GP Express Airlines
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| Founded | 1975 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 1996 | ||||||
| Fleet size | 3 different types of aircraft. | ||||||
| Destinations | Midwest and Southern United States | ||||||
| Headquarters | Grand Island, Nebraska | ||||||
GP Express Airlines was a regional airline with its headquarters in Grand Island, Nebraska[1] The parent corporation of the airline began on-demand air charter operations in December 1975. In December 1985 the Department of Transportation notified GP AIR (the parent corporation) that its bid to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) service in the Midwest had been accepted, GP AIR subsequently created GP Express to conduct these operations under 14 CFR Part 135. By 1992, the airline had expanded to provide air service, many flights under EAS contracts, to Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina; service to the Southern states began on June 6, 1992. By 1993 the airline operated Cessna 402, eight Beechcraft Model 99 airplanes (added to fleet in) and five Beechcraft 1900 airplanes introduced in 1990.[1][2]
GP Express operated as a Continental Connection carrier in association with Continental Airlines at the major carrier's hub in Denver beginning in mid-1994. GP Express replaced Britt Airways at Denver as Continental was dissolving its hub operation there. By October 30, 1994, Continental was down to only serving Denver from its other hubs while GP Express continued to run a full Continental Express operation. Over the next two year GP Express discontinued all operations at Denver. The carrier began a feeder hub for the new Continental Lite operation at Greensboro, NC and Tampa, FL in 1995 but filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations a year later.[3]
Accidents
GP Express Airlines was noted for an unusually high fatal accident rate for its fleet size and received additional FAA oversight as a result.[2]
- On December 23, 1987 a GP Express Cessna 402 crashed on approach to Chadron, Nebraska.[2] The crash resulted in fatal injuries to the two person flight crew and serious injuries to the only passenger.[4]
- GP Express Flight 861 crashed near Anniston, Alabama on June 9, 1992, only two days after operations began in the GP Express Southern Region.[1]
- On April 28, 1993, a GP Express Airlines Beechcraft Model 99 crashed near Shelton, Nebraska during execution of an aerobatic maneuver during a non-revenue check ride. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 "Controlled Collision with Terrain; GP Express Airlines Flight 861; Beechcraft C99 N118GP; Anniston, Alabama; June 8, 1992" (PDF).
- 1 2 3 http://library.erau.edu/worldwide/find/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-summaries.htm AAR 94-01-SUM Aircraft Accident / Incident Summary Report; Controlled Flight into Terrain; GP Express Airlines N115GP; Beechcraft C-99; Shelton, Nebraska; April 28, 1993
- ↑ Continental Airlines timetables
- ↑ http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?id=MKC88FA032&rpt=fa NTSB Factual Report MKC88FA032; December 22, 1987, Chadron, NE
- ↑ http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/1994/A94_11_12.pdf NTSB Safety Recommendation A-94-11 and -12; February 14, 1994