Sunday, May 29, 2022

Incident occurred May 29, 2022 near Danielson Airport (KLZD), Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut

KILLINGLY, Connecticut — A skydiver was injured Sunday during an incident near the Danielson Airport, officials said.

Emergency crews responded to the single-runway airport around 3:30 p.m., according to local dispatchers. The severity of the skydiver’s injuries was not immediately clear.

The airport is home to Skydive Danielson, a popular skydiving center that offers free falls from as high as 14,000 feet. A representative for the company declined to comment.

Alisa Sisic, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Airport Authority, said the incident did not disrupt flight operations at the 60-year-old general aviation airport.

The 257-acre facility is the smallest of the state’s six publicly owned airports and largely serves recreational pilots and local aviation businesses, according to the airport authority.

Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen, N331AM: Incident occurred May 28, 2022 in Cordova, Walker County, Alabama

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Alabama and NW Florida

Aircraft experienced engine issues and landed on an interstate. WCM LLC


Date: 28-MAY-22
Time: 22:08:00Z
Regis#: N331AM
Aircraft Make: AEROPRAKT
Aircraft Model: A32
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: CORDOVA
State: ALABAMA




CORDOVA, Alabama   — Alabama law enforcement and federal investigators are looking into why a small plane made an emergency landing on I-22 in Walker County on Saturday.

ALEA states that two people were onboard a Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen painted crimson, with markings that included a ‘walking A’ — the logo for The University of Alabama — when the plane’s engine failed.

The pilot managed to safely land the plane on I-22 near mile marker 72 in Cordova shortly after 5 p.m.

The plane had departed from Lovell Field Airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee. at 3:15 p.m., according to investigators. No injuries were reported, and the names of the pilot and passenger were not released.

The plane is registered to an LLC in Tuscaloosa.

Investigators with the FAA and ALEA are investigating the incident.





CORDOVA, Alabama — A small plane made an emergency landing on the interstate in Walker County on Saturday afternoon.

Two people were onboard a Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen when the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot managed to safely land the plane on I-22 near mile marker 72 in Cordova shortly after 5 p.m after taking off from Lovell Field Airport in Chattanooga, Tennessee at 3:15 p.m.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said there were no injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

The names of the people on board or the plane's destination were not released. 

The plane is registered to an LLC in Tuscaloosa.



In Memoriam: Michael Robb Mathias

Michael Robb Mathias
1944 - 2022



Whitney, Texas - Michael (Mike) Robb Mathias, Sr., 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 26th, 2022.

MEMORIALS: Mike was born on March 18, 1944, in Jonesboro, Arkansas to William Gregory (Bill) Mathias and Pauline Robb Mathias. He graduated from Jonesboro High School in May of 1962. Mike received a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma 1967, a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Houston in 1973 and a Certificate of Completion for aerospace engineering courses at the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") Academy in Oklahoma City. He also attended many engineering courses at various US universities and the University of Toronto. Mike worked for NASA Houston during the Apollo, Skylab, and early space shuttle programs. He worked in the Flight Crew Support Division under Deke Slayton and helped design and develop training mockups, flight simulators, and flight hardware for the flight crews. He helped test these items with and came to personally know all the astronauts, including the original seven. He next worked for the United States Air Force ("USAF") as a structural engineer on the F-111, F-16, and other programs at the then General Dynamics Facility in Fort Worth. He finished his career with the FAA working as a structural engineer and program manager on many fixed and rotary wing aircraft certification programs (including Air Force One). While with the FAA he also served on the Technical Oversite Group for Aging Aircraft ("TOGAA") which reviewed accident/incident histories of and set new damage tolerance based on structural design standards for passenger carrying civil fixed wing craft (this was done as the result of the infamous Aloha Airlines incident). His final position was head of Rotorcraft Research and Development for the FAA's Rotorcraft Directorate where he was responsible for developing databases to support new design regulations and advisory material (such as Crash Resistant Fuel Systems) for all civil aircraft. He retired in August of 1999. Shortly after retirement he and his wife Carolyn Ann Fields Earp Mathias moved to Whitney, Texas near the lake where he resided until his passing.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife Ann, the love of his life, and his parents.

He loved fishing and hunting, especially with members of his family. He was an amateur taxidermist. He mounted a lot of fish and game in his lifetime for himself, his family, and his friends.

SURVIVORS: Son Michael (Mike) Robb Mathias, Jr. and wife Allyson of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Daughter Michelle Renee Duke and husband Warren Sr. of Nevada, Texas, and Son William (Will) Jack Mathias and wife Wendy of Newberg, Oregon, Stepson Craig Earp and Wife Kristi of Crockett, Texas and stepdaughter Kim Mayse and husband Robbie of Grandview, Texas.

Grandchildren Warren (Chip) Duke Jr., KayLyn Duke, Lilyanah Mathias, Ethne Mathias, Westyn Mathias, Nathan Groff, Ethan Groff, Cannon and wife Samantha Earp, Krisann and husband Will Watson, Kendall Earp, Carson Earp, Cooper Earp, Rachael and husband Brandon Cummings, Rustin and wife Ashli Mayse, Misty Mayse, Melody and husband Jacob Stroder, and he was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren.

Mike loved his family and shared his love of the outdoors with them whenever he had the opportunity. He was a Deacon and beloved member of First Baptist Church of Whitney.

SERVICES: Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Emerald Hills Funeral Home in Kennedale, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday June 2, 2022 at First Baptist Church Whitney, Texas. There will be visitation time before the service starting at 11:30 am. His friend and Pastor Jay Morris will officiate. Burial and graveside will follow at Emerald Hills Cemetery in Kennedale, Texas at 4:00 pm.

Federal Aviation Administration indicates ban coming on leaded gas for small planes




Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a statement that many felt was long overdue.

In January, the federal agency announced it would “evaluate whether emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded fuel contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare.”

The EPA said it would issue a proposed “endangerment finding” for piston-engine aircraft that run on leaded fuel. The public review and comment process will take place in 2022 and final action will be taken in 2023.

The decision was more than a decade in the making.

In 2012, Friends of the Earth and Earthjustice filed a lawsuit against the EPA, challenging the agency’s failure to respond to a 2006 petition from Friends of the Earth asking for the regulation of lead emissions from general aviation aircraft under the Clean Air Act. In 2014, the same groups, along with Oregon Aviation Watch, a public advocacy group based in Hillsboro, petitioned the EPA to make an immediate endangerment finding.

The agency denied the petition.

While levels of airborne lead in the United States have declined 99% since 1980, according to the EPA, small, piston-engine aircraft that still operate on leaded fuel are the largest remaining source of lead emissions into the air.

“Protecting children’s health and reducing lead exposure are interlocking priorities at the core of EPA’s agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in the January statement. “EPA has been investigating the air quality impact of lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft near airports for years, and now we’re going to apply that information to determine whether this pollution endangers human health and welfare.”

The agency finally appears ready to do something about leaded aviation fuel, or “avgas.”

Questions remain. What does a realistic solution look like? And when will it come?

Small planes loophole

Lead as a toxic byproduct of burning gasoline in engines isn’t news.

In 1970, the EPA worked with the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Air Act, which initiated a phase out of leaded gasoline for automobiles that concluded in 1995.

But piston-engine airplanes (along with some farm machinery and heavy equipment) have been exempt from lead restrictions since 1996.

The primary reason is safety.

Tetraethyl lead is a heavy metal compound that’s added to avgas to prevent premature detonation or knocking. Aircraft engines must avoid knocking or risk sudden, catastrophic failure. Unlike car drivers, pilots can’t pull onto the shoulder and call for help when their engines fail.

There are about 170,000 piston-engine, general aviation (civilian) aircraft in the United States. Among states, Washington and Oregon rank 4th and 14th, respectively in the number of registered general aviation aircraft. Most of these burn 100-octane low lead gasoline, commonly known as 100LL.

In February, the Federal Aviation Administration announced its new EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) initiative, a plan that details the elimination of leaded aviation fuel by the end of 2030.

Getting unleaded avgas to market

Oklahoma-based General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI) is currently the only commercially viable producer of 100-octane unleaded avgas, which it plans to distribute under the name G100UL.

In a telephone interview with Columbia Insight, Timothy Roehl, GAMI president and patent holder on G100UL, outlined the difficulties in bringing unleaded avgas to the market by 2030.

The company must first obtain a “Supplemental Type Certificate” approval from the FAA. The certificate grants permission to an applicant to modify an aeronautical product from its original design.

Roehl hopes general aviation aircraft in the United States will be certified to burn G100UL before the end of 2022.

Cost, however, is another obstacle.

“GAMI and its licensed producers’ cost to make G100LL will be 50 to 60 cents higher per gallon than 100 low lead fuel,” he said. “But that’s offset by longer times between engine overhauls and also longer intervals between oil changes.”

More time between engine maintenance is a byproduct of burning lead-free avgas.

This sounds promising, but GAMI has already experienced lengthy and unexplained delays in obtaining government approvals for its products. Why?

“Politics. Follow the money,” said Roehl, referring to the lobbying power of major refiners of leaded avgas.

He’s not the only one wary of a political derailment.

“One of the concerns we have is how can we finalize [a ban on leaded avgas] under the Biden administration. What’s to stop a new administration from once again postponing and delaying on these issues?” says Miki Barnes, founder and president of Oregon Aviation Watch. “Even once it’s finalized there are groups that can delay this, and that includes the aviation industry organizations that want to continue using leaded fuel.

“Big lobbyists pump a lot of money into the pockets of political people. Oregon (Congress members) Peter DeFazio, Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Shrader, all of these people are recipients of money from general aviation lobbyist organizations. All of those members are on the Congressional General Aviation Caucus. Not one has spoken out about eliminating leaded aviation fuel.”

How bad is the problem?

As previously reported by Columbia Insight, while general aviation is a small part of overall aviation, it’s a significant source of local lead exposure.

A 2011 study reported that about 16 million Americans lived within 1 kilometer of a general aviation airport, and 3 million children attended school within that perimeter.

The closer the residence to the airport, the higher the blood lead levels in the children living there. Airport lead levels have been measured at more than four times the concentrations found in the general environment.

Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness and kidney and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death. Generally, lead affects children more than it does adults.

The most significant sources of airborne lead in Oregon and Washington are airports. According to Oregon Aviation Watch, Hillsboro Airport is Oregon’s top emitter of airborne lead—in 2016 it released nearly twice the emissions measured at Portland International Airport.

According to Barnes, the Hillsboro Aero Academy training program, which trains pilots from more than 75 countries, is a major contributor to airborne lead.

In March, the attorneys general of 18 states, including Oregon, sent a letter to the EPA “Concerning EPA’s Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities.”

“The most recent emissions data from EPA show that these planes [piston-engine aircraft] released more than 930,000 pounds of lead into the atmosphere in 2017, and emissions from the general aviation sector are expected to increase in the coming years,” read the letter. “The Federal Aviation Administration predicts sector emissions will reach 1.5 million pounds per year by 2025—a 66% increase in emissions from 2017.”

Though the EPA seems committed to action, it remains unclear what percentage of those future emissions will come from leaded avgas.

Boston police bought another ‘high performance’ drone — and want to create a new unit to fly it

After purchasing a new drone in early March, the Boston Police Department is seeking to train 15 officers to man an ‘on-call’ drone team.




The Boston Police Department has quietly taken steps to expand its drone surveillance program this year without notifying the City Council or the public, raising concerns among privacy advocates about the transparency of its technology use.

In early March, the department purchased another high-performance drone and plans to create a drone team to operate it, according to documents obtained by the Globe. The $25,000 aircraft is the department’s eighth drone in active use, according to the department, and one of its most advanced. A police spokesman, Sergeant Detective John Boyle, said the use of all department drones remains limited to approved operations, such as crime-scene reconstruction or monitoring security during special events including the Boston Marathon.

But the expansion renewed concern that police drones could be used to carry out routine surveillance that violates people’s Fourth Amendment rights against unwarranted searches. Last fall, the City Council passed an ordinance that will require the department to disclose all previous and future surveillance technology purchases to the council, starting July 20. In addition to requiring the department to obtain permission from the council before purchasing new technology, the ordinance also allows the council to review technology already purchased by the police and decide whether the department may continue using it.

A spokesperson from Mayor Michelle Wu’s office said the mayor “will ensure that this [purchase] is in full compliance with the surveillance oversight ordinance” once it formally takes effect.

Over a dozen police departments in the state regularly use drones — law enforcement drones make up over 40 percent of all those registered to government agencies in the state, according to data reported by the Massachusetts ACLU.

The Police Department’s history of discreet purchases raised concerns late last year after an investigation by WBUR radio and ProPublica  discovered it bought spyware out of the public eye using funds seized during alleged crimes.

“The acquisition and use of technologies like this need to be vetted before the technology is purchased and put into use because far too often, what we see is the acquisition of these tools in secret and then their use disproportionately in Black and brown neighborhoods,” said Kade Crockford, director of the Technology for Liberty program at the Massachusetts ACLU, of the department’s most recent purchase.

In 2017, several residents of the Mildred C. Hailey housing development in Jamaica Plain photographed two uniformed police officers “testing out” a drone over their apartments. The department said the officers were likely “playing with a toy” and that all drones purchased by Boston police at that time were still in their packaging. A representative from then-mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office assured the public that “if and when the Boston Police Department uses the drones, it will be after a community engagement process.”

The department bought this most recent drone, and supporting equipment, from local company Ascent Aerosystems, according to documents obtained by the Globe. A City of Boston purchase order indicates that the department selected the company’s all-weather, high-performance Spirit drone, which costs $14,000, as well as an object-tracking thermal imager for $10,000 and several other pieces of equipment.

In a letter to the city justifying the purchase, Sergeant Detective Carl Blando, who manages the department’s drones, explained the department was seeking a versatile drone to use on a variety of “missions,” including crowd management, crime scene mapping, “photographic and video deployments,” and “special circumstances,” as well as “other special events assigned by the commissioner, superintendent in chief, and/or the Boston police [unmanned aerial system] manager or designee.”

Police would need an aircraft with “robust communication abilities . . . able to perform and function in highly inclement weather,” Blando wrote, that “must be designed to incorporate new technologies as they develop.”

Wu’s spokesperson said in a statement that any expansion of the department’s current surveillance capacities would be to “provide visual information when it could be dangerous or inaccessible for BPD staff to do so, for example in unstable buildings, investigation of suspicious packages, or to detect radiation.”

“The department is clear that there will be diligent focus on civil liberties and privacy, and will comply with the policies outlined in the surveillance ordinance,” the statement said. Boyle confirmed that the ordinance is being incorporated into the department’s existing rule on drone use.

Crockford said she’s hopeful that hearings on the department’s past and future purchases conducted after the ordinance takes effect will give privacy advocates and policy makers a chance to “push police to be more specific about the ways technologies like this will be used.”

Since the current police policy says ”department drones may be deployed including, but not limited to the following situations, that means they can be used for anything,” she said. “That’s not a limitation.”

In addition to buying surveillance equipment, police also want to hire and train 15 officers to operate the drones on an “on-call basis.” Documents obtained by the Globe state that the department was set to start accepting applications last Friday. Drone-operating officers would be required to have a valid Federal Aviation Administration license and a remote pilot certificate specifically for small drones.

Since Boston police started operating drones in 2019, their use has been limited to the Crime Scene Response Unit. However, in September 2021, about two weeks before updating their drone policy, police transferred Blando, the department’s lone unmanned aircraft system manager, to Homeland Security, a two-man unit that currently only includes Blando and unit Captain Timothy Connolly.

Documents obtained by the Globe state that the department is “clear that its intent [is] to expand the use of drones... beyond crime scene investigations,” indicating the switch to Homeland Security is the beginning of an effort to increase drone operations.

Crockford called the transition of the drone program to Homeland Security a “concerning” extension of surveillance capabilities beyond regular police responsibilities.

Whomever Wu appoints as police commissioner would also have significant power over the drone unit. Under current city policy, the commissioner has the authority to determine what special events or circumstances require the use of a drone — and if a drone unit were created, the final say over who pilots the aircraft.

“While all applicants will be evaluated based on qualifications and experience, the final decision will be based on the best interest of the Department as determined by the Police Commissioner,” the job description states.

Kendra Lara was one of several city councilors who said she was not aware the department had recently purchased another drone and echoed the importance of reviewing all surveillance technology purchased by police after the ordinance goes into effect.

“It’s important that we are protecting citizens from undue surveillance by the police, so the creation of a unit at that level would be scrutinized by the council,” she said. " We will also be looking closely at the privacy policies around this surveillance equipment and where that data goes to ensure we do not violate the rights of our residents.”

Cessna 172L Skyhawk, N3842Q: Accident occurred May 28, 2022 near Canyon Lake Airport (34TS), Comal County, Texas

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; San Antonio, Texas


Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA222
Date and Time: May 28, 2022, 18:45 Local 
Registration: N3842Q
Aircraft: Cessna 172L 
Injuries: 3 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N3842Q
Model/Series: 172L 
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: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBAZ,648 ft msl
Observation Time: 18:51 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 35°C /16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / , 150°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.74 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Canyon Lake, TX
Destination: Canyon Lake, TX

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Serious 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 29.911908,-98.249731 

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances into a tree off the end of the runway.  

Date: 28-MAY-22
Time: 23:46:00Z
Regis#: N3842Q
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: SERIOUS
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: CANYON LAKE
State: TEXAS





A man, woman and child were hospitalized Saturday evening after their small plane crashed during an approach to Canyon Lake Airport.

Canyon Lake Fire and EMS Chief Robert Mikel said his department responded to a report of a plane that crashed just short of the airport around 6:30 p.m.

“It is unknown if the accident occurred during a landing or when taking off,” he said. “Two adults and one pediatric patient were transported to University Hospital in San Antonio with non-life threatening injuries. The three were the only reported occupants of the plane.”

Jennifer Smith, Comal County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said deputies received the call at 6:23 p.m. and left the scene at 9:04 p.m. after the plane’s occupants were treated and transported to the hospital by ground EMS.

“The plane crashed into the property adjacent to the runway of Canyon Lake Airport,” she said Sunday morning.

Randall Smith, no relation to CCSO’s Smith and airport co-manager, referred questions to the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates national airborne activity. Donnell Evans, FAA area public affairs specialist, provided additional information Sunday afternoon.

“A Cessna 172 crashed into a tree at the end of the runway at Canyon Lake Airport” he said. “There were three people onboard; the FAA will investigate.”

Evans said more information will be released after investigators verify the aircraft registration number. He said the FAA does not identify people involved in aircraft accidents.

Air Tractor AT-802A, N579LA: Accident occurred May 27, 2022 in Weiner, Poinsett County, Arkansas










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; Memphis, Tennessee

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Weiner, Arkansas 
Accident Number: CEN22LA226
Date and Time: May 27, 2022, 07:30 Local
Registration: N579LA
Aircraft: AIR TRACTOR INC AT-802A
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR INC
Registration: N579LA
Model/Series: AT-802A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
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: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 35.590272,-90.913672

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.  

Date: 27-MAY-22
Time: 12:30:00Z
Regis#: N579LA
Aircraft Make: AIR TRACTOR
Aircraft Model: AT-802
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: SERIOUS
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 137
City: WEINER
State: ARKANSAS




POINSETT COUNTY, Arkansas (KAIT) - Crews were at the scene of a crop duster crash in Poinsett County Friday morning.

On Tuesday, May 31, Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder released the name of the pilot as Trampus Johnson. He’s expected to be okay.

On Friday, May 27, Sheriff Kevin Molder confirmed the plane went down at the corner of Airport Road and Silver Maple Lane near Waldenburg around 7:35 a.m.

The pilot was taken to a hospital. According to his sister-in-law, he is expected to recover and was awake and alert at the hospital.



Poinsett County Sheriff's Office - 

At approximately 7:35 a.m., the Poinsett County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call stating that a crop duster plane had gone down at the corner of Airport Road & Silver Maple Lane near Waldenburg. 

Weiner first responders and Medic One was notified.

The pilot was transported to a hospital.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and will be investigating.

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N4421M: Fatal accident occurred May 28, 2022; Incidents occurred September 19, 2021 and July 04, 2014

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 travelled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina
Lycoming; Atlanta, Georgia 

Barnstormers Aerial Advertising LLC


Location: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 
Accident Number: ERA22FA243
Date and Time: May 28, 2022, 14:14 Local
Registration: N4421M
Aircraft: Piper PA-12
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Banner tow

On May 28, 2022, at 1414 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N4421M, was sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner tow flight.

Witnesses standing on the flight line at Grand Strand Airport (CRE), North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, stated that airplane approached to pick up a banner, pitched up and maintained a steep angle of attack until the airplane stalled. The left wing dropped down, and airplane made a near vertical descent and impact.

The accident site was located 126 ft to the right side of runway 23, midfield, and about 300 ft away from the banner pick up zone. Both wings exhibited accordion style crushing. The propeller separated at the engine shaft and was buried about 2 ft in the ground. One propeller blade exhibited chordwise paint abrasion, “S” bending and longitudinal twisting toward the blade face. The other propeller blade exhibited chordwise paint abrasion. Both fuel tanks were breached. Flight control continuity was established to all flight controls. The instrument panel was located under the engine and all instruments were damaged with no useful information able to be attained.

The engine was disassembled, and it was noted that there were no accessory drive splines installed in the engine accessory case, so the engine crankshaft could not be rotated by hand. The right-side cylinders No. 1 and No. 3 were removed to provide visual access to the engine internal components. Continuity of the crankshaft, camshaft and valve train were confirmed by visual observation. The interiors of all four cylinders were examined with no anomalies noted.

The company president stated that the pilot was a long-term employee with the company and had over 15,000 hours flying this type of banner tow airplanes.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N4421M
Model/Series: PA-12
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
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: KCRE,33 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:35 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C /21°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 180°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.88 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Destination: North Myrtle Beach, SC

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 33.811535,-78.725278

Aircraft returned to drop off banner and climbed out, then nosed over backwards into the ground. 

Date: 28-MAY-22
Time: 18:15:00Z
Regis#: N4421M
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA12
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 fatal
Pax: 0
Activity: BANNER TOW
Flight Phase: INITIAL CLIMB (ICL)
Operation: 91
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
City: NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.

May 28, 2022:  NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (WMBF) - A pilot died after their plane crashed in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden said 56-year-old David Flading died of traumatic injuries after his plane went down at the Grand Strand Regional Airport at around 2 p.m.

The coroner added that Flading lived in the Myrtle Beach area for more than 20 years after moving from Pennsylvania.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a Flading was flying a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, more commonly known as a “banner plane.”

The City of North Myrtle Beach said fire and rescue crews responded to the crash, along with the North Myrtle Beach Police Department and Horry County Fire Rescue.

WMBF News also spoke with a man nearby who saw the scene moments after the plane crashed.

“I heard the fire engines and the medical squads come through our back road here,” said Bob Dorsey. “I knew something happened. I came out of the house and went down to the end as the fire trucks were coming in and I could see the plane nose down with the tail up in the air.”

A co-worker Flading spoke to WMBF News on Sunday, calling him “a great pilot who loved flying” and “a genuine and kind person who greeted me every morning with a smile.”

“I will miss his friendship,” she said.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are both investigating.



Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbia, South Carolina

September 19, 2021:   Aircraft made an emergency landing on the beach - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Barnstormers Aerial Advertising LLC


Date: 19-SEP-21
Time: 17:40:00Z
Regis#: N4421M
Aircraft Make: PIPER
Aircraft Model: PA12
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: BANNER TOW
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: MYRTLE BEACH
State: SOUTH CAROLINA

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; West Columbia, South Carolina

July 04, 2014:  Aircraft during banner tow operation, banner struck the top of a parasail with two (2) parasail riggers. No injuries. Damage minor to the parasail.  Aircraft and parasail landed without incident.  North Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina. 

Barnstormers Aerial Advertising LLC



North Myrtle Beach, SC (WMBF) - The sign from a banner plane ripped through parasailers' parachute causing them to make an emergency landing. The report and statements have been published.

The pair parasailing were brothers, visiting from Virginia for the Fourth of July. Their fun took a turn for the worst. One of the boys said they saw the plane coming straight towards them.

The two boys went out with the North Myrtle Beach Parasailing crew. As they were up in the air, they noticed the plane flying very close to them. The older of the two, Riley, said he knew something wasn't right.

"It looked really close to the parasail, and I was really scared it was going to hit the actual parachute" Riley Jorgenson described.

Riley, 14, and his brother, 12, were first to see the plane.

Statements were collected the two boys, the driver of the boat, the manager of North Myrtle Beach Parasailing, and the captain of the banner plane.

WMBF News looked into proper regulations for parasailing.

"The FAA limits all the folks in Myrtle Beach to 300 feet and that's because of the banner planes that fly the beach with us - they have to fly at 500 feet" David Sage explained. Sage owns Ocean Watersports in Myrtle Beach.

In addition to FAA rules, the City of North Myrtle Beach has articles regulating parasailing operations and training of their crews.

Sage explained all parasailing companies in the area have a meeting with banner plane pilots every spring to talk about safety.

"We hash it all out and talk about what we could do better. We've never had any close calls and I've been going to those meetings for 16 or 17 years," he said.

Although no one was hurt, the family said one of the boys is still very shaken up.

In his statement, he said:

"We were settled and I saw the plane coming at us. I got kind of worried and I panicked. After that, the ride continued. I was very scared on the way down, and then we landed on the boat. I would not recommend this ride to anyone."

His older brother, says he was trying to comfort his brother and remain calm but knew the plane could have done a lot of damage.

"I was really scared the plane would take the parachute and both of them would go down. The plane wouldn't be flying right and the parachute wouldn't be flying right, so we would go into the water. I was really scared about that," Riley said.

The father of the boys was on the beach when he heard of the accident. He didn't know at the time it was during his sons' turn. The family says they are happy to be okay, but realize this could have been much worse.

http://www.wmbfnews.com

Grumman G-164B Ag-Cat, N178LB: Fatal accident occurred May 28, 2022 in Whiskerville, Lawrence County, Arkansas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Little Rock, Arkansas 

Hackberry Flying Service LLC


Location: Whiskerville, Arkansas
Accident Number: CEN22FA215
Date and Time: May 28, 2022, 13:40 Local
Registration: N178LB
Aircraft: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP G-164 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On May 28, 2022, about 1340 central daylight time, a Grumman American Aviation G-164B airplane, N178LB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Whiskerville, Arkansas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

The operator reported that the pilot departed for training purposes from the operator’s airstrip near Beech Grove, Arkansas, at 0910, and flew west toward Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. She returned at 1010, refueled the airplane, and flew to the east of Walcott, Arkansas, where she configured her onboard systems and performed several practice aerial application passes over a rice field. The pilot returned to the operator’s airstrip at 1105 and shut down the airplane.

At 1210, another company pilot departed in the airplane and performed an aerial application flight to configure the onboard systems for the pilot. After several aerial application loads, the other company pilot returned to the operator’s airstrip, and the pilot departed in the airplane. She flew the airplane to the rice field she was scheduled to fertilize, located about 1.5 nm southwest of O’Kean, Arkansas. She performed several practice aerial application passes before she returned back to the operator’s airstrip. The hopper was loaded, and the airplane was refueled to about three quarters full of Jet A fuel. The fiberglass hopper had 2,500 lbs of dry product on board. According to the operator, this was the pilot’s first heavy aerial application load.

Shortly before the accident, the operator heard the pilot announce over the company radio frequency, that “I’ve got to land this airplane,” and there were no further radio transmissions from the pilot. The operator classified her tone on the last radio transmission as, “not distraught.” After several attempts to contact the pilot over the radio with no success, a fellow company pilot who was airborne, departed from his current rice field, and flew to the field where the pilot was scheduled to be. He observed black smoke rising in the air before arriving and then observed the wreckage once he arrived on scene.

A witness, who lives about 1.6 nm northwest of the accident site, reported that he was outside working on his farm when he heard the accident airplane flying nearby with a constant engine noise. The engine suddenly either “cut off” or “shut off,” and he heard no further engine noise. The witness believed that the engine “died.” About 5 seconds later, he heard a loud impact noise, and then shortly after he observed black smoke emitting from the accident site. The witness immediately contacted first responders to report the accident. While the witness did not observe the accident sequence, he reported he is familiar with the engine noise emitted from the various turbine-powered airplanes used to provide aerial application services in the area. The witness classified the weather conditions at the time of the accident as clear, the temperature was about 85° F, and the wind originated from the south at about 10 mph.

The airplane came to rest upright on a north to south oriented ditch, in between two large rice fields, about 1.8 nm to the southeast of the rice field and about 3.8 nm northwest of the operator’s airstrip. Based off ground impact marks, the airplane impacted the west side of the ditch, traveled across the area filled with water, and came to rest on the east side of the ditch. A postimpact fire ensued and the wreckage was destroyed. There was no evidence of any obstacle strikes in the area. All major structural airframe components were located at the accident site. The turboprop engine and the metal propeller separated from the airframe and were found buried in the dirt. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site for future examination.

At the time of the accident, the estimated density altitude for the accident site was 1,599 ft above msl.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP
Registration: N178LB
Model/Series: G-164B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code: NOSG

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KARG,273 ft msl
Observation Time: 13:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C /17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Beech Grove, AR (PVT) 
Destination: Whiskerville, AR

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: Unknown
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 36.133295,-90.80047 (est)


Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. 

Date: 28-MAY-22
Time: 18:47:00Z
Regis#: N178LB
Aircraft Make: GRUMMAN AMERICAN
Aircraft Model: G-164
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 fatal 
Pax:  0 
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 137
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
City: WALNUT RIDGE
State: ARKANSAS

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290. 


Petra Sobotka
May 22, 1977 - May 28, 2022



Petra Sobotka, 45, of Orlando, Florida, passed from this life on Saturday, May 28, 2022. She was born in Plzen, Czechoslovakia to Marlowe Mure and George Sobotka. As a 10 year old child, her family escaped Czechoslovakia and made it to West Germany. After three years as refugees in Germany, her family were granted visas to Canada. 

Petra was a determined individual and even after all the hardships she endured as a child, she became a successful pilot. Her latest job was flying as an Ag Pilot. Prior to that, she was a pilot-first officer at Southern Air Inc. and KF Aerospace-Kelowna Flightcraft. 

Petra loved being in the air whether it was in an aircraft or skydiving. She also loved to cave dive and met Eric doing so. She loved life, freedom, her travels, family and animals.

Petra is survived by her husband, Eric Alexander, her mother and father, and thousands of friends she has made over the years.

No services are scheduled at this time.



Lawrence County, Arkansas (KAIT) - According to Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Yates, a pilot was killed in a Saturday afternoon plane crash.

A crop duster plane crashed in Lawrence County Saturday.

The plane crashed around County Road 605. An exact location was not given.

According to Yates, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been contacted.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, FAA, and NTSB will be investigating the crash.

Accident occurred May 28, 2022 in Matanuska River, Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Calls came in about 6:30 p.m. Saturday to Mat-Com Dispatch that a plane had crashed into the Matanuska River near Mile 99 of the Glenn Highway. According to a post from the Alaska State Troopers, people nearby witnessed the crash and immediately responded. They found the airplane sinking into the river.

AST says Brett Winterbottom of Glacier View, “tethered himself to his ATV and swam into the Matanuska River and saved the adult male and 7-month-old child.” Winterbottom handed the baby to Tammy Saunders, a Texas nurse who is visiting Alaska. Saunders was able to render aid to the child.

The other occupant of the plane became separated and swam to the other side of the river. Troopers say another person arrived in a helicopter and carried the woman back to her family on the opposite shore.

LifeMed responded to the scene and took the woman and child to the hospital.

According to the statement from Alaska State Troopers, “AST would like to thank the citizens who provided immediate rescue efforts and saved these three individuals!”

AirBorne Edge XT-912-L, N490F: Fatal accident occurred May 29, 2022 near Granite Shoals/Bob Sylvester Airpark (2G5), Burnet County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

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

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Rotax-Rotech Flight Safety


Location: Granite Shoals, Texas
Accident Number: WPR22FA189
Date and Time: May 29, 2022, 08:00 Local 
Registration: N490F
Aircraft: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD EDGE XT-912-L 
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 29, 2022, about 0800 central daylight time, an Airborne Windsports Edge weight shift control light sport airplane, N490F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Granite Shoals, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

A residential security camera located near the Granite Shoals/Bob Sylvester Airpark (2G5), captured the trike at 0709 taxiing towards the approach end of runway 20. Witnesses observed the trike flying in the area for about 20-30 minutes before the accident. A witness stated the trike made several passes over the airpark. He did not witness the accident but recalled the wind condition to be “super windy.” Another witness stated that the wind condition was “swift” with gusts at the time of the accident.

The airport was situated at an elevation of 860 ft above mean sea level. It was equipped with one runway where its surface is a mix of turf and gravel. The runway, designated 2/20, measured 2,000 ft long by 50 ft wide. The airport was not equipped with an air traffic control tower.

The weather observations from Horseshoe Bay Resort Airport (DZB), Horseshow Bay, Texas, 4 miles south of 2G5, indicated a southerly wind at 4 knots increasing to 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots near the accident time.

An examination of the accident site revealed that the trike impacted a mesquite tree near the approach end of runway 20. The trike’s wing separated from the carriage and remained in the tree. The wreckage debris field was about 115 ft long and on a southerly heading. The engine and carriage (cockpit area) remained intact and came to rest at the end of the debris field.

The wreckage was relocated to a secured facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS PTY LTD
Registration: N490F
Model/Series: EDGE XT-912-L 
Aircraft Category: Weight-shift
Amateur Built:
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: KDZB,1093 ft msl
Observation Time: 07:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C /19°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 1700 ft AGL
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 180°
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Granite Shoals, TX 
Destination: Granite Shoals, TX

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 30.591989,-98.367975 (est)

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances after striking a tree.

Date: 29-MAY-22
Time: 11:19:00Z
Regis#: N490F
Aircraft Make: AIRBORNE WINDSPORTS
Aircraft Model: EDGE XT-912
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 2
Flight Crew: 1 fatal
Pax: 1 fatal
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: GRANITE SHOALS
State: TEXAS

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.

Granite Shoals Police Department -

Due to the earlier ultralight trike crash, Forest Hills from Mystic to Green Forest will be CLOSED until further notice. Green Forest is closed except for residents on the street. 

The FAA will be responding from San Antonio while the NTSB and salvage company are responding from some distance away. 

Any person crossing the barricades is subject to involvement with a DPS Trooper. Please avoid the area. We will post when the roadway is back open.

Granite Shoals Police Department -

The Granite Shoals Police Department with the Burnet County Sheriff's Office, Texas DPS, and Granite Shoals Fire Rescue are on scene of an ultralight trike emergency just off the Granite Shoals airfield. 

Texas DPS, the FAA, and the NTSB will be working the crash. 

The point of contact for media will be the Texas DPS.

There will be no further information posted from the GSPD about this incident.

Please avoid the area off Forest Hills. 

Out of respect for the victims no photos will be posted until next of kin can be notified.

The FAA provided the following statement:

"An Airborne Windsports Edge 912 weight-shift control aircraft crashed in Granite Shoals, Texas, around 7:00 a.m. local time today. Two people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates."