ARFF Daily News
Published on:
Tuesday the 30th of April, 2024
Tornado hits Omaha airport, destroys hangars and planes
Aviation News
Posted By: Haley Davoren, GlobalAir.com
Nebraska was hit with multiple tornadoes on Friday, destroying private planes and hangars at the Eppley Airfield Airport (OMA) in Omaha. The airport has since reopened and flights are arriving and departing, but there was substantial damage to many buildings, hangars and planes in the general aviation area.
The National Weather Service reported that on Friday a tornado outbreak occurred from central Nebraska into central Iowa, largely centering around Omaha. According to AP News, dozens of tornadoes were reported in the Midwest, leading to a building collapse and damaging about 150 homes in Omaha alone. Local news KLKN said the local Weather Service confirmed it was an EF-3 tornado, with winds ranging from 135 to 165 mph. The tornado that touched down near Eppley Airfield was categorized as an EF-2 tornado, with winds ranging from 110 to 135 mph. Eppley Airfield confirmed that the tornado touched down at about 5:08 p.m. while passengers within the terminal were placed in storm shelters. The airport reopened to aircraft operations at 5:59 p.m.
Eppley Field said there were no injuries reported and by Saturday morning, the airport was operational. The airport said the damage included the destruction of four hangar buildings where 32 privately owned GA aircraft were stored. Eppley went on to say that other buildings operated by tenants of the airport had also sustained damage. The tornado did not hit the passenger terminal area or Build OMA construction projects and operations were able to commence on Saturday. Access to the GA area is restricted as the recovery and cleanup process continues. Saturday evening, the airport shared that the cleanup and recovery process progressing but the GA portion of the airport remained restricted to employees and customers of businesses on the east side of the airport.
Photos shown on Eppley’s social media pages reveal the bleak aftermath of Mother Nature. Scenes of mangled planes, shredded insulation and metal siding litter the airfield. The airport said it is working with the affected hangar tenants on aircraft recovery and the focus is on maintaining safe and secure airport operations.
https://www.globalair.com/articles/tornado-hits-omaha-airport-destroys-hangars-and-planes?id=7326
1 hospitalized after single-occupant plane crash in Clearbrook, Minnesota
Early investigation in Clearwater County, Minnesota shows that the pilot experienced mechanical failure and poor weather. The condition of the pilot is not known as of Monday morning.
CLEARWATER COUNTY, Minn. — A pilot has been hospitalized after a single-occupant plane crashed early Monday morning in Clearbrook.
According to a release from Clearbrook-Gonvick Police Chief Ryan Solee, at 1:40 a.m. on Monday, April 29, law enforcement responded to a single-engine, single-occupant plane crash in Clearbrook.
First responders found the pilot outside the plane, who was then airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.
The condition of the pilot is not known at this time, the release said.
"Preliminary investigation indicates that the pilot experienced mechanical failure," the release said. "This, in addition to poor weather conditions, is believed to be the main factor in the crash."
The incident will be turned over to Federal Aviation Administration investigators, according to the release.
Responding agencies included the Clearbrook Fire Department, Bagley Police Department and the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office.
Also assisting in the investigation were Sanford Health medical personnel, the Bemidji Police Department and the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office.
Two dead after helicopter crashes in Spring Branch neighborhood, officials say
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating the crash.
Author: Darcy Ramirez
SAN ANTONIO — A helicopter crashed in a residential neighborhood in Spring Branch Monday afternoon, officials say.
Officials say a Hummingbird 260 helicopter crashed in the 600 block of Lantana Ridge around 3 p.m.
According to the Comal County Sheriff's Office, the plane was occupied by a pilot and a passenger who were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Boeing firefighters picket in Everett for better pay
Union firefighters hope to avoid a strike and secure a new contract — at a time when the aerospace giant is facing scrutiny over safety.
EVERETT —The sprawling Boeing aircraft assembly plant at Paine Field is like a small city. The plant employing 35,000 workers has its own security force, medical facilities and firefighters.
Now, 160 Boeing firefighters — members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local I-66 — are seeking a deal from the aerospace giant that includes competitive pay and better staffing.
Pay for Boeing fire fighters is on average 20% less compared to regional fire departments and fire districts, union officials said.
Local I-66, which represents firefighters at Boeing facilities in Everett, Auburn, Renton, Seattle and Moses Lake, held an informational picket Monday outside an entrance to the Everett factory.
About 70 picketers carrying signs that read “Firefighters Union — Informational Picket — Make Safety a Priority” fanned out along the four corners of Airport Road and Kasch Park Road. About 40 firefighters work at the Everett plant, a union firefighter said.
Members of Boeing’s white collar union and the Machinists union also turned out to support firefighters.
“We’re trying to get Boeing to see the big picture here that we’re unified across the board,” said Boeing firefighter Tony Coleman, waving a sign.
Picketers drew honks, claps and shouts of approval from passing drivers.
Local I-66 is currently in contract negotiations with Boeing, but has rejected the company’s two previous offers. More than 80% of members voted no, union officials said.
Another 100 firefighters and their supporters reportedly picketed Monday outside Boeing’s Renton plant, union officials said.
Both sides returned to the bargaining table Monday, but a deadline looms, said Dean Shelton, vice-president of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters.
Because the last two rounds have been unsuccessful, Shelton said, the clock is ticking on a 60-day cooling off period that expires Friday.
After the deadline and a 10-day wait period passes, Boeing firefighters could strike as soon as May 13 if no agreement is reached.
Negotiations could continue this week “if it feels like they’re going in the right direction,” Shelton said.
“Our hope is that we’ll get to a deal,” he added.
In a statement Monday, the company said: “We are disappointed the union rejected our final offer that would increase our firefighters’ pay while continuing to provide outstanding healthcare coverage and one of the best 401(k) plans in the nation.”
“Today we are engaged in good faith negotiations with the union in the hopes that a deal can still be reached,” the statement continued. “In the event a deal isn’t reached, we have a robust contingency plan which will ensure uninterrupted firefighting support at our Puget Sound sites and allow us to safely continue all business operations as normal.”
Boeing’s specialized firefighters are on hand every time a Boeing-built aircraft is fueled or takes off on a test or delivery flight. They also provide emergency medical services and conduct regular safety inspections at Boeing facilities.
“Firefighters are a big part of the safety here,” Coleman said. “We handle anything structurally related. If there’s anything EMS-related, we take care of that. We take care of the airfield. If Boeing firefighters do not receive comparable wage and benefit packages like those firefighters who serve outside the (factory) gates — it’s just detrimental to public safety.”
Union officials noted three sticking points:
• Better pay could help reduce the high turnover rate for Boeing firefighters. “It’s a revolving door because the wages and benefits packages don’t measure up,” Coleman said.
• Boeing has proposed a plan in which it would take firefighters 19 years to reach the top end of their pay scale. By comparison, firefighters at regional agencies typically reach the top end after three to five years.
• Union officials say staffing at Boeing fire stations is significantly below standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retaining firefighters at Boeing’s current pay rates is a challenge, Shelton said. “Because of the better wages and benefit packages offered by neighboring agencies, they’re leaving,” he said.
Boeing said its compensation package and staffing levels are in line with those for industrial fire departments.
The company should pay firefighters what they’re worth, Coleman said, especially now that Boeing is facing intense scrutiny by government and industry officials for its safety lapses.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/boeing-firefighters-picket-in-everett-for-better-pay/
Today in History
50 Years ago today: On 30 April 1974 a Houston Metro Beechcraft 99 crashed near Galveston, TX; killing 6 out of 12 on board.
Date: Tuesday 30 April 1974
Time: 13:47
Type: Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Owner/operator: Metro Airlines
Registration: N853SA
MSN: U- 41
Year of manufacture: 1968
Engine model: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20
Fatalities: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 12
Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off
Category: Accident
Location: Galveston-Scholes Field, TX (GLS) - United States of America
Phase: Initial climb
Nature: Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport: Galveston-Scholes Field, TX (GLS/KGLS)
Destination airport: Houston-Intercontinental Airport, TX (IAH/KIAH)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The crew left Galveston in a hurry because they were 10 minutes behind schedule. The passengers did not get a safety briefing and the captain left the trim stabilizer in the standby position. Control was lost on takeoff and the airplane crashed and caught fire. To make things worse, the fire truck attending the scene was not equipped with a foam extinguisher.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
pilot in command - inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning
pilot in command - lack of familiarity with aircraft
pilot in command - misused or failed to use flaps
miscellaneous acts,conditions - gust locks engaged
FACTORS:
miscellaneous acts,conditions - checklist-failed to use
personnel - airport supervisory personnel: other
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