Cause

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    Jet Blue Hydraulic Failure over Orlando


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Hector A Rivera-

    What: Jetblue Embraer ERJ-190 en route from Stewart International Airport, Windsor ,NY to Orlando,FL
    Where: Orlando
    When: Aug 23rd 2011
    Who: 95 aboard
    Why: While en route, a hydraulic system failed.

    With brake failure pending prior to landing, the crew requested emergency services, which was on standby as the Jet landed in Orlando.

    The flight made a safe landing, and was towed off the runway.

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    First Air Jet Crash Update


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    Contact photographer Gilbert Hechema

    What: First Air Boeing 737-210C en route from Yellow Knife to Resolute
    Where: near Resolute Airport, Nunavut, Canada
    When: August 20, 2011
    Who: 4 crew, 11 passengers, 12 fatalities
    Why: After the First Air jet was on final instrument landing system approach to 35T but failed to update its position.

    The fog obscured its location, but shortly afterwards, lifting fog revealed the burning wreckage broken into three pieces, and the scattered 2,250 kilograms of food the flight was carrying. That food has been of interest to hungry polar bears, and a trial to forensic crews protecting the evidence.

    Remains of the passengers have been recovered. Eleven individuals were flown to Ottowa for identification. The black boxes have been recovered and taken to an Ottawa lab.

    The Air Line Pilots Association has been declared an official observer of the crash.

    Note: CFIT is a “Controlled flight into terrain,” an accident in which an airworthy aircraft under pilot control is unintentionally flown into an obstacle.

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    Student Pilot in Palo Alto Lesson Scare

    What: single engine Beechcraft Musketeer on student flight
    Where: East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
    When: 08/23/2011, 9:30 am
    Who: instructor and student pilot
    Why: While practicing touch and go maneuvers at Palo Alto Airport, the plane’s engine failed.

    When the engine failed, the plane went down in the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. A plane crashed there in Feb of 2010, which shook the neighborhood, but many locals were unaware of when this incident happened. This was an emergency landing, although the plane went off course after glancing against a tree.

    Both Instructor Jassen Todorov and student pilot David Shoemaker survived.

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    Kelona Flightcraft Makes Hot Landing with Wrong Engine On Fire


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    Contact photographer Mark Kryst

    What: Kelowna Flightcraft Boeing 727-200 en route from Edmonton,AB to Hamilton,ON
    Where: Edmonton Canada
    When: Aug 19th 2011
    Who: flight crew on freight flight
    Why: After takeoff, the crew got an indication that one engine was hot.

    The crew shut down the engine before fire suppression engaged.

    They returned to Edmonton and made a safe landing, if a landing can be called safe with flames shooting out of an engine.

    The emergency crews dealt with the engine that had been reported on fire, but actually it was another engine entirely which had been the source of the flames.

    We aren’t entirely sure whose wires were crossed, the flight system or a human reading the flight system. What matters for the time being, is that there were no injuries. It will be interesting hearing how the investigation goes on this.

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    ATC Catches Runway Incursion, China Airbus Possible Collision


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    Contact photographer K.H.Yim

    What: China Airlines Airbus A330-300 en route from Taipei to Hong Kong
    Where: Taipei
    When: Aug 19th 201
    Who: 288 passengers
    Why: As the China Airlines Airbus was accelerating for takeoff, a private jet was also taxiing on to the same runway after landing. ATC caught the runway incursion and prevented an inevitable collision, and held the China Airlines Airbus flight, delaying the takeoff by an hour.

    The pilots of the South Africa registered aircraft reported they had been instructed to taxi taxiway NC to the end. At a crossing, they requested direction and were told to turn right onto taxiway NC. They made an error based on unclear signage turning back on to the runway instead of to the taxiway.

    In George’s Point of View


    Heya

    Just another everyday incursion.

    Ok, someone needs to commend Taipei ATC on a pretty stupendous catch. From this side of the screen, it looks like this was a practically inevitable disaster.

    And do I have to say that someone needs to fix the signs? Something needs to be amended there so that even pilots unfamiliar with the airport can see which is the on ramp and which is the off ramp.

    I’m just saying.

    Good job, ATC.

    Satellite view:

    View airport PDF

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    Petrobra Oil Field Chopper Crashes off Coastal Brazil


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    Contact photographer André Martinis

    What: Senior Táxi Aéreo Agusta Westland AW139 from oil platform to Rio de Janeiro
    Where: in the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro
    When: August 19, 2011, 17:15
    Who: 4 aboard, 4 fatalities
    Why: On Friday afternoon, the chopper charted to Brazilian oil major Petrobras set out from the PetrobrasP-65 platform en route to Macaé.

    While miles from shore, the crew declared emergency, and went down 100 km off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Contact with the chopper was lost at 17:00 local time.

    A Bandeirante Patrol plane and two search Brazilian military aircraft, the 4th Squadron of the 7th Aviation Group, a H-34 Super Puma helicopter, and the 3rd Squadron of the 8th Aviation Group initiated a search for the downed Senior Táxi helicopter. In all, there were five aircraft, a helicopter and four ships, including a Guajará Navy patrol vessel and a Lynx helicopter on standby in the area.

    After two days of searching in rough seas, three bodies were found on the ocean floor 100 meters down and 62 miles from the coast. One body is still somewhere in the ocean.

    The fatalities are listed as Rommel Oliveira Garcia, pilot, Lauro Pinto Haytzann, co-pilot, both employees of Senior Air Taxis, and passengers Ricardo Leal de Oliveira from the company Engevix, and Joao Carlos Pereira da Silva, the Brasitest inspector.

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    Emergency Diversion and Tire trouble

    What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Lousiville to Los Angeles
    Where: Los Angeles
    When: Aug 21st 2011
    Who: 197 aboard
    Why: This was a double trouble flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, when they had to divert to Louisville when a passenger had an emergency. After three hours in Louisville, the plane was back in the air. However, on approach to LAX, the crew experienced gear problems and performed a flyby.

    Tower observers noted a main gear tire was missing.

    The crew continued to make a safe landing, with the tireless gear shooting sparks. There were no injuries reported.

    But…where’s the tire?

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    False Cargo Fire leads to False Start over San Jose Cabo

    What: VivaAerobus Boeing 737-300 en route from San Jose Cabo to Monterrey
    Where: San Jose Cabo
    When: Aug 21st 2011
    Why: On takeoff, flight systems indicated there was a cargo fire.

    The flight returned to San Jose Cabo where it made a safe landing. Examination proved there was no fire, and the flight was delayed, but continued on to Monterrey.

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    Canadair Jet Fuel Leak over Washington


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    Contact photographer Vik S

    What: American Eagle Canadair CRJ-700 en route from Washington National to Chicago
    Where: Washington
    When: Aug 22nd 2011
    Why: After takeoff, smoke was observed coming from the right engine, and a fuel leak was observed from the right wing.

    The crew diverted to Washington International and made a safe landing.

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    Mystery Boeing Crash in Nunavut Canada


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    Contact photographer Gilbert Hechema

    What: First Air Boeing 737-210C en route from Yellow Knife to Resolute
    Where: near Resolute Airport, Nunavut, Canada
    When: August 20, 2011
    Who: 4 crew, 11 passengers, 12 fatalities
    Why: On approach to Resolute Bay Airport, the plane impacted the hillside. The wreckage was found five miles from the airport.

    Three survivors were recovered. There were twelve fatalities, including the entire crew. Two survivors (a seven year old and a 48 year old) were taken to Ottawa hospital, and the third (a 23 year old woman) is reported to be stable at Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit where all of the survivors were originally taken. Two forensic teams are on the scene (one to identify the bodies, and one for accident investigation), and the black boxes have been recovered.

    The weather at the time of the crash was he weather was rainy with a low cloud ceiling, and reported to be patchy fog. A mock rescue military exercise was going on with 700 military personnel when the crash was reported. They responded to the crash with helicopters and medical personnel. Eleven RCMP personnel were also part of the rescue unit. The senior administrative officer, Ralph Alexander, said it wasn’t foggy enough in Resolute at the time of the crash to have caused the accident, and that planes landed there in worse visibility. However there have been reports of locals hearing the impact but not seeing anything because of dense fog. The charred wreckage is in three parts with smaller plane parts and remains scattered.

    The crash site is less than two kilometres west of Resolute, a small tight-knit community with many individuals directly affected by the twelve fatalities.

    The passenger manifest has not yet been made public but the owner of South Camp Inn, Aziz (Ozzie) Kheraj, reportedly lost a granddaughter on the crash, and one survived.

    First Air held a news conference at in Kanata, Ontario on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET.

    Transport Canada issued the following release:


    At approximately 12:30 EST, First Air Flight 6560 from Yellowknife to Resolute Bay crashed on approach to Resolute Bay. There were 15 passengers on board. At this time, 12 people are thought to be dead and three injured. Our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragic accident.

    Transport Canada has appointed a Minister’s Observer, who will keep TC informed of the investigation’s progress. We will cooperate fully with the Transportation Safety Board who is currently on site investigating this accident.

    The Canadian Armed Forces are in Resolute Bay for Exercise Operation Nanook 2011 and are responding in support of emergency operations to the situation.

    Contacts:

    Media Relations
    Transport Canada, Ottawa
    613-993-0055

    First Air published this:

    On Sunday August 21, 2011, First Air Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Chris Ferris, made the following statement to the media from the First Air Head Office in Kanata:

    As you are aware, yesterday at 12:40pm First Air experienced a tragic loss of
    charter flight 6560. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and offer our sincere condolences to the families.

    The details we have at this time are as follows: a First Air Boeing 737-200 combi travelling from Yellowknife to Resolute Bay, went down 5 miles from the airport. The flight was carrying 11 passengers and four crew. There were 12 fatalities including all four crew members.

    Our first priority has been contacting and looking after the families of passengers and crew. Out of respect for the passengers, our crew, and their families, we are not releasing any names or passenger details.

    The three injured passengers were Medivac’d to Iqaluit for further treatment last evening. Two of the three passengers have since been moved to Ottawa, while the third remains in Iqaluit in stable condition.

    At this time the cause of the accident is unknown. The Transportation Safety Board is conducting their investigation and First Air is cooperating fully.

    Our thoughts and focus are with the families and friends of the passengers and crew; and the community of Resolute Bay. Field teams including counsellors, have been deployed to provide support in Resolute Bay, Yellowknife and other main stations in our network.

    We would like to thank the Canadian Military whose on-site presence and immediate response was instrumental in the rescue efforts.

    We will be providing further updates as they become available.

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    Onur Airbus Escorted Over Germany


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    Contact photographer Sebastian Lukasiewicz

    What: Onur Air Airbus A321-200 en route from Manchester to Cyprus
    Where: Germany
    When: Aug 20 2011
    Why: The airbus was a source of concern when it lost communication for a quarter of an hour while over Germany, during which time a sonic boom was heard.

    The two fighter jet “escorts” were the probable source of the sonic boom which disturbed residents’ peace of mind.

    Communications were restored and the flight continued to Cyprus as scheduled.

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    US Airways Fumes Hospitalize 5 in Charlotte

    What: US Airways en route from New York
    Where: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
    When: Aug 18, 2011
    Who: 183 passengers, 5 crew
    Why: While en route, the crew declared an emergency.

    Passengers and crew were affected by fumes that spread from the cabin to the cockpit. The fumes aboard the flight seemed to be worse in the back of the plane. In addition to the odor, passengers felt confused and dizzy, and some had chest pains, and had to use on board oxygen masks. It was described as “a very unpleasant odor.”

    The flight diverted to Charlotte and made a safe landing. Maintenance inspected the plane, the third such incident in Charlotte in two weeks.

    Five people aboard the flight were hospitalized.

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    British Court Sentences Woman in Airborne Biting case


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    Contact photographer Fred Seggie

    What: Thomson Boeing 767-300, en route from Manchester to to Punta Cana Dominican Republic
    Where: Bermuda
    When: Occurred:Nov 5th 2010
    Sentenced: Aug 19th 2011
    Who: 45 year old British Citizen
    Why: While Charity worker Carol Close’s flight had been delayed for 30 hours in Manchester with technical problems, the depressed woman passed the time by drinking beer and two mixed drinks. Probably not a good idea.

    Six hours into the November 5, 2010 flight, the woman attacked her husband and other individuals aboard the flight. Her husband moved to another seat to get away from her, and Close then bit and kicked a flight attendant (or two) who attempted to restrain her. Then she started yelling.

    The captain diverted to Bermuda where Carol Close was arrested.

    On Aug 19th 2011, Close pleaded guilty to “two charges of assault and one of affray.”

    British Court sentenced her to a suspended 6-months jail term, £2700 British Pounds. (£200 compensation to cabin crew, plus £2,476 to Bermuda Police)

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    Italy: Windjet Emergency Loss of Control over Catania


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    Contact Pise – Roma Spotters Club

    What: Windjet Airbus A320-200 en route from Catania to Milan Italy
    Where: Catania
    When: Aug 16 2011
    Who: 164 passengers
    Why: While en route, the crew discovered the plane was unresponsive to certain controls.

    The crew returned to the airport and made a safe landing.

    A replacement jet was provided for the passengers.

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    VivaAerobus Loses Engine over US


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    Contact photographer André Du-pont

    What: VivaAerobus Boeing 737-300 en route from Monterrey to Las Vegas, NV
    Where: Las Vegas
    When: Aug 17 2011
    Why: More than half an hour prior to landing, the left engine began banging and vibrating.

    The crew shut down the engine, and continued on to land in Las Vegas minus the engine.

    The crew made a safe landing. No indication was made if the flight ingested a bird or if there was an other mechanical problem.

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    Ajar Door Disrupts Continental Flight


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    Contact photographer Andrew Compolo

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Port of Spain ,Trinidad/Tobago to Houston,TX
    Where: Port of Spain
    When: Aug 16 2011
    Who: 155 passengers and 6 crew
    Why: After takeoff, the crew noted an indication that a door was open.

    The flight crew elected to return to the airport where they made a safe landing.
    The door was closed, and the flight took off again and continued normally, arriving several hours late, but safely.

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    Lightning-struck Beech in NZ


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    Contact photographer Jonathan Rankin

    What: Eagle Air/Air New Zealand Beech 1900D en route from Wellington to Palmerston North
    Where: New Zealand
    When: Aug 15th 2011
    Who: 16 passengers and 2 crew
    Why: While en route, the plane was struck by lightning.

    The right winglet began smoldering after being struck. The flight crew returned to Wellington where they made a safe landing.

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    Webjet Engine Trouble over Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    What: Webjet Boeing 737 en route from Belo Horizonte to Sao Paulo
    Where: Belo Horizonte
    When: Aug 10, 2011
    Who: 108 passengers
    Why: After takeoff, the pilots received indications of problems with the right engine.

    Passengers reported hearing noise from the engine, which jarred the plane.

    Pilots shut down the engine and diverted back to Belo Horizonte where they made a safe landing. There is no indication if it was a bird strike or some other type of mechanical problem.

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    Batavia Lands Flat in Pekanbaru

    What: Batavia Boeing 737-400 en route from Jakarta to Pekanbaru
    Where: Pekanbaru Airport
    When: Aug 15 2011
    Why: On landing at Pekanbaru, the plane blew out its tires.

    Hard landing? Fast landing? We do not know. We do know the plane had to be towed off the runway. Injuries were not reported.

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    Planes Disappear after Airshow, No sign of Planes yet

    What: P166 Albatros ( Ex SAAF) x 2
    Registration: ZU-MM (NJX Partnership)
    Registration: ZU-ACI (owned by Gruar Brian)

    Where: Mountains South Of Tzaneen, South Africa
    When: August 14, 2011
    Who: 12 aboard
    Why: Two planes which had been flying in the Tzaneen Air Show took off afterwards to ferry passengers to Johannesberg.

    The flights were en route to Rand Airport in Germiston but did not arrive. The weather over Tzaneen was described as “bad.” The identities of the (missing)12-14 aboard have not been released and the planes have apparently not yet been found.

    The pilot of one of the missing aircraft is businessman Gruar Brian of Johannesburg. His wife and two young children are believed to be aboard and Mr Kevin Woolocott Ordinance program coordinator of the air show was one of the passengers. The copilot was Peter Oldenburg.

    Also presumed aboard are Mmes. Warden Louise Spence and Tess, photographer Frans Dely.

    The Wolkberg area near Tzaneen and George’s Valley in Limpopo are being searched. The search for the planes with six helicopters and military aircraft was delayed due to poor visibility due to fog, and has resumed. The mountainous terrain has made the search more difficult.

    Piaggio P166 planes are twin engine mediumsized aircraft, and ex air force planes.

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    Pia Emergency Landing at Rawalpindi airport

    What: Pia flight en route from Multan to Islamabad
    Where: Rawalpindi airport in Pakistan
    When: August 12, 2011
    Who: Eight injured, 300+ aboard
    Why: While en route from Multan to Islamabad, the flight encountered bad weather, and made an emergency landing in Rawalpindi.

    One person was seriously injured.

    We will update with further details.

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    AeroSur Flat in La Paz


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    Contact photographer Mauricio Rocco Silva Sato

    What: AeroSur Boeing 737-400 en route from Santa Cruz to La Paz Bolivia
    Where: La Paz
    When: Aug 10th 2011
    Who: 147 passengers, 6 crew
    Why: On landing in La Paz, the right main gear tire blew out.

    Emergency services responded to the disabled plane stranded on the runway. Damage included a hydraulic leak. The plane was towed to the gate.

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    Lufhansa Emergency Landing in Frankfurt


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    Contact photographer Pieter-Jan Van De Vijver

    What: Lufthansa Airbus A319-100 en route from Frankfurt/Main to Hamburg
    Where: Frankfurt
    When: Aug 10th 2011
    Why: After takeoff from Frankfort, the right engine made an explosive noise.

    The flight crew shut down the engine and diverted back to Frankfurt where they made a safe landing. No indication if fuel was dumped or emergency crew on standby. The problem has been initially attributed to either a fuel or air intake issue.

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    Belavia Diverts to Belarus


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    Contact photographer Matteo Stella

    What: Belavia Boeing 737-500 en route from Batumi Georgia to Minsk Belarus
    Where: Sochi
    When: Aug 12th 2011
    Why: While en route to Belarus, the plane lost cabin pressure. The cabin was not sealed.

    THe pilots descended to a safe level, and then obtained permission to divert to Sochi. The pilots made a safe landing in Sochi with emergency services on standby. No injuries were reported.

    A replacement 737 was provided.

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    Delta DC-9 Suffers Uncontained Engine Failure


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    Contact photographer Stefan Sonnenberg

    What: Delta Airlines Douglas DC-9-50 en route from Atlanta to Pittsburgh
    Where: Atlanta o
    When: Aug 6th 2011
    Why: On takeoff approach, the right engine made a banging noise, leading the pilots to reject takeoff, and stop on the runway, with locked up brakes and an uncontained engine failure (holes in the casing) and a disengaged fan blade. Passengers disembarked on to the runway and were ported to the terminal.