What: US Airways Boeing 737 en route from Ft Lauderdale
Where: Ft Lauderdale
When: Dec 9 2010
Why: Shortly after takeoff, the US Airways Boeing had a bird strike, and a fireball came out of one of the engines, and it was “blown out.” The plane returned safely to Ft. Lauderdale and landed. There were no injuries except for the bird.
stranded flight
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Contact photographer Luc Verkuringen
Rebellious passengers
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Contact photographer Oleg Chaplin
What: Jet4You Boeing 737-400 en route from Casablanca Morocco to Bordeaux
Where: Bordeaux
When: Dec 4 2010
Who: 121 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane suffered a bird strike and made a safe landing. Another flight was diverted to pick up the passengers stranded in Bordeaux.
However…the flight that was to be diverted to pick them up was flying from Toulouse to Casablanca…didn’t. We do not know how they got home from Bordeaux.
When the 137 passengers aboard the replacement flight landed in Liege, they refused. (Refused to go to Bordeax, to get off the plane. Basically they rebelled. They did not want to go to Bordeaux and pick up the stranded passengers.) Apparently the pilot then left the plane, and the passengers (except for 52 of them who asked to get off the plane) stayed on the plane all night, outraged that their 90 minute direct trip had turned into 6 hours with 2 unscheduled stop. Their refusal ended up making them stranded even longer.
They were promised a direct flight to Casablanca on Sunday.
What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from San Francisco,CA to Honolulu,HI
Where: San Francisco
When: Dec 6th 2010
Who: 98 passengers
Why: The plane took off successfully but developed a bleed air problem in the left engine. The bleed air issue is more routine than problematic but dealing with it is certainly a best practice; the crew had to burn off fuel to land, and circled; but then diverted to LAX for the maintenance facilities. On arrival to LAX, passengers were booked onto alternative flights.
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Contact photographer Joe M Hill
What: US Airways Boeing 737-400 en route from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Washington DC
Where: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
When: December 8, 2010
Who: 70 passengers 5 crew
Why: After takeoff from Fort Lauderdale, the flight incurred a bird strike in an engine that affected a generator. The strike caused vibration in the right engine. The pilot turned back to the airport and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided alternative flights. Damage to the engine housing was reported.
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Contact photographer
What: TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Portela airport to Luanda Angola
Where: Over Lisbon
When: Dec 6 2010 12:30
Who: 125 aboard
Why: Around 11:45 GMT, a Taag Boeing lost parts over the Almada suburb of Lisbon, damaging a car and a building’s roof. The plane made an emergency landing at Portela after experiencing engine vibration in the right engine.
Stramded passengers have a replacement flight due at 10 am.
Taag bought the plane in 2007. TAAG’s Boeing aircraft are exempt from TAAG’s blacklist status. TAAG is on the UE blacklist of foreign airlines banned from flying to the continent due to noncompliance with international safety guidelines.
Pictured: An Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737
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Contact photographer Chaity
What: Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737 en route from Victoria Falls
Where: Harare Airport, Zimbabwe
When: December 6, 2010
Who: not released
Why: Passengers coming back from Victoria falls got a surprise today as, en route, the plane’s fire alarms went off.
The pilots made a safe emergency landing at Harare. The cause of the alarm is being investigated, and there’s no indication of whether passengers were provided transportation, housing or if they had to wait until the plane was examined/repaired.
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Contact photographer Jorge Garcia
What: Aeromexico Boeing 777-200 en route from Mexico City (Mexico) to Madrid,SP
Where: Santa Maria
When: Dec 4th 2010
Why: Initially, the flight diverted to the Azores Islands due to a Spanish strike, but later said there were problems with the right engine. After the plane landed, passengers were provided hotel accommodations. Another plane brought spare parts to Santa Maria, and the flight continued the next day after repairs were completed.
EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) is developing minor design changes to power distribution panels on the 787 and updates to the systems software that manages and protects power distribution on the airplane. These changes come as the result of what has been learned from the investigation of an onboard electrical fire on a test airplane, ZA002, earlier this month in Laredo, Texas.
“We have successfully simulated key aspects of the onboard event in our laboratory and are moving forward with developing design fixes,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Boeing is developing a plan to enable a return to 787 flight test activities and will present it to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as soon as it is complete.”
Engineers have determined that the fault began as either a short circuit or an electrical arc in the P100 power distribution panel, most likely caused by the presence of foreign debris. The design changes will improve the protection within the panel. Software changes also will be implemented to further improve fault protection.
The P100 panel is one of five major power distribution panels on the 787. It receives power from the left engine and distributes it to an array of systems.
The 787 team is now assessing the time required to complete the design changes and software updates that are being developed. A revised 787 program schedule is expected to be finalized in the next few weeks.
“Our team is focused on developing these changes and moving forward with the flight test program,” said Fancher. “The team in Laredo is also well along in preparing to return ZA002 to Seattle.”
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this report may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak to events only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our guidance relating to future financial and operating performance, the effect of economic conditions in the United States and globally, and general industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers, as well as the other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AMBERLEY, Queensland, Dec. 2, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will bid a fond farewell to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 strike fighters that the company has supported for more than 14 years when the fleet is retired on Dec. 3.
As prime contractor for F-111 through-life support activities since 1996, Boeing Defence Australia has designed, developed and delivered technologies and modifications to improve the operational effectiveness of the F-111 fleet from its facilities at RAAF Base Amberley. These upgrades included aircraft overhauls conducted under the F-111 Weapons System Business Unit (WSBU) contract.
Awarded to Boeing in 2001, the WSBU contract was the largest contract awarded by the Commonwealth of Australia at the time and covered all major upgrades to the fleet’s airframe, avionics and weapons systems, including:
Additional programs and facilities that Boeing has operated in support of the fleet include a fuel tank repair program, a coldproof load test facility, an F-111 ground test team, and a wing recovery program.
"Over the years, hundreds of Boeing employees have played a vital role in maintaining the operational effectiveness of the F-111 fleet and some, like me, have an even longer history with the platform after working on them during our time in the RAAF," said Ian Gabriel, F-111 program manager, Boeing Defence Australia. "On behalf of all Boeing personnel who supported the aircraft, it has been a privilege to have played a part in the rich military history of the F-111."
"Throughout Boeing’s long association with the F-111, we’ve forged strong relationships with the RAAF, our supplier partners and the local Ipswich community," said John Duddy, vice president and managing director, Boeing Defence Australia. "This could not have been achieved without the consistency and commitment of the Boeing personnel who have worked on the platform, and I thank them all. As the F-111 retires and we enter a new generation of Australian air defense through the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, Boeing looks forward to continuing to work with the RAAF to help protect Australia and its people."
Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of more than 1,500 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia.
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.
ARMONK, N.Y., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today that they have successfully completed a pilot research project designed to show how officials from multiple organizations can have more timely, consistent and complete information to resolve fast-changing or unpredictable aviation events.
The quicker availability of better information potentially can help authorities make more informed decisions to protect passenger and national security when airspace anomalies are detected, such as when an aircraft is found to be traveling off course. The project has demonstrated that advances in software can accelerate and orchestrate the flow of information from sensors and networks on a nationwide scale.
To better assess and manage these events, officials have been striving to implement “network centric operations” — the quick exchange of information from a variety of electronic sources — to gain better “situational awareness” of the many aspects of an aviation event. These situations require the sharing of updated and detailed information about temporary or ongoing airspace restrictions, flight plans, reports about weather and natural phenomena such as volcanoes, radar and beacon tracks, or the track of an aircraft sent to investigate an unfolding, midair event.
The Boeing-IBM project involves the research and development of new technology to overcome the technical challenge of assembling and delivering such a variety of information at a moment’s notice. The team has applied “Responsive, Reliable and Real-Time” (R3) Messaging, which can help ensure that complex data gathered from distributed sensors — located on aircraft, radar and other ground locations — can arrive at a specific time and in a sequence. Additional software can then correlate and analyze the information efficiently.
“One can well think of the R3 Messaging technology as a kind of mail carrier, train conductor, telephone switchboard operator and traffic police officer, all rolled into one, synchronizing nationwide — or even worldwide — logistics,” said Paul Giangarra, an IBM Distinguished Engineer who linked IBM’s messaging technology with Boeing’s business needs. “It moves information gathered from sensors in a secure, predictable manner.”
Added IBM Researcher Dr. Hui Lei, who managed the project team: “R3 Messaging exploits novel techniques to discover routing paths and schedule message deliveries with remarkable dependability. It is quite useful for moving critical and time-sensitive information between the physical and digital worlds. By integrating those two spheres, it makes it easier to make better and smarter decisions.”
The project was part of IBM Research’s First-of-a-Kind Program, leveraging internal research and development performed by Boeing Research & Technology’s Advanced Air Traffic Management group. The program pairs IBM researchers with clients to explore how emerging technologies can solve real-world business problems.
“R3 messaging is directly applicable to the work we do in aviation information management,” said Paul Comitz, Boeing Advanced ATM chief architect, System-Wide Information Management. “It provides capabilities that we need.”
Enterprise messaging technology, and the ability to manage a barrage of large amounts of data, has existed for some time. But until now, it has only been able to ensure the routine delivery, at an unspecified time, of electronic information within a self-contained computer network. Using new, patent-pending algorithms, IBM computer science researchers have now taken it further: For the first time, messaging technology ensures the synchronization of rapidly changing business events on a massive scale, with the ability to handle diverse and complicated systems.
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Contact photographer P Bisho
What: American Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Dallas Ft. Worth,TX to Montreal
Where: Montreal
When: Nov 30th 2010
Who: 105 passengers and 6 crew
Why: After landing safely, the plane missed the turn to the proper taxiway and ended off the pavement, described as the front tires sliding “off the runway at low speed” Passengers disembarked via stairway with no injuries, and only minor injury to the plane.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010–Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Copa Airlines today announced an order for 22 Next-Generation 737-800s at a signing ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. The order previously was attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.
“We thank Copa Airlines for this significant order and are very proud to partner with one of the most successful airlines in the industry,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Copa’s exceptional business model, ideal geographic position and modern and efficient fleet will continue to drive its leadership in the Latin American aviation market.”
“These 22 firm aircraft plus 10 options, which deliver between 2015 and 2018, are an integral part of our medium term growth plan,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “This is the largest aircraft order in Copa’s history, which is a reflection not only of our confidence in the future of Latin America and Panama, but also of our successful business model, which has made our Hub of the America’s the best connecting point for intra-Latin America travel.”
The 22 firm airplanes are valued at approximately $1.7 billion at list prices and nearly double Copa’s existing Next-Generation 737 fleet. The order is the largest new aircraft order in Copa Airlines’ history and is part of the airlines’ plan to continue to grow its fleet to meet market demands for new-generation, more fuel-efficient airplanes.
“Today’s signing not only celebrates the strong relationship between Boeing and Copa Airlines, but also symbolizes the strong political and commercial ties between the United States and Panama,” Albaugh said.
The new airplanes will be outfitted with the 737 Boeing Sky Interior featuring new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that provide passengers with a greater connection to the flying experience. They also will benefit from performance improvements expected to result in a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption through a combination of airframe and engine improvements. The performance improvements will be delivered beginning in mid-2011 through early 2012.
Operating out of the “Hub of the Americas” in Panama City, Copa provides service to 46 destinations in 24 countries.
In the past two years, Copa has purchased 37 Next-Generation 737-800s new from Boeing and entered into leasing agreements for an additional 10.
Remember when that Boeing 787 botched it’s test flight and caught on fire? The one with the power distribution panel that burned up, insulation and all? Well that plane flew out of Laredo today. The Dreamliner has its wings back.
This is what Boeing had to say as of a week ago:
EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 24, 2010 — Boeing is developing minor design changes to power distribution panels on the 787 and updates to the systems software that manages and protects power distribution on the airplane. These changes come as the result of what has been learned from the investigation of an onboard electrical fire on a test airplane, ZA002, earlier this month in Laredo, Texas.
“We have successfully simulated key aspects of the onboard event in our laboratory and are moving forward with developing design fixes,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Boeing is developing a plan to enable a return to 787 flight test activities and will present it to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as soon as it is complete.”
Engineers have determined that the fault began as either a short circuit or an electrical arc in the P100 power distribution panel, most likely caused by the presence of foreign debris. The design changes will improve the protection within the panel. Software changes also will be implemented to further improve fault protection.
The P100 panel is one of five major power distribution panels on the 787. It receives power from the left engine and distributes it to an array of systems.
The 787 team is now assessing the time required to complete the design changes and software updates that are being developed. A revised 787 program schedule is expected to be finalized in the next few weeks.
“Our team is focused on developing these changes and moving forward with the flight test program,” said Fancher. “The team in Laredo is also well along in preparing to return ZA002 to Seattle.”
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Contact photographer Co van den Heuvel
What: Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-400 en route from Amsterdam to Hong Kong
Where: Karaganda
When: Nov 28 2010
Who: 306 passengers and 20 crew
Why: While en route, the cabin suffered a loss of pressure. Oxygen masks were released and the crew descended to a lower altitude as they diverted to Karaganda Kazakhstan. The plane landed at the nearest airport, and were served breakfast aboard the plane while “emergency visa exemptions” were secured for the passengers. Hours later, passengers were taken to hotels to await the arrival of another flight.
Cathay Pacific confirmed the air pressure problem related to outflow valve assemblies they are replacing on their fleet.
What: American Airlines Boeing 757 en route from Boston to Dallas to Los Angeles
Where: Little Rock National Airport, Arkansas
When: November 28, 2010
Who: 165 passengers, 2 pilots, 4 flight crew
Why: While en route, the plane made 15 explosive bangs, jerking with the impact of each. The engine stalled, and pilots landed the plane safely in Little Rock. When the jet was grounded for maintenance, Passengers transferred to another plane that continued without a problem.
The issue with the plane is being compared to a car backfire. Unlike a car, a 757 has 2 engines. Normal procedure when an engine is having issues, is to shut down that engine and land with the one remaining engine.
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Contact photographer N94504
What: Continental Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Newark to Glasgow, SC
Where: Glasgow
When: Nov 24th 2010
Who: 158 passengers, 8 crew
Why: On approach to Glasgow, a fuel leak was discovered in the right engine. The pilot landed safely in Glasgow, but the return flight was cancelled, and the plane was scheduled for maintenance.
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Contact photographer Kevin Scott
What: All Nippon Network/Air Nippon Boeing 737-800 en route from Nagoya to Asahikawa
Where: Asahikawa Japan
When: Oct 26 2010
Who: 57 passengers and crew
Why: A controller at the Sapporo Area Control Center apparently forgot about minimum altitudes and instructed pilots of the All Nippon Network/Air Nippon jet to drop to 1,500 meters.
Area aircraft are not allowed below 3,000 meters.
Thirty minutes outside of Asahikawa, the plane instigated a EGPWS terrain warning which directed the crew to climb. The pull-up alarm alerts 20-30 seconds prior to projected ground impact.
The minimum safe altitude warning was triggered because over 2,197-meter Mt Pippu in Hokkaido. The plane corrected its height from (up to as close as) 220 meters above the peak to a greater clearance and made a safe landing thirty minutes later.
The Japan Transport Safety Board is investigating the incident.
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Contact photographer DOMINGOS PATENA
What: Thomson Boeing 737-800 en route from Lanzarote to Newcastle
Where: Newcastle
When: Nov 25th 2010
Who: 189 passengers
Why: It was snowing when the plane landed at Newcastle, and due to pavement conditions, the plane overran the runway. Passengers disembarked via stairs on the runway and were taken by bus to the terminal. Apparently no one was injured, but anyone who has been a passenger in a hydroplaning vehicle can sympathize with the passengers fear.
SEATTLE, Nov. 24, 2010 / — Boeing and Brussels-based Jetairfly today celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first Next-Generation 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky Interior. Jetairfly, part of TUI Travel PLC, the largest tourism group in London, is the first European-based airline to operate a 737 with the new passenger-inspired interior.
“The 737’s operating and environmental performance continues to make this airplane a valuable asset to our fleet,” said Elie Bruyninckx, chairman of Jetairfly. “We continue in our efforts to reduce our carbon output and improve the flying experience for our passengers, and we are proud to be the first airline based in Europe to operate with the new Boeing Sky Interior.”
The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new, modern-sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, larger stow bins and more headroom around the aisle seats. Other features include a quieter cabin, intuitive placement of switches and call buttons, improved sound quality and different interior lighting schemes.
“We congratulate Jetairfly on the delivery of its first 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky Interior,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Jetairfly’s incorporation of the Boeing Sky Interior and its passenger-pleasing features will reinforce its position as Belgium’s leading holiday airline.”
Watch a video of the Jetairfly airplane and its new interior here: http://www.twitvid.com/ZVSJP.
The Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of improvements to the airplane. Since the Next-Generation 737 was introduced in 1997, customers have taken advantage of continuous improvements to this best-selling airplane that have made it even more efficient, reliable and passenger-friendly. Next to come will be a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2 percent – making the airplane a full 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737 delivered. The performance improvements to the airframe and engine will be in service by early 2012.
To date, 50 customers have ordered the new interior for 1,386 airplanes.
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Contact photographer Tiago Palla
What: DHL Air Boeing 757-200 freight flight en route from Valencia to Marseille
Where: Marseille
When: Nov 23rd 2010
Who: flight crew
Why: On final approach, the plane indicated a gear problem. Pilots aborted the landing and entered a holding pattern. A fly by revealed the gear was down. The flight made a safe landing. Maintenance made minor repairs and the plane was back in service within hours.
Provides additional capacity to manufacture titanium and other hard metals structures
SEATTLE, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing announced today that it has agreed to acquire the business and operations conducted by Summit Aeronautics Group in Helena, Mont. Summit employs 135 people to manufacture titanium and other hard metal structures for commercial and military aircraft.
This acquisition extends a strong partnership between Boeing and Summit. Summit currently performs hard metal machining on 747-8 fail-safe bars, which allow the flaps to move on the wings; 787 edge frames that fit around the doors; and 767 main-landing-gear beams, which facilitate the landing gear rotation. After the transaction, Summit will continue its work on these Boeing programs and manufacture other machined parts for the 787. Summit also will continue to support existing military programs.
“Bringing this successful partner and its talented employees into Boeing provides additional flexibility to support increased production rates,” said Ross Bogue, vice president and general manager of Boeing Fabrication. “It grows our capacity to manufacture titanium and other hard metals structures in support of current and future airplane production requirements.”
“Our Summit team is proud of the work we have done to support key Boeing programs,” said Tom Hoffman, president of Summit Aeronautics Group. “The acquisition recognizes that our people and capabilities are world class. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Boeing and becoming an integral part of the Boeing production team.”
Through the agreement, Boeing will acquire, among other things, the building, assets and inventory as well as assume operation of the site. Boeing anticipates this transaction will close in the fourth quarter following satisfaction of customary closing conditions. This transaction is not expected to have a material impact on Boeing’s 2010 or 2011 financial results. Terms were not disclosed.
Once acquired, Boeing Fabrication will manage the Helena facility. Boeing Fabrication, which is currently located at 10 sites worldwide, provides key manufacturing and assembly capabilities and technologies to Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
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Contact photographer Andrew Hunt – AirTeamImages
What: An American Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Sao Paulo to Miami,FL
Where: Sao Paulo
When: Nov 18 2010
Why: After takeoff, the right engine made an explosive noise, suffered an engine surge and the pilots shut it down. The pilots returned to Sao Paulo and made a safe landing. Significant damage occurred in the engine, and it will have to be replaced.
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Contact photographer Randall Johnson
What: Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Atlanta to Los Angeles
Where: Atlanta
When: Nov 21 t 2010
Who: 262 passengers
Why: While en route, the flight developed an engine problem and made an emergency return to Atlanta. The tail scraped on landing (damage unknown). Passengers were provided alternative flights.
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Contact photographer David Roura – Iberian Spotters
What: Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from NY to Moscow
Where: New York
When: Nov 21, 2010
Who: 193 passengers, one of whom was Leonardo DiCaprio
Why: Immediately after takeoff, the plane “lost” the left engine. (I am assuming the pilot shut it down. In spite of alarmist NYT twitters, there was no fire.) A flash on takeoff, and a flame out and smoke were reported by separate crews. The plane had to dump fuel and returned less than an hour later to land in NY with a hundred rescue crew on hand for what appears to be a routine handling of a possible stall.
What: United Boeing 757 en route from Boston to Chicago
Where: Buffalo
When: November 21, 2010, 10:34 am
Who: 176 aboard
Why: While en route, a faulty heater caused a small crack in the windshield. Although there was no problem with decompression or passengers, the flight diverted to Buffalo, with emergency units on standby.
The plane made a routine safe landing. Passengers were provided alternate accommodations to Chicago.
