Latest news with #PiperPA-28
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Student pilot emergency lands on CA highway, then tries to hide drugs, feds say
A student pilot whose plane made an emergency landing on a highway in California, leading to the discovery of a package of cocaine, is heading to prison, prosecutors said. Troy Othneil Smith, 36, from Oceanside, was sentenced to 2.5 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California said in a May 21 news release. One count was connected to the emergency landing incident and the other stemmed from a separate 2023 incident in which Smith sent cocaine through the mail, prosecutors said. Smith's attorney, Ashby C. Sorensen, declined to comment in a May 22 email to McClatchy News. Smith was flying from Arizona to California on Sept. 26, 2024, when the plane was forced to land, according to prosecutors. The single-engine Piper PA-28 touched down a little before 2 a.m. on State Route 76 in Oceanside, McClatchy News previously reported. Smith had a brick of cocaine in his backpack and tried to hide it from responding officers in the brush, prosecutors said in a sentencing memo. Prosecutors added that evidence later showed Smith 'had his sights set next on piloting his own plane for drug distribution cross country.' The flight instructor during the 2024 emergency landing 'was not knowingly involved in transporting drugs,' The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, citing prosecutors. Sorensen wrote in a sentencing memo that Smith – a disabled Marine Corps veteran with three children – is remorseful and takes responsibility for his actions. 'Financial pressures and unresolved emotional trauma' were factors, the court filing said. Oceanside is about a 85-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NTSB: Pilot's ‘improper decision' caused Mount Equinox crash
MANCHESTER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – The small plane crash on Mount Equinox back in February was likely caused by a pilot's 'improper decision' making skills, according to the NTSB's report. Investigators wrote that the pilot altered his course, attempted to fly low and avoid clouds, then climb above them because of a perceived, rapid change in weather. As the Piper PA-28 entered clouds, icing occurred which caused it to stall, spin and crash. This pilot did not hold an instrument rating, meaning he was not qualified to fly using only instruments in poor low-visibility conditions. NTSB investigators also detail that he 'was aware that they were near the VFR [visual flight rules], but he elected to continue the flight.' The plane crashed into four feet of snow at an elevation of over 3,000 feet February 26. Manchester First Assistant Chief Jamie Greene suggested that the pilot and two passengers were 'cushioned' by snow. All of them suffered non-life-threatening injuries. NTSB determined the probably cause was 'The pilot's improper decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal authorities investigate plane crash near Royal Kunia
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Debris from a stricken Cessna aircraft fell through the roof of a home at 94-1003 Waiahu Street in Royal Kunia on Thursday. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ Debris from a stricken Cessna aircraft fell through the roof of a home at 94-1003 Waiahu Street in Royal Kunia on Thursday. Federal authorities are investigating the crash landing Thursday of a small plane near Royal Kunia Country Club that injured two men. The National Transportation Safety Board told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Friday that it is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the incident. The FAA reported that a Piper PA-28 landed in a field northwest of Daniel K. Ino uye International Airport around noon Thursday. The aircraft departed the airport at 11 :49 a.m., and the flight ended about 10 minutes later, according to 'Preliminary information indicates that a propeller detached from the plane and fell into a residential area. The pilot subsequently informed air traffic control that the plane was experiencing engine trouble before landing in a field, ' an NTSB spokesperson said. Local authorities said the 22-year-old pilot sustained a head injury and was transported in serious condition by ambulance to a hospital. The 38-year-old flight instructor suffered a minor arm injury but declined medical treatment. The plane's propeller crashed through the roof of a home on Waiahu Street. No one inside the house was injured. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. William Ingram, a neighbor, said he was in his home when the incident occurred and did not hear anything until Honolulu Police Department vehicles arrived in the neighborhood and he saw the aftermath. He said he didn't hear the plane crash or suspect anything had happened until the neighborhood became crowded with officers. 'Every once in a while you'll hear a small plane going over here, and you'll hear the helicopters from the military base, but it's not every day or anything like that, ' Ingram said. He said he had heard that both homeowners were inside at the time, and described it as 'scary ' when he learned that the wife had been in the kitchen cutting up some pineapple when the propeller fell through the roof and into the kitchen. 'It was a close one, ' he said. 'They're very nice people.' NTSB officials stated that during the on-scene phase of the investigation, they do not determine or speculate on the cause of an accident. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days. A preliminary FAA report posted online Friday stated, 'The aircraft sustained substantial damage when it impacted a residential structure and terrain during a forced landing in Waipahu, Hawaii.' The FAA is leading the investigation. The aircraft's registration number is N261FC. 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal authorities investigate Royal Kunia plane crash
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ A propeller from a downed Cessna aircraft fell Thursday and left a gash, about 5 feet long in the roof of a home, above, on Waiahu Street in Royal Kunia. 1 /2 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ A propeller from a downed Cessna aircraft fell Thursday and left a gash, about 5 feet long in the roof of a home, above, on Waiahu Street in Royal Kunia. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ A propeller from a Cessna aircraft fell through the roof of Waiahu Street home in Kunia Thursday. A gash of about five feet in length can be seen in roof in this photo. 2 /2 GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ A propeller from a Cessna aircraft fell through the roof of Waiahu Street home in Kunia Thursday. A gash of about five feet in length can be seen in roof in this photo. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ A propeller from a downed Cessna aircraft fell Thursday and left a gash, about 5 feet long in the roof of a home, above, on Waiahu Street in Royal Kunia. GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE @ A propeller from a Cessna aircraft fell through the roof of Waiahu Street home in Kunia Thursday. A gash of about five feet in length can be seen in roof in this photo. Federal authorities today are investigating the crash landing of a small plane near Royal Kunia Country Club that injured two men Thursday. The National Transportation Safety Board told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser today that it is working in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the crash. The FAA reported that a Piper PA-28 landed in a field northwest of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport around 12 p.m. on Thursday. The plane left the airport at 11 :49 a.m. and the flight ended about 10 minutes later, according to 'Preliminary information indicates that a propeller detached from the plane and fell into a residential area. The pilot subsequently informed air traffic control that the plane was experiencing engine trouble before landing in a field, ' an NTSB spokesperson said. Local authorities said the 22-year-old pilot sustained a head injury and was taken by ambulance to a hospital in serious condition, while the 38-year-old flight instructor suffered a minor arm injury but declined medical treatment. A propeller from the plane crashed through the roof of a nearby home on Waiahu Street but no one in the house was injured. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. NTSB officials said that during the on-scene phase of its investigation, they do not determine or speculate on the cause of an accident, and that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days. A preliminary, said, 'The aircraft sustained substantial damage when it impacted a residential structure and terrain during a forced landing in Waipahu, Hawaii. The FAA leading the investigation. The aircraft registration number is N261FC. 4 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Saraland High School receives donated aircraft for hands-on training
SARALAND, Ala. (WKRG) — A transportation company has donated a full-scale maintenance training aircraft to Saraland High School to expand hands-on aviation experience. Mobile first responders feel residents 'abuse' 911 system – here's why According to an AAA USA news release, the company donated a retired Piper PA-28 general aviation aircraft, which will allow students to work on the aircraft's frame. SHS has an Airframe technology program that 'educates students on aircraft construction and operation,' a news release said. AAA USA officials said this will prepare students for careers in airplane maintenance and other related fields. 'By investing in workforce development and partnering with Saraland High School and Coastal Alabama Community College, we aim to highlight the career opportunities available to students after graduation,' said Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AAA USA Perry C. Rucker. SHS Principal Scott Croley said this donated plane offers students an opportunity to get hands-on experience. 'We're extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to partner with AAA USA, specifically to have a piece of machinery like the functioning airplane for the students to be able to physically put their hands on day in and day out, and it's something that I feel like a lot of high school students do not have that opportunity,' said Croley. First look inside massive Orange Beach Sports Complex, stadium AAA USA has also launched the 'Wings of Opportunity' scholarship, which will be awarded annually through SHS to students interested in pursuing careers in aerospace. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
