Carrier

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    PIA Flats in Karachi


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

    What: PIA Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747-300 en route from Islamabad to Karachi
    Where: Karachi
    When: Aug 7th 2010
    Who: 400 passengers
    Why: After landing in heavy rain, the plane was in the process of taxiing to the gate when the crew was informed that the tires had blown on landing. Passengers disembarked via mobile stairs directly on to the tarmac and were provided transport to the gate.

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    Beechcraft Bonanza Crashes and Burns in Pennsylvania House

    What: TSI Titanium (1982) Beechcraft 58 Baron en route from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
    Where: Bell Township Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
    When: Aug 7 2010 9:19 am
    Who: 2 fatalities
    Why: The plane crashed nine minutes after take-off. Witnesses say it sounded like the engine cut out before it crashed. The pilot did not contact ATC and the cause is unknown, pending investigation.

    Edward Sobota, president and owner of TSI Titanium, was flying his new Beechcraft two engine plane, and working on getting certified in it, when it crashed into a Bell Township neighborhood. Ted Kokolis a pilot for Bayer, who was also on board and killed in the crash. Steve Yanko was sleeping on his couch in his family room and was not injured when the plane crashed and burned in his wife’s art studio at the opposite end of the house. His wife was not in the house at the time.

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    Recovered: Last Victim of Lake Michigan Cessna Crash

    What: Cessna 206 en route from Alma Michigan to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn
    Where: Lake Michigan, Ludington MI
    When: July 23, 2010
    Who: 4 fatalities, 1 survivor 66-year-old pilot, Jerry Freed
    Why: While en route on a medical evacuation flight, the pilot contacted ATC about experiencing mechanical problems, then the medical flight crashed into Lake Michigan on July 23. The pilot was rescued by boaters Randall Schmidt and his wife, Kristin Berg, about 2 miles from shore. Six foot waves hindered the recovery efforts.

    The Michigan State Police Underwater Recovery Unit sonar found the plane at approximately 6 p.m. last Thursday.

    The remains of Alma school superintendent and cancer patient Don Pavlik and his wife, Irene, were recovered Friday by divers. The body of Dr. James Hall was recovered Saturday night and identified Sunday. Co-pilot Earl Davidson was found last, on Sunday at 9 a.m..

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    Sibir Airbus Hydraulics Failure

    What: S7 Sibir Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from Perm to Moscow
    Where: Moscow
    When: Aug 6th 2010 19:47 Moscow time
    Who: 94 passengers
    Why: On landing approach, the Airbus hydraulics failed. The pilot managed a safe landing. Smoke from forest fires did not impair visibility.

    George’s Point of View

    No surprise to me. Details of the hydraulic issue might be of interest.

    I recall S7 Airlines Flight 778, an Airbus A310 with 193 passengers and 10 crew members aboard. On landing at Irkutsk , the airbus had a runway overrun. 124 people died when it crashed into the runway barrier.

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    Air India Waits for 787s

    Air India has informed Boeing that it is not making any more pre-delivery payments on 27 Boeings which are currently being built in Boeing’s Seattle plant.

    The delivery of the planes has been pushed back to 2011. Air India representatives independent director, Air Chief Fali Major, and the Chief Operating Officer, Captain Gustav Baldau will be visiting the plant to see the progress made on Air India’s 787s.

    Air India has around 15 Boeing 777s. Air India determined that “Fuel efficiency of the B 787 aircraft was found to be better than that of the competitor A330-200 by 17 per cent.”

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    Sao Jose do Rio: Tam Hits the Fence


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

    What: TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A319-100 from Sao Paulo to Sao Jose do Rio
    Where: Sao Jose do Rio
    When: Aug 5th 2010
    Who: 137 people on board,
    Why: Before touching down, the crew reported technical problems. A hundred meters before the runway threshold, they landed onto grass, damaged a perimeter fence, and had a flat, but managed to taxi to the gate. There were no injuries. An alternate plane will be provided for the next leg of the journey.

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    UA Boeing Evacuated During Fire


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

    What: United Airlines Boeing 767 en route from London to Chicago
    Where: Chicago
    When: August 4, 2010
    Who: 178 passengers and 12 crew, 7 injuries
    Why: On landing in Chicago, the left main gear caught on fire. As the plane waited on the runway, the fire was put out by fire crews who sprayed the gear and surrounding areas with fire retardant.

    Emergency slides were deployed, and half the passengers evacuated via them, which is where the injuries occurred. After the fire was out, the slides were no longer used. About five were hospitalized after suffering minor injuries during the evacuation. Some individuals were treated at the airport and released.

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    Smoke Break leads to Albuquerque


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Duy Tran Duc

    What: American Airlines Boeing 767-200 from New York to Los Angeles
    Where: Albuquerque
    When: August 4, 2010
    Who: 168 passengers and 11 crew (or 158 passengers and 11 crew)
    Why: The story behind this one is two-fold. One source says the plane diverted to Albuquerque because of smoke in the cockpit. No smoke, no cause of smoke, no evidence thereof was found.

    Another source says an unruly passenger was behind the diversion. This person was detained by the FBI on landing, after which the plane was inspected for explosives. During the search, passengers hung around the tarmac for three hours.

    This man is being questioned about the odor like cigarettes that was discovered in the bathroom, along with some used matches. Another report says he lit matches in the cabin and then hid in the bathroom.

    The plane left Albuquerque for LA around midnight.

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    Monarch Nails Emergency Landing in Birmingham


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

    What: Monarch Airlines Airbus A321-200 en route from Birmingham to Tenerife
    Where: Birmingham
    When: Aug 3rd 2010
    Who: 213 passengers
    Why: After takeoff from Birmingham (UK), the left engine made an explosive noise, and began streaming fire and smoke. The crew turned off the engine and made an announcement to the passengers that they were going to make an emergency landing.

    Although it was less than a quarter hour later that passengers were safely on the ground, they had plenty of time to be terrified. In an interview, a passenger told reporters that after the announcement the entire plane went silent except for the sobbing.

    A replacement plane was sent from Gatwick.

    George’s Point of View

    As traumatic as it must have been, any landing where you make it out alive, is a good landing.

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    Brussels Airlines Flight Diverts to Luxembourg


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

    What: Brussels Airlines Avro RJ-85 EN ROUTE from Milan to Brussels
    Where: Basel Switzerland
    When: Aug 2nd 2010
    Why: While en route, the flight developed cabin pressurization problems. The crew decided to divert to Luxembourg where they made a safe landing. No indication is provided as to the source of the issue.

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    Comair Machinists withdraw from FAA’s ASAP

    Delta Air Lines regional subsidiary of Machinists at Comair have withdrawn from the ASAP program, a 2008 initiative between the machinists union, Comair and the FAA was designed to identify potential aircraft maintenance-related safety issues and develop corrective action.

    However, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) describe the ambitious program as dysfuntional, as Comair’s anti-collaborative procedure is to take action against union members who submitted voluntary reports.

    The official press release is below:

    Machinists Withdraw From Comair ASAP Program

    Mon. August 02, 2010
    The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142 today announced it has withdrawn from the maintenance Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at Delta Air Lines’ regional subsidiary Comair.

    “We have discussed the problems with this dysfunctional program with both Comair and the FAA for months.” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “We no longer have any faith that this program will ever be managed according to the regulations.”

    The ASAP program, a joint initiative between the Machinists Union, Comair and the FAA in place since 2008, was designed to identify potential aircraft maintenance-related safety issues and develop corrective actions to improve air transportation safety. The program is dependant upon technicians submitting reports which are then reviewed by an Event Review Committee (ERC) comprised of FAA, Comair and Machinists Union representatives. The ERC then identifies any problems or systemic issues and develop corrective solutions to prevent a future reoccurrence.

    The ASAP program is designed to take place without the reporting technician having to fear any punitive or disciplinary actions. Comair has taken actions against Machinist Union members who have submitted voluntary reports, contrary to the letter and spirit of the FAA’s ASAP program. Additionally, Comair has failed to provide a collaborative environment needed for an effective program to work.

    “We should not have to wait for an accident to occur before addressing safety issues,” said Higginbotham. “We are disappointed that Comair failed to take this program, which is effective and runs well at over 35 other carriers, seriously.”

    IAM District 142 represents 530 Comair Mechanic and Related employees in Cincinnati, OH; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham, NC and Detroit, MI. More information about the IAM at Comair is available at www.iamdl142.org.
    :

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    British Airways Engine Shut Down Response Draws Fire


    Pictured: The plane in question at Sao Paulo – Guarulhos International (Cumbica) (GRU / SBGR) Brazil, June 12, 2010
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Junio Gracielo

    What: British Airways Boeing 747-400 en route from Hong Kong to London
    Where: Copenhagen
    When: Jul 30th 2010
    Why: While en route over Russia, the plane developed engine problems and had to shut down. The crew decided to continue instead of return to Hong Kong, and diverted to Copenhagen where they made a safe landing. The plane spent some thirty plus hours on the ground and on the return to the UK has not yet been returned to service.

    The report of the UK’s Air Accident Investigation said windmilling of the engine without engine oil supply over an extended period of time increased engine damage and recommended that regulators review engine shut down policy.

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    Mexicana Airlines Suspension


    Since 2002, Compania Mexicana de Aviacion AKA Mexicana Airlines has been the only carrier offering direct service from Sacramento International Airport to Mexico, but now all Mexicana Airlines flights between Sacramento and Mexico will be suspended in August due to a company downsize. Flights in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose will also be affected.

    Fighting for its survival, the company faces even more possible layoffs and pay cuts. Pilots and fight attendants staged a labor demonstration in Mexico City on Sunday.

    The latest PR release said that Mexicana Airlines Presents Unions With Reorganization Plan with two alternatives:
    “The first is the option to enter into a new collective contract to secure the CMA’s long-term financial viability. This would imply accepting cuts of 41% and 39% in wages and fringe benefits for pilots and flight attendants, respectively. This alternative also calls for additional cost-cutting measures, including downsizing 40% of the airline’s pilots and flight attendants. On the upside, it incorporates a profit-sharing plan whereby the unions would get a percentage of any operating profits that exceed 5% of the company’s total revenues.

    As a second alternative, stockholders have offered to sell CMA to its unions for the token sum of $1 peso, proving them convinced of the vital role these labor organizations will play in the future of the company. As the only entities capable of turning the situation around, CMA’s management have stated that it would be willing to transfer control of the airline to its unions. “

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    PIA Engine Vibration Cancels Flight


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

    What: Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747 en route from Karachi to Islamabad
    Where: Karachi
    When: Aug 2nd 2010
    Who: 215 passengers
    Why: After take off, the pilot detected a vibration in the left engine and returned to the airport to make a safe landing. The origin of the engine vibration may be the bird strike that occurred on July 30.

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    Singapore Airlines In a Scrape

    What: Singapore Airlines (SIA) Boeing 777-200
    Where: Beijing Capital International Airport
    When: July 31, 2010
    Who: 248 passengers
    Why: While taxiing in reduced visibility because of fog, the Singapore plane’s right wing tip raked the tail of an Air China Boeing 737-800 which was stationary but awaiting takeoff. The rate of speed was so low, passengers did not feel the impact.

    The flight was cancelled. Passengers on the Air China flight to Ulan Bator were provided with an alternative flight. Passengers on the SIA flight were provided hotel accommodations. There were no injuries.

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    Air Blue Black Box Recovered

    A six member committee will be investigating the crash of the Air Blue Airbus flight ED-202. 152 people on board the Airbus A321 aircraft were killed when it slammed into a hill on July 28. The black box and cockpit voice recorder which was in the tail of the plane was recovered in the wooded Margalla hills after a three day search by twenty rescuers who had been hampered by heavy rain and inaccessibility. Major accidents are investigated jointly by the international aviation community; and the box appears to be in adequate condition, soon to be decoded in either France or Germany.

    The box holds crucial details which will help determine the cause of the crash, and will be examined by international experts.

    Pilot Pervez Iqbal Chaudhry was 61 years old, and suffering from diabetes and hypertension, and possibly suffering fatigue if he had observed prayers of the holy day preceding the crash.

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    Swiss Airbus with Wonky Electrics Diverts to Shannon


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

    What: Swiss Airbus A340-300 en route from Miami to Zurich
    Where: Atlantic Ocean
    When: Jul 30th 2010
    Who: 227 passengers
    Why: Three/fourths of an hour out of Shannon, the flight developed various electrical problems with the circuit breakers affecting cabin lighting and the inflight entertainment system. With cabin lighting off, they diverted to Shannon, where the flight made a safe landing.

    Passengers were provided alternative flights, albeit not on several different planes.

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    Alitalia Bird Strike on Rumanian Runway


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

    What: Alitalia Airbus A320-200 en route from Bucharest Romania to Rome
    Where: Bucharest
    When: Jul 31st 2010
    Who: 92 passengers
    Why: The Alitalia Airbus rejected takeoff after one engine ingested a hawk. The plane returned to the gate and after passengers disembarked, they were provided accommodations until the replacement flight takes off tomorrow.

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    Transaero Engine Fire


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

    What: Transaero Airlines Boeing 767-200 en route from St. Petersburg to Larnaca
    Where: Larnaca
    When: Jul 31st 2010
    Why: On landing, the engine was found to be on fire. The engine was shut down, and on board measures were inadequate to suppress the flame. Emergency services succeeded in putting out the fire. The plane was towed off the runway.

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    LA: Near Collision


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

    What: Westjet Airlines Boeing 737-700 en route from Vancouver to Los Angeles
    Where: Los Angeles
    When: Jul 24th 2010
    Who: 115 aboard
    Why: After an averted landing, the pilot was positioning to circle for a second approach (revectoring) and the flight crew received a TCAS warning to climb.

    The Cessna 182 was on its same altitude. The Boeing climbed and successfully achieved lateral separation.

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    Another AIRBUS smoke alarm


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Malcolm J.Bezzina

    What: Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 en route from Frankfurt to Dallas
    Where: Frankfurt
    When: Jul 29th 2010
    Why: After takeoff, smoke was detected in the cockpit. The returned to Frankfort where they made a safe landing, by which time (less than a half hour later) the smoke was gone. A replacement flight was provided. The cause of the smoke has either not been determined or not been released.

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    FAA Press Release: Continental Airlines

    FAA Proposes $230,000 Civil Penalty against Continental Airlines

    FORT WORTH, Texas — The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a civil penalty of $230,000 against Continental Airlines Inc., of Houston for allegedly operating a Boeing 767 on 22 revenue flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    The FAA alleges that on Aug. 12, 2008, Continental replaced the nose landing gear wheel and tire assembly on a B-767, but failed to install the required axle washer despite warnings in the maintenance manual and on the tire assembly itself. The warning said failing to install the washer could lead to failure of the wheel bearing.

    FAA inspectors discovered the violation during a records check and noted three identical earlier violations.

    Continental has 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

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    Manchester: Flybe “Precautionary” Landing


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

    What: Flybe de Havilland Dash 8-400 en route from Manchester to Bournemouth
    Where: Manchester
    When: Jul 25 2010
    Who: 40 passengers
    Why: While en route, the pilot announced to the passengers they were undergoing a technical problem. That problem worsened, and eventually necessitated shutting down one engine and returning to Manchester. Passengers were provided a flight to Southampton, and a bus to Bournemouth.