Aging Airplanes FRANKFORT, KY (WEKU) - Four years ago, an incident involving an aging aircraft owned by the state of Kentucky made world news. Four years later, officials in Frankfort are still talking about the need to upgrade the state's air fleet.

On June 9, 2004, a faulty transponder on the airplane caused evacuation of the U.S. Capitol, because the plane's identity could not be verified. On the craft was then-Governor Ernie Fletcher, who had flown to Washington for President Ronald Reagan's state funeral. It wasn't the first time something had gone wrong with the Beechcraft King Air, which at the time was 33 years old. It also had a history of rudder problems. Reaction from Fletcher's chief of staff, Daniel Groves, was swift.

"It does point to the need for the state to take a serious look at what we need to do to make sure we have a safe means of transportation."

Four years later, the plane is still being used to ferry Governor Steve Beshear around the state. It's one of 16 aircraft in the state fleet and State Auditor Crit Luallen says they're all getting old.

"The average age for the Kentucky airplanes is 34-and--half years. We have the oldest air fleet of all the seven contiguous states. Two of our aircraft in fact are over 40 years old."

Luallen says aging aircraft can show signs of fatigue and are less efficient because trips can take longer. She says air fleets in surrounding states are between eight and 28 years old. An audit recently conducted by her office calls for a full assessment of Kentucky's air fleet, to determine whether it should be replaced. But what about now? Is the current fleet still safe? Scott Shannon of the Capital City Airport Division, which maintains six state aircraft, including those used by the governor's office, says it is.

"We have a great team of mechanics that maintain these aircraft. We have a great staff of pilots. And I can assure you that they are well maintained and safe. And we would not hesitate to ground any aircraft if we thought it was unsafe."

But is it time for the state to upgrade its fleet?

"I think that's pretty easy to figure out. Yes, I think we need to look at updating our fleet. Now, what that is, I don't know."

But Shannon says the airport division would like to lower the average age of its fleet from 34-and-a-half years to 20 years. And what about Governor Beshear, who uses the planes. Does he feel safe when he's on them?

"I feel safe in terms of getting where we're going and back because our folks do a great deal of maintenance on them and make sure they're in good working condition. But obviously, the age of the aircraft themselves, concerns me."

So, should the state be looking at purchasing some new aircraft?

"I think at some point down the road, we may have to look at doing something with them. But in these times of economic restraint that we're in right now, it's certainly not the time to be looking to purchase new aircraft."

Senate budget chairman Charlie Borders agrees the situation demands a thorough review, including determining exactly how many planes the state really needs.

"We would need to do a study. I think that's something the Appropriations and Revenue committee will need to sit down and have hearings on, to find out exactly what our needs are, what the size of our fleet is today and can we reduce that fleet. But if we're going to have one plane in the air, or two planes, or three, number one they should be justified and if they're justified, they should be safe."

Senator Borders says he would support such a study. Governor Beshear also wants more information and has asked several cabinet members to have recommendations regarding the air fleet on his desk by December 15th.
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