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Air Crash

Plane Crashes in Virginia After Pilot Passes Out

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A private jet crashed in a mountainous region in Virginia on June 4th, 2023 after flying over a restricted airspace in Washington D.C. There were no survivors among four people onboard the aircraft.

Details 

Credit: Wikipedia

The plane, a Cessna 560 Citation V, belonged to a company owned by multi-millionaire John Rumpel and was registered N611VG. Rumpel stated that the passengers onboard were his family members, including his daughter and 2-year-old granddaughter.

The aircraft took off at 1:15pm local time from Elizabethton, Tennessee and was en route to Long Island MacArthur Airport in New York when the air traffic controllers lost contact with the pilot. The pilot was unresponsive to calls from air traffic control 15 minutes after departure. 

Presumably on autopilot, the private jet flew over its destination at 34,000ft and turned around and started heading back to its origin in a straight line. 

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During its autopilot cruise back to Elizabethton, the aircraft entered restricted airspace over Washington D.C., which prompted government officials to scramble six F-16 fighters to intercept the aircraft. The F-16 fighters caused sonic booms on the way to intercept the private jet, which alerted many residents over the Washington D.C. area.

Upon reaching the ill-fated private jet, pilots from the F-16 fighter jets observed that the pilot of the private plane was passed out at the controls. The F-16s tried to alert the pilot by firing flares, but all attempts were futile. 

The private jet continued cruising towards its origin until it ran out of fuel and crashed into a rural, mountainous region in Virginia. 

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Credit: CNN News

Cause of the Crash

The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the incident and have not provided an explanation for the crash; however, it is likely that the plane experienced a loss of cabin pressure shortly after takeoff, as evident by the unconscious state of the pilot. The people onboard would have experienced hypoxia from a lack of oxygen and would have been unaware of the entire event.


Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Virginia_plane_crash

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/05/us/virginia-plane-crash-fighter-jets-investigation-monday/index.html

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/plane-crash-virginia-4-died-military-jet-sonic-boom-faa/

Cover Image: NBC News Washington

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Air Crash

Two Colombian Air Force Pilots Die in Embraer Tucano Aircraft Collision

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Colombian Air Force
Image via Fuerza Aérea Colombiana on Twitter

The Colombian Air Force (FAC) is investigating a tragic accident that occurred during a training mission on Saturday, resulting in the loss of two pilots. Two Embraer T-27 Tucano aircraft collided mid-air and crashed during the exercise in central Colombia. The FAC has not released the identity of the second pilot, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.

Video footage of the accident has surfaced on Twitter, showing the aircraft bursting into flames before plummeting to the ground. The FAC confirmed the death of Lieutenant Colonel Mario Andrés Espinosa González, who was in command of one of the Tucano planes. He was scheduled to perform an aerobatic show at this year’s Aeronautical Fair in Rionegro, Antioquia.

Investigation into the Cause of the Collision

The FAC has sent an inspection commission to the crash site to investigate the cause of the accident. The air force expressed condolences to González’s family and colleagues, describing the incident as “unfortunate.”

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Preparing for the Aeronautical Fair

The pilots were likely training for the upcoming Aeronautical Fair, which will take place from July 12th to 16th. The FAC had planned to send a squadron of six aircraft, five pilots, a security officer, and five technicians to the event. The Brazilian-built Tucano aircraft have been part of the FAC’s fixed-wing military pilot training program for many years and have logged tens of thousands of safe flight hours.

The squadron was set to perform aerobatic shows ranging from 30 to 35 minutes at the Aeronautical Fair. The FAC had previously announced that the Tucano planes would perform highly complex maneuvers, including inverted flights, 360-degree turns, high-speed crossings, and rapid turns in promotion.

Colombian Air Force
Image via Fuerza Aérea Colombiana on Twitter

Final Words

The tragic incident has shocked the Colombian Air Force and the aviation community. The cause of the accident remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing. The loss of the two pilots is a reminder of the risks that military pilots face every day in their service to their country. Our thoughts and condolences go out to their families and colleagues during this difficult time.

Also, you might be interested in reading: Plane Crashes in Virginia After Pilot Passes Out

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Air Crash

INCIDENT: Two Airbus A330s Collide on Ground at Tokyo Haneda Airport

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Taipei Connections/MAINICHI/The Asahi Shimbun

On a fateful day at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, a serious incident occurred involving two Airbus A330 passenger jets. The Japanese transport ministry reported that the Thai Airways Airbus A330-300 (registration HS-TEO) and Eva Air Airbus A330-300 (registration B-16340) collided near a taxiway. The mishap took place as Thai flight #TG683, en route to Bangkok, taxied alongside Eva Air flight #BR189, bound for Taipei. Unfortunately, the incident occurred just before the planes were to line up on runway 16R at Tokyo-Haneda Airport.

The Thai Airways plane sustained noticeable damage, with its winglet appearing to be broken. Fragments from the collision were scattered near the runway, raising concerns about the severity of the impact. In response, authorities from the Tokyo airport office promptly dispatched officials to the scene to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Taipei Connections/MAINICHI/The Asahi Shimbun

To ensure the safety of all personnel involved and prevent further mishaps, the runway close to the accident site was temporarily closed. Such precautions are crucial in order to assess the situation accurately and prevent any potential hazards that may arise from the damaged aircraft.

As a result of this collision, flight operations at the airport were disrupted, causing delays for several domestic and international flights. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, two prominent airlines operating at Tokyo Haneda Airport, were among those affected by the incident.

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Taipei Connections/MAINICHI/The Asahi Shimbun

Safety remains the top priority, and investigations into the causes and circumstances surrounding the collision are expected to shed light on any lapses or oversights that may have contributed to this unfortunate event.

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Air Crash

Stockport Air Disaster: A Tragic Incident in UK Aviation History

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BBC

In the late 60s, the UK witnessed a devastating aviation accident involving a British Midland Airways’ Canadair C-4 Argonaut aircraft. Although nearly six decades have passed, the tragedy remains etched in the annals of UK aviation history. This article aims to shed light on the incident that has since become known as the Stockport Air Disaster.

Stockport Air Disaster
Photo by Ken Fielding

Flight Background and Tragic Incident

On June 4, 1967, a seemingly ordinary charter flight operated by British Midland Airways turned into a nightmare. Carrying 84 holidaymakers from Palma de Mallorca (PMI) to Manchester Airport (MAN), the Canadair C-4 Argonaut aircraft encountered an engine malfunction upon approach to Manchester.

Despite the crew’s attempts to manage the situation and a go-around procedure, the aircraft’s speed dropped precipitously. Air Traffic Control (ATC) became aware of the situation as the plane emerged from the cloud cover, and it quickly descended to 1287 feet. The aircraft subsequently lost control and crashed in Stockport, an industrial town in Greater Manchester. The disaster, which resulted in 72 fatalities, ranks as the fourth-worst plane crash in British aviation history.

Stockport Air Disaster
Photo by BCC

Investigation and Findings

The Accidents Investigation Branch (AIB) promptly launched an investigation into the incident. Their analysis indicated that a double engine failure caused by fuel starvation had led to the accident. This was attributed to a previously unrecognized flaw in the model’s fuel system, which incorporated eight fuel tanks arranged in pairs.

The investigation found that pilots of other Argonaut aircraft had previously observed similar issues. However, neither British Midland Airways nor any other airlines operating the Argonaut had reported these problems to the manufacturer. This lack of communication meant the pilots of the doomed flight were unable to fully comprehend the nature of their emergency.

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Further compounding the tragedy was the discovery that a fuel-related problem had been recorded on the aircraft just five days before the crash. Regrettably, this information did not surface until four months after the accident, raising questions about communication and safety protocols within the aviation industry.

Memorial and Reflection

In 1998, a significant moment of remembrance took place when two survivors unveiled a memorial plaque at the exact crash location. The Stockport Air Disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of communication within the aviation sector, the need for rigorous safety checks, and the impacts such incidents have on those directly involved and the broader community.

As we remember the tragic Stockport Air Disaster, our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the survivors. Their memory serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of continuous improvement in aviation safety standards.

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READ ALSO: How Braniff Flight 542 Disintegrated In Mid-Air Left Investigators Baffling

We’d like to ask our readers: How do you think incidents like this have shaped the way we approach air travel safety today? We invite your thoughts and discussions on this crucial topic. Leave your thoughts below.

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