Tonawanda mayor gets a bumpy ride from 914th

Local News

August 7, 2010

By David J. Hill dave.hill@niagara-gazette.com Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Sat Aug 07, 2010, 11:11 PM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — City of Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi took an eventful ride during an annual public event at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The mayor was among a group of people taking a flight on a C-130 Friday morning as part of the 914th Airlift Wing’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift event. The plane was scheduled to fly over various Western New York landmarks but the ride was cut short a bit when one of the plane’s four engines failed.

It prompted some routine response from the crew on board, and the plane landed safely back at the Niagara Falls air base, where fire trucks greeted the plane upon landing as a precaution. “They handled it very, very well. Their expertise in handling it was evident,” Pilozzi said, adding, “They were in total control.”

An Army veteran who was in a helicopter that was shot down during the Vietnam War, Pilozzi said he took part in the event to show his support for the 914th. As part of the schedule, employers of reservists were invited to check out some displays before boarding a bus to the tarmac.

“They said, ‘The following four people stay behind, you four are going to be in the cockpit,’ and they pointed at me,” Pilozzi said.

During the flight back, Pilozzi noticed something a bit unusual. “I see the pilot tapping the gauge and I said to myself, this is not good.”

As it turns out, nobody on board panicked, nor was anyone in jeopardy, 914th Airlift Wing officials said. “The passengers were never in any danger,” said Master Sgt. Peter Borys with the station’s public affairs division.

“It was mainly a precaution to cut the flight short,” he said. “The aircraft is perfectly capable of flying on three engines just fine.”

The C-130 is the prime mode of transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas, according to a fact sheet on the plane. It can also airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds and accommodate a variety of cargo, including utility helicopters and armored vehicles. It’s capable of traveling at speeds up to 366 mph.

Borys said the 914th Airlift Wing hosts the ESRG event each year to show employers what reservists do. “It gives the employers an opportunity to see what their employees do out here on the weekends or when they’re deployed. It gives them a better understanding of what they do,” Borys said.

Contact reporter David J. Hill

at 693-1000, ext. 115.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

No new vet for Niagara SPCA
It was one step forward and one step back for the SPCA of Niagara on Monday.
Just 72 hours after announcing the hiring of a new veterinarian for its troubled shelter, the SPCA board changed its mind and decided not to bring Lewiston vet Dr. Grant Hobika on board.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Tough time for NIMAC to ask for city funds
City officials say they are committed to helping continue military operations at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
Just how much money the city of Niagara Falls will be able to pledge remains a question.

February 6, 2012
Library board appointment vote put on hold
A request from Mayor Paul Dyster’s administration to appoint former city council candidate Alicia Laible to the library board did not come up for a vote as expected during Monday’s council meeting.

February 6, 2012
Landlord registration law comes under fire in the Falls
Community leaders are looking for a change in a landlord registration law they helpd create two years ago.

February 6, 2012
Forster officially seeking Dem chairmanship
Former Niagara County Party Chairman Nicholas Forster made it official on Monday.

February 6, 2012
Hayes sentence delayed in homicide case
Wilbert Hayes III was behind bars on Monday but not to begin serving his sentence for the slaying of Donald Tyree Nix.

February 6, 2012
NT coach fired for relations with student
A 25-year-old substitute teacher and coach has been fired by the North Tonawanda School District after an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

February 6, 2012
Senate passes school bus legislation
The state Senate passed a series of school bus bills on Monday that leaders say will increase safety and communication.

February 6, 2012
In Lockport, Man faces extradition in Vegas fraud
A former Las Vegas resident picked up at the U.S.-Canadian border on Nevada securities fraud charges was ordered held for extradition from New York on Monday, after a judge rejected his claim of diplomatic immunity.

February 6, 2012
Falls woman brings low-cost spay and neutering program to area
Celia Trapasso noticed a disturbing trend in Niagara Falls.
The pet owner and animal lover saw far too many animals — particularly cats — running the streets in the city.

February 5, 2012 2 Photos
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?