Today is the 81st anniversary of D-Day, when
allied forces launched an amphibious assault on five beaches in Normandy, France: Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold and Sword.
Up to 12,000 Allies and 9,000 Germans were killed, according to the National World War II Museum. The day is billed as “the beginning of the end of war in Europe.”
Memorial services will be taking place today with people paying tribute to those who took part in the battle and those who died liberating parts of Europe from the Nazis.
We should remember the veterans who participated in this defining part of WWII. 81 years is a long time, and we must ensure that we remember their contributions and their legacy as time continues to move on.
NEVER FORGET!
Now here are the ARFF stories for today…
2 injured after small plane crashes in north Phoenix
By Mitchell Koch and Gibby Parra
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two people were
taken to the hospital after a small airplane crash near Deer Valley Airport in north Phoenix.
Firefighters responded to reports of a plane down just east of the airport near 7th Street and Pinnacle Peak Road around 5:30 a.m. on Friday. When they arrived, crews found a small plane upside-down in a field.
The two people onboard were able to get out on their own. One person, a 21-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital with minor facial injuries, according to Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade. A lieutenant at the scene said the other person was also taken for evaluation of their injuries.
The plane reportedly experienced engine failure and crashed before it could get back to the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board will take over the investigation.
Arizona’s Family has a crew at the scene to learn more information about the crash.
https://www.azfamily.com/2025/06/06/1-hospitalized-after-small-plane-crashes-north-phoenix/
NTSB report: American Airlines plane that diverted to DIA before catching fire had parts incorrectly installed
American Airlines Flight 1006 departed
Colorado Springs Airport and was headed to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport before the crew “reported engine vibrations”
By: Óscar Contreras
Posted 5:05 PM, Jun 05, 2025 and last updated 7:14 AM, Jun 06, 2025
DENVER — The Boeing 737 that caught fire at Denver International Airport in March had parts incorrectly installed which lead to fuel leaks, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Dallas-bound American Airlines plane took off from Colorado Springs Airport on March 13 but was diverted to Denver after the flight crew “reported engine vibrations.”
Per the report, the crew noticed readings that detected a higher-than-normal temperature on the right engine of the plane during takeoff, but after the gear and flaps were retracted, “power was slightly reduced on the engine” and temperatures subsided to within limits.
“The captain noted high engine vibration indications for the right engine (No. 2),” the report states, as the crew discussed whether they needed to divert before contacting dispatch at American Airlines.
Though the approach and landing were
normal, soon after arriving at the gate, flight attendants “heard passengers yelling ‘fire’ and ‘smoke’ and saw smoke start to fill the cabin.”
Stunning witness video showed passengers evacuating the plane through smoke and haze. More images captured from inside the airport showed flames apparently coming out of the aircraft's underside and smoke billowing out of it.
“One of the flight attendants tried calling the flight crew but did not get an answer,” the report states, as another “knocked on the cockpit door to alert the flight crew of the fire outside the airplane and smoke in the cabin.”
The report shows passengers used several of the emergency exit doors to deplane and after evacuating, maintenance crews discovered one if its escape slides was “jammed in the door, preventing its operation.”
During inspection of the damage, investigators saw that the plane “exhibited heat/smoke/burn indications near the right engine nacelle, right wing, right side of the fuselage aft of the wing, the right main landing gear, and the right main landing gear wheel well.”
An on-scene engine examination found the
right engine nacelle (the part that houses the engine) was intact, however, “there was dark streaking which was consistent with in-flight streamlines and the aft and bottom of the nacelle was sooted and thermally distressed, consistent with a ground fire.”
Further examination of the engines found that even though the right engine fan blades were present, “one fan blade platform was fractured,” according to the report.
Investigators also found that the “lockwire of a fuel fitting on the variable stator vane (VSV) was loose and installed in the incorrect direction.” Additionally, a part of the plane that controls airflow through the turbine’s compressor was “incorrectly fastened and secured … allowing fuel to leak from the fitting.”
The damaged fan blade platform, rod end manifold, and an exhaust plug were kept by the NTSB for further examination, according to the report, which also states that the emergency slide that was found jammed in the door was shipped to the manufacturer for a detailed inspection, where its maintenance will be reviewed.
At the time of the incident, American Airlines said 172 customers and six crew members were on board. The report notes that 12 passengers suffered minor injuries, and the airplane received “substantial damage.”
The report notes that six flight crew members were also injured during the incident, but the extent of those injuries was not available.
https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/ntsb-report-american-airlines-plane-that-diverted-to-dia-before-catching-fire-had-parts-incorrectly-installed
NTSB Final Report: Cubcrafters CCX-2300
While Attempting A “Jump” Takeoff... The Airplane Assumed A Nose High Attitude And Turned Sharply To The Left
Location: Spanish Fork, Utah Accident Number: WPR23LA194
Date & Time: May 21, 2023, 12:38 Local Registration: N668LD
Aircraft: Cubcrafters CCX-2300 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot reported that while attempting a “jump” takeoff, which he had only practiced with an instructor two years prior, the airplane assumed a nose high attitude and turned sharply to the left. The pilot pushed the stick forward and used rudder and ailerons to straighten the airplane, but his attempt to decrease the angle of attack was unsuccessful. He then retracted the flaps to “lower the nose,” and the airplane descended and impacted the top of a hangar, which
resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left and right wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot's decision to attempt an unfamiliar takeoff technique, his failure to maintain pitch control during takeoff, and his subsequent decision to retract flaps at a low altitude, which resulted in a descent into a building.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
13 Years ago today: On 6 June 2012 A Helicusco Sikorsky S-58 ET helicopter impacted the side of a mountain (Cerro Mama Rosa), Peru, killing all 14 on board.
| Date: | Wednesday 6 June 2012 |
| Time: | 17:23 LT |
| Type: | Sikorsky S-58ET |
| Owner/operator: | Helicópteros del Cusco (HeliCusco) |
| Registration: | OB-1840-P |
| MSN: | 581672 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1963 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6788 hours |
| Engine model: | P&W Canada PT6T |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 14 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Cerro Mama Rosa (Nevado Ancahuachana) - Peru |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi |
| Departure airport: | Mazuco |
| Destination airport: | Cusco |
| Investigating agency: | CIAA |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
A Helicusco Sikorsky S-58 ET helicopter impacted the side of a mountain (Cerro Mama Rosa), Peru, killing all 14 on board.
The Sikorsky S-58 ET helicopter, operated by Helicusco, was scheduled to perform a commercial air support flight for the Nueva Esperanza Hydro Company (NEHYSA) to fly over and/or land at nine points along the Inambari River, in Madre de Dios, transporting twelve people. The helicopter took off from Cusco, bound for the town of Mazuco, at 14:09 UTC, landing at 15:25 UTC. From Mazuco, two exploratory flights were made to the planned points, encountering difficulties due to bad weather in the area.
Finally, at 21:46 UTC, after the last refueling, the aircraft took off back to Cusco. At the moment of impact against Cerro Mama Rosa (Nevado Ancahuachana), the aircraft was at an altitude of 4967 mts (16295 ft) and 37 minutes of flight had elapsed. As a result of the impact, the aircraft disintegrated and caught fire, killing all 14 occupants.
Probable Cause:
CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) caused by poor flight planning and poor management of the operational risk of the pilot and the company operating the helicopter in bad weather in the last minutes of daylight flight, exceeding the operational limits set by the manufacturer and the FAA.
Contributory Factors:
The decision of the technical crew return to Cusco despite the late hour and projections of bad weather in the area, contrary to the current certification of the helicopter.
The bad weather conditions in the Mazuco-Cusco route, present a front of low clouds with temperatures and icy winds on the mountain chain both en route to Paucartambo, and the path to Urcos.
Failure to implement corrective action or suspend the company, on the part of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, allowing operations to continue, despite the conditions on acceptable safety levels of according to Note No. 179-2012-MTC / 12.04, the Report No. 160-2012- MTC / 12.07.EEF as stipulated in Articles No. 195 and 196 of the Rules of Civil Aeronautics Act No. 27261.
