Jessica is Executive Editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine. She started as Editor of ShowNews Online, Aviation Week's on-site trade show daily published at the Paris Air Show, NBAA Annual Convention, Singapore Air Show and at other significant aerospace gatherings.
Jessica has worked in television production and management consulting. While not yet a licensed pilot, Ms. Salerno has received flight instruction and has soloed.
A Bell 206L1, N211EL, impacted the water in the Gulf of Mexico following a loss of control during approach. One passenger was fatally injured, while the commercial pilot and two other passengers received serious injuries. The helicopter was owned and operated by Air Logistics LLC, of New Iberia, La. The flight originated from offshore platform Chandelier 63 and was destined for platform South Pass 38, both in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot reported encountering a "sloping cloud deck" as he approached the platform for landing.
At 0306 CST, a Bell 206L-3, N109AE, owned and operated by Air Evac EMS, Inc., was destroyed during a collision with terrain while maneuvering near Cherokee, Ala. The flight was initiated after Air Evac was notified of a missing hunter. The flight was voluntary. The safety program manager stated that the three occupants of the helicopter were all employees. Several emergency personnel were on the ground, also searching for the hunter, and witnessed the accident.
A Pilatus PC-12/45, N398J, was not damaged when a line technician was struck and killed by its moving propeller while parked at the ramp at Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City (PWA), Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and the seven passengers were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Oklahoma Cardiovascular Association. The pilot stated that after landing he taxied the airplane to the FBO and that the line technician guided him to a full stop. He then began to shut down the engine when the line technician walked into the propeller.
