Originally published at: Seized Stinson To Be Returned, Charges Dropped
Red Lake Nation tribal authorities prepare to drop all charges.
The seizure and subsequent demands were nothing short of a demo of “power corrupts.” The Red Lake Nation must be held liable for any deterioration of the airplane’s condition due to or since the seizure.
And what took the FAA so long to intervene? Asleep at the wheel? Eight months to ensure where its jurisdiction lies? Such performance is appalling, not likely to elicit a vote of confidence in an agency that simply can’t seem to do anything right, and from all indications, isn’t even trying.
It’s the simple cases such as this no-brainer that could begin to restore public faith in the badly battered agency, but the FAA seems unable to recognize and take advantage of the cost:benefit of even such minimal effort in a timely manner. Public perception seems to matter only when the administrator’s job is on the line; otherwise, looking like one of The Three Stooges is OK.
Smedsmo, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, is also chair of the Republican Party in his home county and is said by some to have faked the emergency to prove the point. His neighbor ‘just happened’ be on the road where he landed when his engine “quit” 50 miles from home. He is also quoted as saying he was actually aware of the tribal rule when they fined an earlier pilot. Previously he said he was unaware.
So I agree there should not be airspace restrictions unless the FAA uses its rule making authority for safety reasons. However it is disturbing that a stunt like this seems to have been orchestrated to mislead a lot of people. Apparently the tribe saw his ruse for what it was and made him feel the pain.
“Minnesota Star Tribune”, "said by some to have faked the emergency. What is the point of your factless comment quoting from a left-leaning rag like the Tribune? How about publishing some actual facts instead of the usual “anonymous sources” BS that seems to be the staple of your comment?
Still, it would be interesting to know why Mr. Smedsmo’s neighbor just happened to be at the right place at the right time. It would also be helpful if Mr. Smedsmo could clarify whether he was or was not aware of the tribal rule.
You can also find it on Fox News if you are interested in authoritative sources.
Need fact-check on neighbour anticipating his arrival (noting state highway), etc.
Avweb reported that tribal police helped him at his highway landing location. Media show airplane being loaded on a different truck than the trailer-truck rig that the owner eventually took it away with.
There’s confusion over which highway he landed on, Minnesota H1 versus an SR, though they would be close at the southwest corner of Lower Red Lake. He says he steered toward H1 which makes sense as it runs along the lake.
Tribes are variable - don’t go near the Pine Ridge Reservation in SD-NE where FBI agents were killed in cold blood and females are found dead but no one tips FBI.
Thanks but Tribune is paywalled, your link is not to Fox News.
Try Red Lake Nation returns plane to Roseau pilot after 7-month dispute | MPR News.
Which reports that he landed on a state highway and a friend helped him tow it off the road.
Jurk tribe realized that air ambulances and forest fire fighting aircraft would not be legal to operate in air over the reserve. Hello ‘Think Ahead, Know What You Are Doing or Don’t’?
And Red Lake Issues Statement on Impoundment of Roseau Man’s Plane
Note they impounded the airplane, didn’t just let it be pared for a day or three.
Once savages, still savages…should return to treating them as such!
This topic was automatically closed after 7 days. New replies are no longer allowed.