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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 9, 2018)
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon PLANE CRASH: Airport plans to make improvements Continued from page 24 CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) Walt Lasecki. “I watched the wind-sock (next to the crashed Baron) blow- ing straight out and spinning around the pole. Strong low- level wind shear is extremely dangerous when it’s swirling and changing direction like that.” The sheriff’s office con- tacted the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) to report the crash. Both agencies said they do not consider it to be an “acci- dent” because the passenger cabin was not violated, and there were no injuries. They categorized the event as an “incident,” and likely will not conduct an investigation or inspection of the aircraft, Julie Benson reported. On Saturday morn - ing, Rob Berg, an airplane mechanic and inspector from Madras, undertook moving the plane to Benson’s hangar to await evaluation by their insurance company. “The airplane did its job, and that is to protect the pas- sengers,“ he said. “All the impact forces were dispersed into the wings from the land- ing gear, and into the nose cone and tail section crum- ple zones, while keeping the fuselage bulkheads intact. This is a testimony to how sturdy the Beechcraft planes are. The Baron is a tank with wings. The landing gear would’ve come up into the cabin or through the firewall in some other planes.” “Benny did everything right, given the timing and conditions he encountered,” said Brian Lansburgh, also a CFI at Sisters. “He did not have time to think, it was reflexive. And he never stopped flying the plane. If he had not responded as quickly as he did, and already had the plane configured to fly a go- around, they would’ve made a Baron-shaped hole in the ground, and they might not have walked away from it.” “If someone had to experi- ence that scenario, I’m glad it was me,” said Benny Benson. “I’m bummed that my plane got wrecked, but I knew how to react, and we were in a robust plane that allowed us to walk away from it. So I guess I should consider it a successful landing, and an opportunity for all of us to learn from it.” Julie, who is also a pilot, is determined to make improve- ments to avoid a similar incident. “As owners of the Sisters Airport, our goal is to cre- ate the safest environment possible. We will be investi- gating if the AWOS report- ing can be reprogrammed to warn pilots more accurately of wind shear conditions. We will also consider relocating the landing zone at the north end further down the run- way, rather than at the end, to help guide pilots to be higher over the area where Benny encountered the wind shear,” she said. The Benson family extended a heartfelt thank- you to all that responded, helped, and supported them during and after the incident. Editor’s note: Freelancer Cody Rhealt contributed to this report. 31 Donate collectibles to Kiwanis Sisters Kiwanis is preparing for its sixth annual Antiques, Collectibles & “Bling” Sale and is critically short of furni- ture and collectibles. Kiwanis asks locals to make dona- tions for the sale to be held Saturday, May 26 at Sisters Fire Hall, 302 S. Elm St. Donations needed are qual- ity furniture, antiques, collect- ibles and jewelry of every kind (costume, vintage, watches, rings, religious). Leart Jett, who manages the jewelry sale, notes that the 2017 “bling” sale was a huge success with massive amounts of jewelry donated and sold. Jewelry and small boxes can be dropped off to Karen Keady at Essentials Salon, 492 E. Main Ave. (across from Sisters Library). Arrange for drop-off or pick-up of any items, large or small, by call- ing Pam at 541-719-1049 or Roger at 541-430-7395. All donations are fully tax-deduct- ible; Kiwanis provides dona- tion receipts on request. All proceeds are distributed to service organizations such as Sisters Park & Recreation District, Outlaws Sports, Family Access Network and others. 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MLS#201804188 Phil Arends | Principal Broker 541.420.9997 | phil.arends@cascadesir.com Patty Cordoni | Principal Broker 541.771.0931 | patty.cordoni@sothebysrealty.com Phil Arends | Principal Broker 541.420.9997 | phil.arends@cascadesir.com 2 9 0 E . C a s c a d e Ave . | S i s t e r s , O R | 5 4 1 - 5 8 8 - 6 6 1 4
