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Bulletin from AM Costa Rica issued at 12:45 PM today:

Six from U.S. die in Flamingo plane crash

By Saray Ramírez Vindas
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff
(posted Saturday at 12:45 p.m.)


Six persons are believed dead after an aircraft crashed into the sea near Flamingo on the Pacific coast.

The aircraft was believed to carry three adults and three Ch*ldren, all U.S. citizens.
Jorge Peraza Contreras of the Cruz Roja said that three bodies were found in the water after a call came in to an emergency line about 9:50 a.m.

They were two adults and a Ch*ld, he said.

The craft is believed to have traveled from Tobias Bolaños airport in Pavas to the Flamingo location.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Was it a regional carrier?

What type of aircraft?

Can you give a link to the article?

It was a private plane flown by a 28 years old American K*D who happened to be the son of the owner of the San Jose Sharks.

http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2005/julio/ ... -sr01.html


Dildo Man

Here's a link from the Houston Chronicle.........

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mp ... ld/3269484

Berk......

Thanks guys for the info...

I knew it could not have been Sansa or Nature air. Both run good operations. I just got back from CR and have flown several times with Sansa...and I've found that they are good. They're pilots wear uniforms, speak english, are methodical and proceedural. Sansa is a division of TACA airlines which runs a solid outfit.

The Sansa guys don't want any hiccups because they want to move up to fly for TACA international.

Yes, booking a "professional" flight should lessen your odds of a problem. Things still break. Even on big Airliners.

You pays your money. You takes your chances.

Ah, the true price of Poon.

Just poking with ya.

As my Dr. has told me, "You're going to die of something".

Enjoy the life....

HL

_________________
Don't tell my Mom I'm a Pilot. She thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Brothel.

Yup......it beats flying on crop dusters

Marlin 25 wrote:



Agree with that completely both Sansa & Nature Air seem to be well run airlines operated by professionals.

But to say is perhaps being overly optimistic. The best major airlines in the world with their rigorous selection process, training & retraining, superior maintenance, etc still occasionally lose one.

Chances of being a statistic...slim...but always a possibility no matter which airline you are flying.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Marlin, did you miss it when Sansa flew a plane directly into the side of the Volcan Arenal? All were dead.

I forgot about the Sansa head plant. thanks for the reminder.

The biggest risk factor with Sansa local express (besides the Seperate Gringo rate) is the use of the Cessna Carivan. Excellent safety record no matter who flies it. Just a design flaw. One motor.

The good news is the PrattWhitney-PT6a Turbo (jet engine connected to a prop) has a very, very long record of excellent service. Not many (compared to other power plants) shutdowns. But, in the Carivan you only get to shut down 1.

Don't think going to a 2 engine charter plane covers your ass either. Most Twin engine non-turbo planes only have enough power on 1 engine to extend the crash zone. i.e. they are underpowered for the job they do.

What can a Monger do?

Just as listed. Book with a reputable carrier. If going charter, get to the airport early and watch the pilot preflight. Look for obvious leaks around the plane. Ask questions of your booking agent/pilot as to experience with that type of aircraft and the route being flown. Less than 500hrs total time for a pilot makes me nervous. Less than 100hrs in aircraft type the same feeling. (these are my minimums. yours may vary)

Go on the earliest flight available. Mornings are cooler equating with less turbulence and fewer thunderstorms.

Though, if you like roller coasters, there's nothing like an afternoon flight from the coast (Sea Level) up the pass to San Jose (3000' Elev.) Those mountains sure know how to lift moisture into large columns of dense water. (orographic lifting.... See: -> http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/gloss ... c-lifting1)

No need to stay up nights worrying about shite over which you have no control.

Book the trip. Get Laid. Catch the Fish of a Lifetime.

Repeat as necessary

_________________
Don't tell my Mom I'm a Pilot. She thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Brothel.

There was another crash 2-3 years ago in Guanacaste; private charter company, I think the name was Pitts Aviation, or something like that. If I recall correctly, the people walked out of the wreck without serious harm. Amazing.

I flew into Quepos on Dec. 1, 2001 on Sansa. I heard that 2 days earlier a Sansa plane missed the runway during a rainstorm. On the flight back to SJO, I sat at the front of the plane . The flight crew was
1 man and 1 woman. After the plane landed she told it was her first flight.

I feel your surprise.

On a flight to Barro Colorado to fish, a senior pilot shows up with a young looking K*D for a Co-Pilot. Dad got him a job. His first flight with Sansa.

I sat up front and noticed 3 gauges inop. One of them the Attitude Gyro on the Capt's side. Oh, fun. "Which way is up, Walley?"

Flight was morning, severe clear weather. No problems. Fun flying in the outback. We had to buzz the field to get the sleeping dogs off of the runway before we could land.

Had a Honeymoon couple on board. The bride was crying. I was crying for the Groom. Fugly.....

Stuff that makes you go "Hummmmm".

_________________
Don't tell my Mom I'm a Pilot. She thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Brothel.

Hot Luck wrote:





Hope you were going to Archie Fields Rio Colorada Lodge and told Dan of your experience. He has to be one of the best story tellers in the world and when he relates your experience he will have guests at the lodge pissing their pants.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I've read this plane was a Pilatus turboprop, not an Cessna Caravan.

the wreckage looks like a old cessna?

anyone also read that it was a swiss Pilatus aircraft