RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Thursday, September 28, 1989

INCIDENTS

89-294 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Assistance on Air Accident

A Grand Canyon Airlines de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter with 21 people on
board crashed during its final approach to Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan
(outside the park) yesterday morning, killing the pilot, co-pilot and 8
passengers. Rangers joined local authorities in the subsequent efforts to
extricate the remaining passengers from the wreckage and transport them to
medical facilities. According to reports, the plane was on its second
flight of the day and was making a normal approach in good weather when it
hit the runway, bounced back up in the air about 100 feet, veered to the
left and struck a power line and some Ponderosa pines along a ridge.
Although the wings sheared off, the fuselage remained intact and there was
no fire. The injured were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center by air and
ground ambulances. Eight of the 11 survivors were reported to be in
critical condition. (Telephone report from Capt. Clayton Connor, RAD/WRO;
UPI and AP reports).

89-295 - Grand Teton (Wyoming) - Special Event: Shevardnadze/Eaker Meeting

The four-day meeting between Secretary of State James Baker and Soviet
Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze which was held in the park concluded
successfully on the 24th. Special event teams comprised of 14 rangers were
brought in from Rocky Mountain Region parks to assist Grand Teton rangers
during the event, which included meetings at Jackson Lake Lodge and the AMK
Ranch, a barbecue at the lodge, a dinner at Spring Creek Ranch, and a
fishing trip on the Snake River downstream from the lodge. The wives of the
principals also toured the Colter Bay Museum, went on a boat trip on Jenny
Lake, and took a tour of art galleries and the square in Jackson. The visit
went according to schedule. The park permitted demonstrations by several
organizations, including two Armenian groups, peace groups and various
environmental groups. All were peaceful. The State Department is paying
all costs associated with the visit. (Telefax from Doug Barnard, CR, GRTE).

89-296 - Petersburg (Virginia) - Car Clouting Arrest

Over the course of this year, there have been 21 larcenies from autos in the
park. In each case, the thief gained entry by smashing out a front
passenger window with a rock. Although rangers have had a suspect in these
incidents for some time, they were unable to catch him in the act. Since he
took nothing but cash and only broke into vehicles with out-of-state tags,
it proved difficult to connect him with the thefts. Stakeouts had proven
unsuccessful in the past because there was no pattern to his activities.
About two months ago, however, the thief became less cautious and started
becoming more predictable. On September 24th, ranger Ike Kelley staked out
the Crater area and saw the suspect look into several vehicles, break and
enter his selected target, and grab two purses from the vehicle. As he
attempted to leave the park through a heavily wooded area, ranger Vidal
Martinez intercepted and arrested him. He is to appear in court on October
18th. (Bill Fluharty, CR, PETE, via CompuServe message from Ginny Paci,
RAD/MARO).

FIRE ACTIVITY

The NIFCC situation report is not available this morning.

STAFF STATUS

Healy and Loach in Denver; Butts on travel.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  FTS 343-4874/6039 or 202-343-4874/6039
Telefax:    FTS 343-5977 or 202-343-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER
SEAdog:     1/650 (Phone:343-6014; BAUD:2400)