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Contact photographer Songyuan Andy Zheng

What: Qantas Boeing 737-400 en route from Melbourne to Canberra
Where: Canberra on Mar 14th 2010
When: Mar 14th 2010
Who: 147 passengers
Why: While en route, one engine experienced “thrust loss.” The crew shut down the affected engine, but was able to continue to their destination.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC/March 11, 2010 – Today, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) transmitted to the President and Congress the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) response to whistleblower allegations that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) compromised the safety of the flying public by operating an air traffic approach and departure configuration known as the “Southwest Flow” in an unsafe manner and in violation of FAA policy, and that FAA officials provided disingenuous information in response to a Congressional request.

The whistleblower, Air Traffic Controller Vincent Sugent, also disclosed that management guidance to controllers for directing traffic on an airport taxiway was contradictory and unclear, and that procedures for segregating jet and propeller aircraft departures were unsafe.

The June 2009 report and supplemental reports from DOT to OSC found that for a period of approximately six months, a critical segment of DTW’s “Southwest Flow” operation was often non-compliant with FAA Order 7110.65, which prescribes aircraft separation standards for intersecting runways, thus allowing a potentially unsafe condition to persist, in part as a result of DTW management’s failure to provide controllers with proper instruction on its safe operation. The report also determined that for two months during the same time period as referenced above, a DTW Operations Manager knowingly allowed the non-compliant operation to occur.

The report also substantiated that DTW managers provided wording for FAA’s September 2007 response to an inquiry from Senator Carl Levin about the Southwest Flow that was, at a minimum, disingenuous. FAA sent a clarifying letter to Senator Levin in April 2008, only after OSC referred Mr. Sugent’s concerns for investigation. The report also found that the “hold short” lines on Taxiway Quebec, and as depicted on controller monitor screens, were insufficient for controllers to comply with DTW guidance for directing traffic on this taxiway. In addition, DTW’s guidance and Operating Manual contain contradictory language, which creates confusion for controllers. Finally, the report found that DTW management had not implemented necessary changes to written guidance provided to controllers for segregating jet and propeller aircraft departures.

FAA pledged to take appropriate corrective and administrative action in response to the findings of the report. DTW has ceased operation of the Southwest Flow, the DTW managers have been counseled, and changes have been made to FAA and DTW guidance concerning Taxiway Quebec and jet and propeller departures. An audit of the corrective actions was completed by FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight Services in November 2009 and a report is expected soon.

OSC determined that the agency’s reports contain all the information required by statute and the findings appear reasonable.

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For Immediate Release
March 12, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking to collect three proposed civil penalties totaling $787,500 from American Airlines for maintenance violations.

In the first case, which occurred in April 2008, the FAA alleges American Airlines mechanics diagnosed problems with one of two Central Air Data Computers (CADCs) on a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jetliner. Instead of replacing the computer, mechanics improperly deferred this maintenance under the airline’s DC-9 Minimum Equipment List (MEL) by noting that the auto-throttles were inoperative. The MEL, however, does not allow deferral of an inoperative CADC.

The airline subsequently flew the plane on 10 passenger flights before the computer was replaced. During this time, flight crews were led to believe that both computers were working properly.

The FAA proposes a civil penalty of $625,000 in this case.

In the second case, the FAA found that in March 2008, American failed to correctly follow an Airworthiness Directive involving the inspection of rudder components on certain Boeing 757 aircraft. As a result, four 757s operated by American Airlines did not comply with the requirements of the Airworthiness Directive.

The FAA alleges that after American was advised of the situation, the company said it would cease flying the planes until they were repaired. However, during the following two days, the airline flew two of the planes on a total of three passenger flights. The FAA is seeking a penalty of $75,000 in this case.

In the final case, the FAA alleges that in May 2009, American’s mechanics returned an MD-82 aircraft to service, even though several steps of a scheduled B-check maintenance visit had not been checked off as completed. The airline also replaced a landing gear door without noting it in the aircraft’s logbook.

The aircraft was operated on two passenger flights with the logbook error. An FAA inspection of the aircraft revealed several discrepancies in the tail section, including loose screws, a missing nut plate and a right hand elevator torque tube binding and making noise. As a result of these discrepancies, the FAA proposes a civil penalty of $87,500.

American Airlines has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

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Contact photographer Stuart Lawson

What: SEAir South East Asian LET L-410 ferry flight from Manila to Caticlan
Where: Godofredo P. Ramos Airport Caticlan
When: Mar 15th 2010 6:30 a.m.
Who: 3 crew composed of pilot Capt. James Bihasa, his co-pilot and a mechanic.
Why: On landing, the plane had a flat, the fifth SEAir aircraft to have a flat at that airport. (There is only the one runway.) There were no injuries, but the plane blocked the runway until the left main tire was replaced. Because there was no spare, and lacking the equipment to relocate the plane, the airport closed for six hours during which time, flights diverted to Kalibo airport 70 kilometers away.

As a consequence, Philippines Civil Aviation Authority Director General Alfonso Cusi has ordered a review of the airport’s “Emergency and Rescue Plan.”

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Contact photographer Varani Ennio

What: SAS Scandinavian Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Las Palmas to Stavanger
Where: Las Palmas Spain
When: Mar 13th 2010
Who: 114 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed a technical problem. The flight diverted to Madrid, where the plane landed safely. Passengers disembarked without any problem, and were booked on an alternative flight the next day.

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Contact photographer John Ballantyne

What: Kuwait Airways Boeing 747-400 en route from Cairo to Kuwait
Where: Kuwait
When: Mar 12th 2010
Who: 259 passengers
Why: On approach to Kuwait City, the plane indicated a fire and emergency services were deployed. However on landing, there was no fire.
The report was due to a faulty fire indicator on the wheel well.

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Contact photographer John Richard Thomson

What: Air New Zealand Airbus A320-200 en route from Sydney to Wellington
Where: over the Tasman Sea
When: Mar 13th 2010
Who: 99 passengers and 8 crew
Why: While en route, the crew received an indicator message that the hydraulics were down (a hydraulics warning light.) The flight was diverted to Auckland where they made a safe landing, even though nosewheel steering (undercarriage problem) is said to have been affected.

5 Fire Service/rescue trucks and ambulance staff were on stand by during the landing.

Passengers were provided overnight accommodations and booked on alternative flights.

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Contact photographer Joey Collura

What: Airtran Boeing 717-200 en route from Washington to Atlanta
Where: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport
When: Mar 12 2010
Who: 117 passengers
Why: While en route to Atlanta, the flight diverted to Chattanooga due to Atlanta weather. On approach to Chattanooga, the Boeing was struck by lightning; it did, however make a safe landing at 4:13 p.m. While an alternative plane was provided for passengers, the Boeing that was hit by lightning is out of service pending inspection.

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Pictured: A Kazakhstan Government Mil Mi-8MTV-1
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Contact photographer Alan Lebeda

What: Mil Mi-8 Helicopter en route from Makanchi Kazakhstan
Where: near Urdzhar, Kazakhstan
When: Mar 11 2010
Who: 8 aboard
Why: Around 2 local time, the Mi-8 was engaged in a rescue mission in conditions of bad weather and low visibility (28 have been killed in local floods); the tower lost contact with helicopter, though its partner helicopter continued on safely. Bad weather and low visibility severely hampered the search, but a day later, the wreckage was been located near Urdzhar to the northwest, with no survivors.

Two local officials and two doctors were among the deceased.

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Contact photographer Thomas Ernst

What: Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300 en route from London to Miami
Where: London
When: Mar 12th 2010
Who: 231 passengers, 14 crew
Why: After takeoff, the plane was struck by lightning. Experiencing a technical problem after the lightning strike, they dumped fuel (over the coast of N. Wales) and returned to London where they made a safe landing.

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Contact photographer Juan Carlos Guerra

What: Interjet Airbus A320-200 en route from Toluca to Acapulco
Where: Toluca
When: Mar 12th 2010
Why: After takeoff, the cabin filled with a burning plastic-smelling smoke. The plane requested to return to Toluca and made a safe landing shortly afterwards. Passengers were provided an alternative flight.

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Contact photographer Antonis Panayotatos

What: American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 en route from Chicago to Dallas
Where: Chicago
When: Mar 11 2010
Who: 140 aboard
Why: After takeoff, the MD-82 flew through a flock of birds. Several birdstrikes occurred in the right engine. The flight was cleared to return and landed safely a little while later. No injuries occurred.

George’s Point of View
Bird strike season again.

I’m not claiming that bird strikes only happen in certain seasons. Birds live near airports and share the airspace. It’s going to happen.

I’m just saying that some of the bird strikes can be predicted according to migratory patterns. Unfortunately, I don’t think this can be predicted in any useful way, at least not yet, but predicted in the sense that when you’re driving down the expressway and see a cloud of birds migrating, you know it is bird strike season again.

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Pictured: North American P-51D Mustang; N514NH / 4484850/FF-850 (cn 124-44706) Former Apollo astronaut Frank Borman own this Mustang in the ’90s. Borman registered it as N15FS in August 1995 and named it Su Su. In it’s history this aircarft has carried the registrations N151TH, N850AH, N151BF, N151FS. Now it belongs to Hirani Oil in Chandler Arizona.
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Contact photographer Dave Budd – Photorecon

What: (Hirani Oil Arizona) single-engine P-51D Mustang
Where: Stellar Airpark in Chandler
When: Thu Mar 11 1:20 p.m.
Who: pilot Nazzi Hirani
Why: On an attempt to land, the World War II-era plane appeared to be coming in to land too fast, hit a brick retaining wall, then flipped into the hanger, setting it afire and killing the pilot.

* Although the Mustang was built by North American Aviation, it is the precursor of the Piper.

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Contact photographer Nathan Zalcman – AirTeamImages

What: Continental Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from Newark,NJ (USA) to Hong Kong
Where: Newark NJ
When: Mar 10 2010
Who: 301 aboard
Why: After takeoff, the Boeing encountered a flock of geese, with bird strikes on the right wing and nose. The jet circled the airport to burn off fuel, then landed safely.

Flightpath

Passengers were rebooked, and provided accommodations.

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Contact photographer Frank Robitaille

What: Delta Airbus A319 en route from New York to Palm Beach Florida
Where: Palm Beach International Airport
When: March 11, 2010 11 a.m
Who: 2 flight attendants (3?)
Why: Encountering heavy turbulence on landing at Palm Beach International Airport, the crew requested Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue for two injured flight attendants. No passengers were hurt, but the flight attendants were taken to Columbia Hospital.

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Contact photographer Jay Selman AirlinersGallery.com

What: US Airways A319-100 en route from Rochester to Charlotte
Where: Rochester
When: March 11, 2010
Who: 124 passengers (126?)
Why: According to interviews by the airport director, immediately after an uneventful takeoff, the jet flew through a flock of geese. Passengers heard an engine combust, and smelled something burning. The flight landed safely within thirty minutes, and apparently passengers clapped on landing.

It has been three years since Rochester’s last reported bird strike.

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What is going on with all of these unruly passengers attempting to open the door?
It is aerodynamically impossible to open these doors most of the time, but it is still a spectacularly stupid thing to attempt.

I hope it is not a trend. IF it is, it’s a bad one.

Mar 9 2010 SAS Scandinavian Airline – Drunk male passenger attempts to open the exit
Mar 8 2010 China Southern Airlines female passenger sitting next to the overwing emergency exit turns the door handle
Jan 23 2010 United Airlines male passenger attempts to open the aircraft door
Oct 11 2008 Air India Express passenger running and down the aisle demands the airplane’s door should be opened
Oct 20 2008 South African Airways male passenger attempts to open one of the airplane doors
Sept 19 2009 China Eastern passenger repeatedly tries to open one of the rear doors
August 26 2009 Qantas passenger attempts to open an overwing emergency exit

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Updated: 2:12 pm ET March 10, 201 Randy Babbitt, FAA Administrator announced that the FAA Air Traffic Organization is now managing under a safety management system to handle National Airspace System changes. This involves procedure modifications utilizing a new methodology for the FAA to “identify, assess and manage safety risks associated with changes to the National Airspace System.”

The Safety Management System is made up of four components:

safety policy – how implementation is carried out, and functions, processes, and responsibilities.
safety assurance reviews, evaluations, audits, inspections, investigations, and data tracking and analysis measuring safety
safety risk management hazard identification and mitigation
safety promotion. safety education and training

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Contact photographer Andre Kok

What: Sheltam Aviation Beechcraft 58 Baron
Where: Virginia Airport, Durban South Africa
When: Mar 10, 2010
Who: 5 aboard
Why: Newspapers reported this accident as the tires falling off after takeoff.

Apparently the pilots were getting conflicting messages, and did a flyby the tower where there was visual confirmation that the landing gear were down but improperly locked.

On touchdown, the pilot attempted to spare the right gear which eventually collapsed as the plane skid right, impacting bushes. There were no injuries reported.

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What: chopper
Where: Queensland rural area at Tally Ho, about 60km south of Emerald
When: 11 am March 10, 2010
Who: 2 unidentified pilots
Why: Information on this so far is very sparse–: The helicopter they were piloting crashed, and they walked away. One of them with minor injuries was taken to Springsure Hospital.

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Contact photographer Jan Vet

What: Iberia Airbus A321-200 en route from Santiago De Compostela to Madrid
Where: Santiago De Compostela
When: Mar 8th 2010
Why: Gearing up for takeoff, the interior of the plane filled up with smoke. The pilot rejected take-off, and passengers debarked as the flight was checked for necessary repairs. An hour later, the flight continued.

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