What: Merpati Nusantara Fokker 100 en route from from Sampit to Surabaya
Where: Sampit
When: Feb 12th 2011
Why: Not long after takeoff from Sampit, an engine developed problems and had to be shut down.
The flight landed safely at Sampit. No injuries reported.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer A. Muñiz Zaragüeta
What: Manx2 leased from Flightline Swearingen SA-227BC Metro III en route from Belfast to Cork
Where: Cork Airport, Ireland
When: Feb 10, 2011
Who: 6 fatalities, 6 hospitalized (12 aboard) 10 passengers, 2 crew
Why: The plane was on approach to Runway 17 in fog and low visability. The plane made a go-around. The pilot attempted a second landing on Runway 35. The flight made a second go-around; on the second approach to Runway 17 the aircraft crashed and flipped.
The plane is an 18-seater Fairchild Metroliner leased by Manx 2 with the flight number BPS 7100.
The Spanish pilot and his British co-pilot are among the fatalities; also, Pat Cullinan, a partner in KPMG from Omagh and worked in the Belfast office of the accountancy firm; businessman Brendan McAleese from Co Tyrone, who is is a first cousin of Dr Martin McAleese, husband of President Mary McAleese.
A public announcement said “three men from the North, two men resident elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and a male Spanish national” were killed.
The six survivors (5 men and 1 woman) have been hospitalized at Cork University Hospital.
Irish Authority Statement
1015hrs 10 February 2011: Flight Avia No FLT400C a metroliner SW4 with ten passengers and two crew has crashed at Cork Airport. No details of injuries or fatalities are available. The aircraft made an approach to Runway 17 in low vis conditions (Category 2) and went around and did not land and attempted a second landing on Runway 35. The aircraft then went around a second time and came back for an approach to Runway 17. On the second approach to Runway 17 the aircraft crashed adjacent to Taxiway C. Rescue and Fire crew are in attendance. There is a fire and debris has been scattered onto the runway and over a wide area. The accident will be investigated by the Air Accident Unit of the Dept. of Transport. This is correct at this time and may be amended as more detail becomes available.
Ireland is conducting the investigation.
What: American Eagle Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Cincinnatti to New York
Where: Pittsburgh
When: Feb 7th 2011
Who: 2 injured
Why: While en route from Cincinnati to New Your, the flight encountered turbulence severe enough to injure two passengers. The flight diverted to Pittsburgh and made a safe landing.
DUBAI, UAE, February 7, 2011 — In the past few weeks the world watched with pride and shock as the citizens of Middle Eastern Egypt stood up in unison to the almost thirty years of dictatorship from the existing government.
This political unrest caused a panic among expats in the country and official consulates began making arrangements for the evacuation of their citizens in Egypt.
Air Charter International was commissioned to transport these passengers from Alexandria to Prague and Washington DC. The Commercial Sales team at Air Charter International worked 24/7 on making sure that all passengers were transported safely out of Egypt.
“Because of the urgency of the situation, it was imperative that we get our clients out of Egypt immediately,” said Commercial Sales Manager Claire Brugirard. The first flight to Prague departed on the 31st of January and the second flight to Washington DC departed on the 1st of February.
“Since the first priority was to get the passengers to a safe point outside Egypt, both flights were sent to Prague,” said Ms. Brugirard. She further explained that the second flight reached Prague and was then rerouted to Washington DC from there.
Air Charter International’s Commercial Sales team sourced a Boeing 737-800 for the journey. “We sourced two of these proven passenger aircraft for the trip because they were the safest and most economical for our clients.”
Ms. Brugirard further stated that the Boeing 737-800 is also spacious enough to accommodate last minute passengers, common during emergency evacuations.
“It happened on these flights as well. On the first flight we had an additional 13 passengers and on the second we had 1 more passenger, all which joined at the last minute. In anticipation of these additional passengers we enlisted a B737-800 for these flights.”
The Commercial Sales team at Air Charter International did encounter some challenges while organizing these flights. “Due to the ongoing political unrest in Egypt, there was difficulty in establishing a steady communication with the local authorities.”
This, Ms. Brugirard explained, made obtaining permits, that were also requested on short notice extremely difficult. “Our team worked around the clock to ensure that all the paperwork was in order so that the US citizens and students were safely evacuated out of Egypt.”
Experts in crisis management, Air Charter International’s Commercial Sales team monitored both emergency charter flights from start to finish. “At all times we kept an eye on status of these flights and the clients fully informed on their progress.”
RIDGETOWN, Barbados, Feb. 7, 2011
— BioJet International Ltd. (www.biojetcorp.com) announced today that it has received a US $1.2 Billion funding facility from Cayman based Equity Partners Fund SPC. The funding structure is a 3 year facility; further terms of the funding were not disclosed.
BioJet is a leading international supply chain integrator in renewable (bio) jet fuel and related co-products which include green diesel, etc. for the aviation and transportation sectors.
The funding agreement is designed to allow BioJet a significant source of capital for its supply chain capital projects program including feedstock and refining projects, as well as investment and strategic acquisitions.
Chairman Mitch Hawkins said, “This funding agreement with Equity Partners will form the cornerstone of BioJet capital projects and accretive EBIDTA positive acquisitions over the next five years. It enables a clear path to the expansion of our Camelina, Jatropha, and Algae feedstock projects as well as our Avia renewable jet refining projects in Latin America, Asia, and Europe. We will also be seeking acquisitions of listed companies which can add value geographically and strategically.”
BioJet operations throughout the entire biofuel value chain engage feedstock generation, technology, refining, logistics, sustainability certification, distribution, and eventual end use by the aviation sector user. BioJet is also the first Alternative Fuels Strategic Partner of the International Air Transport Association.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Andreas Mueller – Spotterteam Graz
What: KLM Boeing 777-200 en route from Atlanta,GA to Amsterdam
Where: Amsterdam
When: Feb 3
Why: After a successful flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam, the flight crew reported a flat tire prior to landing.
* (The plane’s indicators include a tire pressure indicator. As a rule, when 5 of the 6 main landing gear tires are correct, the pressure is adequate for landing.)
However, they made a successful landing and taxied to the gate.
What: Air Macau Airbus A321-200 en route from Beijing to Macau
Where: Beijing
When: Feb 4th 2011
Why: Takeoff was aborted when fluid started leaking (described evocatively as a fierce spray, large fluid spill, massive spray). The plane aborted takeoff, and stopped on the runway. Passengers disembarked on the runway, (hopefully were bussed or carted back to the airport) and repairs were made on the plane.
The plane had suffered a broken seal, causing an oil leak. The leak did not affect runway operation which was not cancelled/
The flight took off again nine hours later after repairs and testing.
What: Rostov ROSTO
Where: 20 km from Naryn-Khuduk, Kalmykia Russia
When: Feb 6 2011
Who: 2 aboard, 2 fatalities
Why: At around 14:00, the crew made an emergency landing because of engine trouble and then fixed it. The helicopter was engaged in shooting wolves in the Chernozemelskiy region of Kalmykia. Shortly after liftoff, the Mi-2 helicopter crashed Saturday, killing both crew members (pilot and mechanic). The helicopter—reportedly belonging to either the “Russian Defense Sports and Technical Organization” or “Aero Club”—apparently could not keep aloft.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer John Padgett
What: Omni Air McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 en route from Shannon (Ireland) to Baltimore,MD
Where: Atlantic
When: Feb 6th 2011,
Who: not available
Why: While en route over the Atlantic, the plane developed engine trouble and the crew shut down an engine and dumped fuel. The flight returned to Shannon, and made a safe landing (minus an engine).
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Szabo Gabor
What: Gulf Air Airbus A330-200 en route from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to Bahrain
Where: Muscat
When: Feb 5th 2011
Who: 136 passengers
Why: While en route, the pilot’s illness forced a landing at Muscat. The flight was completed by a replacement crew, after the captain was hospitalized after a heart attack.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Thanat W.
What: Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300 en route from Phuket Thailand to Melbourne
Where: over Jakarta
When: Jan 31, 2011
Who: 4 passengers, 4 flight attendants
Why: While en route, the flight encountered twenty seconds of turbulence that tossed just-served food, flight attendants, passengers and trolleys around, and shook them up. On encountering the turbulence, the pilot made an announcement requesting “passengers buckle their seatbelts.”
Two to four members of the flight crew sustained minor injuries, and four passengers. They were attended by paramedics six hours after the turbulence, on landing at Melbourne.
Reports of food poisoning on this flight were unsubstantiated.
What: British Airways en route from Boston to London
Where: Logan International Airport
When: Jan 31, 2011
Who: 13 crew
Why: After taking off for London, smoke was reported in the cabin. Pilots returned to Logan and made safe landing at 8:16 am. Maintenance determined that oil from an auxiliary power unit for an air conditioner was the problem.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Rudy Chiarello
What: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 en route from Denver to Philadelphia
Where: Eppley Airfield, Omaha
When: 3:30
Who: 99 passengers and 7 crew
Why: While en route, the cabin began smelling of smoke. The pilots diverted to Eppley Airfield in Omaha Nebraska and made a safe landing.
The plane was examined and allowed to continue on, reaching Philadelphia about 6 hours later.
What: Alitalia Airbus A320-200 en route from Rome to Genoa
Where: Rome
When: Feb 2nd 2011
Why: The flight returned to Rome because it was carrying the luggage of a passenger who was not aboard. The flight returned to Rome, the luggage was removed and the plane departed again an hour later.
What: twin-engine corporate jet H25-B en route from Sulaimaniya to Ankara Turkey
Where: Sulaimaniya
When: Feb 4 2011
Who: 13 passengers. 6 survivors reported by media
Why: While climbing out of Sulaymaniyah, an engine of the corporate jet carrying technicians and shareholders with Iraqi mobile phone company Asiacell caught fire. The plane crashed while trying to return to the airport or abort the landing. (One report says it was only ten seconds in the air.) Fatalities included the jet’s crew of three plus a Lebanese and three Iraqis including Bassel (Basil) Rahim, managing partner of MerchantBridge, the London-based investment firm that owns 19 per cent of Asiacell.
A fire broke out in one of the engines as the result of a mechanical problem according to news reports. Ambulances were on the scene. The weather was snowy and overcast.
What: JetBlue A320 Airbus en route from Orlando to Bogota Colombia
Where: Norman Manley International Airport Kingston
When: Feb 3 2011 8:10 p.m
Who: 149 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane’s systems indicated smoke in the cabin. The pilot diverted to Kingston where they made a safe landing. The flight was inspected on landing, and no smoke was found.
Arrangements were being made to fly the passengers to Colombia.
However, the Airbus problem was an “erroneous reading.” The plane left Jamaica shortly after midnight.
What: Lufthansa en route from Frankfurt to Singapore (Frankfurt-Bangkok?)
Where: Kolkata
When: Jan 29, 2011, 11:25
Who: 300 passengers, 1 fatality: passenger “Robert”
Why: While en route, the 75 year old passenger identified as “Robert” (who was coming from Belgium accompanied by his wife) had medical complications. The flight diverted to Kolkata. The director of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport made the public announcement that the passenger was dead on landing. The body was removed from the plane, and the flight continued at 3:25.
What: American Airlines Boeing 757 en route from Quito, Ecuador to Miami, Florida
Where: Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport in St James
When: 2:14 pm
Who: 155 passengers, 8 crew
Why: While en route over the Cayman Islands, the plane developed a temperature indication warning on the right hand engine. The flight made an emergency landing. Passengers disembarked normally without injury. The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority is investigating.
What: United Airlines/ ExpressJet Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Lincoln,Nebraska to Chicago Illinois
Where: Lincoln
When: Jan 30th 2011
Who: 47 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane indicated a gear problem.
The pilot returned to Lincoln to make a safe landing.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Andy Egloff
What: Delta/Pinnacle Airlines Canadair CRJ-440 en route from Columbia,MO to Memphis,TN
Where: Memphis
When: Jan 29th 201
Why: On approach to Memphis International Airport, the flight incurred a bird strike. The flight made a safe landing.
Turboprop Manufacturer To Deploy Seven Mechtronix
42/72 Maintenance Flight Simulation Training Devices Worldwide
MONTREAL, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ – Mechtronix Systems Inc., an MWC company, a world leading manufacturer of Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTD), today announced that ATR has acquired seven Maintenance Flight Simulation Training Devices (MFSTD) – also named Virtual Procedure Trainer (VPT) by ATR – featuring all ATR current variants (72-500, 42-500, 72-200 and 42-300) to be deployed at “Reference Training Centers” (RTC) strategically located to serve ATR airline customers. With this multiple order, ATR relies on Mechtronix’ expertise again and ensures optimal training to regional turboprop operators. Crew will have access to the MFSTD’s to learn and practice systems and procedures for various training schemes including Type-Rating or recurrent checks.
“We are delighted to partner with Mechtronix again and equip our RTC’s with their state-of-the-art simulation technology”, said Jean-Pierre Cousserans, ATR Senior Vice-President Customer Services. “Our training policy consists in building a network of training centers close to ATR operators and in providing them with the most advanced and efficient flight training facilities and equipment. Our airline customers will benefit from Mechtronix high-end simulation technology that we have been using at our own training center in Toulouse for many years. We look forward to having our training facilities equipped with our new VPT’s and continue to expand our flight operations services.”
“It is great that two major players such as ATR and Mechtronix combine one’s forward-thinking flight training policy with the other’s advanced technology to provide world class training to ATR operators”, added Mechtronix President Hervé. “Besides developing a FFT X™ to support entry into service of the new -600 series, we continue to develop flight simulation solutions for the -500 series, a regional turboprop that is very popular internationally. We are really glad to contribute to the provision of high quality training tools and solutions to ATR operators and strengthen our presence worldwide.”
The MFSTD, or VPT as named by ATR, configured as the 42/72, is a crew training device enabling systems and procedure training. The MFSTD’s will come with touch screens for an easy navigation on all panels, controls, indicators and displays within the flight deck. The ordered MFSTD’s include innovative features such as active systems schematics and 3D interface for key systems. ATR trainees will experience high level fidelity and familiarize themselves with the aircraft cockpit environment, thus optimizing FFS training time.
About ATR and ATR Training Center (ATC)
Formed in 1981, ATR has grown to become the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced 50 to 74 seat regional turboprop aircraft. ATR is a joint venture and equal partnership between major European aerospace companies Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. ATR has sold more than 1,000 ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft, which are used by over 150 operators in 80 countries. These have accumulated a total of 18 million cycles. The ATR network of Training Centers is made of a major center (ATC) located in Toulouse, France and other centers, developed through partnerships in Thailand, Malaysia, India and North America. To guarantee optimal quality and efficiency of its training programs, ATC constantly updates its technical contents and courseware tuition methods.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Soon-Gyu Ko – Korea Aero Photos
What: Virgin Blue Boeing 737-700 en route from Williamtown to Melbourne
Where: Williamtown
When: Feb 2, 2011
Why: The Virgin Blue and a military jet were a near miss and came within 400 feet vertical separation.
The Official report is below:
What: Memorial Star medical helicopter en route from accident scene to Memorial Hospital
Where: Midland Elementary off Broadway Street just south of Highway 24, Colorado Spring
When: Jan 28, 2010
Who: patient and crew
Why: While transporting a 62 year old medical patient, the helicopter’s yellow caution light indicated the helicopter was experiencing mechanical problems. The crew decided to make a precautionary landing on an elementary school field.
The patient was taken to Memorial Hospital by ambulance.
A mechanic looked over the helicopter. No problems were reported.
FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Due to the anticipated weather impact on the Midwestern United States, American Airlines offers customers the convenience to change their plans. Customers ticketed to travel on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection flights to, from or through the airports listed below may change flights as shown without penalty.
If you are traveling to/from/through those cities on Jan. 31-Feb. 2 and your ticket was issued no later than Jan. 30, you may begin travel as late as Feb. 6.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Heber Alejandro Doblado Perez
What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 en route from Newark to Boston
Where: Newark Liberty Airport
When: Jan 26, 2011
Why: On take-off, the plane filled with smoke. The pilot announced that the smoke was due to de-icing procedures, and made an emergency landing in Newark. Weather conditions at the time included snow, and freezing temperatures.
The plane made a safe landing with emergency services on standby.
