Latest news with #RhoneBaumgartner
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
Fox News
20-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
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. 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." "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. "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.
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
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Villagers offer support for a critical lifeline in rural Alaska days after plane crash kills 10
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The small, striped plane rolled to a stop on a snow-covered airstrip in a remote western Alaska village not far from where a crash just days earlier had killed all 10 people on board. As the pilot disembarked, he was greeted by dozens of parka-clad residents, some offering hugs or carrying large hearts cut out of cardboard. It was an affecting scene, and it highlighted just how crucial air service is in rural Alaska communities like Golovin, an Inupiat Eskimo village of about 160 people just south of the Arctic Circle. There are often no roads or rails to bring people to larger communities for essential, everyday functions, such as work meetings or medical appointments. Several of those on the commuter plane that crashed Thursday were on board for just such reasons — traveling for work, to service a water plant, to mentor a teacher, to receive medical care. 'As with any other tragedy, our region comes together and our residents here in Golovin wanted to show Bering Air that we care and that we support them 100%,' said Irene Navarro, a lifetime resident. 'We want them to know that we stand with them through the practice of healing and just to show our love and to let them know they are not alone.' A Bering Air single-engine turboprop plane was traveling from Unalakleet to the hub community of Nome, a distance of about 150 miles (240 kilometers) when it disappeared Thursday afternoon. It was found on an ice floe in Norton Sound, southwest of Nome, the next day after an extensive search. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. All nine passengers and the pilot were killed, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in the state in 25 years. Among those on board were Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41. They had traveled to Unalakleet to service a heat recovery system vital to the community's water plant, said their employer, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Talaluk Katchatag, 34, was traveling for medical care, his family said. Carol Mooers, 48, a school counselor in Unalakleet, was flying to pick up students to tour colleges in Anchorage and Juneau, according to an online fundraiser posted by her family. 'She was a keystone to our operations,' Unalakleet School said in a social media post. 'There aren't enough words to express the magnitude of loss or to honor her many contributions to the Wolfpack.' Liane Ryan, of Wasilla, who spent 27 years as teacher in south-central Alaska, was part of a teacher mentoring program who was providing help in Unalakleet. On social media, Redington Junior/Senior High School, where Ryan formerly taught, remembered her as a 'pillar of joy, positivity, and encouragement." 'Each day, she brought a radiant and loving smile to her classroom, the halls, and the volleyball court at Redington; her influence will forever impact the students, athletes, and colleagues with whom she worked,' the post said. Alaska is so vast that a postage stamp placed in the middle of an average sheet of paper represents the area a person can reach by vessel, vehicle or train. There are limited roads outside the state's population corridor, a 360-mile (224-kilometer) stretch from Anchorage to Fairbanks, leaving about 80% of Alaska communities isolated. Flying is not a luxury for many residents, but their only way to connect to the outside world, said Dylan Blankenship, a spokesperson for the state transportation department. That makes air travel essentially the only way to obtain essentials, including diapers, milk and groceries. In many cases, it's the only way for people to make appointments or for high school sports teams to make away games. 'A mile road takes you a mile,' Blankenship said. 'A mile runway will take you anywhere.' In the summer, residents of villages like Unalakleet or Golovin can take boats along Norton Sound to Nome, and in the winter, snowmobiles are another option, but that's a cold and long trip. Bering Air serves 32 villages in western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue and Unalakleet. Most destinations receive twice-daily scheduled flights Monday through Saturday. 'Our hearts are heavy with grief as we process this heartbreaking news,' Bering Air wrote in a statement on its website. 'At this time, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.' The airline has received warm support from the residents who depend on it. In the days after the crash, they came out to greet pilots in Golovin and other rural communities, including Noatak and Teller. 'Everybody was in tears," including the pilot, said Navarro, who livestreamed the greeting in Golovin on social media. 'We just wanted to show our love and let them know that we're still here and we're still going to be a customer.' ___ Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska. Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed. Mark Thiessen And Becky Bohrer, The Associated Press
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Villagers offer support for a critical lifeline in rural Alaska days after plane crash kills 10
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The small, striped plane rolled to a stop on a snow-covered airstrip in a remote western Alaska village not far from where a crash just days earlier had killed all 10 people on board. As the pilot disembarked, he was greeted by dozens of parka-clad residents, some offering hugs or carrying large hearts cut out of cardboard. It was an affecting scene, and it highlighted just how crucial air service is in rural Alaska communities like Golovin, an Inupiat Eskimo village of about 160 people just south of the Arctic Circle. There are often no roads or rails to bring people to larger communities for essential, everyday functions, such as work meetings or medical appointments. Several of those on the commuter plane that crashed Thursday were on board for just such reasons — traveling for work, to service a water plant, to mentor a teacher, to receive medical care. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'As with any other tragedy, our region comes together and our residents here in Golovin wanted to show Bering Air that we care and that we support them 100%,' said Irene Navarro, a lifetime resident. 'We want them to know that we stand with them through the practice of healing and just to show our love and to let them know they are not alone.' A Bering Air single-engine turboprop plane was traveling from Unalakleet to the hub community of Nome, a distance of about 150 miles (240 kilometers) when it disappeared Thursday afternoon. It was found on an ice floe in Norton Sound, southwest of Nome, the next day after an extensive search. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. All nine passengers and the pilot were killed, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in the state in 25 years. Among those on board were Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41. They had traveled to Unalakleet to service a heat recovery system vital to the community's water plant, said their employer, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Talaluk Katchatag, 34, was traveling for medical care, his family said. Carol Mooers, 48, a school counselor in Unalakleet, was flying to pick up students to tour colleges in Anchorage and Juneau, according to an online fundraiser posted by her family. 'She was a keystone to our operations,' Unalakleet School said in a social media post. 'There aren't enough words to express the magnitude of loss or to honor her many contributions to the Wolfpack.' Liane Ryan, of Wasilla, who spent 27 years as teacher in south-central Alaska, was part of a teacher mentoring program who was providing help in Unalakleet. On social media, Redington Junior/Senior High School, where Ryan formerly taught, remembered her as a 'pillar of joy, positivity, and encouragement." 'Each day, she brought a radiant and loving smile to her classroom, the halls, and the volleyball court at Redington; her influence will forever impact the students, athletes, and colleagues with whom she worked,' the post said. Alaska is so vast that a postage stamp placed in the middle of an average sheet of paper represents the area a person can reach by vessel, vehicle or train. There are limited roads outside the state's population corridor, a 360-mile (224-kilometer) stretch from Anchorage to Fairbanks, leaving about 80% of Alaska communities isolated. Flying is not a luxury for many residents, but their only way to connect to the outside world, said Dylan Blankenship, a spokesperson for the state transportation department. That makes air travel essentially the only way to obtain essentials, including diapers, milk and groceries. In many cases, it's the only way for people to make appointments or for high school sports teams to make away games. 'A mile road takes you a mile,' Blankenship said. 'A mile runway will take you anywhere.' In the summer, residents of villages like Unalakleet or Golovin can take boats along Norton Sound to Nome, and in the winter, snowmobiles are another option, but that's a cold and long trip. Bering Air serves 32 villages in western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue and Unalakleet. Most destinations receive twice-daily scheduled flights Monday through Saturday. 'Our hearts are heavy with grief as we process this heartbreaking news,' Bering Air wrote in a statement on its website. 'At this time, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.' The airline has received warm support from the residents who depend on it. In the days after the crash, they came out to greet pilots in Golovin and other rural communities, including Noatak and Teller. 'Everybody was in tears," including the pilot, said Navarro, who livestreamed the greeting in Golovin on social media. 'We just wanted to show our love and let them know that we're still here and we're still going to be a customer.' ___ Bohrer reported from Juneau, Alaska. Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed.
