Friday, July 22, 2022

Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N1812E: Incidents occurred July 20, 2022; November 14, 2019 and February 24, 2019

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas

July 20, 2022:  Instructor and student lost engine in upwind and conducted emergency landing onto closed grass Runway 36R, causing nose strut damage. 


Date: 20-JUL-22
Time: 00:30:00Z
Regis#: N1812E
Aircraft Make: TEXTRON AVIATION INC
Aircraft Model: 172S
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: INSTRUCTION
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: FORT WORTH
State: TEXAS
 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

November 14, 2019: Aircraft on landing struck a sign at Centennial Airport (KAPA), Englewood, Arapahoe County, Colorado.

ATP Aircraft 6 LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N1812E

Date: 14-NOV-19
Time: 19:30:00Z
Regis#: N1812E
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: DENVER
State: COLORADO

February 24, 2019: Slid off the taxiway at Centennial Airport (KAPA), Englewood, Arapahoe County, Colorado.


Date: 24-FEB-19
Time: 17:58:00Z
Regis#: N1812E
Aircraft Make: TEXTRON
Aircraft Model: 172S
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: DENVER
State: COLORADO

Aeronca 7AC Champion, N84423: Incident occurred July 21, 2022 in Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Aircraft experienced engine failure and landed in a field. 


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 15:00:00Z
Regis#: N84423
Aircraft Make: AERONCA
Aircraft Model: 7AC
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: PLANT CITY
State: FLORIDA





PLANT CITY, Florida - A small plane has crashed into a pond in Plant City.

The scene was unfolding near Colson Road and Smith Ryles Road late Thursday morning.

The view from SkyFOX shows law enforcement officials around the pond with the nose of the plane resting on the bank. 

Oil appears to be leaking from the plane and into the water.

There is no word yet on when the plane crash occurred or whether there were any injuries.

Boeing CH-47D Chinook, N388RA: Fatal accident occurred July 21, 2022 in Salmon River, Idaho

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Report Number: CEN22FA331

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

Helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances while conducting fire fighting operations. 

ROTAK Helicopter Services


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 20:25:00Z
Regis#: N388RA
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: CH47
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 2 Fatal
Pax: 0
Activity: FIREFIGHTING
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 133
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
City: SALMON
State: IDAHO

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.

Thomas Hayes and Jared Bird died after their helicopter crashed into the Salmon River on July 21, 2022. 


A fill-the-boot campaign has been organized to help the families of two pilots killed in a helicopter crash.


Jared Bird and Thomas Hayes



SALMON — A fill-the-boot campaign is underway in Lemhi County to support the families of two pilots killed while helping fight a forest fire last week.

Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska died after their helicopter crashed into the Salmon River Thursday afternoon. The pilots were assisting firefighters in battling the Moose Fire inside the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Patti Schwind says the accident has left her community devastated and she wanted to do something to help. The Salmon resident worked for the U.S. Forest Service over 32 years and has seen many forest fires during her life.

“It’s been such a tragic thing for us and the firefighters and the locals. I go into businesses and people are in tears,” Schwind tells EastIdahoNews.com. “Even though nobody knew these guys, people wanted to help.”

Schwind decided to organize a fill-the-boot fundraiser. She contacted a U.S. Forest Service liaison who’s been in touch with the pilots’ families and they were fine with the idea.

“So I called Becky and Ja Nel Anderson, my two dear friends at Rags & Wags – the local thrift store. I said I needed them and explained what I wanted to do,” Schwind says.

The Andersons went into the basement of the thrift store and found several old pairs of rubber boots, which they cleaned, scrubbed and waxed. Purple ribbons were attached to each boot along with a flyer explaining the project.

“We thought maybe five businesses might help out, but we really didn’t know what to expect,” Becky Anderson says.

Schwind posted about the boots on Facebook and people instantly responded that they wanted one at their business. Jervois Mining reached out and said they had six pairs of boots to donate to the cause.

“We spent Tuesday passing out 43 boots between Salmon, North Fork and Gibbonsville,” Schwind says. “Someone from Challis and someone from Dillon, Montana called asking if they could have some boots. I had no idea it would take off like it has and our little team of three has been busy.”

Anderson says it’s been amazing to watch the community come together in such a short amount of time, but she’s not surprised.




“That’s how it is here all the time. Whether they’re a stranger or a best friend, the community will come together to support,” Anderson explains. “That’s just what we do. We’re a tight-knit community who jumps in to help.”

The boots will be out for the next few weeks. When the project is done, Schwind plans to split the funds between the Hayes and Bird families. She’s been in touch with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which has been supporting the families with travel expenses, hotel costs and other expenses.

The remains of the pilots have been at funeral homes in Salmon and Missoula, Montana. Hayes and Bird were veterans and an “honor watch” has been underway at both funeral homes. Firefighters or veterans have been standing guard from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day. Funeral details have not been publicly announced.

GoFundMe fundraisers have been created for Hayes and Bird for those who wish to donate online.

The cause of the crash has not been released and the NTSB, along with the FAA, continues to investigate.

“This has been tragic, but the community wanted to help, and they’re doing it. I commend the community of Salmon for stepping up and being willing to help. We want them (the pilots’ families) to know how much we care,” Schwind says.

Our attorneys tell us we need to put this disclaimer in stories involving fundraisers: EastIdahoNews.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries.



Thomas Patrick Hayes 
~


SALMON, Idaho - The family of Thomas Patrick Hayes reached out to KHQ to let us know that their son was one of the two killed in a firefighting helicopter crash. 
 
A spokesperson for the Salmon-Challice National Forest Service confirmed Hayes' identity along with Jared Bird, a 36-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska. 
 
According to his mother, Rebecca Hovey, Hayes was 41 years old, has three children and a girlfriend in Post Falls who had two kids who he viewed as his own. 
 
Hovey said that he had plans to work for Life Flight.
 
Hayes was pilot for many years served in the Air Force where he got his start as a mechanic and worked his way to pilot. 
 
"He was a staunch military man, a true patriot, an upright hardworking person and citizen, and a perfectionist," Hovey said. 
 
He grew up in Orofino and has family in Saint Maries and Lewiston.
 
According to his mother, he was driven and this was his passion. 
 
"We will miss him so badly, but he died doing what he loved." Covey said. "He loved his children and his family."


Thomas Hayes, 41, lived in Post Falls, but grew up in Orofino, Idaho.
~





SALMON, Idaho – The two helicopter pilots involved in a crash near the Salmon River Thursday afternoon were killed.

Details about the crash are unavailable, but a news release from the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office indicates the call came in just before 5 p.m. Officials with the U.S. Forest Service were already involved in rescue efforts and lifesaving measures when local search and rescue arrived.

“The rotorcraft contained two pilots who were extricated and transported to medical facilities. Despite the life-saving measures in place, each pilot succumbed to their injuries,” the news release says.

The names of the pilots were 41-year-old Thomas Hayes of Post Falls and 36-year-old Jared Bird of Anchorage, Alaska. Both of them were employees of ROTAK Helicopter services, decorated veterans and highly experienced pilots.

“We are devastated by this incredible loss,” Ely Woods, General Manager of ROTAK Helicopter Services writes in a statement to EastIdahoNews.com. “Tommy and Jared represented the absolute best our country has to offer. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and loved ones.”

ROTAK is working with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Forest Service during an investigation of the crash.

All ROTAK helicopters have been grounded until further notice.

“We are grateful for the first responders and volunteers assisting in the response, and will provide more information at the appropriate time,” Woods writes.

The two pilots were assisting firefighters battling the Moose Fire about five miles southwest of North Fork near Salmon inside Salmon-Challis National Forest. The blaze has now burned 23,620 acres, according to a news release from Salmon-Challis National Forest.

No other injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire has not been determined.

Beechcraft D35 Bonanza, N2970B: Incident occurred July 21, 2022 at Central Illinois Regional Airport (KBMI), Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Indianapolis, Indiana

Aircraft bounced on landing damaging nose, main wheel, and airport signage. 


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 18:10:00Z
Regis#: N2970B
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: 35
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: BLOOMINGTON
State: ILLINOIS

Bell 206B, N39MK: Incident occurred July 21, 2022 in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbus, Ohio

Helicopter was crop dusting and crashed under unknown circumstances. 

Xtreme Aviation LLC


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 20:15:00Z
Regis#: N39MK
Aircraft Make: BELL
Aircraft Model: B206
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: AERIAL APPLICATION
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 137
City: KENTON
State: OHIO

Beech E33A Bonanza, N7555N: Accident occurred July 20, 2022 in Zena, Delaware County, Oklahoma

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Report Number: CEN22LA343 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Aircraft conducted emergency landing in a field after loss of engine power. 


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 04:30:00Z
Regis#: N7555N
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: 33
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: ZENA
State: OKLAHOMA

Tecnam P-2008, N202U: Incident occurred July 21, 2022 in Waco , McLennan County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; North Texas

Aircraft made emergency landing in field after loss of engine power. 

Tecnam US Inc


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 17:35:00Z
Regis#: N202U
Aircraft Make: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNAM
Aircraft Model: P2008
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: WACO
State: TEXAS

Beechcraft A45 Mentor, N44MT: Incident occurred July 21, 2022 at Manitowoc Municipal Airport (KMTW), Wisconsin

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aircraft landed gear up. 

Free Fliers MA LLC 


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 22:30:00Z
Regis#: N44MT
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: T34
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: MANITOWOC
State: WISCONSIN

1:3 Scale B-17G, N413ME: Incident occurred July 21, 2022 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH), Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Right main gear collapsed during landing. 


Date: 21-JUL-22
Time: 22:00:00Z
Regis#: N413ME
Aircraft Make: UNKNOWN
Aircraft Model: EXPERIMENTAL
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: MINOR
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: OSHKOSH
State: WISCONSIN

Aviation firm gets ousted from Chesterfield County Airport (KFCI) for missteps




It’s a divorce – or a couple of them – that may get ugly.

On June 29, the Chesterfield County Airport revoked its contract with Richmond Executive Aviation, one of two fixed-based operators (FBO) at the airport.

REA’s CEO Mark Hackett posted news of the company’s “forced closure” at the airport premises in a Facebook post that day. “The airport authority notified REA yesterday that they were revoking our FBO contract effective immediately, and asked REA to phase down operations,” Hackett wrote. “With less than 24 hour notice, the County arrived under armed escort to get the keys to our buildings.”

REA has been open for business at the airport since 2019 after being approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2018. The county says that REA defaulted on numerous contract terms, failing to meet minimum standards for an FBO, while Hackett threatens a lawsuit, claiming the county favored his company’s competitor, Dominion Aviation.

“In the contract, there is a clause that says after three defaults in a 12-month period, the county has a right to revoke the contract,” says John Neal. Neal is the director of general services at the Chesterfield County Airport and a member of the Airport Advisory Board. “A default is failure to meet the terms and conditions of the contract.

“For example, there are guidelines on how airline fuel should be handled. They did not follow those steps and did not provide a plan on how they were going to correct it.”

Hackett, a retired airline pilot, addressed the situation last week speaking only on his own behalf, he said, and not REA’s. He offered what he characterized as his personal opinions on the issues leading to REA’s removal.

He says a double standard was applied to his company. For example, he claims REA was cited for failing to maintain an operational multiengine aircraft for its flight school, while Dominion Aviation was offered relief from operating a flight school entirely. Dominion Aviation does operate a flight school with a multi-engine aircraft, but Hackett says the offer or relief was never extended to REA.

He also says he tried to work with the county on some of the issues. For example, REA was cited for employing one fulltime airplane mechanic, instead of the two required.

“Due to the skilled labor shortage, we’ve had trouble hiring a second mechanic,” he says. “But we provided proof to the county and the auditors that we’ve been advertising for that position with an industry-leading salary for a year.”

Furthermore, Hackett says there was friction with Dominion Aviation, which has been operating at the airport for more than 35 years. Until REA arrived, Dominion Aviation was the only FBO onsite. “We took many contracts away from Dominion Aviation,” he says. “We took their contract with the State Police and their military fuel contract.”

Another contested issue was the use of the main terminal building and ramp. Hackett says that REA lost access to the main terminal shortly after signing the contract. In his view, it’s evidence that the county favored his competitor. “We can only speculate,” he says. “But I believe that after 35 years of building relationships, my competitor has relationships with powerful people in powerful places.”

The county denies partisanship and Neal says that revoking the contract was a straightforward decision. “There were instances where they didn’t have the staff on hand to service an aircraft when it landed. There were instances where they didn’t have enough fuel,” he says. “There are certain service standards an FBO must meet to provide an appropriate level of service for the customers.”

But the fate of REA also faces an internal struggle.

On April 29, Hackett, who founded REA, filed a civil suit in Chesterfield County Circuit Court against business partner Wendell “Ray” Gibson.

Hackett’s case, according to court records, says Gibson sabotaged a $2.5 million loan funded by Chesapeake Bank and has “sabotaged the day-to-day operations, and has agreed to pay for the contractor for the build-out of hangars and other action’s to curtail [Hackett’s] actions.”

As plaintiff, Hackett accuses Gibson of fraud and says he “falsely induced [Hackett] to partner with him based on the representation that REA would be an equal partnership and that REA would secure a commercial loan for startup costs and hangar construction.”

Hackett is seeking damages of $4.5 million, a punitive [fine] of $350,000, an injunction barring Gibson from REA’s financial transactions and from any disparagement of Hackett or others associated with REA.

At press time, Hackett could not be reached for further comment about the lawsuit. Both Gibson and Thomas “Mike” Mickel, founder and CEO of Dominion Aviation, declined comment.

Columbia LC42-550FG Columbia 350, N356CA: Incident occurred July 20, 2022 at Perry-Houston County Airport (KPXE), Georgia

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aircraft landed hard on runway causing nose wheel to separate. 


Date: 20-JUL-22
Time: 17:15:00Z
Regis#: N356CA
Aircraft Make: COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MFG
Aircraft Model: LC42-550FG
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: PERRY
State: GEORGIA

PERRY, Georgia -- A small plane crashed at the Perry Airport on Wednesday, the Perry Police Department said.

The plane was carrying a pilot and one passenger, but no one was seriously hurt in the crash.

The plane, a Colombia 350, crashed on the runway at around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The pilot, Dr. Timothy Antaya of New Hampshire, said the landing gear collapsed while on the runway during a landing.

Antaya was checked by Houston County EMS responders, but was not hurt. The passenger, Perry native Shrad Amrit, was uninjured.

The plane sustained significant damage and the incident is being investigated by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.


PERRY, Georgia  — Officers with the Perry Police Department responded to a plane crash in Perry Wednesday afternoon, where a Columbia 350 was reported to be down with significant damage.

According to Perry PD, the incident happened around 2:09 p.m., at the Perry Airport at 275 Myrtle Field Road, where officers found the small plane down on the runway with damage.

All parties involved were out of the plane. The pilot, Dr. Timothy Antaya of Hampton Falls NH said that while landing the plane, the front landing gear collapsed. Antaya was checked by Houston EMS at the scene, and the passenger, Shrad Amrit of Perry, was not injured.

The NTSB and FAA are investigating this incident.