Cause

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    CSA First Officer Lands Alone after Captain Succumbs


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

    What: CSA Czech Airlines Avion de Transport Regional ATR-42-500 en route from Warsaw to Prague
    Where: Prague
    When: Feb 15th 2012
    Who: 1 fatality
    Why: After a normal flight, on approach to Prague, the first officer informed ATC that the captain was incapacitated. The f.o. landed the plane.

    Emergency services responded, but the captain was pronounced dead. He as 58 years old.

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    Ground Crew Struck by Propeller

    What: Canadian North de Havilland Dash 8-100 en route from Cambridge Bay to Yellowknife
    Where: Yellowknife
    When: Feb 13th 2012
    Who: 17 aboard
    Why: After landing safely in Yellowknife, the plane was being directed from tarmac to parking. One engine had been shut down, and a ground crew member was struck by the right propeller.

    Emergency services were on hand.

    The injured party, who was a new hire, was flown by medical ambulance to Edmonton.

    In George’s Point of View


    In many cases, I say Maintenance, maintenance maintenance! but in this case, I say Caution, caution, caution! One can never be too careful. Perhaps a longer training period would be advisable?

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    American Airlines Diverts to Chicago


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

    What: American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 en route from Detroit to Dallas Ft. Worth
    Where: Chicago
    When: Feb 13th 2012
    Why: While en route, the plane developed a problem with cabin pressure.

    When the pressure could not be controlled, the pilots descended until pressure adjusted, then diverted to Chicago where they made a safe landing.

    The passengers were booked on to alternative flights. The plane is being examined.

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    Psychotic Attacks Pilot Aboard Tam Flight


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Leandro Luiz Pilch

    What: TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A320-200 en route from Montevideo to Sao Paulo
    Where: Porto Alegre
    When: Feb 11th 2012
    Who: 1 unruly passenger
    Why: A Tam airbus was en route when a passenger intruded into the cockpit. The pilot yelled for help, and the plane veered sharply to the right. The cockpit door was open. Some reports of the incident mention that the passenger had a TAM badge. (Some Uraguan accounts say the individual was flying in the cockpit on a jumpseat.)

    We don’t have a firsthand account, but secondary sources say a couple of stewardesses dragged the intruder out of the cockpit by his feet, then “The people quickly jumped on top of him, the guy fought back furiously, biting and hurting a half dozen people…in a kind of collective action they were able to immobilize him, tying him to a seat.”

    Passengers talked about the incident feeling like a September 911 film.

    The pilot diverted to Porto Alegre and made a safe landing. A number of passengers and possibly the two flight attendants were injured in the altercation. The passenger was taken into police custody, and he was incarcerated in the psychiatric ward of a local hospital for having suffered a “psychotic episode.”

    The flight reached Sao Paulo nearly three hours late.

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    Cracked Wing Brackets Allegedly Under Control According to Airbus Top Brass

    The SINGAPORE AIRSHOW AVIATION LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, held in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow, is a collaborative effort by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Experia Events Pte Ltd, International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Ministry of Transport (MOT).

    The airshow brings together aviation stakeholders, including Airbus CEO Tom Enders, who had damage control on his mind. Airbus is under fire for the wing cracks found on Airbus A380 jets. Between inspection and repairs, the cost is anticipated to be $1.23 million per aircraft, for up to $32 million euros.

    Qantas Airways grounded one A380 for a week after finding 36 separate cracks in wing parts. Other A380s have demonstrated similar cracking above and beyond the normal degradation and microfissures that inspections often find as a result of heavy usage.

    Tom Anders of Airbus told airshow attendees that “…we will fix it (wing problem) as quickly as possible. This is unfortunate, this is us. We screwed that up. Whatever the cost, we will fix it”

    They have to fix it. EASA has ordered Airbus to check all A380 superjumbo planes. Meanwhile, Airbus is trying to turn media attention to their ramped-up assembly line.

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    Charlotte Emergency landing

    What: US Airways/PSA CRJ2 Charlotte to Charleston,WV
    Where: Charlotte-Douglas International airport.
    When: Feb 12, 2012
    Who: 44 passengers 3 crew
    Why: A flight from Charlotte to Atlanta had just taken off when the plane began making unidentified noises. In about an hour after take-off, pilots returned to the airport to make a safe landing with emergency services on standby.

    Passengers were provided alternative flights.

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    Czech Airlines Emergency Landing


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

    What: CSA Czech Airlines Boeing 737-500 en route from Prague to Skopje
    Where: Skopje
    When: Feb 11th 2012
    Why: The plane developed a flaps problem on first approach to Skopje, which was aborted, but they made a successful second approach. The pilots burned off fuel and made a fast landing, but did not drive off the pavement.

    The plane was operable for the return flight.

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    FAA Focuses on Fixes to Aircraft Collision-Warning Systems

    After looking back at near-collision data the FAA collected, the FAA has given U.S. airlines three years to install software changes to collision-warning systems, saying that the warning devices that have been installed in commercial airliners as well as private businesses need to be fixed.

    The FAA has known since 2009 that systems have been known to fail to monitor and track all the nearby planes, resulting in monitoring errors, a fact which could and may have already caused problems in 7000 commercial planes and 1800 business planes in the US.

    If a warning system fails, and is known to fail, why is a crash which may have been the result of a warning system failure being attributed to air traffic controller error or pilot error? That’s what I’d like to know. Do we need to be looking more closely at L-3 Communications?

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    Cessna Crashes by New Hampshire Runway


    Contact photographer Ron Yantiss

    What: Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane
    Where: WEST LEBANON, N.H.
    When: Feb 9, 2012, 3:45 p.m
    Who: pilot, 1 fatality
    Why: The Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane took off from Lebanon New Hampshire Municipal airport returning the plane from repairs  but developed problems. The pilot, Paul Schlieben, of Peterborough, N.H requested a turnback to the airport.

    He was returning to the airport when he crashed in the airport safety area impacting beside a runway. West Lebanon firefighters responded to the scene and put out the flames. The pilot did not survive the impact.

    Aircraft Description
    Serial Number T18208595 Type Registration Individual
    Manufacturer Name CESSNA Certificate Issue Date 11/13/2006
    Model T182T Expiration Date 03/31/2013
    Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Single-Engine Status Valid
    Pending Number Change None Type Engine Reciprocating
    Date Change Authorized None Dealer No
    MFR Year 2006 Mode S Code 51760054
    Fractional Owner NO
    Registered Owner
    Name SCHLIEBEN PAUL

    City PETERBOROUGH State NEW HAMPSHIRE
    County HILLSBOROUGH Zip Code 03458-2021
    Country UNITED STATES
    Airworthiness
    Engine Manufacturer LYCOMING Classification Standard
    Engine Model TIO-540-AK1A Category Normal
    A/W Date 07/19/2006

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    Maldives Air Taxi Stormy Crash Landing on Hulhule lagoon, 9 Passengers Rescued

    What: Maldivian Air Taxi DHC-6 Twin Otter en route from Lily Beach resort to seaplane lagoon
    Where: seaplane lagoon on Hulhule Island
    When: Feb 9, 2012, 12.08pm
    Who: 9 passengers, no fatalities
    Why: A Maldivian Air Taxi seaplane made a crash landing at Hulhule Island in heavy rain with low visibility.

    None of the nine passengers aboard were seriously hurt, but some were in shock after the twenty-five minute flight. The passengers were Maldavian(1) British(2) and Vietnamese (4), were rescued within ten minutes and taken to the CIP ‘Koimala’ Executive Lounge for medical treatment.

    The MAT plane is being recovered.

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    Runway Incursion in Hamburg


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

    What: Air Contractors Avion de Regional Transport ATR-72-200 en route from Paris to Hamburg
    Where: Hamburg
    When: Feb 8th 2012
    Why: The ATR was moving into a holding position short of runway 33 while an Aer Lingus Airbus was taking off from runway 33. Witnesses said that it appeared that the ATR was accelerating. Prompted by an urgent ATC warning, they stopped close to runway 33.

    After the Airbus took off, they reported back to ATC that they had seen the ATR.

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    Moranbah Ferry Flight Makes Emergency Landing

    What: QANTAS Dash-8
    Where: Moranbah Airport
    When: Feb 9 2012, 12:30 pm
    Who: 3 crew, no passengers
    Why: While ferrying the plane, the crew made an emergency landing at Moranbah Airport after circling.

    They reported smoke in the cockpit, but on landing, no fire was found. Queensland Fire and rescue crews stood on standby during the landing. The ATSB is investigating.

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    Thomas Cook Makes Emergency Landing in Belfast

    What: Thomas Cook Airlines Airbus A320 en route from Belfast to Tenerife
    Where: Belfast International Airport
    When: Feb 8 2012
    Who: 175 passengers
    Why: After developing problems with the gear during takeoff, the pilots returned to Belfast where they circled for an hour and a half before landing back in Belfast.

    Emergency crews were on standby.

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    Fatigue or not-fatigue? That is the Question


    After the crash of the Colgan Air flight in Buffalo, the new fatigue regulations hold the promise of increased safety for commercial pilots now that they are scheduled travel time plus 8 hours of sleep time (ten hours) sandwiched between flights.

    But the fatigue regulations do not apply to cargo pilots.

    The discrepancy has to do with the expense of insurance covering the lives of hundreds of passengers vs. the lives of a couple of pilots on a cargo flight; but the NTSB isn’t buying it. Cargo pilots, many of whom fly at night, are just as likely to get fatigued as commercial pilots.

    Should cargo pilots, who fly largely at night and who don’t have to maintain the same kind of scheduling as commercial passenger airlines be entitled to the same kind of fatigue protections?

    What do you think?

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    Landing Gear Cause Emergency Landing in Belfast

    What: Thomas Cook Airbus A320 en route from Belfast to Tenerife
    Where: Belfast
    When: February 7, 2012
    Who: 175 aboard
    Why: After taking off from Belfast, the plane developed a technical problem (problems with the landing gear.) Pilots returned to Belfast. They circled for over an hour. While they were in the air, a police helicopter came up and inspected the plane.

    The pilots dumped fuel before they made a safe landing.

    Passengers interviewed about the event said they were terrified. Flight attendants advised them to brace themselves, take off their shoes and use the emergency exits.

    Emergency services were on standby.

    Belfast International Airport said that the airline planes to repair the plane and use it this afternoon to fly out passengers at 3:00 pm. The airport spoke highly of the efficiency and emergency management performed by the staff.

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    Storm Slickens Jayapura Runway Causing Overrun


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

    What: Batavia Air Airbus A320-200 en route from Makassar to Jayapura
    Where: Jayapura
    When: Feb 7th 2012
    Who: 148 passengers and 6 crew
    Why: On landing in Jayapura, the flight encountered a strong storm.

    Landing in rain, the plane overran the runway but did stop on pavement. The plane was towed to the gate where passengers disembarked normally.

    No passengers were injured. The plane did not end up mired in soft ground, but abrasions on the plane’s skin, and lights on the runway were reported as the extent of the damage.

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    Gol Hydraulic Issue in Sao Paulo


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

    What: GOL Transportes Aereos Boeing 737-800 en route from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo
    Where: Sao Paulo
    When: Feb 6th 2012
    Why: On approach to Sao Paulo, the plane developed problems with the plane’s hydraulic systems. After making a safe landing, the plane was stuck on the runway. Eventually the plane was towed, and the patient passengers were able to disembark (after half an hour.)

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    A380 Wing Cracks: Short Term Solution?

    According to Airbus, A380 wing cracks (“non-critical wing rib-skin attachments on a limited number of A380 aircraft”) are a non-issue because they “do not make the planes unsafe.”

    The plan is to use scheduled 4-year maintenance checks called “D-Checks” to screen planes for signs of cracking.

    We are just curious if this was a manufacturing error or a design flaw. And even if it is not a safety issue, the idea of just waiting around till a scheduled check seems chancy at best.

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    Brazil Flight Encounters Severe Turbulence


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    Contact photographer Matheus Netto de Lima

    What: Trip Linhas Aereas Embraer ERJ-190 en route from Porto Velho to Belo Horizonte
    Where: Cuiaba
    When: Feb 5th 2012
    Who: 82 passengers and 5 crew; 6 injured
    Why: While en route, the flight encountered turbulence.

    Five passengers and one attendant were injured.

    The pilots diverted to Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil where they made a safe landing.

    None of the injured passengers were buckled in at the time of the turbulence. On landing, the injured were hospitalized.

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    Japan: Tail strike and Go-around


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

    What: ANA All Nippon Airways Airbus A320-200 en route from Osaka Itami to Sendai
    Where: Sendai
    When: Feb 5th 2012
    Who: 166 aboard
    Why: The Airbus was landing when a sudden gust of wind caused pilots to abort the landing, and leaving scrapes of white paint on the runway.

    While performing the go-around, the tail of the plane struck the runway. Pilots circled and made a second approach, which resulted in a safe landing.

    Damage to the underside of the tail was significant, and the bulkhead was also damaged The local weather service did not have any indication of wind, and the investigation is underway.

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    Daredevil CEO Dies in Experimental Plane Crash


    Contact photographer J.B. Barbour

    What: Raleighwood Aviation LLC Lancair IVP-TP (built by Carlos Garza)
    Where: Boise Airport, Idaho
    When: Feb 03 2012, 8:58 a.m.
    Who: 1 fatality
    Why: Steve Appleton was flying an experimental Lancair IVP-TP. On his second flight, he took off, turned back to the airport. He contacted ATC and said ““321 Lima Charlie, I’d like to turn back in, and uhh, land. Coming back in.” and then crashed.

    Safety Board investigator Zoe Keliher said “Appleton took off at about 8:46 a.m, got the plane five to 10 feet off the ground and landed again. He returned to the hangar, then took off again at 8:54 a.m.; he got to between 100 and 200 feet when, according to witnesses, the plane suddenly stopped, banked and fell to the ground.”

    It crashed between two runways.In 2004, Appleton survived a crash that gave him a punctured lung, head injuries, ruptured disk and broken bone. This time, Appleton died at the scene. The plane was badly burned.

    He was the CEO of Micron.

    He had several planes which he flew frequently. (He has owned 20 planes.)

    The four seat experimental plane is sold as a kit. This one was built by built by Carlos Garza.

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    Aerolineas Bird Strike Leads to Emergency Landing in Sao Paulo


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

    What: Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737-700 en route from Sao Paulo Brazil to Buenos Aires Argentina
    Where: Sao Paulo
    When: Feb 2nd 2012
    Why: After takeoff from Sao Paulo, the flight suffered an bird strike, which disabled it. The vibrating engine had to be shut down. Pilots returned to Sao Paulo a quarter of an hour after leaving.

    Passengers were provided alternative transport.

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    Unqualified Pilot Sued for Daughter’s Death

    Accidents are what happen when you think they won’t.

    If Steven Fay had known Jessica Malin would die in the flight and he would survive, he never would have taken her on the twin engine Cessna on Jan 1, 2011. At 4:30 p.m. on on Jan 1, 2011, the day of the crash, the plane’s wings clipped treetops while landing in Orange about 90 minutes after sunset.

    He shouldn’t have flown her. He was not certified to fly the plane, which crashed approach to Orange Municipal Airport. His license was revoked after the crash. He was arraigned on Feb 1 2012 for involuntary manslaughter for Jessica Malin’s death. Malin was his daughter. She was 35.

    Fay denied the charges. He returns to court on Feb 24.