Daily Sitka Sentinel from Sitka, Alaska • Page 7

Experimental Airship Crashes; One Killed ByANNEMcGRATH Asftociated Press Writer LAKEHURST, N.J. (AP) A massive experimental airship built from a blimp and four helicopters crashed after one copter malfunctioned, killing a crewman during a test flight near where the Hindenburg exploded 49 years ago. Four other crewmen and a firefighter on the ground sustained only cuts and bruises when the 343-foot-long, 10-story Heli-Stat crashed Tuesday night at the U.S. Naval Air Engineering Station, authorities said. The craft, sponsored by the U.S.

Forest Service, was designed for logging remote areas with a minimum of environmental damage. But some federal agencies criticized it for structural problems and for running behind schedule at a cost of $34 million, more than three times the original projection of $10.7 million. The Heli-Stat, which had never flown horizontally, was hovering at about 40 feet when one of the four helicopters malfunctioned and lost power, said Nick Grand, a U.S. Naval Air Engineering Center spokesman. A fire caused by ruptured fuel tanks in the Heli-Stat's helicopters was quickly extinguished, but the airship was destroyed, Grand said.

The Heli-Stat "just burst right in the air," said Petty Officer Chuck Peterson. "I couldn't believe it. Flames flew." Gary Oleshfski, of Bordentown, who was alone in one of the helicopters, was killed in the crash, Grand said. Tuesday was Oleshfski's 39th birthday. The craft crashed about three- quarters of a mile from where the German dirigible Hindenburg blew up in May 1937, killing 36 people, he said The craft was comprised of four tallies-: helicopters mounted on an aluminum, frame that supported the blimp.

The pilot, who survived, sits in the left rear copter and flight engineers in the other three. Unlike the Hindenburg, which was filled with highly explosive hydrogen, the Heli-Stat's blimp was filled with helium, a non-explosive gas. The craft, which was 43 feet longer than a football field, was designed by Frank N. Piasecki, a helicopter pioneer who began its assembly in 1979 under a Forest Service con tract. The Navy was monitoring the ex- WINNER, ruv mcusssas periment by the Piasecki Aircraft Corp.

of Sharon Hill, Grand said The airship, estimated by Piasecki last year to cost $24 million in federal funds and $10 million in private investment, was designed to lift 24 tons. It was based on the principle that once filled with helium, its resultant buoyancy made the craft almost weightless, so that the thrust generated by the copters' combined ejlOO horsepower could be directed toward lifting the timber. Grand said he believed Piasecki achieved his first untethered flight in May. Piasecki said last year the Heli-Stat might reach 72 mph, but conceded it could crash relatively easily if caught in a storm at low altitude. Forest Service officials said the Heli- Stat had shown promise for logging because back areas could be reached without having to cut roads.

Piasecki also 'said it might be used to fly oil derricks, pipelines and military equipment to remote areas. But in 1982, the General Accounting Office, the auditing branch of Congress, called it a white elephant, and said the cost of developing, housing and testing the behemoth would surpass $40 million that would never be recovered. Burning Ban Is Reinstated ANCHORAGE (AP) The state Forestry Division has reinstated a burning ban over much of interior and southcentral Alaska, citing increased fire danger and a shortage of irefighting equipment and personnel. The burning ban took effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, said State Forester John Sturgeon.

It's the second such ban in the past month. The first was lifted after cool, wet weather reduced the fire danger. The ban affects all cooking, warming and signaling fires over most of south- central and interior Alaska, except for developed camping areas with established fire pits. Sturgeon urged people to use extreme caution in setting off fireworks during the July Fourth weekend. "Those who cause fires with fireworks may be held criminally or civilly liable," he said in a written statement.

The ban affects game management units 14B, 14C, ISA, 15B, 15C and 16A, Sturgeon said. Le a good neighbor, State Farm is there. See me for Dennis G. Wallin, Agent car, home, life 407 Halibut Pt. Rd.

and health (across from Swan insurance. P.O. Box 2646 747-5801 STATE FARM I A State Farm Insurance Companies Home Offices: Bloommgton; Illinois We will be closed Friday, July 4th in honor of Independence Day! First Bank First National Bank of Anchorage Alaska Federal Savings and Loan National Bank of Alaska FAA Finds Cracks In 747 Jets WASHINGTON (AP) The Federal Aviation Administration says cracked frames have been found in the noses of 35 Boeing 747 jets and is weighing rules to require frequent inspections of the 160 jumbo jets owned by U.S. airlines. "Failure of the structure could lead to sudden decompression," the FAA said in a notice published in the Federal Register.

At the same time, the government agency warned about failure of a fuse pin in the aircraft's engine housing and said inadequate inspections may fail to uncover breaks consistently. It proposed more frequent inspections for the pin problems, too. "This action is necessary since a pin failure, if not corrected, could result in separation of the engine from the airplane," the notice said. It invited comments on both proposed rules by Aug. 22.

The FAA said it has numerous reports of cracking of body frame structure in the nose of the 747 fuselage. "Recently an airplane was found with three adjacent frames effectively severed," the agency said "As of March 21, 1986, there have been seven instances of two adjacent frames effectively severed and 27 cases of one frame severed." The cracking results, the agency said, from repeated cabin pressurization for flight and depressurization when the plane is on the ground. "Since this situation is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type of design," the agency said, "this airworthiness directive would require repetitive inspection for cracking off of skin in the The FAA said the inspections would cost about $5.1 million. Fred Farrar, an FAA spokesman said, "There is no immediate danger of structural failure'' on the planes. A.F.

Lists Cause of Titan Rocket Crash By NORMAN BLACK AP Military Writer WASHINGTON (AP) The explosive loss of an unmanned Titan 34D rocket during a military mission last April was most likely caused by the peeling of insulation inside a solid-fuel booster, the Air Force said today. The loss of the rubberized insulation allowed the burning fuel to eat through the thin metal skin of the rocket booster, touching off a catastrophic explosion, said Brig. Gen. Nathan J. Lindsay.

While there is no evidence indicating that the large Orings on the solid-fuel boosters failed as was the case with the space shuttle Challenger the findings will force NASA as well as the Air Force to review the insulation bonding techniques used on the boosters, Lindsay said. The solid-fuel boosters used on the Titan and the space shuttle are very similar in design. "We believe the cause of the mishap was a failure in the thermal insulation in a segment of one of the two solid rocket motors," said Lindsay, who headed a special Air Force accident investigation board. "The rubber insulation most likely separated from the steel rocket motor case, allowing damage by the propellant combustion products. We found no evidence of solid rocket motor design deficiencies.

The Oring seals of the solid rocket motors did not contribute to the mishap." Lindsay, in outlining the results of the accident probe, disclosed that the loss of the Titan on April 18 had caused an estimated $70 million in damage to launch pads at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Nonetheless, he predicted the Air Force would be ready to resume use of the Titan by early next year. Besides repairing the ground Blind Driver Uses Dog LOUISVILLE, Ky. AP) A man arrested for investigation of drunken driving told officers the car was weaving because he was legally blind and his dog was helping him drive, officials said. Attorney David Kaplan said Tuesday that William David Bowen testified that his dog was in the passenger seat and barked to tell him the colors of each traffic light he approached.

When reminded that dogs are color blind, Bowen said Bud had been trained to distinguish changing "What he told me was that he had taught the dog to tell green from red," Kaplan said Tuesday. "He would bark twice for green and once for red and the dog would help him. He's not totally blind but has peripheral vision and can make out a form on either end of his eyes." Kaplan said Bowen could barely make out a car in front of him, "but with the dog helping him, he did get pretty far." Using street lights as a guide and keeping pace with the speeds of cars next to him, Bowen said he and Bud motored along pretty well. But since he couldn't see the white lines dividing the highway, and Bud had no training in that area, he couldn't keep from weaving. The 34-year-old Louisville man was arrested April 26 when Jefferson County officers spotted his car weaving in the road.

They didn't believe that he was blind and charged him with driving under the influence, reckless driving and having a suspended operator's license. "When he was down taking a Breathalyzer test, he refused it and said 'The only reason I'm refusing is I wasn't driving. He and he pointed to his dog, an Alaskan Malamute named Sir Anheuser Busch which he called Bud," Kaplan said. Police said Bowen had gone about a mile after leaving a tavern where he had an argument with his girlfriend, who left, leaving behind Bowen, the dog and her car. "When the place closed, I had to get the car home Bowen said in court May 28.

Jefferson District Court records show Bowen pleaded guilty to charges of driving under the influence and having a suspended operators license. The reckless driving charge was dismissed. Bowen was credited with the 30 days he spent in jail while he was waiting for his trial, releasing him to be reunited with Bud, who had spent the time in the animal shelter. Mines Put on Register MCCARTHY, Alaska (AP) The Kennecott copper mines have been placed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The mines are located north of McCarthy in the Wrangell Mountains. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, who announced the action Tuesday, said the landmark site includes the mill town, 45 major buildings, a tramway system, and mines and camps at Bonanza, Glacier, Jumbo and Erie. A 14-story wood frame mill is the dominant structure at the mill town, officials said.

"Built in 1910 and 1911, the Kennecott project is a superlative reminder of i i technology," the Alaska Republican Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, Wednesday, July Page 7 Denali Park Filling Up For the 4th DENALI NATIONAL PARK, Alaska (AP) The crowds of tourists have arrived, and Denali National Park officials say they expect a record number of visitors this holiday weekend. The crush is most noticeable when people line up for rides in the park's free shuttle buses, spokeswoman Jane Anderson said Tuesday. "Over 350 people were standing in line for the 6 a.m. bus when the Riley Creek Information Center opened," she said. Numbers of tourists have not been tallied yet, but it appears they are way ahead of last year, Anderson said It may be just the start of a record- breaking summer for tourism at the park, as vacationers from the lower 48 states take advantage of lower gas prices, she said.

Motels and lodges near the park have reported a booming business. "For the first time, a lot of them are booked solid from the first of July through the rest of summer," she said. The buses, which make 32 trips a day 38 on Saturdays were filled to capacity all day Tuesday, Anderson said. Visitors this weekend can expect to wait several hours for a bus ride through the park, and some people may be turned away on days when demand exceeds the limit on buses, she said. For most, the shuttle buses are the only way to see the park, because most private motor vehicles are barred from the Denali park road during summer.

The park service limits the number of buses so wildlife will not be scared away from the road, Anderson said. She said visitors waiting for buses are not stuck in a line all day. As soon as they get a token for a particular bus, they are free to go. The park service has dogsled demonstrations, nature walks and other programs around the park entrance, and private enterprises outside the park offer activities including rafting and airplane rides, Anderson said. Panel to Meet The police and fire commission will meet 7:30 p.m.

July 7 in the Centennial Building. Under old business will be discussion concerning a stop sign on Sirstad at Verstovia, and a resolution on dog violations. facilities, "we will need to accomplish extensive inspection and testing programs for existing solid rocket motor segments before attempting another launch," he said. Lindsay said the Air Force retained its confidence in the design of the solid rocket boosters, noting that almost 70 Titans had been launched using the boosters without a failure. For some reason, he continued, the Air Force's procedures for inspecting the internal insulation failed to detect any weakness before the April launch.

He recommended that the manufacture of solid rocket motor segments be more carefully monitored. The Titan 34D, a combination of liquid and solid-fuel rockets, is the largest of the nation's unmanned rockets. The 34D is used by the Air Force to lift heavy military satellites into orbit, including spy satellites. The Titan 34D consists of a large two- stage, liquid-fueled rocket, to which are attached two solid-fuel boosters. The two boosters are fired at liftoff, with the first stage of the liquid-fueled rocket kicking in a bit less than two minutes into flight.

In the case of the April 18 explosion, the $65 million rocket never rose high enough for the ignition of the liquid- fueled rocket. Instead, just, nine seconds after launch, the rocket erupted into a fireball, destroying facilities on the ground and producing a huge cloud of poisonous fumes that caused minor injuries. Moccasin Making To be Demonstrated Mabel Pike, former Sitka resident now of Anchorage, will be guest artist in moccasin making in July, the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center has announced. She has received many awards for her work, and has taught and given demonstrations in the craft. While at the cultural center, located at the Sitka National Historical Park, she will give instruction to a limited number of adult students.

Those interested may call Sue Kinnear, 3-5 p.m. weekdays, at 747-8061. The public is invited to drop by the center to see Mrs. Pike, Kinnear said. said in a prepared statement.

"It doubled in size during World War I and continued to operate until 1938, and has become a special part of Alaska's history," Stevens said. "It's good news the secretary of the Interior has made the designation as a National Historic Landmark." The Kennecott mines were among the nation's largest. The world's first ammonia-leaching plant was designed at the site, enabling the corporation to extract higher concentrates of ore even from previously disregarded low-grade ore, officials said. The mines are adjacent to Kennicott Glacier, named for Alaska explorer Robert Kennicott. The name Kennecott is derived from a misspelling of the local name, according to the Interior Department.

WELCOME Sitka Fine Arts Camp Faculty, Staff Students Alaska Arts Southeast will celebrate Sitka Fine Arts Camp, 1986 with an OPEN HOUSE RECEPTION Saturday, July 5th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Special Features --faculty visual arts display --violin and fiddle music --poetry reading --mime performance Live performances begin at 8:00 p.m. --Refreshments Provided-- Hosted By IMPRESSIONS 233 Lincoln Street 747-5502 WASHMGTON CHICK DEVILED EGGS Everybody's favorite for picnics, parties or snacking-Deviled Eggs are easy to fix and easy to eat. Follow the recipe below or add your own favorite seasonings and herbs.

I 1 dozen Washington eggs, hard-cooked to cup mayonnaise, salad dressing, sour cream or yogurt 1 to 2 teaspoons any type mustard 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar Dash each salt and hot pepper sauce Cut eggs in half. Remove yolks and mash with all remaining ingredients until smooth. Spoon yolk mixture back into whites. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 24 deviled pCTo-halwc Be sure to look for the egg nai VCS.

Washington logo on the carton it means you're getting fresh, local eggs..