We start the new week with the following stories...
Tomorrow morning, weather permitting, I'll be flying in to KOSH for a few days of aviation Nirvana. Internet connection allowing, I'll try to get a report out from the campsite next to our plane.
Be safe out there!
Tom
Pilot hospitalized after 2-plane crash at Hollister airport
by: John Ross Ferrara
(KRON) — One pilot was hospitalized with
unspecified injuries after two planes were involved in a crash at the Hollister Municipal Airport in Hollister, Calif. Saturday, according to the Hollister Police Department.
One of the planes was badly damaged in the crash and caught fire on the airport runway, police said. The fire was extinguished within minutes by people at the airport and Hollister Fire Department firefighters.
Paramedics treated the injured pilot at the scene and they were taken to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital for treatment. The other pilot was not injured in the crash.
“Officers spoke with witnesses on-scene and located the second pilot and plane that were involved in the crash,” the Hollister Police Department said. “The second pilot did not suffer any injuries, and only minor damage to the plane was noted.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.
https://www.kron4.com/news/california/pilot-hospitalized-after-2-plane-crash-at-hollister-airport/
Flames erupt from engine of Delta passenger plane, requires emergency landing
by CBS/CBS Newspath
LOS ANGELES (CBS/CBS Newspath/WKRC) -
A Delta Air Lines passenger plane made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after flames erupted from its left engine shortly after takeoff on Friday. The Boeing 767-400, operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 446, was en route to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when the crew reported an engine fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft was carrying two pilots, seven flight attendants, and 226 passengers. No injuries were reported, and passengers were able to continue their journeys on a different aircraft, the airline stated.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement saying: "Delta flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine. As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew, the flight crew followed procedures and safely returned to the gate. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel plans."
Video footage from the airport livestream "LA Flights Live" captured the dramatic moment when flames erupted from the left engine area as the plane took off. The aircraft returned to LAX, landed safely, and taxied to a gate.
https://local12.com/news/nation-world/video-flames-erupt-left-engine-delta-passenger-plane-flight-230-aboard-passengers-pilots-flight-attendants-emergency-landing-aircraft-travel-airport
Air India flight veers off path after landing at Mumbai airport; 3 tyres burst
By Neha Tripathi, Yogesh Naik
Sources indicate that three tyres burst during
the landing, and the Air India aircraft’s engine may have been damaged.
Air India flight AI 2744 A320 (VT-TYA) landed at Mumbai Airport on Monday and veered off the runway due to heavy rainfall in the city.
The flight was coming to Mumbai from Kerala's Kochi. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft veered off the runway shortly after touchdown due to poor weather conditions.
Sources indicate that three tyres burst during the landing, and the aircraft’s engine may have been damaged. Nonetheless, the aircraft was able to taxi safely to the terminal gate, where all passengers and crew disembarked without incident.
Air India issued a statement confirming the incident.
"Flight AI2744, operating from Kochi to Mumbai on 21 July 2025, experienced heavy rain during landing, resulting in a runway excursion after touchdown. The aircraft taxied safely to the gate, and all passengers and crew members have since disembarked. The aircraft has been grounded for checks. The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority," an Air India spokesperson said.
Emergency response teams at CSMIA were promptly deployed to manage the situation.
“An incoming aircraft from Kochi experienced a runway excursion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai at 09.27 hours on 21 July 2025. CSMIA's emergency response teams were immediately activated to manage the runway excursion. All passengers and crew are safe. There are minor damages reported to the airport's primary runway - 09/27. In order to ensure continuity of operations, the Secondary Runway 14/32 has been activated. At CSMIA, safety always remains our highest priority,” a spokesperson for CSMIA said.
Runway 09/27, the airport's main runway, sustained minor damage and is currently undergoing inspection and repair. Airport operations have been temporarily shifted to the secondary runway to maintain flight schedules with minimal disruption.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kochimumbai-air-india-flight-overshoots-runway-on-landing-amid-heavy-rain-tyre-damage-101753082162816.html#google_vignette
Teen Killed When Floatplane Flips Onto Dock
Boy was standing on a dock when the plane flipped on top of him.
Russ Niles
A 16-year-old boy is dead and two people
on an Ultravia Pelican Sport 2000 homebuilt had minor injuries when the float-equipped aircraft ran into a pontoon boat and flipped onto a dock on Lake Scugog, north of Toronto, on Friday. The boy was standing on the dock when the mishap occurred and died at the scene. The pilot was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and a passenger was treated at the scene.
The Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene and investigator Peter Rowntree told CP24 the mishap will be fully investigated. “We have to look at what our witnesses have to say. We need to talk to the pilot to see what he has to say about what happened with this accident today,” Rowntree said on Friday. “We need to look at the wreckage, see if there were any anomalies to be found with the actual wreckage. Document the site and look for any perishable information that might glean some more information on what happened today.”
Three on-board as small plane crashes near Mukilteo
By KIRO 7 News Staff
Three people were rescued safely after a
small Cessna aircraft made an emergency water landing near Mukilteo Lighthouse Park on Sunday evening, according to city officials and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. near a boat dock at the park, located at 609 Front Street.
Officials say the plane lost power in the air, prompting the pilot to contact air traffic controllers at nearby Paine Field Airport to report the need for an emergency landing.
The pilot successfully brought the plane down just offshore, where bystanders and nearby boaters quickly jumped in to help the three people on board — including the pilot — exit the aircraft.
The Mukilteo Fire Department arrived moments later and evaluated the individuals.
No injuries were reported.
After the occupants were safely removed, the aircraft sank into the water.
The Coast Guard established a safety zone around the wreckage, which remains submerged.
KIRO 7 spoke with a young woman named Zayda who was one of the people who rushed in to help the people on the plane.
“But then everyone started like rushing over and I was like okay I need to run faster,” Zayda said. “And so I ran like really as fast as I can and I was just really hoping that I could help somebody if I needed to,” she continued.
Her friend, Mya, also saw the crash. She says at first, she thought it was a boat trying to dock by the park.
“These things that you see happen on the news and things like that, but it’s never going to happen in front of your face,” Mya said.
Zayda recently became a certified lifeguard through Goldfish Swim School in Mill Creek. She says her training came in key helping the woman out of the water.
“I just got my lifeguard certification so it was kind of helpful to like know those skills while I was going into that,” Zayda said.
Zayda says she is thankful she was able to help out in anyway and believes if it wasn’t for people responding near by, who knows what could’ve happened to the three on the plane.
“I think the only reason that was possible was
because of that one guy that jumped in and helped the passenger out,” she said.
Officials say they are coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other agencies as part of the response.
“We’d like to highlight the boaters and bystanders that immediately helped, and Mukilteo Fire Department for their quick response,” city officials said in a statement.
Everett police also responded to the incident.
As of Sunday morning, no further details about the investigation or aircraft recovery have been released.
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/three-on-board-small-plane-crashes-near-mukilteo/QG3RK3WVTREWLE332WLO7LVOSU/
Pilot’s shoelace blamed after plane runs off runway at Carroll County Airport
By: Jordan Miller - Carroll County, Local News, Traffic
A small aircraft ran off the runway at the
Carroll County-Tolson Airport Friday morning after the pilot’s shoelaces became tangled in the flight pedals, according to Carrollton Fire Chief Shane Thomas. No injuries were reported.
The Carrollton Fire Department was dispatched to the airport just before 9:30 a.m. on a report of a plane that had veered off the runway and into a grassy area. When crews arrived, they found the plane leaking a small amount of fuel but confirmed the pilot was unharmed.
The pilot told first responders that he had landed the aircraft successfully, but while taxiing, his shoelaces became caught in the rudder pedals, causing him to lose control and exit the runway.
The plane had departed from Maryland and stopped in Carrollton to refuel, officials said. The aircraft, described as brand new, was reportedly en route to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in Wisconsin, where it was scheduled to be given away as part of a sweepstakes promotion.
Local authorities secured the scene, and fire crews mitigated the fuel leak. No other aircraft or airport operations were affected.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified of the incident.
Small plane crashes near Pflugerville airport
by Tara Brolley
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — A small plane
crashed due to engine failure near the Austin Executive Airport in Pflugerville Friday, but both occupants escaped injury, according to the Pflugerville Fire Department.
Firefighters responded to the scene in the 14000 block of Fuchs Grove and are assisting Travis County Emergency Services District 12 (TCESD12) and Travis County STAR Flight with the incident.
TCESD12 said the pilot was trying to land at the airport and was "able to bring the aircraft down in a field on private property" when the engine failed.
Both people aboard the aircraft reported no injuries, fire officials said.
The Austin Executive Airport is located at 6012 Aviation Drive in Pflugerville.
The scene has been cleared, officials said.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/small-plane-crashes-near-pflugerville-airport
Small aircraft attempts to land at airport, runs off runway
WNKY Staff
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A small plane ran off
a runway Friday morning.
The aircraft was attempting to land at the Bowling Green-Warren County Airport located on Woodhurst Drive, according to sources at the scene.
The aircraft struck a fence near Lovers Lane.
A WNKY News 40 reporter at the scene spoke with personnel at the scene. The pilot did not sustain injuries.
The emergency crew is currently in the process of towing the plane back to the hangar.
https://www.wnky.com/small-aircraft-attempts-to-land-at-airport-runs-off-runway/
Pilot killed in Lancaster County plane crash, FAA investigating; officials confirm
by Sarah Burns
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A pilot is
dead after a plane crash in Lancaster County, according the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Dispatch confirmed the crash happened around 8 a.m. on Sunday in the 2000 block of Kissell Hill Road, right next to the Lancaster Airport.
The coroner is reportedly on the scene alongside other emergency crews.
The FAA confirmed that only the pilot was onboard at the time of the crash.
The aircraft, identified as a Piper PA-46, crashed in a field after departing from the airport.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.
https://local21news.com/newsletter-daily/coroner-called-to-plane-crash-in-lancaster-county-dispatch-kissell-hill-road
Hartford-Brainard Airport reopens after plane goes off runway while landing, official says
By Liz Hardaway, Lisa Backus,Staff Writers
HARTFORD — A plane went off the runway
at Hartford-Brainard Airport while landing Friday, according to the Connecticut Airport Authority.
The plane was described as a small, single-engine aircraft.
The Hartford Fire Department was dispatched to the airport around 1:48 p.m. for the incident but, at the scene, responding crews were informed by airport personnel that their assistance no longer was needed, according to Hartford Fire Department District Chief Mario Oquendo Jr.
Oquendo said the aircraft experienced a front landing gear failure, resulting in a minor incident.
The incident did not result in a fire, and there were no reported injuries, CAA Public Information Officer Brian Spyros said around 2:20 p.m. There were also no hazardous fuel spills, Oquendo noted.
Spyros said the Federal Aviation Administration had been notified, and the airport temporarily was closed. By 3:50 p.m., Spyros said the airport reopened, and the second runway had been reopened for aircraft to use.
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/ct-hartford-plane-runway-brainard-airport-20775799.php
NTSB Final Report: Robert Sterling 4P
Shortly After Takeoff The Engine Lost Power And The Pilot Performed A Forced Landing Into A Flat Open Area
Location: Lake Havasu City, Arizona Accident Number: WPR24LA146
Date & Time: May 9, 2024, 10:52 Local Registration: N78GP
Aircraft: Robert Sterling 4P Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel starvation Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The float-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane had just come out of its condition inspection and the accident flight was the first time it had flown in about 6 years. The pilot stated that the engine performed normally during multiple post maintenance run-ups, and with no anomalies observed he departed with the intention of remaining within the traffic pattern. However, shortly after takeoff the engine lost power and the pilot performed a forced landing into a flat open area, where the airplane landed hard on its floats and tumbled over.
The airplane was originally an FAA type-certificated Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer but had been reclassified to the experimental amateur-built category after undergoing extensive modifications, including a larger fuel-injected engine and an extension of the fuselage and wings.
Postaccident examination did not reveal any failures in the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and fuel was present in the fuel tanks and lines leading into the fuel injection system. Review of data recorded by the airplane’s engine monitor revealed that shortly after takeoff, a reduction in fuel flow was followed immediately by an increase in engine exhaust gas temperatures. Such an increase is consistent with a lean fuel-to-air mixture, often experienced during the initial phases of a fuel exhaustion event. The manifold pressure remained unchanged, indicating the pilot kept the throttle fully open. A short time later, with no change in manifold pressure, the engine began to lose power. The loss of power was partially interrupted as fuel flow resumed, but then all power was again lost as fuel flow dropped.
The manufacturer of the engine’s fuel injection servo gave specific instructions for the design of fuel supply system that were intended to prevent vapor lock. The instructions recommended that if a fuel strainer must be used, it should not be installed on the engine side of the firewall, and if it must be installed there, it should be configured to receive blast air. Additionally, a purge valve should be installed as close to the fuel flow divider as possible, preferably directly next to it.
However, the examination of the airframe revealed that the fuel strainer was mounted on the firewall right next to a hot exhaust pipe, and although a purge valve was installed, it was installed within the cabin, where its lines were routed through the engine compartment. Due to the multiple engine starts performed before takeoff, the engine would have been hot and retaining residual heat, and as such the fuel system likely exhibited vapor lock. The installation of a purge valve indicated the airplane likely had a history of vapor lock. Such a vapor lock would have presented itself as a fuel starvation event as observed in the engine monitor data.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- A loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel vapor lock. Contributing to the accident was the incorrect installation of the ancillary fuel supply system components.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Final Report: Cessna 175
Pilot Described That The Engine “Shuddered” Before Smoke Began Emanating From The Engine Area And Entered The Cockpit
Location: Wetumpka, Alabama Accident Number: ERA23LA331
Date & Time: August 10, 2023, 19:20 Local Registration: N7117M
Aircraft: Cessna 175 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: While enroute to the destination airport the pilot described that the engine “shuddered” before smoke began emanating from the engine area and entered the cockpit. The pilot then attempted to land at a diversionary airport and during the diversion described that the engine intermittently lost power and he observed sparks and flames emanating from it. Upon reaching the midpoint of the diversionary runway, the airplane was flying at too fast of an airspeed to land, so the pilot performed a go-around, during which the engine lost power and the propeller stopped rotating completely. The airplane subsequently struck trees and was substantially
damaged.
Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine’s crankcase was breached in the vicinity of the No. 3 cylinder. A deformed connecting rod was recovered, but the connecting rod's end cap was not. The crankshaft journal exhibited heavy mechanical damage. An unquantified amount of oil residue was found in the engine cowling and on the airframe. The wreckage was subsequently sold for salvage and a further detailed examination of the engine could not be completed. Based on this information, the loss of engine power was likely the result of the separation of the No. 3 connecting rod from the crankshaft.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- A total loss of engine power due to the separation of the No. 3 connecting rod from the crankshaft.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
NTSB Final Report: Cessna 421
He Attempted To Stabilize The Airplane With Aileron And Rudder Control, But The Airplane Entered A Spin
Location: Rockport, Texas Accident Number: CEN23LA267
Date & Time: June 24, 2023, 16:15 UTC Registration: N123SM
Aircraft: Cessna 421 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total) Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis: The pilot reported that, while climbing through 6,000 ft above mean sea level (msl), the left engine tachometer generator went offline but the engine was still operating normally. He stated that about 2 minutes later, the left engine lost power and the airplane banked left. He attempted to stabilize the airplane with aileron and rudder control, but the airplane entered a spin. The pilot was able to regain control, but after the spin the right engine’s propeller was stopped and the left engine’s propeller was windmilling. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer.
During a postaccident engine test run, the right engine operated normally. Examination of the left engine revealed the starter adapter gear had failed, which resulted in damage to other engine components that rendered the engine inoperable.
The starter adapter was subject to an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD), and an associated manufacturer mandatory service bulletin (SB). Maintenance records indicated that the AD and SB had been complied with less than 1 month and 10 operating hours before the accident. The mechanic that performed the SB inspection reported that he had performed this test numerous times in the past and did not find the procedures difficult but required patience. He recalled that the backlash on both starter adapter assemblies were well within the limits specified in the SB.
Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The failure of the left engine starter adapter gear, which resulted in catastrophic damage to other engine components, and the subsequent loss of engine power.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
74 Years ago today: On 21 July 1951 A Canadian Pacific Air Lines Douglas DC-4 went missing over Alaska on a flight from Vancouver, Canada, to Anchorage with 37 on board.
| Date: | Saturday 21 July 1951 |
| Time: | |
| Type: | Douglas DC-4 |
| Owner/operator: | Canadian Pacific Air Lines - CPAL |
| Registration: | CF-CPC |
| MSN: | 10327 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1944 |
| Engine model: | P&W R-2000 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 37 / Occupants: 37 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Aircraft missing, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Sitka, AK - United States of America |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Vancouver International Airport, BC (YVR/CYVR) |
| Destination airport: | Anchorage-Elmendorf AFB, AK (EDF/PAED) |
Narrative:
A Canadian Pacific Air Lines Douglas DC-4 went missing over Alaska on a flight from Vancouver, Canada, to Anchorage with 37 on board.
The DC-4 departed Vancouver at 18:53 for a flight to Tokyo, the first intermediate stop being Anchorage, Alaska.
At the Cape Spencer intersection in British Columbia, 90 minutes out from Anchorage, it gave an estimate of 24:00 for Yakutat in Alaska. The weather in the area was heavy rain and icing conditions with a visibility of 500 feet.
Nothing further was heard from the aircraft, and at 00:44 an emergency warning was issued when the aircraft was overdue to report.
Search for the aircraft was abandoned on 31 October 1951.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "As no traces of the aircraft or its occupants has been found to date the cause of the disappearance has not been determined."
