Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Local Date: 17-JUN-11

City: CASTLE ROCK

State: WA

Airport Name: PORTLAND HELIPORT

Event Type: INCIDENT

Mid Air Collision: NOT A MIDAIR

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Aircraft Damage: SUBSTANTIAL

Aircraft Make: EURCPT

Aircraft Model: EC-135

Aircraft Series: EC-135-P2

Airframe Hrs: 1470

Operator: GEH INC

Type of Operation: AIR TAXI/COMMUTER

Registration Nbr: N124CT

Total Aboard: 2

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 0

Aircraft Weight Class: UNDER 12501 LBS

Number of Engines: 2

Engine Make: TURBOM

Engine Model: ARRIUS 2B2

ENVIRONMENTAL/OPERATIONS INFO

Primary Fight Conditions: VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

Secondary Flight Conditions: WEATHER NOT A FACTOR

Flight Plan Filed: YES

PILOT IN COMMAND

Pilot Certificate: COMMERCIAL PILOT

Pilot Rating: ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTER

Pilot Qualification: QUALIFIED

Flight Time Total Hours: 1180

Total in Make/Model: 860

Total in Last 90 Days: 28

EVENT REMARKS

ON JUNE 17, 2011, ATAPPROXIMATELY 14:20 PT, ANEC-135, N124CT, OWNED AND OPERATED BY GREY ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS INC, HAD A MAJOR INCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS STABLE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY PITCHED AND THE #1ENGINE FIRE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT SECURED THE #1ENGINE WITH THE FIRE BOTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TOSEA-TAC ON THE REMAINING ENGINE. #2 ENGINE FIRE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF SILVER LAKE. ON LANDING THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE SECOND FIRE BOTTLE AND SHUTDOWN AND EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT. NOINJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE ONBOARD PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER IS EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT ENGINES AND THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE DAMAGE IS SUSPICIOUS AND MAY BE A RESULT OF MALICIOUS INTERFERENCE. THE NTSB WILL REQUIRE FURTHER REVIEW.

In my office, Welch, Taylor, and Ipore over the report. Welch'sgrizzled face is craggier than ever inthe harsh morning light, his expression grim. "At the moment, the NTSB only suspects sabotage, but we should proceed as if there was malicious interference. To that end, we've checked through all the CCTV footage at the helipad inPortland and found no suspicious activity." He shuffles in his chair and clears his throat. "However, there'san issue in the GEH hangar atBoeing Field."

Oh?

"Two of the cameras were inoperative, so we don't have complete coverage."

"What! How did that happen?" What the fuck do I pay these people for?

"We're endeavoring to find out," Welch answers, his voice deep and gravelly like an old car exhaust. "It'sa major breach."

No shit, Sherlock. "Who'sresponsible?"

"There's a rolling shift system. So, it's down to four or five people."

"If they're found to be negligent, they're fired. All of them."

"Sir." He glances at Taylor.

"At present, we have no leads asto who's behind this," Taylor says.

"There's going to be a forensic examination of the aircraft," Welch adds. "My hope is that they'll turn something up."

"I want more than fucking hope!" I raise my voice.

"Yes, sir." Both men speak at the same time. Each of them looks contrite.

Hell. It's not their fault. Grey. Get a grip.

I continue in a more measured tone. "Find out who fucked up at the hangar. Fire them. And as soon aswe have an idea of what occurred, Iwant to know. In the meantime, make sure the jet's secured and it'ssafe."

"Yes, sir," Taylor says.

"We're on it," Welch growls. He'spissed. He should be, this has happened on his watch. "The National Transportation Safety Board is all over this and I expect they'll brief law enforcement astheir inquiries continue and, ifappropriate, invite them toinvestigate in parallel. I'll circle back with the NTSB to confirm this."

"The police?" I ask.

"No. It'll be the FBI."

"Okay. Maybe they'll find something. Where are we with backup close protection?" I ask Taylor.

"Both Reynolds and Ryan are available and will start today."

"I want to keep Anastasia out ofthis. She doesn't need the worry. And I want to see the shortlist ofwho might be behind this. I have tosay I'm at a loss."

"My team is compiling a list ofpotential suspects," Welch says.

"I'll do the same."

"Sir, now that this is on the FAA site, the press may pick it up and start asking questions," Taylor says.

Shit. "You're right. You can brief Sam now. I'll get him up here."

"Will do," he responds.

If this is going public, I have totell Ana, too.

How the hell did we come tothis?

Sabotage!

I do not need this shit right now.

I leave the two men discussing likely suspects and poke my head out of the door. Andrea looks upfrom her computer. "Mr. Grey?"

"Ask Sam and Ros to join us."

"Will do."

There's a knock on my office door. It's Andrea. "Would you like more coffee?" she asks.

"Please."

On my computer screen is a list of all the acquisitions I've made since I started my company. I'mgoing through each one to see if Ican find any potential suspects. Sofar I've drawn a blank; it'sdepressing. Deep down I'm worried about Ana-if someone wants to hurt me, she could end up as collateral damage. How could I live with myself if that was the case?

"Latte?"

"No. Black. Strong."

"Yes, sir." She closes the door and an e-mail pops up from my girl.

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