Airbus

Airbus | Netherlands | oil leak | smoke | Wizzair

Hot Wizzair Leaves Smoke Trail
March 17, 2012

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Contact photographer Andrei Mihaila

What: Wizzair Airbus A320-200 en route from Riga to Eindhoven
Where: Eindhoven Netherlands
When: Mar 16th 2012
Who: 174 aboard
Why: After making a safe landing, while on the runway, smoke was observed trailing from an engine. Emergency services responded to the scene.

It is not known if passengers disembarked on the runway, by mobile stairs or slides or if they were taken to the gate.

THe cause of the smoke was attributed to an oil leak.
Airbus | airliners.net | engine failure | Russia | Sibir

Siber Airlines Airbus Engine Failure on the Runway
March 13, 2012

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Contact photographer Erik RostovSpotter

What: S7 Sibir Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from Krasnodar to Moscow Domodedovo
Where: Krasnodar
When: Mar 12th 2012
Why: The plane was lined up on the runway, but rejected take off when it experienced engine failure.

The flight was cancelled.
Airbus | Batavia | Indonesia | runway overrun

Airbus Runway Overrun in Indonesia
March 13, 2012

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Contact photographer Angara

What: Batavia Airbus A320-200 en route from Denpasar to Balikpapan
Where: Balikpapan
When: Mar 12th 2012
Who: 177 aboard
Why: On landing in Balikpapan, the plane overran the runway, causing the airport to shut down.

The plane was towed to the gate, and the airport reopened after two hours. No injuries were reported.
Air France | Airbus | airliners.net | Anti-ice system failure | Diversion | Emergency | France | valve

Valve Issues on Airbus Delay amid Transatlantic Flight
March 13, 2012

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Contact photographer Michael Brazier-Aviation-Images

What: Air France Airbus A340-300 en route from Paris to Bogota
Where: Guadeloupe
When: Mar 11th 2012
Who: 224
Why: While en route, a valve of the anti-ice system failed. Pilots diverted to Guadeloupe, where they stayed long enough to make repairs, before continuing on to Bogota less than four hours late.
Airbus | compensation | Lawsuit | Legal

Airbus A380 Wing Cracks at root of Emirates Compensation Plan.
March 11, 2012

Emirates Airline is seeking compensation from Airbus for loss of revenue due to grounded Airbus A380s.

Safety engineers found cracks in almost all Airbus A380 planes inspected.

Emirates is not alone. Qantas Airways grounded one of its planes for up to a week following the discovery of 36 separate cracks in wing parts. European Air Safety Agency (EASA) recommended examination of all Airbus A380s in the Qantas fleet and 20 aircraft operated by Singapore Airlines.

The Airbus list price is $390 million. France-based Airbus is not expected to turn a profit before 2015.
ac | Airbus | airliners.net | Diversion | Emergency | Iran | Mahan Air

Mahan Air Airbus emergency landing after AC issues
March 11, 2012

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Contact photographer Reza Hajari

What: Mahan Air Airbus A300-B4 en route from Zahedan to Tehran Mehrabad (Iran),
Where: Zahedan
When: Mar 9th 2012
Why: THe flight was en route but the cabin did not pressurize.

THe crew returned to Zahedan where they made a safe landing. There is question whether the ac system was at fault or off.

Several hours later, the plane took off successfully and made the flight.
Airbus | airliners.net | Diversion | Emergency | engine shut down | engine trouble | RAK Airways | United Arab Emirates

RAK Airways Suffers Engine trouble, Airbus Engine Shut Down
March 11, 2012March 11, 2012

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Contact photographer Michael Nikel

What: RAK Airways Airbus A320-200 en route from Ras Al Khaimah to Kozhikode
Where: Ras Al Khaimah
When: Mar 10th 2012 11.30pm.
Who: 141 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed problems with an engine and had to shut it down.

Pilots returned to Ras Al Khaimah where they made a safe landing.

A replacement jet was provided for the passengers. It left for Calicut 6.40am Saturday.
Airbus | airliners.net | runway excursion | Tunis Air | Tunisia

Tunis Flight Blown Off the Runway
March 10, 2012

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Contact photographer Bostjan Henigaman

What: Tunis Air Airbus A320-200 en route from Paris to Monastir to Djerba (Tunisia) with 67 passengers and 8 crew
Where: Djerba
When: Mar 10th 2012
Why: While taking off, the flight was on the runway about to embark on the Djerba leg of the journey when the plane encountered wind which forced it off the runway, and caused some damage.

The passengers evacuated. Rescue services were on the scene.

There’s no indication of the disposition of the passengers.
Airbus | cabin pressure | China | Diversion | Emergency | Hong Kong Airlines

Airbus Cabin Pressure Causes Flight Diversion
March 10, 2012

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Contact photographer Andrew Hunt

What: Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-200 en route from Hong Kong to Beijing
Where: Changsa
When: Mar 9th 2012
Why: While en route, the flight developed a loss of cabin pressure.

Oxygen masks were deployed.

Pilots diverted to Changsa where they made a safe landing.
Airbus | American Airlines | Medical emergency | Texas | Video

American Airlines Hysteria Aboard
March 9, 2012March 10, 2012

What: American Airlines Dallas to Chicago
Where: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
When: March 9 2012
Who: 1 flight attendant
Why: While American Airlines Flight 2332 was on the runway, a flight attendant gave a fifteen minute rambling dialogue on the public address system just before she had a meltdown, and started screeching about the plane crashing. (see passenger’s raw video youtube below.) The fight attendant is apparently bi-polar and had not taken her medication.

Among other things, she said, “We are not taking off. We’re having technical difficulties. We are heading back to the gate.”

Passengers and crew cooperated in restraining her.

Wisely the pilot did not take off with her aboard but returned to the gate and dropped her where she was detained by police. Two flight attendants were injured and hospitalized. (Reports do not say if this number included the bipolar attendant.)

The 8:25 flight did not take off till 10:00.
Airbus | airliners.net | Australia | bird strike | Diversion | Emergency | Qantas

Qantas Bird Strike over Sydney
March 8, 2012

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Contact photographer Mehdi Nazarinia
What: Qantas Airbus A330-200 en route from Sydney to Melbourne
Where: Sydney
When: Mar 6th 2012
Why: The flight was taking off when the plane suffered a bird strike. Passengers inside the plane heard a “bang” and an engine began vibrating.

Pilots the plane safely in Sydney, where passengers disembarked and waited less than three hours for a replacement plane.

Passengers commended the Qantas crew for handling the situation efficiently.

In George’s Point of View

On a side note, we are also studying the cruise emergency response of the Costa Concordia, the cruise ship that went aground off of an Italian island.

One gets the impression that a Qantas flight crew emergency response is the direct opposite of the chaotic endangerment response of the Costa Concordia (cruise) crew. Not at all the same situation, and yet, in many ways, similar. In both situations, the lives of the passengers are dependent on the efficiency and emergency response of the captain and crew.
Aeroflot-Nord | Airbus | airliners.net | Diversion | Emergency | lightning | Russia

Aeroflot Airbus Lightning Struck over Sochi Russia
March 8, 2012

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Contact photographer Robert Kolek – Lojza
What: Aeroflot Airbus A321-200 en route from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Sochi
Where: Sochi
When: Mar 7th 2012
Who: 148 passengers
Why: The flight was on approach to Sochi when it was struck by lightning.

Pilots made a safe landing in Sochi, with visible damage to the plane.
Airbus | Amsterdam Schiphol | Emergency | hydraulics | Netherlands | Vueling

Netherlands Emergency Landing
March 8, 2012

What: Vueling A320 en route from Amsterdam to Bilbao
Where: Amsterdam
When: Mar 8 2012
Who: not available
Why: The flight was en route when it developed problems with the hydraulics. A “3-VOC” message was sent out from Schiphol Airport.

Pilots returned to Amsterdam and made a safe landing with emergency services on standby. Local television was already interviewing passengers before the plane stopped on the runway.
Airbus | airliners.net | Brakes | Emergency | fire | Indonesia | Silk Air | smell of burning | smoke

The Silk Air Airbus Hits Fiery Fast Brakes In Solo
March 7, 2012

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Contact photographer Waiping

What: Silkair Airbus A319-100 en route from Singapore to Solo Indonesia
Where: Solo
When: Mar 6th 2012
Who: 124 passengers and 7 crew
Why: On landing at Solo, the plane touched down with the left main gear afire.

Passengers evacuated by way of emergency slides. There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the gear fire is under investigation although SilkAir says the smoke originated in overheated breaks and that there was no fire.
Air France | Airbus | airliners.net | Emergency | smoke

Airbus Emergency Trans Atlantic Landing in Terceira Island, Azores
March 5, 2012

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Contact photographer Yan David

What: Air France Airbus A340-300 en route from Paris to Bogota Colombia
Where: Atlantic
When: Mar 5th 2012
Why: While en route, the plane indicated smoke in the crew rest area.

Pilots diverted to Lajes Airport on Terceira Island, Azores where they made a safe landing.

The plane is expected to embark on the last leg of the journey within 24 hours.
Airbus | All Nippon Airways (ANA) | Anti-ice system failure | Diversion | Emergency | Japan

Emergency Landing in Oita
March 5, 2012March 5, 2012

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Contact photographer Kazuchika Naya

What: ANA All Nippon Airways Airbus A320-200 en route from Oita to Tokyo
Where: Oita Japan
When: Mar 2 2012
Who: 85 passengers, 6 crew
Why: The All Nippon Airways flight had taken off when the anti-ice system on the left engine failed.

The pilots returned to the airport.

Passengers were provided an alternative flight to Tokyo.
Airbus | airliners.net | British Airways | communication | Netherlands

British Airways Emergency Landing in Amsterdam
March 3, 2012March 3, 2012

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Contact photographer Rafael Alvarez Cacho

What: British Airways Airbus A321-200 en route from London to Amsterdam
Where: Amsterdam
When: Mar 2nd 2012
Why: While landing in Amsterdam, communications became disrupted between two landing pilots.

The crew of the British Airways flight made a cautious safe landing ten minutes after radio problems began.

The plane was able to perform the return flight as scheduled.
Air Asia | Airbus | France | tire

Flat tire on Landing in Paris
March 2, 2012

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Contact photographer Samuel Dupont

What: AirAsia X Airbus A340-300 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Paris France
Where: Paris
When: Mar 1st 2012
Why: On landing in Paris, a main gear tire burst.

Passengers for the return flight were provided overnight accommodations as a couple of tires and other parts were replaced.
Airbus | Diversion | Germany | leak | oil leak | oil pressure

Airbus Emergency Landing in Dusseldorf
February 18, 2012

What: Air Via Airbus A320-200 en route from Bourgas to Dublin
Where: Dusseldorf
When: Feb 17th 2012
Who: 3 crew
Why: While en route on the ferry flight, the left engine gauge indicated low oil, signifying an oil leak.

Pilots diverted to Dusseldorf where they made a safe landing.
Air France | Airbus | airliners.net | bird strike | Spain

Air France Bird Strike in Madrid
February 18, 2012

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Contact photographer Kim Philipp Piskol

What: Air France Airbus A319-100 en route from Paris to Madrid
Where: Madrid
When: Feb 17th 2012
Why: On landing in Madrid, the Airbus incurred a bird strike.

Although the pilots made a safe landing, the return flight for that plane was cancelled due to damage to the plane.
Airbus | Austria | Emergency | Iberia | lightning

Iberia Flight Lightning-struck
February 16, 2012

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Contact photographer Javier Bravo Muñoz

What: Iberia Airbus A319-100 en route from Madrid to Vienna
Where: Vienna
When: Feb 15th 2012
Why: On approach to Vienna, the plane was struck by lightning.

Pilots landed the plane safely and handed off to maintenance where it will be inspected. Another plane was called in to handle the return flight.
Airbus | airliners.net | Brazil | Disruptive Passenger | Diversion | TAM

Psychotic Attacks Pilot Aboard Tam Flight
February 13, 2012

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Contact photographer Leandro Luiz Pilch

What: TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A320-200 en route from Montevideo to Sao Paulo
Where: Porto Alegre
When: Feb 11th 2012
Who: 1 unruly passenger
Why: A Tam airbus was en route when a passenger intruded into the cockpit. The pilot yelled for help, and the plane veered sharply to the right. The cockpit door was open. Some reports of the incident mention that the passenger had a TAM badge. (Some Uraguan accounts say the individual was flying in the cockpit on a jumpseat.)

We don’t have a firsthand account, but secondary sources say a couple of stewardesses dragged the intruder out of the cockpit by his feet, then “The people quickly jumped on top of him, the guy fought back furiously, biting and hurting a half dozen people…in a kind of collective action they were able to immobilize him, tying him to a seat.”

Passengers talked about the incident feeling like a September 911 film.

The pilot diverted to Porto Alegre and made a safe landing. A number of passengers and possibly the two flight attendants were injured in the altercation. The passenger was taken into police custody, and he was incarcerated in the psychiatric ward of a local hospital for having suffered a “psychotic episode.”

The flight reached Sao Paulo nearly three hours late.
Air Safety | Air Show | Airbus | Video | wing cracks

Cracked Wing Brackets Allegedly Under Control According to Airbus Top Brass
February 13, 2012

The SINGAPORE AIRSHOW AVIATION LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, held in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow, is a collaborative effort by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Experia Events Pte Ltd, International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Ministry of Transport (MOT).

The airshow brings together aviation stakeholders, including Airbus CEO Tom Enders, who had damage control on his mind. Airbus is under fire for the wing cracks found on Airbus A380 jets. Between inspection and repairs, the cost is anticipated to be $1.23 million per aircraft, for up to $32 million euros.

Qantas Airways grounded one A380 for a week after finding 36 separate cracks in wing parts. Other A380s have demonstrated similar cracking above and beyond the normal degradation and microfissures that inspections often find as a result of heavy usage.

Tom Anders of Airbus told airshow attendees that “…we will fix it (wing problem) as quickly as possible. This is unfortunate, this is us. We screwed that up. Whatever the cost, we will fix it”

They have to fix it. EASA has ordered Airbus to check all A380 superjumbo planes. Meanwhile, Airbus is trying to turn media attention to their ramped-up assembly line.
Airbus | Ireland | Landing Gear | Thomas Cook Airlines

Thomas Cook Makes Emergency Landing in Belfast
February 9, 2012

What: Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A320 en route from Belfast to Tenerife
Where: Belfast International Airport
When: Feb 8 2012
Who: 175 passengers
Why: After developing problems with the gear during takeoff, the pilots returned to Belfast where they circled for an hour and a half before landing back in Belfast.

Emergency crews were on standby.
Airbus | airliners.net | Emergency | Landing Gear | Thomas Cook Airlines | UK

Landing Gear Cause Emergency Landing in Belfast
February 7, 2012

What: Thomas Cook Airbus A320 en route from Belfast to Tenerife
Where: Belfast
When: February 7, 2012
Who: 175 aboard
Why: After taking off from Belfast, the plane developed a technical problem (problems with the landing gear.) Pilots returned to Belfast. They circled for over an hour. While they were in the air, a police helicopter came up and inspected the plane.

The pilots dumped fuel before they made a safe landing.

Passengers interviewed about the event said they were terrified. Flight attendants advised them to brace themselves, take off their shoes and use the emergency exits.

Emergency services were on standby.

Belfast International Airport said that the airline planes to repair the plane and use it this afternoon to fly out passengers at 3:00 pm. The airport spoke highly of the efficiency and emergency management performed by the staff.