10 August 2014

And Again...

An Anchorage pilot died and his passenger was seriously injured when their small plane crashed on takeoff early Sunday at the Big Lake airport, according to Alaska State Troopers.

In a Sunday AST dispatch, troopers say Mat-Su Valley dispatchers were told of the crash that killed 50-year-old Christopher Cyphers just before 2:30 a.m. Investigators determined that Cyphers was flying a Piper Comanche that experienced “some type of engine problem” as it left the airport.

“Cyphers attempted to perform an emergency landing at the Big Lake Airport but struck trees which caused him to crash land on a roadway near the airport,” troopers wrote. “ Cyphers was killed in the crash and the passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported by Lifemed (air ambulance) to an Anchorage-area hospital.”

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Coast Guard Mulls Downsizing Kodiak Station





 

11 comments:

PioneerPreppy said...

I wonder what the average plane crash per flying hours is and if it is different depending on location. One of my inlaws from my previous marriage flew constantly because he lost his drivers license for speeding too often and he died when his small plane crashed.

As for the coast guard I guess they are falling under the other military cuts too.

Rev. Paul said...

"Aviation data analyzed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's Air Safety Foundation found a rate of 13.59 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in Alaska between 2004 and 2008. The comparative national rate for smaller general aviation aircraft was 5.85 accidents per 100,000 flight hours." (from a 2010 article)

Old NFO said...

That is NOT good if they're downsizing Commsta Kodiak... At least not good for those that depend on those folks.

Rev. Paul said...

Concur, NFO. Bad news for all the mariners who rely on that Commsta hearing them at need.

PioneerPreppy said...

Wow so Alaska's rate is so much higher why do you think? Unpredictable weather?

Rev. Paul said...

Unpredictable weather patterns, conditions changing rapidly, and thermals from the mountains.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Unpredictable weather patterns, conditions changing rapidly, and thermals from the mountains.

Big part of the problem. Could it also be to many "bold" pilots?

As in there are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are very few old, bold pilots.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Too many. Drat! I'm a high school graduate; just not a diligent proof reader.

Rev. Paul said...

No worries, WSF. And yes, I'm sure there are a number of "too bold" pilots who - if they survive their first incident - are much less bold the next time.

Chickenmom said...

So sad. I live 5 miles from a small airport. When some of those little planes fly over, the engines sound terrible and I always hope they land safely.

Rev. Paul said...

Understood, Chickenmom. There's a grass landing strip about a block from my house, and one pilot practices touch-and-go landings every afternoon. Usually smooth, but every once in awhile ...