flight instructor, said “you can never have enough runway,” and the extension under consideration “won’t affect the volume of traffic,” at Morey Field.

Bond offered no explanation for her abstention.

The Airport Master Plan Advisory Committee (AMPAC) last month also narrowly favored the no-build option in a 6-5 vote.

By a 5-2 vote, the commission did recommend paving the increasing the length of the grass North-South runway to 3,280 feet. Hallick said it may result in more planes taking off to the north and avoiding more densely populated neighborhoods in the Town of Middleton to the west.

“Almost all smaller aircraft could use it, it consolidates traffic patterns and might provide a second runway if one runway is closed for maintenance,” he said.

Brar supported the no-build option saying it provides a grass runway that “tail draggers” prefer and a 3,200 foot runway may require rerouting part of Schneider Road, which raised practicality questions.

Fuszard also voted for a no-build option.

The problem with the status quo, said Burck, is that it leaves part of the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) on the south side of Airport Road where a property owner has asked the city to do something to remove that part of the RPZ from his property.

Burck added that RPZs at many airports aren’t totally within airport property, but he’d prefer moving the North-South or Crosswind Runway north so the RPZ was totally on airport property. Property would need to be acquired to do so and Burck said that finding willing sellers may take years.

Burck agreed that a longer North-South Runway would lessen takeoffs to the west.

“If more traffic could be diverted to the North-South (Runway) it should help with the noise concerns we hear about every month at commission meetings,” as more developed areas won’t be predominately flown over.

AMPAC favored the alternative that shortens the grass runway to 1,000 feet in order to keep the RPZ on the airport, which was criticized as making the runway unusable to all but a few of the approximately 100 planes hangered at the airport.

Adding more hangars on buildable soil, likely on the east side, was favored by a 5-2 vote, with Brar and Fuszard voting against.

The commission also recommended keeping the left hand traffic pattern for takeoffs from the main runway, rejecting a right hand pattern which would have routed more planes over less densely populated areas to the north.

A community survey of attitudes toward airport expansion is to be conducted before the Middleton Common Council considers adopting the Airport Master Plan.

Former airline employee arrested for trespassing, gaining unauthorized entry before boarding flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT)

Narada Wilson



CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (WBTV) - A former airline employee was arrested for trespassing after he was determined to have gained unauthorized entry to an airport terminal before boarding a flight from Charlotte to Cancun, Mexico.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police detectives charged 39-year-old Narada Wilson with trespass upon airport property.

On Tuesday, June 8, CMPD officers responded to a report that a man entered the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT) passenger terminal without authorization.

Detectives quickly identified the male as Wilson, who was a former Piedmont Airlines employee. As the investigation continued, detectives determined that Wilson had boarded American Airlines Flight 881 enroute to Cancun, Mexico using a valid boarding pass.

The flight crew was then promptly notified, and the flight was diverted back to Charlotte.

After the plane landed, Wilson was arrested without incident. Prior to resuming service, Flight 881 was inspected by CMPD officers and K9s to ensure the safety of all passengers on board.

After his arrest, Wilson was interviewed by detectives. After the interview, Wilson was taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

CMPD is assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Joint Terrorism Task Force as they review possible federal charges for this incident.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to provide that information by calling 911. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.

Boeing Offloads Unclaimed MAX Jets as Air Travel Recovers

Plane maker has reduced inventory of jets whose original buyers walked away from their deals during the pandemic


The Wall Street Journal 
By Andrew Tangel and Alison Sider
June 11, 2021 9:05 am ET

A faster-than-expected recovery in domestic air travel is helping Boeing Co. find new homes for unclaimed 737 MAX jets whose buyers walked away or collapsed during the pandemic.

Some airlines are buying the orphaned jets amid a vaccine-fueled travel rebound in the U.S. and other parts of the world. The purchases have left the Chicago-based plane maker with around 10 stored MAX aircraft needing buyers, people familiar with the matter said. Last July, it counted around 100.

A year ago, airlines were parking planes in deserts and some permanently retired swaths of their fleets as they prepared for a protracted downturn. While many business travelers have yet to return and lucrative international routes are still on pause, domestic air travel has been on an upswing in recent months, U.S. airline executives say.

Flights in the U.S. are 84% full, on average, amid a surge of summer travel. The number of people passing daily through airport security checkpoints has neared 2 million recently—a level last reached in March 2020. While previous travel rebounds have been cut short by new waves of infections and restrictions, airline executives are more confident now that the recovery has begun in earnest and their finances have started to stabilize.

Carriers have responded by adding flights, making plans to bring back idled crew and hiring new pilots and flight attendants. They are also starting to expand their fleets.

Major U.S. carriers such as United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Alaska Air Group Inc. are among recent buyers of the unclaimed MAX planes. The jets are often referred to as white tails, an industry term for those that aren’t painted in airline colors. The MAX jets in question need to be repainted with their new owners’ liveries.

United said the carrier’s earlier order for 25 MAX jets, announced in March, includes planes from Boeing’s built inventory as well as planes to be produced later. An Alaska Airlines spokeswoman said nine MAX jets it secured in a December deal had been built for other carriers.

Separately, United has been in talks with Boeing about a potential order for as many as 150 additional jets, people familiar with the matter said.

Newer entrants such as Canadian discount carrier Flair Airlines Ltd. are also spurring demand.

Flair Chief Executive Stephen Jones said the 13 previously unclaimed MAX planes the carrier is adding to its fleet will help fuel its growth, aimed at capturing demand as travel recovers. Rather than wait two years or more after placing an order for new planes, Flair can take delivery in a matter of months, he said.

“We can get started very quickly,” Mr. Jones said.

Some Boeing customers are likely to face supply constraints this summer, CEO David Calhoun said earlier this month. He called the recovery “more robust than I ever imagined.”

Southwest Airlines Co. said this week that by August, it will be flying roughly as much as it did in the same month in 2019. The airline has added 18 new destinations over the course of the pandemic, including the Thursday announcement of flights to Syracuse, N.Y., this fall.

On Tuesday, Southwest said it would increase its order for a new, smaller version of Boeing’s 737 MAX by 34 planes next year, accelerating plans it unveiled in March to refresh its all-Boeing fleet.

The number of Boeing’s unclaimed MAX aircraft is fluid as airlines in the U.S. and a few other parts of the world increase flying and add to their fleets. Customers typically pay the bulk of a plane’s purchase price at delivery.

The development is helping Boeing move past the pandemic and financial consequences related to two earlier 737 MAX crashes. Some customers have been able to walk away from their newly produced planes without penalties after regulators grounded the aircraft for nearly two years.

Boeing’s push to stop bleeding cash depends heavily on delivering more MAX jets, having delivered about 100 to airlines since December. It had about 400 MAX jets in its overall inventory at the end of March, according to a securities filing. Most delivered jets have gone to U.S. airlines and lining up additional customers for unclaimed planes will help it reach the goal of generating cash next year.

A Boeing spokeswoman said the plane maker was grateful for its customers’ continued confidence in the 737 MAX.

Boeing’s ability to find homes for the MAX jets also highlights the airline industry’s two-speed recovery. High vaccination rates in the U.S. and China helped domestic traffic recover to pre-pandemic levels. The two countries account for two-thirds of the global traffic rebound from last year, according to the International Air Transport Association, a trade group. Airlines in Europe and most of Asia, meanwhile, are struggling to find passengers.

—Doug Cameron contributed to this article.

Fuel Starvation: Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six, N3793W; accident occurred June 10, 2021 in Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado











Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

G&M Aircraft Inc

Rocky Mountain Flight School


Location: Lafayette, Colorado
Accident Number: CEN21LA261
Date and Time: June 10, 2021, 19:10 Local 
Registration: N3793W
Aircraft: Piper PA32
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The purpose of the instructional flight was for the pilot to receive a checkout in the airplane. Before the flight, the right wing main fuel tank contained 16-18 gallons of fuel, the left wing main fuel tank contained less than 10 gallons of fuel, and both wingtip tanks were completely full (17 gallons each). The pilot and his flight instructor discussed the fuel status before departure and had agreed to operate the engine on the right wing main tank to correct the fuel imbalance between the tanks during the flight.

The flight consisted of visual flight rules maneuvers and touch-and-go landings, and about 1.1 hour into the flight the airplane had a loss of engine power about 1,000 ft above the ground while in cruise flight. A forced landing was completed to a nearby field, but shortly after touchdown the airplane collided with a berm that caused the airplane to become airborne again. The nose landing gear collapsed and both wings were substantially damaged when the airplane landed hard the second time.

The pilot and his flight instructor both reported that the entire flight had been flown using fuel from the right wing main fuel tank. Neither the pilot nor his flight instructor switched fuel tanks after the loss of engine power because they were focused on the forced landing. The pilot stated that based on the airplane’s performance data, the loss of engine power was likely due to fuel starvation.

An onsite examination of the wreckage revealed that the right wing main fuel tank was intact and contained less than ¼ gallon of fuel. According to the airplane’s owner’s handbook, there was about 1 pint of unusable fuel in each of the 4 fuel tanks. The remaining 3 fuel tanks contained usable fuel. Additionally, there were no mechanical malfunctions identified with the airplane’s fuel system or the engine 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 flight crew’s improper fuel management that resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.

Findings

Aircraft Fuel - Fluid management
Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Flight crew

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-cruise Fuel starvation (Defining event)
Enroute-cruise Off-field or emergency landing

Flight instructor Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 27, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: July 26, 2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 30, 2019
Flight Time: 1216.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 1127 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 145.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 55.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4.1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): 
Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: April 29, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 11, 2019
Flight Time: 309 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1.1 hours (Total, this make and model), 240.9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 55.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 22.9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N3793W
Model/Series: PA32 260
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1966 
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 32-720
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 4, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 57.6 Hrs 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3420.9 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: O-540-E4B5
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 260 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBJC,5595 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 19:10 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 184°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 15000 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 112 knots / 18 knots 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 320° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.81 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Broomfield, CO (BJC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Lafayette, CO
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 18:00 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class D

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.03063,-105.1037

Aerodynamic Stall / Spin: Cessna 150H, Unregistered; accident occurred June 10, 2021 in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Location: Muncie, Indiana
Accident Number: CEN21LA262
Date & Time: June 10, 2021, 20:28 Local 
Registration: UNREGISTERED 
Aircraft: Cessna 150H 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

A pilot-rated witness reported that the non-certificated pilot shortly after taking off from a 1,200 ft private grass airstrip, was starting a turn to the north to avoid trees when the airplane “stalled, fell sideways from the sky”, and impacted the ground left wing first, followed by the airplane’s nose and then the right wing. The witness said that the airplane appeared underpowered for the hot and humid weather conditions. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A post-accident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The density altitude at the time of the accident was 3,314 ft. The airstrip elevation was 937 ft.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on departure in high density altitude conditions which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Angle of attack - Capability exceeded
Aircraft Airspeed - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Qualification/certification - Pilot
Environmental issues High density altitude - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: None 
Age: 81,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: None 
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 130 hours (Total, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: UNREGISTERED
Model/Series: 150H 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 
Serial Number: 15068432
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown 
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: 
Engine Model/Series: O-200
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power:
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMIE,937 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 18°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 90° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Muncie, IN
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Private PVT Runway
Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 937 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: East 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 1200 ft / 0 ft 
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 40.127503,-85.438765

MUNCIE, Indiana — A longtime local pilot escaped serious injury Thursday evening when his plane crashed on Muncie's south side.

The crash — in a field near the 5600 block of South Meeker Avenue, south of the Muncie Bypass — was reported to emergency dispatchers at 8:30 p.m.

Authorities said the accident involved a single-engine aircraft occupied only by its pilot, Calvin "Buddy" Carroll.

Carroll, 81, was in contact with emergency dispatchers after the crash and had avoided life-threatening injuries, according to reports.

The Muncie businessman has an airstrip at his rural Muncie home.

Indiana State Police joined Delaware County sheriff's deputies at the scene Thursday night.

Investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration were expected to arrive in Muncie on Friday.


Calvin “Buddy” Carroll


Buddy's Place, a bar on Muncie's southside at 3101 S. Madison St., was raided by drug task force agents Wednesday morning. Two other locations were also raided, owner Buddy Carroll's home and the Buddy Carroll Auto Sales lot on Fuson Road. Crime scenes were established at each site. 




June 30, 2017

MUNCIE, Indiana  – Local businessman Calvin “Buddy” Carroll — arrested Wednesday after being accused of selling drugs at his southside car lot — had been a target of police investigations for as long as 15 years, court documents reflect.

Carroll, 77, of the 6200 block of South Delaware County Road 300-W, was preliminarily charged with two counts of dealing in a controlled substance, and single counts of possession of a controlled substance and maintaining a common nuisance.

He was released from the Delaware County jail after posting a $75,000 bond.

He is accused of twice selling suboxone, a controlled substance prescribed to patients addicted to opioids, to informants, according to an affidavit.

City police say the two drug deals took place this month at one of Carroll’s southside Muncie businesses, Carroll's Auto Sales and Services, 880 W. Fuson Road.

Carroll was arrested shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday in a traffic stop near his home. City police — including members of the department’s narcotics unit — served search warrants at his home and auto lot, and at a tavern owned by Carroll: Buddy’s Place, 3101 S. Madison St.

The affidavit indicated that during an interview with police, Carroll “admitted to selling suboxone on three separate occasions.”

Several strips of the drug were found in the main office of Carroll’s auto business, the report said.

In a request for a search warrant — authorized Tuesday night by Delaware Circuit Court 4 Judge John Feick — investigators reported a probe of Carroll’s activities dated back to 2002-03, when “members of the Muncie/Delaware County Drug Task Force made several attempts to purchase cocaine from Buddy Carroll.”

“During each attempt, Carroll offered to give the informants cocaine in exchange for sex,” an officer wrote, resulting in those transactions not being completed. No related charges were filed.

That document also says “several confidential informants” had more recently told police Carroll was selling suboxone and marijuana.

It also said informants claimed marijuana was flown into Delaware County on Carroll’s private plane. The businessman has a grass air strip at his rural home.

The preliminary charges lodged Wednesday did not refer to marijuana sales.

The warrant document also described members of the narcotics unit following Carroll — in one instance to his home — after the alleged drug transactions at his auto business.

Robinson R44 Raven II, N202SM: Accident occurred June 10, 2021 in Reserve, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana

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 Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

State Machinery and Equipment Acquisition LLC


Location: Reserve, LA
Accident Number: CEN21LA284
Date & Time: June 10, 2021, 15:15 Local
Registration: N202SM
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On June 10, 2021 at 1515 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N202SM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Reserve, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he made a right 90° hover-turn from the taxiway to the runway. He increased engine power and started the takeoff sequence. When the helicopter was about 10 ft off of the ground, the engine power reduced dramatically. The helicopter touched down hard onto the runway surface with its right side low. The right landing skid collapsed, and the helicopter slid off the runway surface onto the grass. During the accident sequence, the helicopter’s lower fuselage structure was substantially damaged.

The helicopter was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Registration: N202SM
Model/Series: R44 II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAPS,6 ft msl
Observation Time: 15:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 32°C /21°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 240°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Reserve, LA
Destination: Reserve, LA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 30.08747,-90.58283 (est)

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N363CP: Incident occurred June 10, 2021 in Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisiana

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Aircraft conducting pipeline control, made a forced landing on a highway and struck a sign. 

Barr Air Patrol LLC


Date: 10-JUN-21
Time: 15:20:00Z
Regis#: N363CP
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: OTHER
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: DONALDSONVILLE
State: LOUISIANA

Cessna R172G , N7752L: Incidents occurred June 10, 2021 and May 21, 2016

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

June 10, 2021: Aircraft lost control during landing and the wing struck the runway and incurred a propeller strike at Grants-Milan Municipal Airport (KGNT), Cibola County, New Mexico. 

United States Air Force owner 


Date: 10-JUN-21
Time: 19:00:00Z
Regis#: N7752L
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: GRANTS
State: NEW MEXICO

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque,  New Mexico

May 21, 2016:  Aircraft on landing struck the propeller at  Double Eagle II Airport  (KAEG),  Albuquerque, New Mexico 

Date:  21-MAY-16
Time:  15:25:00Z
Regis#:  N7752L
Aircraft Make:  CESSNA
Aircraft Model:  172
Event Type:  Incident
Highest Injury:  None
Damage:  Unknown
Flight Phase:  LANDING (LDG)
City:  ALBUQUERQUE
State:  New Mexico

Piper PA-32R-301, N830TC: Incident occurred June 10, 2021 at Huron Regional Airport (KHON), Beadle County, South Dakota

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Rapid City, South Dakota

Aircraft nose gear collapsed on landing. 

Princess Airlines LLC


Date: 10-JUN-21
Time: 17:30:00Z
Regis#: N830TC
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA32
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: HURON
State: SOUTH DAKOTA

Cessna T210L, N2319S: Incident occurred June 10, 2021 at Baytown Airport (KHPY), Harris County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

Aircraft landed gear up. 


Date: 10-JUN-21
Time: 19:10:00Z
Regis#: N2319S
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 210
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: BAYTOWN
State: TEXAS

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N513WF: Accident occurred June 10, 2021 near Western Airpark (6WN) Yelm, Thurston County, Washington

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 Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Seattle, Washington

Meow Meow LLC


Location: Yelm, Washington 
Accident Number: WPR21LA303
Date and Time: June 10, 2021, 20:58 Local
Registration: N513WF
Aircraft: Cessna 172S 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On June 10, 2021, about 2058 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N513WF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Yelm, Washington. The pilot and the passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that while enroute the airplane’s engine suddenly stopped. The pilot radioed a mayday call and attempted to land at Western Airpark (6WN) Yelm, Washington, located about 2 miles southeast of his position. However, unable to make the airpark, he elected to force land in a cattle pasture, short of the airpark. During the landing, the airplane nosed over.

The pilot reported that he did not know what caused the engine to stop producing power. He stated that the fuel selector valve was in the “both” position, the mixture control was set to rich, the throttle lever was in, and there was no adverse weather. He further stated that it was a fuel injected engine, and that he had no issues with it during the earlier portion of the flight. He also stated that the airplane had about 30 gallons of fuel.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N513WF
Model/Series: 172S 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: GRF 
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point: -8.9°C /-15.6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5000 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 20000 ft AGL 
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 46.896915,-122.50825 (est)





The pilot of a single-engine plane made a hard landing on a pasture outside Yelm Thursday evening.

The plane carrying a married couple completely lost power around 8:45 p.m. as it flew east just south of Olympia, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing, said Captain Brian Richardson with the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority.

Richardson said the pilot identified a cow pasture as suitably flat area for the landing, but it turned out to be bumpier than he imagined. When the plane touched down, it bounced and spun a bit before coming to a stop, he said.

Despite the rough landing, the married couple that occupied the plane did not suffer any injuries, Richardson said. He added there was minimal damage to the plane.

“I’m not an aviation expert, but from the fire department’s perspective, they did an excellent job avoiding major damage and injury,” Richardson said.

Firefighters and Sheriff deputies responded to the site of the landing at the very end of 128th Ave. Southeast off Bald Hills Road, Richardson said. They evaluated the couple before releasing them, he said.

Richardson said he did not have information on the couple’s identity or origin.

Lt. Cameron Simper with the Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies assisted the fire department but added they are not investigating the incident. He said the case has been referred to the Federal Aviation Administration.