10 people died, 8 missing after the Ferry KM FUNGKA PERMATA V caught fire and sank south of Banggai Island, east of Central Sulawesi, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Ferry fire, 10 dead 8 missing, Indonesia

Posted in Accidents by Mikhail Voytenko on Sept. 15, 2018 at 07:00.
 

Ferry KM FUNGKA PERMATA V on Sep 14 caught fire, burned out and sank in position 02 00S 123 22E south of Banggai island, east of Central Sulawesi, Banda sea, while en route from Baubau, southeast Sulawesi, to North Maluku island. 126 people including 11 crew were rescued, at least 10 died, 8 still missing. 

There’s a confusion as to total number of people on board – it is said, that there were 146 passengers and 12 crew, but only 91 passengers are listed in manifest. 

No data found on KM FUNGKA PERMATA V, ferry isn’t recorded in known international databases. From the looks of her, she was a wooden ship with ro-ro capacity.
FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

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Indonesian ferry with 147 on board catches fire, 10 killed
KYODO NEWS

Ten people were killed and 11 others are missing after a passenger ferry with 147 people on board caught fire Friday and sank in central Indonesia, a government official said Saturday.

The Fungka Permata V was on its way from the port of Bau-Bau in Southeast Sulawesi Province to the port of Sanana in North Maluku Province, about 520 kilometers away, when it caught fire in waters off Central Sulawesi Province's Banggai Regency, Gus Rional, spokesman at the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, said. It sank at 4:45 p.m.

Rescuers only reached the site at 7:30 p.m. due to high waves and rescued 126 passengers, the spokesman said.

The cause of the incident was not known.

The T-6 Texan II trainer fleet has been plagued by a series of hypoxia- or hypoxia-like events that resulted in several groundings and precautionary measures over the past year

  A T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft flies out of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The Air Force announced Thursday that it has found the cause of the hypoxia-like events plaguing the aircraft. (Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen/Air Force)

T-6 hypoxia problem solved, Air Force announces

By: Stephen Losey  Air Force Today.com

The rash of hypoxia-like problems in the Air Force’s fleet of T-6 Texan II trainers was primarily caused by fluctuating concentrations of oxygen in the cockpit, the service said Thursday.

Air Education and Training Command said in a release that the Air Force will start putting a series of fixes in place to correct the problems. These fixes will include redesigning the oxygen system in the T-6, adjusting oxygen levels in flight, and increasing maintenance on the On-Board Oxygen Generating System, or OBOGS.


A six-month study conducted by AETC and Air Force Materiel Command, uncovered the problem with varying oxygen concentration levels, which AETC described as the “major factor in unexplained physiological events” affecting T-6 pilots, AETC said. Experts from the Navy and NASA also assisted with the study.

“So far, technical efforts to date and analysis of data collected have determined that pilots have been exposed to significantly changing levels of oxygen concentration,” AETC Commander Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast said in the release. “The varying levels of oxygen concentration, even though in excess of what the body typically needs, has caused physiological stress that most pilots, on most days, actually adapt to without noticing.”

While most pilots may adapt, some develop symptoms similar to hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, or hypocapnia, a lack of carbon dioxide, as a result, AETC said. This can cause problems such as shortness of breath, dizziness or disorientation in pilots, and even cause them to lose consciousness.

In a July 23 interview with Air Force Times, Kwast said that fluctuating oxygen proportions in the air was one issue the board had discovered, though he stressed at the time it was too soon to say whether it was causing or contributing to the problem.

“So the question is, what does that do to the human body, when you have a fluctuation of oxygen?” Kwast said in July. “That’s the kind of work they’re doing as they discover something that is a little ... different than we thought.”

The T-6 fleet has been plagued by a series of hypoxia- or hypoxia-like events that resulted in several groundings and precautionary measures over the past year. Last November, the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma grounded its T-6s for nearly three weeks after five pilots reported hypoxia-like symptoms during four flights.

In January, the 19th Air Force suspended all solo flights in T-6s, and authorized pilots to fly with their masks down to breath cockpit air in an attempt to lessen the risks of hypoxia-related problems. The following month, Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, the 19th Air Force commander, grounded the entire T-6 fleet for about a month after a cluster of unexplained physiological events at three bases in the last week of January.

During that so-called “operational pause,” Materiel Command formed an independent team to work with AETC and look into the potential causes of the problem, including multiple inspections of the OBOGS system.

The inspectors found that the OBOGS filter and drain valves were failing at a much higher rate than anticipated, AETC said, and those parts were replaced when necessary.

But the fact that oxygen system components were failing more frequently than expected worried officials. At that point, the T-6 Program Office at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma ordered the systems be inspected “on a more aggressive timeline.”

The Air Force will also put new maintenance procedures in place that were learned from several Air Force and Navy bases that fly T-6s, such as purging excess moisture from the OBOGs system. This appears to keep the OBOGS operating more efficiently over time, Doherty said in the release.

In the July interview, Kwast said that moisture in the system also might be contributing to hypoxia-like problems.

AETC and AFMC’s redesign of the OBOGS system, intended to stabilize the proportion of oxygen in the air pilots breathe, will take between two and four years, the release said. In the meantime, AETC and AFMC are also working with T-6 manufacturer Beechcraft to adjust the OBOGS software algorithm to stabilize the plane’s oxygen concentrations and reduce physiological events.

Brig. Gen. Edward Vaughan, head of the newly renamed Air Force Physiological Episodes Action Team, plans to keep working with officials from the Air Force and other services to find out if the T-6 OBOGS fixes will also help with other aircraft using OBOGS, the release said.

And AETC is adding study materials on unexplained physiological events for T-6 pilots to help them learn how to identify symptoms of all such events, responses and corrective procedures.

“Since our T-6 operational pause, we have made every effort to communicate with every instructor and every student exactly what we’ve found,” Doherty said. “Transparency remains of utmost importance to use as we all work together to ensure that our pilots are safe and know the way ahead.”

In the July interview, Kwast told Air Force Times that the unexplained physiological events were continuing to happen episodically, and that investigators were looking for patterns. The 559th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph also paused flying operations for one day in June after pilots reported issues with the OBOGS.

But the groundings had an immediate and noticeable effect on the Air Force’s pilot production. In March, AETC said the service would likely graduate 10 percent fewer new pilots than originally anticipated in 2018 due to the groundings.

First Lt. Connor Bednarzyk, a 25-year-old infantry officer assigned as leader of the Distribution Platoon for Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, died in the Sept. 7 crash of a single tactical vehicle

First Lt. Connor Bednarzyk, a 25-year-old infantry officer assigned as leader of the Distribution Platoon for Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, died in the Sept. 7 crash of a single tactical vehicle (U.S. Army Photo)

Military.com 13 Sep 2018 By Matthew Cox

A platoon leader with the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, died recently in an accident involving a single tactical vehicle.

First Lt. Connor Bednarzyk, a 25-year-old infantry officer assigned as leader of the Distribution Platoon for Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, died in the Sept. 7 crash, according to a press release from U.S. Army Special Operations Command.


No further details about the accident were available, but the incident is under investigation, the release states.

"First Lieutenant Connor Bednarzyk was an amazing Ranger, leader, and friend," Lt. Col. Michael Klopper, commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, said in the release. "He was known throughout the battalion for his caring and positive attitude. He will be missed by all."

Bednarzyk, a Virginia native, completed the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course at Benning in 2015 before transferring to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colorado, in April 2016.

Bednarzyk was a graduate of Basic Airborne School, Air Assault School, Army Ranger School, and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 2 Course.

RASP 2 is the selection course for senior noncommissioned officers, officers, and warrant officers. Candidates are tested on their physical and mental capabilities while learning special tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as the expectations of leading and developing young Rangers.

Bednarzyk's awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge, the Army Parachutist Badge and the Expert Infantryman's Badge.

He was also awarded the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal.

Coast Guard has issued a safety zone temporarily closing a section of the Stockton Deepwater Channel following the report of downed power lines in the channel

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—



The Coast Guard has issued a safety zone temporarily closing a section of the Stockton Deepwater Channel following the report of downed power lines in the channel, Friday afternoon.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service personnel were notified by a tug-barge reporting that a crane on their barge struck the power lines, causing them to enter the channel.

A Coast Guard Station Rio Vista boat crew and Sector San Francisco investigators were dispatched to the scene. San Joaquin Police Department, Solano County Sheriff and PG&E personnel also responded.

The safety zone restricts all navigation in the vicinity of Blackslough Landing from aids-to-navigation lights 29 and 30 to lights 31 and 32 in the Stockton Deepwater Channel. The current safety zone will remain in effect until Sunday night, but will be lifted earlier if navigation in the area is no longer impacted.

“Safety is our top concern. We are working closely with our partner agencies and PG&E to facilitate the removal of any hazards to the waterway and reinstallation of the power lines,” said Chief Warrant Officer Mickey Price, Sector San Francisco waterways safety office. “We thank the community for their patience while we work to reopen the waterway as soon as it is safe to do so, to enable commercial and recreational transit to resume as we head into the weekend.”

DEEPWATER CHANNEL INFO

Channel Depth

35 feet (10.6 meters) – At mean lower, low water
40 feet (12.1 meters) – At average high tide

Channel Capacity

Up to Panamax-size vessels fully loaded sailing at high tide. The waterway has no width restriction and will handle 45,000 to 55,000 ton class ships fully loaded. Up to 80,000 ton class vessels can transit the channel partially loaded.

Navigation Aids

Usual channel markers and lights.

Pilotage

Pilot fee is assessed each way, subject to a (percent) surcharge on vessels over 600 feet (182 meters) but less than 625 feet (190.5 meters) in length, thereafter an additional (percent) surcharge is assessed for each increment of 25 feet (7 meters) over 625 feet (190.5 meters).
Tugs Available
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Harbor services/rates: Capt Kevin Campbell (360) 431-5142
Website: www.bruscotug.com

Port of Stockton tugboats:
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Additional tugboats from 1,000hp to 3,000hp available in the SF Bay/Delta area including the Port of Stockton, CA upon request.
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Bridges

There is a fixed span high level toll bridge across Carquinez Strait, with a minimum clearance of 134 feet (41 meters) above mean high water. The Southern Pacific Railroad lift span bridge crosses Suisun Bay 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) upstream from the Carquinez Bridge, with a minimum clearance above mean high water of 70 feet (21.3 meters) when closed and 135 feet (41.1 meters) when open. The horizontal clearance on the lift span is 291 feet (88.7 meters). A third bridge, 22 miles (35.1 kilometers) above the Southern Pacific bridge, is near Antioch. It is a fixed span bridge with a minimum clearance above mean high water of 135 feet (41.1 meters).

EXPERIMENTING WITH DEATH: two men in their 20s died in the Rochester, Washington crash, which involved an experimental single engine HXA Beelzebub Airplane with an open cockpit

ROCHESTER, Wash.
 
Two men died Friday in a plane crash in the hills above South Sound Speedway near Rochester.

West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Captain Lanette Dyer said the men were in their mid 20s to 30s and were flying an experimental home-built open cockpit plane.

Dyer said it is unclear where the plane took off from, but it was heading south when it crashed about 3 miles off Old Highway 99.

The crash was witnessed by logging company workers in the area who called 911 at about 11:30 a.m. Both men were dead by the time emergency crews reached the scene.

The men’s names were not released. Dyer said it is unclear if either man was a licensed pilot.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and investigators are en route to lead the investigation.

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Two die in Thurston County plane crash
Two men died when their experimental plane crashed on Friday in Thurston County.

Author: KING Staff


Updated: 4:10 PM PDT September 14, 2018

ROCHESTER, Wash.


Two men died when their experimental, home-built plane crashed on Friday.

The crash occurred in a logging area in the hills above the South Sound Speedway, according to West Thurston Fire.

According to Allen Kenitzer with the FAA, the aircraft was an experimental single-engine HXA Beelzebub Airplane with an open cockpit.

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ROCHESTER, Wash. - 

A small, home-built plane crashed in a wooded area in Thurston County Friday morning, killing both men on board, according to fire officials.

The plane was reported to go down in the hills above the South Sound Speedway in Rochester. Firefighters later said they found the small plane in the trees.

Officials said two men in their 20s died in the crash, which involved an experimental single engine HXA Beelzebub Airplane with an open cockpit.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate the crash.

The victims' names have not been released.

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Narrative:

The experimental single engine plane with an open cockpit crashed under unknown circumstances in a wooded area. The both occupants died. 

The aircraft has been identified by the FAA as a 'HXA Beelzebub', according to KING5.com. HXA refers to the FAA homebuilt and experimental category designator used for aircraft with cruise (indicated) airspeeds of 100 knots or less. 

The 'Beelzebub ' model does not appear as such on the FAA register.

Sources:
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/two-die-in-thurston-county-plane-crash/281-594401871?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5b9c1ddc04d3012cb09f68c3&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/2-dead-in-plane-crash-in-Thurston-County-13230595.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

HXA: http://tfmlearning.faa.gov/Publications/atpubs/ATC/AppdxC.html
Date: 14-SEP-2018
Time:

Type: Beelzebub ultralight
Owner/operator: Private
Registration:

C/n / msn:

Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: South Sound Speedway, Rochester, Thurston County, WA - United States of America
Phase:

Nature: Private
Departure airport:

Destination airport: