On Thursday, the San Andreas Flight Authority notified the press that an incident had occurred at Sandy Airfield. As a result the airfield is now closed to the public and incoming flights as major restoration and construction work begins.
According to the Flight Authority, at around 5.30pm on the 4th of April, a vehicle was obstructing one of the runways at the Sandy Shores Airfield. During this time members of the Flight Authority attempted to escort them off the airfield. However, while attempting to flee, the vehicle lost control and collided with the aviation fuel pump causing an explosion.
Medical attempted to resuscitate the individual to no success and they were declared dead at the scene.
The explosion has impacted access to the control tower, heliport, both runways and the aviation hanger. Flywheels has confirmed they are still operational, along with the petrol bowsers located out front.
Following the incident the Chief Pilot Vladimir Petchenko issued the following statement to Shout News;
Presently, the airfield is indeed closed to all air traffic. Any craft in distress may still utilize the landing surfaces, but all other flights have been re-directed either north to Grapeseed’s McKenzie Airfield, or south to Los Santos International Airport. We do anticipate disruptions to both civil and commercial aviation however and will be working with pilots to help in any way we can.
Vladimir Petchenko, Chief Pilot of the Flight Authority
SAFA’s Facilities and Maintenance Team has recently finished assessing the full extent of the damage to the field to the best of our ability. The explosion caused significant damage to a number of structures and our equipment on-site, notably including our local radar and refueling systems. The aging structures present on the field were also heavily damaged by the explosion and even more so by secondary debris. Our facilities team notes heavy concerns as to the structural stability of a number of structures following the blast as the explosion loosened up hard-packed sand on which much of the airfield sits.
SAFA is currently awaiting the arrival of additional state certified contractors whom will be working with us to form a plan to return the field to full working service as quickly as possible.
Press Release: Flight Authority 03/4/2024 – Sandy Shores Airfield
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