Nathan K. Hammond
Registered User
Danville, KY DVK
Father in-law has a 900' one-way strip in central Kentucky that was established about 2 years ago; no hangar, just a fair weather fun strip. It's listed with the FAA and has an Identifier. The approach and departure is open and clear over a neighbor's 60 acre cow pasture on the back side of the neighbors farm and the runway ends at the fence line. Before putting in the strip and up until this point the neighbor has been great; eager to see the airplane, willing to cut down any trees needed, etc...
But here's the situation...
On Wednesday the 31st, father in-law went out and shot 2 or 3 T/O and Landings. Next day get a call from the neighbor saying the airplane spooked the cows and 2 ran through a barb-wire fence killing themselves..... (Luckily there was a video camera shooting POV from the airplane and clearly shows the cows not being effected by the airplane.) But the neighbor is convinced the airplane caused the problem...
So tonight, there's a message on the phone from the neighbor saying "he thought the cows needed some shade so he planted a tree in the back field (that boarders the runway.)" Father in-law heads out with a flashlight to find a 50' tall tree planted 40' from the end of the runway, square on the center line. Plus three guide wires running out about 60' from the base of the tree to concrete anchors. Not to mention large mounds of dirt dug by a backhoe for this tree. All done in one day.
I'm suppose to get some pictures tomorrow.
So what action can be taken? Was a law broken by hindering an approach/runway? How will this play out? We're calling the local FISDO and AOPA legal in the morning.
Thanks.
nkh :evil:
But here's the situation...
On Wednesday the 31st, father in-law went out and shot 2 or 3 T/O and Landings. Next day get a call from the neighbor saying the airplane spooked the cows and 2 ran through a barb-wire fence killing themselves..... (Luckily there was a video camera shooting POV from the airplane and clearly shows the cows not being effected by the airplane.) But the neighbor is convinced the airplane caused the problem...
So tonight, there's a message on the phone from the neighbor saying "he thought the cows needed some shade so he planted a tree in the back field (that boarders the runway.)" Father in-law heads out with a flashlight to find a 50' tall tree planted 40' from the end of the runway, square on the center line. Plus three guide wires running out about 60' from the base of the tree to concrete anchors. Not to mention large mounds of dirt dug by a backhoe for this tree. All done in one day.
I'm suppose to get some pictures tomorrow.
So what action can be taken? Was a law broken by hindering an approach/runway? How will this play out? We're calling the local FISDO and AOPA legal in the morning.
Thanks.
nkh :evil: