Trans North FAA 2013- 0046 

Agency Exhibits 

# Description 

1 IR- John Merrill dtd 20111129- 2 pp 

2 Air Carrier Cert dtd 19801105 Trans North- 1 pp 

3 Op Specs PP A006-1, A006-2, dtd 20091120; A007-1 dtd 20090527 

4 Op Specs pp A008-1 to A008-5 dtd 20100923 

5 EBFA- Trans North- 1 pp 

6 FAA Accident/Incident Rpt- 3 pp 

7 TC Maynard Blodgett- dtd 20111207- 2 pp 

8 Load Manifest Form 70-450 dtd 20111128- pp 2 

9 Schematic flight plan- 1 pp dtd- 20111127 

10 IFR N59773 PltPian.com printout- dtd 20111214- 4 pp 

11 Printout from FlightAware N59773 - dtd 20111207 - 1 pp 

12 Airman Info Rpt- dtd 20111208 - 4 pp 

13 TC Andrew Wolf- dtd 20111207 - 2 pp 

14 Log Book- Wolf- 2 pp 

15 Airman Info Rpt- dtd 20111207- 2 pp 

16 Ltr Barnett to Boerman- dtd 20111219- 1 pp 

17 Ltr Barnett to Boerman- dtd 20120113- 2 pp 

18 TC Quentin Levitte, Asst CP- 20111214- 2 pp 

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RECEIVED 

SEP 2 6 2014 

HEARING DOCKET 

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X 

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Date: November 29, 2011 

Time: 1700 local 

Inspector Report 

Location: Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office 

Names of Persons in Conference: 

FAA: John M Merrill and Catherine Vuksanovic 

EFBA President/Director of Operations: Ronald Schaberg 

EFBA Chief Pilot: Ken Fox 

Subject: 

Trans North Aviation, LTD aircraft N59773 

Trans North's management requested a meeting with me to inform me of the events of 

N 59773 's accident. Those who were present are listed above. During this meeting, I 

believe information was passed along to me pertaining to the accident that Trans North 

had not disclosed to theDuPage FSDO and NTSB earlier that day. 

Specifically, it was stated that they had spoken with passenger Andrew Wolf, who is also 

a Commercial pilot. Andrew told Ken that prior to the accident, Pilot Bill Didier had put 

the aircraft's fuel into cross feed. Andrew told Ken that when this was done, he became 

confused and felt it was the wrong thing to do at the time. Andrew also said that he asked 

Bill if they should declare an emergency and go "straight in" instead of circling, in which 

Bill said "no, I've got this". Finally, Ken told me he spoke with the surviving medic on 

board and he stated he "saw the fuel lights flicker right before both engines quit". 

Ron and Ken both discussed Bill's pilot ability during the meeting. They both stated that 

Bill was not the best pilot and that they had considered firing him over the summer. Ron 

noted that he only assigned Bill to trips requiring two pilot crews. Ken said that Bill 

wasn't the best pilot. He later clarified that statement by saying he felt Bill flew okay, 

but would just miss simple things such as forgetting to close a cowl flap. Both added that 

Bill had a "refresher" flight with Ken prior to the accident since that aircraft had not 

flown for some time. 

It was said that Bill flew a CE-340 the previous day and had to land in Indiana (KCFJ) 

due to an inoperative attitude indicator. The assistant chief pilot, Quentin Levitte, flew 

N59773 from KOSH to KCFJ with Andrew Wolf, to replace the aircraft's med flight. It 

was stated to me that the company wanted Quentin to remain with the CE-340 and have 

Bill pilot N59773 instead because the company felt more comfortable having Quentin fly · 

the CE-340, once fixed, in case the attitude indicator malfunctioned again. The company , 

felt that Quentin would better handle an emergency than Bill and that "Bill very well ' 

would auger it (CE-340) in if the instrument failed". 

,··( ', 

E~IPIT 

I 7/t~h;; J if 

FOR OFFICIAL USE 
Ron made a statement that Ken had Bill texting in fuel remaining every time he landed 

and that Ken instructed Bill to never fly over 3 hours and 30 minutes. When asked why 

this was done, Ron said there was a flight where Bill landed in Oshkosh with very little 

fuel remaining. Ken then interjected by stating Bill had landed with 30-45 minutes fuel 

remaining. I questioned the time restriction and Ken stated that he instructed all the 

pilots to not fly over this time for safety. He said the company thought about making this 

a policy, but never followed through. 

Ron explained how he exercised operational control. He had a series of "back and forth" 

text messages between himself and Bill discussing such things as fuel prices, hotel rooms 

upon arrival in KPWK, and most importantly, Bill notifying Ron that he was ready to 

depart for KPWK. 

There was more discussed in this meeting, mainly personal issues revolving around Ron 

and his future plans. None of the information above was~ passed along to me prior to 

this meeting. Myself and other inspectors from this office have recently completed 

numerous surveillance activities on EBF A including observations of company Check 

Airman, records inspections, and other items included in our National Surveillance 

Program. I have also been working closely with EBF A in completing a revision to their 

company manual (GOM). Unfortunately, this revision has taken some time to complete 

due to the request for Cockpit Access Security System (CASS), new procedures for 

keeping Electronic recordkeeping, and other procedural changes I found would better 

organize the operation as a whole. 

Sincerely, 

""-:: / 

C.-fohn -~,_ M 

/::t'1 

Merrill ~ . 

Principal Operations Inspector 

FAA Milwaukee Flight Standards 
. ' -_ - ·. '·;; :~:. 

U.S. Department 

of Transportahon 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

. ., -, ' . I 

,-~----~-" '-"--~~~-

Air Carrier Certificate 

This certifies that 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION LTD. 

EAGLE RIVER AIRPORT 

EAGLE RIVER, WI 54521 

has met the requirements of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, and the rules, 

regulations, and standards prescribed thereunder for the 1ssuance of this certificate and is 

hereby authorized to operate as an air carrier and conduct common carriage operations in 

accordance with said Act and the rules, regulations, and standards prescribed thereunder 

and the terms, conditions, and limitations contained in the approved operations specifications. 

This certificate is not transferable and, unless sooner surrendered, suspended, or revoked, 

shall continue in effect indefinitely. 

Certificate number: EBFA443D 

Effective date: 

RE-ISSUED: 

NOVEMBER 5, 1980 

APRIL 14, 1989 

Issued at· ___ _::G:::L:=1=-3 ___ _ 

FAA Form 8430-18 (6-87) 

By Direction of the Administrator. 

/?. . /J; -t<. / l£.t:f, 7,-- ~~~: ~~;E; /1 (,,:~, 

(Signature) 

MANAGER 

(Title) 

GREAT LAKES MILWAUKEE FSDO 

(Region/Office) 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration Operations Specifications 

A006 . Management Personnel HQ Control: I 0/19/2009 

HQ Revision: 030 

The certificate holder is authorized the following management positions: 

a. The certificate holder uses the following named personnel in the 14 CFR Part 135 management 

positions listed below. All management personnel listed in this operations specification must be direct 

employees of the certificate holder. 

Table 1 -Authorized Management Positions and Personnel 

Part 119 Position Title 

Chief Pilot 

Director of Maintenance 

Dir. of Operations, Part 135 

Print Date: 11/10/2009 

Name Company Equivalent Position Title 

Fox, Ken Chief Pilot 

Keenan, James Director of Maintenance 

Schaberg, Ronald J. Director of Operations 

EXHIBIT 

J IJj 

§ 7/Z-3/t) J;f , I 

A006-1 Certificate No.: EBFA443D 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration Operations Specifications 

1. Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

2. Support information reference: 

3. These Operations Specifications arc approved by direction of the Administrator. 

2009.11.1 (] 21:32:51 C\:ittral Standard Time 

Location: Wl.'hOPSS 

Digitally signed by Cat!JI.'rin..: (' Vuksanoyic nn 

IKhalf or rvkrrilL Jnllll M. Principal 

Operations ln.~pcctor 

4. Date Approval is ctrcctive: II/I 0/2009 Amendment Number: 

5. I hereby accept and receive the Operations Specifications in this paragraph. 

Fox, Ken, Chief Pilot 

Print Date: ll/10/2009 A006-2 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 

Date: 11/l0/2009 

Certificate No.: EBFA443D 
U.S. Department 

ofT ransportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

A007. Other Designated Persons 

Operations Specifications 

HQControl 

HQ Revision 

a. The fOllowing person is designated as the certificate holder's Agent for Service: 

Ronald J. Schaberg, 

Eagle River Airport 

P.O.Ilox 1445 

Eagle River, WI 54521 

12/19/06 

020 

b. The following personnel are designated to officially apply fOr and receive operations specifications for 

the certif-icate holder as indicated below. 

T a bl e I - P ersonne ID estgnate ' d A I to lPPIV ~ or an dR eceiVe 0 Jperatwns s spec• 'fi 1Cat10ns 

Title Name Parts Authorized 

President Ronald J. Schaberg, ABCDE 

Chief Pilot Fox, Ken ABC 

Director of Maintenance Keenan, James DE 

c. The following personnel or company email boxes are designated to receive Safety Alert for Operators 

(SAFO) and/or Information for Operators (INFO) messages fOr the certificate holder as indicated below. A 

receipt of the infOrmation by an air can·ier or person is not required. 

Name Email Address to 

1. Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

2. Support information reference: 

3. These Operations Specifications are approved by direction ofthe Administrator. 

Vuksanovic, Catherine C. Principal Operations Inspector GL13 

4. Date Approval is effective: 5/27/09 Amendment Number: 5 

5. I hereby accept and receive the Operations Specifications in this paragraph. 

Fox, Ken Chief Pilot Date: 5/27/09 

Print Date: 5/27/2009 A007-1 Certilicate No.: EIJFA443D 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION LTD 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

A008 . Operational Control 

Operations Specifications 

HQ Control: 10/19/2009 

HQ Revision: 030 

a. The system described or referenced below shall be used by the certificate holder that conducts 

operations under 14 CFR Part 135 to provide operational control for its flight operations. The 

essential elements of operational control described in subparagraph d. below must be included or 

described in that system. 

Company Manual Chp 2a, Chp 3a 

b. Certificate Holder Responsibilities: 

(I) The certificate holder retains all responsibility for the operational control of aircraft 

operations, and thus the safety of each flight conducted under this certificate and operations 

specification, including the actions or inactions of all direct employees and agents of the certificate 

holder. 

(2) This responsibility is not transferable to any other person or entity. 

(3) The certificate holder's responsibility for operational control supersedes any agreement, 

contract, understanding or arrangement, either oral or written, expressed or implied, between any 

persons or entities. '" • 

c. The certificate holder may not engage in any of the following practices and shall not: 

(I) Franchise or share the certificate holder's authority for the conduct of operations under its 

certificate and operations specifications to or with another person or entity. 

(2) Use a "Doing Business As" (DBA) nanae in any way that represents an entity that does not 

hold an air carrier or operating certificate and operations specifications as having such a certificate 

and operations specifications. 

(3) Engage in a W ct Lease Contrary to 14 CFR Section 119.53. In accordance with 

Section ll9.53(b), the certificate holder may not wet lease from or enter into any wet leasing 

arrangement with any person not authorized by the FAA to engage in common can1age operations 

under 14 CFR Parts 121 or 135 (as appropriate), whereby that other person provides an aircraft and 

at least one crewmember to the certificate holder. A lease, or other business arrangement with a 

lease, is considered a wet lease if any of the following conditions exists: 

(a) The certificate holder and the aircraft owner/lessor agree that the certificate holder is 

required to use the aircraft owncr's/lessor's pilot in Part 135 operations, 

(b) The aircraft owner/lessor is obligated to ftllllish pilots to the certificate holder to operate 

the aircraft, or, 

(c) The aircraft owner/lessor has the power to veto who the certificate holder will use to 

Print Date: 9/23/2010 A008-l 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration Operations Specifications 

pilot the aircraft in Part 135 operations, so as to limit the certificate holder to using only the 

owner/lessor's pilots. 

(4) Transfer, surrender, abrogate, or share operational control responsibility with any party. 

(5) Engage in any arrangement with an aircraft owner, lessor or any other person or entity, such 

as an aircraft management entity, which allows the use of an aircraft for operations tmdcr these 

operations specifications without a complete, effective and sustainable transfer of operational control 

to the certificate holder for all Part 135 operations conducted tmder these operations spedfications. 

d. Elements of Operational Control. The following items are essential elements of operational 

control and are required to be components of the operational control system, used by tl1e certificate 

holder, and as described or referenced in subparagraph a. above: 

(1) Crewmember Requirements. The certificate holder may not conduct any operation under 

Part 135, unless each of the certificate holder's crewmembers is: 

(a) The certificate holder's direct employee or agent during every aspect of the Part 135 

operations, including those aspects related to any pre-flight and post-flight duties. The certificate 

holder is accountable for the actions and inactions of these persons during all its aircraft operations. 

(b) Currently trained and/or tested, qualified, and holds the appropriate ainnan and medical 

certificates to conduct flights for tire certificate holder under Part 135, and is otherwise qualified to 

accept the specific flight assignment, considering flight and rest requirements, airspace qualification 

and the type of operation intended in the assignment. Each pilot must be specifically listed by name 

and airman certificate number on a list of pilots maintained by the certificate holder at its main base 

of operations or listed in operations specification A039 or A040, if applicable. This information must 

be available for inspection by the Administrator as specified in Section 135.63. 

(2) Aircraft Requirements. The certificate holder may not conduct any operation rmder Par1 

135 tmlcss each aircraft used in its Part 135 operations is: 

(a) Owned by the certificate holder and remains, without interruption in the certificate 

holder's legal and actual possession (directly or through the certificate holder's employees and 

agents) during all of its Part 135 flights; or 

(b) Leased by the certificate holder or otherwise in the legal custody of the certificate holder 

and remains in the certificate holder1s exclusive possession or custody during all of its Part 135 

flights. 

(c) For each aircraft which tire certificate holder uses under these operations specifications, 

the aircraft owner or other lessee of the aircraft may operate the aircraft under Part 91, under the 

control and responsibility (including potential liability for an unsafe operation) of the owner or other 

lessee, as long as the following condition is met: 

- The certificate holder ensures that the maintenance of the aircraft continues to adhere 

to the certificate holder's maintenance program at all times or, 

- When the aircr·aft is returned to the certificate holder but before the aircraft is operated 

under Part 135 again by the certificate holder, that aircraft w1dcrgocs an appropriate airworthiness 

conformity validation check. 

Print Date: 9/23/2010 A008-2 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 

Certificate No.: EBFA443D 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration Operations Specifications 

(3) Exclusive Aircraft Use Requirements for Part 135 Operations. At least one aircraft that 

meets the requirements for at least one kind of operation authorized in the certificate holder's 

operations specifications must remain in the ccttificate holder's exclusive legal possession and actual 

possession (directly or through the certificate holder's employees and agents) as specified in Section 

135.25. This aircraft cannot be listed on any other Part 119 certificate holder's operations 

specification during the term of the exclusive use lease. 

(4) Use of Other Business Name(s) (DBAs): 

(a) The certificate holder may not allow or create the circumstances that would enable any 

other entity to conduct a flight for compensation or hire under Parts 119, 121 or 135 as if that entity 

were the certificate holder. 

(b) The certificate holder shall not operate an aircraft under Part 135 under the name or 

fictitious name of any other person or entity, unless authorized in operations specification AOO 1 of 

these operations specifications. Such authorization does not authorize any person or entity, other than 

the certificate holder, to conduct operations under the certificate holder's certificate and operations 

specifications. 

(c) The certificate holder may not allow the use of a fictitious name to obscure the 

certificate holder's responsibility and accountability to exercise operational control over its flight 

operations. 

(5) Aircraft Operation Agreements and Other Arrangements. 

(a) In accordance with Section 119.53(b), the certificate holder may not wet lease from or 

enter into any wet leasing arrangement with any person not authorized by the FAA to engage in 

common carriage operation under Parts 121 or 135, whereby that other person provides an aircraft 

and at least one crewmember to the certificate holder. This requirement docs not prohibit the 

separate use of a crewmember by the certificate holder when that crewmember is also employed by 

the aircraft's owner or lessor. 

(b) Any agreement or arrangement between the certificate holder and an aircraft owner 

must fully explain how the certificate holder oversees and ensures that only airworthy aircraft are 

used in its Part 135 operations. 

(c) The certificate holder's operational control system must include a system of ensuring 

that it has complete, effective and sustainable operational control over each aircraft operated under 

these operations specifications, and that no surrender or loss of operational control exists. 

(d) The cettificate holder may not operate any aircraft in Part 135 operations, which is 

subject to an agreement between the certificate holder and the aircraft owner or any lessee of the 

aircraft, if that agreement shifts liability and accountability for the safety of the certificate holder's 

Part 135 flight operations from the certificate holder to the aircrat\ owner or other parties. 

(6) Management Personnel and Persons Authorized to Exercise Operational Control: 

(a) Prior to conducting a Part 135 flight or series of flights, at least one management person 

listed in operations specification A006) Management Personnel, of these operations specifications or 

a management person designee who is a direct employee of the certificate holder, other than a pilot 

Print Date: 9/23/2010 AOOS-3 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 

Certificate No.: EBFA443D 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration Operations Specifications 

assigned to the specific flight or series of flight, must determine and have snfticient knowledge of the 

following: 

(i) Whether each assigned crewmember is qualified and eligible to serve as a required 

crewmember in the aircraft and type of operation to which the crewmember is assigned (see 

subparagraph d.(l )(b) above) and 

(ii) Whether the aircraft assigned for use is listed in operations specification DOSS, and 

is airworthy under the certificate holder's FAA-approved maintenance, inspection, or airworthiness 

program, as appropriate. 

(b) Prior to conducting a Part 135 flight or series of flights, at least the pilot assigned in 

accordance with subparagraph d.(6)(a)(i) above must determine and have sufficient knowledge of 

the following: 

(i) Whether a Part 135 flight or series of flights can be initiated, conducted, or 

terminated safely and in accordance with the authorizations, limitations, and procedures approved in 

the certificate holder's operations specifications, general operations manual, or subparagraph a. 

above and the appropriate regulations. 

(ii) Notwithstanding the requirements of subparagraph d.(6)(a) above, this determination 

and knowledge described in subparagraph d.(6)(b)(i) above may be made for the certificate holder 

by pilots and/or flight crewmembers assigned to a flight or series of flights, in accordance with 

policies, procedures, and standards prescribed by the certificate holder. 

(A) Such non-management persons shall meet the requirements of Section 119.69 

(d), and their names, titles, and duties, responsibilities, and authorities shall be specified in the general 

operations manual, or described in subparagraph a. above, or 

(B) TI10sc certificate holders issued operations specification A039 or A040, the 

persons listed in those operations specifications must determine and have sufficient knowledge of 

whether a Part 135 flight or series of flights can be initiated, conducted, or terminated safely in 

accordance with the authorizations, limitations, and procedures approved in subparagraph a. above 

and in accordance with the appropriate regulations. 

(7) Operational Control Information Requirements: 

(a) Prior to the certificate holder conducting any flight operation under Part 135, the 

ccttiticate holder must provide information to the designated pilot in command (PIC) that indicates 

which flight or series of flights will be conducted under Part 135, that indicates which Part 91 flights 

will be conducted by the certificate holder, and that the certificate holder is accountable and 

responsible for the safe operations of these flights or series of flights. (For those issued operations 

specification A039 or A040 the pilots listed in those operations specifications arc accountable and 

responsible for the safe operations of these flights or series of !lights.) 

(b) The system of operational control for Part 135 operations must ensure that each pilot is 

knowledgeable that the failure of a pilot to adhere to the certificate holder's directions and 

instructions, or compliance with directions or instructions from an aircraft owner (other than the 

certificate holder)) or any other outside private person or private entity, that are contrary to the 

certificate holder's directions or instructions, while operating aircraft under these operations 

specifications, may be contrary to Parts 119 and/or 135, and therefore may be subject to legal 

Print Date: 9/23/2010 AOOS-4 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 

Cettificate No.: EBFA443D 
U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

enforcement action by the FAA. 

Operations Specifications 

(c) These requirements do not apply to the following: 

(i) Air Traffic Control instructions, clearances, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) received 

from FAA or cognizant foreign Air Traffic Control authorities, 

(ii) Aeronautical safety of flight information received by the pilot, and, 

(iii) Operation under the emergency authority of the PIC in accordance with 

Section 91.3(b), and/or Section 135.19(b). 

I. Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

2. Support information reference: 

3. These Operations Specifications are approved by direction of the Administrator. 

20 I 0.09.23 I ~:-l-9:2··1l\;ntral Dayligln Tim~ 

Lm:ati011: \V-:bOPSS 

Digitally signt:U by ( 'ath-:rin-: (' Vuhano\·ic llll 

behalf or 1\krrill. John M, Pri11t.:ipal 

()pcratiuns lnspcdnr((iLIJ) 

4. Date Approval is effective: 10/01/2010 Amendment Number: 2 

5. I hereby accept and receive the Operations Specifications in this paragraph. 

Fox, Ken, Chief Pilot 

Print Date: 9/23/2010 AOOS-5 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION 

LTD 

Date: 10/01/2010 

Certificate No.: EBFA443D 

;.1 
135 Surveillance Priority Index for 

EBFA- TRANS NORTH AVIATION LTD 

12/2/2011 2:37:24 PM 

Generated on 

December 2, 2011 

Priority Index 

EBFA Criteria for 

Data Derived Factors Data Point Assignment 

Fatal Accidents within past 3 yrs. 0 1 pt(s). per accident (3 pts. 

maximum) 

Non-Fatal Accidents within past 3 yrs. 0 1 pt(s). per accident (2 pts. 

maximum) 

Incidents within past 3 yrs. 0 1 pt(s). per incident 

Violations within past 3 yrs. J. 1 pt(s). per violation 

DoD Activity Flag in Concern state? No 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 

Management changes in past yr. 0 1 pt(s). if> 1 

Principal Inspector changes in past yr. 0 1 pt(s). if> 1 

Passenger carrying capacity (#seats) 28 0 pt(s). if no seats 

1 pt(s). if> 0 and < 10 seats 

2 pt(s). if>= 10 and <= 20 seats 

3 pt(s). if> 20 seats 

Average Surveillances per Aircraft (past 2.80 3 pt(s). if 0 per aircraft 

year) 2 pt(s). if> 0 and <= 4 per aircraft 

1 pt(s). if> 4 and <= 10 per 

aircraft 

0 pt(s). if> 10 and <= 20 per 

aircraft 

-1 pt(s). if> 20 and <= 30 per 

aircraft 

-2 pt(s). if> 30 per aircraft 

Number of System Inspections in past 3 0 -2 pt(s). if> 0 

yrs. 

New Entrant (within past 5 yrs.)? No 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 

Principal Inspector Assessment Factors (as of 10/13/2011) 

Calculated 

Index 

Value 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

3 

2 

0 

0 

Rapid Expansion? No 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 0 

Labor Disputes? Yes 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 1 

Financial Distress? No 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 0 

Mergers I Takeovers? No 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 0 

High Employee Turnover? Yes 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 1 

Non-Compliant Attitude? No 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 0 

Poor Safety Culture? Yes 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 1 

Challenging Operational Environment? Yes 1 pt(s). if "Yes" 1 

Participates in a Safety Program? No -1 pt(s). if "Yes" 0 

Priority Index 12 

SPAS Feedback 

For Official Use Only 

Public availability to be determined under 5 U.S.C. 552 

E'~JT 

lrz~u.~ J + 

135 Surv Priority Index Data S... 1_,:~} ~=~===-~===~ 
AWIAI415 

~ FAA ACCIDENT I INCIDENT REPORT 2. AMENUIW DATE MO [ DA [ IJ YR I 

L ACCIDENT lXl INCIDENT D 

lllll 1-)TQl ll ll 

I, DATEOFEVENT MO ~ VR 

[iliJ ill 

FAA OFFICE ~J:Or.f(ll'J OFFICE NUMBER 

~' 15A TYPEOF. 

I 

lws 

' ) 

I B~.OON ' 

"" 

X 

ICAGO IPiwiKI I I'" nummu.,~:;}~SED ::R;~fj 9. LOCAL TIME 12 I 2 I 5 I 0 I 19. TYPE OF LANDT~G ;EAR 

I SKIS 

24- HOUR CLOCK 

I' I L 

~ARY 

I lOA LAlTfUDE 4 2 0 9 5 3 N H>B. LONGITUDE 8 7 5 3 5 3 W X I TRICYCLE 

I FLOATS 

s FLOATS I OTHER 

IL ~-;;;;:;;,:T]"nw;r=r 1sutl"ANIIALL_JUb> 

"'-

I SKIDS 

lJ 

I LIMITED 

12. COLLISION- BETWEEN TWO AlRCRAFf @ ~~ 8 :.oUNo OTHER TOTAL 

13. AIRCRAFT 1;;;~~.~ 

N59773 

'NiiMRii< 

YEAR OF 

P!PER ])A-=31.:]50 ~ 1 

1 

1 

I sERIAL NO. ll~ 

I 21. ~~E~~~:s - , ~:ERTMARY 'ACTOR As A. viifE- , A X 

I21A. ~V£'U"'~ " [ ] NONE 21B n-~- • ~IONAL FACTORS 

x~ 

GEAR X A I FUEL )N 

-roD 

I FIRE OR I 

I FUEl 

LFUEL X~ 

[ ] NONE 

TATED 

hw JASC CODE 

'lC PART NAME 

I"' WY RRl 

I Nf -A 

lFAll.IJRF. 

I Fumr TATION 

210. 

:-wx TERVrCE 

I PATWAS V 

I ,, 

X I NOT 

I RAIN'' 

I HAlL 

I SLEE' 

'-SYSTEM I SNOW 

I OTHER THAN PILOT 

I ( s WEIGHT 

lc~ 

rsTRUCK ANIMAL 

I BIRD STRIKE 

I PAX 

rs:ro;:EN 

I ""'c" 

21E. PART NUMBER 

rATION 

IOTA 

I DOWNWIND TAKEOFF 

I CL "cc 

lx I HIT KNOWN OBJECT 

lx LANDING 

"m"c 

LOSS OF 

I 26. PHASE OF FLIGHT 

2 

2 

2 

3 

5 

22. TYPE OF OPERATIONS 

I CARGO 

I'" I KUl 'V' 

I CORPORATE 

I FERRY 

I'"""' 

I AERIAL( 

X I AMBULANCE/ m m,;c 

;G 

lAIR TOUR 

I PUBLIC USE 

[ ] DR ZZLE 

rFREEZING RAIN 

I DRIZZLE I GROIJN I CRUTSE I MANEUVER 

TOniER 

125 

I NONE/NOT 

I HAZE 

~~Dl~>IIS~----------------~'Iiu I SMOKE ; ' 

TFOO 

1lciNG 

1Gl 

~(01-10) 

I TAXI 

EROL X 

UT 

CLIMB 

I RUN-UP AREA 

OTHER 
STIJDENT 

DATE HIRED 

(AIR CARRIER ONLY) PRIVATE X 

DOMICILE ZIP CODE COlvDvfERCTAL X 

HOURS IN MAKE AND MODEL X FLIGHfiNST. X 

HOURS IN LAST 90 DAYS X ATP 

HOURS TN LAST YEAR FOREIGN PILOT 

TOTAL HOURS 

REGULATORY CHECK RIDE [_Q_li] [ll_Q] MO DA 

32 44709 

33. NARRATIVE (ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NECESSARY) 

(ONLY STATE FACTS OR SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT ARE RELEVA.'IT TO THE ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT) 

*See Appendix* 

FAA INITIAL NOTIFICATION 37. FSDO NOTIFICATION 38. FAA IIC ARRIVAL ON SCENE 

DATEANDLOCALTIME DATE AND LOCAL TIME DATEANDLOCALTIME 

[I]JJ [IT§] [I]JJ [I]JJ W2J [I]JJ [I]JJ W2J [I]JJ 

MO DA YR MO DA YR MO DA YR 

1212151 o I I o 111 o I o I l2l o 131 ol 

''I l3lsiJ:SISJ 40. I 12 141 ~ TOTAL HOURS USED 

AT ACCIDENT SCENE "I 

I. FAA FACILITIES 7. SECURITY YES 

2. NON FAA FACILITIES YES 5. FARCHANGENEEDED YES 0 NO [8] 8. AIRMAN MEDICAL QUALTF. 

3. AIRWORTHINESS YES D NO ~ 6. AIRPORT CERTIFICATION YESD NO~ 9. FAR VIOLATION YES~ 

43. BRTEFEXPLANATIONOFISSUESINVOLVED · , . .,., .. -'·"··~·~· ·;·rc·~--.,<.· 

4. AIRMAN'S COMPETENCE AS TO THE MIS"Ml!NAGEMENT-Qii"•·FUEL. 9. FAR VIOLATION AS TO CREW REST /DUTY "TIME ~~p.~~T:.~~~S: FLIGHT WITH KNOWN 

MALFUNCTIONS NOT RECORDED IN DISCREPANCY LOG. INADEQUATE RESERVE FUEL FOR 

IFR FLIGHT. UNQUALIFIED PILOT PERFORMING CREW by;DIES DURING A 14 CFR PART 

135 FLIGHT. 

REGION WA DISTRICT OFFICE 4 5 

SUPERSEDES FAA FORMS 8020-5 and 8020-16 INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE NSN: 0052-00-923-1000 

~OR OFFICIAL USE ONLYj EXHlBl'f --'-J",.::.?_<;;Q;.;:.._,_ 
Appendix Report Number: AWA4511027 

7. OPERATOR NAME 

TRANS NORTH AVIATION LTD 

16. POWER PLANT MAKE/MODEL/SERIES 

LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 

33. NARRATIVE 

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2011, AT APPROXIMATELY 2250 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST) 

(0550Z), N59773, PIPER PA-31-350 CHIEFTAIN, OWNED AND OPERATED BY TRANS 

NORTH AVIATION, LTD., CRASHED IN RIVERWOODS, ILLINOIS, APPROXIMATELY 3 

NAUTICAL MILES NORTHEAST OF CHICAGO EXECUTIVE AIRPORT ( PIJK) . THE 

AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BY IMPACT FORCES. ON BOARD WERE THE 

PILOT, A PILOT-RATED PASSENGER, A FLIGHT NURSE, A PATIENT AND HIS WIFE. 

THE PILOT, THE PATIENT AND HIS WIFE ALL RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE 

PILOT-RATED PASSENGER AND THE FLIGHT NURSE RECEIVED NON-LIFE-THREATENING, 

SERIOUS INJURIES. THERE WERE NO GROUND INJURIES OR SIGNIFICANT GROUND 

DAMAGE. WEATHER AT T,HE TIME .. OF THE CRASH WAS NIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL 

CONDITIONS, WIND FROM THE NORTH AT 9 KNOTS. 

DUPAGE FSDO INVESTIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES FOR POSSIBLE CERTIFICATE ACTIONS. 

Appendix Page 1 
TIME DATE 

RECORD OF D VISIT D CONFERENCE OR [gj TELEPHONE CALL !0:30AM 12/07/2011 

NAME (S) OF PERSON (S) CONTACTED OR IN CONFERENCE AND LOCATION ROUTING 

Mr. Maynard Blodgett SYMBOl INITIALS ----------------------- ----

-

- ·------- ------ -

SUBJECT 

N59773 

DIGEST 

see attachment ---

------ ______ _, 

-

---·--------

-- ---·-------

-

. ----- ---

' f 

" 

CONCLUSION, ACTION TAKEN, OR REQUIRED v 

:~/>C 

"# EX~IBIT l 7 c-· 

I r/z}/.t ~ JA-

' ,-

DATE TITLE SIGN~oUBE ~z:; \ .•. ·' . ·-· w 

12/07/2011 Sandra Boerman . ---\0lt/~) {( I r? ~-- - - --. FAA Form 1360-33 (4-75) Formerly FAA Form 1522 IJT-Git-AI'S-aeet'""'u:£2-=:_~~:J 

-------------- *t 

1 i '") ' ; '-
DIGEST (CONT.): 

Inspector Sandra Boerman interviewed Mr. Maynard Blodgett on December 7, 2011. Mr. Blodgett made the below statement to the best of 

his recollection. Mr. Blodgett is a paramedic for Travel Care International. 

On November 28, 201 I, Mr. Blodgett was assigned has a crewmember for a trip from to Crawfordsville, Crawfordsville, Indiana (KCJF) to 

KBI to pick up a patient and passenger for a flight to KPWK. The airplane appeared to be topped off at Jesup, GA. The fueling started on 

the right side of the airplane and continued to the left side. The fuel pump shut off after about 160 gallons were pumped. The pump was 

restarted and the airplane was fueled with more fuel. The flight was normal until they encountered "bad air" and they descended down to 

about 7,000 feet. He recalls seeing the cockpit gauge indicating that there was a half hour remaining before reaching KPWK. Mr. Didier 

remarked on how fast the airplane was flying and the ground speed was about 250/260 mph. Mr. Didier reached down and switched the 

tanks and rocked the wings. Both engines shut off at the same time. Once they were out of the clouds he could see trees. After impact he 

saw that the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries and did not see Mr. Wolf who believed to be a new SIC for the company. He exited 

the airplane and went to a near home for help. 

Mr. Blodgett stated that Mr. Didier had flown all four legs that day. 

FAA Form 1360-33 (4-75) Formerly FAA Form 1522 
Statu·s Sheet 

A!C Discrepancies 

Charts/maps 

VOR Check 

_Ate Configr..z.atlon 

NEXT INSPECTION DUE Ll _c;:?.o..-"-J-'c"'-<-'-__ _j 

EXHIBIT 

ll fir 

I zltdn J./i 

I ! 
DATE- cz=, .;::,3 /! :J 

PIC SIC 

OTHER CREW: 

=: j Duty Oft I Total BLK [:::_--~ j_.. __ ,siJii""c.. :xV,:;3"''-"""-· --It Duty On· ,_ _ _,_t"-"<f'-'3='--:;:& __ -1 Total lJtght 1 ---~ (_..;,_ ______ _] Totai:Total Night Landings r-----. 

TotaiiFR \ ! 

MAX T 0 WEIGHT NEXT INSPECTION DUE LJ -"'-"'. !d8_b"' ..c?:__ __ l 

AJG Statu.s. Discrepancies. Sheet ·! .. v _;~ / • I 

Charts/maps 

VOR Check 

AJC Configuation 

$-· 
er 27, 2011 

2.4 Flight Hours 

6.0 Duty Hours 

r 28-29, 2011 

b058Z Flight 

Aware!Pilot may 

have logged in 

the air (19DOCST) 

n6Jo2! M 6J42! g2y21 oofo2 otfo2! b4fo2l 

3.7 Flight Hours 

Part 91/KCFJKPXE 

50Z 

3.0 Flight Hours 1.8 Flight Hours 

Part 91/KPXE- Part 135\KPBEKPBI KJES 

16.7 Duty Hours and/or 7.3 Rest Hours 

Duty Day, 12.2 Flight Hours, 7.3 Rest Prior in 

ur look back. Both survivors stated Mr. 

 was Pilot in Command on all four legs and 

ght plans list Mr. Didier as PIC. 

3.7 Flight Hours 

Part KPWK 

: ·:/! lj 

' 

_)./ 

liq 

7/B/13 .J.1 
Re: N59773 

Ken Wilson - FltPlan.com 

to: 

Sandra Boerman 

12/14/2011 08:02PM 

Cc: 

Tina 

Show Details 

Hi Sandra 

Please find below the flight plans filed and flown for N4599F and N59773 

If you need further information or have questions, please let us know. 

Thanks 

Ken Wilson 

Ken@FitPian.com 

203-262-8906 

Nov 27, 2011 N4599F ACTIVATED 

==================================== 

Tail number: 

Flight plan: 

FPL Type: 

Type Flight: 

A/C type: 

Wake Category: 

ICAO Equip: 

Depart: 

Arrive: 

Alternate: 

Depart (UTC) : 

TAS 

Cruise Alt: 

Route: 

ETE: 

Item 18: 

Endurance: 

SOB: 

Color: 

PIC: 

Address: 

Phone no.: 

N4599F 

IFR 

ICAO 

General Aviation 

C340 

/L 

DFGLOTU/S 

KATW 

KMQY 

KBNA 

11/27/2011 19:09 

200 

FL190 

DIRECT 

0327 

0415 

2 

W/T 

BILL DIDIER 

[FORoFFICIAL USE ONi,Y_\ 

12/15/2011 7:05:13 AM 

fJ! ,r 

?123/P; J4 

s~) EXHIBff , Page 1 of 4 
Nov 28, 2011 N59773 ACTIVATED 

==================================== 

Tail number: 

Flight plan: 

FPL Type: 

A/C type: 

Equip: 

Depart: 

Arrive: 

Alternate: 

Depart(UTC}: 

TAS 

Cruise Alt: 

Route: 

ETE: 

Endurance: 

SOB: 

Color: 

PIC: 

Address: 

Phone no.: 

N59773 

IFR 

NAS (Domestic Format} 

PA31 

/G 

KOSH 

KCFJ 

KLAF 

11/28/2011 00:20 

175 

FL070 

OSH V63 BAE DPA JOT EON V24 POTES 

0131 

0430 

2 

W/G 

QUENTIN LEVITTE 

-------

Nov 28, 2011 N59773 ACTIVATED 

==================================== 

Tail number: 

Flight plan: 

FPL Type: 

A/C type: 

Equip: 

Depart: 

Arrive: 

Alternate: 

Depart (UTC} : 

TAS 

Cruise Alt: 

Route: 

ETE: 

Endurance: 

SOB: 

Color: 

PIC: 

Address: 

Phone no.: 

N59773 

IFR 

NAS (Domestic Format} 

PA31 

/G 

KCFJ 

KPXE 

KMCN 

11/28/2011 12:00 

175 

FL070 

DIRECT 

0316 

0415 

3 

W/B 

BILL DIDIER 

12/15/2011 7:05:13 AM 

EXHIBI'f 
Nov 28, 2011 N59773 ACTIVATED 

==================================== 

Tail number: 

Flight plan: 

FPL Type: 

A/C type: 

Equip: 

Depart: 

Arrive: 

Alternate: 

Depart (UTC) : 

TAS 

Cruise Alt: 

Route: 

ETE: 

Endurance: 

SOB: 

Color: 

PIC: 

Address: 

Phone no.: 

N59773 

IFR 

NAS (Domestic Format) 

PA31 

/G 

KPXE 

KPBI 

KFXE 

11/28/2011 15:46 

175 

FL070 

DIRECT 

0247 

0415 

3 

W/B 

BILL DIDIER 

---

Nov 28, 2011 N59773 ACTIVATED 

==================================== 

Tail number: 

Flight plan: 

FPL Type: 

A/C type: 

Equip: 

Depart: 

Arrive: 

Alternate: 

Depart (UTC): 

TAS 

Cruise Alt: 

Route: 

ETE: 

Endurance: 

SOB: 

Color: 

PIC: 

Address: 

Phone no.: 

N59773 

IFR 

NAS (Domestic Format) 

PA31 

/G 

KPBI 

KJES 

KSAV 

11/28/2011 21:00 

179 

FLlOO 

DIRECT 

0138 

0300 

5 

W/B 

BILL DIDIER 

~--....... IIIIIIIIIIIJ:l 

Nov 28, 2011 N59773 ACTIVATED 

==================================== 

Tail number: 

Flight plan: 

N59773 

IFR 

12/15/2011 7:05:13 AM 
12/15/2011 7:05:13 AM 

A/C type: PA31 

Equip: /G 

Depart: KJES 

Arrive: KPWK 

Alternate: KDPA 

Depart(UTC): 11/28/2011 23:08 

TAS 179 

Cruise Alt: FLlOO 

Route: DIRECT 

ETE: 03:25 

Endurance: 05:00 

SOB: 5 

Color: W/B 

PIC: BILL DIDIER 

Address: 

Phone no.: 

Sandra.Boerman@faa.gov wrote: 

Tina, 

Please forward me the following information: all flight plans that were 

"filed and activated'' for the following aircraft and dates. 

11/27/11 - N4599F and N59773 

11/28/11- N4599F and N59773 

Thank You 

Sandy Boerman 

Principal Operations Inspector 

630-443-3108 
Origin Destination Departure 

Jesup-Wayne County (KJES) Chicago Executive (KPWK) 07:58PM EST 

Palm Beach Inti (KPBI) Jesup-Wayne County (KJES) 05:53PM EST 

Perry-Houston County (KPXE) Palm Beach Inti (KPBI) 12:01PM EST 

Crawfordsville Muni (KCFJ) Perry-Houston County (KPXE) 07:51AM EST 

Wittman Rgnl (KOSH) Crawfordsville Muni (KCFJ) 06:46PM CST 

12/7/2011 8:10:27 AM 

Arrival 

10:39PM CST 

07:36PM EST 

02:54PM EST 

11:28AM EST 

09:18PM EST 

}) f I 

7/JJ f - f In 

Duration 

3:41 

1:43 

2:53 

3:37 

1:32 

.._j."J 

\;{:1 /" 

t: 

•! 

\

. ~ H 

I (J ~'.' \. 

\ 

c..··J 

·,\ ~\ d ~,.,--·j r-,, 

'1 f-~~ I 

·, '_.-.') .. \. 

-- -

: ! 

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TIME DATE 

RECORD OF DVISIT D CONFERENCE OR I:8J TELEPHONE CALL ll:OOAM 12/0712011 

NAME {S) OF PERSON (S) CONTACTED OR IN CONFERENCE AND LOCATION ROUTING 

Mr. Andrew Wolf SYMBOL INITIALS 

SUBJECT 

N59773 Accident 

DIGEST 

see attachment 

--- "-"""-" --

CONCLUSION, ACTION TAKEN, OR REQUIRED 

. ··' 

' 

-/1)311 

117/lJ/t~ v! ~- 1 

DATE TITLE 

~~~~~v;Le J cLef . .YA 12/08/2011 Sandra Boerman POI -
DIGEST (CONT.): 

Inspector Sandra Boerman interviewed Mr. Andrew Wolf on December 7, 201 ], Mr. Wolf hJade the below statement to the best of his 

recollection. He was .ilired a few weeks ago by Trans North Aviation, LTD to be a SIC pilot under Part 135. He had not received any 

formal training. He ha~f'!OWiloiliWo"tripspnoilO"'this trip, and only once in N59773. Mr. Wolf had flown N59773 from Witrman 

Regional Airport (KOSH) to Crawfordsville Municipal Airport (KCFJ) on November 27, 2011, the day before the accident, with Mr. 

Quentin Levitte to replace an aircraft that had a malfunctioning attitude indicator. 

r'• 

Mr. William Didier was the pilot in command on all the legs flown on November 28, 2011. (Crawfordsville Municipal Airport (KCF J)~ 

Perry-Houston County Airport (KPXE)- Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI)- Jesup-Wayne County Airport (KJES)- Chicago 

Executive Airport (KPWK)) Fuel was topped offal KPXE and KJES, and just enough fuel was put on at KPBI to make the flight to K S. 

Mr. Didier didn't utilize Mr. Wolf for any flight planning or paper work for any of the flights. Mr. Wolf stated that he did not fill out an. 

paper work for the flights to include load manifests. His purpose was for him to learn the aircraft on the Part 91 legs. ._ 

During the flight from KJEP to KPWK they encountered turbulence, and descended from 10,000 feet to 7,000 feet. Near the south side of 

Lake Michigan Mr. Didier flipped back to the auxiliary tanks to use up all the fuel in the aux tanks. The last quarter of the main tanks was 

consumed pretty fast as it appeared on the gauges. The right fuel flow warning light came on north of KPWK. Mr. Didier selected the 

cross feed valve to its ON position, and left both main tanks on the ON position. The fuel warning light went out. Mr. Wolf queried this 

technique, and Mr. Didier responded it will even out the tauks. Mr. Wolf learned the fuel system the day before the accident flight. The fuel 

light carne on again and Mr. Didier declared an emergency. The right engine started to sputter, and the flight was cleared direct to the 

airport. The cloud tops were at 3,000 feet. Mr. Didier turned left towards KPWK, and both engines died on that west heading. Mr. Didier 

feathered the engines. The airplane was in clouds during the descent and popped out about 1,400 feet. There was about 700 feet of altitude 

left. Mr. Wolf made some radio calls. Mr. Didier turned to a southbound heading. The flight was asked if they had the airport in sight and 

they replied NO. Mr. Wolf advised Mr. Didier of suitable landing sites, but the flight was unable to get to them. The landing gear was up. 

Mr. Didier moved the mixture to idle/cutoff and feathered the engines' propellers. Mr. Wolf pointed out a dark spot to Mr. Didier and he 

turned to it. The airplane scraped the tops of trees. The first tree impacted the pilot's side and it came through the window. Both Mr. Didier 

and Mr. Wolf were on the flight controls. The controls then went limp. Mr. Wolf indicated that he tried to keep the airplane away from the 

houses. Both of his yoke handles broke off. He blacked out until someone from a nearby house found him in the wreckage, and asked him 

if he was ok. 

The right engine was new, and Mr. Didier bumped up the mixture on the right engine about one gph due to its break-in. Mr. Wolf indicated 

that the pilot acted abnormally sporadic and weird in Florida. Mr. Didier set his power settings from a card that was kept in his window's 

visor. There were no engine anomalies during the flight. 

Mr. Wolf stated that Mr. Didier told him not to tell anyone about going into reserve fuel. 

FAA Form 1360-33 (4~75) Formerly ~~.~_:>:_~·-~-~-----~~-~-~~ctroni~Form~:~ste'EXHIB 

L ---·-·------~Yj .. 


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Ainnan ·Name I c'ert # I Expire Date Orig DOl 

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:Tvoe ~:elevel i i !Rating level IIRatin~ i 

COM I 

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EXHIB·. )0~ IT J · Page 1 of 1 
815-356-8647 

815-356-7042 fax 

HARNETT LAW OFFICES, P.C. 

CHARLES R. BARNETT, III 

ATTORNEY AT LAW 

LAKE IN THE HILLS AIRPoRT (3CK) 

8411 PYOTT ROAD, SUITE!! 0 

LAKE IN THE HILLS, ILLINOIS 60156- 9704 

December 19, 2011 

Toll Free 800-578-5512 

crb@barnettlegal.com 

Sandra Boerman Via facsimile (630) 443-3155 and US Mail 

Principal Operations Inspector 

DuPage Flight Standards District Office 

DuPage Airport 

31 W775 North A venue 

West Chicago, Illinois 60185-1056 

RE: Trans North Aviation, LTD 

Letter of Investigation dated December 9, 2011 

Dear Ms. Boerman, 

I have the privilege of representing Trans North Aviation, LTD in all matters concerning 

the Federal Aviation Administration. We are in receipt of the above-referenced letter and wish 

to promptly respond to your investigation as follows: 

Trans North Aviation, LTD dispatched N59773 on November 28,2011 in accordance 

with the dispatch requirements of 14 CPR § 13 5. At the time of dispatch the pilot in command 

should have been able to complete the dispatched flight within duty day limitations and with 

sufficient fuel to comply with the fuel reserve requirements for an IFR flight. 

Any potential deviations from the planned flight were made without the express 

permission or knowledge of Trans North Aviation, LTD. 

Trans North Aviation, LTD has fully cooperated with investigators from both the FAA 

and NTSB and remains willing to continue to assist to the best of its ability. Should you require 

any additional information, please contact this office and we will be happy to assist you. 

cc: Ronald J. Schaberg 

EXHml! Cik,L .... 
To: Page3of4 2012-01-13 14:03:37 (GMT) 

BARNETT LAW OFFICES, P.C. 

CHARLES R. BAR.l\'ETI, ffi 

ATTORNEY AT LAW 

18153567042 From: Olarles Barnett 

815-356-8647 

815-356-7042 fax 

LAKE lN THE HILLS AIRPORT (3CK) 

8411 PvmT RoAD, Surmll 0 

Toll Free 800-578-5512 

crb@bamettlegal.com 

LAKE lN THE HILLS, ]LUNOJS 60156 - 97Q4 

January 13, 2012 

Sandra Boerman Via facsimile (630) 443-3155 and US Mail 

Principal Operations Inspector 

DuPage Flight Standards District Office 

DuPage Airport 

31W775 Nortll Avenue 

West Chicago, illinois 60185-1056 

RE: TransNorthAviation,LID 

Letter of Investigation dated December 22, 2011 

Dear Ms. Boerman, 

We are in receipt of the above-referenced letter and per your request, the names of each 

pilot in command tbatwas assigned by Trans Nortll Aviation, LTD for the followiog flights in 

Piper N59773 is as follows: 

• November 28, 2011: Crawtordsv:ille Municipal Airport, Crawfordsville, Indiana (KCFJ)-

.Perry-Houston County, Perry, Georgia (KPXE) -Pilot Andrew Wolf. 

• November 28,2011: KPXE- Palm Beach International, West Palm Beach, Florida 

(KPBI)- Pilot Andrew Wolf. 

• November 28,20 ll: KPBI - Jesup -Wayne County Airport, Jesup, Georgia (KJES) - Pilot 

William Didier. 

• November 28,2011: KJES- Chicagn Executive· AirPort, Wheeling, lliiuois (KPWK)-

Pilot William Didier. 

Trans Nortll Aviation utilizes their Fuel Policy Form primarily to ensure that the quality 

of fuel used is appropriate for safe operations. However, it is the policy and procedure of Trans 

North Aviation to strictly comply with all Federal Aviation Regulations and any deviation, 

shotlld one occur, by one of its pilots is addressed inunediately. Our researeh indicates W111iam 

Didier received. counseling from Trans Nortll Aviation;s ChlefPilot regarding fuel management. 

At no time did it appear that Mr. Didier deviated from Federal Aviation Regulations, however, 

out of an abundance of caution, our Chief Pilot reviewed proper fuel management procedures 

with Mr. Didier. 

Trans North Aviation, LTD has fully cooperated with iovestigators from both the FAA 

and NTSB and remains willing to continue to assist to the best of its ability. Should you require 

any rul.ditional information, please contact this office and we will be happy to.assi>.t you. 

,------------:;;-1' 

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To: Page 4 of 4 2012-01-13 14:03:37 (GMT) 

Charles R.l3amett, UI . 

cc: Ronald J .. Schaberg 

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18153567042 From: Charles Bamett 

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,J'<J. ~· EXHIBIT I #;"-., 
TIME DATE 

RECORD OF 0VISIT D CONFERENCE OR ~TELEPHONE CALL 

10:30 AM 12/14/2011 

NAME (S) OF PERSON (S) CONTACTED OR IN CONFERENCE AND LOCATION ROUTING 

Mr. Quentin Levitte SYMBOL INITIALS 

Assistant Chief Pilot 

SUBJECT 

N59773 

DIGEST 

see attachment 

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CONCLUSION, ACTION TAKEN, OR REQUIRED 

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DATE TITLE 

12/14/2011 Sandra Boerman POI l~',;vA) fl ))\ tfi\ -~n )j A ./1!\.tJl v 

FAA Fonn 1360-33 (4-75) Formerly FAA Form 1522;_ __ c ____ '_'"_'ro_"_"_'_'~_''::PD:::F.:_I=::::::~;-l 

FOR OFJFICIAI, USE ONiuY 

EXHIBA.' ---:....?:::...,(.1/· _ 
DIGEST (CONT.): 

Inspector Sandra Boerman interviewed Mr. Quentin Levitte on December 14, 2011. Mr. Levitte 

made the below statement. Mr. Levitte is the Assistant Chief Pilot for Trans North 

Aviation LTD, and a company flight instructor for the PA-31-350. 

On November 27, 2011, Mr. Levitte was assigned to fly a Part 91 trip in N59773 with Mr. 

Andrew Wolf from Outagamie County Airport, Appleton, Wisconsin, (KATW) to Wittman Regional 

Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (KOSH) to Crawfordsville Municipal Airport, Crawfordsville, 

Indiana (KCJF) . The purpose of the flight was to replace N4599F on an Air Medical Part 135 

flight. N4599F had landed in KCJF due to a malfunctioning attitude indicator. 

Mr. Levitte stated that Mr. Wolf's assignment was to help out on Part 91 legs and build 

time in the airplanes until he was proficient to pass a SIC check ride. 

On November 28, 2011, Mr. Levitte's assignment was to stay with N4599F until it was fixed, 

and then fly N4599F to KOSH. Due to the weather Mr. Levitte did not fly N4599F on that 

day. 

Mr. Levitte stated that Mr. Wolf was assigned as the PIC for the Part 91 flights on 

November 28, 2011. There is no written documentation of the assignment just verbal. 

Normal company procedures for assignments come from a phone call by Ronald Schaberg (Ron) 

the Director of Operations, followed by an itinerary for the flight, the pilot texts or 

calls Ron before take-off and then after landing, the pilot picks fuels stops based on 

location and price and if there is a question they phone Ron. 

The company uses 19-21 gph a side in the PA-31-350, and he teaches for flight planning 

purposes 42 gph the first hour and 40 gph for cruise. 

FAA Form 1360-33 (4-75) Formerly FAA Form 1522 Electronic Forms(PDF)