HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06031986 - X.21 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Contra
FROM: Sunne Wright McPeak
Costa
DATE: June 3, 1986 Cour
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SUBJECT: Commendation of Hal Wight, Buchanan Field Manager
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SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) $ BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
r RECOMMENDED ACTION:
!' Commend Hal Wight for swift, strong action regarding
attached airplane incident. Further, underscore the
requested action by sending a separate letter from the Board
of Supervisors to the F.A.A.
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BACKGROUND:
See attached letter.
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CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
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RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S)
1 ACTION OF BOARD ON 12 P6 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
S'
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P.
1
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
r AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
# OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
R CC: Public Works Director ATTESTED June 3, 1986
` CountyAdmi'st.rato Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board o1
Supervisors and County Administrator '
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M382/7-e8 BY DEPUTY
Contra Public Works Department �. Michael walford
Public Works Director
Costa 171 JOHN GLENN DRIVE
CountyCONCORD, CALIFORNIA 94520-5606 Harold E. Wight
(415) 685.0722 Manager of Airports
May 16, 1986
RETE, CEO
MAY 2Q S
Mr. Richard R. Merriman, Manager
Ansel.::
Flight Standards District Office
Bldg. L-105 Earhart Road
PO Box 2397, Airport Station
Oakland, CA 94614
Dear Dick:
On May 14, 1986, aircraft N1670T made two separate approaches to Buchanan
a Field Airport simulating the flight track taken by Beechcraft Baron N1494G the
night of the Sun Valley accident. (Our records show N1670T registered
to: Owen, Melbye, Rohlff, 700 Jefferson Ave. , Redwood City, CA 94063. )
Aircraft N1670T made two low passes over the Mail area. We received phone
calls from citizens in the Sun Valley area expressing concern and fear over
the activities of this aircraft.
We have listened to the Control Tower tapes and find that the pilot did this
deliberately. The Tower was not advised in advance of the aircraft intentions
w altitude until on the final
to fly at such a to i approach. One of the tower
supervisors had been contacted but understood that the flight would be
conducted above the pattern altitude. Prior to the second departure for
this activity the pilot was asked if they had contacted the County. The
response was that they had not. The Tower further advised the pilot that
contact should be made with the County. The response was "OK". No contact
was ever made. The estimated altitude of this pilot's activities over that
highly congested area was 400 to 500 feet AGL.
I am formally requesting that a full investigation be pursued on this
matter. I am forwarding copies of all of this correspondence to the Board
of Supervisors and feel that nothing less than a complete revocation of the
pilots ' license must be considered. We consider this gross misconduct on
the part of the person flying the aircraft and believe that this type of
negligent operation should be permanently halted.
I have listened to the Control Tower tapes for the flights. I have advised
the Control Tower Chief that we are pursuing this matter very seriously and
suggested that he may want to keep the tapes until your office has had an
opportunity to evaluate the activities.
Ve my yours,
a old E. Wight
anager of Airports
Buchanan Field Airport
HEW:sf
FAA.t5
cc:
S. Marchesi, County Counsel
B. Owcn,