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Air France Struck By Lightning


Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Olivier Corneloup

What: Air France Boeing 747-400 en route from Miami to Paris, France
Where: Atlantic Ocean
When: Oct 26th 2009
Who: Not Available
Why: An hour after leaving Miami, the flight had technical trouble arising from a possible lightning strike. After spending nearly an hour trying to fix the issue, the flight turned back, landing back in Miami 2 and 3/4 hours after leaving. Passengers were provided transport on another Boeing 25 hours later.

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    Bomber Crashes in Chicago Outskirts


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Danny Fritsche

    What: B-17 bomber (Boeing B-17G-105-VE Flying Fortress)
    Where: Chicago
    When: June 13, 2011, 09:30
    Who: 7 aboard
    Why: A working B-17 bomber which had been in a $3.5 million dollar restoration (Tim Reilly Vintage Aircraft conservators) for fourteen years, took off from Aurora Municipal Airport on a test flight—and caught fire. John Hess, the pilot, made an emergency landing in a cornfield.

    Witnesses described a “cracking noise” before the plane landed in the field, streaming black smoke. Fire fighters were impeded by the muddy cornfield, and the plane burned.

    This weekend the plane was grounded with a leak.

    No one sustained serious injury although one person did have a minor head injury.

    The plane was described as a “national treasure,” and one of a dozen B-17s still operable.

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    Republic Airways Plane Diverts to Pittsburgh after Cockpit Window Cracks

    Republic airlinesRepublic Airways flight YX-4447/AA-4447 had to divert and make an emergency landing at Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 21st.

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    The plane landed safely.

    No injuries were reported.

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    Bomb Hoax Forces Qatar Airways Passenger jet to Make Emergency Landing

    QatarThe Qatar Airways flight QR23 made an emergency landing at Manchester airport at about 1 p.m. on August 5, on suspicion of a possible explosive device on board.

    The flight was en route from Doha to Manchester when the crew received a threat regarding a possible device on the Airbus A330. Royal Air Force fighter Typhoon jet aircrafts were then sent to escort the plane which was carrying 269 passengers and 13 crew members at the time.

    Chief Supt John O’Hare said: “An incoming plane has been escorted into the airport by the Royal Air Force, as a result of information received by the pilot about a possible device on board….We don’t know how genuine this threat is but it is absolutely vital we deal with the situation as a full emergency.”

    The plane landed safely. The passengers were evacuated and the plane was thoroughly searched. However, no device was found.

    The British police arrested a 47 year old passenger on suspicion of making bomb hoax threat.

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    Maintenance, Smoke Grounds UA Flight to Shanghai

    What: United Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Chicago to Shanghai
    Where: Winnipeg
    When: Oct 25, 2010 1:40 pm
    Who: 194 passengers
    Why: While en route, the plane developed smoke in the cabin. The nearest place to land a 777 (requiring a long runway) was Winnipeg, so the pilot diverted to Winnipeg and made a safe landing with emergency crews on standby on the tarmac. Monday afternoon, a UA crew was assessing the plane; but a replacement plan is scheduled to arrive Tuesday to take the passengers to Shanghai.

    George’s Point of View

    Sometimes it seems as if it takes an emergency for a plane to get maintenance.

    Airliners never stop; they land, unload passengers, cleanup, fuel up, load more passengers and they are off again.

    When do planes get maintenance? After they see smoke?

    It’s not just United.

    Look at our posts: Engine failures, engine fires, cracked windshields, no oil pressure, low air pressure, breaking landing gear, non-working nose gear, shredding tires, smokey cabins…

    When do they stop a plane long enough for it to truly get a little TLC?

    I knew a former navy mechanic who said he would never fly on a commercial plane. Before AND After every flight, the crew checks every plane from nose to tail, ensuring everything is in perfect working order. It seems like a commercial plane only gets a good once over once it’s too late.

    We don’t do that with our cars. You know once the car’s warning light comes on, it’s already too late, and damage has already happened. So we get timely oil changes, and basic care because every dollar spent on maintenance is a hundred dollars not spent on repair.

    Sure, flight 835 plane is getting a once over now, but for that to happen, a plane full of passengers had to be put at risk.

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    Delta Airlines Plane Returns to Salt Lake City after Bird Strike

    250px-Delta_logo.svgDelta Airlines flight DL-1606 had to return for an emergency landing in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 20th.

    The Airbus A319-100 plane took off for Austin, Texas, but had to return shortly afterwards after a bird strike caused damage to one of the engines.

    The plane landed safely. There were 120 people aboard at the time; all of them remained unharmed.

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    Boeing, Alaska Airlines Complete Order for Two Next-Generation 737s

    SEATTLE, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Alaska Airlines today announced the carrier has exercised options for two additional Next-Generation 737-800s.
    Valued at approximately $153 million at list prices, the Alaska order was posted to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website in June and attributed to an unidentified customer.

    “Alaska Airlines continues to execute a successful and strategic vision based on its expansive fleet of efficient and reliable Next-Generation 737s,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Alaska celebrated its transition to a single fleet in 2008 and with these additional orders, is truly reaping the benefits represented by its slogan, ‘Proudly all-Boeing.’

    “Through its close partnership with Boeing, and working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Airlines is also expanding the use of advanced navigational and flight guidance procedures that leverage the superior performance capabilities of the Next-Generation 737. These procedures reduce flight times and congestion and result in lower fuel consumption and emissions into the environment,” Dailey said.
    “Our financial performance has been strong, and expanding our fleet with these two new 737-800s will not only help us fly more efficiently but also launch new service for our customers, provide positive returns for investors and ultimately, bring some of our furloughed employees back to work,” said Alaska Airlines’ President Brad Tilden.

    Including today’s order, Alaska will take delivery of 13 Next-Generation 737s over the next several years. Alaska Airlines has 116 737s in its fleet, including 55 737-800s.

    Operating a highly efficient and flexible all-Boeing 737 fleet, Alaska Airlines has established an enviable track record of operational and financial performance. The reliability and flexibility of its 737 fleet has enabled the airline to grow throughout the highly competitive North America market.

    The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling version of the successful Next-Generation 737 family. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 is selected by leading carriers throughout the world because it provides operators the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets.

    To date, more than 125 customers have placed orders for more than 5,400 Next-Generation 737s. Unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 exceed 2,000 airplanes, valued at more than $150 billion at average list prices.

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