Air Tahoma

Air Tahoma was an American cargo airline established by Noel Rude in 1996. The carrier began operations in San Diego, moved to Indianapolis in 1998, and ultimately based its operation at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. It operated under the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations governing Part 121 air carriers and concentrated on freight transportation rather than scheduled passenger service. The airline grew out of Cool Air Inc., a company founded in 1986 by Noel Rude and his father, Bud Rude. Cool Air had originally been associated with firefighting missions in Washington before the Air Tahoma operation developed into a cargo carrier. Air Tahoma used twin-engine Convair turboprops, principally Convair 580s and Convair 240s, and later also operated a BAe 146-300. Its business model emphasized contract freight flying, including services for FedEx to cities where cargo volumes were not sufficient to support larger jet aircraft. Air Tahoma’s network included domestic U.S. freight movements and international contract routes linking points in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Examples reported for the airline include Miami–Cancún–Mérida, Miami–Guatemala–San Pedro Sula, Subic Bay–Saigon, Aguadilla–Port of Spain, and San Juan services to other West Indian destinations. The carrier experienced several operational incidents. In 2004, Air Tahoma Flight 185 crashed during approach to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport after a dual-engine flameout; the first officer died and the captain was injured. In September 2008, Flight 587, a Convair 580, crashed shortly after departing Rickenbacker International Airport, killing all three crew members. Investigators attributed the latter accident to incorrectly rigged elevator trim together with improper maintenance procedures. Following a 2008 FAA inspection and subsequent regulatory action, Air Tahoma voluntarily suspended operations briefly, resumed flying, and disputed the agency’s findings. The FAA issued an emergency revocation of the carrier’s operating authority in January 2009, citing systemic alleged violations of federal aviation regulations. Air Tahoma appealed, but ultimately reached an arrangement that enabled its aircraft to be repositioned. The airline ceased operations in 2009 and is now a defunct carrier.

Air Tahoma was created in 1996 by Noel Rude and began operating from San Diego. The business was connected to Cool Air Inc., which Noel Rude had established with his father, Bud Rude. Cool Air’s earlier activities included firefighting flying in Washington, while Air Tahoma developed as a Part 121 cargo airline. The carrier relocated to Indianapolis in 1998 and later established its final base at Rickenbacker International Airport southeast of Columbus, Ohio. Its operational focus was freight rather than passenger transportation. Air Tahoma operated twin-engine Convair turboprops, especially the Convair 580 and Convair 240, and its reported fleet in September 2007 also included a BAe 146-300. The Convair aircraft were suited to regional freight work and enabled the carrier to serve markets where a larger jet operation would not have been economical. Air Tahoma flew contract cargo services for FedEx and operated routes within the United States and internationally. The reported international footprint covered Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Examples included Miami-linked services to Cancún, Mérida, Guatemala, and San Pedro Sula; Subic Bay–Saigon; Aguadilla–Port of Spain; and San Juan services to destinations elsewhere in the West Indies. The airline’s operating history included several accidents and incidents. In 2003, an augmenter fire affected the right engine of an aircraft after landing, but the fire remained contained and the aircraft was not damaged. In January 2004, a Convair 580 lost right-engine oil pressure while approaching Memphis and landed safely. On August 13, 2004, Flight 185 crashed during approach to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport after both engines lost power. The first officer died, while the captain suffered minor injuries. The investigation found that fuel remained available and that aircraft systems were not the primary cause; crew actions involving preflight planning, fuel crossfeeding, and fuel-gauge monitoring were central to the findings. On September 1, 2008, Flight 587 crashed shortly after departing Rickenbacker. All three crew members were killed. Investigation accounts linked the accident to elevator trim that had been incorrectly rigged and maintenance procedures that improperly approved the work. The accident was followed by heightened scrutiny of the carrier’s maintenance and operational practices. An FAA post-accident inspection process in 2008 produced a list of alleged discrepancies involving Air Tahoma aircraft. The company voluntarily suspended operations and submitted a lengthy response disputing or addressing the findings, after which it resumed service. The FAA subsequently issued an emergency revocation on January 13, 2009, citing systemic alleged violations of federal aviation regulations. Air Tahoma appealed the action. During the appeal, restrictions were placed on ferry flights and on efforts to place its aircraft with other operators. The company eventually dropped its appeal under an arrangement that allowed the aircraft to be moved to its home base. Air Tahoma ceased operations in 2009 and has remained defunct.

1. 2009Operating authority revoked and airline closes

   The FAA issued an emergency revocation of Air Tahoma’s operating authority in January. The carrier later ceased operations during the appeal process.

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2. 2008Flight 587 crash and FAA inspection

   Flight 587 crashed after departing Rickenbacker, killing three crew members. Subsequent FAA scrutiny included alleged discrepancies involving the airline’s aircraft and maintenance practices.

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3. 2007Reported fleet composition

   The reported September 2007 fleet consisted of one BAe 146-300, three Convair CV-240s, and eight Convair CV-580s.

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4. 2004Flight 185 crash

   Air Tahoma Flight 185 crashed during approach to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, killing the first officer and injuring the captain.

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5. 2003Augmenter fire incident

   An aircraft experienced a contained right-engine augmenter fire after landing; no aircraft damage was reported.

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6. 1998Operations move to Indianapolis

   The airline relocated its operating base from San Diego to Indianapolis.

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7. 1996Air Tahoma is established

   Noel Rude founded Air Tahoma, which began cargo operations from San Diego under the U.S. Part 121 regulatory framework.

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Regional and international contract cargo airline serving freight markets that did not require larger jet aircraft.

• Air cargo transportationCargo airline service1996

  Air Tahoma’s core offering was the movement of freight using turboprop and regional jet aircraft. The airline served contract and regional cargo requirements rather than operating a conventional passenger network, with services in the United States and selected international markets.

• FedEx contract cargo operationsContract logistics aviation

  The carrier flew contract cargo services for FedEx, including routes to cities where traffic levels were considered insufficient to justify larger jet aircraft. This positioned Air Tahoma as a feeder and capacity provider within regional freight logistics.

• Convair 580 cargo operationsCargo aircraft operations

  Convair 580 turboprops formed the principal aircraft type in Air Tahoma’s reported fleet. Their twin-engine configuration and regional capability supported freight missions from smaller or less heavily trafficked airports.

• International contract cargo routesInternational air freight

  Air Tahoma operated international contract flights linking the United States with Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Reported city pairs included Miami–Cancún–Mérida and Subic Bay–Saigon.

• 2009Appeal of FAA revocation is abandonedStrategy

  Air Tahoma challenged the FAA’s emergency revocation, while restrictions affected aircraft ferry flights and possible transfers to other operators.

  What changed. The company dropped its appeal under an arrangement permitting its aircraft to be moved back to its home base.

  Aftermath. Air Tahoma ceased operations in 2009 and did not return as an active airline.

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• 2008Voluntary suspension and response to FAA inspection findingsOther

  An FAA post-accident inspection produced a list of alleged discrepancies involving Air Tahoma aircraft.

  What changed. Air Tahoma voluntarily suspended operations, submitted a detailed written response, and later resumed service while requesting further FAA input.

  Aftermath. The FAA subsequently issued an emergency revocation of the airline’s operating authority in January 2009.

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• 1998Relocation of the operating base to IndianapolisStrategy

  After beginning operations in San Diego, Air Tahoma changed its base as it developed its cargo network.

  What changed. The carrier moved its operating base to Indianapolis in 1998 and later relocated to Rickenbacker International Airport near Columbus.

  Aftermath. Rickenbacker became the airline’s final reported base and principal operating location.

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• 2009FAA enforcement action and operating-authority revocationControversy

  Following post-accident scrutiny and an FAA inspection, the agency alleged systemic violations of federal aviation regulations and issued an emergency revocation of Air Tahoma’s operating authority. Air Tahoma disputed the findings and appealed before ultimately abandoning the appeal during arrangements to reposition its aircraft. The matter was regulatory and safety-related rather than a conventional consumer scandal.

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• 2009FAA issues emergency revocation of Air Tahoma operating authority

  The FAA issued an emergency revocation after an inspection and enforcement process that alleged numerous systemic violations of federal aviation regulations. Air Tahoma appealed, but the carrier later ceased operations.

  RegulationOther
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• 2009Air Tahoma ceases operations

  The cargo airline ended its operations after the regulatory dispute and did not resume service as an active carrier.

  BankruptcyOther
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• 2008Air Tahoma Flight 587 crashes after departure from Rickenbacker

  A Convair 580 crashed shortly after takeoff from Rickenbacker International Airport in Ohio, killing all three crew members. Investigation material cited incorrectly rigged elevator trim and improper maintenance procedures.

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• 2004Air Tahoma Flight 185 crashes during approach to Cincinnati

  A Convair 580 crashed approximately 1.25 miles short of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The first officer, Michael Ray Gelwicks, died and the captain sustained minor injuries. The investigation attributed the accident to a dual-engine flameout associated with crew distraction, improper fuel crossfeeding, and inadequate monitoring of fuel gauges.

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• 2004Air Tahoma reports earlier aircraft incidents

  Reported events included an augmenter fire after landing in October 2003 and a Convair 580 loss of right-engine oil pressure during approach to Memphis on January 7, 2004. Both aircraft landed without the reported events causing a crash.

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1. Air Tahoma