Sung Hyun Kim and Caroline Choi, CEOs of Meriko, Inc. and SF Apparel, Inc., sentenced for $4.6M worker's compensation insurance fraud

Sister sewing company CEOs sentenced for insurance fraud



The Associated Press


LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA



Two sisters who are CEOs of sewing companies that are subcontracted by True Religion jeans have been sentenced for conspiring with their accountant to hide tens of millions in payroll to avoid paying for workers' compensation insurance.

Sung Hyun Kim and Caroline Choi, CEOs of Meriko, Inc. and SF Apparel, Inc., were sentenced Tuesday in a court in Los Angeles.

Kim, who pleaded no contest in December to workers' compensation fraud, was sentenced to two years of either jail or electronic monitoring and two years of probation.

Choi was sentenced to one year of jail or electronic monitoring and five years of probation for failing to pay payroll taxes.

The accountant, Jae Kim, received the same sentence as Choi.

Restitution of $4.6 million has already been paid in the case.

============





LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Detectives Thursday announced the arrest of three people who are suspected of underreporting more than $78 million in payroll to multiple insurers.

Sisters Sung Hyun Kim, 57, and Caroline Choi, 59, — CEOs of Meriko, Inc., and SF Apparel, Inc. who were subcontracted by True Religion Brand Jeans — along with their CPA, Jae Kim, 71, were arrested Wednesday on 18 felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud, which totaled more than $11 million in losses, according to the California Department of Insurance.


(credit: CA Department of Insurance)


(credit: CA Department of Insurance)

Detectives explained Hyun Kim, Choi and Jae Kim allegedly conspired to hide $78.5 million in payroll to avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance premiums to two insurance companies owned by Berkshire Hathaway, and the State Compensation Insurance Fund.

“The underground economy is not a victimless crime,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “By under reporting payroll, paying employees under the table, and committing workers’ compensation insurance fraud these employers cheat the system and leave their employees at risk.”

According to detectives, Jae Kim allegedly helped Hyun Kim and Choi fabricate payroll records that were provided to insurance carrier auditors.

State Fund officials explained they notified the California Department of Insurance after they received payroll reports that were significantly less than similar reports submitted to the California Employment Development Department.

“Workers’ compensation fraud affects everyone and drives up costs in the system,” said State Fund Chief of Internal Affairs Dante Robinson. “That’s why State Fund actively pursues fraud detection and prosecution.”

Detectives explained evidence also revealed a bank account that was never disclosed to insurance carriers or the EDD, which funded several employees under the table.

Hyun Kim, on $700,000, and Choi, on $430,000, were subsequently booked into the Los Angeles County Jail.

If convicted, Hyun Kim faces 28 years, and Choi faces 15 years in state prison.

Jae Kim is being held on $520,000 at the Men’s Central Jail. He faces 22 years in prison if he is convicted.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.

Beth Galloway, the girlfriend of a convicted former Jones County Sheriff’s deputy and volunteer firefighter, found guilty by jury of mail fraud, using fire to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

James Plower, 51, of Olin
 

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a 42-year-old Camanche woman has been found guilty in an insurance fraud case involving a fire that destroyed her boyfriend's vacant house.


A news release from federal prosecutors for Iowa says Beth Galloway was convicted Wednesday by jury of mail fraud, using fire to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.


Prosecutors say Galloway twice drove a minor to James Plower's vacant home in Martelle, Iowa, to attempt to set fire to it. Plower eventually deliberately set fire to the house and then collected more than $66,000 from his insurance company to cover the loss.


Plower is serving 13 years in federal prison for his part in the fraud. 

=========



CEDAR RAPIDS — The girlfriend of a convicted former Jones County Sheriff’s deputy and volunteer firefighter has been charged in federal court for participating with him in a scheme to defraud an insurance company involving arson.

Beth Galloway, 41, of Olin, on Monday was charged with one count of mail fraud in U.S. District Court. She is accused of participating with James Plower, 51, of Olin, who admitted to burning down his house in Martelle in 2013 in order to collect $150,000 in insurance money. He was convicted of mail fraud and use of fire to commit a felony last year and is serving 13 years in federal prison. He also was ordered to pay more than $152,000 in restitution to the insurance company.

Plower resigned from the sheriff’s department in March 2014, after the investigation started.

An affidavit filed in Galloway’s case shows Plower planned to burn down the house and Galloway, at least, knew of the plan. They couldn’t afford the needed repairs and wanted to rebuild on the foundation. Plower’s ex-wife told a fire marshal in 2014 that he made statements to her about burning down the property while they were married. They divorced in 2002, according to documents.

The ex-wife also told authorities Plower told her he would make it look like an electrical malfunction or make it look like a cat knocked over a candle and started the fire, the affidavit shows.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Plower’s case, he moved out of his Martelle house and then insured the house for damage and loss as a result of fire. The insurance policy didn’t cover loss or damage deliberately caused by the insured.

Plower told police Galloway wasn’t involved, according to the affidavit, but admitted some of the insurance money went to pay Galloway’s car payments and other bills. During a search of their home, investigators seized $5,320 in cash.

Plower eventually told investigators that Galloway attempted to start a fire at the house in the bathroom before he first tried to start a fire. He said Galloway knew what he was planning.

In December 2014, an Olin city clerk, who was friends with Galloway, told investigators that after the house fire, the couple brought her $10,000 and told her they didn’t want authorities to seize it as part of their investigation. At some point, Galloway told the clerk that Plower set the fire.

On June 15, Plower, from prison, told investigators Galloway used $2,000 to help her father and another $4,000 went to Galloway’s attorney for her child custody case.

Galloway also faces a second-degree arson charge in the Martelle house fire in Jones County District Court, court documents show. 

===========



Girlfriend to stand trial in deputy’s arson case



OLIN, IOWA

An Olin woman will face trial next week for allegedly participating with a former Jones County Sherriff’s deputy to burn down a house in Martelle, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

Beth Galloway, 41, is currently charged in Jones County with arson in the second degree relating to the incident. Her trial is set for Aug. 9 at the Jones County Courthouse in Anamosa. Her attorney, John Bishop, was contacted for comment but had not responded by Tuesday morning.

Former Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy and former Martelle volunteer firefighter Jim Plower pleaded guilty on Feb. 20, 2015, to one count of mail fraud and one count of use of fire in commission of another felony, according to the affidavit.

On June 10, 2015, Plower was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. Plower is currently in custody at the Bureau of Prisons at FCI Sandstone, located in Minnesota.

The investigation began with an arson tip, which was left on the Minnesota Arson Hotline by Plower’s ex-wife. She reported information regarding a fire that occurred in July or August of 2013 and said Plower was responsible for the fire.

According to the affidavit, during their marriage Plower told his wife he would start a fire and make it look like it was an accident occurring from an electrical malfunction or make it look like a cat knocked over a candle and started a fire. The couple divorced in 2002, according to the affidavit.

Plower was employed as a Jones County Sheriff’s deputy at the time of the fire and was a former volunteer firefighter on the Martelle Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire occurred on July 25, 2013. Smoke started coming out of a house located at 405 South Street in Martelle. The Martelle Fire Department was called to the scene at 5:32 a.m.

Martelle Fire Chief Tapken reported the fire as an accident caused by faulty electrical equipment in the hunting room, which was in the northwest side of the house. Tapken spoke with Plower at the fire scene, and Plower said he was beginning renovation work at the house the day before the fire.

It was not an accident though.

According to the affidavit, Plower said during an investigation that his motive was to burn the house down in order to collect insurance money and build a new house.

He told investigators that he started the fire because he was living paycheck to paycheck and did not have any extra money to fix up or remodel the Martelle house.

He said he purchased a 1968 Chevy pickup truck and a boat with the insurance proceeds. He used the insurance proceeds to pay some of Galloway’s car payments and other bills.

Prior to the fire, Plower had moved out of the Martelle residence and moved to Olin with his girlfriend Beth Galloway. Plower collected insurance money after the fire occurred, a total of $150,000 from Nationwide Insurance Company.

Investigators seized $5,320 of the insurance proceeds from a firearm case located in the closet of the master bedroom after Investigator Jared Kirby executed a search warrant at Galloway’s residence in Olin.

The affidavit states that Plower told investigators that Galloway told him she tried to start a fire in the bathroom, but she couldn’t get it going. Plower said Galloway went to the Martelle house because she was frustrated with the house just like he was.

An Olin city clerk who had been friends with Galloway for eight or nine years was involved and knew about it. She said during the investigation that Galloway brought her a small bag of cash containing $10,000. Galloway asked her to hold the money because they did not want law enforcement to seize the money as part of the investigation. The clerk also stated that Galloway told her that Plower had set the fire.

According to the affidavit, Galloway used $2,000 of the insurance proceeds to help her father pay trailer payments, an additional $4,000 towards her attorney for her child custody case, and money to pay her bills and help Plower’s mother and daughter.

In an interview last summer with Martelle Fire Chief Tapken, he said he had suspicions the day of the fire, but they weren’t directed at Plower. Tapken was suspicious because the house, which Plower abandoned to move to Olin, was a bit of an eyesore and Plower might have had enemies.

“He was there that morning. He seemed like any normal person would be if their house was on fire,” Tapken said. “He did a very good job acting … Working with the guy all them years, you wouldn’t suspect it. It was odd. It really was.”

The fire was dangerous. Two firefighters were about to enter the front door when they noticed a weakened floor at the last moment, according to Tapken.

“He’s known a lot of us firemen since we were kids. And that’s what bothered us the most is that he was willing to put our lives on the line for money,” Tapken said.

Plower’s 13-year sentence is to be followed by three years of supervised released, and Plower was ordered to pay $152,874 to the insurance company. There is no parole in the federal system.
=============







Former Iowa deputy sentenced to 13 years for burning down house to collect insurance cash



CEDAR RAPIDS – A former deputy sheriff and volunteer firefighter who submitted a fraudulent insurance claim after deliberately setting fire to his vacant home was sentenced today to 13 years in federal prison.

James Marvin Plower, age 50, from Olin, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 20, 2015, guilty plea to one count of mail fraud and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony.

At his guilty plea hearing, Plower admitted that, between about July 2013 and August 2014, he made up a scheme to defraud his insurance company. Plower admitted that, as part of the scheme, he deliberately set fire to his vacant home in Martelle, Iowa, and then submitted an insurance claim in which he falsely claimed the fire was accidental.

Plower was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade. Plower was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release. He was ordered to make $152,874.58 in restitution to the victim insurance company. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Deegan and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, and the Jones County Sheriff’s Department.

Plower was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

Female driver killed by a LYNX light rail train in south Charlotte, after she drove her truck past the railroad crossing arms

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A woman was killed Thursday morning after the truck she was driving collided with a LYNX light rail train in south Charlotte, paramedics told Channel 9.

Authorities responded to the wreck just before 10 a.m. at the crossing on Hebron Street and South Boulevard, not far from the Carolina Place Mall.


When Channel 9 arrived at the scene, the front windshield of the train was shattered and the pickup truck was split in two.

Officers told Eyewitness News that the woman driving the truck appeared to have driven past the crossing arms before the crash happened.

Charlotte Area Transit Systems officials said there is no light rail service near the crash site. They do have a bus bridge from Interstate 485 to Archdale Drive and train service is running from Archdale Station to 7th Street.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said it appears that no one on board the light rail was hurt.

Charlotte Department of Transportation said Hebron Street between South Boulevard and Denmark will be closed until 4 p.m. Thursday. Drivers can use Denmark Road, Sweden Road and South Boulevard as a detour.

Oil field worker with Pryor Packers Inc. crushed to death after a 1.5-ton snatch block fell on him at the Denbury Resources Oil Field south of Pearland, Texas

BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas -- A worker was killed on an oil platform Tuesday when a heavy piece of equipment fell.

According to the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, workers were using a pulley to lift a piece of equipment at the Denbury Resources Oil Field near Highway 35 and County Road 129 south of Pearland.

The equipment, weighing between 2,500 and 3,500 pounds, free fell to the floor and struck and killed the worker.

The Pryor Packers Inc. employee has been identified as 43-year-old Antonio 'Tony' Perez of El Campo. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Air 11 was over the scene as the investigation into the incident continued shortly before noon. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
=============

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 07:52PM

ALVIN, TX (KTRK) --

One man is dead after an industrial accident in Brazoria County.

The victim has been identified as 43-year-old Antonio Perez, from El Campo, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office.


"Something on the well itself fell, causing the snatch block on the rig to fall," Lt. Varon Snelgrove said. "It fell to the rig floor, and in doing so, it struck him, pinned him to the rig floor, killing him instantly."

According to Snelgrove the 'snatch block' is used to pull the pipe up and down on the well itself.

"It weighs about 2,500 to 3,000 pounds. It's a big, heavy piece of iron," said Snelgrove.

Lt. Snelgrove said Perez had been a longtime employee of contracting company Pryor Packers, and that Perez had worked on these particular wells many times before.

While the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office said there are no signs of foul play at this time, they will continue to investigate the death.

A spokesman for Denbury Resources sent Eyewitness News a statement, saying in part, "Denbury and its contractors are working closely with local public officials following the incident, and the investigation is ongoing."

Following the accident, Denbury Resources released a statement about the accident:

"On the morning of March 14th, a worker was involved in an incident while working on a rig in the Hastings oil field. Denbury and its contractors are working closely with local public officials following the incident, and the investigation is ongoing."

Drunk NYC off-duty traffic enforcement agent splits his car in half after he crashes into the median on the Williamsburg Bridge; 1 passenger killed

GREENWICH VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) --

A woman was killed when she was thrown from a vehicle in a one-car crash on the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge Thursday.

The car crashed in the eastbound lanes just before 3:30 a.m.

According to the New York City Police Department, the driver lost control of the 2013 Infiniti sedan while on the bridge. The car slammed into a median that divides the inner and outer roadways, and then struck a support pillar.

An Eyewitness News viewer captured this video:

A 21-year-old woman, identified as Amanda Miner, 21, of Brooklyn, was sitting in the back seat when she was thrown onto the roadway and killed.

Charges were filed against the 26-year-old driver, Stefan Hoyte, an off-duty traffic enforcement agent. He was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while impaired, and was charged with driving while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

Hoyte and a 24-year-old man who had been riding in the front seat were taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries.

It is unknown where they were going at the time of the crash.
The Brooklyn-bound outer roadway of the bridge was closed for the police investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

Statistics show that most of the drunk/dragged-caused fatal accidents occur in the early a.m. hours.   This is another fatal accident that proves the statistics correct.
=========================



GREENWICH VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) -- A woman was killed when she was thrown from a vehicle in a one-car crash on the Williamsburg Bridge Thursday, closing Brooklyn-bound lanes.

The car crashed in the eastbound lanes just before 3:30 a.m.

According to the New York City Police Department, the driver lost control of the 2013 Infiniti sedan while on the bridge. The car slammed into the median and split.

A 21-year-old woman sitting in the backseat was thrown onto the roadway and killed.

Charges are pending against the 26-year-old driver, an off-duty traffic enforcement agent.

The driver and another 21-year-old were taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries.

The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while impaired.

The survivors live in Brooklyn, while the dead woman is a city resident. It is unknown where they were going at the time of the crash.

All Brooklyn-bound lanes of the bridge were closed for the police investigation.

Statistics show that most of the drunk/dragged-caused fatal accidents occur in the early a.m. hours.   This is another fatal accident that proves the statistics correct.

Pilot killed after a McDonnell Douglas 369FF helicopter owned by Rogers Helicopters crashed in Indiana while slinging power cables

CHALMERS, Ind. — A pilot died about 3:50 p.m. Tuesday when his helicopter crashed near the southwest corner of White County Roads 700 South and 150 East, Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley said.


The name of the man flying the helicopter is not being released, pending the notification of his family, Riley said. The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft.

"Basically, they were stringing power lines, and at this point in time, for unknown reasons, the helicopter came down and crashed," Riley said.

Crews on the ground pulled the pilot from the wreckage and began CPR. Emergency medical technicians arrived on scene a short time later, but the pilot died there, according to Indiana State Police.

The line of newly constructed metal high-power towers running from the northwest to the southeast have spools of lines suspended beneath them. The eastern spool has a slack power line extended over County Road 700 South, reaching to the first tower north of the county road. However, north of there, it appears the line is lying on the ground.

The helicopter pilot was a subcontractor working for EC Source out of Mesa, Ariz., which was the company stringing the power lines. According to its website, it specializes in the construction of extra high-voltage lines. Riley said EC Source was the contractor installing the lines on the high-voltage towers southeast of Chalmers.

The Journal & Courier left messages for Jonathan Sharp, senior vice president of EC source. He did not return the calls.

The twisted wreckage lies about 50 yards south of County Road 700 South.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to be on scene Tuesday and Wednesday, Riley said.




===============

EC Source (ECS), together with its subsidiary construction related professional service providers, is a nationally recognized full-service EPC program management entity focused on financing and deploying Extra High Voltage (EHV) electrical systems in North America. ECS is staffed with recognized industry leaders in project planning and execution of large-scale electric transmission and substation projects, including full service environmental planning, engineering, procurement, and construction activities.

ECS is engineering led and construction focused, specializing in large fixed price, competitively bid EHV transmission line and substation projects, guaranteeing quality, performance, and schedule. ECS has offices nationwide.



============



Date:

14-MAR-2017
Time: 15:50 LT
Type:
McDonnell Douglas 369FF
Owner/operator: Rogers Helicopters
Registration: N530KD
C/n / msn: 0044FF
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: White County, SE of Chalmers, IN - United States of America
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature: Cargo
Departure airport:

Destination airport:

Narrative:
The fatal accident occurred while slinging power cables.

Rogers Helicopters was a subcontractor working for EC Source of Mesa, AZ which was the company stringing the power lines.

Sources:
http://www.jconline.com/story/news/local/indiana/2017/03/14/pilot-dies-helicopter-crash-white-county/99182276/
http://wlfi.com/2017/03/14/1-injured-after-helicopter-crashes-in-white-county/
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/one-injured-in-white-county-helicopter-crash
http://www.asias.faa.gov/pls/apex/f?p=100:95:26435855984894::NO::P95_EVENT_LCL_DATE,P95_LOC_CITY_NAME,P95_REGIST_NBR:14-MAR-17,CHALMERS,N530KD
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N530KD
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001222052.html
Flight Gobal

==============

Rogers Helicopters, Inc. is one of the largest helicopter operators in California. We have been in business in Central California for 52 years. Our company provides on demand helicopter and fixed wing charters, maintenance, and logistical support to companies worldwide. Our proven aviation performance continues to exceed that of our competitors. 

Since 1962 Rogers Helicopters, a CPUC Certified Company, has provided services defined by our quality, safety, flexibility, reliability and creativity which have earned the company a reputation for excellence.  Rogers has pioneered many early helicopter applications and continues to update our fleet with improved, next-generation equipment.

Rogers offers a diversified fleet of heavy, medium, and light lift helicopters along with our fixed wing aircraft.  Rogers remains committed to providing quality service to our customers and can mobilize on a moment's notice for operations anywhere in North America.

Our company headquarters and main maintenance facility are located at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT).

We provide the following helicopter services:: Construction • Utilites • Power Line Construction • External Long Line Operations • Fire Control and Support • Government Contracting • Aerial Construction • Air Carrier 135 Operations • Agricultural Spraying and Seeding (Part 137) • Emergency Medical Services Contracts • External Load Operations (Part 133) • Search and Rescue • Drug Interdiction Programs for Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Departments • Movie and Television filming / Tyler Mounts • Power Line Patrols • Aerial Surveying • Seismic Exploration • Repair Station (Part 145) • External Long Line Operations • Offshore Operations • Aerial Photography • Heavy Lift Services

====

Rogers Helicopters has established itself as a leader in the utility helicopter services industry. We pride ourselves on our versatility, and our dedication. We treat each project as if it were our own, and make safety our first priority.

Rogers Helicopters offers a wide array of construction services to the electric utility industry. We have the experience, staff, equipment, and expertise to handle almost any project.

Powerline Construction Services

• New Construction
• Retro-fits
• Re-Conductoring
• Insulator Change-outs
• Men & Material Transport (up to 9 lineman) (3000 lbs)
• Pole Setting
• Ladder/Equipment Spotting
• Aerial ground support
• Survey
• Fiber-optic Transmission Line Installation
• External Load Operations
• FAA Part 135 Air Carrier

Heavy Lift Services

The precision required to lift heavy loads in challenging terrain is a hallmark of Rogers expertise. The expansion of power grids and transmission towers is ongoing and Rogers works closely with general contractors erecting towers and repairing infrastructure. Helicopters are the most efficient, cost-effective solution to effectively remove, replace and install utility equipment when location and terrain are of concern.

• Wood, Steel and Concrete Poles
• Sections of Tower & Antennae
• Cross Arms
• Insulator Strings
• Ladders
• Industrial/Commercial Construction
• Roofing
• HVAC
• Electrical
• Scaffolding
• Signs
• Aircraft Recovery
• Equipment/Tool/Material Spotting
• Concrete

3 U.S. airmen killed after a Special Operations Pilatus U-28A plane crashed in Clovis, New Mexico

CLOVIS, N.M. - Three service members assigned to a special operations unit were killed after a single-engine reconnaissance and surveillance plane crashed in eastern New Mexico during a training flight, the Air Force said.

Officials at Cannon Air Force Base said the U-28A crashed Tuesday night in a field about a quarter mile east of Clovis Municipal Airport, about 3 miles east of Cannon. The plane was assigned to Cannon.

The identities of the victims will be withheld until 24 hours after the families are notified, Cannon officials said in a statement.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, and base commander Col. Ben Maitre said during a news conference Wednesday that it would be premature to speculate. He said there was no indication of any problems with the plane before the crash, and weather reports for the area suggested clear skies.

"Right now, we're working to secure all of the data from the wreckage and the documentation that went into the preparation and conduct of that sortie," Maitre said.

Investigators also are reviewing maintenance records for the plane. Maitre described the U-28A as reliable, saying that type of aircraft is used thousands of hours a year and that crew members fly hundreds of hours annually to maintain their proficiency with the plane and its systems.

Capt. Brandon Baccam, chief spokesman for the wing, said the crew was assigned to the 318th Special Operations Squadron, part of the 27th Special Operations Wing based a Cannon.

The wing's units use several types of aircraft to perform missions that include personnel transport, combat support, aerial refueling of helicopters, close air support and drone operations.

Officials said use of the Clovis airport was part of the training mission, but additional information on the mission and circumstances of the crash itself were not immediately available.

The crash caused a fire that was extinguished by local firefighters, officials said. Two large pieces of the aircraft, including the tail section, were visible Wednesday morning at the crash scene.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss within our Air Commando family," Maitre said. "Our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends affected by this tragedy, and our team is focused on supporting them during this difficult time."

Cannon has about 5,800 military personnel and civilian employees. It has been several years since the base has had a fatal crash, Maitre said.

The last deadly crash involving a U-28A occurred in Africa in 2012 as the plane was returning from an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission for the war in Afghanistan. Four airmen were killed.

An Air Force fact sheet says the U-28A is used for tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of special operations forces. The plane typically has a four-member crew of two pilots, a combat systems officer and a tactical systems officer.

According to the fact sheet, the U-28A "evolved from commercially available aircraft that were purchased and then modified with communications gear, aircraft survivability equipment, electro-optical sensors, and advanced navigation systems."



============ CLOVIS, NM - Cannon Air Force Base officials confirmed Wednesday morning that the three airmen on board a U-28A plane were killed when it crashed Tuesday night. 

The crash occurred approximately one quarter-mile east of Clovis Municipal Airport. In response to the deadly crash, the air force base released the following statement: 

“We are deeply saddened by this loss within our Air Commando family,” said Col. Ben Maitre, the installation commander. “Our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends affected by this tragedy."

The fatal crash remains under investigation. Identities of the three airmen will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin is notified. 

---
Below is the original story published Tuesday night following the crash:

Cannon Air Force Base officials said a flight crashed during a training exercise in a field near Clovis Municipal Airport.

The plane, which officials said was a U-28A plane and had three people on board, crashed around 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

The crash caused a fire that emergency personnel extinguished by 8:00 p.m., a spokesperson for Cannon AFB said.

"Names of the aircrew will not be released until confirmation of their status and next of kin have been notified," a Cannon AFB official told EverythingLubbock.com.

The cause of the plane crash remained under investigation.

Date:

	14-MAR-2017
Time:	18:54
Type:	Pilatus U-28A (PC-12)
Owner/operator:	US Air Force (USAF)
Registration:
C/n / msn:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	ENE of Cannon AFB (KCVS), Clovis, NM -   United States of America
Phase:	Unknown
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Cannon AFB (KCVS)
Destination airport:	Cannon AFB (KCVS)

Narrative:
While practicing touch-and-go landings, the aircraft impacted the terrain in Curry County east-northeast of Cannon Air Force Base (KCVS) in Clovis, New Mexico, and a small fire ensued. The airplane sustained apparent substantial damage. All three crew members died in the crash of the plane.

Sources:

http://rdrnews.com/wordpress/blog/2017/03/14/military-plane-crashes-near-clovis/
http://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/cannon-afb-plane-crashes-during-training-flight/4425872/
http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com/story/2017/03/15/news/military-plane-crashes-near-airport/151388.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12
http://www.koat.com/article/cannon-afb-plane-crashes-in-training-exercise/9133785
http://www.myhighplains.com/news/witness-describes-moment-military-airplane-crashes/672580094?utm_medium=social&utm_source=KAMR_Local_4_News

=========

The U-28A provides a manned fixed wing, on-call/surge capability for Improved Tactical Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in support of Special Operations Forces.

Background
The diverse Special Operations Command mission requirements generated a need for small numbers of mission specific aircraft which were procured rapidly to address specific mission needs. The Non-Standard Aircraft (NSAv) fleet is a general program term and encompasses several light and medium aircraft performing utility missions for SOCOM. Overall the NSAv mobility fleet untethers special operations forces from robust infrastructures, extended timelines and allows freedom of movement.

The U-28A is part of AFSOC's NSAv fleet, and is operated by the 319th, 34th and 318th Special Operations squadrons. Training is conducted by the 5th and 19th SOS. These units are located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. and Cannon AFB, N.M.

Mission
The U-28A provides a manned fixed wing, on-call/surge capability for improved tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of special operations forces.

Features

The U-28A fleet evolved from commercially available aircraft that were purchased and then modified with communications gear, aircraft survivability equipment, electro-optical sensors, and advanced navigation systems. The advanced radio-communications suite is capable of establishing DOD/NATO data-links, full-motion video, data, and voice communications. The U-28A has outstanding reliability and performance, and is certified to operate from short and semi-prepared airfields.

Background
The diverse Special Operations Command mission requirements generated a need for small numbers of mission-specific aircraft which were procured rapidly to address specific mission needs.  The U-28A is a modified, single-engine Pilatus PC-12 that operates worldwide. 

The U-28A is part of AFSOC’s Light Tactical Fixed Wing fleet, formerly known as non-standard aviation.

The initial block of U-28 aircraft were procured and modified for use in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

All U-28A aircraft are maintained through contractor logistics support.

General Characteristics
Crew: 2 Pilots, 1 Combat Systems Officer, 1 Tactical Systems Officer
Builder: Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
Power Plant: Pratt-Whitney PT6A-67B
Thrust: 1,200 horse power
Wingspan: 53 feet 3 inches (16.23 meters)
Length: 47 feet 3 inches (14.4 meters)
Height: 14 feet (4.25 meters)
Speed: 220 knots
Range: 1,500 nautical miles
Ceiling: 30,000 feet
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 10,935 lbs
Deployment Date: 2006
Unit Cost: $16.5 million
Inventory: Active duty, 28; Reserve/ANG, 0

Eric Belton of Harris County, Texas sues Excel Modular Scaffold Inc. alleging failure to provide a safe work environment when plywood fell on his head at a job site in Deer Park

HOUSTON, TEXAS — An injured employee is suing a scaffold company, alleging its negligence led to injuries for the plaintiff.


Eric Belton of Harris County filed a complaint Feb. 23, in the Harris County District Court against Excel Modular Scaffold Inc. alleging failure to provide a safe work environment.

According to the complaint, on Nov. 3, 2016, while in the course and scope of his employment with Excel Modular, Belton sustained serious and permanent injuries when plywood fell on his head at a job site in Deer Park. The suit says Belton suffered physical and mental pain, lost wages and medical expenses.

The plaintiff alleges Excel Modular Scaffold failed to make the premises safe and failed to properly supervise its employees, invitees and subcontractors.

Belton seeks trial by jury, monetary relief up to $75,000, interest, costs of court and all such other further relief. He is represented by attorneys Jeff Limmer and John Arthur Daspit of Daspit Law Firm in Houston.