Grand Aire Express

Infobox Airline
airline = Grand Aire Express

logo_size =
fleet_size = 4
destinations =
IATA = -
ICAO = GAE
callsign = GRAND EXPRESS
parent =
company_slogan =
founded = 1985
headquarters = Swanton, Ohio, USA
key_people =
hubs = Toledo Express Airport
secondary_hubs =
focus_cities =
frequent_flyer =
lounge =
alliance =
website = http://www.grandaire.com

Grand Aire Express is an American airline based in Swanton, Ohio, USA. It operates passenger and cargo charter services, as well as charter management services. Its main base is Toledo Express Airport, Toledo, Ohio.cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | page= 87 | date= 2007-04-03]

History

The airline was established in 1985. After five years based at Monroe, Michigan, Grand Aire Express moved to new corporate headquarters at Toledo Express Airport on 4 January
1999.

Fleet

The Grand Aire Express fleet includes the following aircraft (at August 2007) :

*3 Dassualt Falcon 20
*1 Gates Learjet 24D

As of May 18th 2008 Grand Aire is no longer operating any aircraft.

Incidents and Accidents

*April 8, 2003: A Dassault Falcon 20 on a training flight from Traverse City to Toledo, crashed 1.9 miles west of the Toledo Express Airport while landing. The plane descended below glide path and impacted trees. All 3 occupants were killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20030408-1]

*November 30, 2004: A MBB HFB-320 Hansa Jet, flying a ferry flight from St. Louis to Toledo crashed into Howell Island after departing Spirit of St. Louis Airport. Both the pilot and copilot were killed in the crash. The pilot of the plane was Tahir Cheema, who was the founder and president of Grand Aire Express. The cause of the crash was the failure of the maintenance personnel to properly install and inspect the elevator trim system.
[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20041130-1]
June 13th 2000 PETERBOROUGH, Canada an Aircraft Dassault FALCON 20 N184GA was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an approach to Peterborough Airport (CYPQ), Peterborough, Ontario. The captain and first officer, both of whom were certificated airline transport pilots, received minor injuries.

August 28, 2001 Detroit, MI an Aircraft Dassault/SUD Fan Jet Falcon N617GA sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain and objects after travelling off the end of the runway during a main wheels up landing. Both pilots were uninjured. The NTSB determined the probable cause(s). The wheels up landing performed by the flight crew during the emergency landing and improper aircraft pre-flight by the pilot in command. Factors were the unsecured cargo door, the cemetery fence, and the lack of crew coordination during the flight.

July 18th 2002 Columbus, IN an Aircraft Piper PA-60 N158GA airplane was destroyed by impact forces and fire after it impacted the intersection of runway 23 and 32 while attempting a missed-approach. The one pilot onboard was killed. The cause of the crash was determined to be the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a missed approach. Additional factors included the operator's inadequate oversight, the pilot's improper in-flight decision, and conditions conducive to pilot fatigue, fog, and night.

April 08, 2003 St Louis, MO an Aircraft Dassault Aviation DA-20C N179GA. The twin engine turbofan powered airplane was ditched into a river after a complete loss of power from both engines. Both pilots received serious injuries. The NTSB determined the probable cause(s). The pilot in command's improper in-flight decision not to divert to an alternate destination resulting in the exhaustion of the airplane's fuel supply, and his failure to relay his low fuel state to air traffic control in a timely manner.

February 08, 2006 Paris TN Swearingen SA-226-TC N629EK crashed shortly after declaring a mayday. The single pilot onboard was killed. The NTSB determines the probable cause(s). The pilot's in-flight loss of control following a reported fuel asymmetry condition for undetermined reasons.

External links

* [http://www.grandaire.com Grand Aire Express]

References