What: Air Canada Airbus A330-300 en route from Frankfurt/Main to Montreal Where: on runway in Frankfurt; on runway in Montreal When: Apr 6 2010 Who: 219 aboard Why: On takeoff, the plane experienced significant vibration and a tire blew out. The flight crew decided to continue on to their destination.
On landing in Montreal with emergency services standing by, the plane’s landing on a damaged nose wheel (right main) incurred damage to the flap, wheel well and gear door. Passengers disembarked on the runway and were driven to the terminal.
On a completely unrelated note, on the same day, on a different Air Canada flight, a sleeping passenger was left for an hour and a half on the plane after everyone had disembarked. The passenger, departmental head of sports law from Staffordshire University was on a Calgary-Vancouver flight. He was offered a ticket discount as compensation.
One wonders if he will change his specialty to aviation law.
What: Egypt Air Airbus A330-200 en route from Cairo to Hurghada Where: Cairo When: Apr 2nd 2010 Who: 195 passengers Why: Prior to take-off, there was crew error on the ground, and the plane impacted two runway light poles. The wings were damaged; the streetlights collapsed. Passengers were transferred to another plane.
What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200 en route from Newark to Fort Lauderdale Where: Newark Liberty International Airport When: Apr 5th 2010 Who: 134 passengers Why: During takeoff, the airbus lost the left engine cowling.
Distressed panicked passengers smelled smoke and said they could see inside the engine.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, it had landed back at the airport, where the fallen parts had to be gathered.
The NY Daily news reported that passengers were offered refunds and a free round trip.
JetBlue has corrected an earlier report that the plane sustained hail damage. The airline is now saying that a tail strike on take-off caused the damage and subsequently the emergency landing.
What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200 en route from New York to Long Beach Where: New York When: Mar 28th 2010 Who: 144 on board Why: Leaving the runway, the plane’s tail impacted either hail or a bird or had a tail strike (reports conflict); the flight returned to JFK and made a safe landing so that the damage could be checked out. Passengers debarked, and boarded an alternative plane some time later.
What: THY Turkish Airlines Airbus A340-300 en route from Bangkok to Istanbul Where: Mumbai When: Apr 1st 2010 Who: 289 passengers Why: While en route, one of the engines developed problems, and the crew had to shut it down and decided to divert to Mumbai. The flight made a safe landing, and was towed to the gate.
140 passengers were directed to alternative airlines, and the rest were provided hotel accommodations and given a seat on a Turkish Airlines Friday flight.
What: Qantas Airbus A380-800 en route from Singapore to Sydney Where: Sydney When: Mar 31st 2010 Who: 244 passengers Why: On landing, the plane blew its left tires; and there were sparks and and a brief fire from the brakes. The plane left a rubber trail. Damage assessment was made on the tarmac by engineers, with the plane sitting on its rims.
Qantas denies classifying this as an “emergency” landing.
George’s Point of View
I’m thinking how smart Boeing is to have held up release of their big jumbo, especially when I see A 380 incidents.
I am reminded of all the flaws that popped in the Airbus A310 (reputedly a rush copy of the Boeing 737); and I also remember reading about Airbus struggling to get the A-380 shipshape before Airbus rushed it to market. In development, Airbus wrestled with a plane that was severely overweight, withstructural, and production problems. Remember the trouble the A-380 had getting launched:
On Dec 4 2009, QANTAS Airbus A380-842 (VH-OQA) Singapore to London- On the runway, the plane’s nose gear became unsteereable. The plane was towed to the gate and spare parts had to be flown in to deal with the problem.
On July 4 2009, Qantas Airbus A380-842 (VH-OQA) Singapore to London- the approach was aborted due to nosegear problems. On landing, steering failed.
In March of 2008, Qantas removed all 3 of its A-380s due to fuel system problems (two unserviceable with a ‘”fuel tank indication system problem”.)
The A380 is a part of the Air France, Emirates, Qantas and Singapore airlines fleets , and in which fuel gauge problems, nosegear problems and braking problems are becoming known issues. Problems also arise because the prohibitive size of the plane limits where it can land.
Some Worrisome Airbus History
In 2004, Joseph Mangan, an Airbus whistleblower told European aviation authorities of flaws on a computer chip on the Airbus A380. (These were microprocessor flaws that could cause the valves that maintain cabin pressure on the A380 to accidentally open during flight, allowing air to leak out so rapidly that everyone aboard could lose consciousness within seconds.)
Mangan was chief engineer for the Viennese company TTTech Computertechnik, which supplied the chips and software controlling the A380 cabin-pressurization system assembled at the French Airbus plant. TTTech fired Mangan, filed civil and criminal charges against him for revealing proprietary company documents. Austrian law has no whistleblower protection, and there is currently a gag order imposed on Mangan. They claim his allegations have been disproved.
What did he know? Have the problems behind his concerns been addressed? What elsedo we not know? Without transparency, how can we ever know?
A Reuters release announces that the relatives of passengers killed in an Air France crash off Brazil have filed nearly two dozen wrongful death lawsuits against Airbus, alleging that aircraft maker’s A330 crashed because of flaws in the plane and its U.S.-made components.
The search for the black boxes is supposed to be continuing now that investigators have decided on the likeliest location where they may be found. The plane originally went down 680 miles off the coast of Brazil, but in the past ten months since the tragedy, water currents dispersing the wreckage will have made the search more difficult.
An Airbus Americas spokesman has said they “will be moving to have (the lawsuit) dismissed.”
Lawyers from the Miami-based firm Podhurst Orseck has not yet responded to Airbus statements.
What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200 en route from New York to Long Beach Where: New York When: Mar 28th 2010 Who: 144 on board Why: Leaving the runway, the plane’s tail impacted either hail or a bird or had a tail strike (reports conflict); the flight returned to JFK and made a safe landing so that the damage could be checked out. Passengers debarked, and boarded an alternative plane some time later.
What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200 en route from West Palm Beach to Boston Where: en route When: Mar 27 2010 Why: On the return flight coming home from her son’s funeral, 76 year old Renee Rappaport was returning to her seat after visiting the bathroom, and found the aisle was blocked by a beverage cart, and a flight attendant who told her to wait. She tried to squeeze by to get to her seat, and wouldn’t fit. The woman was arrested on arrival in Boston for shoving the flight attendant, and charged with assault.
Is rudeness an arrestable offense?
George’s Point of View
There is something wrong with this picture.
A 76 year old woman arrested for trying to get back to her seat.
It sounds like something out of Golden Girls, with Beatrice Arthur getting arrested for being her usual pushy self (although unlike our 76 year old airline passenger, Beatrice Arthur was in her 60’s when it was filmed, only 70 at the end of the series.)
Even though I don’t know all the facts, the bare bones of the situation are enough for me to feel that if I were the kind of person who started writing campaigns, I would start one now. I would inundate Jet Blue’s mail boxes with letters demanding more respectful treatment of the elderly.
Is this bizarre escalation some Jet Blue policy or a flight attendant’s strategy not to get written up?
There is something wrong with a 76 year old woman being arrested for assault while on a plane trying to get back to her seat. One wonders if the flight attendant could not have backed the cart up, or done something in a courteous fashion during or after the event. Even if the elderly woman were a female version of the governor of California, is she not entitled to some courtesy?
I have come across both belligerent flight attendants and hospitable flight attendants. I think I can safely speculate that a little graciousness on the part of the flight attendant would have prevented the situation from happening, certainly from escalating to arrest. At the very least, such an arrest is frivolous, and a waste of the police force’s valuable time.
Maybe it marks me as old fashioned, but I believe a flight attendant’s job is not an entitlement; but an elderly passenger is entitled to some degree of courtesy and understanding.
If Jet Blue’s policy is to arrest in this situation, they deserve all the bad press they get.
On the other hand, if Renee Rappaport is capable of a serious assault, I can get her some gloves and schedule a grudge match against the flight attendant in Las Vegas.
What: Thai Airways Airbus A330-300 TG-318 en route from Mumbai to Bangkok Where: NSC Bose International Airport Kolkata When: Mar 25 2010 Who: 238 passengers and 11 crew Why: When the pilot detected a problem in the fuel dispenser affecting the rate of flow of fuel to the engine, he requested to make an emergency landing in Kolkata.
Ten technicians were flown in to provide maintenance on the plane.
Passengers were provided accommodations (hotel or international lounge), and later booked on a Kolkata-Bangkok flight.
What: Air Canada Airbus A320-200 en route from Montreal to Toronto Where: Toronto When: Mar 23rd 2010 Who: 99 (98?) passengers and 6 crew Why: En route, the flight had an indication of a problem with the hydraulics, followed by a problem with cabin smoke on landing. The flight crew complained of an odor in the cabin. Passengers were removed directly to the runway by emergency responders at about 9:00 am. Illness was attributed to an odor that reportedly made them sick, as well as smoke. The source of the odor, at some point, was determined to be the hydraulic fluid leak.
Passengers aboard the flight say that even before the flight there was a peculiar odor; they were told the odor was blamed on a malfunctioning heating system
The pilot also had complained to a steering problem, no doubt related to the leak. The plane was towed off the runway.
What: Aer Lingus Airbus A321-200 en route from London to Cork Where: Shannon Ireland When: Mar 21, 2010 Who: 181 passengers Why: While on approach to Cork, an indicator light revealed a hydraulic issue. After two aborted approaches, the flight diverted to Shannon, and made a safe landing. It was towed off the runway. An alternative flight was provided for the passengers several hours later.
Hopefully Aer Lingus planned (230) job cutback will not also result in a cutback in safety.
What: United Airlines Airbus A320-200 en route from Denver to Dallas Where: Dallas When: Mar 19 2010 Why: While on approach to Dallas, a bird strike occurred, denting the plane below the windshield. The flight landed safely.
What: Jetstar Airbus A320-200 en route from Adelaide to Darwin Where: Adelaide When: Mar 15th 2010 Who: 163 passengers Why: While en route, the right engine made a “bang” and the crew returned to Adelaide.
The plane’s right engine either emitted fire, or sparks or nothing at all. (The story depends on who you ask.) This fire that didn’t happen was or wasn’t put out by a fire extinguisher before landing. (This story also depends on who you ask.)
According to Jetstar, there was no fire, only a mechanical fault.
What: Lufthansa Airbus A330-300 en route from Philadelphia to Frankfurt/Main Where: Boston When: Mar 13th 2010 Who: 196 aboard Why: While en route, the crew noticed smoke in the cockpit and diverted to Boston where they made a safe landing. After several hours in Boston, the flight resumed.
What: Air New Zealand Airbus A320-200 en route from Sydney to Wellington Where: over the Tasman Sea When: Mar 13th 2010 Who: 99 passengers and 8 crew Why: While en route, the crew received an indicator message that the hydraulics were down (a hydraulics warning light.) The flight was diverted to Auckland where they made a safe landing, even though nosewheel steering (undercarriage problem) is said to have been affected.
5 Fire Service/rescue trucks and ambulance staff were on stand by during the landing.
Passengers were provided overnight accommodations and booked on alternative flights.
What: Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300 en route from London to Miami Where: London When: Mar 12th 2010 Who: 231 passengers, 14 crew Why: After takeoff, the plane was struck by lightning. Experiencing a technical problem after the lightning strike, they dumped fuel (over the coast of N. Wales) and returned to London where they made a safe landing.
What: Interjet Airbus A320-200 en route from Toluca to Acapulco Where: Toluca When: Mar 12th 2010 Why: After takeoff, the cabin filled with a burning plastic-smelling smoke. The plane requested to return to Toluca and made a safe landing shortly afterwards. Passengers were provided an alternative flight.
What: Delta Airbus A319 en route from New York to Palm Beach Florida Where: Palm Beach International Airport When: March 11, 2010 11 a.m Who: 2 flight attendants (3?) Why: Encountering heavy turbulence on landing at Palm Beach International Airport, the crew requested Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue for two injured flight attendants. No passengers were hurt, but the flight attendants were taken to Columbia Hospital.
What: US Airways A319-100 en route from Rochester to Charlotte Where: Rochester When: March 11, 2010 Who: 124 passengers (126?) Why: According to interviews by the airport director, immediately after an uneventful takeoff, the jet flew through a flock of geese. Passengers heard an engine combust, and smelled something burning. The flight landed safely within thirty minutes, and apparently passengers clapped on landing.
It has been three years since Rochester’s last reported bird strike.
What: Iberia Airbus A321-200 en route from Santiago De Compostela to Madrid Where: Santiago De Compostela When: Mar 8th 2010 Why: Gearing up for takeoff, the interior of the plane filled up with smoke. The pilot rejected take-off, and passengers debarked as the flight was checked for necessary repairs. An hour later, the flight continued.
What: Air Europa Airbus A330-200 en route from Madrid, to Tenerife Where: Madrid When: Mar 7th 2010 Why: While en route, the flight experienced a technical problem and returned to Madrid to make a safe landing. The problem turned out to be an open door indicator, which was repaired. Passengers were able to reboard the plane and continue to their destination.
What: Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A320-200 en route from Brussels to Taba Where: Athens When: Mar 8th 2010 Who: not available Why: While en route, the crew noticed fumes in the cabin, and diverted to Athens where they made a safe landing. An alternative flight was provided.
What: Frontier Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from San Francisco to Denver Where: Denver When: Mar 4th 2010 Who: not available Why: While on approach to Denver, the airbus encountered a flock of birds, and multiple bird strikes ensued. The plane made a safe landing.
What: United Airlines A-319 en route from Rochester to Chicago Where: Chicago When: Mar 5 2010 Who: 120 passengers and five crew Why: Less than an hour after takeoff, smoke was detected in the airbus lavoratory. The flight returned to Buffalo and made a safe landing. The source of the smoke was reported as an auxiliary power unit and also a water pump that started a fire which a flight attendant put out.
