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Mosquito Control pilot killed in helicopter crash near Myakka City: MCSO
Investigators say the helicopter struck a private radio tower before crashing in a wooded area near Dakin Dairy Farms.
By: Kaylee Harter, Anthony Romano, Blake Phillips
MYAKKA CITY, Fla. — A Manatee County Mosquito Control pilot was killed Thursday night when his helicopter crashed near Myakka City, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).
MCSO deputies, East Manatee Fire Rescue and Manatee County EMS responded around 8:54 p.m. to the 10,000 block of 289th Street East after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting an aircraft crash.
According to investigators, a Manatee County Mosquito Control helicopter struck a private radio tower before crashing in a wooded area behind several homes near Dakin Dairy Farms.
Residents who witnessed the crash rushed to the scene and removed the pilot, who was the aircraft's only occupant, from the wreckage, according to a news release.
The pilot, identified as 63-year-old Isaac Moore, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
No other injuries were reported.
Investigators said a second Mosquito Control helicopter was also operating in the area conducting routine mosquito-control spraying at the time of the crash. That aircraft landed safely nearby.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has secured the crash site and is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board as the investigation continues.
https://www.tampabay28.com/news/region-sarasota-manatee/1-person-dead-after-mosquito-control-helicopter-crashes-into-radio-tower
Tragedy averted as private jet loses door Mid-Air
By Abdullateef Aliyu
An air crash was averted on Thursday after a CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation lost a door shortly after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, forcing the crew to declare a “Mayday” emergency.
The aircraft, with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052, was scheduled to fly from Abuja to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, when the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. UTC.
An incident report obtained by our reporter indicated that the aircraft had taken off from Runway 22 at 4:17 p.m. UTC and was about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew declared an emergency.
According to the report, the crew informed air traffic controllers that a door had opened in flight, prompting the approach radar controller to direct the aircraft back to Abuja for an emergency landing.
Following the distress call, the airport’s fire watch room and medical team were alerted and instructed to remain on standby.
Fire and emergency personnel were also directed to designated positions at A4 and A5 in preparation for the aircraft’s return.
The report stated: “At about 4:29 p.m. UTC, while in contact with the Abuja control tower, the crew asked whether air traffic controllers could confirm if the door was open.
“The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually.
“The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 p.m. UTC, 14 minutes after the Mayday call.”
The report added that after the aircraft landed, the duty controller observed that the door was missing from the fuselage, confirming the seriousness of the incident.
The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the international apron extension, where it was parked with the assistance of a marshaller.
At about 4:40 p.m. UTC, the crew reported that the marshaller was in sight before the aircraft was positioned in its parking area.
Meanwhile, a viral video showed the missing aircraft door was reportedly recovered by farmers in a farmland within Abuja.
In the video, a male voice, whose identity could not be established as of the time of filing this report, said the farmers found the door while returning from their farm.
“This is what we found as we were returning from our farm. It fell from a plane, but we don’t know much about its identity. As I am sending it to you, sir, just check it,” the voice said.
The number of passengers on board the aircraft could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report. Triton Aviation, the operator of the jet, could also not be reached for comments.
When contacted, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident but said the agency could not comment on it.
He said the incident fell under the purview of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The NSIB also confirmed the serious incident.
A source at the bureau said its management had deployed investigators to the scene to conduct further investigations, adding that an official statement would be issued soon.
AAIB flags firefighting gaps at Sarawak airstrip after crash killed five
Malaymail
Summary
- The Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has advised the operator of Long Lellang STOLport in Miri, Sarawak, to enhance its rescue and firefighting protocols following a helicopter crash on September 8, which resulted in five fatalities, including four Health Ministry personnel.
- The recommendations emphasize the need for proper training and equipping of auxiliary personnel, along with the maintenance of firefighting and personal protective equipment.
- Despite efforts by responders and villagers, the fire persisted for several hours, destroying the helicopter.
- The AAIB's preliminary report highlighted equipment deficiencies and the absence of a distress signal before the crash.
- The investigation aims to prevent future incidents, with detailed findings to be included in the final report.
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — The Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has urged the operator of Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Port (STOLport) in Miri, Sarawak, to review its rescue and firefighting arrangements after a helicopter crash killed five people, including four Health Ministry personnel, on September 8.
The AAIB recommended that aerodrome operator Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MASB) review rescue and firefighting arrangements across its STOLports to ensure auxiliary personnel were properly trained and equipped, and that firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) were properly maintained and serviceable.
The bureau said the recommendation followed findings that Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department (Rela) personnel assigned to auxiliary rescue and firefighting duties had responded to the blaze without appropriate firefighting PPE.
“Some of the available PPE exhibited visible signs of deterioration and damage, which could adversely affect the safety and effectiveness of the emergency response,” the AAIB said in its preliminary report.
The report said 12 dry powder fire extinguishers at the STOLport terminal were used by responders and local villagers in an attempt to put out the flames, but the fire continued to burn for several hours.
All five occupants on board – a 30-year-old Malaysian pilot and four Health Ministry personnel – died from severe burn injuries, according to post-mortem findings cited in the report.
The Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO105 S helicopter, registered as 9M-LLF and operated by Layang-Layang Aerospace Sdn Bhd under the callsign MEDIC3, was conducting a scheduled Flying Doctor Service flight.
The aircraft is designed for various operations, including passenger transport, utility work, medical evacuation and other specialised missions, with a maximum take-off mass of about 2,500kg, depending on its configuration.
The report said a 37-second ground-based video captured the helicopter’s final moments, showing it in flight with a visible smoke trail and apparent flames behind the main gearbox as it approached Runway 04.
The helicopter came to rest about 25 metres from the runway threshold and was destroyed by fire.
All communication frequencies were operating normally, and no emergency call or distress transmission from the helicopter was recorded between departure and the crash, the report said.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department found that weather conditions near Long Lellang STOLport were generally good, with horizontal visibility exceeding 10km during the period assessed.
As an immediate safety measure, Layang-Layang Aerospace suspended operations of aircraft fitted with the same engine type pending airworthiness verification.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia cleared the affected aircraft to return to service on September 13 after technical reviews, the report said.
A detailed examination of the wreckage will be conducted to establish the nature and extent of the damage and, where possible, the sequence and development of the fire and ground-contact damage. The findings will be included in the final report.
The Transport Ministry said information in the preliminary report could be revised as additional evidence emerged, while a comprehensive analysis and the investigation’s conclusions would be presented in the final report.
The ministry said the investigation was intended to prevent similar accidents from recurring, rather than determine fault or liability.
“The ministry appreciates the efforts of the AAIB and the cooperation of all parties involved in assisting the investigation, and remains committed to strengthening the country’s aviation safety,” it said. — Bernama
* Editor’s note: Rela stands for Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia, or the Malaysia Volunteers Corps Department in English.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/16/aaib-flags-firefighting-gaps-at-sarawak-airstrip-after-crash-killed-five/239371
NTSB: Pilot Incapacitation Probable Cause Of Airbus AS350 B3 Accident
US Customs And Border Protection Pilot Had Severe Coronary Artery Disease And Heart Damage
The NTSB has found that unexplained pilot incapacitation, potentially linked to underlying heart disease or sedating medication, was the probable cause of an Airbus AS350 B3 accident near Potrero, California, in December 2024.
The NTSB’s final report into the accident found no
mechanical malfunction in the helicopter (file photo) or evidence of an external collision. The 53-year-old pilot had severe coronary artery disease and heart damage, while an autopsy could not rule out a heart rhythm disturbance, heart attack or stroke.
Investigators also considered whether the pilot fell asleep after taking the sedating antihistamines diphenhydramine and doxylamine, or because of fatigue following a recent respiratory illness. However, they could not determine the cause of incapacitation.
FAA toxicology testing detected both antihistamines. The FAA advises pilots not to fly within 60 hours of taking either drug, but investigators could not establish when they had been taken.
The helicopter departed Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego at about 08:56 on a routine air-support mission. After around 90 minutes of stable flight, it entered two S-turns while descending from 4,200 to 3,100ft. Recorded descent rates exceeded 12,000 feet per minute before the aircraft struck the ground.
File photo credit Greg L. Davis U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
13 Years ago today: On 16 October 2013 Lao Airlines flight 301, an ATR 72-600, crashed into the sea while on approach to Pakse Airport, Laos, killing all 49 occupants.
| Date: | Wednesday 16 October 2013 |
| Time: | 15:55 |
| Type: | ATR 72-600 (72-212A) |
| Owner/operator: | Lao Airlines |
| Registration: | RDPL-34233 |
| MSN: | 1071 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2013 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 758 hours |
| Engine model: | P&W Canada PW127M |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 49 / Occupants: 49 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 8 km NW of Pakse Airport (PKZ) - Laos |
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Vientiane-Wattay Airport (VTE/VLVT) |
| Destination airport: | Pakse Airport (PKZ/VLPS) |
| Investigating agency: | AAIC Laos |
| Confidence Rating: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Narrative:
Lao Airlines flight 301, an ATR 72-600, crashed into the sea while on approach to Pakse Airport, Laos, killing all 49 occupants.
Flight QV301 originated in Vientiane, Laos at 14:45 and operated a domestic service to Pakse. Weather in the area was poor as a result of a passing typhoon.
The flight was cleared for a VOR-DME non-precision approach to runway 15. After passing the final approach fix, the procedure called for a descent to the minimum descent altitude of 990 feet. After this the approach may only be continued if ground visual references are available.
The crew however incorrectly set the altitude preselect (ALT SEL) mode to 600 feet. This was still below the (incorrectly) published height of 645 feet on their Jeppesen chart.
Since the ground was not visible at 600 feet, the crew disconnected the autopilot and aborted the approach with the intention to conduct a missed approach.
After the aborted approach, the Flight Director vertical mode switched to Go Around and immediately went into altitude capture mode because the altitude selected was 600 feet. The missed approach was followed by a right turn instead of a nominal climb as published in the VOR-DME approach chart. The airplane began losing altitude.
A series of EGPWS warnings sounded and the height reached the minimum value of 60 feet above ground level and the roll reached approximately 37° to the right.
When the flight crew realized that the altitude was too close to the ground, the captain over-reacted, which led to a high pitch attitude of 33°. The Flight Director command bars then disappeared from the screen because of the extreme aircraft position.
The airplane climbed to an altitude of 1750 feet until the airplane pitched down again. The Flight Director command bars then reappeared and centered during the descent, because the selected altitude was still 600 feet.
The descent was continued until the airplane impacted the Mekong River. The fuselage broke and sank in the river.
Causes of the Accident:
The probable cause of this accident were the sudden change of weather condition and the flight crew's failure to properly execute the published instrument approach, including the published missed approach procedure, which resulted in the aircraft impacting the terrain.
The following factors may have contributed to the accident:
- The flight crew's decision to continue the approach below the published minima
- The flight crew's selection of an altitude in the ALT SEL window below the minima, which led to misleading FD horizontal bar readings during the go-around
- Possible Somatogravic illusions suffered by the PF
- The automatic reappearance of the FD crossbars consistent with the operating logic of the aeroplane systems, but inappropriate for the go-around
- The inadequate monitoring of primary flight parameters during the go-around, which may have been worsened by the PM's attention all tunneling on the management of the aircraft flap configuration
- The flight crew's limited coordination that led to a mismatch of action plans between the PF and the PM during the final approach.
