Grant will fund Phase II of jetport project

U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins announced the Portland Jetport will receive $4,278,000 in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration. 

“The jetport is a gateway to Maine for countless tourists, business travelers and residents each year. This funding will complement the Jetport’s ongoing expansion project, which is vital to its future growth,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement.

The funding will be used for Phase II of construction of a runway safety area, which will place initial base fill at the ends of the runway in preparation for final grading and stabilizing of materials.

Senator questions FEMA approach in mapping

Sen. Susan Collins urged federal officials at a special joint hearing last week to involve local officials and residents in the decision-making process as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updates flood maps across the nation, including areas along coastal Maine. 

She also questioned the current approach, where FEMA relies on local communities to provide and pay studies to gather community-specific data that can affect the ultimate outcome of FEMA’s flood mapping decisions.

“FEMA is in the midst of updating flood maps around the country. These new maps are designed to more accurately portray flooding risks. While I support FEMA’s efforts to modernize outdated flood maps with new modeling and more detailed data, it is imperative that FEMA work with affected communities on this effort to ensure that the resulting maps are based upon the most accurate science available,” Collins said in a prepared statement.

FEMA recently published preliminary flood maps for South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Harpswell and others. 

Earlier this year, after hearing concerns from the city of Portland, Collins insisted FEMA pursue a more collaborative approach with the flood map updating process. That led to changes to recently proposed flood maps based on additional scientific data provided by the city of Portland. 

Collins used Portland’s experience at last week’s hearing to question why local communities are forced to pay for consultants to get an accurate assessment. “FEMA recently revised the flood map for Maine’s largest city, Portland, without consulting Portland city officials,” Collins said. “This flood map would have classified much of the harbor as a high-risk flood zone. Such a designation would have had a detrimental effect on the economic vitality of the city.”

Cape looking for resident input on town operations

The Cape Elizabeth ad hoc Municipal Operations Review Committee has published a survey on municipal operations and services. 

The four-question survey may be completed at www.capeelizabeth.com. Responses will be accepted until Aug. 16.

The committee, charged with reviewing the efficiency and effectiveness of Cape Elizabeth municipal operations, is using the survey as one tool in evaluating citizens’ views of current services and possible changes in services. 

Inspection reveals corrosion in fuel pump

Inspections of the wreckage from a South Portland airplane crash that killed two men July 17 found corrosion in a fuel pump and line.

A preliminary report the National Transportation Safety Bureau released last week indicated the fuel pump, normally driven by the plane’s engine, did not operate properly the second time inspectors attempted to start it.

The pump and associated fuel lines and filters will be tested and evaluated more as part of the NTSB investigation. Investigator Butch Wilson of the NTSB said the final accident report should be completed in six to eight months. 

The report does not list a cause for the crash that killed veteran pilot Mark Haskell, 42, of Brunswick. Thomas Casagrande, 66, a resident of Portland and certified flight instructor, also was killed when Haskell’s Yak 52 crashed on Maine Mall Road shortly after takeoff from Portland International Jetport.

The crash occurred around 3:27 p.m., according to the report, and came after three prior takeoffs. The first two were “touch-and-go landings,” and after the third, the plane came to a full stop and returned to a “run-up” area. Controllers told investigators Haskell said he wanted to do a systems check after taking off again and asked for permission to fly above the airport at 3,000 feet. 

The permission was granted and Haskell took off for the last time.

Witnesses told investigators the plane’s wings began to rock as Haskell tried to climb to 3,000 feet. Air controllers told investigators they asked Haskell if he wanted to return to the airport and he said yes before he began a slow left turn, according to the report.

Controllers asked Haskell if the plane had any problems. He responded no, “but it’s getting awfully hot in here,” according to the report. Witnesses on the ground and in the tower reported the plane dropped nose first to the ground.

Haskell first earned his license in 1987 and was trying to wrap up a flight review by the end of last month. The report said his last logged flight came in September 2008.