Sun, Mar 06, 2005
Clearwater (FL) Will Ask For Paperwork After String Of
Accidents, Pilots Agree To Cooperate
The city of Clearwater (FL) has taken the unusual decision to
ask pilots offering aircraft out of Clearwater Airpark to provide
copies of their aircraft logbooks as a means to proving that the
annual inspection has not been skipped. The unusual step is being
taken after a string of accidents during the past 18 months, the
last one taking place February 15, when Ralph Herrlin, 78, and
James Edward Smith, 63, perished after their Beechcraft Debonair
struck a ranch house and crashed shortly after takeoff.
City officials were quick to clarify that they have no
indications that any of the aircraft that crashed were out of
annual. The purpose of this request, which was apparently suggested
by the aircraft owners themselves, is to address any doubts the
community may have about the airworthiness of the 130+ aircraft
that are based out of the Airpark.
"It's something that the public has a very heightened interest
about," said marine and aviation director Bill Morris to the St
Petersburg Times. "One of the things I have been asked by members
of the public is, 'How do we know these planes are safe?' Well,
hopefully, this can answer that."
The request will be
made by letter sent to the aircraft owners, and may be included as
part of the least agreements for hangars, depending on the
response. One of the issues at the airpark is that the terms of
lease agreements allow owners to perform annual inspections only at
one hangar designated by the airport for maintenance. The city does
not allow major maintenance within the individual leased hangars.
Morris believes pilots are hiring mechanics to perform the
inspections in other parts of the airport.
"They wouldn't be illegal aviation-wise, but they would be
illegal in regards to their lease," said Morris. (Which leads
this Editor to wonder why the airpark is making it harder for
owners to keep their aircraft legal, while at the same time asking
them to produce proof of that legality... Ed. JJ) The issue of
airport regulations is on the agenda at the next city council
meeting.
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