How A Smart Watch Helped Locate Montana Plane Crash Wreckage
Search teams located the site of an airplane crash that killed three people near Yellowstone National Park using the last known location of the smart watch from one of the victims, authorities said Monday.
The single-engine Piper PA-28 aircraft left Montana's West Yellowstone Airport just before midnight on Thursday, according to Federal Aviation Administration records released Monday.
When the aircraft could not be located, two search planes were dispatched to look for it in the vicinity of the last known location of the watch, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office said.
The search planes found the downed aircraft about a half-hour later in dense timber just south of the town of West Yellowstone. All three occupants were dead.
The victims were identified by the sheriff's office as Robert Conover, 60, of Tennessee; Madison Conover, 23, also of Tennessee; and Kurt Enoch Robey, 55, of Utah.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known. It was under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.
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NDTV
10 hours ago
- NDTV
Night Vision Goggles May Have Hampered Chopper Pilots Before Crash With Jet: Experts
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The American Airlines jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas, carrying, among others, a group of elite young figure skaters, their parents and coaches, and four union steamfitters from the Washington area. The January collision was the first in a string of crashes and near misses this year that have alarmed officials and the travelling public, despite statistics that still show flying remains the safest form of transportation. Tim Lilley, an aviation expert whose son Sam was a pilot on the passenger jet, said he's optimistic the tragic accident will ultimately lead to some positive changes. "But we've got a long way to go," he told The Associated Press. Lilley said he was particularly struck by the FAA's lack of alcohol testing for air traffic controllers after the crash. "That's pretty disturbing because that's automatic in aviation," Lilly said. "Everybody knows if there's a serious incident, you go to alcohol testing. And they made a bunch of excuses why they didn't do it. 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Fuller said the agency is taking corrective steps and that its drug and alcohol testing process is now being revised. Rick Dressler, an official with medevac operator Metro Aviation, told the board on Thursday it is difficult to identify other aircraft in the night sky around Reagan National, especially if a key onboard locator system was switched off, as Army choppers routinely did. Dressler said that he and other civilian helicopter pilots in the area have long been concerned about the Army and Air Force helicopters flying around Reagan Airport. "I don't like saying this. I'll say it again on the record," Dressler, a former Army aviator and retired Air Force officer, said. "I'm speaking for my group there. We are all very uncomfortable when those two units are operating." The Department of Defense referred questions about Thursday's testimony to the Army, which did not immediately respond. 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The Black Hawk pilots told the tower twice in the minutes before the crash that they had the American Airlines passenger plane in sight and would maintain proper distance. But when the controller instructed the pilots to "pass behind" the jet, the crew didn't hear that instruction because the Black Hawk's microphone key was pressed at that moment. Just before the collision, an instructor pilot aboard the helicopter asked the pilot at the controls to come left. But it wasn't clear if the pilot had time to maneuver the helicopter before the crash. "Kinda come left for me, ma'am," the instructor said. The pilot responded: "Sure." John Cox, an aviation safety expert and retired airline pilot, said the hearings are headed in the right direction to determine what happened and to prevent similar accidents. His main concerns focus on the Black Hawk helicopter, including why it was above the 200-feet (61 meters) elevation limit for that particular helicopter route. 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Time of India
3 days ago
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Indian national, Gautam Santhosh, among two killed in small plane crash in Canada; consulate offers support; cause under probe
Representative image An Indian national, Gautam Santhosh, was killed Saturday evening when a small commercial survey aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Deer Lake, Newfoundland, the Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed. The Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft, registered to Kisik Aerial Survey Inc., went down about one kilometre south of the Deer Lake Regional Airport during a local flight, reported PTI citing CBC News. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the aircraft carried two people, a 54-year-old pilot and a 27-year-old passenger. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation. "With deep sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr Gautam Santhosh, an Indian national, who lost his life in an accident involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake, Newfoundland," the Consulate said in a post on X on Tuesday. It added that the mission is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities to offer all necessary assistance. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time," it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like China Power: Washington's loss, Beijing's gain as Chinese students shun the US for SE Asia? CNA Read More Undo Following the crash, the Trans-Canada Highway near the Deer Lake Airport was closed for several hours to allow emergency services access. Kisik Aerial Survey Inc, which owned the aircraft, also expressed its condolences. 'We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss," company owner Andrew Naysmith said in a statement. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones." "We will not be releasing the names of anyone involved with this incident, that information will be provided by the proper authorities," Naysmith added. "The cause of the accident is under investigation by the transport safety board of Canada and Kisik will support that investigation in any and every way possible.'
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Indian national killed in plane crash in Canada
Agency: PTI Ottawa, Jul 29 (PTI) An Indian national has died in a small plane crash near Deer Lake in eastern Canada, the Consulate General of India in Toronto said on Tuesday. The plane crashed shortly after take-off near the Deer Lake Regional Airport on Saturday evening, according to CBC news. 'With deep sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr. Gautam Santhosh, an Indian national, who lost his life in an accident involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake, Newfoundland," the Consulate said on social media. It said it is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities in Canada to provide all necessary assistance and support. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time," it added. The Transportation Safety Board said a Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft registered to Kisik Aerial Survey Inc. crashed about a kilometre south of Deer Lake Airport after taking off on a local flight on July 26. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the crash prompted the immediate closure of the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) near the Deer Lake Airport for several hours to allow emergency personnel to respond to the scene. 'Two persons were on board the flight: the pilot, a 54-year-old man, and his lone passenger, a 27-year-old man. Both occupants were pronounced deceased at the scene," it said in a statement. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, it added. 'We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss," Kisik Aerial Survey Inc. owner Andrew Naysmith said in a statement. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones," Naysmith said. 'We will not be releasing the names of anyone involved with this incident, that information will be provided by the proper authorities." 'The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Transport Safety Board of Canada and Kisik will support that investigation in any and every way possible," Naysmith added. PTI SKS ZH view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 19:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
