November 2009

Six killed in Turkish jetranger crash

By Curt Epstein

Bell 206, Kahramanmaras City, Turkey, March 25, 2009–The helicopter was destroyed and the pilot and all five passengers on board were killed when the JetRanger crashed in mountainous terrain. The accident is being investigated by the Turkish Accident Investigation Board, with assistance from the NTSB.
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TEB Chosen To Test Auto Lighting

By Chad Trautvetter

The FAA selected Teterboro (N.J.) Airport as the first U.S. airport to test a new runway-light automation system as part of an effort to improve ground safety and efficiency. Produced by Searidge Technologies of Quebec, the IntelliDar system uses thermal video sensors and computer vision technology to track the movement of aircraft on the airport surface. Information from the system is then used t more

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Problem on takeoff downs King Air

By Curt Epstein

Hawker Beechcraft King Air B200, Hayward, Calif., Sept. 16, 2009–The turboprop twin crashed during initial climb after takeoff from Hayward Executive Airport. According to the pilot, who was uninjured in the accident, the King Air began to veer uncontrollably to the left while still “very close to the ground.” As the aircraft was losing altitude, the pilot lowered the nose and made a gear-up more

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SATSair ‘Temporarily’ Ceases Operations

By Chad Trautvetter

Greenville, S.C.-based Cirrus SR22 air taxi firm SATSair “temporarily” shut down operations on October 23 “due to circumstances,” according to a recording on the company’s voicemail. The company has not said when service will restart. more

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AIN’s own brings home the gold

By Chad Trautvetter

NBAA chairman Jeff Lee (left) congratulates AIN contributing editor Rob Mark, winner of this year’s NBAA Gold Wing Award for a story in AIN sister magazine Business Jet Traveler.
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Helicopter crash claims Indian official

By Curt Epstein

Bell 430, Kurnoon, India, Sept. 2, 2009–Operated by the Government of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, the helicopter crashed en route to Chitoor, India, from Hyderabad, India. The two crewmembers and three passengers–including the Secretariat of Hyderabad–were killed and the helicopter was destroyed. The Indian Central Government is investigating, and the NTSB has assigned a U.S.-accredi more

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Challenger damaged in rough landing

By Curt Epstein

Bombardier CL-600-2B16, Vineyard Haven, Mass., Sept. 27, 2009–The twinjet suffered substantial damage to its nose section following a rough landing at Martha’s Vineyard Airport. The Challenger had been cleared for an ILS approach and was approximately 15 to 20 feet above the runway when it encountered wind shear, resulting in a reported 25-knot loss in airspeed. Weather at the time of the acci more

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Snow blindness caused Eurocopter crash

By Curt Epstein

Eurocopter AS 350B2E, Haines, Alaska, April 12, 2009–The NTSB determined the cause of the Coastal Helicopters crash to be the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during the landing approach in flat light conditions. The AS 350, which was engaged in helicopter skiing operations at the time of the accident, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the snow-c more

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Pilot fatigue blamed in fatal PC-12 crash

By Curt Epstein

Pilatus PC-12/47E, Sante Fe, N.M., Sept. 29, 2008–The Board attributed the fatal crash to the pilot’s fatigue. On the day of the accident, the sole-occupant pilot had flown eight-and-a-half hours, crossed two time zones and been awake for at least 17 hours. The aircraft crashed three miles north of its destination of Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF). Dark night meteorological conditions more

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Distracted commander pilot clips tree

By Curt Epstein

Commander 690, Wenatchee, Wash., Aug. 17, 2009–The twin turboprop suffered damage to its wing spar and ailerons after hitting trees during a family scenic mountain flight. According to a passenger, as the aircraft flew over a local ski area, friends of the family were spotted in the parking lot. The pilot performed a climbing turn for another pass and was looking for them, repor more

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