Locale

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    American Airlines Jet Marooned in Abilene—for Eleven Hours


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

    What: American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 en route from Los Angeles to Dallas Texas
    Where: Abilene
    When: Aug 2 2011, 11:30 pm
    Who: 112 passengers
    Why: While en route, the engine developed problems. The pilot diverted the flight to Abilene, and made a safe landing. Mechanics inspected the engine. Some passengers waited in the airport, and others at local hotels. The replacement jet arrived 11 hours later.

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    Air India: False alarm?

    What: Air India Airbus en route from Delhi to Jammu
    Where: Delhi
    When: August 3, 2011
    Who: 122 passengers
    Why: After takeoff, the pilots noticed an emergency alert, and returned to Delhi where they made a safe landing. The plane was inspected, and the flight continued.

    In George’s Point of View


    This alert may be an indication of bad reportage, or bad aviation safety practices; I don’t know which, but it is one or the other. When there is an alert, reputable airlines usually go over the plane with a fine toothed comb until the problem is located.

    But according to reports, the alert was immediately determined to be false, and the plane went right back out to make the flight. Reputable airlines usually fly in a replacement plane to take over the flight so the plane with the problem is cleared.

    So. Either this plane was sent out too soon, without a thorough inspection. Remember, Air India has an acknowledged safety problem. Are they playing Russian roulette with their passengers’ safety?

    Or. The reportage does not make it clear that another plane was flown in.

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    American Airlines Engine Failure over Dallas Ft Worth (again)

    What: American Airlines MD 80 en route from Dallas Texas to Ontario, California
    Where: Dallas Fort Worth Airport
    When: July 26, 2011
    Who: 133 passengers, 5 crew
    Why: After eight minutes in the air, the plane indicated some kind of problem. Passengers reported hearing some kind of explosion. The crew confirmed this, declaring an emergency and reporting an engine failure.

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    American Airlines Emergency Landing in Dallas, Engine alert, Tire Pop

    What: American Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Dallas to Sao Paolo, Brazil
    Where: Dallas
    When: July 31, 2011
    Who: 264 passengers, 14 crew
    Why: Indicators convinced the pilots of Flight 963 that an engine caught on fire. The pilots returned to Dallas and landed the 777 safely. The brakes locked up and a tire blew out, but that kind of thing is not unusual for an overweight landing.

    Onlookers saw the flight dumping fuel, described as fuel streaming from its jets. If they were alarmed, just think how the passengers felt.

    In George’s Point of View


    At least they survived. For what they put the passengers through, what will the airline operator do? Will they hand out to the passengers a free drink voucher? A hundred dollar voucher for future use?
    I want to know.

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    Crash Magnet Park in Thailand: Kaeng Krachan National Park

    What: Thai army helicopter
    Where: Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchabhuri province, Thailand
    Who: 2 pilots, 1 soldier
    Why: Three choppers went down this month in Thailand:
    A Bell 212 in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchabhuri province with 2 pilots and one soldier killed, and one injured;

    Black hawk helicopter killed 9, crashing in a rainstorm in Kaeng Krachan National Park while searching for the wreckage of the first incident;

    Huey chopper in Kaeng Krachan National Park crashed while en route to pick up 5 officials who were investigating/arresting illegal loggers.

    In George’s Point of View


    We know it was most likely weather related, but one almost wonders if the loggers–or the trees–are anti-aircraft equipped.

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    Caribbean Airlines Boeing Crashes in Georgetown Guyana


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net

    What: Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-832(WL) en route from Trinidad to Timehri
    Where: Cheddi Jagan International Airport,SYCJ,Georgetown,Guyana
    When: July 30, 2011 1:30 am
    Who: 162 aboard 157 passengers, six crews
    Why: Landing in wet weather, the plane made a hard landing, overshot the runway 100 meters, smashed through a perimeter fence and on a perimeter road. It broke in two, the front section splitting ahead of the wing. There were 52 injuries who went to the hospital, 3 with serious injuries who were held over at the hospital, and no fatalities. The worst injury reported was a broken leg. The plane overshot the runway but stopped short of a ravine. Passengers smelled fuel, and opened a door, and climbed through to the wing and jumped down.

    The airport is closed, causing incoming flights to have to divert elsewhere.

    STATEMENT FROM CARIBBEAN AIRLINES
    Port-of-Spain, 30 July 2011, 17.00 HOURS local time: Caribbean Airlines BW523 en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Georgetown, Guyana was involved in an incident at the Cheddi Jaggan International Airport at approximately 1:32am today 30 July, 2011.
    There were 157 passengers and 6 crew members on board, all of whom were accounted for.
    A Caribbean Airlines team consisting of technical support staff and executives was dispatched immediately to the accident site to assist passengers, and to work with the local authorities in the emergency response and investigations. The Caribbean Airlines executive team and technical support staff are at the scene to offer full support to the injured in Georgetown. A relatives/customer assistance hotline has been established at our emergency centre in Piarco, and counselling is being provided to passengers and family members.
    A press conference was held earlier today in Georgetown just after midday. In attendance were Chairman- George M. Nicholas III, Head Corporate Communications- Mrs. Laura Asbjornsen, Vice President Operations – Captain Thomas Lawrence and Vice President Maintenance and Engineering – Mr Colville Carrington. It was confirmed that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority will be spearheading the investigation and will be assisted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S. and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).
    The team ensured that its CARE policy for affected passengers and crew was deployed in Georgetown. The airline has engaged the services of a company from the United States, together with regional personnel to implement in accordance with this policy.
    All enquiries related to this specific incident should be directed to:-
    Trinidad & Tobago: 1 868 669 2902
    United States: 1 800 786 3891
    Canada: 1 800 380 6057
    Caribbean: 1 800 744 6453
    The latest statements can also be accessed online at www.caribbean-airlines.com.
    Caribbean Airlines will continue to release information as it becomes available.
    The next press conference is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. local time at the AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport



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    Spanair JK5022: Final Report

    Update
    What: Spanair Flight JK5022, a 15-year-old MD-82 jet en route to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.
    Where: Madrid airport Terminal Four
    When: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 2:45pm
    Who: Carrying 166 passengers and nine crew, at the time of this writing, the number of fatalities had mounted to 154 people.
    Why: The jet swerved off the runway and caught fire during takeoff.

    The final report of Spanair Flight JK5022 was released, it claims that the pilots failed to deploy the flaps for takeoff. The report blames the crash on “pilot error.” The automated voice warning to alert the crew did not sound.

    Already more than one hour late, the flight experienced a technical issue with the plane (a sensor reporting excessive temperature in an air intake, and the temperature sensor was de-activated on the ground) that forced the first takeoff attempt to be aborted when there were failure signals taxiing away from the terminal. The aircraft was inspected and then tried to take-off for the second time, which ended in the crash.

    The National Transportation Safety Board said that “that the probable cause of the accident was the flightcrew’s failure to use the taxi checklist to ensure the flaps and slats were extended for takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the absence of electrical power to the airplane takeoff warning system which thus did not warn the flightcrew that the airplane was not configured properly for takeoff. The reason for the absence of electrical power could not be determined.”

    A similar disaster occurred in the Northwest Flight 255 in Detroit in 1987 when 154 people also died in an MD-82 due to incorrect flap settings.

    As a consequence, Spanair and McDonnell Douglas now require a TOWS* system check prior to every flight.

    The Interim Report is available here.

    Final report (Spanish).PDF

    *The Take Off Warning System is part of CAWS. TOWS provides alert warnings on the following components involved in the configuration of the aircraft for takeoff: Flaps, Slats, Brakes, Auto brake, Auto spoilers, Spoilers and Stabilizer Trim.

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    Fire in Cockpit Cancels Flight


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

    What: Egyptair Boeing 777-200 en route from Cairo Egypt to Jeddah Saudi Arabia
    Where: Cairo
    When: July 29 2011
    Who: 291 passengers, 7 hospitalized
    Why: After passengers boarded but before takeoff, the cockpit experienced a fire. Smoke leaked into the cabin, but luggage was intact.

    Passengers exited via sides, with five injuries resulting. Two firemen were hospitalized with smoke inhalation.

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    NTSB Press Release announces Asiana Investigation


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

    NTSB ASSISTS GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH KOREA IN AVIATION ACCIDENT

    Washington – The NTSB is dispatching a team of investigators to assist the government of South Korea in its investigation of the crash of Asiana flight 991, a Boeing 747-400F cargo airplane.

    On July 28, 2011 at about 4:12 a.m. local time, the airplane, en route from Seoul Incheon International Airport to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, People’s Republic of China, crashed into the East China Sea about 70 miles west of Jeju Island, South Korea, after the flight crew reportedly declared an emergency due to an in-flight fire. The two pilots are believed to have been killed.

    The NTSB has designated air safety investigator John Lovell as the traveling U.S. Accredited Representative. Mr. Lovell will be assisted by an NTSB Operational Factors investigator and advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
    and Boeing.

    The investigation is being conducted by the Korea Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB), which will release all information. The ARAIB phone number is: +82-2-6096-1030 / Fax: +82-2-6090-1031 and its email address is: webmaster@araib.go.kr.

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    Yemenia Flight 626, Comoros, Updated

    The BEA sent this letter to the president of the Inquiry committee, the Ministries of Communications of Moroni, New technology, Transportation and tourism (Loosely translated. For the original, click the link below the letter):

    Re: Yemenia Flight 626
    Monsieur President,

    I have read the first progress report on flight IY626 that crashed June 29, 2009 during the landing procedure at the airport in Moroni. This report is dated June 25, 2011 but has not, to my knowledge been released to date.

    This report contains the facts that for the most part, were already available three months after the accident.

    However, the BEA addressed you in May 2010 regarding the publication of a progress report in the context of the first anniversary of the accident. This note has been taken into consideration after a year.

    No action improving safety of flights has been recommended by your Commission which is the Commission’s responsibility.

    I recall that France, through the intermediary of BEA, has been deeply involved in this investigation. The underwater research was funded by France for $ 3 M.

    The fact that the commission has not yet begun to use the information collected from its recorders, two years after reading them. This is inacceptible.

    I urge you that the investigation that you lead henceforth be conducted with diligence and in accordance with international provisions.

    I would be grateful for the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry to please ensure that is has established a plan to lead to the publication of a final report within the best times.

    In the meantime, I urge you to accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

    Director of the BEA
    Jean-Paul Troadec

    lettre.commission.d.enquete.comorienne.

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    Safety Investigation into Air France Flight 447

    The BEA has released the following document:

    Safety Investigation into the accident on 1 June 2009 to the Airbus A330-203, flight AF447 which we have available in English as a PDF

    This Interim report comes about after the readout of the flight recorders and breaks down the flight into three phases related to the CVR, autopilot and stall warning.

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    Air Canada Returns to Sydney after Smoke Aboard

    What: Air Canada Boeing 777 en route from Sydney to Toronto
    Where: Sydney
    When: Jul 27 2011
    Who: 262 passengers
    Why: The plane was en route when crew members smelled smoke in the aft galley. The pilots turned around and returned to Sydney where they made a safe landing.

    Initial reports indicated fire but no fire was found. No injures were reported, and there was no need for Emergency services who were on standby as they were landing.

    Crews are examining the plane.

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    Asiana Cargo Jet Lost at Sea



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

    What: Asiana Boeing 747-400 Cargo plane en route from South Korea’s Incheon International Airport and to Pudong China
    Where: southern resort island of Jeju, South Korea
    When: July 27, 2011 3:05am local time
    Who: two people
    Why: At 7600 feet, the crew reported control problems, and the aircraft’s transponder transmitted the emergency code. Sixty-seven minutes after takeoff, the crew reported fire in the cargo hold and lost contact with ATC. They were planning to divert to Jeju, but instead the plane crashed off of Jeju island. There were strong winds at the time of the plane’s disappearance. The captain was 51 and the first officer was 44; and pilot, Choi Sang-ki, and co-pilot, Lee Jung-woong are still missing.

    One wing of the plane has been recovered, then the rest of the wreckage was found by a coast guard patrol boat 67 miles west of Jeju city. The 58 tons of cargo included amino acid solution, synthetic resin, lithium batteries, paint and other potentially dangerous material. A search for the black boxes is ongoing.

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    Ash Cloud Buenos Aires

    The eruption of Mt Puyehue Cordon Caulle volcano in Chile spewing volcanic ash is continuing to disrupt flights across Australia, New Zealand and South America.

    The second week of eruptions of the Puyehue volcano in southern Chile’s Andes mountains is alarming authorities who anticipate the ash cloud will cause further flight delays as it lingers in the atmosphere. All flights from Buenos Aires are suspended. Flying through the ash cloud damages engines.

    The airspace over Perth and Tasmania are also being affected by the ash plume.

    Some flight services across the Tasman Sea also remain suspended.

    Flight delays are still being experienced across South America including Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.

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    Moroccan AF Plane Down, 80 fatalities


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

    What: Royal Moroccan Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules CNA-OQ en route from Dakhla Western Sahara to Goulimime Airport, Morocco (Flight global released the route as Agadir-Eyes-Dakhla)
    Where: 6.3 miles East of Goulimime (Guelmim)Airport,Morocco
    When: 26 JUL 2011 at 9 a.m.
    Who: 80 aboard, (9 crew, 71 passengers) 80 fatalities
    Why: The Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane was in a mountainous area near Goulimime/Guelmim when it crashed into a mountain and was destroyed. The flight originated at Dakhla Airport, and was scheduled to land in Kenitra with scheduled landing in Goulimime.

    Eighty occupants were killed; most were members of the Moroccan Armed Forces. The airplane carried nine crew members, 60 troops (including 9 RMAF flight crew) and 12 civilians. It operated on a flight from Dakhla to Kinitra with an en route stop at Goulimime.

    Sixty troops were aboard, and a dozen civilians. According to some reports, there were three survivors; other reports say there were no survivors. Three survived the crash, but not the ride to the hospital. The remains have been taken to the military hospital at Guelmin.

    Initially, the flight was reported as carrying 81, but one person did not board in Laayoune.

    The crash has been attributed to inclement conditions.

    Three days of national mourning were declared by King Mohammed VI.





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    Russia: Mi-8 helicopter Crashes, Killing 3, Two Survivors

    What: Mi-8 helicopter
    Where: Billings, Chukotka region Russia
    When: July 25 2011
    Who: 5 passengers, 3 fatalities
    Why: On a standard operational flight on the Chukotka border, the Mi-8 helicopter developed engine problems and then one engine shut down. The pilot lost control of the helicopter and it crashed in Kamchatka, and caught on fire on impact.

    Doctors and paramedics were flown in to the site.

    One crew member and two passengers died on the scene. There were two survivors, the crew commander and the co-pilot.

    THe chopper is reported by news agencies as belonging to a local airline.

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    Vegas Diversion

    What: United Airlines en route from New York to Los Angeles
    Where: McCarran International Airport
    When: July 23, 2011 1:30 pm
    Who: 111 passengers
    Why: While en route, a light indicated a mechanical emergency, leading the crew to divert to Los Angeles. They made a safe landing at McCarran International Airport.

    Firefighters said there was a problem with the cooling equipment.

    The plane’s departure was delayed.

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    Sun Express Vibration and Hydraulic Failure in Antalya


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

    What: Sunexpress Boeing 737-800 en route from Antalya Turkey to Aarhus Denmark
    Where: Antalya
    When: July 14 2011
    Who: 180 passengers
    Why: While en route, the plane developed vibration.

    The crew returned to Anatalya and made a safe landing. The issue was reported by official spokesmen as being a hydraulic problem (hydraulic pump failure), although a hydraulic problems would not cause vibration.

    Passengers were provided an alternative flight.

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    Antwerp Cargo Flight Cancelled by Fire Indication


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

    What: Air France/Cityjet Fokker 50 en route from Antwerp to Manchester
    Where: Antwerp
    When: July 20 2011
    Why: On takeoff out of Antwerp the flight developed complications.

    The crew made an emergency landing, due to a cargo fire alarm, and the flight
    was cancelled.

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    American Eagle Succumbs to Emergency Landing in Yampa.

    What: American Eagle Embraer ERJ-135 en route from Denver CO to Los Angeles
    Where: Hayden
    When: July 19 2011
    Who: 36 passengers and 3 crew
    Why: While en route, the crew detected an electrical odor. They reported the issue to ATC.

    The flight made a safe landing at Yampa Valley Airport. Maintenance is examining the plane.

    Passengers were provided bus transportation to Denver where they were provided alternative flights.

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    Mesa Makes Emergency Landing in South Bend


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

    What: Mesa Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 en route from Portland to Chicago
    Where: South Bend
    When: July 22 2011
    Who: 57 passengers
    Why: Some time after taking off from Portland, the flight developed hydraulic issues. The pilots diverted to South bend, and made a safe landing.

    Passengers were provided transport to Chicago via bus.

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    Kingfisher runs out of Gas

    What: Kingfisher en route from Colombo
    Where: Chennai
    When: July 19, 2011
    Who: 132 passengers, 6 crew
    Why: While en route, the plane ran out of gas. The pilot was supposed to circle the airport but that was not possible.

    The pilot explained his situation and ATC gave him permission to land although the runway was closed for maintenance work. Mintainers were informed of the landing and cleared the runway.

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    Private Chopper Crashes Carrying Australian Concrete Entrepreneur

    What: DAVCRON PTY LTD Bell 206
    Where: South Turramurra, Sydney Australia
    When: July 22, 2011
    Who: 2 fatalities
    Why: While on a routine flight from Rosehill to the owner’s hanger in Wyee, the bell chopper crashed north of Sydney while flying in a heavy downpour. The wreckage was spread in a hundred meter area at the foot of a cliff in Lane Cove National Park. The pilot and passenger were confirmed dead. Emergency services could only reach by rappelling down. Recovery has been postponed till the weekend because of continued bad weather.

    Witnesses say they may have seen something fly off the back of the helicopter and one witness said the helicopter was upside down when it fell. Descriptions of the troubled helicopter included “clattering” and “explosion.”

    Initially the victims of the crash were not known, but their names have been released. The bodies of pilot Colin Greenwood, 35 and 85 year old Businessman Bruce Campbell were found in the wreckage.

    Officials say the pilot had filed a flight plan although it was not required.

    Campbell founded Davcron Engineering Pty Ltd and owned the chopper which regularly on Fridays flew him to his semi-rural home. Campbell has three sons and is a grandfather of five.

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    Tam Airbus Diverts to Miami


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

    What: TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A330-200 en route from Orlando,FL to Sao Paulo Brazil
    Where: Miami
    When: July 19th 2011
    Why: While en route, the odor of smoke was detected.

    The crew diverted the flight to Miami where they made a safe landing less than half an hour after smoke was detected.

    Seven hours later, hopefully after a good inspection, the flight continued to Sao Paulo.

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    Waterford Pilot Crashes by Williams Lake

    What: 1946 Piper J3C-65 Cub
    Where: Waterford Township
    When: July 19, 2011 7:10 p.m.
    Who: pilot
    Why: The pilot was attempting to make a lake landing with the single engine seaplane when he hit trees near Ideal Terrace and crashed in a field near Williams Lake. The pilot managed to avoid houses in the area, but was injured in the crash with severe injuries to his neck and cuts on his legs.