Here are the stories for today...
Be safe out there!
Tom
-
Philippines identifies US military plane that hit road barrier, injuring 5 crew members
By Seth Robson - Stars and Stripes
The Philippine military has identified the U.S.
military aircraft that crashed during a Tuesday roadway exercise as an Air Force C-146 Wolfhound special operations plane, an incident that injured five crew members.
The short takeoff-and-landing aircraft struck a concrete barrier while attempting to depart from a roadway, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Two service members were treated at a local medical facility, according to an unsigned email Thursday from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
“One of the individuals has been discharged, while the other remains in medical care and is in stable condition,” the command said.
The Wolfhound crashed during a joint roadway landing exercise in Laoac, Pangasinan, according to a Wednesday report by the state-run Philippine News Agency, citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The area is slightly more than an hour’s drive north of Clark Air Base, a former Air Force installation that continues to host U.S. military training in the Philippines.
The exercise was coordinated with Philippine authorities to practice operations in cases where airports and runways are inaccessible, such as during typhoons or earthquakes, the AP reported.
INDOPACOM confirmed that an accident occurred during training in central Luzon but did not provide additional details. No civilians were injured, and the incident remains under investigation, the command said.
Photos posted Tuesday on Facebook by the Philippine Department of National Defense showed a Wolfhound conducting what was described as the “first highway landing operation in the Philippines and only the second in Asia.”
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro observed the highway landing in Pangasinan, according to the post.
Photos released last month by U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific showed a Wolfhound taking off from an austere location on Luzon on Jan. 27.
The Wolfhound is the military version of the Dornier 328 turboprop commuter aircraft and has been continuously deployed since October 2011, according to an Air Force fact sheet. Its primary mission is to provide Special Operations Command with flexible, responsive transport for small teams and cargo.
“Airlift missions are conducted by Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to prepared and semi-prepared airfields around the world,” the fact sheet states.
The twin-engine, high-wing aircraft is capable of carrying passengers and cargo and conducting casualty evacuation missions, according to the Air Force.
Tucson Airport Authority conducts full-scale emergency response exercise
Exercise involved two new fire trucks that use foam without PFAS chemicals
By Paris Fransway
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Tucson Airport
Authority conducted a full-scale emergency response exercise at Tucson International Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
The exercise occurs every three years and is required by the FAA.
“We like to say we are ready every day, so while this is a requirement, we’re always training,” said TAA President and CEO Danette Bewley. “We are always interacting with the mutual aid partners, so if and when an event could or does happen, we will be prepared.”
For the exercise, a mock airplane was set on fire, and smoke canisters were set off to simulate a realistic emergency situation. After the fire was put out, volunteers role-played as passengers, and first responders practiced making rescues and care decisions.
“They do a triage to see who needs help, who did not survive, and then what level of care they need,” said Bewley.
In addition to first responders, the exercise involved airport personnel, mutual aid partners, and hospital partners, including Banner Health.
“It’s coordinating with the airlines, coordinating with family assistance, because the people on the planes have family and friends. They are going to come to the airport. How are we going to address those needs? It’s a very large coordinated effort,” Bewley said.
Delta Airlines also tested their Family Assistance and Reunification plan.
TAA recently purchased two new fire trucks that were used during the emergency drill. The trucks use foam that is free from PFAS chemicals.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has now included PFAS as a hazardous product, so we are transitioning away from that,” Bewlety said.
Bewley said she believes the exercise went well.
“I think it went well. Our FAA regulator is here doing the evaluation, so we will know later today how they think it went, but early indications are we have performed exactly as we should,” said Bewley.
Regular airport operations continued as normal during the exercise.
Orlando International Airport holds structural fire safety drills
By Carl-Max Millionard, WFTV.com
ORLANDO, Fla. — Firefighters from across
Central Florida are participating in structural live fire training at Orlando International Airport.
The safety drills are designed to help crews better protect people and buildings at the airport.
The training involves live fire exercises that allow emergency crews to practice response techniques in a controlled environment. These drills are intended to enhance the overall safety and readiness of first responders at the airport.
Travelers and residents near the airport may observe smoke during the training exercises. Officials noted the smoke is a planned part of the drills and does not indicate an emergency at the facility.
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orlando-international-airport-holds-structural-fire-safety-drills/UIDPL3NVYJALRPKFP3CSEQZGTM/
NTSB Prelim: Cessna 500
Pilot Reported That During The Approach He Extended The Landing Gear And Received An Unsafe Indication For The Left Main Landing Gear
Location: Great Falls, MT Accident Number: WPR26LA093
Date & Time: January 19, 2026, 13:03 Local Registration: C-GJVK
Aircraft: Cessna 500 Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On January 19, 2026, about 1303 mountain standard time, a Cessna 500 airplane, C-GJVK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Great Falls International Airport (GTF), Great Falls, Montana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations personal flight.
The pilot reported that during the approach he extended the landing gear and received an unsafe indication for the left main landing gear while the nose gear and right main landing gear indicated down and locked. He then moved the landing gear lever slightly and received a down and locked indication for the left main landing gear. All three landing gear down and locked lights were illuminated for the remainer of the approach. The landing was smooth and as the airplane slowed to about 30 knots, the pilot felt the left wing begin to lower and the left wing and flap then contacted the runway. The airplane veered slightly to the left and came to rest with the left wing over the grass and with the left main landing gear collapsed.
Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
66 Years ago today: On 26 February 1960 Alitalia flight 618, a Douglas DC-7, crashed shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport, Ireland, killing 34 occupants; 18 survived the accident.
| Date: | Friday 26 February 1960 |
| Time: | |
| Type: | Douglas DC-7C |
| Owner/operator: | Alitalia |
| Registration: | I-DUVO |
| MSN: | 45231/945 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1958 |
| Engine model: | Wright R-3350 (988TC18) |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 34 / Occupants: 52 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Shannon Airport (SNN) - Ireland |
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN) |
| Destination airport: | New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL/KIDL) |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
Alitalia flight 618, a Douglas DC-7, crashed shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport, Ireland, killing 34 occupants; 18 survived the accident.
Flight AZ618 was a scheduled service from Rome, Italy, to New York, NY, USA, with a refueling stop at Shannon, Ireland.
The flight was being flown under the supervision of a check pilot.
The aircraft, a Douglas DC-7C, arrived at Shannon without incident and after refueling, it was cleared to take off from runway. The weather was clear but dark and partially overcast.
The take-off from runway 05 was normal except that the ground roll was probably slightly prolonged. The landing gear was retracted normally. A turn to the left was begun very shortly after gear retraction when the aircraft had climbed to about 165 ft. Power was reduced from take-off power to alternate climb power (2080 BHP) shortly after the turn had been initiated. The flaps, which had been at either 20° or 10° initially, were not fully retracted prior to power reduction. Following power reduction, the aircraft accelerated instead of climbing and lost height while still turning. The landing lights were on during the flight. The aircraft struck the ground while still in a left turn - the point of impact being 65 ft amsl. The left wing tip made the initial contact. The left propellers (Nos. 1 and 2) and left wing struck the stone wall and grave stones of Clonloghan Church. The tips of No. 3 propeller first struck the wall and then made cuts in the turf. The speed of the aircraft at impact was of the order of 170 - 180 kt.
The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and subsequent explosion and fire. One steward and seventeen passengers survived the accident.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "No definite evidence leading to a particular reason for this accident was revealed by the investigation. It can only be concluded that the aeroplane lost height in a turn shortly after takeoff and struck the ground."
