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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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BN2 Crashes in Caribbean, Pilot Lost, Passengers Rescued


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Contact photographer Connector

What: Divi Divi Air Britten-Norman BN2 A Islander en route from Curacao to Bonaire Netherlands Antilles
Where: Caribbean
When: Oct 22nd 2009
Who: 9 passengers and 1 pilot
Why: When the plane experienced engine failure, the flight ditched in the Carribean. The pilot, Robert Marcel, was knocked unconscious on impact.

Passengers were rescued by boat. The unconscious captain could not be freed from his seat harness and the plane sank with him aboard.

George’s Point of View

Condolences to the family of Robert Marcel.

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Ryanair Plane Diverts to Germany due to in-flight Depressurization; 33 Passengers Unwell

Ryanair flight FR-7312 had to divert and make an emergency landing at Frankfurt–Hahn Airport, Germany, on July 13th.

The Boeing 737-800 flying from Dublin, Ireland, to Zadar, Croatia, had to divert due to in-flight depressurization.

The plane carrying 189 people landed safely.

Around 33 passengers reported ear pain, nausea, and ear bleeding. They were treated by the medical staff aboard, while some had to be taken to hospitals.

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Preliminary Report Issued in Piper Crash

According to one report, the piper that crashed on Jan 12 near Paris Texas killed Passengers Michael Dale Bradley, 44, and Michael Endo, 51, and pilot Rob Thompson, 49. After takeoff, the plane lost its rudder and crashed in “foggy and drizzly” conditions between 8:54 and 9:00 a.m., a minute after talking to ATC in Fort Worth.

Witnesses heard the engine backfire several times, and saw black smoke coming from the field where the plane crashed near Glory Texas.

The horizontal stabilizer/rudder separated from the airframe and the report recorded that it was was found “approximately 30 feet behind the main wreckage.”

The report was issued on Jan 22.

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Saha Air Emergency Landing in Chabahar

What: Saha Air Boeing 707-300 en route from Chabahar to Tehran Iran
Where: Chabahar
When: Nov 3rd 2011
Who: 77 passengers
Why: After taking off from Chabahar, the plane developed an oil leak in engine 2.

Pilots returned to Chabahar and made a safe landing. A replacement flight was provided.

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CHC Helikopter Crashes In Norway en Route from Gullfaks B Oil rig

Friday night 13 people died in a helicopter crash in a Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma crash in Norway,in Turøy west of Sotra. The helicopter was flying out of Gullfaks B Oil rig to the Bergen – Flesland airport whenthe rotor separated from the helicopter. Helicopters, boats and firetrucks responded to the scene, and though no numbers were available, reporter Kyrre Styve from the Vestnytt newspaper said it was “everything available.” The helicopter’s rotor system was on land and the Fuselage was found in the water. The tail was raised by a crane from 7 meters deep. The helicopter is owned by CHC Helikopter service.

Statoil CEO Arne Sigve Nylund said “This is a profound tragedy. There are 13 colleagues who do not come home.” Gullfaks B oil field work has been temporarily suspended.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Center said, “We do not believe anyone can be found alive.” Eleven Norwegians, one Briton and one Italian were aboard.

A center for relatives has been set up at Scandic Kokstad hotel in Bergen. The number for families is 800 500 20.

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Egypt Air Flight Returns to Heathrow Airport

EgyptAirEgypt Air flight MS-780 made an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom, on April 12th.

The Boeing 737-800 plane took off for Cairo, Egypt, but had to return shortly afterwards due to a problem with one of its doors.

The plane landed safely. Everyone aboard remained unhurt.

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