Locale

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    Atlanta Emergency Landing with Jammed Nose Wheels


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

    What: United/Shuttle America Embraer ERJ-170 en route from Atlanta,GA to Newark,NJ
    Where: Newark
    When: Feb 27th 2012 6:20 p.m
    Who: 69 passengers and 4 crew
    Why: While on approach to Newark, the crew received a gear disagreement msg, and aborted their approach. Fire and other rescue crews were on the scene; ground crews sprayed the plane with foam fire retardant.

    While circling, the crew attempted to fix the problem and performed a flyby. The flyby indicated that the nose gear was not down. ATC is recorded as saying “You got no nose gear… Door might have opened. Saw a little bump.”

    The pilots replied “Even if you see that nose wheel down, we’re not going to know it’s completely down and locked. I would like to go ahead and declare an emergency at this time. And request fire rescue when we get there, assuming we stop on the runway.”

    The pilots landed on the second approach and performed a belly landing.

    As the plane filled with smoke, passengers evacuated via slides and were bussed to the gate. They were well prepared; passengers were alerted to the impending rough landing when the plane was 45 minutes out.

    Note: “Examination found that the nose wheels were found turned perpendicular in the wheel well, impeding extension.” The problem may have originated with the hydraulics.


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    Guatamalan Rescue Chopper Crashes after Attempted Rescue


    What: Guatemalan air force helicopter Bell UH1H
    Where: Quebrada Seca, Petén Guatemala
    When: Feb 28 2012 10 am
    Who: 10 fatalities
    Why: After a civilian chopper crashed, the Guatemalan air force helicopter on a regular Tuesday mission went to assist in the rescue but crashed en route. The seven officers and three air force specialists diverted from their mission “to supply some detachments are located in the Laguna del Tigre,” and died in the crash in bad weather in the mountainous area. It appears that when the military chopper reached the scene of the first crash, the rescue had already been handled, so they elected to continue on their mission, and it was on the continuation of the journey to Peten that the accident occurred.

    According to eyewitnesses, the helicopter lost power near the village of Quebrada Seca, in the vicinity of the town of San Luis.

    Three were crew—two lieutenants and a specialist—and the seven passengers were a flight lieutenant, two second lieutenants of aviation, a second lieutenant of infantry, two specialists and an aére-military policeman. (José Everardo Portillo Salazar, Manuel Ovalle Garcia and Armando Barrientos Mynor, the lieutenants Jose Alejandro Rodriguez and Flores Be Zechariah, Amilcar specialist Humberto Leon and Manuel Escobar Axpuac, Emerson Reyes and Paolo Rivera Martinez Galindo Elbu Stuart, One person was unidentified.)

    Pilot Lieutenant Everaldo Portillo had more than 700 flight hours.

    The first chopper apparently hit power lines which apparently helped break the fall. It crashed in the El Guarumo in Semox village on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast ( Livingston, Izabal). Three injured survivors of the original crash were taken to del Hospital Roosevelt in Morales, Izabal. The survivors of the first crash were listed as Carlos Larios Aguilar, 48, the pilot of the ship John Paul Moran, 52, and mechanic Jose Gomez, 28. The first chopper was #TG-SAN, also out of Petén.

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    Five Lost in Military Chopper Collision

    What: USMC HMLA-469 Bell UH-1Y Venom
    Where: Yuma, AZ
    When: Feb 22, 2012, 8 pm
    Who: 5 aboard, 5 fatalities
    Why: The helicopter was engaged in night flight exercises on February 22nd near Yuma, AZ when it collided with a smaller two person chopper. Service members with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing were involved.

    The crash happened west of the Chocolate Mountains in California.

    The names of the five fatalities have not been released.

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    Military Chopper Crashes during exercises

    What: USMC HMLA-469 Bell AH-1W Super Cobra
    Where: Yuma, AZ
    When: Feb 22, 2012, 8 pm
    Who: 2 aboard, 2 fatalities
    Why: The helicopter was engaged in night flight exercises on February 22nd near Yuma, AZ when it collided with another flight. Service members with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing were involved.

    The crash happened west of the Chocolate Mountains in California.

    The names of the two fatalities have not been released.

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    Ground Resonance Rattles Brazilian Chopper to Bits


    What: Corpo de Bombeiros Militar do Estado do Pará Helibras HB 350BA Esquilo
    Where: Benevides Brazil
    When: Feb 22, 2012
    Who: 4 aboard, no fatalities
    Why: The rescue chopper vibrated itself apart after landing.

    “Ground resonance” occurs when a sitting helicopter’s rotors become unbalanced while spinning. A resident expert says this can happen because of a hard landing; the best way to get it to stop is to pull collective and break contact with the ground. (At the time, that would feel counter intuitive, I would think!)

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    Fake Cigarette Leads to On Board Assault


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

    What: United Boeing 737-800 en route from Portland to Houston
    Where: Portland
    When: Feb 21st 2012
    Who: 1 unruly passenger
    Why: Twenty minutes after departing, the flight was back in Portland dropping off Yazeed Mohammed Abunayyan, after he had taken a swing at a flight attendant, and hit several passengers prior to being subdued and handcuffed. The Saudi Arabian passenger was yelling profanities, and chanting about Osama bin Laden and his hatred of women.

    A relative says Abunayyan suffers from schizophrenia. The cousin, Fahad Alsubaie who was accompanying Yazeed said he was escorted off the plane too, and that the disruption began after a flight attendant confronted the two for sitting together.

    Last Sunday Abunayyan led police on a slow-speed chase in the Southern Oregon town Sunday, ramming two police cars and nearly hitting a pedestrian, charged with drunken driving and assaulting an officer and was released on bail Monday. The cousin was there too, trying to stop the car by taking the keys.
    Abunayyan said that the “other person inside me” was driving.

    Continental bans the use of electronic, simulated smoking materials

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    Overrun in NY


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer o Ralph Duenas

    What: Trans States Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Chicago O’Hare,IL to Rochester,NY
    Where: Rochester
    When: Feb 22nd 2012
    Who: 42 passengers and 3 crew
    Why: The flight made a fast landing on the wet runway in less than ideal conditions, overrunning the edge of the runway.

    There were no injuries. Passengers disembarked and were driven to the gate; the plane had to be towed, which closed the runway. The plane had minor damage.

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    Mexico Police Air Crash Kills 3

    What: Policía Federal Rockwell-Gulfstream 695 Jetprop Commander 980
    Where: El Refugio en el Municipio de Acatic, Mexico
    When: Feb 21, 2012, 21:00 pm
    Who: 3 aboard, 3 fatalities
    Why: In the town of Refugio Padrone, the Jetprop Commander 980 crashed. The names of the three victims have not been released.

    State Unit of Civil Protection and Fire Jalisco (UEPCBJ), the Attorney General of the State (PGJE) are investigating.

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    Rio Vista Collision


    What: Beechcraft 35-A33 Debonair
    Where: Rio Vista California
    When: Feb 19 2012
    Who: 2 aboard
    Why: After the helicopter and plane bumped over Rio Vista, the pilot had to make a hard landing short of Byron Airport, 8 miles south of Rio Vista Municipal Airport. Apparently the plane struck the chopper’s skids. The 1961 six-seat Beechcraft plane involved in the collision is registered to Ronald A. Gawer of Brentwood in Contra Costa County.

    When the Solano Fire crews arrived on the scene, they found the pilot with minor injuries, and the passenger was unhurt.

    According to the owner of the chopper flight school, the chopper was hit from behind by the Beechcraft.

    IDENTIFICATION
    Regis#: 433JC Make/Model: BE33 Description: 33 Debonair, Bonanza (E-24)
    Date: 02/19/2012 Time: 1844

    Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: Y Missing:
    Damage: Substantial

    LOCATION
    City: RIO VISTA State: CA Country: US

    DESCRIPTION
    N7508Y, A ROBINSON R22 HELICOPTER, AND N433JC, A BEECH A33 AIRCRAFT
    COLLIDED, NEAR RIO VISTA, CA

    INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
    # Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
    # Pass: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
    # Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

    OTHER DATA
    Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: Other

    FAA FSDO: SACRAMENTO, CA (WP25) Entry date: 02/21/2012

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    California Chopper Collides with Plane Midair


    What: Vertical CFI Helicopters Robinson R22 Beta II
    Where: Rio Vista California
    When: Feb 19 2012
    Who: 1 aboard
    Why: The helicopter clipped the plane over Rio Vista. The chopper was eight miles from the airport when it crashed.

    Although the contact broke off the tail of the chopper and ended the severed rotor up 50 feet from the fuselage, the pilot walked away. She was reported to be unhurt; She is an experienced commercial airplane pilot who was logging night-flying hours alone toward a helicopter license.

    IDENTIFICATION
    Regis#: 7508Y Make/Model: R22 Description: R-22
    Date: 02/19/2012 Time: 1844

    Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: Y Missing: N
    Damage: Substantial

    LOCATION
    City: RIO VISTA State: CA Country: US

    DESCRIPTION
    N7508Y, A ROBINSON R22 HELICOPTER, AND N433JC, A BEECH A33 AIRCRAFT
    COLLIDED, NEAR RIO VISTA, CA

    INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
    # Crew: 1 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
    # Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
    # Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

    OTHER DATA
    Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER

    FAA FSDO: SACRAMENTO, CA (WP25) Entry date: 02/21/2012

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    Turbulence aboard Delta Flight


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

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Los Angeles to Detroit
    Where: Detroit
    When: Feb 18th 2012
    Who: 2 injured
    Why: The flight was on approach to Detroit and flew into turbulence.

    A passenger and a flight attendant were injured.

    The flight landed safely in Detroit. The flight attendant was hospitalized.

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    Emergency Landing in Bangladesh

    What: United Airways ATR en route from Dhaka to Chittagong
    Where: Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport
    When: Feb 20, 2012 8:20pm
    Who: 50 aboard
    Why: The pilot was en route to Chittagong when the plane developed a problem with one of the engines. On advice from ATC, the pilot was able to land safely ten minutes early.

    Examination has not uncovered the engine problem.

    A replacement jet has been provided for the return flight.

    ATC adviced

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    Snowstorm Impairs Family’s Landing in Colorado

    What: Cessna 414A Chancellor En route from Texas to Hayden.
    Where: Yampa Valley Regional Airport, Hayden, Colorado
    When: Feb 19 2012 3:30 p.m.
    Who: 6 aboard, 2 fatalities
    Why: Before flying to Colorado, the plane left Corpus Christi International Airport at 9 a.m. and stopped in Dalhart, Texas. By the time they reached Colorado, there was a heavy snow storm. The flight was coming in to the airport, and with zero visibility crashed 30 yards short of the airport.

    Of the six aboard, two—a man and a woman—were killed on impact and four were injured. The plane crashed 300 yards from the airport’s fire station but did not catch afire. The four injured were conscious when they were taken to Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs. They had been going to Steamboat Springs for a ski vacation.

    The name on the plane’s registration is Scott A. Humpal of Woodsboro Texas. The pilot and Humpal’s wife Gabby were the victims of the crash. Humpal and his three children survived the crash.

    Eleven year old Sara, the youngest daughter, has a broken back. She is scheduled for surgery Monday. Scott has a punctured lung.

    The NTSB is investigating.

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    Rome: Air Contractors Emergency Engine Fire


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

    What: Air Contractors Avion de Transport Regional ATR-42-300 en route from Rome to Ancona
    Where: Rome
    When: Feb 16th 2012
    Who: flight crew (cargo flight)
    Why: On takeoff, the engine caught fire.

    The flight was cancelled. The situation is under investigation. Maintenance is examining the right engine.

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    Moscow Runway Excursion


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

    What: Aeroflot Ilyushin IL-96 en route from Goa India to Moscow Russia
    Where: Moscow
    When: Feb 16th 2012
    Who: 265 passengers
    Why: After making a safe landing at Moscow airport, while the plane was navigating the runway, its main gear went off the snowy runway.

    Passengers disembarked from the stranded plane on to terra firma via mobile stairs.

    There were no injuries. The plane had to be towed, tying up the runway until it was removed.

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    American Airlines Emergency Landing in NY


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

    What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Miami to New York
    Where: New York
    When: Feb 17th 2012
    Why: On approach to New York, the plane developed problems with the left engine and pilots shut down the engine.

    They made a safe landing with emergency services on stand-by.

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    Beechcraft Baron Crashes in Brazil killing 4

    What: Norte Táxi Aéreo Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron en route from Cametá to Baião
    Where: Cametá, PA Brazil
    When: Feb 16 2012, 10:00 am
    Who: 4 aboard, 4 fatalities
    Why: The Taxi service plane crashed not long after takeoff, killing the pilot, copilot and two security guards who worked transporting money for a bank. A fire ensued after the crash, and rescuers found the bodies were charred.

    The crash occurred a kilometer from the runway. The airport fire department team responded. Seripa (regional research and prevention of Aviation Accidents) is investigating.

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    Air Australia Passengers Stranded

    Brisbane’s budget airline Air Australia just announced that flights are canceled and there will be no more new bookings because it can’t pay its bills. The company is now in Australia’s version of bankruptcy protection (voluntary administration). A portion of 4000 passengers were left stranded in places like Phuket and Honolulu. Jetstar and Qantas are considering selling return seats to passengers. Passengers will likely be able to recoup their Air Australia purchase price through their credit card company. The airline has only been in operation for two months. 300 jobs were just lost if the business is unable to recover.

    In George’s Point of View


    Good for Air Australia. It’s the responsible thing to do.

    Frankly, it is better for the operators who are running short of cash to get out fast. Maybe this bankruptcy will uncover some well-heeled investors. If not, getting out fast is the right thing to do. A shortage of cash can result in scrimping where there is no room for cost-cutting, like maintenance, etc. Cash shortages can cause budget cuts that can too easily result in loss of life.

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    3 Lost when Cessna Crashes Mt Si, King County Washington

    What: Cessna 172
    Where: North Bend, Washington
    When: Feb 15, 2012
    Who: 3 fatalities
    Why: Around 2 a.m. a King County resident heard the sputtering engine of a plane in distress, and called in a 911. Deputies on foot patrol heard the sound of a crash in the same area. The FAA picked up the emergency beacon (transponder). Emergency teams were using portable emergency locator receivers to follow the beacon to find the crash site. At 4:15 a.m., the King County’s Guardian One helicopter crew with night vision goggles assisted in discovering the fuselage from a single-engine Cessna 172 near a sheer face of Little Si mountain. The bodies of three individuals were found by teams of rescue hikers traveling about a mile by foot from the local base of operations.

    Two men and a woman were found. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus said the flight was not in contact with ATC.

    Two of the three people killed in the small plane crash on Mount Si were swim coaches in King County. 31-year-old “Coach Seth” Dawson’s memorial was held Thursday night. Federal Way’s Decatur High School swim coach, Rob Hill was also killed in the crash, as well as Liz Redling. Hill was pursuing his commercial pilot’s license.

    There may have been ground fog at the time of the crash.


    View Larger Map

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    Thomas Cook Diverts Over Broken Radar Sys


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

    What: Thomas Cook Boeing 757-300 en route from Glasgow to Antalya
    Where: London
    When: Feb 15th 2012
    Why: The flight had taken off normally from Glasgow, but while en route, the weather radar system failed.

    The crew of flight MT-3614 notified London and were able to divert to Gatwick where they made a safe landing.

    One might say it was an overabundance of caution because weather radar might not be considered essential–but considering the distance covered and potential conditions en route and on landing in Antalya, it seems their caution was, in my opinion at least, justified.