Pilot/owner Norman B. Levine, 78, dead after a Van's RV-12 experimental plane crashed and caught fire shortly after departing the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport

FISHERS, Ind. — Investigators are working to determine what caused a deadly crash Thursday morning at Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport after a small plane burst into flames shortly after takeoff.

The sole passenger of the single-propeller aircraft was killed about 11:15 a.m. at the airport near East 96th Street and Allisonville Road, authorities said. The pilot has not been identified.

Preliminary information indicates that the plane, a Van's RV-12, crashed under unknown circumstances and caught fire shortly after departing the airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said.

Molinaro said damage to the plane was "substantial."

Hamilton County Coroner John Chalfin said he was informed before receiving the body that the man had trauma to his upper body and face and that his legs were charred by fire.

Authorities did not have any preliminary identification, so Chaflin said he would try to determine who the pilot was by any identifying scars or other marks.

Jay Nolan, a barista at Starbucks on East 96th Street, said she had a clear view of the plane crash through the coffee shop's large windows. Whether the plane was returning to the airfield immediately after takeoff was unclear.

"It just looked like he came in fast and low then exploded," Nolan said.

Grant Kirsh, an Indianapolis lawyer who takes flight lessons about three times a week at Metropolitan, said an official at the airport told him the pilot was not one of the 150 airplane owners based there.

“It was someone new to the airport,” said Kirsh, whose father, Steve Kirsh, flies at Metropolitan one to three times a week.

Kirsh said he was told the plane overran the runway and crashed when the plane left the landing strip. He said he drove by the airport and saw the damaged tail of the aircraft in the grass 200 feet past the end of the runway.

“It’s really hard to overrun; usually you need only half the runaway,” Kirsh said. “It would appear something else was going on for that to happen.”

He said the airport is very safe and he could not remember another accident there.

“It’s very well-maintained, top-notch, and I see airport authority officials there all the time inspecting it,” Kirsh said.

The 445-acre airport, surrounded on most sides by suburban development, has a 3,850-foot-long runway. The airport accommodates about 24,000 flights per year, said Stephanie McFarland, spokeswoman for the Indianapolis International Airport, which owns the Fishers airport. About 150 small planes are based there.

McFarland said Metropolitan will be closed pending a National Transportation Safety Board investigation. She declined to provide any further details on the crash.

A final determination on a plane crash can take up to 18 months, NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway said. A preliminary report is usually available in a week to 10 days.
The Van's RV-12 is a two-seat, all-metal plane that reaches a top speed of 135 mph, according to the manufacturer's website.
===========================



FISHERS, Ind. (WTHR) - One person died when a small plane crashed at Indianapolis Metro Airport Thursday morning.

Norman Levine, 78, was the only person on board at the time of the crash. It happened on the east end of the airport near 96th St. & I-69.

Fishers Police spokesman Sgt. Tom Weger said the Federal Aviation Administration and State Police are responding, per FAA protocol.

The NTSB is headed to the scene and the Metro Airport will remain closed for the investigation.

The FAA identified the plane as a Van's RV-12 small aircraft. The FAA says the plane was in the process of departing the Metropolitian Airport.

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



UPDATE: 78-year-old Carmel man identified as pilot killed in Fishers plane crash
  September 1, 2017





Photo from scene on August 31, 2017


FISHERS, Ind. – The Hamilton County Coroner‘s Office has identified the pilot killed in a plane crash in Fishers on Thursday.

Coroner John Chalfin says 78-year-old Norman Levine was piloting the plane yesterday that went down at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport. His driver’s license says he is from Florida, but he lived in Carmel, according to Chalfin.

An autopsy will be conducted today to determine his cause of death. The autopsy may also show whether there was a medical factor that contributed to the plane going down.

The FAA and the NTSB are continuing their investigation to see if there were any mechanical problems with the aircraft.

The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, located at at 9913 Willow View Road in Fishers, near East 96th Street and Allisonville Road.

According to the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the single-engine aircraft was approaching from the south to make a landing. It went down in a grassy area south of the runway. There was a fire, but it was extinguished.

The airport, which accommodates about 24,000 flights per year, was closed all afternoon as crews investigated the scene. It reopened around 9 p.m. on Thursday.





Date: 31-AUG-2017
Time: 11:15
Type:
Van's RV-12
Owner/operator: Private
Registration: N212ZF
C/n / msn: 120136
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Category: Accident
Location: Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (KUMP), Fishers, IN - United States of America
Phase: Take off
Nature: Unknown
Departure airport: Indianapolis Metro (KUMP)
Destination airport:

Investigating agency: NTSB
Narrative:
The experimental aircraft impacted airport terrain shortly after takeoff from Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (KUMP), Fishers, Indiana. The airplane was partially consumed by the post-impact fire and the sole pilot onboard was fatally injured.

Sources:
http://www.10tv.com/article/1-killed-after-small-plane-crashes-indianapolis-metropolitan-airport
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/fox59/2017/08/31/small-plane-crashes-fishers-airport/620491001/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

N212ZF - 2011 VANS AIRCRAFT INC RV-12

Aircraft Information

Manufacturer	VANS AIRCRAFT INC
Model	RV-12
Year Built	2011
Manufacturer's Serial Number	120136
Aircraft Type	Fixed wing single engine
Category	Land
Builder Certification	Light Sport
Number of Seats	2 seats
Weight Class	CLASS 1 (Up to 12,499 pounds gross take off weight)
Engine Manufacturer	ROTAX
Engine Model	912ULS
Engine Type	4 Cycle
Number of Engines	1 engine
Horsepower	100 hp (75 kW)

Registration Information

Type of Registrant	Individual
Owner Name	LEVINE NORMAN B
Street	131 SHOSHONE DR
City	CARMEL
State	IN
Zip Code	46032-2625
Region	Great Lakes
County	Hamilton County
Country	US
Fractional Ownership	No
Airworthiness Date	2011-05-13
Certificate Issue Date	2015-07-20
Last Action Date	2015-07-20
Expiration Date	2018-07-31
Status	Valid Registration
Mode S Code	50341465
Mode S Code Hex	A1C335

 ==================

RV–12 General Information

It's a two-seat all-metal side-by-side airplane with a large cabin that seats the occupants ahead of the wing spar for maximum room and superb visibility. There are several features that make it a unique RV: The RV-12 meets the certification standards of the Light Sport Aircraft category and the RV-12 is eligible to be licensed as a LSA: E-LSA for aircraft built from one of our kits or S-LSA for the factory built model. (You can find information on the Factory Build RV-12 at flyrv12.com). Extensive and thorough testing has demonstrated compliance with LSA performance and structural requirements. It is what we say it is and does what we say it does, and we have the test data to prove it! Extensive testing means the RV-12 is not the first LSA kit on the market, but it might be the best understood. The wings are quickly and easily removable. Using methods proven over decades in high-performance sailplanes, two people can have the wings off an RV-12 in less than five minutes, making the airplane easy to transport on a trailer and keep off-airport. It is powered by a Rotax 912ULS 100 hp engine. This rugged little engine hasn't become the world-wide standard in light sport aircraft by accident. Extended real world experience has shown it to be durable, reliable, and economical. It can use either unleaded autogas or 100LL. The RV-12 is equipped with a new ground-adjustable Sensenich composite propeller — light, smooth and affordable. The low empty weight allows a generous useful load — two 210 lb people, 20 gallons of fuel and 50 lbs of baggage — something rare in the Light Sport Category. How long will it take to build an RV-12? We estimate the average builder will spend about 700-900 hours to complete an un-painted RV-12. How can an RV-12 be licensed? The RV-12 was designed to the ASTM standards governing Light Sport Aircraft category and intended to be licensed in the Experimental Light Sport (E-LSA) category. In July, 2009, Van's Aircraft received Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-SLA) approval for the RV-12 prototype, paving the way for individuals to receive E-LSA certification. Although the E-LSA category does not permit builders to alter the design (no unapproved engines, propellers, avionics, etc. are allowed) it does have some attractive features. In the E-LSA category, there is no "51%" rule, and no restriction on who may assist in building the airplane. This allows any amount of assistance or even a fully professionally-built airplane. The FAA has evaluated the RV-12 kit and found it eligible for registration in the Experimental-Amateur Built (EAB) category. While EAB rules do allow builders to make changes, it is difficult to over-emphasize the difficulties, complications and increased building time that will occur if builders choose to alter any part of the very integrated RV-12 kit. Van's is not able to provide assistance or advice on any deviations from the supplied parts and assembly instructions. Can Accessories like Lights, or Wheel Fairing be installed? Yes. Van’s has developed and released several optional packages. An RV-12 equipped with any or all of them is eligible for licensing in the E-LSA category: A lighting package includes strobes, position lights and a landing light with steady or pulse option.  A two-axis autopilot.  A complete set of wheel fairings that protect the wings and tail while adding a couple of knots. A complete interior package with carpets, sidewall covers etc. Several color combinations are available.

THE ARKEMA ANATHEMA: OSHA cited King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based Arkema Inc.’s Crosby, Texas, facility for 10 serious safety violations

A Harris County, Texas, chemical facility that flooded due to Tropical Storm Harvey and experienced two explosions has a history of workplace safety violations.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based Arkema Inc.’s Crosby, Texas, facility for 10 serious safety violations — nine of which were related to OSHA’s standard for process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals — after opening an inspection in August 2016. The agency initially proposed penalties totaling $107,918 — an amount reduced to $91,724 in February after an informal settlement conference and company abatement activities, according to agency documents.

It is premature to speculate if any of the identified hazards in this inspection contributed to the explosion, according to OSHA.

Arkema President and CEO Rich Rowe apologized during a Friday press conference to everyone affected by the situation at the Crosby plant, including employees who stayed on-site until ordered to leave the facility by emergency responders establishing an evacuation zone within a 1.5-mile radius from the plant. Employees had shut down all operations on Aug. 25 prior to the hurricane’s landfall; a small “ride-out” crew was left on-site to address situations arising during the storm, but they were evacuated this Tuesday for their safety, according to the company.

“I’ve heard it said that Arkema abandoned the plant, but I know we did not do that,” he said to the company’s employees. “You did everything in your power to safely secure the site, and you left when you were ordered to leave both for your safety and the safety of our emergency responders.”

During the question-and-answer session, the Arkema CEO was asked about a long history of safety violations at the plant, some of which the company has previously denied.

“We don’t have a perfect record,” he said. “We understand that. We strive to get better at every turn and will continue to do so, and we hope that through how we handle experiences and matters like this that the perception of the community will only get better. The performance of the plant from a safety perspective has certainly improved. We are open. We’re transparent. When we have audits from regulatory authorities, we deal with the issues that are raised.”

Separately, OSHA previously cited Arkema’s Houston facility for 12 serious, one repeat and one other-than-serious violations for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards while producing organic chemicals. That facility faced proposed penalties totaling $117,100, according to an OSHA press release dated July 11, 2012. However, three serious citations were deleted and the total fines reduced to $76,370 after adjustment by OSHA’s national office and review by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Arkema has also been cited for safety violations at its facilities in other states. For example, a 2012 inspection at its Lemont, Illinois, facility resulted in nine violations and $16,588 in penalties — an amount lowered after an informal settlement conference from the $46,750 initially assessed.

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

 

It’s one of those stories we know all too well. A company prone to spreading environmental hazards also spreads cash to politicians and gets cited and modestly fined for violating protective rules it has fought to keep from being imposed. The piddly fines don’t deter it from keeping on doing what it was doing, and along comes a disaster that “nobody could have foreseen.” And we now have in place, in Washington, D.C., and Texas, government officials who seek to make life even easier for such companies.

In this instance, it’s Arkema, a global giant operating in 50 countries manufacturing a wide array of industrial chemicals. The company has six production plants in Texas, including one in Crosby, about 25 miles northeast of Houston. Flooding as a result of Hurricane Harvey compromised the plant, causing two explosions Wednesday, and fires from chemical interactions sent smoke high above the facility on Thursday. The company has reported that fires are now out. But more could start. Even if they don’t, it’s likely not the end of troubles there. A second container of chemicals ruptured at the site late Thursday.

Despite worries about toxic emissions from those fires, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that it has detected none. Officially then, there’s no reason for concern that the situation will cause harm to people in the area. Believe that if you wish. 

Who are those people? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 1,278 households exist within a five-mile radius of the plant, 909 of whom are below the poverty line. The EPA estimates that about 4,000 people live within five miles of the plant. Expendables in the view of too many of the powers-that-be. 

Arkema, however, has gotten better treatment than those expendables could ever expect. That includes $8.7 million in subsidies from the state’s taxpayers. And for 10 violations earlier this year—eight of them serious—the federal government fined it $90,000. In 2016, the company earned a record profit of $1.4 billion from its worldwide operations. 

The International Business Times reports:

While Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has given chemical companies legal cover to hide the locations of their EPA-regulated chemicals, the Associated Press reports that the imperiled Arkema facility houses large amounts of toxic sulfur dioxide and flammable methylpropen, which required Arkema to submit a risk management plan to the agency—and which would have subjected the company to the strengthened safety rules.

However, those rules—which would have taken effect on March 14—were blocked by EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, who as Oklahoma Attorney General demanded the rule be withdrawn. The move was a big win for the chemical industry that has spent more than $100 million supporting federal lawmakers since 2008. Among those who have received more than $100,000 from the industry are powerful Texas lawmakers including Sen. John Cornyn (R), Rep. Joe Barton (R), Rep. Pete Olson (R), Rep. Gene Green (D), Rep. Pete Sessions (R) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R).

That’s about $100,000+ to six members of the Senate and House, and $90,000 for 10 violations of the rules that could actually kill people.

Kelly Weill and Stephen Paulsen at the Daily Beast provided some more detail of those violations. The company claimed it had done everything it could to prevent the fires. But:

[P]eople living within a 1.5-mile mandatory evacuation zone didn’t know what chemicals were stored at the plant, thanks to a 2014 decision by then-Attorney General Greg Abbott, which classified once-public reports on hazardous chemicals. Abbott is now governor.

Arkema and its Crosby facility have racked up over a dozen violations and “informal enforcement actions” over safety and environmental problems over the past five years, according to records from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The latest OSHA case closed in May 2017 and cost Arkema an initial penalty of more than $100,000. Eight of the ten violations fall under the category of “process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals,” meaning Arkema was breaking rules meant to prevent the “catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals,” according to the OSHA appendix of regulations.

Meanwhile, the insane-bozo Trump regime would like to completely eliminate the small agency that has been sent to investigate the situation at Arkema—the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. 

With a budget of $11 million and 40 staffers, the independent agency has run more than 130 investigations in its nearly two decades in existence. One of those took it to the Gulf of Mexico for the Deepwater Horizon disaster:

It comes in to determine what happened after accidents and disasters — much like the National Transportation Safety Board, said Elgie Holstein, senior director for strategic planning with the Environmental Defense Fund.

“Would we ever do away with that group that looks at aircraft accidents after they’ve occurred, or train accidents after they’ve occurred, the NTSB?” asked Holstein. “No. So why would we be getting rid of the Chemical Safety Board, which does the same thing?”

Sadly, the why is all too obvious.


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



Explosion at Arkema chemical plant hit by Harvey


Published: Aug 31, 2017


DanMolinski


Industrial chemical manufacturer Arkema said Wednesday it has "no way to prevent" a potentially large explosion and fire at its facility near Houston, after flooding due to Tropical Storm Harvey.

The Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, some 25 miles northeast of Houston, was evacuated late Tuesday. Working with authorities, the company also urged everyone within a mile and a half of the plant to evacuate, and shut down a stretch of Highway 90 that runs alongside the plant, which produces organic peroxides for things like acrylic-based paint.

"We have an unprecedented 6 feet of water throughout the plant," Arkema's North American operations Chief Executive Rich Rowe said in a teleconference Wednesday with reporters.

Mr. Rowe said that the plant lost primary power and two emergency backup power sources, which led to a shutdown of "critical refrigeration needed for our materials." He said that means those materials "could now explode and cause a subsequent and intense fire," and added that "the high water that exists on site, and the lack of power, leave us with no way to prevent it."

Mr. Rowe said about 300 people in all have been evacuated, but said it wasn't a mandatory evacuation, so he's not certain whether the 1.5-mile radius around the facility is currently devoid of people. He said it is mostly a rural area, so there are "a limited number of homes" within the area.

Mr. Rowe said local officials told him the water level in the area could actually continue to rise over the course of the next three to six days, and as such Arkema, which is based in France, believes the chemicals will start to degrade well before that happens.


"And once the chemicals begin to degrade we would be in a situation where we could be looking at a fire and/or an explosion," he said. As soon as the chemicals begin to degrade they start to "self-accelerate" in a type of no-turning-back mode, he added.

Mr. Rowe didn't get specific about the amount of chemicals on site or just how big the blast might be, except to say that the analysis of the quantity of chemical is what led authorities to decide on the 1.5-mile evacuation zone they deemed appropriate.

He said assuming there is an explosion or large fire, the company feels any sustained environmental impact should be "minimal," noting the possible incident would probably be largely confined to the Arkema site itself.

A reporter during the press conference asked Mr. Rowe to comment on Arkema being cited by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration in August 2016 for its handling of material.

"What we did after the OSHA audit and the conclusion of that audit was we invested several million dollars in the site, we shut the site down, we had OSHA officials come and visit the site," he said. "We addressed all the issues that came from that audit in -- I think -- an effective manner."

Write to Dan Molinski at Dan.Molinski@wsj.com

Industrial chemical manufacturer Arkema said early Thursday it has been notified about two explosions and black smoke coming from its plant in Crosby, Texas. The company said it is working closely with federal, state and local authorities to manage the situation, according to a statement on its website

On Wednesday, the company had said it has "no way to prevent" a potentially large explosion and fire at its facility near Houston, after flooding due to Tropical Storm Harvey.

The Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, some 25 miles northeast of Houston, was evacuated late Tuesday. Working with authorities, the company also urged everyone within a mile and a half of the plant to evacuate, and shut down a stretch of Highway 90 that runs alongside the plant, which produces organic peroxides for things like acrylic-based paint.

"We have an unprecedented 6 feet of water throughout the plant," Arkema's North American operations Chief Executive Rich Rowe said in a teleconference Wednesday with reporters.

Mr. Rowe said that the plant lost primary power and two emergency backup power sources, which led to a shutdown of "critical refrigeration needed for our materials." He said that means those materials "could now explode and cause a subsequent and intense fire," and added that "the high water that exists on site, and the lack of power, leave us with no way to prevent it."

Mr. Rowe said about 300 people in all have been evacuated, but said it wasn't a mandatory evacuation, so he's not certain whether the 1.5-mile radius around the facility is currently devoid of people. He said it is mostly a rural area, so there are "a limited number of homes" within the area.

Mr. Rowe said local officials told him the water level in the area could actually continue to rise over the course of the next three to six days, and as such Arkema, which is based in France, believes the chemicals will start to degrade well before that happens.

"And once the chemicals begin to degrade we would be in a situation where we could be looking at a fire and/or an explosion," he said. As soon as the chemicals begin to degrade they start to "self-accelerate" in a type of no-turning-back mode, he added.

Mr. Rowe didn't get specific about the amount of chemicals on site or just how big the blast might be, except to say that the analysis of the quantity of chemical is what led authorities to decide on the 1.5-mile evacuation zone they deemed appropriate.

He said assuming there is an explosion or large fire, the company feels any sustained environmental impact should be "minimal," noting the possible incident would probably be largely confined to the Arkema site itself.

A reporter during the press conference asked Mr. Rowe to comment on Arkema being cited by the Occupation Safety and Health Administration in August 2016 for its handling of material.

"What we did after the OSHA audit and the conclusion of that audit was we invested several million dollars in the site, we shut the site down, we had OSHA officials come and visit the site," he said. "We addressed all the issues that came from that audit in -- I think -- an effective manner."

A man and a woman on unregistered motorcycle die in a fiery collision after they collide with a box truck in Jersey City, NJ

A man and woman died in a fiery collision between a box truck and an unregistered motorcycle in New Jersey early Friday, officials say.

The horrific crash that happened around 2:30 a.m. in Jersey City on Route 440 sounded like an "explosion" before flames suddenly erupted in the area of Culver Avenue, a witness told NBC 4 New York.

The witness, a security guard from a nearby car lot, said he heard the motorcycle go by him, but that it wasn’t traveling at a high rate of speed. He said he remembers a man and a woman riding on the bike, with at least one of them wearing a helmet. Police have not confirmed the witness' report.

He said he didn’t hear any brakes screeching or anything to indicate a sudden stop.

The identities of the two people killed have not been made public. The dead woman was 27 years old.

The stretch of route 440 was closed for several hours following the crash, but the northbound lanes had reopened around 5 a.m. The southbound lanes reopened at 6:30 a.m.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is in charge of the investigation.


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





Friday, September 01, 2017 07:00AM
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- Two people were killed in a fiery motorcycle crash early Friday in Jersey City.

The victims appear to have been on a motorcycle that collided with a truck on Route 440 just after 2:30 a.m.

They were pronounced dead at the scene.

There is no word on the condition of the person driving the truck.

The crash was in the southbound lanes of Route 440, but northbound lanes were also closed for the investigation.

Both have since re-opened.

The names of the victims have not yet been released.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.



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



JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two people are dead after a fiery crash involving a motorcycle and box truck early Friday morning in Jersey City.

The two vehicles collided at Route 440 and Culver Avenue around 2:30 a.m., according to witnesses.

The motorcycle caught fire and two bodies were seen on the roadway after the crash, a local security guard said.

Investigators have not commented on the crash or what may have caused it.

Southbound Route 440 was closed at Communipaw Avenue during the investigation.

The scene was cleared and the road reopened by 6:30 a.m.

Juan Marquez, 43, charged with vehicular homicide after pulling in front of a moving tractor-trailer on I-85 South in Coweta County causing an SUV driven by Jessica Jose to crash into the truck, killing her

Juan Marquez (Credit: Coweta County Sheriff's Office) 

 
A man has been charged with vehicular homicide after pulling in front of a moving tractor-trailer on I-85 South in Coweta County Tuesday afternoon — a decision that ultimately led to the death of a mother of five, the Georgia State Patrol said.

According to reports, a rock cracked Juan Marquez’s windshield, and he thought the rock came from the truck.


Marquez, 43, of Atlanta, stopped his vehicle in the interstate “to consult with the driver of a semi-truck,” GSP spokeswoman Tracey Watson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

That, Watson said, caused the tractor-trailer to stop on the interstate and the SUV behind it to slam into the truck. The driver of the SUV, Jessica Jose, 32, of Grantville, died on the scene.


Marquez and the truck driver were not injured.


Marquez is being held in the Coweta County jail without bond. He is charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, aggressive driving, reckless driving, improper slowing or stopping on a roadway, and violating a law that says a pedestrian must walk on a sidewalk or shoulder of a roadway, Watson said.


Before the deadly crash, Jose had set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for one of her children, a 2-year-old boy who broke a bone in his leg and required full-time care and assistance.


“I can't leave his side so I have been out of work since this accident,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. “I am seeking help for everyday living expense, copayments and physical therapy (until) I'm able to return (to) work.”


Since her death, another GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for Jose’s children.

Seguin Fire Department's Engine 1 was damaged when a tree fell due to the high winds onto the cab of the fire engine, disabling the truck during Hurricane Harvey

Seguin firefighters responding to a call during Hurricane Harvey found themselves needing a little help.

After responding to a call on Timber Elm in the Elm Grove area, a tree fell due to the high winds onto the cab of the fire engine, disabling the truck.

While no injuries were reported, Seguin Fire Chief Dale Skinner said it served as a stark reminder of what can happen in high wind situations.

“It could have been very tragic for us — the tree’s trunk was merely inches from the head of the driver of the truck,” he said. “It is very unfortunate that we lost the fire truck, but it could have been worse. When that tree blew down we were over that 45 mile an hour sustained wind.”

In a pre-hurricane planning meeting on Thursday, local officials put in place a procedure for first responders and high wind speeds.

“In making preparations for the storm, the police department, the fire department, public works and utilities department all agreed that we did not want to put our responders at an undue risk,” Skinner said. “Seguin Police Chief Kevin Kelso said the area he came from had a history of response during hurricane events and the standard was to not respond with sustained winds of 45 miles an hour or greater. I know personally the fire chief in Galveston, and in some other coastal cities, they implement that exact same policy.”

The reason is simple — safety, Skinner said.

“If a responder gets involved in an accident, then we can’t meet the needs of the community,” he said. “The policy was put into place for the safety and security of our personnel and the safety and security of the public so we are able to continue our response. What people many not understand is that fire trucks and ambulances have a very high profile and it would not take much wind to blow it over. You hear all of the time semi-trucks getting blown over during wind events.”

According to the National Weather Service, sustained wind is “a wind speed determined by averaging observed values over a two-minute period.”

“A sustained wind of 45 miles an hour means that it is not dropping below that and, during that time, you can have gust of up to 60 miles an hour,” Skinner said.

During the storm, officials constantly monitored the wind speed in Seguin, but it wasn’t until both the engine and a medic unit were already out responding to calls, when the wind speed increased to more than 45 MPH, Skinner said.

“I believe we registered a maximum of 50 miles an hour,” he said. “They were out before the winds picked up. Unfortunately, we did have the tree fall on the fire truck as they were returning to the station after helping the resident.”

The call to suspend response due to high winds was short lived and no area residents were denied service, Skinner said.

“I believe that was only for a 20 minute period, during which time we did not receive any requests for assistance,” he said. “I do want to point out there was not a delay in any response due to our policy.”

Once the truck was freed from underneath the tree, it was taken to the city’s utilities facility, and the crew went back to work.

“They went back to the station, dried off and continued to do their jobs,” Skinner said. “They didn’t miss a beat.”

State fire investigators failed to pinpoint a cause of the three-alarm fire aboard the 65-foot Best Revenge 5 catamaran docked in Falmouth Inner Harbor in Mass.

State Investigators Fail To Find Cause Of Fire On Catamaran

By DERRICK PERKINS
August 29, 2017



Falmouth Inner Harbor, Mass.
 
State investigators failed to pinpoint a cause of the three-alarm fire aboard a catamaran docked in Falmouth Inner Harbor in July, but deemed it likely accidental.


Firefighters responded to the blaze about 1:43 AM on July 11, treating one crew member of Best Revenge 5 for serious burn injuries. Six area fire departments pitched in during the hours-long struggle to contain the conflagration.


The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services took the lead in the investigation following the blaze. Spokesman Jennifer Mieth said investigators concluded the fire began inside the 65-foot vessel, which was tied up at MacDougalls’ Cape Cod Marine Services, Inc.


Authorities said a lightning strike several weeks earlier may have played a role, damaging the ship’s electrical or mechanical systems.


Officials estimate the fire caused $2 million in damages.


Town hall has filed an insurance claim for $33,456.33 in damages to Falmouth’s shellfish program. Marine and environmental services personnel moved about 1 million juvenile shellfish out of upwellers in the harbor after the catamaran began leaking diesel fuel.


Town officials estimate the incident left 150,000 shellfish, worth roughly $28,500, dead.





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


Falmouth Inner Harbor, Mass.

State investigators are focusing their investigation into a three-alarm fire July 11 aboard a catamaran docked in Falmouth on potential accidental causes.


There is no timeline for when the investigation into the blaze, which left a crew member injured, will be concluded, said Jennifer Mieth, spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Specially-trained troopers with the Massachusetts State Police are leading the probe, she said.


The blaze aboard the 65-foot catamaran, named Best Revenge 5, docked at MacDougalls’ Cape Cod Marine Services, Inc., began about 1:45 AM. It posed a significant challenge to firefighters while stretching Falmouth’s emergency responders thin, Deputy Fire Chief Timothy R. Smith said.


The immediate challenges were treating the injured crew member and determining how to get firefighting equipment down the narrow pier and close to the burning ship, he said. Early responders quickly realized that two motorized vessels docked adjacent to the catamaran also were in danger of catching fire. Manpower and resources were diverted to keep those vessels from catching fire, which could have started a domino effect, Deputy Chief Smith said.


Then there was the fiberglass that made up much of the catamaran. The material burns hot and spews noxious smoke, forcing firefighters to wear self-contained breathing apparatus while working to control the fire. Adding to the complexities was the presence of “trip hazards” on the pier, said Deputy Chief Smith, and the potential to fall into the seawater on either side.


“On and off during the fire your vision is obscured because of the intense smoke, and the other thing is they’re wearing heavy gear … and there’s equipment and hose lines scattered all over the place,” he said. “Nobody fell in. That was, obviously, a positive thing that we didn’t have any problems trying to work there. Everybody was very cognizant of the surroundings.”


Firefighters had the blaze under control after about 90 minutes, officials said. To do so, Falmouth’s first responders required mutual aid from fire departments across the region, including Joint Base Cape Cod. The harbormaster’s office and US Coast Guard also responded to the fire.


Deputy Chief Smith did not have an official estimate for the damages but said it likely numbered in the millions of dollars. The catamaran was worth a significant amount, he said, and the fire also marred the two nearby ships and pier.


The injured crew member initially went to Falmouth Hospital and later was airlifted to a Boston medical facility. Deputy Chief Smith said two people were aboard the catamaran when the fire began and escaped using separate routes. The other crew member came ashore uninjured, he said.


A Pocasset woman, listed as Kelly Andresen, set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the two victims. According to the website, the female victim suffered second and third-degree burns. The two lost most of their possessions in the fire, Ms. Andresen wrote.


As of Friday afternoon, the page had raised $32,670 of its $35,000 goal.



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FALMOUTH, Mass. (CBS) – One woman was rushed to the hospital early Tuesday morning after a huge fire destroyed a boat in a Falmouth marina.

Flames broke out on the 65-foot catamaran in MacDougalls’ Boatyard around 1:45 a.m. and quickly consumed the vessel, causing the mast to collapse into the water.

Gayle Kiley witnessed the fire.

“Directly outside of the window was just a giant mass of flames,” she recalled. “Watching that mast go down, that was the loudest part.”


The 65-foot catamaran was destroyed in the fire. (Image credit: Gayle Kiley)

There were two members of the crew at the scene when firefighters arrived. A woman was flown to a Boston hospital suffering from burns. At last check, she is in stable condition.

The other person was not hurt. It’s not clear yet if they were living on the boat.


“The crew was able to make it off of the boat with one member being treated and currently in stable condition. This is a tragic accident and we stand with the crew and support staff as they continue to work tirelessly to contain and repair the damage,” MacDougalls’ said in a statement.


The 65-foot catamaran was destroyed in the fire. (Image credit: David Curran – SatelliteNewsService.com)

Falmouth Deputy Fire Chief Michael Small said there were 350 gallons of fuel on board and it is now leaking into the harbor.

“We can actually see the diesel fuel bubbling out of it,” Small told reporters.

Absorbent pads were placed in the water the help soak up some of the fuel.


The 65-foot catamaran was destroyed in the fire. (Photo credit: David Curran – SatelliteNewsService.com)

Small added that it would take a great deal of time to remove the boat. While crews worked on it for hours, he said officials didn’t believe they would be finished on Tuesday.

There was no major damage to any other boats in the area.


The 65-foot catamaran was destroyed in the fire. (WBZ-TV)

There’s no word yet on what caused the fire.

Anyone headed to the marina Tuesday is asked to check into the office before going out on their boat. The Department of Environmental Protection also requested anyone planning to wash their boat to not use soap.

Off-roading vehicle caused the massive Deer Park Fire in the Menan Butte area of Idaho

MENAN, ID — The Deer Park Fire started at approximately 12:30 p.m. August 25 when a vehicle caught fire and spread to consume 17,588 acres. Multiple agencies assisted in firefighting efforts, which included structure protection and evacuations.

The fire was caused by an individual off roading on the lava fields north of Deer Park and west of Menan Butte. While off roading the vehicle high centered and caught fire igniting the vegetation around it.

The BLM asks the public to use existing roads and trails while recreating on public lands. Cross country travel is restricted.

There have been multiple human caused fires this year in the Menan Butte area. The BLM asks the public to keep fire prevention in mind; realizing that shooting can spark a fire, campfires can escape, and driving vehicles off roads or with dragging metal can ignite a wildfire.

$28 billion out-of-pocket for Harvey-inflicted repairs, as eight out of ten homeowners with flood damage from Harvey don’t have insurance that will cover their claims

When the flood waters left behind by Hurricane Harvey eventually recede, they will leave behind billions of dollars in property damage. However, a large majority of homeowners will likely have to spend their own money to make their homes livable again.


The Consumer Federation of America estimates that — because of the limited availability of flood insurance and damage limitations placed on most homeowners’ policies — eight out of ten homeowners with flood damage from Harvey don’t have insurance that will cover their claims.

Robert Hunter, CFA’s Director of Insurance and former Texas Insurance Commissioner and Federal Insurance Administrator, tells the Associated Press that the lack of insurance could result in Texas homeowners paying as much as $28 billion out-of-pocket for Harvey-inflicted repairs.

Limitations On Coverage

The CFA notes that insurance companies have gradually increased the deductibles associated with hurricane coverage while generally limiting the types of damage they will pay to repair in the wake of a natural disaster.

Most homeowner insurance policies only cover wind damage, not flood damage. In fact, to repair water damage, most homeowners insurance policies require that the damage be the result of water entering the home through a window that is blown out from wind.

Flood Insurance

For actual flood insurance, individuals must purchase coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. This insurance is generally only available to — and is frequently required of — homeowners with federally backed mortgages livings in areas vulnerable to flooding.

The AP notes that while there are around 1.2 million properties in Houston deemed to be at moderate to high risk for flooding, these buildings are not situated in designated flood zones where the flood insurance is required.
According to a Washington Post analysis of Federal Emergency Management Agency data, only 17% of homeowners in the counties most affected by Harvey have flood insurance.

Still, CFA estimates that insurance companies will pay about $7 billion for more than 150,000 anticipated flood and wind damage claims submitted after the storm.

However, the agency cautions that claims, insurance payments, and out-of-pocket costs could increase depending on how much rainfall occurs in certain areas of Houston.

If You Don’t Have Insurance

While the wind damage to properties in Texas was significant during Harvey, the 12-50 inches of rain that have fallen in the area so far may prove even more damaging.

Hunter tells the AP that homeowners without flood insurance could try to apply for federal disaster relief benefits.

However, these benefits aren’t the same as insurance coverage. Instead, they are similar to low-interest loans, that must be repaid.

For those who don’t have federal flood insurance, advocates urge them to contact their homeowners’ insurance company anyway.

“Don’t assume you won’t [receive money from an insurer] if you don’t see problems with the naked eye,” Kristin Sullivan, a financial planner, tells MarketWatch.

Filing A Claim

Consumers suffering home damage as a result of Hurricane Harvey are urged to contact their insurance companies as soon as possible.

CFA notes that while the federal government underwrites flood insurance coverage, actual insurance companies service claims.

As a result, homeowners should follow the same procedures as they would with a traditional claim.

CFA offers several tips for individuals filing, including to keep clear records of the damage and their interactions with the insurance company.

“Because so many consumers experienced severe claims problems in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, we urge homeowners dealing with losses caused by Hurricane Harvey to be vigilant with their insurance companies, including the insurers settling National Flood Insurance claims, to ensure that they receive a full and fair settlement,” Hunter said in a statement.