White Sands National Monument (NM)
Crash of Unmanned Aircraft
On February 11, an unmanned QF-4 drone crashed inside the park. The
drone, which is an F-4 fighter jet modified for remote flight, crashed
nine miles from headquarters in a remote section of the park. There were
no injuries. The aircraft was on final approach to Holloman AFB when it
suddenly veered right and sharply down. The drone was being used as a
target for missile systems being tested on White Sands Missile Range.
Several motorists observed the crash from US Highway 70, and at least
one videotaped the aftermath. The videotape was acquired by Air Force
personnel, but will be returned to its owner following analysis. Ranger
Garry Olson and cultural resource specialist Diane White were flown to
the scene aboard an Army helicopter to assess the wreckage. It appears
that the explosives package aboard the jet detonated prior to impact, as
is supposed to occur when controllers lose contact with the plane.
Cleanup of the site will begin once the area is declared safe and the
investigation is completed. A joint investigation will be conducted by
Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range.
[Submitted by Cliff
Spencer, Chief Ranger]
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Felony Indictment
On January 21, a federal grand jury in Wyoming indicted K.B.
of Gardiner, Montana, on felony charges of being a convicted
felon in possession of a firearm (18 USC 922(g)). A conviction on this
charge carries a jail sentence of ten years. The indictment stems from
an incident that occurred on January 3. Ranger Joe Bueter and a Park
County deputy came upon a loud altercation on Park Street in front of
the Blue Goose Saloon. Park Street is within the park's boundary; the
Blue Goose Saloon was the location of the near fatal assault reported in
Tuesday's Morning Report. From a distance of 50 yards, K.B. yelled
an obscenity at the officers, accompanied by the related gesture. During
the subsequent encounter, Bueter and the deputy found a semi-automatic
handgun in K.B.'s waistband. He was placed under arrest for
disorderly conduct. Records checks showed that he was a convicted felon
with outstanding Montana misdemeanor arrest warrants filed on him. A
felony criminal complaint was filed before a federal magistrate, and
K.B. had a second post-indictment initial appearance in court on
February 7. He remains in federal custody in Wyoming pending trial. This
is the third incident in as many months during which rangers have
arrested intoxicated individuals in this area of the park who were also
in possession of firearm.
[Submitted by Brian Smith, Supervisory
Special Agent]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.