Aircraft

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    Ultralight Fatality in Italy

    What: Ultralight en route to Ozzano of the Emilia
    Where: Rogno Italy
    When: June 6 2010
    Who: Pilot and passenger
    Why: The ultralight developed problems on takeoff, and crashed near an Artogne airstrip. Passenger Ivan Belotti, resident of Cevo Brescia died in the crash. The pilot, Alan Planeti of Esine Brescia has been hospitalized in serious condition.

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    Helicopter Crashes in Atizapan, Mexico

    What: CRIT Helicópteros Bell 206
    Where: Atizapan , Mexico
    When: June 6 2010
    Who: 3 injured
    Why: On 11 Maple drive in the Hidden Valley golf club (el club de golf Valle Escondido), the Bell Helicopter crashed for unknown reasons. Pilot Gerardo Alberto Lujano González, and crew Eduardo Rodriguez Vértiz and Gabriel Brito Macías were taken to the Angels of Huixquilucan hospital with undisclosed injuries. The helicopter has been written off as damaged beyond repair but there were no fatalities.

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    Boeing Rejects Takeoff


    Pictured: The American Airlines Boeing 767-323/ER replacement jet A
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Rudy Chiarello

    What: American Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from New York to Milan
    Where: New York
    When: Jun 5 2010
    Who: 218 passengers and 12 crew
    Why: The American Airlines Boeing rejected take-off due to an undisclosed issue. A replacement jet was provided.

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    Boeing 787 First Flight Event Wins PRSA Silver Anvil

    SEATTLE, June 4, 2010 – The Boeing Commercial Airplanes Communications & Marketing team received a 2010 Silver Anvil award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Thursday for its work in planning and executing communications events surrounding the 787 Dreamliner first flight on Dec. 15, 2009.

    PRSA – the largest professional association serving the public relations industry – awards Silver Anvils each year to organizations that successfully address a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. According to the PRSA website, this national award represents the “best of the best” in public relations practices.

    The Boeing Communications & Marketing team began planning a year in advance of the event, which drew more than 12,000 employees and guests. The team also facilitated the company’s first live webcast, allowing more than 1 million people around the globe to share in the historic first flight and landing of the Dreamliner.
    “This was a team of literally hundreds of volunteers who created a memorable event worthy of the 787 Dreamliner,” said Yvonne Leach, 787 Communications director, at the acceptance ceremony. “It was an honor to have led the team that planned and delivered this event.”

    The Silver Anvil award recognized the team for deploying new technologies to open the first-flight experience to employees, media, customers, government officials and other stakeholders. These innovations included hosting micro events around the world; providing audio feed between air traffic control and 787 first-flight pilots Mike Carriker and Randy Neville during the flight; and allowing Web visitors to track the flight live on Boeing.com.

    “Those who attended first flight in person or watched it on the Web will never forget the rush of emotion when that airplane left the ground and became airborne,” said Leach. “It was a great moment for Boeing, for our customer, our partners and employees – for our entire industry.”

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    Caution Air India: Hydraulic Leak


    Pictured: An Air India Airbus A320-214
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Olivier Mouhot

    What: Air India Airbus A320-200 en route from Kozhikode to Dubai (or from Calicut to Sharjah depending on who you ask.)
    Where: Mumbai
    When: May 28th 2010
    Who: 84 passengers and 8 crew
    Why: While en route, the flight developed hydraulic failure and had to divert to Mumbai where they made a safe landing. A replacement jet was provided, for which passengers waited for three and a half hours. The diversion is considered cautionary and not “emergency.”

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    Airbus delivers the 30th A380

    The 30th A380 to be delivered was handed over today to Emirates Airline, one of the launch customers of the Airbus double-decker aircraft. This is the tenth A380 Emirates has received out of its total firm order for 58 aircraft.

    This aircraft will be on display at the ILA Berlin Air Show which is taking place from June 8th to 13th. Lufthansa will also bring their recently delivered, first A380 to the show and from June 11th an Airbus flight test A380 will be on static and flying display.

    Airbus has already delivered seven A380s so far in 2010, three to Emirates Airline, two to Air France, one to Lufthansa and one to Qantas. Airbus is on track to deliver a total of at least 20 A380s in 2010.

    Today five major airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airline, Qantas, Air France and Lufthansa, operate 30 A380s on 20 routes linking 18 major international destinations. Together they have carried nearly five and a half million passengers on 15,000 revenue flights and have clocked up almost 140,000 revenue flight hours. These A380 flights have saved 640,000t of CO2 emissions by replacing journeys that would otherwise have been made with less fuel-efficient large aircraft. The A380 has the lowest fuel burn of any wide body aircraft, needing less than three litres of fuel per passenger per 100km.

    The A380 is also a proven profit generator. Delivering an impressive double-digit percentage reduction in cash operating costs, it allows airlines to either increase the number of seats offered at little or no extra cost or keep the same capacity at a much lower total cost. This is one of the reasons why seven of the 17 A380 customers have already placed repeat orders and over half the world’s top international carriers have ordered it.

    Airbus has received 202 firm orders for the A380 from 17 customers.

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    American Airlines Battery down over Atlantic


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Roger Cannegieter – Curacao Aviation Photography

    What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Boston to Paris
    Where: (over Atlantic) Gander
    When: Jun 2nd 2010
    Why: While en route, the flight experienced problems with their standby battery recharging system. (The battery is essential to standby power in an emergency situation. ) The flight diverted to Gander where it made a safe overweight landing. A replacement jet was provided.

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    Jade Cargo Selects Boeing Airplane Health Management

    SEATTLE, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Boeing Airplane Health Management (AHM) system will monitor Jade Cargo’s fleet of six 747-400 Freighter airplanes, under an agreement announced today. AHM is an information-driven system that helps airlines improve the management of unscheduled maintenance events.

    “I believe AHM can extremely improve efficiency and reliability in our flight operation,” said Jade Cargo International CEO and Captain Kay Kratky upon signing the agreement. “I am looking forward to more cooperation with Boeing.”

    Jade Cargo will incorporate all three AHM modules into its operation — Real-Time Fault Management, Performance Monitoring and Custom Alerting and Analysis.

    “This is a big commitment by Jade Cargo to improve efficiency, maintenance performance and overall fleet awareness,” said Dennis Floyd, vice president of Fleet Services for Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to Airplane Health Management making a significant difference in the airline’s operation.”

    The Real-Time Fault Management module communicates in-flight information to ground stations for diagnosis and real-time operational decisions to initiate any needed maintenance operations and deploy the necessary people, parts and equipment.
    Performance Monitoring will allow Jade Cargo to analyze airplane performance data to improve airplane fuel efficiency and flight planning.

    Custom Alerting and Analysis enables the airline to address developing airplane system issues by automatically monitoring, collecting, and transmitting service level information including tire pressure, oxygen pressure, hydraulic fluid, Auxiliary Power Unit and engine oil levels. Consumption trends are then used to facilitate maintenance planning and optimize service intervals.

    Airplane Health Management works through the MyBoeingFleet.com portal. Alerts and notifications are delivered to airline personnel through the Internet, fax, personal digital assistants, e-mail and pager services.
    Airplane Health Management is a key component in Boeing’s larger vision of the e-enabled airline, where information technology, connectivity and strategic integration promise greater efficiency and improved airline operations.

    Jade Cargo International was founded by Shenzhen Airlines Company Limited, Lufthansa Cargo AG and DEG – Deutsche Investitions – und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, a subsidiary of KfW-Bank Group.

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    SAS Falling Pieces


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer AlainDurand

    What: SAS Scandinavian Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 on a ferry flight from Lourdes to Oslo
    Where: Belgium
    When: Jun 3rd 2010
    Who: 3 crew members
    Why: After takeoff, a piece of a tail fin was found on the runway. The crew performed a flyby for ATC to perform a visual inspection. Nothing irregular was found by ATC or by the crew so they continued the flight, but diverted to Stockholm for inspection.

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    Hawaiian Air Cautionary Landing


    Pictured: A Hawaiian Air Boeing 717-22A
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Kenneth K Cheung

    What: Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717-200 en route from Honolulu to Kahului
    Where: Honolulu
    When: Jun 3rd 2010
    Who: 117 people on board,
    Why: After takeoff, smoke was seen coming from the plane’s engine, and the crew observed irregular indications. The flight returned to Honolulu for maintenance. A replacement jet was provided.

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    Canada Publishes 2008 Wake Turbulence Event Report


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Randall Johnson

    What: Air Canada Airbus A319-100 en route from Victoria,BC to Toronto,ON
    Where: Calgary
    When: Jan 10th 2008
    Who: 83 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: Over Washington state, the Airbus which was following a UA Boeing at at least the minimum approved distance was subjected to an interim of wake turbulence which seriously injured 3 and caused minor injuries to 8. Findings on this 2008 event included the cause as wake turbulence. The event brings to question trolley and storage security and rudder control input.

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    Boeing, Canadian Industry Partners Launch Advanced Composites Manufacturing Research and Development Consortium

    OTTAWA, Ontario, June 1, 2010 — The Boeing Company and Canadian industry partners today announced the launch of a new research and development consortium aimed at strengthening Canada’s competitive position in the manufacturing of advanced composite materials for aerospace and other industries.

    The Canadian Composites Manufacturing Research and Development consortium (CCMRD) brings together major aerospace companies and small- to medium-sized enterprises to develop and transform the latest technical and academic knowledge into practical solutions that will enhance Canada’s global competitiveness.

    “A virtual R&D center of this type is much needed in Canada,” said Anoush Poursartip, CCMRD chairman and Research director for Convergent Manufacturing Technologies, a member company. “The CCMRD will help to advance the technological capabilities of Canadian industry whilst building stronger relationships between Canadian and international aerospace original equipment manufacturers, as well as Canadian material, equipment, component and software suppliers.”

    The CCMRD was formed in cooperation with the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) in Winnipeg, National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC-IAR) in Ottawa, and The Boeing Company. Founding Canadian member companies include Bell Helicopter and Avior Integrated Products in Quebec; Comtek Advanced Structures in Ontario; Convergent Manufacturing Technologies and Profile Composites in British Columbia; and Bristol Aerospace, a division of Magellan Aerospace Ltd. and Cormer Group Industries Inc. in Manitoba.

    The CIC is responsible for CCMRD administration, with projects to be carried out at member companies across Canada. NRC-IAR will participate as a technology adviser, providing insight and direction based on its leading-edge knowledge of the composites aerospace industry.

    In addition to financial support, Boeing will provide technical expertise and project guidance through its central research, technology and innovation organization, Boeing Research & Technology. Boeing Canada Operations Ltd. in Winnipeg will take part in CCMRD projects along with other consortium members.
    “Boeing’s work with the CCMRD is part of our long-term focus of working together with industry, universities and research organizations to advance Canada’s role in providing high-technology, high-quality materials and components for the aerospace industry,” said Pete Hoffman, Global Research and Development Strategy director for Boeing Research & Technology.
    The CCMRD is in line with Canada’s Industrial & Regional Benefits (IRB) policy and an integral part of Boeing’s IRB program associated with the Canadian Forces’ acquisition of 15 CH-147 medium-to-heavy-lift helicopters. Canada’s IRB policy requires prime contractors, such as Boeing, to make investments in the Canadian economy as a result of winning defense and security contracts with the Canadian government.

    “Through CCMRD, we’re bringing together Canadian companies of all sizes to develop unique capabilities, enhance the skills of Canada’s work force, and increase competitiveness for continued growth in the global aerospace industry and into new markets,” said Gwen Kopsie, International Industrial Participation director for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

    Boeing has been a major contributor to the Canadian economy since 1919, generating approximately $1 billion in business annually. The company employs highly skilled workers in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia in support of its commercial and defense business units. Canada also is home to one of Boeing’s largest international supplier bases, with more than 200 suppliers in every region of the country, providing a diverse mix of high-value goods and services to Boeing and its customers.
    Boeing Research & Technology collaborates with Boeing business units, customers, suppliers, universities, and other research and development agencies throughout the world to provide a broad base of innovative and affordable technologies for current and future aerospace systems and services.

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    Air Tran Cautionary Landing in Wichita


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Sharpshooter

    What: AirTran Airways Boeing 737-700 en route from San Francisco to Atlanta
    Where: Wichita
    When: May 31 2010
    Who: 126 passengers and crew
    Why: While en route, the flight developed oil pressure problems due to an oil leak and diverted to Wichita Kansas where it made a safe landing. A replacement flight was provided for the passengers.

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    Four injured in Westjet Turbulence


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Mark Kryst

    What: Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700 en route from Calgary to Winnipeg
    Where: Winnipeg Canada
    When: May 29 2010
    Who: 96 people on board
    Why: While on approach to Winnipeg the flight encountered turbulence which injured four: two flight attendants and two passengers. After the Boeing made a safe landing, two of the injured were hospitalized, and two went home after treatment at the airport.

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    Boeing to Feature New Super Hornet Cockpit Display at CANSEC

    OTTAWA, Ontario, June 1, 2010 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] will demonstrate a new, larger cockpit display as part of its F/A-18 Super Hornet simulator at the CANSEC 2010 defense and security trade show. The exhibition will be held June 2-3 in Ottawa.

    The new display is a single-screen configuration that enables aircrews to view more battlespace information within a larger viewing area.

    “The new, larger display is an option Super Hornet customers will be able to incorporate as they determine specific capabilities for their unique requirements,” said Mike Gibbons, F/A-18E/F program manager for Boeing. “This new display is one example of the evolutionary approach of incorporating ever-increasing capabilities into the Super Hornet, with low risk for customers. We continue to expand the Super Hornet’s multirole capabilities with continued on-cost and on-schedule performance for our customers.”

    The Boeing Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 430 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule and on budget.

    Boeing also is bringing the P-8A Poseidon demonstration trailer, which includes operator stations and a cockpit simulator, to CANSEC. A derivative of the highly successful and reliable Next-Generation 737, the P-8 is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Other products being showcased at Boeing’s booth include the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, and the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle.

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    Airbus Evacuation in Ft. Lauderdale


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Richard Brownrigg

    What: Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from Cartagena Colombia to Ft. Lauderdale
    Where: Ft. Lauderdale
    When: May 30th 2010
    Who: 90 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: On landing, while still on the runway, smoke permeated the cabin, forcing evacuation on to the runway. Three passengers were hospitalized due to injuries during the evacuation.

  • Chathams Pacific Emergency

    What: Chathams Beech Pacific Queen Air en route to Ha’apai
    Where: Fua’amotu International Airport, Tonga
    When: May 26, 2010
    Who: pilots Nick Caulder and Callum Patterson and six passengers
    Why: While on approach, the plane’s control panel indicated its nose wheel was not operating properly. The pilots attempted to keep the nose up as long as possible on landing, but eventually when they had to put down, the plane made a “crunchy noise” as the nose frame, skin and blades scraped the runway. There were no injuries, although the nose wheel failed to lock, and collapsed.

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    Air India Gag Order Causes Strike

    Ground crew and engineers of Air Corporation Employees union are on strike over the gag order issued by Air India, leading to over 40 cancelled flights. The Union had sent 75 members to assist with the critical Mangalore crash. Air India responded to the crash with a gag order to the staff over a Bangalore-Delhi Airbus 320 which had diverted to Mangalore the day of the crash when there was no engineer to certify it except a non-qualified Kingfisher engineer.

    On arrival in Delhi, the Air India engineers would not re-certify the Airbus. The rule violation prompted the gag order.

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    Canadian North Engine Trouble


    Pictured: A Canadian North Boeing 737-275C/Adv
    Snap Lake Canada

    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Jason Pineau

    What: Canadian North Boeing 737-200 en route from St. John’s NL to Winnipeg
    Where: Fredericton
    When: May 25 2010
    Who: 31 people on board,
    Why: While en route, the left engine developed developed oil pressure issues and had to be shut down. The flight diverted to Fredericton and made a safe landing.

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    Boeing Conducts Test Flight

    ST. LOUIS, May 26, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] successfully flew its ScanEagle Compressed Carriage (SECC) unmanned airborne system (UAS) at a testing facility in eastern Oregon on May 12. The 75-minute flight evaluated the aircraft’s airworthiness and flight characteristics in a simulated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission.

    The SECC — powered by a six-horsepower, heavy-fuel engine — was launched from a ground vehicle, flew an autonomous flight plan at various altitudes and provided streaming video from its electro-optical/infrared sensor package to a nearby ground station. The SECC was recovered using the same runway-independent SkyHook recovery system used by the ScanEagle and Integrator unmanned airborne systems. The SECC system will complete additional tests in the coming months.

    “This is a big step toward adding another aircraft with additional capabilities to Boeing’s UAS stable,” said Ron Perkins, director of Boeing Phantom Works’ Advanced Unmanned Airborne Systems. “The vehicle’s 132-inch wingspan and folding aero surfaces allow it to be carried on an aircraft pylon or in a container, giving the warfighter the choice of operating it from air, underwater, ground or surface platforms.”

    The SECC is a long-endurance, autonomous UAS designed to provide ISR, targeting, and battle-damage assessment.

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    UA Turbulent Over Canada


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Thomas Ernst – Aviation Arts

    What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from London Heathrow to Los Angeles,CA
    Where: Montreal
    When: May 25th 2010
    Who: 96 passengers and 15 crew
    Why: While en route, over the Hudson Strait, the flight encountered turbulence, injuring one stewardess and five passengers. The flight nearly diverted to O’Hare but instead diverted to Montreal, where the injured were hospitalized. A replacement Boeing was provided-

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    Wizzair Airbus Flat in Madrid


    Pictured: A Wizz Air Airbus A320-232 in Budapest
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Laszlo Gyori

    What: Wizzair Bulgaria Airbus A320-200 en route from Madrid to Sofia Bulgaria
    Where: Madrid
    When: May 22nd 2010
    Who: 136 passengers
    Why: During takeoff, two tires burst. Takeoff was rejected. Passengers disembarked and the tires were replaced, with the flight not arriving in Sophia until nearly 18 hours later.

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    Spicejet Flat at New Delhi


    Pictured: A SpiceJet Boeing 737-8GJ over Shannon Ireland
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Trevor Mulkerrins

    What: Spicejet Boeing 737-800 en route from New Delhi to Srinagar India
    Where: Delhi
    When: May 24th 2010
    Who: 188 passengers
    Why: After a normal takeoff, the crew was advised to return due to debris on the runway. After a flyby during which tire damage was observed, the Spicejet flight made a safe landing. Repairs were made and the flight took off again four hours later. No indication is made of passenger accommodation.