ARFF Daily News

Wednesday the 1st of May, 2024.

Of note, a posting from Chief Goldfeder's "The Secret List" pertaining to OSHA's proposed new Emergency Response Standard as well as an update on the murder of 4 law enforcement officers in Charlotte.

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated)

Although details remain limited at this time, we know the pilot was able to safely eject before impact.

BY OLIVER PARKEN

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed earlier today outside of Holloman Air Force Base located near the town of Alamagordo, New Mexico. The pilot was able to eject before impact.

The F-16 "assigned to the 49th Wing crashed west of Holloman Air Force Base near White Sands National Park at approximately 11:50 a.m. today," a statement released by Holloman AFB via email reads. Local media reports, citing New Mexico State Police, note that the crash occurred near Highway 70 in Alamogordo, New Mexico, which runs next to the base.

"The sole pilot on board successfully ejected and was transported by ambulance for medical care," the statement notes.

"Emergency response teams are responding to the scene using the entrance road into White Sands National Park. White Sands National Park is open but certain areas are currently closed to the public to allow for emergency response." Those wanting to visit the White Sands National Park are advised to "check the White Sands National Park website for information about closures."

The base is advising that all "non-emergency personnel should avoid the area to prevent possible exposure to hazardous chemicals onboard the aircraft," per the statement. F-16s carry extremely toxic hydrazine that is used to power the jet's emergency power supply.

The precise reason why the crash happened remains unclear, although the 49th Wing highlights that "an investigation conducted by a board of qualified officers is underway to determine the cause of the incident."

F-16s belonging to the 49th Wing are used to train Viper pilots. 

The incident at Holloman comes after a U.S. Air Force F-16 crash involving a pilot from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea in January. That pilot was similarly able to eject prior to the crash, and was reportedly in good condition afterward.

Another F-16 crashed at Holloman AFB back in 2020, which you can read about here.

This is a developing story. We will update this post as more becomes available.

UPDATE: 9:10 P.M. EST

Col. Justin Spears, 49th Wing commander, Holloman Air Force Base, provided remarks following the F-16 crash earlier today which can be viewed here. In the short video, Spears confirmed that the fighter crashed around five miles west of Holloman AFB in White Sands National Park. The pilot, who ejected before the crash, was treated for his injuries at a local medical facility, and has been released, he noted.

https://www.twz.com/news-features/f-16-crashes-near-holloman-air-force-base-in-new-mexico

2 dead after airplane crash in Bristol

By Waleed Alamleh and Connor Piper

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - An investigation is underway after an airplane plummeted to the ground on Tuesday afternoon, officials say.

Emergency crews were called to the scene of the 52000 block of County Road 21, just off the Indiana Toll Road, after a small, fixed-wing airplane crashed into a wooded area around 2:20 p.m.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office says that two people were killed in the crash. Family has identified one of the victims as Wendell Ridenour, of Elkhart.

A neighbor in the area described what he heard when the crash happened.

“It was like a big bang boom,” said Scott Yoder. “Like a big loud noise that echoes, if you’ve ever been near a car accident but 20 times louder.”

Flight logs show that the airplane left the Elkhart Municipal Airport around 11:50 a.m. before landing at the airport in Coldwater, Mich., around 12:22 p.m. The plane then began its return flight back to Elkhart around 1:40 p.m. before it went down.

Family says that Wendell was a dedicated, passionate aviator who built the plane from scratch and often flew with other local pilots.

There is no word yet on what caused the airplane to become grounded at this time.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will both conduct investigations into the crash.

https://www.21alivenews.com/2024/04/30/2-dead-after-airplane-crash-bristol/

Pilot unharmed as small plane crashes into runway at Scappoose Airport

by: Aimee Plante

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Scappoose Airport closed early Tuesday morning after a small aircraft crashed into the runway.

Authorities responded to the crash of the “Cessna-style” plane just before 6 a.m. and found the pilot – a lone occupant – had been uninjured, officials said.

Fire crews investigated the crash using a drone to help with the “reconstruction of the scene,” police said.

It is unclear how long the airport was closed. Officials have notified the Federal Aviation Administration.

https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/scappoose-airport-plane-crash/

Missing emergency slide that fell off Delta flight found — washed up in front of house of lawyer whose firm is suing Boeing

By Josh Kosman

The emergency slide that fell off a Delta flight departing from JFK Airport on Friday was found two days later — washed up in front of the beachside house of a lawyer whose firm happens to be suing Boeing over safety issues, The Post has learned.

Jake Bissell-Linsk — a New York attorney whose firm filed a lawsuit against Boeing following the Alaska Airlines door blowout in January — told The Post he got a surprise on Sunday around noon when he looked out the window of his oceanfront home in Belle Harbor, Queens.

There — trapped on the rocks within feet of his front yard in a freak coincidence — was the emergency slide that fell off the Boeing 767 jetliner, he told The Post.

“We are right on the beach and I saw it was sitting on the breakers,” Bissell-Linsk told The Post.

While officials had been searching for the missing slide in Jamaica Bay since Friday afternoon, it turns out the slide was more far-flung than they expected — as Bissell-Linsk’s home faces the Atlantic Ocean.

Belle Harbor is located six miles southeast of JFK International Airport.

The emergency slide was found right off Beach 129^th and Beach 130^th Streets on the south shore of the Rockaway Peninsula.

Bissell-Linsk said he went outside and got up close to snap pictures of the deflated, yellow slide, noting that it appeared to be intact despite being tangled in the rocks and floating in the surf.

“I didn’t want to touch it but I got close enough to get a close look at it,” Bissell-Linsk told The Post. “Our case is all about safety issues at Boeing, and this slide is literally right in front of my house.”

Several hours later, around 5 p.m., a crew of Delta workers arrived. They fished the chute out of the water and threw it into the back of a pickup truck, he said.

“My neighbor called the FAA hotline and they are closed on Sundays,” Bissell-Linsk said. “So he just called Delta.”

“I see this Delta truck pull up and watch them pull it out of the water,” Bissell-Linsk said. “It took them about 10 minutes.”

The freak accident on Friday set off an emergency alarm around 8:30 a.m. aboard Delta Flight 520, which had departed the Queens airport an hour earlier for Los Angeles.

“Delta Air Lines Flight 520 returned safely to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York around 8:35 a.m. local time on Friday, April 26, after the crew reported a vibration,” the Federal Aviation Administration told The Post on Monday.

“The FAA is investigating. Please contact the carrier for more information.”

“Delta confirms retrieval of the emergency exit slide. As indicated on Friday, we will fully cooperate with all relevant investigations,” a Delta spokesman told The Post Monday afternoon.

Bissell-Linsk is a partner at law firm Labaton Keller Sucharow, which sued Boeing on Jan. 30 in an Alexandria, Va. federal court alleging the company made false and misleading statements about safety following the Alaska Air door blowout.

The incident has shattered the reputation of the aerospace giant, whose CEO has since signaled he will exit later this year.

Labaton is representing those who purchased Boeing common stock between Oct. 23, 2019 when Boeing said it was laser-focused on safety and January 24, 2024, more than two weeks after Jan. 5, when a door flew off a Boeing 737 Max during the Alaska Air flight.

Bissell-Linsk said he hopes aviation authorities are investigating why the slide fell off the plane.

“I think the slide should be handed over to whoever is investigating the incident.”

Labaton’s case has now been consolidated with other similar suits, and Labaton, which is co-lead counsel in the consolidated suit, expects to file an amended complaint within two months.

“We haven’t decided if the slide is relevant to our case,” Bissell-Linsk said.

https://nypost.com/2024/04/29/business/missing-emergency-slide-that-fell-off-delta-flight-found-washed-up-in-front-of-house-of-lawyer-whose-firm-is-suing-boeing/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3_2RMvNZEprPSCq2LyLhamlamGYW2Yo1ARMZDCM2awMkyANqZ7DdYCgHc_aem_AbxF41uinQppS6opGe9yEUTRHlf9kG9PIihQbPJ7BVOC3CgRqXuqVeQD6lC1i-2y43g6Tv-xbNh4jO7heriR6fy1

About Those Proposed OSHA Fire Service Changes, Charlotte Audio (The Secret List)

Hey,

Odds are you've heard that there may be some significant changes coming related to fire, rescue, and the way OSHA oversees the job. Some are glad to see some of the changes and some feel it may make it even impossible for some fire departments to attain some of these proposals. Some are aware that it may only apply to "OSHA" states but others are concerned OSHA state or not-the legal community may refer to it as a standard regardless of a state's status.

THERE IS a 40-minute video well worth watching. 

Slowly. 

Carefully. 

Don't fast forward to "the good parts." It's a good video, but not THAT good. 

This excellent video features USFA’s NFA Superintendent Eriks Gabliks and OSHA’s Director of Standards and Guidance, Andrew Levinson, discussing the history of the Fire Brigades standard and the proposed new Emergency Response standard. Director Levinson explains the process for submitting comments and the proposed timeline.

And keep in mind-they want the feedback. They appear to be very open to timeline discussions and anything that would allow a fire department reasonable time to meet some of these changes.

From my perspective, the changes appear to be reasonable and focus on what is best for those having the fire or emergency-which is usually the best template to determine what any of us do. The time it takes and costs are all very important issues for OSHA to consider.

The sky is not falling and the world is not ending-and no fire departments will be put "out of business" because of this attempt to move some departments forward... so if this helps some fire departments focus on what's best for their members so their members can best serve the community-it may just be something positive going forward. But either way-speak up to OSHA! 

HERE IS THE OSHA/USFA VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDcRd4_EODw

HERE Are Some Thoughts From Fire Chief/Attorney Curt Varone:

https://www.firelawblog.com/2024/02/15/osha-unveils-major-changes-it-proposes-for-the-fire-service/

CHARLOTTE: MURDER OF 4 COPS (RADIO TRAFFIC)

Eight officers in total were shot yesterday and the Marshals Service identified the deputy U.S. marshal who was killed in the shooting as Thomas Weeks Jr., 48. He is survived by a wife and four children.

Two other slain law enforcement officers, identified as Sam Poloche and Alden Elliott, were from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction assigned to the task force. Both were 14-year veterans of the department. Poloche is survived by a wife and two adult children. Elliott leaves behind a wife and one child.

The fourth officer killed was Joshua Eyer, a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Eyer, who had been with the department for six years, "fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries," the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a statement. Ayer is survived by a wife and a 3-year-old son.

Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who responded to the shooting were shot and all of the officers are expected to make a full recovery. 

HERE Is The Radio Traffic. 

https://youtu.be/qJJKUVwhLls?si=3RRZsWeaC-aaaemp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJJKUVwhLls

Condolences go out to all. Rest In Peace.

Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.

BillyG

The Secret List 4/30/2024-1903 Hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

NTSB Final: Holland Mike RV9A

...Spatial Disorientation, A Loss Of Control, Exceedance Of The Airplane’S Design Limitations, And In-Flight Breakup...

Location: Tryon, Nebraska Accident Number: WPR22FA266
Date & Time: July 25, 2022, 08:39 Local Registration: N192MH
Aircraft: Holland Mike RV9A Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The non-instrument-rated pilot and student-pilot rated passenger were en route during a crosscountry flight when they encountered instrument meteorological conditions. Air traffic control (ATC) communications and flight track data were consistent with the pilots being aware of deteriorating weather conditions along their desired route of travel and attempting to navigate around clouds before the pilot reported to ATC that they were in the clouds. The pilot’s final radio call to ATC was that they were “still in the soup” and the airplane subsequently descended rapidly and exceeded the airplane’s do not exceed airspeed (Vne) by 70-80 knots true airspeed (TAS) before the radar data ended. Witnesses heard a loud noise and then saw the airplane spiraling over their home along with separated pieces of the airplane falling from the sky before they impacted terrain.

The debris field was about 1 mile long, and the first pieces of wreckage in the debris field were portions of the vertical stabilizer, indicating portions of the empennage separated from the airplane first. The observed damage was consistent with structural failure initiated by flutter of the rudder and no pre-existing anomalies were found during examinations of the wreckage. The accident is consistent with the non-instrument-rated pilot continuing to fly toward deteriorating weather conditions despite his knowledge of those conditions and his lack of qualification to fly in them. The pilot likely became spatially disoriented and lost control of the airplane after entering instrument meteorological conditions and losing the ability to see visual references. The airplane then entered a descent and exceeded its airspeed design limits to a point where rudder flutter occurred, which resulted in structural failure of the airplane. 

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, and in-flight breakup of the airplane due to rudder flutter.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Today in History

67 Years ago today: On 1 May 1957 an Eagle Aviation Vickers Viking crashed into Star Hill, UK, killing 34 out of 35 occupants.

Date: Wednesday 1 May 1957

Time: 21:20

Type: Vickers 610 Viking 1B

Owner/operator: Eagle Aviation Ltd.

Registration: G-AJBO

MSN: 241

Year of manufacture: 1947

Total airframe hrs: 488 hours

Fatalities: Fatalities: 34 / Occupants: 35

Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off

Category: Accident

Location: Star Hill -   United Kingdom

Phase: Approach

Nature: Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi

Departure airport: Blackbushe Airport (BBS/EGLK)

Destination airport: Tripoli-Idris Airport (TIP/HLLT)

Confidence Rating:  Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:

Viking G-AJBO was on a trooping flight to Idris, Libya when it took off from Blackbushe (BBS) at 21:14 UTC. Two minutes after takeoff the crew reported .. "a port engine failure I am making a left-hand circuit to come in again". When the aircraft was turning to finals, at 1200yds from the threshold, the left wingtip struck the ground and the aircraft crashed inverted in a wood and caught fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the captain to maintain height and a safe flying speed when approaching to land on one engine after the failure (or suspected failure) of the port engine for reasons unknown."