These are the stories to start the new week...
Of note, a couple of serious incidents handled by ARFF personnel from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Be safe out there!
Tom
Aircraft Emergency Response at IAD
Units from IAD Fire & Rescue
responded to an aircraft emergency after the flight declared an emergency shortly after takeoff. The aircraft safely returned to the airport; however, due to a heavy landing, the brakes on both main landing gear assemblies caught fire.
IAD crews acted quickly and effectively, extinguishing both fires without causing additional damage to the aircraft. No injuries or medical emergencies were reported.
For further inquiries, please contact the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). #mwaa #mwaafirefighters #iaff #iaff3217 @dulles_airport @reagan_airport #iad #dca
Level 2 HazMat Fuel Spill – DCA
Units from DCA Fire & Rescue
responded to a Level 2 HazMat incident involving an overturned fuel tanker on airport grounds. Initial reports indicated the driver was trapped inside the vehicle. Upon arrival, crews found the tanker on its side with an active fuel leak.
Fortunately, the driver had self-extricated before emergency crews arrived. He was promptly decontaminated on scene and evaluated by EMS. The driver refused transport to the hospital.
Fire crews quickly worked to secure the area and contain the spill, mitigating further hazard. Units remained on scene for several hours to support environmental cleanup operations conducted by a contracted response team.
The scene was officially turned over to MWAA Police and Airport Operations following stabilization.
For further inquiries, please contact the MWAA Public Information Officer. #mwaa #mwaafirefighters #iaff #iaff3217 @dulles_airport @reagan_airport #iad #dca
Heart-stopping video shows helicopter flip and crash near Michigan waterfront restaurant
Michigan police investigating after aircraft dramatically flips, crashes near restaurant patrons
A harrowing video shows the moment a
helicopter crash-landed behind a waterfront restaurant in Clay Township, Michigan, on Sunday.
The TikTok video appears to show the red aircraft attempting to land, before flipping and crashing into the ground near the Cabana Blue restaurant.
Nearby bystanders were heard screaming and yelling, "Oh my God," as the helicopter crashed, sending a plume of dust and debris into the air.
Weekend boaters watched in horror as they drifted by.
"You got that on video?" a female asked the person filming.
"I did," the person responded, clearly in dismay. "Is he OK?"
The video quickly cut out as the pair discussed driving over to the scene to check on passengers.
No injuries were confirmed, according to a report from Click On Detroit.
The number of passengers on board and cause of the crash is unclear.
Virginia State Police investigating small plane crash in Spotsylvania Co.
Zsana Hoskins
Two people were injured when a small plane
crashed in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, on Friday afternoon.
Virginia State Police are currently investigating a plane crash that occurred around 2:34 p.m. off of Spotswood Furnace Road in Fredericksburg.
A single-propeller aircraft took off from Shannon Airport but crashed shortly after when it apparently suffered engine trouble and had to land in a nearby field, according to a Virginia State Police news release
Police confirmed that two people were on board and walked away with minor injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified, and the crash is still under investigation.
Small plane crash-lands at SLO County airport. Here’s what happened
A private plane crash-landed at the Paso
Robles Municipal Airport on Friday morning.
A small, six-seat airplane carrying two people failed to lower its landing gear during its descent, Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services Battalion Chief Brian Lewis said.
As a result, the single-engine plane landed on its belly and slid down the runway until coming to a stop, he said.
The plane was a Cessna T210 and had flown from Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport earlier that morning, before encountering the problem on its return flight.
The incident did not result in injuries, but the airplane was significantly damaged, Lewis said.
https://amp.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article309092855.html
2 dead in plane crash into boat dealership in Harnett County
by: Ashley Anderson, Justin Moore, Hannah Leyva
BROADWAY, N.C. (WNCN) — Two men were
killed in a plane that went down just off of Highway 421 Friday morning, according to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash scene is in the area of Holly Springs Church Road in the Broadway area, at the NC Wake Boats dealership. This is about a quarter-mile from Highway 421.
The identities of the two men on board are being withheld until their families can be notified. The plane departed from the Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford and state troopers tell CBS 17 that the single-engine aircraft fell out of the sky just minutes into the flight.
Investigators believe the pilot was conducting a training exercise.
The two on board were experienced pilots, according to a statement from the Raleigh Executive Jetport. The plane that crashed was a Aviat Pitts S-2B based out of the jetport. The plane and its tail number can be seen in the photo below from the flight tracking website, Flight Aware.
According to Flight Aware, Friday’s flight that ended in the fatal wreck lasted just seven minutes.
On Friday night, NCSHP identified the victims of the crash as pilot Anton Vandeth and passenger Dwight Frye. Their ages were not yet available.
“We will fully cooperate with investigators and we extend our heartfelt condolences to family and friends,” the Jetport said in its statement.
In addition to the sheriff’s office, the N.C. State Highway Patrol also provided initial response help. The investigation has since been handed over to the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.
NTSB Prelim: Universal Stinson 108
Pilot Landed About 1,400 Ft Down The 2,424 Ft Runway And Then Lifted The Right Main Wheel To Avoid (A) Turtle
Location: Farmington, NC Accident Number: CEN25FA194
Date & Time: June 3, 2025, 11:45 Local Registration: N40158
Aircraft: Universal Stinson 108 Injuries: 2 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On June 3, 2025, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Universal Stinson 108 airplane, N40518 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Farmington, North Carolina. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and one passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
The airplane departed runway 2 at the Sugar Valley Airport (5NC2), Mocksville, North Carolina, and flew around the traffic pattern. Upon turning base leg for runway 2, the UNICOM operator, who was looking out the airport office window facing southeast, advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway. According to the UNICOM operator, the pilot landed about 1,400 ft down the 2,424 ft runway and then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The UNICOM operator stated that she heard the pilot advance the throttle after he raised the right wheel.
The airplane left her point of view, and she was unable to see the airplane after that. A man cutting the grass at the end of runway 2 reported that he saw the turtle on the runway and the pilot raised the right wheel to avoid the turtle. After that, the wings began to rock back and forth. Then the airplane took off again, but he lost site of the airplane when it passed behind a hangar. The airplane disappeared just over the trees on the northeast side of the runway and then he heard a loud crash and saw smoke.
The airplane impacted a heavily forested area about 255 ft northeast of the departure end of runway 2. A post impact fire ensued. The airplane came to rest on a heading of about 100°. The airplane was wedged between several trees and remained in one piece except for a few pieces of fabric that were found in an adjacent stream next to the accident site. The fabric on the fuselage, cowling, and wings was completely burned off and the airplane frame was visible. The fabric on the vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer was intact; however, parts of the vertical stabilizer fabric were melted. The metal rudder and elevator were not fire damaged.
The airplane came to rest on its left side with the left wing folded underneath the fuselage and the right wing bent aft. Control cable continuity was confirmed to the rudder, elevator, and right aileron. Due to impact damage, cable continuity could not be confirmed to the left aileron or flaps.
The airplane wreckage and engine were retained for further examination.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Prelim: RANS S20
About 800 Ft Above Ground Level, The Airplane Had A Total Loss Of Engine Power
Location: Fairfield, UT Accident Number: WPR25LA163
Date & Time: May 27, 2025, 13:30 Local Registration: N327KM
Aircraft: RANS S20 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On May 27, 2025, about 1330 mountain daylight time, an experimental amateur-built RANS S20 Raven, N327KM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fairfield, Utah. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that shortly after departing the runway at the West Desert Airpark (UT9), Fairfield, Utah, about 800 ft above ground level, the airplane had a total loss of engine power followed by an error message on the multi function display. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, and initiated a forced landing on a field. The airplane landed hard on a vegetated field and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Prelim: Lancair 360
Once The Pilot Maneuvered The Airplane For Landing On Runway 12, The Cockpit Was Filled With Smoke
Location: Fort Stockton, TX Accident Number: CEN25LA205
Date & Time: June 11, 2025, 21:45 Local Registration: N77LH
Aircraft: Lancair 360 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On June 11, 2025, about 2145 central daylight time, a Lancair 360 airplane, N77LH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fort Stockton, Texas. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, he had recently purchased the airplane in California, and he was performing a cross-country flight to his home base in Florida. The airplane stopped at the El Paso International Airport (ELP), El Paso, Texas to refuel. The airplane departed from ELP about 1940 mountain daylight time. While enroute to the San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, Texas, the pilot smelled smoke in the cockpit. The pilot contacted air traffic control and changed his destination airport to the Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport, Fort Stockton, Texas, due to the emergency. Once the pilot maneuvered the airplane for landing on runway 12, the cockpit was filled with smoke, and flames were emitting from underneath the instrument panel.
During the landing, the pilot reported he did not have brake authority, and the airplane departed the runway to the left. The airplane came to rest upright against a barbed wire fence along the airport perimeter. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The fire consumed the engine compartment, part of the fuselage, and the left wing. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and it was transported to a secure location for future examination.
The experimental airplane was built from a kit in 1999. The composite construction airplane was equipped with a Lycoming Engines O-360-A1A reciprocating engine. The airplane had a condition inspection performed by a mechanic on the airframe and the engine on June 9, 2025. During the inspection, it was noted that the airframe had accumulated 440.4 hours total time, and the engine had accumulated 2,220.9 hours total time (with 911.9 hours since overhaul).
The pilot reported that the airplane maintenance records and the historical airplane build records were stored in the baggage compartment and consumed by the fire.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
40 Years ago today: On 23 June 1985 Air-India flight AI182, a Boeing 747-200, crashed into the sea 176 km W off Cork, Ireland, Atlantic Ocean, following the detonation of an explosive device, killing all 329 occupants.
| Date: | Sunday 23 June 1985 |
| Time: | 07:15 |
| Type: | Boeing 747-237B |
| Owner/operator: | Air-India |
| Registration: | VT-EFO |
| MSN: | 21473/330 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1978 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 23634 hours |
| Cycles: | 7525 flights |
| Engine model: | P&W JT9D-7J |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 329 / Occupants: 329 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Unlawful Interference |
| Location: | 176 km W off Cork, Ireland - Atlantic Ocean |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Montreal-Mirabel International Airport, QC (YMX/CYMX) |
| Destination airport: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) |
| Investigating agency: | CASB |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
Air-India flight AI182, a Boeing 747-200, crashed into the sea 176 km W off Cork, Ireland, Atlantic Ocean, following the detonation of an explosive device , killing all 329 occupants.
Air-India Flight 181/182 was operated by Boeing 747 "Emperor Kanishka". It arrived at Toronto, Canada after a flight from Bombay, Delhi and Frankfurt.
In Toronto a 5th spare engine was fitted below the left wing. The engine had to be ferried for repairs in India. All passengers had disembarked for custom and immigration checks. Some passengers re-boarded the flight to continue to Montreal. A total of 270 passengers boarded the flight. In addition a fresh crew of 22 came aboard. The aircraft took off from Toronto runway 24L at 00:16 UTC. The flight to Montreal was uneventful and the airplane arrived at 01:10 UTC.
Sixty-five passengers destined to Montreal along with three Air-India personnel deplaned at Montreal. The remaining 202 passengers remained on board the aircraft as transit passengers and were not allowed to disembark.
The flight number changed to AI 182 because the flight was heading back to Bombay with en route stops in London and Delhi. A total of 105 passengers boarded the flight through gate 80.
The aircraft took off from Montreal at 02:18 UTC. Its estimated time of arrival at London was 08:33 UTC.
At 07:15 UTC, at FL310 over the Atlantic Ocean an explosion occurred in the forward cargo compartment, causing a rapid decompression. The aft portion of the aircraft separated from the forward portion before striking the water. The wreckage sank to a depth of 6700 feet.
From the wreckage retrieved no direct evidence was found of an explosive device. However, there is a considerable amount of circumstantial and other evidence that an explosive device caused the occurrence.
Furthermore because an explosive device detonated in Tokyo the same day. Just 55 minutes before Air-India 182 crashed, A bag from CP Air Flight 003 exploded at Tokyo-Narita Airport, just 55 minutes before Air India 182 crashed. This was probably an interlined unaccompanied suitcase to be placed on Air-India Flight 301 to Bangkok.
Investigation determined that a suitcase was also interlined unaccompanied from Vancouver via CP Air Flight 060 to Toronto. In Toronto, there is nothing to suggest that the suitcase was not transferred to Terminal 2 and placed on board Air India Flight 181/182 in accordance with normal practice. The aircraft departed Toronto for Montreal-Mirabel and London with the suitcase unaccompanied.
CONCLUSIONS
The Canadian Aviation Safety Board respectfully submits as follows:
Cause-Related Findings:
1. At 0714 GMT, 23 June 1985, and without warning, Air India Flight 182 was subjected to a sudden event at an altitude of 31,000 feet resulting in its crash into the sea and the death of all on board.
2. The forward and aft cargo compartments ruptured before water impact.
3. The section aft of the wings of the aircraft separated from the forward portion before water impact.
4. There is no evidence to indicate that structural failure of the aircraft was the lead event in this occurrence.
5. There is considerable circumstantial and other evidence to indicate that the initial event was an explosion occurring in the forward cargo compartment. This evidence is not conclusive. However, the evidence does not support any other conclusion.
