Carrier

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    Russia: Helicopter Crashes, 7 dead, 3 survive

    What: NARZ Mi-8T helicopter RA-22376 en route from Kyshtovka
    Where: Strezhevoy, Omsk Region Krapivinskoye field
    When: Nov 25, 2010, 12:12
    Who: 7 crew
    Why: It is reported that on approach, the helicopter went into uncontrollable rotation with subsequent separation of the end beam and the screw gear , then it fell on its side about 50 yards from the landing site. With tanks filled with fuel, they ignited, and the helicopter exploded. It was reported there were 7 crew fatalities and 3 surviving boat crew. Three survivors, who are in the hospital, are Chernov Stanislavski, Kosolapov Victor Ye, Laktyuhin Oleg. Two are stable, one has burns. The helicopter was carrying 1600 kg of food.

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    Vueling Skids off Orly Runway


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

    What: Vueling Airbus A320-200 en route from Barcelona to Paris
    Where: Paris
    When: Nov 26th 2010
    Who: 96 passengers
    Why: While landing in snowy weather, the plane skidded off the runway. Passenger disembarked via stairs directly on to the runway, though they were taken by bus to the terminal.

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    Mexico: Crash Kills 5

    What: Fuerza Aérea Mexicana Antonov 32B
    Where: Monterrey-General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, Monterrey Mexico
    When: November 24, 2010, 14:36
    Who: three officials and two crew members
    Why: The Air Squadron 301 plane(#FAM-3101) attempted a takeoff from Monterrey-General Mariano Escobedo International Airport. The flight was to a military air base in Santa Lucia. After takeoff from runway 11, the plane crashed right of runway 16/34. The flight missed striking two jets.

    The Mexican Department of Defense mourns Miguel Ángel García Posada, José passenger Carmen González Peña, the rider Victor Manuel Gabriel Martinez, Alberto Valenzuela electrical and mechanical Blanco José Luis Morales Hernández.

    The original press release is below:

    Lomas de Sotelo, D.F. a 24 de noviembre del 2010.

    Se accidentó aeronave de la Fuerza Aérea Mexicana en Monterrey, N.L.

    Lomas de Sotelo, D.F. a 24 de noviembre del 2010.- La Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional informa, que aproximadamente a las 1436 horas de esta fecha, el avión Antonov matrícula 3101 perteneciente a la Fuerza Aérea Mexicana, se accidentó en el aeropuerto internacional de la ciudad de Monterrey, N.L.

    Dicha aeronave se encontraba destacada en el Escuadrón Aéreo 301 ubicado en la Base Aérea Militar No. 1, en Santa Lucía, Estado de México y cubría un vuelo logístico de Monterrey, N.L., con destino a la Base Aérea indicada.

    El percance ocurrió al efectuar el despegue y lamentablemente fallecieron tres oficiales y dos elementos de tropa, integrantes de la tripulación.

    El personal de Generales, Jefes, Oficiales y Tropa del Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos, se suman a las expresiones de condolencias de nuestro Comandante Supremo, Maestro FELIPE CALDERÓN HINOJOSA, Presidente de la República, dirigidas a los familiares de nuestros compañeros de armas que perdieron la vida en el cumplimiento de su deber, a quienes se les proporcionarán los apoyos correspondientes y las prestaciones sociales a que tienen derecho.

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    Emergency Landing in NY

    What: Delta en route from New York to Moscow
    Where: New York
    When: Nov 21, 2010
    Who: 193 passengers, 11 crew
    Why: After takeoff, ATC saw flames and smoke. The flight returned to JFK. No fire was found, but a compressor stall may have occurred. The left engine was shut down and the flight returned to the airport. Another flight was scheduled departing at 8 for Moscow, for the passengers.

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    Southwest Airlines Names New Vice President of Network Planning

    Southwest Airlines is pleased to announce John Jamotta as the new Vice President of Network Planning. John has been with Southwest Airlines and Network Planning–formerly known as Schedule Planning–since 1987, serving as Senior Director for the past seven years and leading the integrated planning function within Network Planning.

    “We are proud to announce John’s new role at Southwest Airlines as Vice President of Network Planning,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning. “We have seen a number of significant and exciting changes for Southwest Airlines recently, including the potential to add the 737-800; the addition of destinations such as Panama City Beach, Charleston, and Greenville/Spartanburg; and the continued press into New York City through the acquisition of Newark slots. Productively growing the network is at the heart of those changes, while at the same time it’s vital that we stay true to our core network fundamentals that have sustained us for nearly 40 years. John’s Leadership will help us shape our network strategy as we look to the future.”

    The Network Planning department at Southwest is comprised of a Team of exceptionally talented Employees, who manage Southwest’s flight schedules, routes, capacity planning, integrated planning, and network development as well as conducting operational and traffic analysis.

    John is a Leader in advancing technology innovation as tools for the scheduling and planning disciplines. He has also been active in the Company’s efforts to proliferate its culture within the organization, and to the communities it serves. Prior to joining Southwest Airlines, John worked for Pan Am in both ground operations and in management. Originally from New York, John has a Psychology degree from St. John’s University in New York City. For a photo of John Jamotta, please visit: www.swamedia.com/photos.

    After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers — offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded; now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

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    DHL Freight Flight Landing Delayed due to Light Bulbs


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    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.

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    Binghampton Emergency Landing

    What: United Airlines/Colgan Air Saab 340B en route from Binghampton to Washington DC
    Where: Binghampton
    When: Nov 24 2010
    Who: 33 passengers
    Why: On takeoff, the flight developed an indication of a fire in the left engine. The pilot returned to Binghampton, and made a safe landing. After passengers evacuated, the problem was discovered to be due to a sensor fault.

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    Delta Flight Diverts to Jacksonville


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer John E. Jauchler

    What: Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 en route from Detroit to Miami
    Where: Jacksonville
    When: Nov 23 2010
    Who: 70 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: While en route, the flight developed an engine problem and diverted to Jacksonville. The plane made a safe landing.
    http://flightaware.com

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    United Airlines Airbus Returns to Chicago Without Steering

    What: United Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from Chicago,IL (USA) to Calgary
    Where: Chicago
    When: Nov 22nd 2010
    Why: While en route from Chicago, the plane developed a hydraulic problem and returned to Chicago to make a safe landing. However, landing without nosewheel steering, the plane had to be towed. Passengers were provided alternative flights.

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    Fresno Emergency Landing

    What: United Skywest Sierra CRJ 200 en route from Tucson to San Francisco
    Where: Fresno
    When: Monday Nov 22
    Who: 37 passengers and three crew
    Why: While en route, the flight developed problems with the hydraulics. They diverted to Fresno and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided an alternative flight.

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    AFA-CWA Holds Holiday Food Drive for Flight Attendants In Need

    NEEDED: Non-perishable food items, everyday essentials, gift certificates and children’s items
    Please bring donations to the airport and drop them off at the food drive

    PHOENIX, Ariz., Nov. 22, 2010 — America West flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), are holding a holiday food drive to assist flight attendants in need during the holiday season.
    When: Wednesday, November 24, 2010
    Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST
    Where: Terminal 4, curbside departures, north side
    Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
    Phoenix, AZ

    “The last few years have been difficult for all workers across all industries, but our flight attendants are more in need now than ever before. Our food bank is a response to requests for help from our members who are struggling. America West flight attendants have not had a wage increase since 2002 and are having a hard time eking out a living on wages eroded by time and the poor economy,” said Lisa LeCarre, AFA-CWA America West President.

    The Pantry of Love was a brainstorm of AFA-CWA Council 66 activists. It was formed in 2008 and is managed by Council Representative Erin McLoughlin. Approximately 15 flight attendants visit the food bank each month and during the holidays, those numbers increase.

    “After furloughs and foreclosures, some of our members could not afford to feed themselves or their families. AFA-CWA responded to their needs by organizing the Pantry of Love Food Bank, which relies entirely on donations and volunteers,” said McLoughlin. “It is heart-wrenching to see such need from people who work so hard for such a huge company with all the resources that they have available. Our flight attendants didn’t ask for this merger and didn’t ask for frozen wages. At least when they ask for help, we are here to do what we can.”

    America West Airlines merged with US Airways in 2005, yet flight attendants are still without a contract that merges their two employee groups.

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    Boeing Engine Shut Down over Sao Paulo


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    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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    Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants’ Union Ratifies Boeing 737-800 Tentative Agreement

    DALLAS, Nov. 18, 2010
    Southwest Airlines is pleased to announce that its Flight Attendants, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556, voted to ratify a tentative agreement reached with the Company in September to add the Boeing 737-800 to the current collective bargaining agreement. With this positive vote, the Flight Attendants’ current contract will also be extended by one year, becoming amendable May 31, 2013, and will include the potential for wage rate increases based on the Company’s financial performance. TWU 556 is made up of more than 9,700 Flight Attendants.

    “Since we began evaluating the opportunity to introduce the Boeing 737-800 into our fleet, the TWU negotiating committee and Leadership Team quickly grasped the potential benefits along with the added operational complexities associated with this decision,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This was an important step in our due diligence process, and we are pleased that our hard working Flight Attendants recognize the long-term benefits of adding this new aircraft to our fleet.”

    The decision to add the -800 still isn’t final. The carrier is still waiting for a ratification vote with its Pilots’ Union, SWAPA, and is continuing to evaluate network and configuration options. Any details regarding firm orders with Boeing, timing, and quantity of deliveries are still to be determined. If the Company pursues the -800, a joint committee would meet to work on the logistical details related to scheduling and bidding procedures that adding a fourth Flight Attendant will require.

    After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers–offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One ReportTM. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

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    Delta Engine Issues Lead to Cautionary Landing in Atlanta


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    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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    Delta Engine Shut Down; Return to NY


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    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.

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    United Windshield Cracks; Diversion to Buffalo

    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.

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    Engine Failure; Delta Boeing Diverts to Ireland


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

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200 Philadelphia to Paris
    Where: Shannon Ireland
    When: November 20, 2010, 6:30 am
    Who: 152 passengers 7 crew
    Why: While over the Atlantic, the right engine developed problems. Pilots shut it down, and diverted to Shannon where they made a safe landing. Passengers were provided an alternative flight.

    George’s Point of View

    I usually try just to get the facts. But when people read these alerts, it is not just the plane. Like on this flight. Can you imagine being aboard this flight, over the Atlantic—as on the infamous Air France Flight 447—and losing an engine? Can you picture your feelings at the moment you realize the failure, and every moment thereafter, until you were safely on the ground? Even with a capable functioning plane, and competent crew. Even with the knowledge that the plane could afford to shut down an engine. Having to sit politely in your row, and believing on some level, that you were placidly waiting to die while strapped in like a trapped like a Chilean Miner in a snow globe hurtling through space toward who knows what fate? Even if I do not write it, behind these lines, there is always a human element.

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    Two Minneapolis Bird Strikes Turn Flights back to Airport


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ricardo Morales – flyAPM

    What: Delta Airlines Airbus A320-200 en route from Minneapolis to Tampa
    Where: Minneapolis
    When: Nov 19th 2010
    Who: 48 people on board
    Why: After takeoff from Minneapolis, the plane flew through birds. The frame of the plane incurred some damage. They returned to Minneapolis and made a safe landing on one engine. A replacement flight was provided for the passengers. (However, a KARE report said that there was no damage and the same plane left the airport with its passengers at 8:40 pm.)


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Dan Vincent – New England Airports

    What: Delta/Compass Airlines Embraer ERJ-175 N604CZ performing flight CP-5887/DL-5887 from Minneapolis,MN to Missoula,MT
    Where: Minneapolis
    When: Nov 15th 2010
    Why: After takeoff from Twin Cities International, the plane incurred a bird strike, damaging the nose cone of the plane and one of the engines either quit or was shut down.

    The airport is next to a wild life preserve. The Metropolitan Airport Commission traps Bald Eagles too close to the runway and relocates them; other birds are frightened off by fireworks.

    Goose feathers from this bird strike were sent to the Smithsonian.

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    Qantas Says Engines Need Replacement

    Rolls-Royce claims the Trent 900 problem is confined to a specific part in the turbine area. 21 of 38 A380s operated by Singapore Air, Qantas and Lufthansa use Rolls-Royce Trent 900 series engines. Singapore Air may have to replace 24 engines. Qantas is inspecting 14 engines which may shared among six planes—which may explain some of the strain evident in so many recent Qantas incidents. Six grounded super jumbos are costing Qantas a million dollars a day.

    On the Airbus A380, bound for Sydney from Singapore, which was carrying 433 passengers and 26 crew members, an engine exploded over Batam, sending turbine shrapnel flying out of the plane’s engine, severing cables in the wing, taking out flight control systems and narrowly missing the fuel tank. With fuel gushing out of the fuel tank there and hot components, passengers are lucky the wing did not ignite.

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    Delta Flight Diverts to Dallas over Windshield Cracks

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Atlanta to Santa Ana
    Where: Dallas
    When: November 18, 2010
    Why: While en route, the copilot’s windshield developed cracks. The pilots informed passengers that they were making an emergency landing in Dallas; and passengers were able to see the crack for themselves before they left the plane. A replacement Boeing 737 was provided.

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    British Airways Cargo Fire


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Wayne Campbell-CYYZ Aviation Photography

    What: British Airways Boeing 777-200 en route from London to Tel Aviv
    Where: Brussels
    When: Nov 18th 2010
    Why: While en route, the crew received a fire alert. The flight diverted to Brussels a quarter of an hour after the alert occurred. A package was removed from the plane, and later returned to London where the cargo was transferred onto an alternative flight.

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    Melbourne Emergency Landing

    What: Virgin Blue Boeing 737 en route from Melbourne to Sydney
    Where: Melbourne
    When: Nov 19 2010 7:16 a.m.
    Who: 122 passengers, 6 crew
    Why: Just after takeoff, the pilot noted a peculiar odor described as burning plastic (originally reported as smoke in the cockpit.) After being aloft for less than 30 minutes, the plane was met by 11 fire trucks on the landing which was safe; and the plane seemed to be operating as usual. Passengers were provided alternate flights as maintenance checked over the plane for the source of the smell, which may have been the new engine.

    George’s Point of View

    An electrical fire? or Old Spice? Avon? Brut? Body odor? Old Spice ON body odor?