We start the new week with the following stories...
Of note, several pieces of information from Chief Goldfeder's 'The Secret List" regarding the September 11th attacks take a look and NEVER FORGET!
Be safe out there!
Tom
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WestJet Boeing 737 Suffers Landing Gear Collapse in Sint Maarten
Sharad Ranabhat
On September 8, 2025, a WestJet Boeing 737
suffered a landing gear collapse while landing at Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), prompting an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
The Boeing 737-800 with registration C-GWSR, was operating flight WS2276 from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Sint Maarten. After 4 hours and 46 minutes of flight, it touched down on runway 10 at 13:28 local time (17:28 UTC) when the right main landing gear collapsed.
According to reports, the crew managed to keep the aircraft aligned on the runway and brought it to a complete stop, resting on its nose gear, left main gear, and the right engine nacelle.
Evacuation
Emergency slides were deployed, and all
passengers and crew evacuated safely. No injuries were reported among those on board.
Moreover, the emergency services responded quickly, applying foam around the aircraft as a precaution. Video footage shows passengers using the slides to evacuate the aircraft, with fire and rescue vehicles positioned nearby.
“WestJet flight 2276, operating from Toronto, experienced a hard landing upon arrival at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The aircraft’s slides were activated, and all guests and crew safely evacuated and were transported to the terminal. All guests are accounted for and there are no reported injuries.
At this time, we are awaiting confirmation on the exact nature of the incident. Our teams are focused on supporting our guests and crew, ensuring their safety and care remain our highest priority.”
Runway Closure, Flight Disruptions
The runway has been closed following the incident, causing multiple flight cancellations and diversions. Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta and a JetBlue flight from New York-JFK were diverted to San Juan.
Moreover, multiple return flights including KLM flight KL777 to Port of Spain and American Airlines flight AA456 to Miami have been delayed.
The cause of the gear collapse is not yet known. WestJet stated it is fully cooperating with local authorities in the investigation.
WestJet Boeing 737 Suffers Landing Gear Collapse in Sint Maarten
Plane crashes nose-down into trees in Manistee County
By Kayla Tucker
MANISTEE COUNTY, MI - A small aircraft crash
landed into a cluster of trees Sunday morning in northeast Manistee County.
The pilot and passenger were both out of the plane when first responders arrived around 9:49 a.m. to the area off of Tomasek Road east of M-115 in Cleon Township.
Besides a minor ankle injury to the passenger from exiting the plane, no one was injured.
The pilot allegedly took off from Thompsonville Airport and after experiencing “some type of issue,” hoped to turn around and head back, said Cleon Township Fire Chief Mark Griner, noting the information was not completely confirmed.
When the pilot was unable to turn around, they decided to land in a large field, but instead crashed nose down into wooded area adjacent to the field. The plane crashed about a half mile away from the local airport.
“They struck several trees, and they ended up hung up in several trees,” Griner said. “The plane was hanging nose down from the trees.”
Griner said he believed the pilot exited the plane first and then the passenger.
The passenger side of the plane was no more than 10 feet above the ground, while the tail of the plane was about 30 feet above the ground, he added.
Both the wings were “pretty damaged,” Griner said. “It’s certainly not air-worthy anymore.”
The township fire department was assisted by Mobile Medical Response ambulance service, the Manistee County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police.
The Grand Traverse County hazmat unit also responded to make sure there wasn’t any fuel leakage.
The area where the plane landed is a “basically vacant” plot of pine trees that were planted around 50 years ago, Griner said. In his 15 years as fire chief, this is the first plane crash he’s seen in the area.
The small, 25-foot-long experimental aircraft is called a Carbon cub EX. It has fixed wings and landing gear and is painted orange and white.
The pilot and passenger were on site Sunday afternoon with others to retrieve the plane.
https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2025/09/plane-crashes-nose-down-into-trees-in-manistee-county.html
Man hurt in small plane crash at Santa Teresa airport
by: Dave Burge
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A man was seriously hurt
in a small airplane crash Saturday evening, Sept. 6 at the Dona Ana County Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, according to the Sunland Park Fire Department.
Sunland Park Fire and Dona Ana Fire Rescue responded to an airplane crash at the airport at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
A man in his 40s was transported to a local hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.
The airplane crash is under investigation by law enforcement.
The airport manager confirmed that it was small Piper plane with just a pilot and no passengers.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/state-regional/new-mexico/man-hurt-in-small-plane-crash-at-santa-teresa-airport/
Small plane crash reported in rural area of Cheatham County, sheriff says
At least one person has been reported to have minor injuries in the incident.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A small plane crashed
Friday evening in a rural neighborhood in Cheatham County, according to the sheriff.
The plane crashed into a cornfield across the street from a row of houses, according to Sheriff Tim Binkley. The crash is located near 2584 Bearwallow Road.
At least one person was involved in the crash and is reporting injuries that seem to be minor, as of about 5:11 p.m.
https://www.wsmv.com/2025/09/05/small-plane-crash-reported-rural-area-cheatham-county-sheriff-says/
Officials say there are no survivors after helicopter crash in Lakeville
By David Griswold
LAKEVILLE, Minn. (KARE 11) — Officials say there
are no survivors after a helicopter crashed Saturday afternoon near Airlake Airport in Lakeville.
According to the Lakeville Police Department, the helicopter went down at around 2:45 p.m. near Highview Avenue and 219th Street West, just west of Airlake Airport. A spokesperson with the City of Lakeville confirmed in an email that there are no survivors, but added that they’re still working to determine how many people were on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are taking over the investigation, according to the city spokesperson, and will later release more information, including what caused the crash and how many people were on the aircraft when it went down.
Driver, pilot walk away without major injuries after small plane clips car at Stearman Field
By Brady Bauman
BENTON, Kan. (KWCH) - It wasn’t your typical
Sunday drive for one woman in Benton.
A small plane clipped the top of a car and and flipped upside down after landing short of the runway at Stearman Field late Sunday afternoon.
The woman, who lives in Benton, was driving the car when the accident happened but walked away with only a scratch on her finger.
Family members were told by first responders that two planes were landing around the same time and did not see each other. One pilot tried landing the plane in the grass and clipped the car, then flipped.
The pilot also walked away with no major injuries.
https://www.kwch.com/2025/09/08/small-plane-clips-top-car-stearman-field/
Maine Plane Crash at International Seaplane Fly In
By Cindy Campbell
For the fourth time in less than a month, a plane
has crashed in Maine, this time on Moosehead Lake.
Pilot Barry Holtz, 76, of Fairpoint, New York, sustained non-life-threatening facial injuries in Saturday’s crash.
The Annual International Seaplane Fly In was underway in Greenville when the Grumman G-44A Widgeon, a five-person, twin engine amphibious aircraft, crashed Saturday morning in Moosehead Lake.
This picture is not the plane that crashed, but indicative of the type of aircraft involved in the crash.
Multiple agencies responded to the crash and found that Holtz had exited the plane on his own, using a rear door after the main doors wouldn’t open. He was taken to Northern Light CA Dean Hospital for treatment.
Rescue crews tried to locate and recover the sunken plane, but the extreme depth where it entered the water will require it to be recovered at a later time.
Maine Plane Crashes in Less Than a Month Kill 2 Pilots
Two men have died in plane crashes in Maine in the last few weeks, including a crash in Fryeburg on September 3rd that killed the only person on the plane. The pilot’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Italian citizen, Luigi Accusani, 74, died in a crash at Bangor International Airport on August 22nd. Officials say the plane was lifted on a crosswind as Accusani tried to correct his landing.
On September 1st, two people sustained minor injuries when their float plane crashed on Flaggstaff Lake, in Dead River Township. Officials say the pilot, Stephen Vorpagel, 62, of Readfield, was attempting to take off when the crash happened.
All of these plane crashes are being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
https://www.newsbreak.com/ultimate-maine-341420757/4219372260988-maine-plane-crash-at-international-seaplane-fly-in
New reports on 9/11 | 60 Minutes (The Secret List)
All,
As we approach 9/11/2025, you will want to check out this 60 Minutes report on recently surfaced 9/11 evidence that was not shared initially with FBI field agents or top intelligence officials.
Also, check out the story about how New York's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continues the heart-wrenching task of identifying remains from Ground Zero. And a report on the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero
NEW 60 MINUTES REPORT:
https://youtu.be/cCXyYpH0Ub4?si=JxQycmsLjBREMsri
REMINDER:
9/11 is this Thursday.
Most of today’s firefighters were not firefighters on 9/11/01. Please engage them in the coming days with all of the videos below.
It’s never too late to plan in your community to honor all who lost their lives properly. And the families who continue to suffer over the losses, and those Firefighters and other emergency service personnel who continue to suffer as a battle 9/11 diseases.
FDNY RADIO TRAFFIC:
9/11 & FDNY: CBS 60 MINUTES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj6s4WULw64
CHIEF: The Story of Bill Feehan
FDNY NAUDET BROTHERS:
Witnessed Video:
FULL 9/11 DOCUMENTARY
RAW FOOTAGE
9/11 MINUTE BY MINUTE
9/11 ONE DAY IN AMERICA
9/11 THE PENTAGON
9/11 SHANKSVILLE, PA
NYPD EMERGENCY SERVICE UNIT 9/11
NYPD RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 9/11
9/11 AS IT HAPPENED
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On. Never Forget.
BillyG
The Secret List 9/7/2025-1046 Hours
NTSB Final Report: Short Bros SD3-60
The Captain Reported That He Did Not Verify That The Gear Was Down
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Accident Number: ANC25LA050
Date & Time: June 11, 2025, 08:52 Local Registration: N221LM
Aircraft: Short Bros SD3-60 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured Injuries: 5 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled
Analysis: The first officer, seated in the left seat for the purpose of nose wheel steering familiarization, and the captain, seated in the right seat, reported that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane from Kona, Hawaii to Honolulu, Hawaii. The first officer reported that, while on approach to Honolulu, he called for flaps and gear down. Simultaneously, Honolulu tower requested them to, “slow down to slowest practical speed”. The pilots became distracted while initiating the reduction in airspeed and forgot to monitor the status of the landing gear. The captain reported that he did not verify that the gear was down. The airplane was equipped with tricycle landing gear featuring a fully retractable nose gear and partially retractable main gear. The pilots reported hearing the gear warning horn during the flare, at which time they glanced in and confirmed that the landing gear was retracted. The airplane landed gear up and the forward bottom section of the fuselage contacted the runway surface, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident operational check of the airplane’s landing gear revealed no anomalies.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilots’ failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ failure to complete the Before Landing checklist.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Prelim: Game Composites LLC GB1 Gamebird (A1); Vans RV-8 (A2)
(Witness) Observed A Second Airplane Turn From A Close-In Left Base To Final As It Descended On Top Of The First Airplane On Final
Location: Tarkio, MO Accident Number: CEN25LA250
Date & Time: July 12, 2025, 08:30 Local Registration: N588AF (A1); N931KZ (A2)
Aircraft: Game Composites LLC GB1 Gamebird (A1); Vans RV-8 (A2) Injuries: 1 None (A1); 1 None (A2)
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A1); Part 91: General aviation - Personal (A2)
On July 12, 2025, about 0830 central daylight time, a Game Composites GB-1 Gamebird airplane, N588AF, was substantially damaged, and a Vans RV-8, N931KZ, sustained minor damage, when they were involved in an accident near the Gould Peterson Municipal Airport (K57), Tarkio, Missouri. Neither pilot was injured. Both airplanes were operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights.
The airport was hosting the Wing Nuts Flying Circus event on the day of the accident. This included an air show, aircraft flybys, and static aircraft displays. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) was in effect on July 11th and July 12th from 1230 until 1430 each day in conjunction with the event. The TFR consisted of a 5 nm radius centered on K57 from the surface to 15,000 ft mean sea level. A temporary control tower was established at K57 for the event and was in operation at the time of the accident. The airport was normally a non-towered airport.
The pilot of N588AF was the lead in a formation of five airplanes. He reported reaching the base leg in the traffic pattern and was then cleared to land. The approach was without incident until another pilot in his formation instructed him to execute a go-around. He complied
immediately; however, that was not in time to prevent a collision with an airplane already on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage when the rudder contacted the propeller of the airplane on the runway. The lower aft corner of the rudder was cutoff by the propeller.
The pilot of N931KZ reported that he had landed and was rolling out at the time of the accident. He heard an increase in noise and then a severe vibration as the other airplane passed overhead. The propeller of his airplane contacted the rudder of the other airplane.
A witness reported that he observed the events leading to the accident. He landed about 30 minutes prior and had parked his airplane in a grass area about halfway down the runway. From that vantage point, he observed an airplane on what appeared to be a straight-in final for runway 36. He then observed a second airplane turn from a close-in left base to final as it descended on top of the first airplane on final. He was unable to see if the airplanes continued or if they came into contact with each other. From his vantage point, it did not appear that either plane was in distress.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Final Report: Cirrus Design Corp SR22
Pilot (Made) Radio Transmissions For The Downwind, Base, And Final Approach Legs Of The Traffic Pattern Before The Airplane Impacted Trees
Location: Canton, Texas Accident Number: CEN24FA073
Date & Time: December 26, 2023, 18:13 Local Registration: N858RC
Aircraft: Cirrus Design Corp SR22 Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot was attempting a night visual approach to a private airport that had solar deck lights as runway lights. A witness heard the pilot make radio transmissions for the downwind, base, and final approach legs of the traffic pattern before the airplane impacted trees and terrain east of the runway. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces.
Non-volatile data from the airplane showed the approach was approximately parallel to and about 340 ft east of the runway before the tree line, which the airplane struck. The data showed the airplane had minimal altimetry error. The data also showed that the engine operated with no anomalies throughout the approach and impact with terrain.
Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity, as well as rotational and torsional features on the propeller blades and spinner consistent with engine operation. An autopsy was not performed on the pilot, so an incapacitating medical event could not be
ruled out. It is likely that pilot performed an inadequate visual approach at night that resulted in a collision with terrain. Based on the available evidence, it was undetermined why the pilot performed an inadequate visual approach.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to attain the runway while landing at night, which resulted in an impact with trees.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
31 Years ago today: On 8 September 1994 USAir Flight 427, a Boeing 737-300, crashed following a loss of control during the approach to Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania, USA. All 132 on board were killed.
| Date: | Thursday 8 September 1994 |
| Time: | 19:03 |
| Type: | Boeing 737-3B7 |
| Owner/operator: | USAir |
| Registration: | N513AU |
| MSN: | 23699/1452 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1987 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 23846 hours |
| Engine model: | CFMI CFM56-3B2 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 132 / Occupants: 132 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Aliquippa, PA - United States of America |
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD) |
| Destination airport: | Pittsburgh International Airport, PA (PIT/KPIT) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
USAir Flight 427, a Boeing 737-300, crashed following a loss of control during the approach to Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania, USA. All 132 on board were killed.
The flight departed Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, Illinois at 18:10 hours on a flight to Pittsburgh. The first officer was Pilot Flying (PF) and the captain was the pilot-not-flying (PNF) on this leg. The flight until the descent part of the flight was uneventful.
About 19:02:22 the Pittsburgh TRACON controller issued instructions to turn to a heading of 100 degrees and told the crew there was other traffic in the area.
About 19:02:53, flight 427 was rolling out of the left bank as it approached the ATC-assigned heading of 100° and was maintaining the ATC-assigned airspeed (190 knots) and altitude (6,000 feet msl). About four seconds later the aircraft suddenly entered the wake vortex of Delta Airlines flight 1083, a Boeing 727, that preceded it by 69 seconds (4,2 miles).
Over the next 3 seconds the aircraft rolled left to approx. 18 deg of bank. The autopilot attempted to initiate a roll back to the right as the aircraft went in and out of a wake vortex core, resulting in two loud "thumps". The first officer then manually overrode the autopilot without disengaging it by putting in a large right-wheel command at a rate of 150deg/second. The airplane started rolling back to the right at an acceleration that peaked 36deg/sec, but the aircraft never reached a wings level attitude.
At 19:03:01 the aircraft's heading slewed suddenly and dramatically to the left (full left rudder deflection). Within a second of the yaw onset the roll attitude suddenly began to increase to the left, reaching 30deg. The aircraft pitched down, continuing to roll through 55 degree left bank. At 19:03:07 the pitch attitude approached -20 degrees, the left bank increased to 70 degrees and the descent rate reached 3600 ft/min. At this point, the aircraft stalled. Left roll and yaw continued, and the aircraft rolled through inverted flight as the nose reached 90 degree down, approx. 3600 feet above the ground. The 737 continued to roll, but the nose began to rise. At 2000 feet above the ground the aircraft's attitude passed 40 degrees nose low and 15 degrees left bank. The left roll hesitated briefly, but continued and the nose again dropped.
The plane descended fast and impacted the ground nose first at 261 knots in an 80 degree nose down, 60 degree left bank attitude and with significant sideslip.
PROBABLE CAUSE :" The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the USAir flight 427 accident was a loss of control of the airplane resulting from the movement of the rudder surface to its blow down limit. The rudder surface most likely deflected in a direction opposite to that commanded by the pilots as a result of a jam of the main rudder power control unit servo valve secondary slide to the servo valve housing offset from its neutral position and over travel of the primary slide."
