Freed: Fifty Shades Freed as told by Christian (Fifty Shades 6)
Page 13
Local Date: 17-JUN-11
City: CASTLE ROCK
State: WA
Airport Name: PORTLAND HELIPORT
Event Type: INCIDENT
Mid Air Collision: NOT A MIDAIR
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Make: EURCPT
Aircraft Model: EC-135
Aircraft Series: EC-135-P2
Airframe Hrs: 1470
Operator: GEH INC
Type of Operation: AIR TAXI/COMMUTER
Registration Nbr: N124CT
Total Aboard: 2
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Aircraft Weight Class: UNDER 12501 LBS
Number of Engines: 2
Engine Make: TURBOM
Engine Model: ARRIUS 2B2
ENVIRONMENTAL/OPERATIONS INFO
Primary Fight Conditions: VISUAL FLIGHT RULES
Secondary Flight Conditions: WEATHER NOT A FACTOR
Flight Plan Filed: YES
PILOT IN COMMAND
Pilot Certificate: COMMERCIAL PILOT
Pilot Rating: ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTER
Pilot Qualification: QUALIFIED
Flight Time Total Hours: 1180
Total in Make/Model: 860
Total in Last 90 Days: 28
EVENT REMARKS
ON JUNE 17, 2011, AT APPROXIMATELY 14:20 PT, AN EC-135, N124CT, OWNED AND OPERATED BY GREY ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS INC, HAD A MAJOR INCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS STABLE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY PITCHED AND THE #1 ENGINE FIRE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT SECURED THE #1 ENGINE WITH THE FIRE BOTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO SEA-TAC ON THE REMAINING ENGINE. #2 ENGINE FIRE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF SILVER LAKE. ON LANDING THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE SECOND FIRE BOTTLE AND SHUTDOWN AND EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE ONBOARD PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER IS EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT ENGINES AND THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE DAMAGE IS SUSPICIOUS AND MAY BE A RESULT OF MALICIOUS INTERFERENCE. THE NTSB WILL REQUIRE FURTHER REVIEW.
In my office, Welch, Taylor, and I pore over the report. Welch’s grizzled face is craggier than ever in the harsh morning light, his expression grim. “At the moment, the NTSB only suspects sabotage, but we should proceed as if there was malicious interference. To that end, we’ve checked through all the CCTV footage at the helipad in Portland and found no suspicious activity.” He shuffles in his chair and clears his throat. “However, there’s an issue in the GEH hangar at Boeing Field.”
Oh?
“Two of the cameras were inoperative, so we don’t have complete coverage.”
“What! How did that happen?” What the fuck do I pay these people for?
“We’re endeavoring to find out,” Welch answers, his voice deep and gravelly like an old car exhaust. “It’s a major breach.”
No shit, Sherlock. “Who’s responsible?”
“There’s a rolling shift system. So, it’s down to four or five people.”
“If they’re found to be negligent, they’re fired. All of them.”
“Sir.” He glances at Taylor.
“At present, we have no leads as to who’s behind this,” Taylor says.
“There’s going to be a forensic examination of the aircraft,” Welch adds. “My hope is that they’ll turn something up.”
“I want more than fucking hope!” I raise my voice.
“Yes, sir.” Both men speak at the same time. Each of them looks contrite.
Hell. It’s not their fault. Grey. Get a grip.
I continue in a more measured tone. “Find out who fucked up at the hangar. Fire them. And as soon as we have an idea of what occurred, I want to know. In the meantime, make sure the jet’s secured and it’s safe.”
“Yes, sir,” Taylor says.
“We’re on it,” Welch growls. He’s pissed. He should be, this has happened on his watch. “The National Transportation Safety Board is all over this and I expect they’ll brief law enforcement as their inquiries continue and, if appropriate, invite them to investigate in parallel. I’ll circle back with the NTSB to confirm this.”
“The police?” I ask.
“No. It’ll be the FBI.”
“Okay. Maybe they’ll find something. Where are we with backup close protection?” I ask Taylor.
“Both Reynolds and Ryan are available and will start today.”
“I want to keep Anastasia out of this. She doesn’t need the worry. And I want to see the shortlist of who might be behind this. I have to say I’m at a loss.”
“My team is compiling a list of potential suspects,” Welch says.
“I’ll do the same.”
“Sir, now that this is on the FAA site, the press may pick it up and start asking questions,” Taylor says.
Shit. “You’re right. You can brief Sam now. I’ll get him up here.”
“Will do,” he responds.
If this is going public, I have to tell Ana, too.
How the hell did we come to this?
Sabotage!
I do not need this shit right now.
I leave the two men discussing likely suspects and poke my head out of the door. Andrea looks up from her computer. “Mr. Grey?”
“Ask Sam and Ros to join us.”
“Will do.”
There’s a knock on my office door. It’s Andrea. “Would you like more coffee?” she asks.
“Please.”
On my computer screen is a list of all the acquisitions I’ve made since I started my company. I’m going through each one to see if I can find any potential suspects. So far I’ve drawn a blank; it’s depressing. Deep down I’m worried about Ana—if someone wants to hurt me, she could end up as collateral damage. How could I live with myself if that was the case?
“Latte?”
“No. Black. Strong.”
“Yes, sir.” She closes the door and an e-mail pops up from my girl.