What: Piedmont Airlines/US Airways de Havilland Dash 8-100 en route from Philadelphia to New Haven
Where: Islip
When: Jan 7th 2011
Who: 32 passengers, 3 crew
Why: While en route near Islap, the plane was struck by lightning. When the plane experienced electrical problems, the pilots decided to divert to Islap and landed within ten minutes. Local weather included snow and thunderstorms.
What: private Partenavia P.68C Victor plane en route from Caracas to Charallave, Venezuela
Where: Lima Blanco, Western Venezuela
When: Jan 7 2011
Who: 7 passengers: 6 fatalities, 10 year old girl survives
Why: There were 7 passengers aboard when the Maiquetia control tower tracked the plane as heading to Cojedes.
The wreckage was found near Limo Blanco, in Cojedes. 4 adults and either one or two children died on the scene. A ten year old girl survived the crash and was taken to the San Carlos Hospital.
Pilot Said José Saldivia, Luis Oropeza, Edith Araujo, and Martha Araujo were the adults aboard the flight.
What: Mesaba/Delta CRJ 200 en route from Minneapolis to Dayton
Where: Dane County Regional Airport, Madison
When: Jan 7 2011
Who: 40 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed engine trouble.
One of the engines displayed an emergency warning and had to be shut down.
The pilot landed safely in Madison. Passengers disembarked normally.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Rudy Chiarello
What: British Airways Boeing 747-400 en route from London Heathrow to Vancouver
Where: Vancouver
When: Jan 5th 2011
Who:
Why: While en route, the plane encountered severe turbulence with wind shear so extreme, the crew temporarily lost control of the plane. However they established control, and made it to Vancouver where they landed safely.
Jan 7, 2011
ATLANTA, Jan. 7, 2011 — Delta Air Lines is offering customers whose flight plans may be affected by winter weather expected in Atlanta beginning Sunday night the ability to make one-time changes to their travel schedules without fees. Delta’s weather advisory encourages customers to consider postponing or re-routing their travel to avoid possible inconvenience from expected flight delays.
Customers booked on Delta-ticketed flights to, from or through Atlanta Jan. 9-11 may immediately rebook for travel with the same origin and destination before or after their original travel dates as long as new flights are ticketed and rescheduled with travel beginning by Jan. 13, 2011.
Flight delays are expected at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a result of winter weather, and Delta will proactively reduce flight schedules to minimize delays.
Delta encourages customers to make changes and manage their travel at delta.com. All customers traveling in impacted markets should check their flight status at delta.com before arriving at the airport.
Changes to origin or destination may result in a fare increase, and any fare difference between the original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of rebooking. Customers whose flights are cancelled may request refunds.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Christopher Weyer
What: Continental Airlines 737 en route from Santa Ana to Houston
Where: El Paso International Airport
When: January 6, 2011
Who: 127 passengers
Why: While en route, the Continental flight developed smoke in the cockpit.
Pilots diverted to El Paso where they made a safe landing. The plane is being examined. Rescue services have not yet found a source.
HOUSTON, Jan. 6, 2011
— AvStar Aviation Group, Inc. today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc., appointed Arthur Stevenson to the position of Chief Pilot.
Arthur Stevenson is an Airline Transport Pilot having flown over 142 different types of aircraft while accumulating over 11,000 flight hours. Arthur’s experience includes more than 11 years as point of contact with the FAA in the development and continuing operations of Part 135 Air Carriers. Positions previously held by Arthur include Line Pilot, Chief Pilot, Company Instructor, Company Check Airman, and Director of Operations with air carriers operating aircraft up to 19 passenger seats. Arthur also developed the “Operations”, “Maintenance”, “Training” and “First Responders” manuals for the Monroe County Florida Sheriff’s EMS helicopter operation based in the Florida Keys.
“I am pleased to have someone with Art’s credentials join Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc. His experience with larger aircraft and commuter operations will make our transition into these areas quicker and more efficient. We will be able to develop the required manuals and procedures ‘in-house’ thereby making their implementation easier and more cost effective,” said Clayton Gamber, CEO of AvStar Aviation Group, Inc.
In December 2010 AvStar announced a Letter of Intent (see http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb4920324.htm for the full announcement) had been signed to purchase 35% of Aircraft Charters, LLC. Aircraft Charters, LLC is the owner of the aircraft currently leased to and operated by AvStar’s wholly owned subsidiary Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc. The purchase is expected to close in January of 2011.
“The purchase of Aircraft Charters, LLC will improve the balance sheet of AvStar while the addition of Art will improve the Income Statement. With Art’s experience we will be able to expedite the transition to the ‘Commuter’ operator designation as given by the FAA. With the ‘Commuter’ designation Twin Air Calypso Limited, Inc. will gain worldwide exposure through the airline industry’s established marketing services available only to ‘Commuter’ operators,” said Clayton Gamber, CEO of AvStar Aviation Group, Inc.
What: Cayman Airways Boeing 737-300
Where: Owen Roberts International Airport
When: Jan 5 2011
Who: Not Available
Why: Thirty minutes from landing, the cabin developed a burning smell, later attributed to a faulty ventilation fan. The pilot made an early descent, and landed safely.
What: Air India Flight 680 en route from Delhi to Kolkata
Where: IGI Airport, Delhi
When: Jan 5 2011
Who: 152 passengers including Union Ministers Mamata Banerjee and Mukul Roy
Why: The plane was en route but returned to Delhi after 45 minutes due to an undisclosed technical problem. The plane made a safe landing under emergency conditions at 9:10 pm. Passengers waited an hour, and an alternative plane took off with them aboard to Kolkata at 10:45 pm
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Charin de Silva
What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200, en route from Chicago O’Hare,IL to Frankfurt/Main
Where: Toronto
When: Jan 3rd 2011
Who: 241 passengers
Why: While en route, the communication and navigation equipment failed, and the flight crew landed at Pearson as a safety measure. According to the FAA, the apparent reason (or a factor as the investigation is continuing) is that the equipment failed after a crew member spilled coffee on it. Additional confusion followed as pilots sent an incorrect code before they sent the “loss of communication” code.
UA sent a plane to ferry the passengers back to Chicago and another flight.
CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast U.S. this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the cancellation or delay of certain flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and at Continental’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.
Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com
Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the affected airports Jan. 7 through Jan. 9 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com. Customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their tickets were purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1, Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agents. Another way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.
CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 2011
Continental Airlines today announced that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) representing Continental flight attendants. The IAM is expected to hold a ratification vote in the coming weeks.
“The negotiation teams were able to reach a fair agreement that is another positive step forward as we work to combine our companies,” said Sam Risoli, vice president of Inflight Service for the combined company.
The agreement covers approximately 9,300 Continental flight attendants located throughout the United States.
FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 5, 2011 / — American Airlines today received notice from Sabre that it has taken a set of punitive actions against the airline and its customers, despite the fact that American has met all its obligations and continues to work in good faith with Sabre.
The actions, which include biasing its shopping displays, are anti-consumer, anti-competitive and harmful to its subscribing agents.
Sabre’s actions are discriminatory and patently inconsistent with both its contractual obligations and its professed goal of ensuring full transparency for the benefit of consumers and travel agents. In contrast, the actions only serve to protect Sabre’s market position and attempt to force airlines and travel agencies to rely exclusively on its legacy systems that only lead to higher fares and fewer choices for consumers.
American is committed to working with all efficient distribution channels, including traditional travel agencies, online travel agencies and global distribution systems
American Airlines and American Eagle fares and schedules – including all international and domestic classes of service – are widely available through a number of outlets, including American’s own website, AA.com, which features our Lowest Fare Guarantee, as well as through American’s reservations agents, thousands of travel agencies in locations worldwide, online travel agencies such as Priceline.com and metasearch engines such as Kayak.com.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 4, 2011 — Pet Airways Inc. (PAWS.PK), the world’s first airline designed specifically for the comfortable, efficient and safe transportation of pets, today announced that Andrew Warner has been named President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Warner also serves as a member of the Pet Airways board of directors.
Mr. Warner has more than 25 years of experience in financial and general management, with leadership positions in both public and private companies. He specializes in nurturing rapid growth in young consumer-oriented companies, particularly with respect to consumer technology.
Prior to joining Pet Airways, Mr. Warner served as Chief Financial Officer of EnergyConnect Group, Inc., a leading provider of smart grid demand response services and technologies. Prior to that, Mr. Warner was the Chief Financial Officer of SmartDisk Corporation, which provided electronic storage solutions and was subsequently acquired by Verbatim. Mr. Warner was also the Chief Executive Officer of Zio Corporation, a private, digital consumer electronics company that was acquired by SmartDisk Corporation. Prior to Zio Corporation, Mr. Warner served as Chief Financial Officer, President of the U.S. Division and Executive Vice President of SCM Microsystems Inc., a global provider of digital security and identity management technology.
“We are delighted that Andrew has agreed to join the Pet Airways team. With his strong financial and business experience, we believe that he will be instrumental in helping Pet Airways become a household name and solidify our leadership position in pet transportation,” said Dan Wiesel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pet Airways. “In particular, his experience growing successful companies, managing transactions and raising capital will be invaluable to us.”
Andrew Warner commented, “Pet Airways is an exciting company that has the potential to fundamentally change the travel category. Pets are a very important part of the family, and by providing a safe and caring alternative to cargo, Pet Airways can transform the concept of family travel. I am thrilled to join the Pet Airways executive team, to work with Dan to broaden Pet Airways’ services and expand the company’s infrastructure.”
Since Pet Airways’ launch in July 2009, flight capacity has nearly doubled with expansion from the original five destinations to the current nine. Revenue for the first nine months of 2010 more than tripled over the prior year, with over 3,000 pets flown through September 2010. The company continues to enjoy significant national and regional press coverage and recently announced a partnership with Petmate®, the leading provider of portable carriers.
About Pet Airways, Inc.
Pet Airways is the first airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets. Pet Airways’ pawsengers™ travel in the specially equipped main cabin of its planes – where pets are continuously monitored by an In-Flight Pet Attendant and the climate is controlled for maximum pet comfort. With Pet Airways, pet parents can be assured their animals will be treated with tender, loving care throughout the journey. The airline launched flight operations in 2009 and currently serves coast-to-coast destinations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. For more information go to www.petairways.com.
New Qatar Airways 777-300ER carries medical supplies to Pakistan
EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) again has partnered with Qatar Airways and the non-profit global health and disaster relief organization AmeriCares to deliver a second consignment of relief supplies to areas in Pakistan that are still recovering from the massive floods that ravaged the country in August. The first shipment was delivered in September 2010.
A consignment of about 35,000 pounds (15.8 metric tones) of medical supplies was loaded into the cargo hold of the new Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) delivered to Qatar Airways. The airline subsequently will ship the relief goods from Doha, Qatar to Pakistan.
“This is the second time in four months that Boeing has partnered with Qatar Airways and AmeriCares to help the people in Pakistan where the need is still great,” said Liz Warman, director of Global Corporate Citizenship Northwest Region, Boeing. “Providing timely medical care is critical; though the floods have receded, the aftereffects such as sickness and disease continue to affect the people in these disaster zones.”
Over the years, Boeing and airline partners as well as non-profit partners in the Humanitarian Delivery Flights (HDF) program have collaborated on many humanitarian missions and the Boeing 777-300ER was used on a number of those missions.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Je89 W.
What: United Airlines A 320 en route from Denver to Las Vegas
Where: Denver International Airport
When: Jan 3, 2011
Who: 155 passengers, 5 crew
Why: Passengers boarded at 8:30 a.m.
After takeoff, by the time they were 60 miles out, there was a strange smell in the cockpit and cabin which convinced the crew to return to Denver where they made a safe landing. Passengers disembarked with no reported injuries.
What: Twin Engine Cessna
Where: Cape Fear Regional Jetport, Brunswick County
When: Jan 3, 2010
Who: Pilot
Why: The pilot could not land as his landing gear did not deploy and keyed an Unsafe Gear indication. The pilot manually deployed the gear, and landed without any more issues.
He landed with Oak Island Fire and Rescue, Oak Island Police, Yaupon Beach Fire Department, and Brunswick County Emergency Services on standby.
What: Cessna 172H
Where: Staunton, Virginia
When: Dec 31, 2010, 2 pm
Who: 2 fatalities, 2 aboard.
Why: AirCare 5, a medical-evacuation Eurocopter EC135 bumped off the Cessna’s left wing, after which the Cessna crashed, killing the two aboard.
The registered owner of the plane is Michael W. Price of Elkton, Va. The victims were Jason Allen Long, 32, of Edinburg, and Jacob Houston Kiser, 19, of Grottoes.
Three people, pilot Paul Weve, co-pilot and flight nurse Joseph Root and flight nurse Carolyn Booke were aboard the Eurocopter, which landed safely. They had just dropped off a patient at the University of Virginia Medical Center. PHI Inc. of Lafayette, Louisiana owns the helicopter which is based at Weyers Cave Airport. The helicopter pilot has been praised in the media for making an amazing landing.
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is 30 miles northwest of Charlottesville. SHD is an “uncontrolled airport” with no air traffic control tower.
FAA:DESCRIPTION N385PH PHI INC AIRCARE FLIGHT 5 EUROCOPTER EC135 ROTORCRAFT COLLIDED MIDAIR WITH N2876L CESSNA C172 AIRCRAFT UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2 PERSONS IN N2876L CESSNA C172 AIRCRAFT WERE FATALLY INJURED WHEN IT CRASHED IN A FIELD, THE N385PH ROTORCRAFT LANDED WITH NO INJURIES, SHENANDOAH VALLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT, WEYERS CAVE, VA
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Contact photographer Mark H
What: Qantas Airbus A330-200 en route from Sydney to Jakarta
Where: Sydney
When: Jan 1st 2011
Why: On takeoff, the cabin pressurization set off an indicator. The crew returned to Sydney where they made a safe landing after being in the air a half hour. On inspection, the problem was not the pressurization but an alarm error. The flight continued as scheduled.
What: United Airlines/Skywest Canadair CRJ-700
Where: Tucson
When: Jan 1, 2011
Why: On takeoff, the cabin filled with electrical smoke. The odor prompted the crew to make a return to Tucson.
They made a safe landing with no reported injuries. The cause of the problem has not been reported.
What: City Airline Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Gothenburg to Umea
Where: Umea
When: Jan 3rd 2011
Who: 18 passengers, 3 crew
Why: While en route, the plane lost cabin pressure for an undetermined reason.
Oxygen masks were deployed, and the plane descended to a lower altitude at which they continued to fly until they landed safely at Umea.
There were injuries reported of nose and earbleeds related to the pressure problems.
What: Finnair Airbus A320-200 en route from Paris to Helsinki
Where: Hamburg
When: Jan 1 2011
Who: 100 passengers
Why: While en route, it was discovered that a windshield was cracked. The crack did not appear until after takeoff. The flight diverted to Hamburg Germany where they made a safe landing. It was a routine landing. Finnair sent another Airbus A320 to transport passengers.
What: Transaero Boeing 767 300 en route from Domodedovo to Hurgada Egypt
Where: Rostov-on-Don
When: Reported on Dec 1 2011
Who: 214 passengers
Why: While en route, engine problems forced an unnamed Transaero Boeing crew to divert to Rostov-on-Don reportedly due to undisclosed engine problems. However, date, plane and preliminary cause have not been verified. It apparently had the same number aboard as Kolavia Flight 348 (214) which burned on the runway before being able to take off for Moscow.
What: Transaero Boeing 767 300 en route from Domodedovo to Hurgada Egypt
Where: Rostov-on-Don
When: Reported on Dec 1 2011
Who: 214 passengers
Why: While en route, engine problems forced the Transaero Boeing crew to divert to Rostov-on-Don reportedly due to engine problems. However, date, plane and preliminary cause have not been verified.
What: Cessna 172H
Where: Staunton, Virginia
When: Dec 31, 2010, 2 pm
Who: 2 fatalities, 2 aboard.
Why: As the privately owned Cessna was departing Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, half of a mile from the airport, the plane grazed the top of AirCare 5, a medical-evacuation Eurocopter EC135 and the Cessna crashed, killing the two aboard.
The registered owner of the plane is Michael W. Price of Elkton, Va.
Three people, pilot Paul Weve, co-pilot and flight nurse Joseph Root and flight nurse Carolyn Booke were aboard the helicopter, which landed safely. They had just dropped off a patient at the University of Virginia Medical Center. PHI Inc. of Lafayette, Louisiana owns the helicopter which is based at Weyers Cave Airport.
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is 30 miles northwest of Charlottesville. SHD is an “uncontrolled airport” with no air traffic control tower.
