indicator | George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster

Emergency Landing JFK

November 18, 2009

Pictured: A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-332/ER
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Josh May

What: Delta Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from New York to Rome
Where: near Halifax
When: Nov 15th 2009
Who: 72 people on board
Why: While en route, the plane encountered light turbulence. After changing flight levels several times and flickering of/on seat-belt signs, the crew requested a return to NY, suffering problems arising from only one operable altimeter. The crew managed to land the plane safely

Airbus | airliners.net | indicator | instrument panel | United Airlines

United Airlines Airbus Gauge Trouble over Rochester

November 15, 2009

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

What: United Airlines Airbus A320-200 en route from New York La Guardia to Denver,CO
Where: New York
When: Nov 14th 2009
Who: 118 aboard
Why: About eleven minutes after takeoff, the plane appeared about to develop cabin pressurization problems, according to indicators.

The flight diverted to Rochester where it made a safe landing. Passengers were provided a replacement Airbus.

Easyjet (with NO fuel leak) Diverts to Hamburg

November 13, 2009

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

What: Easyjet Airbus A319-100 en route from London to Tallinn
Where: Hamburg
When: Nov 12th 2009
Who: 128 passengers,
Why: While en route, the plane developed a fuel leak and diverted to Hamburg Germany.

After landing, maintenance determined that there was no fuel leak, just a faulty fuel gauge.

Passengers were supplied with alternative transportation.

BMI Diverts to Manchester

November 9, 2009November 9, 2009

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

What: BMI British Midland Airbus A320-200 en route from London to Edinburgh
Where: Manchester
When: Nov 9th 2009
Who: 147 passengers and 6 crew
Why: While en route, although the crew got a cabin pressure warning, masks did not deploy. The plane diverted to Manchester where it landed safely, and the problem was judged to be a faulty indicator.

A replacement Airbus was provided.

airliners.net | ATR | Avanti Air | indicator | instrument panel

Avanti Unsafe Gear Indication

November 7, 2009

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

What: Danu /Avanti Air Aerospatiale ATR-42-300 en route from Skien to Bergen Norway
Where: Bergen
When: Nov 5th 2009
Who: 16 people on board
Why: On approach to Flesland Airport, the crew got an unsafe gear indication. Landing was aborted, until the problem was determined to be an indicator issue; at which time, the final pass was made, when it landed safely.

Airbus | engine trouble | Greece | indicator | precautionary

Greece: Air Arabia Airbus Engine Failure

October 26, 2009April 7, 2010

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

What: Air Arabia Airbus A320-214 en route from Athens to Sharjah
Where: Athens
When: 24-OCT-2009
Who: NOT AVAILABLE
Why: The crew aborted takeoff from Athens when the engine did not sound as if it were operating normally. The control panel “Full Authority Digital Engine Control’ (FADEC) warned of irregularities in the left engine.

The plane slowed with hot brakes; and a piece of the plane was found on the runway, later identified as the engine panel.

Passengers debarked without incident, and were provided a replacement plane the following day.

Delta MD-88 Landing Gear Problem Cancels Flight

October 23, 2009October 23, 2009

Pictured: A Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Ricardo Morales

What: Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 en route from Albuquerque, N.M to Atlanta
Where: Albuquerque
When: Oct 23rd 2009
Why: Shortly after takeoff, the cockpit indicator light indicated something wrong with the landing gear. The flight returned to the airport and circled before landing uneventfully.

The flight was cancelled.

Air Europa Lineas Aereas Boeing Engine Problem over Barcelona

September 14, 2009April 7, 2010

Pictured: An Air Europa Boeing over Barcelona
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Rui Miguel

What: Air Europa Lineas Aereas Boeing 737-800 en route from Barcelona to Madrid
Where: El Prat airport, Barcelona
When: Sep 13th 2009 12.35
Why: After takeoff, the indicator light for engine failure lit, a noise was heard and the plane experienced what is described by passengers as a “tremor.” After the safe landing at El Prat, the airport of origin, passengers continued on another plane to Madrid.

Colgan Air | indicator | maintenance | Saab

Colgan Air 2x in 3 days

September 11, 2009September 11, 2009

What: Colgan Air /US Airways Saab SF-340B en route from Hyannis to Nantucket
Where: Hyannis
When: Sep 10th 2009
Who: 3 crew on board
Why: The crew reported a problem with the engine compressor and returned to the airport

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Tom Turner

What: Colgan Air Saab 340B
Where: Washington Dulles
When: Sep 7th 2009
Who: 20 passengers and 3 crew
Why: The flight rejected takeoff when a warning light came on in the cockpit. The flight was cancelled while maintenance repaired (presumably) a sensor.

George’s Point of View

There is no indication that both incidents were the same plane; but that Chicago plane doesn’t much look like a UA plane, does it? So, 2 different planes and both times maintenance to the rescue. But then we should rethink this…maintenance needs to try to catch this stuff before take-off. Has Colgan Air cut its maintenance budget lately?

Boeing | Emergency | indicator

Emergency Landing in NC

September 5, 2009September 9, 2009

What: Sky King Boeing 737 en route from Greenville / Spartanburg to Greensboro, N.C
Where: Hickory Regional Airport, NC
When: Saturday September 5 10:21 a.m
Who: 78 on board
Why: While en route, an indicator light was showing a fire on board; however after a safe landing at Hickory Regional Airport, no cause was found for the indication and the flight continued on its way after an inspection.

George’s Point of View

Any time a smoke or fire detector goes off, it reminds me of the dryer setting off ion-type fire alarm. Maybe I should ask one of my pilots if the fire alarms on planes are the ion type, or the photoelectric type (which is unlikely to react to cooking. Not that any of the passengers brought a hot plate. )

You an always say better safe than sorry.

Delta | Emergency | engine trouble | indicator

Delta Emergency Landing at Hancock Airport

September 3, 2009

What: Delta/Northwest DC-9 en route from Detroit to Manchester
Where: Hancock Airport
When: Thursday afternoon
Who: 108 people
Why: An indicator signified that an engine failed, causing the pilot to commit to an emergency landing at Hancock airport. No injuries were reported.

Airbus | indicator | instrument panel | smoke

Airbus Instrument Panel is Smokin’

August 26, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Michael Durning

What: Air Canada Airbus Airbus A319 (twin-jet) en route from Toronto Lester B. Pearson Intl to Victoria Canada
Where: Calgary Int’l
When: Monday, Aug 24, 2009
Why: While en route, the instrument screen began smoking. The crew thought it best to land, which they did safely at Calgary.

JAC Commuter Hydraulics Malfunction

August 21, 2009August 21, 2009

PICTURED: A JAC De Havilland jet landing at Osaka
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Javier Guerrero

What: Japan Air Commuter Bombardier DHC-8-402 en route from Osaka to Miyazaki
(Also reported as a Havilland Dash 8-400)
Where: Osaka International Airport
When: Thursday Aug 20
Who: 22 passengers and four flight crew members
Why: Breitbart reports that while en route, the Bombardier’s hydraulic system indicator light reported a hydraulics malfunction. The plane landed safely with no reported injuries and was towed off the runway. It is not clear if the hydraulics or the indicator was at the source of the problem, but JAC is investigating.

Airbus | airliners.net | Heathrow | indicator | Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines Airbus Indicator Delays Flight

August 11, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Marco Toso

What: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-800 en route from London Heathrow to Singapore
Where: London
When: Aug 8th 2009
Who: 363 passengers
Why: After takeoff, control panel indicated a problem on the plane that led to returning to the airport of origin. After landing, Singapore Airline maintenance determined that the flaw was in the signal. The plane was cleared for take-off and completed the flight.

airliners.net | Emergency | fire | indicator | McDonnell Douglas

MD-82 Emergency Landing in Tehran

July 26, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Taha Ashoori

What: Mahan Air McDonnell-Douglas MD-82 en route from Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport to Bandar Mahshah
Where: Tehran
When: 16:30
Who: 184 deaths and 30 injuries.
Why: After takeoff, the plane indicated a fire alert, and returned to the airport for a safe landing. The public announcement called this a “technical” error. Reportedly, maintenance found no actual fire.

Air Canada | Boeing | indicator | wing flaps

Emergency Landing of Fully Fueled plane Bursts Tires

July 24, 2009July 24, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Jerome Mervele

What: Air Canada Boeing 777 Toronto to Beijing
Where: Pearson International Airport
When: July 24
Who: 288 passengers (or 305 also reported)
Why: After takeoff, warning lights alerted pilots that the flight was experiencing a wing-flap problem. The crew landed the plane immediately. Because of the full load of fuel, all the tires (6) burst on landing, However, there was no loss of control of the plane and no one was hurt. The plane, in fact, is slated to resume its workload six hours later around 9:30, presumably after repairs; one extremely reputable source listed the 9:30 flight to be a different plane entirely.

George’s Point of View

When we have conflicting facts, we report and let you decide (to paraphrase FOX).

Airbus | airliners.net | airspeed | indicator

Airbus Unreliable Air Speed…again

July 10, 2009July 10, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Gordon Gebert JR

What: Cyprus Airways Airbus A330-200 en route from London to Larnaca Cyprus
Where: London
When: Jul 7th 2009
Why: The Airbus rejected take-off from Heathrow because of an issue with the air speed indicator.

George’s Point of View

What? What is this?

An issue with the air speed indicator? Where have we heard this before on an airbus?

Was this the NEW pitot tubes or the old ones not replaced yet?

Boeing | Emergency | indicator

Hawaiian Airlines: Hilo Emergency Landing

July 1, 2009July 3, 2009

What: Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Los Angeles,CA to Honolulu
Where: Hilo Hawaii
When: Jun 30th 2009
Who: 237 passengers
Why: En route to Hawaii, an engine indicator light indicated a problem with an engine oil filter. After the engine was “idled” down, the plane diverted to Hilo and made a low speed approach, landing safely at 11:30 am.

Passengers were flown to Oahu on alternate transportation.

According to Hawaiin Airlines public report, examination of the plane revealed that the indicator was faulty.

Delhi: Airbus Hydraulics

June 29, 2009

What: An Air India Airbus A-320 en route from Delhi to Hyderabad to Tirupati
Where: Delhi
When: Jun 29th 2009 1141 hours
Who: 68 passengers, 6 crew
Why: Thirty minutes into the flight, the control panel indicated a hydraulic problem. The pilot requested to return to Delhi, where passengers debarked safely. Passengers were provided an alternate plane to complete their flight.

No further details were available about the hydraulic problem.

alarm | Emergency | indicator | Virgin Galactic

Scifi Space Plane of the future lands in Mesa

June 20, 2009June 20, 2009

What: Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnight Two four-engine, twin-fuselage “mother ship.” (experimental plane owned by Richard Branson) en route from Mohave, California to Las Cruces, N.M
Where: Mesa
When: Friday Jun. 19, 2009
Who: 2 pilots
Why: The plane landed unexpectedly in Mesa after a cockpit alarm sounded.

Plans to launch the plane into space in 2012 are intact.

George’s Point of View

Smart Cookie

Canadair | Emergency | indicator | Northwest | Pinnacle

Pinnacle Emergency Landing in Jackson

June 20, 2009October 28, 2009

What: Pinnacle Airlines Canadair CRJ-200 on behalf of Northwest Airlines, flight from Nashville to Memphis,TN
Where: Diverted to Jackson’s McKellar-Sipes Airport
When: Jun 19th 2009
Who: 31 passengers
Why: A sensor reported a fire in the cargo bay, but after the plane diverted to Jackson, no smoke or fire was found.

The plane will continue to Memphis on Saturday.

The temperature in Jackson was 93, and the heat index was 101.`

Boeing | Emergency | Fed Ex | indicator

Emergency Landing in Reno

May 27, 2009May 27, 2009

What: Fedex Boeing 757-200 en route from Reno to Memphis
Where: Reno-Tahoe International Airport
When: May 26th 2009 7:45 p.m.
Who: Fed Ex crew
Why: The plane’s emergency light indicated overheating after leaving Reno, and the crew requested to return, before entering a holding pattern over Carson City and Minden to burn off fuel. The plane landed safely in Reno; the packages were not delayed.
=

Emergency | indicator | Southwest

Easter Sunday Emergency Landing

April 13, 2009April 13, 2009

What: Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando, Fla., to Austin
Where: Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla.
When: April 12 2008
Who: 104 passengers
Why: There was no fire, but when a sensor detected an apparent problem in the cargo hold, the pilot chose to land immediately. Passengers lunched at the base’s Officer’s Club before boarding another Southwest flight which carried them to their destination.

Emergency | Helicopter | indicator

Houston Helicopter Emergency Landing

February 1, 2009February 1, 2009

What: Metro helicopter
Where: southeast Houston in a field off of State Highway 288 and Live Oak.
When: 6pm Tuesday.
Who: not available
Why: a transmission oil temperature light came on forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.

Boeing | Delta | Diversion | indicator

Delta Emergency Landing in San Francisco

January 18, 2009January 18, 2009

What: Delta Boeing 737 flight 1652 en route from Mineta San Jose International Airport to Atlanta
Where: San Francisco International Airport
When: 01/14/2009 7:30
Who: 93 passengers
Why: Fuel system indicator light was flashing so the plane was diverted to divert the plane to San Francisco International Airport, Passengers were booked on alternative flights, and the Boeing retired to the Delta maintenance unit at San Francisco International Airport for repairs to the light.