Plane & Pilot – September 2019

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HELICOPTER CRASHES ON
NYC BUILDING ROOF
An Agusta AW109E helicopter crash-landed on the roof of
a skyscraper in Manhattan on June 10, prompting fears of
terrorism that dissipated after initial facts of the accident
emerged. The pilot, who was the sole occupant aboard the
aircraft, died in the crash after making radio calls indicating
he was disoriented.

FAA PLANS NEW RULES FOR
SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT
FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell revealed a notice
of proposed rulemaking at the Paris Air Show that would
smooth the path for
future testing of super-
sonic aircraft while still
preserving the restric-
tion against supersonic
flight over land. The move
comes as an increasing
number of supersonic air-
craft are under development by companies such as Aerion,
Lockheed and others.

CUBCRAFTERS OPENS NEW FACILITY
Cubcrafters’ new 11,000-square-foot customer completion
center opened its doors in June and will be utilized for final
assembly and pre-delivery work for all models produced
by the company, while
also providing space for
its Factory eXperimental
builder assistance pro-
gram. The new facility is
a key component of the
Ya k i ma , Wa s h i n g t o n -
based manufacturer’s
plans as it aims to build 100 planes in 2019.

STRATOLAUNCH SALE RUMORS SPREAD
Reports that Stratolaunch Systems Corp., an aerospace
venture working to develop a massive launch vehicle for
space operations, is for
sale continue to percolate
throughout the indus-
try, with sources citing a
potential purchase price
of $400 million. The com-
pany, which was started
by the late Microsoft co-
founder Paul Allen, hasn’t commented on the matter.

FAA URGES INSPECTIONS FOR
MITSUBISHI MU-2BS
The FAA is alerting operators of the aging Mitsubishi
MU-2B fleet of the possibility of cracks in the airplane’s
wing-spacer plates that could cause a loss of structural

integrity. In a special airworthiness information bulletin,

the FAA called on operators to perform fluorescent pen-

etrant inspections to address the issue.

U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO BIDS ADIEU

After 15 years of showcasing developments in the light-

sport aircraft sector, the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo

held in Sebring, Florida, has announced that the event

held in January was its last. The move comes as Sebring

Regional Airport emphasizes its commitment to promot-

ing youth and community programs in the future.

GARMIN AUTOPILOTS GET GREEN

LIGHT FOR NEW MODELS

Garmin has announced FAA approvals for the installa-

tion of its new lower-cost autopilots, the GFC 500 and

600, in some popular

airplanes, with the

500 getting the okay

for a host of Mooneys

(models J, K, M, R and

S) as well as the Beechcraft A36 Bonanza (models 36,

A36 and A36TC). The Garmin GFC 600, meanwhile,

received FAA approval in the Cessna Caravan (models

208 and 208B).

NASA’S X-57 MAKES HEADWAY

NASA announced in June that its X-57 program, which

uses a modified Tecnam P2006T to test developments in

electric propulsion, achieved significant goals, includ-

ing the completion of an

integrated spin test of

the electric motors on

the airplane. NASA also

recently took delivery

of the high-aspect-ratio

wing that will replace

the P2006T’s traditional

wing and that will feature motors that have been moved

to the wingtips.

RECENT CRASH HIGHLIGHTS

PART 91 S AF ET Y H A Z ARD S

The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for

more stringent regulations of Part 91 flight operations

after a King Air A90 crashed during takeoff at Dillingham

Airfield in Hawaii, killing all 11 on board. The flight was

operated by Oahu Parachute Center and was embarking

on a skydiving mission at the time of the accident.

NEW REGS HALT PRIVATE FLIGHTS TO CUBA

In an effort to tighten travel restrictions loosened under

the Obama administration and stem tourism, the U.S.

announced in June it’s implementing a general ban on

private flights to Cuba. Under the new rule, only com-

mercial aircraft will be granted access to the island.