Aviation News, Headlines & Alerts
 
Month: <span>April 2009</span>

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Emergency Landing: Asiana Boeing

What: Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Seattle Sea-Tac to Seoul, South Korea
Where: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
When: on Wednesday,
Who: 179 passengers
Why: There were reports that flames shot out of one of the jet’s engines and television video of smoke as the plane circled before landing.


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Cessna Lands in Marsh

What: twin-engine Cessna 310
Where: marshy area near Pitt Street bridge Mt. Pleasant
When: Saturday afternoon April 25, 2009 2:56 pm
Who: Arthur Parker and (approx) ten year old son
Why: When something “popped” on the plane and he could not turn and started losing altitude, Arthur Parker did the only thing he could, and landed in the Mount Pleasant marsh. He and his son walked out on the wing and waded through the marsh, then walked to a local house. Police officers met them, but Parker declined police and medical assistance.

Now his biggest problem is how to retrieve his plane from the marsh…

George’s Point of View

Just call Triple A?


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Hudson River Fly By

George’s Point of View

Don’t be alarmed over that jet that flew low over the Hudson River around 10 a.m. today. Blame the Defense Department who is conducting a photo op with two F-16s and a Boeing 747. The whole experience is going to be over by 10:30.

As if New Yorkers on the Hudson haven’t had enough of aviation surprises. Next time you need a “photo op,” try Pixar Studios. No doubt it will be cheaper than gassing up two F-16s and a Boeing 747–not to mention all the medical bills from heart attacks and nervous breakdowns over planes flying low over NYC. There are going to be repercussions over the emotional factor AND the unnecessary expense. I would not want to be the one who 1. alarmed all of New York City AND 2. on their own dime. Talk about chutzpah.

* update
Looks like I’m not the only one who feels this way.


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IATA Statement:Press release

Date: 26 April 2009

Swine Influenza

IATA statement
Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is monitoring events concerning the recent cases of ‘swine influenza’ in Mexico and the United States. On 25 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a meeting of its Emergency Committee, and subsequently determined that the situation represented a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ under the terms of the International Health Regulation.

WHO statement
The World Health Organization has released a statement.

WHO is not recommending any travel or trade restrictions.

IATA goes on to say:
“At the present time, IATA recommends that airlines review their preparedness plans for public health emergency and consider how they may be implemented in the event that the current situation becomes more widespread. No specific additional measures are currently advised. Recommendations will be reviewed in light of WHO evaluation of the evolving situation”


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Medevac Disaster

What: Medical evacuation helicopter en route from Ponte Lettia heliport in Upper Corsica
Where: on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica in the mountainous area near the city of Bastia. The helicopter “brutally” flew into a mountain in poor weather.
When: Sun Apr 26, 2009
Who: Five people: two pilots, a medic and two patients
Why: In spite of bad weather (fog, wind and rain), there was no distress signal. The medical team hadn’t realized how close to delivery the mother was; the helicopter was en route to the hospital as the Frenchwoman was giving birth. Mother and newborn perished in the crash along with everyone aboard. A rescue team of 150 found the wreckage.


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Emergency Landing and Changeover in Tallahassee


Contact photographer Ben Wang
What: American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 en route from Tampa to the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport
Where: emergency landing in Tallahassee Florida
When: Saturday Apr 25th 2009
Who: 147 people
Why: After discovering that the plane was experiencing mechanical problems involving the fuel tanks, it took twenty minutes to land. Passengers boarded a MD-83 and reached Dallas nine and a half hours later. The MD-82 with fuel system issues is under examination.


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NO CRASH in Calgary.

What: Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-600 en route from Calgary to Saskatoon (Canada)
Where: Calgary’s runway 34
When: Apr 23rd 2009
Why: The plane was in position on Calgary’s runway 34 when Canadair CRJ-700 flight QK-8339 from Winnipeg,MB to Calgary was cleared to cross runway 34. The error was recognized; takeoff clearance was revoked, the Jazz CRJ cleared the runway; and then the Canadair flight was cleared again for takeoff.

George’s Point of View

My favorite event is a non-event. The accident that didn’t happen.

So first he (the Boeing) is on runway 34 ready to go, then Air Traffic Control realizes they’re making a mistake because the Jazz about to cross the same runway, so Air Traffic Control stops him, and the other plane (the Jazz) goes ahead and crosses the runway, and they clear him (the Boeing); this time when he is cleared to go again the way is actually clear, and the Westjet Boeing manages to take off without any more issues.

Except possibly a bottle of Tums for the pilot and crew; and glasses and a caffeine adjustment for Air Traffic Control.

I can’t help but picture the scene in that 1981 movie Modern Problems (that no one but me saw) where two air traffic controllers go over the edge; one believing he’s moving a model plane around with his mind, and the other actually doing it.
.


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Air France: Cracked Cockpit Windshield

What: Air France Airlinair Aerospatiale ATR-42-500 en route from Florence (Italy) to Lyon (France)
Where: diverted to Genoa (Italy)
When: Apr 25th 2009
Who: 32 passengers
Why: While en route, the crew observed a cracked windshield. The airplane landed safely about 50 minutes after departure from Florence.


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Delta Flight Diverted to Boston

What: Delta Air Lines en route from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, was bound for Tel Aviv, Israel.
Where: Boston’s Logan International Airport
When: 10 p.m Apr 25, 2009
Who: 206 passengers and 11 crew members aboard
Why: After take-off, an unruly passenger attempted to break into the cockpit. The incident was not terrorism related; the passenger reportedly had an anxiety/panic attack. He was subdued by other passengers.


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Turbulence over Hawaii

What: Air Canada Boeing 777-200 LR en route from Australia to Vancouver
Where: emergency landing in Honolulu
When: Friday 7:10 a.m.
Who: 256 passengers and 17 crew members
Why: When the flight encountered turbulence SW of Honolulu, twenty-two people suffered minor injuries following severe air turbulence. Two passengers were treated at the hospital and released; two crew members were hospitalized; the rest were treated on site. The flight left later, scheduled to arrive in Vancouver at 2:44 p.m.

The turbulence was related to a thunderstorm.

George’s Point of View

It’s not brain surgery. When the seatbelt sign says “Fasten,” please “Fasten.”

map image


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Three Lightning Strikes A Charm.

What: Republic Airlines Embraer ERJ-170 on behalf of US Airways en route from Montreal to Philadelphia, PA
Where: on approach to Philadelphia,
When: Apr 22nd 2009
Why: On approach, the airplane was struck by a lightning. The crew did not declare emergency and landed safely with no damage sustained.

What: US Airways Boeing 757-200 en route from Saint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) to Philadelphia,PA
Where: on approach to Philadelphia
When: Apr 22nd 2009
Who: 96 passengers and 7 crew
Why: Although on approach, the plane was struck by lightning at 6000 feet, it landed safely 14 minutes later. Skin damage was reported. This was reportedly lightning strike number two.

What: AirTran Airways Boeing 717-200 en route from Orlando,FL to Philadelphia,PA
Where: on approach to Philadelphia
When: Apr 22nd 2009
Why: The crew declared emergency an emergency when their nose cone incurred a direct lightning strike. Fortunately the airplane landed safely on runway 27R. ( Runway 27L was still in the process of accommodating the prior lightning strike.) Strike number three.

George’s Point of View

This may be hindsight, but it seems to me like three different planes hit with lightning at the same city reportedly within a time span of minutes–maybe air traffic control should have checked weather.com or looked out the window or something…


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Bird Strike Database

George’s Point of View

The Federal Aviation Administration had proposed a rule that would have barred bird-strike reports from public release, but in spite of some bumps in the road, the US is opening its “bird strike” database, and the public is going to have access to this database, except for a few personal (privacy) details which will be redacted. There was some initial fear that transparency of the database would deter reportage.

The NTSB made this announcement. Reports that the database will be available to the public as of friday are all over aviation websites.

After the notorious Hudson River bird strike, I wonder how passengers are going to respond to the disclosure of this database that has thousands of bird strike reports–


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Venezuela: Aerotuey Crash


What: LTA (Aerotuey) Cessna 208 Caravan en route to Angel Falls
Where: Canaima Venezuela
When: Friday April 16
Who: ten survivors, one child dead
Why: The engine failed just after takeoff; the plane hesitated on the runway, took off but after airborne, fell into a stand of trees near the runway. Survivors were airlifted to a hospital in Ciudad Bolivar, the nearest city (400 miles away).

Six year old Thomas Horne was the only fatality. He died en route to the hospital.


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Turbulence: When the Light is ON, SIT.


Contact photographer Alex G.-Denicourt
What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 en route from Houston,TX to McAllen,TX
Where: McAllen, TX
When: Apr 18th 2009
Who: 104 passengers and 5 crew
Why: First, severe thunderstorms delayed takeoff. Then, en route, fasten seat belt signs were on. The plane experienced turbulence while a woman was in the bathroom; she hit the ceiling and sustained serious back injuries. A flight attendant and another passenger also were injured. On landing, the seriously injured women was ported to the hospital and underwent (2?) neck surgery/ies. It is not known if the severely injured passenger will be permanently paraplegic.

George’s Point of View

Do not think the seatbelt sign does not apply to you. You’re not someone exempt from turbulence. The seatbelt sign applies to everyone.


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Rudder Failure Fails to Alert Crew

What: Air Canada Airbus A319-100 en route from Montreal,QC to Toronto,ON
Where: Montreal
When: Apr 14th 2009
Who: 117 on board
Why: As the plane was about to lift off, the rudder moved and the aircraft pivoted to the left. The crew completed the flight. Afterwards, maintenance in Toronto was informed and they replaced the yaw damper actuator and the #1 flight augmentation computer.

George’s Point of View

I question whether the crew should have continued on with this flight on board this plane before the maintenance repairs were completed. It is obvious that everyone survived and that is a good thing. But I wonder if the convenience of not stopping is worth either 1. the actual risk; 2. the perceived risk 3. passenger confidence.

As far as confidence in an airline goes, as for me, ask me any day and I’ll tell you, I’d prefer to be a little late to being a little dead. I think most passengers would agree.

If not stopping to perform repairs is Air Canada’s policy, then someone needs to rethink this policy, because the issue is not consumer confidence vs the bottom line. It is safety vs foolhardy cutting of corners.


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Small Plane Crashes in Residential Neighborhood

What: SPORTSMAN GS-2 registered to THOMAS P ALEXANDER
Where: Crown Drive just west of El Dorado Hills Blvd. in El Dorado Hills CA
When: Friday 04/17/2009 after 5 p.m.
Who: THE ONE PERSON ON BOARD WAS FATALLY INJURED. The pilot’s name has been disclosed as THOMAS P ALEXANDER
Why: AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY between two houses. The plane caught fire but neither home was damaged. However, the pilot did not survive the crash. His flight record is currently under investigation. The homebuilt plane was certified in March.


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Sacramento County Plane Crash kills Two

What: A three-seater plane, a 1969 fixed-wing Champion Citabria en route from the Watsonville Municipal Airport in Wilton (Sacramento county.)
Where: crashed on Mount Hamilton near San Jose
When: Saturday 04/18/2009 at 0705
Who: Pilot and passenger
Why: The plane at an elevation of about 400 feet on Saturday flew into Mount Hamilton. The pilot and passenger were killed. The reason for the accident has not been determined. The Citabria was registered to Jeff Blanton, of Sacramento, and owned by Blanton and David Hartley.

The plane WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN ALERT NOTICE ISSUED on 4/19


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Phoenix: Mesa Runway Incident


Contact photographer David Marshall
What: Dehavilland DHC-8-202 en route from Guaymas, Mexico to Phoenix
Where: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
When: April 20, 2009
Who: The captain, first officer, flight attendant, and 14 passengers
Why: The plane struck a ground power unit with the right propeller while taxiing to parking. NO injuries were reported.


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No Injuries. Jamaican Hostage Situation Resolved

What: Canadian CanJet Airlines Flight 918 Boeing 737
Where: Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport.
When: Hostage crisis began at about 10:20 p.m. local time Sunday and ended near 6:40 a.m
Who: Initially 159 (out of 174 expected) passengers and eight crew ; six crew members hostage for eight hours by gunman Stephen Fray
Why: A “mentallly challenged” 20-year-old Jamaican gunman having relationship problems boarded the plane during a layover and demanded to be flown to Cuba. A passenger said “… took our money and we just, like, left our purses and our passports and everything just in the plane because we didn’t want to take any chances. We just put the money in a bag and we ran out of the plane.”. The flight was stormed by the Jamaica Defence Force Counter Terrorism Operations Group

George’s Point of View

Fortunately the situation was resolved with no injuries, but it is obvious the poor kid had issues. Who in their right mind would leave Jamaica for Cuba?


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Boing Emergency landing in Florida due to Laser


Contact photographer Thomas Piskol
What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Orlando,FL to Miami,FL
Where: ?WEST PALM BEACH
When: 04/20/2009 0:125
Why: “ON APPROACH REPORTED A LASER BEAM STRIKE” The plane was landed safely in spite of the pilot sustaining an eye injury from a laser pointed at the cockpit.

Based on Flightaware information, the Aviation Herald reports the landing did not occur at West Palm Beach.

Also, the flight number was erroneously listed on the FAA site as the registration #.


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Royal Air Maroc Boeing 767-300


Contact photographer Agustin Anaya
What: Royal Air Maroc Boeing 767-30 en route from Casablanca (Morocco) to New York John F. Kennedy Airport
Where: JFK
When: Apr 20th 2009
Why: Wake turbulence was such that the landing was hard. Complaints about the hard landing prompted plane inspection which turned up wrinkles found in the fuselage. The plane was grounded for repairs and further inspection.


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Smoke-no fire in Fuerteventura

What: Iberia Airbus A321-200 en route from Madrid to Fuerteventura Spain
Where: Fuerteventura
When: Apr 19th 2009
Why: On approach to Fuerteventura, a cargo hold smoke detector went off, but on landing, no fire was found. Even though no fire was found, the plane was held for examination.


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Depressurized Airbus Lands in London


Contact photographer Bruce Leibowitz
What: Turkish Airlines Airbus A340-300, en route from New York JFK,NY to Istanbul Ataturk
Where: divert to London Heathrow
When: Apr 16th 2009 6:30 local
Who: 185 passengers and 15 crew
Why: The cabin depressurized en route, and the flight was diverted to Heathrow for a safe landing. Although passengers experienced shortness of breath and ear pain, oxygen masks never did deploy.


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Lightning Strikes Southwest Airlines Boeing

What: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300 en route from Dallas Love,TX to Lubbock,TX
Where: Amarillo,TX
When: Apr 16th 2009 8:35 pm
Who: 123 passengers
Why: Approaching Lubbock in a storm, the Boeing was struck by lightning and successfully diverted to Amarillo. Later, a Boeing 737-700 took the passengers from Amarillo to Lubbock.


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Wilmington Emergency Landing: Medical


Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Michael Durning
What: Air Transat Airbus A-310 en route from Nova Scotia to Cuba
Where: Wilmington International Airport
When: Thursday night
Who: a passenger went into shock and passed out.
Why: Fortunately for the passenger, a doctor on board stabilized the patient. After landing, the 40-year-old passenger was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the flight continued on as scheduled to Cuba.

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