Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Stuart JR
What: Ryanair Boeing 737-800 en route from Dublin to Prestwick
Where: Prestwick
When: Dec 23rd 2009
Who: 129 passengers
Why: After a successful landing, the flight was being taxied off when it encountered ice. It slid off the runway. Passengers debarked on the verge, and were ported to the gate.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 24, 2011 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to build the next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft that will replace 179 of the service’s 400 KC-135 tankers.
The contract calls for Boeing to design, develop, manufacture and deliver 18 initial combat-ready tankers by 2017.
“We’re honored to be given the opportunity to build the Air Force’s next tanker and provide a vital capability to the men and women of our armed forces,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. “Our team is ready now to apply our 60 years of tanker experience to develop and build an airplane that will serve the nation for decades to come.”
In selecting the Boeing NewGen Tanker after a lengthy and rigorous proposal process, the Air Force has chosen an American-built, multi-mission tanker that is based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane and meets all requirements at the lowest risk for the warfighter and the best value for taxpayers. The Boeing proposal was created by an integrated “One Boeing” team from various sites across the company, including employees from the Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Engineering, Operations & Technology organizations.
“This contract award would not have been possible without the hundreds of Boeing employees across the entire company, and the thousands of our industry teammates, who remained laser-focused on our commitment to offer a solution that is first in capability and best in value,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This award is also a tribute to the Air Force and Defense Department officials who worked so tirelessly to make this procurement process fair, ultimately resulting in the selection of the right plane for the mission. We look forward to working with our Air Force customer to deliver this much needed capability to the servicemen and women we are honored to serve.”
The KC-46A tankers will be built using a low-risk approach to manufacturing by a trained and experienced U.S. work force at existing Boeing facilities. The KC-46A tanker also will fuel the economy as it supports approximately 50,000 total U.S. jobs with Boeing and more than 800 suppliers in more than 40 states.
“Boeing has always been committed to the integrity of the competitive process, and the men and women across our Boeing commercial and defense teams and our entire supplier network are ready to extend that commitment to delivering these tankers on time and on budget,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, the KC-46A Tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated with the latest and most advanced technology and capable of meeting or exceeding the Air Force’s needs for transport of fuel, cargo, passengers and patients. It includes state-of-the-art systems to meet the demanding mission requirements of the future, including a digital flight deck featuring Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic displays and a flight control design philosophy that places aircrews in command rather than allowing computer software to limit combat maneuverability. The NewGen Tanker also features an advanced KC-10 boom with an expanded refueling envelope, increased fuel offload rate and fly-by-wire control system.
Pictured: A US Airways/ Mesa Airlines De Havilland Canada DHC-8-202 Dash 8
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Tom Lowther
What: US Airways Express/Mesa Airlines de Havilland-8 twin-engine turboprop en route from Grand Junction to Phoenix
Where: Durango-La Plata County Airport
When: October 5, 2009
Who: 31 passengers.
Why: While en route, the plane lost an engine. The engine failure was due to an oil-pressure problem, though it is not clear from our report whether or not the engine actually failed, or what is more likely, that the pilot shut it down. The plane diverted to Durango and landed safely; some of the passengers were able to fly out on the next flight to Phoenix.
A flight attendant fell out of a China Eastern Airlines plane at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, China, on October 23rd.
The Kunming-bound Boeing 737-800 plane was preparing for departure when the flight attendant attempted to close a door alone and fell out of the plane.
The flight attendant was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
American Airlines flight AA-905 made an emergency landing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 1st.
The Boeing 777-200 plane flying from Miami, Florida, was descending toward Rio de Janeiro when the crew reported a hydraulic failure.
The plane landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Karev Valentin
Update
Monday Russian forensic scientists began using DNA testing to identify bodies and relatives visited the site; some were taken to the hospital in shock.
What: Aeroflot Nord Boeing 737-500 Flight 821, en route from Moscow to Perm. The 737 had been leased by Aeroflot from Dublin-based Pinewatch Limited from late July until March 2013.
Where: Crashed just outside the airport but inside the Perm, Siberia city limits. (conflicting reports say the plane landed in either a swamp or a ravine.) It missed an apartment block.
When: 3:40 a.m. Sunday
Who: Eighty-two passengers — including seven children and six crew members. Multiple nationalities were on the flight, including nine from Azerbaijan, five from Ukraine, and one each from France, Switzerland, Latvia, the United States, Germany, Turkey, and Italy,
Why: Bolshoye Savino Airport air traffic control lost communication with pilots at at about 3,600 feet just before landing about 3:10 a.m
Flight record of the downed plane:
(Detailed records from http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737-25792.htm)
Boeing 737 – MSN 25792
Airline Aeroflot-Nord
Status : Active
Registration : VP-BKO
Airline Aeroflot-Nord
Country : Russia
Date : 2004 – Codes 5N AUL Callsign : dvina
Web site : http://www.aeroflot-nord.ru
General information & flightlog
Serial number 25792 LN:2353
Type 737-505
First flight date 20/08/1992
Test registration
Flights recorded
Operators of the aircraft
Delivery date | Airline | Registration | Remark
08/09/1992 Braathens LN-BRW
24/09/1992 Xiamen Airlines B-2591
12/03/1993 China Southwest Airlines B-2591
01/03/2003 Air China B-2591 Stored 03/2008
29/05/2008 Aeroflot-Nord VP-BKO
Photo: A Military Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Contact photographer Anthony Osborne
What: US Army Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Where: SW training area of Joint Base Lewis-McChord
When: Dec 12, 2011
Who: 2 occupants, 2 fatalities
What: US Army Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
Where: SW training area of Joint Base Lewis-McChord
When: Dec 12, 2011 8 pm
Who: 2 occupants, 2 fatalities
Why: Two two-seat reconnaissance “Scout”choppers crashed during routine exercises at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a few miles from Ranier Washington. Four individuals died in the event. Two were injured. It has not been released if the two injured were aboard, or if the choppers collided.
The remains were taken to Madigan Army Medical Center.
The debris field covered 300 meters. Military vehicles were securing the scene.
The Fort Rucker, Alabama Combat Readiness Center is coordinating the investigation, beginning with a six member team.
