We close out June with these stories...
Be safe out there!
Tom
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Deadly plane crash investigation begins in Goldsby
by: Terré Gables/KFOR
MCCLAIN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – Authorities are on the
scene of a deadly plane crash four miles south of David J. Perry Airport in McClain County.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) says two adult males were killed in a small-engine plane that took off from the Paradise Air Haven airstrip.
OHP says the plane took off at around 11 a.m. on Monday from the airstrip.
Witnesses say it appeared the plane was unable to climb and ended up crashing in a field. The plane crash is located about a mile from the crash scene, according to OHP.
OHP says that no other individuals were on board the plane at the time of the crash.
KFOR has a team on the scene.
https://kfor.com/news/local/deadly-plane-crash-investigation-begins-in-goldsby/
2 people injured in small plane crash near Amazon facility in Dinwiddie
By: WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff
DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. — Two people were injured 
Monday evening when a single-engine plane crashed in a wooded area near an Amazon facility in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.
The crash happened around 7:45 p.m. near the 62.4-mile marker of I-85 South.
The pilot and passenger were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Virginia State Police said the plane was en route from Richmond International Airport to Petersburg Airport.
A Federal Aviation Administration investigator is responding to the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/tri-cities/dinwiddie-amazon-facility-plane-crash-june-29-2026
UK aviation authority warns of battery packing risks
WRITTEN BY : TDM Editorial Team
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued a warning to passengers about the dangers of incorrectly packed lithium batteries on flights, urging travellers to carry these items in the cabin.
As the summer travel season kicks off, with over 60 
million people expected to fly, the regulator is emphasising the importance of packing items like mobile phones, vapes, and power banks in carry-on luggage to prevent potential fire hazards.
The campaign, launched in collaboration with airlines and airports, aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with everyday electronic items when packed in checked baggage. Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, stated, “Flying is by far the safest way to travel and we want to keep it that way. Pack right for a safe flight, and that means don’t put your batteries in your checked bag.”
Recent data highlights the urgency of this warning, with incidents involving lithium batteries occurring approximately twice a week. Reports of overheating or malfunctioning devices nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, with a 91% increase in cases of incorrectly packed devices in checked baggage. Despite this, awareness remains low, with 36% of travellers unaware of the dangers.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority stresses that power banks and vapes are particularly high-risk and should always be carried in the cabin. Passengers are advised not to charge power banks during flights and to consult airline guidelines for specific rules. As the summer rush begins, the authority's campaign seeks to ensure passenger safety and minimise risks associated with lithium batteries on flights
https://www.traveldailymedia.com/uk-aviation-authority-warns-of-battery-packing-risks/?trk=_publishing-image-block
NTSB Final Report: Nanchang China CJ-6A
Pilot’s Failure To Secure The Airplane Before Hand-Propping The Engine
Location: Burnet, Texas Accident Number: CEN26LA076
Date & Time: December 31, 2025, 16:10 Local Registration: N559TX
Aircraft: Nanchang China CJ-6A Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The airplane was parked on the ramp next to a hangar as the pilot attempted to start the engine with the help of two others. The engine was difficult to start, so the pilot exited the airplane and elected to hand prop the engine. Witnesses stated that the engine started suddenly and unexpectedly. The airplane turned right away from the hangar and taxied quickly.
The pilot, who was in front of the left wing, ran toward the cockpit door and attempted to climb into the airplane. The pilot fell off the wing and sustained serious injuries. The unoccupied airplane continued across a taxiway, briefly became airborne over the runway, then settled onto the grass and impacted the airport perimeter fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Due to the pilot’s injuries, he was unable to provide a statement for the investigation. Multiple attempts to verify the magneto switch position were unsuccessful. The position of the magneto switch at the time of the accident could not be determined.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine, which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with an airport fence.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
70 Years ago today: On 30 June 1956 TWA flight TW2, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation and United Airlines flight UA718, a Douglas DC-7, crashed following mid-air collision over Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, killing all 70 and 58 occupants on board both aircraft. (
| Date: | Saturday 30 June 1956 |
| Time: | 10:32 |
| Type: | Lockheed L-1049-54-80 Super Constellation |
| Owner/operator: | Trans World Airlines - TWA |
| Registration: | N6902C |
| MSN: | 4016 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1952 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10519 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 70 / Occupants: 70 |
| Other fatalities: | 58 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Grand Canyon, AZ - United States of America |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Los Angeles International Airport, CA (LAX/KLAX) |
| Destination airport: | Kansas City Downtown Municipal Airport, MO (MKC/KMKC) |
| Investigating agency: | CAB |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
TWA flight TW2, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation and United Airlines flight UA718, a Douglas DC-7, crashed following mid-air collision over Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, killing all 70 and 58 occupants on board both aircraft.
TWA Flight 2, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, took off from Los Angeles (LAX) at 09:01 PST for an IFR flight to Kansas City (MKC). After reporting "on top" of the clouds at 2400 feet the crew contacted Los Angeles ARTCC. Clearance was given to climb to 19000 feet. Immediately thereafter TWA 2 asked for a routing change to Daggett via Victor Airway 210, This was approved. At 09:21 Flight 2 reported that it was approaching Daggett and requested a change in flight plan altitude assignment from 19,000 to 21,000 feet. The request was not approved because of traffic at FL210 (United Flight 718). A request for 1000 on top was granted. At 09:59 Flight 2 reported its position through company radio at Las Vegas. It reported that it had passed Lake Mohave at 09:55, was 1,000 on top at 21,000 feet, and estimated it would reach the 321-degree radial of the Winslow omni range station (Painted Desert) at 10:31. This was the last radio communication with the flight.
United Flight 718, a DC-7, had departed from Los Angeles at 09:04 for an IFR flight to Chicago cruising at FL210. At approximately 09:58 United 718 made a position report to the CAA communications station located at Needles. This report stated that the flight was over Needles at 09:58, at 21,000 feet, and estimated the Painted Desert at 10:31.
Both aircraft were at the same altitude on an intersecting course over Grand Canyon. United 718 was heading 46 degrees Magnetic and TWA 2 was heading 59 degrees Magnetic. Both aircraft collided in mid-air. First contact involved the centre fin leading edge of the Constellation and the left aileron tip of the DC-7. The lower surface of the DC-7 left wing struck the upper aft fuselage of the L-1049 with disintegrating force. The collision ripped open the fuselage of the Constellation from just forward of its tail to near the main cabin door. The empennage of the L-1049 separated almost immediately. The plane pitched down and fell to the ground. Most of the left outer wing of the DC-7 had separated and aileron control was restricted, causing the plane fell to the ground out of control.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilots did not see each other in time to avoid the collision. It is not possible to determine why the pilots did not see ach other, but the evidence suggests that it resulted from any one or a combination of the following factors: 1) Intervening clouds reducing time for visual separation; 2) Visual limitations due to cockpit visibility, and; 3) Preoccupation with normal cockpit duties; 4) Preoccupation with matters unrelated to cockpit duties such as attempting to provide the passengers with a more scenic view of the Grand Canyon areal; 5) Physiological limits to human vision reducing the time opportunity to see and avoid the other aircraft, or; 6) Insufficiency of en-route air traffic advisory information due to inadequacy of facilities and lack of personnel in air traffic control."
