March 30, 2015

Witness: Plane sputtered before fatal crash

Updated at 8:30 p.m. Monday with airport information

A witness described hearing the engine of a Piper PA-28-140 sputter, recover, sputter again, and then bank left before disappearing after its takeoff from Brandywine Airport in West Goshen Township on Sunday, March 29, about 1:30 p.m., officials said.

West Goshen Township Police Chief Joseph Gleason (left) and Tim Manville, an NTSB investigator, discuss the plane crash that killed two on Sunday, March 29. — West Goshen Township Police Chief Joseph Gleason (left) and Tim Monville, an NTSB investigator, discuss the plane crash that killed two on Sunday, March 29.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, March 30, National Transportation Safety Board Senior Air Safety Investigator Tim Monville said he would be working with investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration, the West Goshen Township Police Department, as well as representatives from the plane’s manufacturer to investigate the crash that took the lives of both of the plane’s occupants.

Chief Joseph Gleason said the identities of the victims have not been released. He said an autopsy was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30. A representative of the Chester County Coroner’s Office said identification would require a forensic dental examination, which might not be completed until Tuesday, March 31.

Gleason described the site off of the 1000 block of Saunders Lane as primarily industrial. He said a five-story building, which was visible beyond the police tape, backed up to Route 202. Across the highway was the end of the runway at Brandywine Airport, where the Piper PA-28-140 had taken off. Gleason said his officers could not get near the scene until firefighters extinguished the burning wreckage.

Monville called the flight of the fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft a “review.” Under FAA regulations, licensed pilots periodically undergo a proficiency test, accompanied by a certified flight instructor, Monville said. He declined to say whether the pilot was the owner of the plane.

Much of the wreckage was concentrated in a small area and consumed by flames, Monville said. He said some debris, such as maps, glass shards, and metal pieces, was found no farther than 20 yards away.

“We’ve got a lot more to do with the investigation,” Monville said. “It’s just beginning.”

Monville said he expected a preliminary report to be released next week. The follow-up analysis report would likely take between nine and 12 months, he said.

John S. Kassab, manager of the Brandywine Airport, said that while he could not comment on the accident because of the ongoing investigation, the airport maintains an excellent safety record. According to the NTSB Aviation Accident Database, which dates back to 1982, one other fatality occurred at Brandywine in 2005, Kassab said.

Kassab said the airport serves many of the businesses around the Route 202 corridor, along with medical rescue and transfer flights, chartered flights, law enforcement activities, pipe and power line patrol, air freight and personal use. The airport provides the same services as the Philadelphia airport, minus the international flights, he said.

According to data from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the airport handled more than 40,000 flights during 12 months in 2011 and 2012, the most recent count made by the commission.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Witness: Plane sputtered before fatal crash Read More »

PennDOT to close Route 52 Bridge for 3 days

Along the Ford

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will resurface the Route 52 (Lenape Road) bridge over the Brandywine Creek in Pocopson and Birmingham townships, Chester County, this week to provide motorists with a smooth riding surface.

To repave the stone-arch structure safely and quickly, the Route 52 Bridge will be closed and detoured from Wednesday, April 1 at 6 a.m. to Friday afternoon, April 3.

Detours will be posted for passenger vehicles and trucks during the temporary closure of Route 52. Passenger vehicles will be detoured over Creek Road, Route 926 and Pocopson Road. Trucks weighing more than 26 tons will be detoured over Creek Road and U.S. 1.

The Route 52 Bridge was originally built in 1912 and reconstructed in 1980. The seven-span bridge is 341 feet long and 24 feet wide. The bridge carries 9,400 vehicles a day.

The resurfacing schedule is dependent on the weather.

For more PennDOT information, visit www.dot.state.pa.us. Follow local PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511Philly.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA Web site.

About Press Release

PennDOT to close Route 52 Bridge for 3 days Read More »

Longwood to host Community Read author

Home and Leisure

Limited seats remain for the culminating event of the Community Read initiative at Longwood Gardens — a program in its second year that is designed to inspire people to pick up a good book, to read for pleasure and enlightenment, and to start a conversation.

This year’s selection, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, will continue discussion about our relationship to the natural world. Published in 2013, the book explores the human relationship with plants from both scientific and cultural perspectives, a Longwood press release said.

On April 12 at 2 p.m., Kimmerer will participate in a conversation about the book as well as sign copies of it. The program is free for members and $20 for non-members; however, registration is required for all. To register, visit http://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/community-read-conversation.

Kimmerer is a botanist, State University of New York, (SUNY) faculty member, and Native American (member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation). Kimmerer’s lyrical writing style draws the reader into the natural world seen with new perspective. She embraces indigenous teachings that consider plants and animals to be our oldest teachers, the release said.

About Press Release

Longwood to host Community Read author Read More »

Pocopson teacher named 2015 Citadel Heart of Learning finalist

School & Education

Kelli Kahn, first grade teacher at Pocopson Elementary School, has been named as one of 15 finalists for the 2015 Citadel Heart of Learning Award for Teacher Excellence, She was selected from the almost 2,700 total nominations received this year.

The Citadel Heart of Learning Award program was created in a joint effort by Citadel and the Chester County Intermediate Unit to recognize, honor and thank excellent teachers throughout the county.

Kelli teaches first grade at Pocopson Elementary and this is the second time she has earned this recognition for her outstanding contributions to our students. Principal Andrew McLaughlin commented, “Kelly is a dedicated teacher that makes learning fun for her students. She has built a learning environment that is full of energy, accepting of all personalities yet rich academically. She makes every one of her students feel special and provides them with a learning experience that they never forget.”

Kelli has earned the respect of her co-workers as well. At an awards ceremony held for Kelli this week at Pocopson Elementary school, one of her coworkers, veteran teacher Dave Lichter commented that, “Kelli is a true gift to our district and the teaching profession with all of her enthusiasm, energy, and empathy towards the students who are so lucky to have her for a teacher. What a great way for a kid to begin his/her academic career!”.

On May 5, 2015, Kelli will join finalists from all school districts in Chester County at the award banquet for final awards, where she will receive a $500 award that can be used in her classroom.

We are proud of all Sixty Five UCFSD teachers who were nominated. Congratulations to all of them for this well deserved honor.

About Press Release

Pocopson teacher named 2015 Citadel Heart of Learning finalist Read More »

Letter to the Editor: In support of Sestak

Opinion

I am writing to share how inspired I have been by Admiral Joe Sestak’s 422-mile walk across Pennsylvania, after announcing his candidacy for Senate. He truly wants to “walk in the shoes” of all Pennsylvanians, and he’s been meeting with people of all walks of life, outlining his concerns and truly listening.

This is the kind of attitude and energy that will make him an exceptional senator. Additionally, Adm. Sestak has the most impressive credentials: a Pennsylvanian by birth, he graduated second in his class from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a PhD from Harvard in Political Economy and Government between tours of duty. In his 31 years of service with the U.S. Navy, he held a broad range of important positions of incredible responsibility, among them: political-military analyst for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, director of defense policy on the National Security Council, the first director of the Navy’s anti-terrorism unit “Deep Blue” after 9/11, commander of an aircraft carrier battle group of 30 U.S. and allied ships, 100 aircraft and 15,000 sailors, Marines, aviators and SEALs during combat operations in Afghanistan. He was also named most productive member in his congressional class by the majority leader when he represented Pennsylvania’s 7^th District.

I have been sorely disappointed by many of Sen. Toomey’s votes, in particular, his three filibusters against the Paycheck Fairness Act and also transportation bills, which would provide needed funding for highways and transit projects. However, for me, the last straw was Pat Toomey’s signature on the Tom Cotton Senate letter to Iran. At that point, I realized he did not represent me, nor, I suspect, most Pennsylvanians. I was outraged.

I feel we are incredibly fortunate to have a highly intelligent, experienced statesman, Adm. Joe Sestak, as a quality senatorial candidate who will represent all Pennsylvanians.