FAA: Pilot who crashed experimental plane south of Phoenix had 2 previous accidents

FAA: Ariz pilot who crashed had 2 other accidents

PHOENIX — A pilot who crashed an experimental airplane in the Arizona desert this week had two previous accidents and did not have the required medical certificate to fly a plane, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said Thursday.

FAA records show Charles T. Blanchette, 63, of Phoenix, twice had his license revoked for violations discovered during accident investigations prior to Wednesday’s crash.

In each case, the FAA said it determined that Blanchette carelessly and recklessly operated aircraft.

FAA records also show Blanchette does not have a current medical certificate, which spokesman Ian Gregor says the federal agency requires of pilots in order to fly.

According to a National Transportation Safety Board report, Blanchette made a forced landing in a Glendale field Dec. 16, 2003, a ½-mile short of his destination airport, following a loss of engine power on final approach.

The experimental airplane Blanchette was piloting that day came to rest after the main landing gear dug into a plowed field.

The pilot indicated that the engine performed fine throughout the flight until he pulled the power to idle on final approach and the engine lost power, the FAA said. Blanchette was seriously injured in the crash.

The NTSB determined Blanchette failed to have a condition inspection performed on the plane and the FAA said Blanchette violated general operating flight rules.

Blanchette’s second crash occurred on Aug. 18, 2006.

The NTSB determined a propeller blade on a motorized glider separated from the hub assembly during the initial climb after the plane had taken off.

Blanchette turned back for the runway, and made what was described as an uneventful landing.

An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and noted that the engine had pulled away from the firewall, which was damaged.

Again, the FAA cited Blanchette for violating general operating flight rules for maintenance and preventative maintenance.

In Wednesday’s crash, Gila River authorities rescued Blanchette after he was trapped for about eight hours in the wreckage of his experimental, single-engine plane.

Authorities say Blanchette radioed the Glendale Airport Wednesday morning and said the home-built Varieze (very-ease) plane was experiencing power failure and was going down about 25 miles southeast of Glendale.

Search crews looked for the plane throughout the day and finally found the wreckage about 5 p.m. on the west side of the Gila River Indian Community reservation, authorities said.

Gila River Fire Department officials say rescue crews had to remove the underside of the single-engine plane to free Blanchette.

Blanchette is currently at Maricopa County Medical Center. His condition has not been released.