Friday, September 02, 2022

Boeing 717-200, N946AT: Accident occurred August 29, 2022 and Incidents occurred September 17, 2021; January 04, 2020

 Delta Air Lines Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N946AT

August 29, 2022
Detroit, Michigan

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: DCA22LA191

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee

September 17, 2021:  Aircraft nose gear failing to extend and manually lowered which caused the main landing gear doors to remain down and debris from the main gear doors was found on the runway. McGhee Tyson Airport (KTYS), Knoxville, Tennessee

Delta Air Lines Inc


Date: 17-SEP-21
Time: 18:42:00Z
Regis#: N946AT
Aircraft Make: BOEING
Aircraft Model: 717
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: COMMERCIAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 121
Aircraft Operator: DELTA AIRLINES
Flight Number: DAL2548
City: KNOXVILLE
State: TENNESSEE

Delta Air Lines Inc

January 04, 2020:  Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (KGRB),  Brown County, Wisconsin 






ASHWAUBENON – More than 100 passengers had to be re-accommodated Saturday morning after the plane they slid off the taxiway at Austin Straubel International Airport.

Around 6:15 a.m., the Delta aircraft carrying 107 passengers to Atlanta slid off the taxiway as the plane was making its way from the terminal to the runway for takeoff, airport director Marty Piette said. No one was injured and there was no damage to the aircraft. 

The passengers were bused back to the terminal to make other flight arrangements. No other flights were canceled on Saturday, Piette said. 

Conditions were icy at the time of the incident, but Piette said he can't be sure if that's what caused the plane to slide off the taxiway. He said airport staff were aware of the icy conditions and treated the taxiway with sand and alerted pilots of the icy and slippery conditions. 

"From an airport standpoint, we do everything we can to make conditions as good as they can be," Piette said, adding planes sliding off runways is not something that happens very often. 

Green Bay resident Kent Maxwell was on the plane when it skidded off the taxiway. People on the plane were "calm and respectful" as the airline dealt with the issue, he said, and Delta rebooked the passengers on a different flight and gave them meal vouchers. 

Maxwell said he thinks the pilot was "going too fast for the conditions," but said "everyone seemed to accept the situation and the need to rebook." 

"I fly a lot and usually problems cause infrequent passengers to really get excited," Maxwell said. "That didn't happen on this flight. I think most people can relate to sliding off the road into a ditch." 

As of around 10:30 a.m., the plane was still stuck, Piette said. Pictures posted on social media also show one of the plane's wheels stuck in the grass off the taxiway. 

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

Yakovlev Yak-11 (Let C-11), N5943: Fatal accident occurred September 02, 2022 at Minter Field Airport (KMIT), Shafter, Kern County, California

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: WPR22FA331 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fresno, California 

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. 

Date: 02-SEP-22
Time: 15:06:00Z
Regis#: N5943
Aircraft Make: YAKOVLEV
Aircraft Model: YAK-11
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 0
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: SHAFTER
State: CALIFORNIA


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.



Sherman Smoot
~



SHAFTER, California (KERO) — One man is dead after the vintage plane he was flying crashed near Minter Field in Shafter.

The Kern County Fire Department says the man was flying a World War II plane that had been converted for air racing competition.

Several witnesses confirmed to 23ABC that the pilot was Sherman Smoot, considered a local legend in the air racing community. The Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles also confirmed the pilot was Smoot.

Recently, Smoot was interviewed by Scripps affiliate KSBY for an event that honored veterans.

According to officials with the Warbirds Museum, Smoot was their former president and was currently a board member. He was set to be the keynote speaker at the museum's 30th-anniversary celebration on September 12th.

Born in San Luis Obispo, Smoot was raised in North Slo County. He entered Navy flight school in 1971 and left active duty in 1977 to pursue an airline career with continental airlines.

He retired from Continental in 2005 after 28 years. And ever since he's been involved in racing warbirds.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that the plane was a Yakovlev YAK-11, an aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force from 1947 until 1962, nicknamed "Czech Mate." It was reportedly being rebuilt in preparation for the upcoming reno air races.

Smoot was the only person on board.

"Sherman has been an avid air racer in the unlimited class for years, racing various aircraft, but most known for racing Czech Mate. Unlimited Air Racing in Reno is known as the Bad Boys of Air Racing as they are typically racing modified WWII aircraft. This year Sherman and Czech Mate were a favorite to win with the current listed field. Sherman is among the legends when it comes to Air Racing, never winning the gold, everyone was excited for this to be the year! For the last 4 years Sherman had raced a Sea Fury for another plane owner, and this year was to be the return of Czech mate," said photographer Curtis Noble, who photographed Smoot at a recent air show in Reno.

KCFD says the plane had, "some difficulty on takeoff," shortly before the crash.

Members of this community have been expressing their condolences across social media Friday afternoon.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.

"We are investigating the crash today of a Yakovlev YAK-11. Don't have many more verified facts to release at this time. A preliminary report will be published in 2-3 weeks that will provide some answers, but the probable cause will be issued at the end of the investigation, which could take a year or more," said Eric Weiss with the NTSB.



Cirrus SR22 G6, N420SS: Fatal accident occurred September 01, 2022 near David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), Harris County, Texas

National Transportation Safety Board - Accident Number: CEN22FA405 

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

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. 

Cirrus Design Corporation


Date: 01-SEP-22
Time: 20:23:00Z
Regis#: N420SS
Aircraft Make: CIRRUS
Aircraft Model: SR22
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal 
Pax: 2 Minor
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: HOUSTON
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.







Pilot David Stoneking from Spring, Texas and passenger Kim Hazelwood of Livingston, Texas were injured in a single-engine plane crash on Thursday, September 1, in the Tomball area of Houston in Harris County.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the plane was traveling from Tennessee and stopped in Louisiana to refuel before continuing to Houston. It is believed that the plane experienced engine trouble near Hooks Airport in Spring and crashed in between two mobile homes on Monterrey Pine Place. Hazelwood, 56, and Stoneking, 67, were taken to Memorial Hermann in the Woodlands for treatment of their injuries. Another occupant in the plane was killed in the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the accident.


KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WVLT) - One person was killed and two were injured after a plane, which departed from Knoxville, crashed between two mobile homes in Spring, Texas, according to officials. The pilot died in the crash and the two passengers sustained minor injuries, according to the preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Christopher Jensen, of Murfreesboro, was the pilot of the plane and died at the hospital following the crash, according to Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Richard Standifer. Standifer said there was one female and two males on board, identified as Kim Hazlewood of Livingston, Texas and David Stoneking of Spring, Texas. He also said all three were taken to the hospital.

Cirrus Aircraft released a statement following the crash, confirming the pilot was one of their employees. The full statement can be read below:

We are deeply saddened by the death of a Cirrus Aircraft team member involved in a Cirrus SR Series accident that occurred on Thursday, September 1 in Tomball, Texas near David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport.

Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with our team member’s family, the aircraft occupants and all those affected.

Cirrus Aircraft is actively supporting all appropriate authorities in the investigation. With respect to those involved and as the initial investigation begins, we will not comment on the accident details or speculate about the accident’s cause. -Cirrus Aircraft

The Cirrus SR22 took off from McGhee Tyson Airport with three people and crashed on the way to David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport around 5 p.m. local time, according to officials with the Federal Aviation Administration.

As the plane was trying to land, it lost power and hit a tree, according to Standifer. The FAA reported Friday the plane crashed “under unknown circumstances.”

“The good lord is good,” Standifer said. “The plane was able to come to rest in between two houses, so it didn’t encroach on any of the residences.”

Standifer said there was a parachute deployed but it was attached to the plane. He said he believed it was used to slow the descent of the plane while it was going down.

Initial reports indicated that about 75 gallons of gas leaked from the plane, according to officials with the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board announced they were investigating the crash.


A Cirrus Aircraft employee died Thursday night in a plane crash near Spring, Texas, a company spokesperson confirmed.

The Cirrus SR-22 took off from McGhee Tyson Airport with three people and crashed on the way to David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport at around 5 p.m. local time, according to officials with the Federal Aviation Administration.

"We are deeply saddened," Cirrus spokeswoman Nadia Haidar said in a prepared statement. "Our immediate thoughts and prayers are with our team member’s family, the aircraft occupants and all those affected."

Hairdar declined to comment further, citing the investigation and respect for the families involved.

As the plane was trying to land, it lost power and hit a tree, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

An official from the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the plane crashed on its approach to the airport and said it was sending an investigator. According to the spokesperson, a preliminary report will likely be completed in about three weeks but the full investigation report, including the cause of the crash, can take up to a year.

Two other people were on board and were transported to a local hospital. No further information was available as of Friday afternoon.

Cirrus Aircraft recently underwent a major expansion to its Knoxville campus, adding three 12,000-square-foot airplane hangars to its facility next to McGhee Tyson Airport.

Diamond DA42 NG Twin Star, N43RG: Fatal accident occurred September 01, 2022 at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL), Orange County, Florida

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.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Hicks, Ralph

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Jennifer Viteritto; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Diamond Aircraft Sales USA Inc 


Location: Orlando, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22LA395
Date and Time: September 1, 2022, 17:00 Local
Registration: N43RG
Aircraft: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On September 1, 2022, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 42 NG, N43RG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Orlando, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured, and a flight instructor was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The local, instructional flight was to originate at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), Orlando, Florida. The flight instructor reported that he and his student checked the weather and determined that there was a small area of precipitation, about 2 nm wide, over Orlando International Airport (MCO), which was slow moving, and would be in the vicinity of ORL after their departure. The flight taxied to runway 7 and performed pre-takeoff checks at taxiway A7. During this time, the weather deteriorated, with wind gusting to 40 knots and visibility dropping to zero. They elected to hold in place rather than attempt to taxi back to the ramp. Shortly thereafter, the wind gusts increased to about 60 knots. The airplane’s left wing lifted, and the airplane rolled to the right. The flight instructor attempted to shut down the engines, and the airplane rolled over, inverted.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Structural damage was noted on both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Diamond Aircraft Industries
Registration: N43RG
Model/Series: DA 42 NG 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: IMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KORL,104 ft msl 
Observation Time: 17:08 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C /19°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind 
Speed/Gusts, Direction: / 49 knots,
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1600 ft AGL 
Visibility: 0.25 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Orlando, FL
Destination: Orlando, FL

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 28.54386,-81.33903 (est)

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.

Aircraft taxiing for departure and flipped over due to a wind gust.  

Date: 01-SEP-22
Time: 21:00:00Z
Regis#: N43RG
Aircraft Make: DIAMOND
Aircraft Model: DA42
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 Fatal
Pax: 1 Minor
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAXI (TXI)
Operation: 91
City: ORLANDO
State: FLORIDA

Alfa Ekele
Military Pilot


Instructor Pilot, DA-40NG Nigerian Air Force

1. Planned and conducted activities for balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time, providing students with opportunities to observe, question and investigate.
2. Conducted on-the-job combat training classes and live missions and demonstrated principles, techniques, procedures, and methods of military flying.
3. Selected curriculum and instructional aid to increase student pilots' understanding of core concepts.
4. Planned and executed attack missions on terrorism infested regions, employed necessary ordnance to save lives of civilians.

Aircraft Accident Investigator Nigeria Air Force

1. Reported results of investigations with written observations and photographs and produced final reports.
2. Managed aircraft accident scene investigations by collecting evidence, performing fingerprinting, and taking videos and photos of scenes.
3. Cordoned off scenes to protect evidence and prevent unauthorized access.
4. Removed evidence from crime scenes, including clothing fibers, hair and samples for in-depth analysis.

Flight Safety Officer 401 Flying Training School

1. Responded to emergency situations in most efficient, effective ways possible.
2. Conducted regular inspections of facilities to check compliance with fire, hazard, and safety guidelines.
3. Examined hazardous incidents and accidents to uncover causes and provided corrective actions.
4. Created and implemented programs, policies and procedures designed to effectively reduce or eliminate injuries and hazards in workplace.
5. Held safety training and traffic safety instructional courses which led to marked improvements in safety culture across personnel groups.
6. Created and compiled safety training procedures into manuals to disseminate to staff members.
7. Provided leadership of Air Force Training Command with strategic and tactical advice to advance or resolve pilots' compliance cases.

Instructor/Combat Pilot (L-39ZA Albatros) Flying Training School

1. Planned and conducted activities for balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time, providing students with opportunities to observe, question and investigate.
2. Conducted on-the-job combat training classes and live missions and demonstrated principles, techniques, procedures and methods of military flying.
3. Selected curriculum and instructional aid to increase student pilots' understanding of core concepts.
4. Planned and executed attack missions on terrorism infested regions, employed necessary ordnance to save lives of civilians.




A Florida Institute of Technology student was identified as the person killed earlier this month at the Orlando Executive Airport after wind gusts of 60 mph flipped a twin-engine plane he was in, university officials said.

The deadly incident was caused by a microburst as severe weather descended on the airport September 1 as the Diamond DA42 NG Twin Star was waiting on the taxiway. A second person was injured, airport officials reported. 

Investigators from the NTSB are investigating the incident involving the airplane. 

The Florida Tech student was identified as Alfa Ekele, a Nigerian national who was working on a master's degree in administration of applied aviation safety at the university’s College of Aeronautics. The incident was not related to Ekele's work at the school in Melbourne, university officials confirmed.

"Alfa was dear to many, and anyone who knew him was impacted by his faith and pursuit of God, genuine love for his family, contagious smile, generosity and impeccable work ethic," said Maureen Namukasa, a doctoral student in aviation sciences and Alfa's friend.

"He was a passionate pilot who excelled in all his classes and was on the path to working in civil aviation," she said.

Judith-Ann Jarrette, director of the airport, told media outlets that the twin-engine aircraft had taxied out on Runway 7 when winds from severe weather moving into the area flipped the aircraft upside down. The Orlando Fire Department responded to the site. A federal investigation is ongoing. 

Ekele is survived by his wife, Precious Ekele, and two children. Florida Tech will hold a public memorial service for Ekele at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the All Faiths Center on campus.




ORLANDO, Florida - The owner of a Cessna 182H Skylane that flipped over yesterday at Orlando Executive Airport says they're stunned by what happened, and just trying to figure out their next steps. FOX35 is still working to learn more details about the victims of yesterday's accident.

Cell phone video showed the powerful storm blowing through Orlando on Thursday. Pilot Remy Colin often flies out of Orlando Executive Airport, and says his plane wasn't one that flipped, but his crew scrambled to secure their gear. 

"They saw the radar, and they started putting things away. They were lucky, they had zero damage. They had one hangar door that caved in, came off the rails. That was the extent of their damage," said Colin.

Airport officials said the severe weather came through around 5:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon. A Cessna 182H Skylane and a Diamond DA42 NG Twin Star both flipped over. 

The Cessna 182H Skylane was empty, but the Diamond DA42 NG Twin Star had two people inside it. One of them died, and the other was left seriously injured. 

Colin said he was surprised that it happened. 

"Jets don't move much. Those things are heavy. It would take 80-90 mph winds to start moving those things," said Colin.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority are investigating the deadly accident. 

FOX35 spoke with the Cessna 182H Skylane owner who didn't want to be identified. 

She said they're shocked by what happened, but have insurance to cover the damage. She said the plane is a total loss. Colin says the weather took everyone by surprise. 

"That was not a normal thing, yesterday was not a normal thing," said Colin.