Tomorrow, July 4th, is Independence Day here in the United States. It is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which was the date the United States formally declared its independence from Great Britain in order to achieve freedom from British rule. 
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Independence Day! We all know what goes on to celebrate the 4th of July, beers, BBQ’s and fireworks, so I really mean it when I say BE SAFE OUT THERE and don’t blow off any of your appendages!
And may we all remember those who are away from family this weekend, standing a post, whether in the Military or as a First Responder protecting and watching over us!
Here are the stories to finish off the week…
Oh, and Happy Treason Day to my friends who prefer to celebrate the 4th in that manner. Cheers mates!
See you again on Monday…
Tom
--
Two plane crashes in three days under investigation in Tenn.
By:Â Holly Lehren
MACON COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two small plane 
crashes in Macon County over the past three days are now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The latest crash happened around 9:30 a.m. Thursday along Austin Road, where a small plane came down in trees in a field.
People working in a nearby barn told NewsChannel 5 the aircraft appeared to lose power before the pilot deployed the plane's emergency parachute, helping bring it down more safely.
The two people on board were not injured.
The crash comes just two days after another small plane went down in Macon Co.
That crash involved three people on board the aircraft. Officials said none of the occupants suffered serious injuries.
The cause of both crashes remains under investigation.
The NTSB will investigate each incident to determine what led to the crashes.
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state/tennessee/macon-county/two-plane-crashes-in-three-days-under-investigation-in-tenn
Army Black Hawk helicopter makes emergency landing in Dade County field
by:Â Kathryn Skopec
DADE COUNTY, Mo. — An Army Black Hawk helicopter
made an emergency landing in a Dade County field Wednesday morning, July 1, after experiencing a mechanical issue, according to the Dade County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement that deputies were notified around 11:08 a.m. on July 1 that a military Black Hawk helicopter had made an emergency landing in a field between Lockwood and Greenfield.
Deputies, firefighters and EMS crews responded to the scene.
Per the sheriff’s office, the helicopter and all crew members were found safely. No injuries were reported.
Preliminary information indicates the helicopter experienced a mechanical problem that required an immediate landing, Dade County Sheriff Ryan Robison said.
The Dade County Sheriff’s Office thanked local residents for their cooperation and recognized the responding emergency crews for their quick response.
https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/black-hawk-emergency-landing/
Small plane makes emergency landing on Highway 71 in Fayette County
by Tara Brolley
FAYETTE COUNTY, Texas — A small plane experiencing
mechanical issues made an emergency landing on Highway 71 in Fayette County Thursday afternoon, according to the sheriff's office.
The aircraft was unable to reach La Grange Airport and was forced to land on the eastbound lanes of Highway 71 before pulling off the highway, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
Fayette County deputies, La Grange police and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers responded to the scene, and the Federal Aviation Administration was notified.
The plane landed safely, with no injuries or significant damage reported, according to the sheriff's office.
CBS Austin reached out to TxDPS, the sheriff's office and the FAA for more information.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/small-plane-makes-emergency-landing-on-highway-71-in-fayette-county
NTSB Final Report: Protech PT2
The Pilot Did Not Respond To Investigators’ Requests To Examine The Airplane
Location: Lodi, California Accident Number: WPR24LA269
Date & Time: August 3, 2024, 12:45 Local Registration: N657MJ
Aircraft: Protech PT2 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Unknown or undetermined Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate, stated that he maneuvered in the local area after departure. After about 40 minutes, he started to return to the airport. With the airplane about 2,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost all power. Despite his attempts, the engine would not start, and the pilot maneuvered toward a field to make an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing touchdown, the airplane impacted a grapevine, substantially damaging the left wing struts.
The pilot did not respond to investigators’ requests to examine the airplane. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the reported loss of engine power.
Probable Cause and Findings:Â The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- A reported loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
FMI:Â www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
38 Years ago today:Â On 3 July 1988 Iran Air flight IR655, an Airbus A300, was shot down by a US Navy frigate and crashed into the Strait of Hormuz off Qeshm Island, Iran, killing all 290 occupants.
| Date: | Sunday 3 July 1988 |
| Time: | 10:24 |
| Type: | Airbus A300B2-203 |
| Owner/operator: | Iran Air |
| Registration: | EP-IBU |
| MSN: | 186 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1982 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 11497 hours |
| Engine model: | General Electric CF6-50C2 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 290 / Occupants: 290 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Unlawful Interference |
| Location: | 4 km SE off Qeshm Island -Â Â Â Â Iran |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Bandar Abbas Airport (BND/OIKB) |
| Destination airport: | Dubai Airport (DXB/OMDB) |
| Investigating agency:Â | ICAO |
| Confidence Rating: | Â Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
Iran Air flight IR655, an Airbus A300, was shot down by a US Navy frigate and crashed into the Strait of Hormuz off Qeshm Island, Iran, killing all 290 occupants.
Iran Air flight 451 arrived at Bandar Abbas (BND) from Tehran (THR) at 08:40. The Airbus A300 was to continue to Dubai (DXB) as flight 655. Prior to departure the crew received an enroute clearance to Dubai via the flight planned route A59 and A59W at FL140. The flight took off from runway 21 at 10:17 hours and climbed straight ahead.
Two minutes later, the crew reported leaving 3500 feet for FL140 on Airway A59, estimating MOBET at 06:53 UTC (10:23 Iran time). At 10:24:00 the aircraft passed MOBET out of FL120. At 10:24:43 the Airbus was hit by surface-to-air missiles. The tail and one wing broke off as a result of the explosions. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed into the sea.
The missiles were fired by the US Navy cruiser USS Vincennes. It was operating in the area together with the frigates USS Elmer Montgommery and USS John H. Sides. They were to protect other ships in the area.
At about the time the Airbus took off, the radar aboard the USS Vincennes picked up a brief IFF mode 2 response, which led to the mistaken identification of the Airbus as a hostile F-14 aircraft. The USS Vincennes issued 7 challenges on the Military Air Distress (MAD) frequency 243 MHz, addressed to 'Iranian aircraft', 'Iranian fighter' or 'Iranian F-14'. These messages were followed by three challenges on the IAD (International Air Defence) radio frequency.
Due to increasing tension in the area - on May 17, 1987 an Iraqi Mirage had attacked USS Stark - all aircraft in the area had to monitor 121.5 Mhz: the International Air Defence - IAD radio frequency. There was no response.
Meanwhile radar operators were monitoring the Aegis screens. They reported that the incoming plane was descending with an increasing speed. In fact, the Airbus was climbing. Considering itself and USS Montgomery under aggression, USS Vincennes took the ultimate decision to launch missiles against the perceived hostile target at 10:24:22.
It remains uncertain whether the IR655 flight crew (only able to monitor the IAD, not the MAD frequencies) would have been able to rapidly identify their flight as the subject of the challenges made by the USS Vincennes.
CAUSES: "The aircraft was perceived as a military aircraft with hostile intentions and was destroyed by two surface-to-air missiles ."
