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Contact photographer Georgiy Shvetsov
What: Air Europa Boeing 737-800 en route from Madrid to Valencia
Where: Valencia
When: Apr 16th 2010
Who: Atletico Madrid soccer team
Why: On approach to Manises Airport in Valencia the plane was struck by lightning. The flight made a safe landing, and the team was able to continue to the planned match.
What: American Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Cali Colombia to Miami
Where: Cali Colombia
When: Apr 16 2010
Who: 95 passengers
Why: While en route, a fire developed aboard the galley. The crew decided to return to Cali where they made a safe landing. A couple of hours later, after inspection, the plane was returned to service.
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Contact photographer Ben Wang
What: UPS Boeing 747-400 en route from Louisville to Dallas
Where: Louisville
When: April 14 2010
Who: 2 crew
Why: After takeoff, multiple systems failed, and the crew decided to make a cautionary landing. No explanation has been provided any more explicit than generic “multiple system failures” but whatever the problem was, by Wednesday the plane was back in the air.
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Contact photographer “name withheld”
What: Air Canada Boeing 767-300 en route from Tokyo to Calgary
Where: Tokyo
When: Apr 16 2010
Who: 179 aboard
Why: After takeoff, the plane developed problems with its right engine. The crew decided to return to the airport where they made a safe, cautionary landing.
No word yet if a replacement flight was provided.
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Contact photographer Royal S King
What: United Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Washington to Seattle
Where: Sioux Falls
When: Apr 14, 2010
Who: 166 passengers
Why: While en route, the crew smelled smoke in the cabin.
Passengers complained of burning eyes. The crew elected to divert to Sioux Falls where they made a safe cautionary landing.
A replacement flight was provided, with passengers reaching their destination with only a four hour delay.
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Contact photographer Christopher B.
What: Lufthansa Boeing 737-300 en route from Hamburg to Dusseldorf
Where: Hamburg
When: Apr 14th 2010
Who: 88 passengers and 5 crew
Why: After takeoff from Hamburg, the plane had a bird strike that impacted an engine and caused substantial vibration. The plane returned to Hamburg and within a quarter hour was safely on the ground.
A replacement jet was provided.
SEATTLE, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) tonight honored 14 companies as winners of its 2009 Supplier of the Year award.
The winners, chosen from among the company’s more than 12,000 active suppliers worldwide, are located in Germany, India, Japan and the United States. They were judged on quality, delivery performance, cost, environmental initiatives, customer service and technical expertise. Four are small businesses as defined by the U.S. government.
The winners, and the categories, are:
“Boeing and our suppliers are more interconnected now than ever before – combining our talents and capabilities to create the most innovative products and services for our customers and the aerospace industry worldwide,” said Ray Conner, Boeing enterprise leader of Supplier Management and vice president and general manager of Supply Chain Management and Operations for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“Every supplier – small and large – is critical to our success, and it is important to recognize these suppliers for demonstrating industry-leading standards of quality, efficiency and performance.”
Before being chosen a Supplier of the Year, each company was named as one of the 486 recipients of a Boeing Performance Excellence Award. For information on the 2009 awards, visit the Boeing Supplier Performance Awards Web site.
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Contact photographer A J Best
What: American Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Paris to Dallas
Where: Reykjavik
When: 13 April 2010
Who: 133 passengers and 12 crew
Why: While en route, five crew members became ill from chemical fumes aboard flight 49. The flight diverted to Keflavik Iceland where they made a safe landing. London was sending an alternative flight to pick up the stranded passengers and crew and continue to their destination.
There is no indication yet of the source of the fumes. Eight ambulances were on hand to treat those affected.
Boeing Completes Chinook Industrial Cooperation Program in Spain
MADRID, April 13, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has successfully completed its industrial cooperation program for the third phase of the CH-47D Chinook rotorcraft upgrades performed for the Spanish Army’s Airmobile Force, FAMET. Boeing finished the industrial cooperation program on schedule while exceeding the $80 million requirement, demonstrating the company’s continued success in meeting its commitments.
Over the 10-year program, Boeing completed 75 projects with 20 Spanish companies and institutions. All projects were coordinated through Isdefe, the company that negotiates and manages industrial cooperation agreements on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Defense’s Armament and Material General Directorate.
“In cooperation with Isdefe, Boeing is bringing high-value opportunities to Spanish industry,” said Gwen Kopsie, director of International Industrial Participation for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “Spanish companies of all sizes were an integral part of the global supply base that brought state-of-the-art upgrades to the Spanish Army’s Chinook fleet. Many more Spanish companies also benefited from Boeing’s advanced technology transfer and training programs.”
Boeing also supports Isdefe’s efforts to develop Spanish industry through a $13 million industrial cooperation program for the Harpoon advanced weapon control system. That program is on track for completion in 2012.
“Boeing has been a partner to Spain for more than 75 years, serving the needs of both its commercial airplane customers and Spain’s military,” said Pedro Argüelles, president of Boeing Spain. “Today, Boeing’s presence in Spain remains strong thanks to our collaboration with airlines, government, academic institutions and industry. Through our Research & Technology Center in Madrid, we work with our partners in Spain to develop solutions for the environmental, safety and reliability, and air-traffic-control needs of today and tomorrow.”
Boeing has successfully implemented industrial participation programs totaling more than US$41 billion in nearly 40 countries over the past 30 years.
The Chinook is a true multi-role, vertical-lift platform. The primary Chinook mission is transport of artillery, troops, ammunition, fuel and supplies within military theaters of operation. CH-47s also have performed humanitarian-support, disaster-relief, rescue, firefighting and nation-building missions on six continents in all climates and conditions. The Chinook is currently in service with more than 18 countries worldwide.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
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Contact photographer chaity
What: Merpati Nusantara Airlines Boeing 737-300 en route from Sarong to Manokwari West Papua. (Sorong-Dominique Edward Osok Airport to Rendani Airport)
Where: Rendani Airport, Indonesia
When: 12 April 2010
Who: 97 passengers ( 76 men, 21 women, three children and three infants) 6 crew
Why: While landing at Rendani in heavy fog and rain, the flight overshot the runway and/or hydroplaned on the wet runway, lost a wing in a forest at the end of the runway and partially ended up with the tail suspended in river shallows. The fuselage split in two. No one was trapped; everyone got out alive. Reports of injury vary, from 80 minor injuries to 20 individuals who sustained varying degrees of injury (broken bones and head injury), one who had facial injury and trouble breathing.
Merpati is on the banned list. Nevertheless, Merpati spokesmen say this was entirely due to weather and not pilot error.
View Manokwari Crash in a larger map
PARIS, April 12, 2010 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] has appointed Antoine Balas as Director of Corporate Communications for France. He will be responsible for developing the company’s communications strategies and engaging with key stakeholders in the French market.
“France is a major customer and a strong partner for Boeing. Our industrial partnerships in France have been bolstered with the launch of the 787 Dreamliner”, said Yves Galland, president of Boeing France. “We are very pleased to welcome Antoine, who will work closely with the international teams to enhance the company’s reputation and help to grow our business in the country”.
Balas, 39, has a 15-year career in corporate communications. From 1996 to 2004, he held various European positions within Honeywell International, including Communications Manager for the Aerospace organization in Europe. In 2004, he joined the French automotive supplier Valeo as Group Internal Communications Manager. In his last position at Valeo, he led Corporate Communications and Media Relations. He holds a degree in International Trade and a degree in Communications and Public Relations from ISERP.
Since the opening of its Paris office in 2003, under the leadership of Yves Galland, Boeing has significantly increased its partnerships with French suppliers, creating the “Boeing French Team”. In France, more than 100 suppliers collaborate on Boeing programs.
EVERETT, Wash., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today that all test requirements were successfully met during the 787 Dreamliner’s ultimate load wing and fuselage bending test. This follows a thorough analysis of the results from a test on the 787 static test airframe.
“Successfully completing this test is a critical step in the certification of the 787. This is further validation that the 787 performs as expected, even in the most extreme circumstances,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
On March 28, loads were applied to the test unit to replicate 150 percent of the most extreme forces the airplane is ever expected to experience while in service. The wings were flexed upward by approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) during the test and the fuselage was pressurized to 150 percent of its maximum normal operating condition.
In evaluating the success criteria for the test, Boeing specialists have been poring over the thousands of data points collected during the test to ensure that all parts of the airplane performed as expected.
“The airframe performed as designed and retained the required structural integrity. These results continue to validate the design of the 787 as we move toward certification,” explained Fancher.
Video of the static test can be found below:
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Contact photographer Joey Collura
What: United Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Washington to Denver
Where: 157 passengers and 6 crew
When: 7 pm
Who: 157 passengers and 6 crew members;
The individual who was detained is Mohammed al Modadi, a diplomat in the Qatar embassy in Washington, D.C.
Why: When an on board air marshal smelled smoke, he confronted the passenger in the first class bathroom. Mohammed al Modadi, who was apparently sneaking a smoke in the bathroom, declared diplomatic immunity and made a sarcastic declaration regarding Richard Reid.
Modadi was escorted to his seat and rode the rest of the flight flanked by two air marshals.
Two F-16 fighter jets escorted the flight the last 40 miles to Denver where Modadi was taken into custody.
No explosives were found.
In this case, it requires looking closely at the actions. Some logical points are given:
1. Smoking is not allowed.
2. The air marshals were doing their job.
3. There is a time and place for everything. Standing in a plane’s bathroom after smoking a cigarette in a world where real people are really trying to blow up planes is not the place to make a shoe-bomb joke to a nervous air marshal. Even if one is a diplomat. Especially if one is a diplomat.
4. Diplomats are generally expected to smooth over or prevent international incidents, not cause them. (On the other hand, what exactly is Modadi’s job description, and exactly what is he supposed to do?)
5. This time the plane did not blow up.
Anything beyond this is speculation. I am sure the aviation lawyers and the aviation lawmakers will be hotly discussing this event, to see exactly how diplomatic status will affect policy, and playing the “what if” game. What if Modadi was just testing to see what would happen? What if there’s another diplomat biding his time for when we lower our guard, waiting to do this for real?
Whether a diplomat is a political officer to advocate for Qatar interests, a trade officer to advocate for Qatar interests, or a consular officer providing services for Qatar travelers, one can reasonably expect that Modadi’s agenda for today did not include deliberately getting caught sneaking a smoke in the United Airlines lavatory, nearly causing an international incident or providing puppet comedian Jeff Dunham grist for his “Achmed the dead terrorist” character for the next ten years. If Modadi has enough character and charm to jockey his ten minutes of fame into something more, we just may even see him as the new face of the nicotine patch or some other smoking cessation method or remedy.
On the other hand, we can not forget that there are people out there who wait for us to drop our guard so the next suicidal bomber can make his vicious mark.
Pictured: a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-232 in Las Vegas – McCarran International
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Contact photographer Jason Whitebird
What: Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Atlanta to Las Vegas
Where: Will Rogers Airport
When: Apr 7 2010 5 pm
Who: 182 passengers and 7 crew
Why: While en route (near Oklahoma City), the plane developed unspecified mechanical problems in an engine. The crew decided to divert to the nearest airport. The flight landed safely. Passengers were provided refreshments, and given the option to either continue that day on an alternative flight or fly the next day.
There were no injuries
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Contact photographer AlphaSierra
What: Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Addis Ababa to Rome
Where: Rome
When: Apr 5 2010
Why: On approach to Rome, the Ethiopian Airlines jet experienced hydraulic failure. The flight made a safe landing, but had to be towed to the apron. No injuries were reported.
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Contact photographer Misha Tyukin
What: American Airlines Boeing 767-200 en route from New York JFK to Los Angeles
Where: Dulles, Washington
When: Apr 6th 2010
Who: 152 passengers
Why: While en route, the systems detected an indication that a cargo door was “not fully secure”. The flight diverted to Dulles where it made an unscheduled stop, and landed safely. The cargo door problem was promptly taken care of by mechanics before the flight continued on to LA.
Boeing Completes First 787 Dreamliner Maintenance Training Class
EVERETT, Wash., April 6 — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced that it has completed the first maintenance training class for the 787 Dreamliner. The class consisted of 10 mechanics from 787 launch customer ANA (All Nippon Airways) and two regulators from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB).
The mechanics, who completed the training last week, are the first of 150 ANA mechanics to be trained by Boeing over the next seven months. They spent more than 30 days learning how to maintain the world’s most advanced commercial jetliner, including 20 days of theoretical training, two days of engine runs and taxi testing, five days of practical training and five days of troubleshooting exercises. To conclude the training, students conducted component identification exams on production airplanes, as well as troubleshooting exams in the full flight simulator.
To support the all-new 787, Boeing Training & Flight Services, a division of Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, has developed an all-digital, Internet-based teaching system for maintenance training, along with training tools that connect real-time to a virtual airplane and airplane systems.
“Getting our mechanics trained and prepared is essential to being ready to take delivery of the airplane later this year,” said Michihide Kono, vice president of Engineering and Maintenance for ANA. “This is an important milestone for our ANA team and we are delighted to see the continued progress on the program.”
The curriculum is designed to focus on performance-based training that incorporates real-world simulated maintenance scenarios for a more immersive training experience.
“The use of personal tablet computers, interactive computer-based training, three-dimensional images and desktop simulation makes it possible to deliver training more efficiently,” said Sherry Carbary, vice president of Boeing Training & Flight Services, Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Our team is committed to providing our customers with the resources and tools they need to be successful.”
The 787 comes with digital tools and databases that replace volumes of printed materials. The graphic and textual database has point-and-click features for more details, allowing mechanics to navigate through documents quickly to get the information they need to do their jobs.
“This milestone is another important step along the way to being service-ready,” said Mike Fleming, director of 787 Services and Support, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Our goal is to make entry into service a seamless experience for our customers.”
Fifty-seven customers around the world have ordered 866 787s since the program was launched in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history. Delivery of the first 787 is planned for the fourth quarter of 2010.
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Contact photographer Kris Mogford
What: Qantas Boeing 747-400 en route from Bangkok to London
Where: Bangkok
When: Apr 6th 2010
Who: 335 passengers
Why: After takeoff, engine four had an engine surge. The crew decided to return to Bangkok where they circled, dumped fuel and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided accommodations, and an alternative flight. There were no injuries.
This is the sixth Qantas incident this week.
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Contact photographer Graham Weatherby
What: Qantas Boeing 747 en route from Los Angeles to Melbourne
Where: Melbourne
When: Apr 5 2010
Why: While en route over Canberra, a crack developed in the outer pane of the first officer’s windshield. The flight landed safely, and was temporarily taken out of circulation/rotation for repairs.
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Contact photographer Christopher Liao
What: Miami Air International Boeing 737-400 en route from Minneapolis to Miami
Where: Chicago
When: Apr 4th 2010
Who: the “Miami Heat”
Why: While en route, the flight’s mechanic became sick. The flight diverted to Chicago for an hour where the mechanic was hospitalized in a diabetic coma.
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Contact photographer Alan Lebeda
What: Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 737-800 en route from Alicante to Stockholm
Where: Alicante
When: Apr 2nd 2010
Who: 106 passengers
Why: After takeoff, passengers smelled smoke, and one of the indicators detected fire in a wheel well. The plane returned to Alicante, and made a safe landing. During emergency evacuation, four passengers were injured. Passengers were provided hotel accommodations and Boeing brought in another plane to transport them.
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Contact photographer Yash Rajgor
What: United Airlines B744 en route from Chicago to Tokyo
Where: Tokyo
When: Apr 1st 2010
Who: 348 passengers,
Why: On landing, the left landing gear erupted in white smoke. Emergency services found no fire or damage.
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Contact photographer Fred Seggie
What: Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from New York to San Francisco
Where: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
When: Mar 30
Who: 171 aboard (165 passengers and 6 crew)
Why: When smoke fill the cabin, the crew diverted the flight to St Louis. They made a safe landing with no reported injuries.
Passengers disembarked on the runway and were bussed to the gate.
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Contact photographer Neil Guinea
What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from San Francisco to Beijing
Where: San Francisco
When: Mar 27 2010
Who: 251 passengers and 17 crew
Why: After takeoff, the Boeing’s Traffic and Collision Avoidance System issued a traffic advisory, recognizing an Aeronca too close. From a lower altitude, the Boeing crew only saw a portion of Aeronca that was passing between 200-300 feet away. TCAS warned them to drop their altitude to increase separation. The Aeronca was directed to take a “hard left”
Pictured: A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4
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Contact photographer Mark Kopczak
What: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300 en route from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Chicago
Where: Tampa International Airport
When: Mar 30th 2010
Who: 136 passengers
Why: After takeoff, the landing gear remained stuck in the down position. After circling the airport for half an hour, the flight landed safely at the Tampa airport, with emergency vehicles on standby.
