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Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Alaska plane that crashed and left 10 dead was more than 1,000 pounds over the weight limit, NTSB finds
The Bering Air flight that recently crashed in sea ice off Alaska, killing 10, was more than 1,000 pounds "over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions," according to a new report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The commuter flight was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome when it disappeared on Feb. 6. The U.S. Coast Guard found the plane's wreckage days later, on sea ice around 30 miles southeast of Nome. "Post-accident examination of the airplane contents indicated that the baggage and cargo weighed approximately 798 lbs. Based on that information, the airplane's estimated gross takeoff weight at departure was about 9,865 lbs, which was about 1,058 lbs over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions," the NTSB said in a preliminary report this week. "The final satellite tracking data point corresponded to a time of 1520:17 and an altitude of 200 ft," it added. What We Know About The Alaska Plane Crash Victims The NTSB said in the report that the plane, a Textron Aviation 208B, "was equipped with a TKS ice protection system that included porous titanium panels along the leading edges of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and wing struts." Read On The Fox News App "The TKS system was designed to provide ice protection fluid from a tank in the cargo pod to the panels, propeller, and windshield to prevent the accumulation of airframe ice," it continued. The NTSB cited a pilot operating handbook supplement relating to the TKS system as saying "that the maximum allowable takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions was the same as that of the basic airplane, which was 8,807 lbs." "FAA records revealed that the airplane was equipped with an Aircraft Payload Extender III (APE III) system," which "provided for an increased maximum gross takeoff weight of 9,062 lbs," the NTSB added. However, at the time of the crash, the plane was still "about 803 lbs over the maximum gross takeoff weight for any flight operation under the APE III flight manual supplement," according to the NTSB. Alaska Crews Recover Remains Of All 10 Plane Crash Victims "A senior NTSB aerospace engineer will conduct a detailed review of the airplane's performance as part of the investigation, including an evaluation of the airplane's center of gravity location," it said in the report. The NTSB also said the pilot involved in the crash "had accumulated about 2,500 hours total flight time, including 1,060 hours in 208B airplanes." Victims Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41, boarded the flight to Nome after traveling to Unalakleet to work on a heat recovery system servicing the community's water plant, The Associated Press cited the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium as saying. The pilot killed in the crash was identified as Chad Antill, 34, of Nome. The other victims, according to the Anchorage Daily News, were Liane Ryan, 52, of Wasilla; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; Talaluk Katchatag, 34, of Unalakleet, and Carol Mooers, 48, of Unalakleet. Fox News Digital's Pilar Arias contributed to this article source: Alaska plane that crashed and left 10 dead was more than 1,000 pounds over the weight limit, NTSB finds
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Investigators Say Alaska Flight That Killed 10 Was Overweight for Icy Conditions
The Bering Air plane that crashed in Alaska killing all 10 people on board was overweight for weather conditions, authorities have said. On Wednesday, March 19, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report about the fatal Feb. 6 crash, referencing a flight manual which noted, 'Maximum Weight for Flight into Known Icing Conditions.' The aircraft, which 'was equipped with standard support items used at outstations, such as cargo netting, tie-down straps, engine cowling plugs, a portable scale, and a tail stand,' also included 'baggage and cargo [that] weighed about 709 lbs.' The NTSB's preliminary report found that the aircraft 'was about 969 lbs over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions under the TKS system supplement.' 'It was also about 714 lbs over the maximum gross takeoff weight for any flight operation under the APE III flight manual supplement,' the report added. The commuter flight initially departed from Nome Airport (PAOM) in Nome, Alaska. It proceeded to Saint Michael Airport (PAMK) in Saint Michael, Alaska, stopping at Unalakleet Airport (PAUN) in Unalakleet, Alaska. Related: Alaska Plane Crash Victim Remembered as an 'Amazing' Mom of 2 and 'Beloved' School Counselor The plane was expected to return to PAOM that afternoon, the preliminary report said. All 10 victims were residents from Alaska between the ages of 30 and 58. Victims were identified as utility operations employees and Anchorage residents Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41, both of whose names were already identified by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). Nome resident Chad Antill, 34, was named as the aircraft's pilot. Other fatalities were Liane Ryan, 52, and Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; and 34-year-old Talaluk Katchatag and 48-year-old Carol Mooers, both of Unalakleet. Related: 2 Passengers of Alaska Plane Crash Identified as Utility Workers: 'They Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for the People We Serve' According to the NTSB, Antill 'was employed by the operator as a pilot since March 2022. His most recent 12-month competency check was completed on December 9, 2024.' Authorities previously revealed during a Feb. 7 press conference that the Bering Air commuter plane began to lose elevation and speed, with its then-last-known location being 'in the vicinity of Norton Sound, approximately 30 miles southeast of Nome,' per the U.S. Coast Guard. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Nome is a strong community, and in challenging times we come together and support each other. I expect the outpouring of support to continue in the coming days as we all work to recover from this tragic incident,' Nome Mayor John Handeland said, as reported by the Associated Press. The investigation remains ongoing. A final report will be released at a later time, the outlet added on Wednesday. Read the original article on People
Reuters
21-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
KNDS considers IPO as defence sector booms, sources say
FRANKFURT, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Military defence system supplier KNDS is considering an initial public offering (IPO) as early as the end of the year, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Europe's bid to increase defence triggers a rally in the sector. The Franco-German company has held early stage talks with advisers about a possible listing in late 2025 or in 2026, potentially in Frankfurt, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Banks have yet to be appointed, they added. The French state shareholding agency (APE) declined to comment. KNDS and its German family shareholder Wegmann-Gruppe did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
