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    AZ: Piper Crashes Remote Mountainous Terrain


    Pictured: A record breaking Museum Archived Piper PA-24-260 Comanche B housed in the UK
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Martin Pole

    What: single-engine PA-24 Comanche en route from St Johns to Aguila
    Where: Horsethief Basin area, Yavapai County AZ
    When: Oct 4 2009
    Who: Ralph Smith, 74, and his wife Francis Smith, 70
    Why: The cause of the crash has not been determined yet. The crash started a fire in the area; the downed plane was a surprise to firefighters, and not immediately tied to the fire.

    Smith was a retired airline pilot.

    The pilot and his wife were not found immediately; the crash occurred in a remote area, but both bodies were recovered by Tuesday.

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    Beechcraft King Air Crash lands outside of Fort Worth


    Pictured: Another Texas-owned Beechcraft B100 King
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Andrew Compolo

    What: Texland Great Plains Water LLC./RJ Schumacher Oil ‘s Beechcraft King Air twin-engine airplane en route from Okalahoma City to Fort Worth’s Meacham International Airport
    Where: north of Fort Worth in Wise County
    When: Tuesday October 6 2009
    Who: 4 injured
    Why: When the pilot told Air Traffic Control that both engines had failed, the plane disappeared from radar, six miles from Kenneth Copeland Airport. The wreckage was found in a field near County Road 4227 and Currie Road.

    The plane lost a wing and sustained nose damage.

    The two severely injured passengers were airlifted to John Peter Smith Hospital and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital.

    George’s Point of View

    Odds are against a twin engine plane losing both its engines at one time. The pilot here must have done some kind of fancy flying (by fancy I mean seriously good flying by the seat of his pants) to have gotten everyone out of this (so far) alive. We hope the two severely injured men in the hospital recover completely (and the other two men as well.)

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    Air France: Heart Attack Diverts Plane


    Pictured: An Air France Boeing 777-328/ER
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Sean Mowatt

    What: Air France Boeing 777 en route from Paris to Singapore
    Where: Henri Coanda Airport, Bucharest
    When: Oct 7th 2009
    Who: 307 passengers and 18 crew
    Why: When a passenger suffered a heart attack on the plane, and the flight diverted to Bucharest where he was removed from the plane, the rest of the passengers debarked. It was determined he died of the heart attack. There is no mention if the flight had (or used) an on board a defib machine.

    The flight could not continue because of a technical problem. The other passengers stayed in the terminal or were put up in hotels and rerouted.

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    US Airways Emergency Landing in Durango


    Pictured: A US Airways/ Mesa Airlines De Havilland Canada DHC-8-202 Dash 8
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Tom Lowther

    What: US Airways Express/Mesa Airlines de Havilland-8 twin-engine turboprop en route from Grand Junction to Phoenix
    Where: Durango-La Plata County Airport
    When: October 5, 2009
    Who: 31 passengers.
    Why: While en route, the plane lost an engine. The engine failure was due to an oil-pressure problem, though it is not clear from our report whether or not the engine actually failed, or what is more likely, that the pilot shut it down. The plane diverted to Durango and landed safely; some of the passengers were able to fly out on the next flight to Phoenix.

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    LAX: United Airlines Hydraulics Leak


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Gerry Stegmeier

    What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from Los Angeles ,CA to Narita
    Where: Los Angeles
    When: Oct 5th, 2009
    Why: About twenty minutes after takeoff, the plane experienced a hydraulics leak. The flight crew decided to return to LAX, where it landed safely at 2:21 p.m.

    Maintenance crews are inspecting the plane.

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  • Pilot Fatigue Increases Flight Risk

    George’s Point of View

    Right now, the European Union allows pilots and cabin crews to work up to 14 hours straight, a situation which the president of the European Cockpit Association says is “a dangerous gamble with passengers.” A U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration pilot survey said 80% of pilots admit to have fallen asleep during a flight. Easa’s Moebus Report recommends lowering the max time to 13 day hours day and 10 night hours.

    I would no more want to be in a plane piloted by an exhausted pilot than I would choose to drive myself when I’m sleepy. 14 hours straight is simply too long a time-span to be entirely safe.

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    NC: Kit Plane Crash Kills Pilot


    Pictured: An Experimental Homebuilt RV-6 kit plane
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Connector

    What: RV-6 experimental kit plane en route from Wilmington to Louisburg, 31 miles northeast of Raleigh.
    Where: Behind Magnolia Mobile Home Park off Highway 903 near Magnolia in Duplin County NC
    When: Oct 05, 2009 12:45 pm
    Who: a Yorkville, Illinois pilot
    Why: According to witnesses, the plane nosedived into the ground. There was a loud noise, like an explosion, but it is not known if it was before or when the plane impacted the ground. The crash is under investigation.

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    MN: Pilot Rescued from Burning Plane


    Pictured: A Temco D-16 Twin Navion
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Dave Budd

    What: AZ Aeromachine 1946 Twin Navion twin engine en route from Anoka County-Blaine Airport
    Where: Cardinal Creek Conservation Area, Eden Prarie
    When: 12:30 p.m Oct 5, 2009
    Who: pilot Bob Fiske
    Why: When the plane crashed, witnesses rushed to break the windshield and rescue the trapped pilot.

    The pilot was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.

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    JAC: Lightning Strike


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Alastair T. Gardiner

    What: JAC Japan Air Commuter Saab 340B en route from Kagoshima to Takamatsu
    Where: Kagoshima
    When: Oct 2nd 2009
    Who: 20 people on board
    Why: While en route, the plane was struck by lightning. As a safety measure, in spite of no visible damage, the crew decided to return to the airport, where the passengers debarked and were referred to alternative flights.

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    Cairo: Windshield Crack Downs Airbus


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Gábor Vilmányi

    What: Eurofly Airbus A330-200 en route from Mauritius to Rome
    Where: Cairo
    When: Oct 5th 2009
    Who: 245 passengers
    Why: When a crack developed in a cockpit window, the plane diverted to Cairo for a safe landing, where passengers debarked and transferred to alternative planes.

    No injuries were reported.

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    Hail, Turbulence Downs Sicily Airbus


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Paolo Migliavacca

    What: Windjet Airbus A319-100 en route from Forli to Palermo
    Where: Catania Sicily
    When: Oct 1st 2009,

    Why: The pilot decided to divert to Catania because of severe weather conditions. On approach, the flight encountered wind shear of +50/-50 knots, severe turbulence and hail that signiicantly damaged the plane.

    Severe storms on Oct 1 in Sicily caused several deaths due to weather complications.

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    Cessna Crash in Mexico. 3 Lost.


    Pictured: a similar Cessna A185F Skywagon 185
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Hidemi Bustamante Prudente

    What: Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM) Cessna 182S en route from Morelia.
    Where: Michoacán Mexico
    When: OCT 02, 2009
    Who: 3 fatalities
    Why: There was fog in the mountains, and the control tower lost contact with the aircraft as the plane was conducting aerial surveys south of the hill “La Union.”

    The cause is under investigation.

    Lost in the crash were Aviator PEDRERO ANTONIO SERGIO NAVARRETE and Air Force Lieutenant Flying Pilot VICENTE ALVAREZ Emilio Castillo and air observer, Chap. 2 / o. Infantry GARIBAY FRANCISCO JAVIER GOMEZ

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    Beechcraft Crash in Mexico Kills 2


    Pictured: A similar A36TC Bonanza
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer David Alders

    What: Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza en route from Guanajuato International Airport to Toluca
    Where: Guanajuato – Mexico
    When: OCT 3, 2009
    Who: 2 fatalities, one survivor
    Why: The plane crashed in the initial climb.

    Fatalities include entrepreneur Gerardo Pons (30) and pilot Francisco Javier Martínez Solís.

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    Bolivian Military Crash kills 4

    What: Bolivian Air Force (FAB) LAMA FAB-746
    Where: Molle Molle at 1520 on Thursday
    When: Thursday Oct 1
    Who: Four officers killed; one wounded
    Why: The helicopter crashed into a wall in the village of Molle Molle. The survivor Yanarico Sergeant Johnson (24) is in critical condition at Viedma Hospital.

    Victims: Lt. Col. Wilson Arnez Gonzales (46), the Edgar Antezana Victor Paz (38), officer Javier Rodriguez (48), Sergeant Juan Carlos Iza Arnostegui Colonel Lopez (34) (Venezuelan driver)

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    AirTran Airways Engine Sparks Emergency Landing


    Pictured: An Airtran Airways Boeing in Flight
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Jaysen F. Snow

    What: AirTran Airways Boeing 717-200 en route from Orlando to Akron
    Where: Orlando
    When: Oct 4th 2009
    Who: 122 on board (117 passengers and 5 crew)
    Why: The flight experienced engine problems–fire in the left engine– and made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff.

    Ground personnel witnessed sparks from the left engine. When passengers debarked by emergency chute, one was injured. Passengers were bussed off the tarmac where they were eventually transferred to a replacement Boeing.

    George’s Point of View

    Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!

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  • | |

    3 helicopters crash in Peru

    What: helicopter
    Where: La Convencion, Peru
    When: Thursday Oct 1 2009
    Who: pilot Luis Miguel Gonzales Aguilar, mechanic Sandro Tello Rios and the manager of the air company, Reynaldo Espinosa Fonseca
    Why: unresolved

    After three helicopter accidents occurred in two hours on Thursday, and Sunday’s accident with the plane that took off from Campo de Marte, the National Civil Aviation (ANAC) Allemander Pereira Filho has been ordered to implement an adequate surveillance system to see if the rules are complied with, and which will require stricter standards.

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    Jet Airways Airbus Emergency Landing in Hungary


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Tom Buysse

    What: Jet Airways Airbus A330-200 en route from Brussels to Mumbai
    Where: Budapest
    When: Oct 3rd 2009
    Who: 224 passengers and 13 crew,
    Why: While en route, the flight developed a gearbox problem which necessitated the shut down of an engine. The plane landed safely in Budapest. Passengers were provided hotel accommodations.

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  • Press Release

    TUCSON, AZ, October 05, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — Aerospace manufacturers currently in production in Mexico, as well as those considering options for low-cost country investment and sourcing will gather in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico from October 20 -22, 2009 at The Offshore Group’s Aerospace Manufacturing in Mexico Conference.

    Ricardo Dominguez Quijano will be one of the event’s featured speakers. Mr. Dominguez, of the Mexican Professional Aeronautical Engineers Association, will discuss the provisions and ramifications of a 2007 agreement that enables aerospace companies in Mexico to certify aerospace designs and components in accordance with US Standards, and in compliance with FAA Regulatory issues. The Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement, or BASA, aims to streamline production and to avoid costly recertifications or secondary reviews.

    Mexico is home to approximately 120 aerospace companies, and employs a work force that is rapidly approaching 20,000 workers. The Offshore Group’s Guaymas and Empalme, Sonora, Mexico industrial parks are home to one of the nation’s fastest developing aerospace clusters.

    Complete information about this unique industry event can be accessed by visiting:
    www.offshoregroup.com/guaymasaerospace.asp

    About The Offshore Group

    The Tucson, Arizona – based Offshore Group is Mexico’s leading provider of a turnkey outsourced manufacturing support or, “shelter,” solution that has enabled manufacturers to initiate and maintain low-cost, low-risk operations in Mexico since 1986. The Offshore Group’s 50+ manufacturing company clients are located in three gated and modern industrial parks with strategic locations in Mexico’s North Central and Western regions.

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    Emergency Landing in Minsk


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Alexander Mishin

    What: Aeroflot Airbus A320-200 en route from Prague to Moscow
    Where: Minsk
    When: Sunday
    Who: 120 passengers
    Why: A false depressurization alarm (also reported as an indication of an open door) forced an emergency landing. Passengers were accommodated at a hotel until the replacement Tupolev 154 arrived.

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    Turbulence over Ottowa


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Michael Durning

    What: Air Canada Jazz de Havilland Dash 8-100 en route from Quebec to Ottawa Canada
    Where: Ottawa
    When: Sep 28th 2009
    Who: 38 on board
    Why: While descending to land, the plane struck turbulence. The crew momentarily lost control of the plane, but landed safely shortly afterwards.

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  • | |

    Homebuilt Amphibious Crashes on Lake


    Pictured: an Avid Catalina aircraft
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer David Morrell

    What: Avid Catalina home-built, single-engine amphibious aircraft taking off from the lake near Camp Longhorn.
    Where: Inks Lake in Burnet County
    When: Wednesday at 1:30 p.m
    Who: pilot Jim Eachus
    Why: The plane’s wing tip skimmed the water, sending the plane into a cartwheel. The pilot appeared outside of the plane but did not make it ashore. It was several days before the pilot was found.

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    Mooney Crash over Indiana


    Pictured: A Mooney M20M
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Gary Chambers

    What: Mooney M20M en route from Grand Rapids to Traverse City
    Where: northwestern Randolph County three miles east of Albany
    When: Wednesday at 12:43 p.m.
    Who: David J. Eyde
    Why: Speculation is that Eyde lost consciousness of hypoxia while flying over Michigan, the crisis somehow involving the plane’s air supply at 23000 feet. Air National Guard pilots could see the pilot, unconscious in the cockpit. The plane flew till it’s 4 hours of fuel ran out.

    The plane crashed while out of control, and being followed by F-16 fighter jets

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    Byhalia Crash


    Pictured: A homebuilt Aussie Ultralight. The one involved in this crash is no doubt a completely different type.
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Phil Vabre

    What: 250 lb single-engine true Ultralight aircraft
    Where: Desoto County soybean field near the intersection of Stateline and Center Hill Roads.
    When: 10/2/09
    Who: 52 year-old Louis Bassie of Byhalia Mississippi
    Why: As he was coming in for a landing, Bassie’s plane took a nose-dive, spiraled out-of-control and crashed. Bassie had a pilot’s license, worked as a crop-duster, and had served in the military, but it does not take a license to fly a home built kit plane.

    Federal authorities will not be investigating the crash of an unlicensed plane.

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  • | | |

    Cessna Citation Emergency Landing in Palm Beach


    Pictured: A Cessna Citation
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Jason Whitebird

    What: Cessna Citation
    Where: Palm Beach International Airport
    When: October 01, 2009
    Who: 4 aboard
    Why: Smoke was coming out from its cabin during mid-flight. The plane returned to the airport. No injuries were reported.

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