Locale

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    Sao Jose do Rio: Tam Hits the Fence


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

    What: TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A319-100 from Sao Paulo to Sao Jose do Rio
    Where: Sao Jose do Rio
    When: Aug 5th 2010
    Who: 137 people on board,
    Why: Before touching down, the crew reported technical problems. A hundred meters before the runway threshold, they landed onto grass, damaged a perimeter fence, and had a flat, but managed to taxi to the gate. There were no injuries. An alternate plane will be provided for the next leg of the journey.

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    Fake Boeing Disaster at Harare Airport

    Although the head of Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority David Chawota confirmed with the BBC: “I can confirm that a 767 plane coming from London has had an accident at Harare airport,” the whole thing was a drill with paid actors.

    BBC’s Brian Hungwa reported seeing a large plume of smoke and helicopters over the runway.

    Apparently no one but a chosen few were informed it was a drill. Apparently seeing what the media would do was part of the Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority’s “exercise.”

    George’s Point of View

    Maybe I’m out of line here, but it seems to me a drill is supposed to test responses in-house.

    The fire drill at a school, for example, involves firemen arriving and evaluating the response time of those endangered.

    But if someone at the school sets off an alarm to see what would happen, or calls 911…they’re criminally liable. Okay, well maybe they were testing emergency services which for the CAA might be considered in house.

    But testing the media? Allowing the news to go out to the media that there was a disaster? As someone who deals with people suffering horrible loss from disasters that are real, this sounds more like a cruel joke than a drill. I wonder what the IATA and ICAO will have to say about this. At the very least, it is unethical.

    Chawota said “This was a usual drill for the period. We do this once every three years. This was for the benefit of our police personnel, security, aviation, medics, hospital — everyone was involved. This exercise helps the general preparedness of our facilities here.”

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    Brussels Airlines Flight Diverts to Luxembourg


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

    What: Brussels Airlines Avro RJ-85 EN ROUTE from Milan to Brussels
    Where: Basel Switzerland
    When: Aug 2nd 2010
    Why: While en route, the flight developed cabin pressurization problems. The crew decided to divert to Luxembourg where they made a safe landing. No indication is provided as to the source of the issue.

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    Russian Passenger jet Crashes in Igarka


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

    What: Katekavia Antonov 24RV passenger jet en route from Krasnoyarsk to Igarka
    Where: Eastern Siberia
    When: August 2 2010
    Who: 3 crew and 11 passengers (also listed as 5 crew 10 passengers)
    Why: 700 meters from the landing at Igarka, the plane the plane veered to right and crashed before the runway, in bad weather conditions. (Night time landing, thunderstorms, limited visibility) 11 fatalities have been reported. The plane shattered and caught fire.

    Three crew members and one passengers were hospitalized initially–the only ones pulled alive from the plane– but now only 3 crew members remain fighting for their lives.

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    PIA Engine Vibration Cancels Flight


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

    What: Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747 en route from Karachi to Islamabad
    Where: Karachi
    When: Aug 2nd 2010
    Who: 215 passengers
    Why: After take off, the pilot detected a vibration in the left engine and returned to the airport to make a safe landing. The origin of the engine vibration may be the bird strike that occurred on July 30.

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    Washington Headquarters Press Release: Mexico

    For Immediate Release
    July 30, 2010
    Contact: Sasha Johnson or Laura Brown
    Phone: sasha.j.johnson@faa.gov or laura.j.brown@faa.gov

    FAA Finds Mexico Does Not Meet ICAO Safety Standards

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Mexico is not in compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the United States is downgrading Mexico from a Category 1 to Category 2 rating.

    As part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or have applied to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations. With the IASA Category 2 rating, Mexican air carriers cannot establish new service to the United States, although they are allowed to maintain existing service.

    While Mexico has been responsive to the FAA’s findings and has made significant improvements in recent months, it was unable to fully comply with all of the international safety standards. However, under the leadership of Director General Hector Gonzalez Weeks, Mexico continues to make progress. The FAA is committed to working closely with the Mexican government and providing technical assistance to help Mexico regain its Category 1 rating.

    A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.

    Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

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    Swiss Airbus with Wonky Electrics Diverts to Shannon


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

    What: Swiss Airbus A340-300 en route from Miami to Zurich
    Where: Atlantic Ocean
    When: Jul 30th 2010
    Who: 227 passengers
    Why: Three/fourths of an hour out of Shannon, the flight developed various electrical problems with the circuit breakers affecting cabin lighting and the inflight entertainment system. With cabin lighting off, they diverted to Shannon, where the flight made a safe landing.

    Passengers were provided alternative flights, albeit not on several different planes.

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    Alitalia Bird Strike on Rumanian Runway


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

    What: Alitalia Airbus A320-200 en route from Bucharest Romania to Rome
    Where: Bucharest
    When: Jul 31st 2010
    Who: 92 passengers
    Why: The Alitalia Airbus rejected takeoff after one engine ingested a hawk. The plane returned to the gate and after passengers disembarked, they were provided accommodations until the replacement flight takes off tomorrow.

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    Transaero Engine Fire


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

    What: Transaero Airlines Boeing 767-200 en route from St. Petersburg to Larnaca
    Where: Larnaca
    When: Jul 31st 2010
    Why: On landing, the engine was found to be on fire. The engine was shut down, and on board measures were inadequate to suppress the flame. Emergency services succeeded in putting out the fire. The plane was towed off the runway.

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    Mangalore Public Notification

    COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT TO B737-800 AIRCRAFT VT-AXV ON 22.05.2010 AT MANGALORE AIRPORT

    An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-AXV met with an accident at Bajpe Airport, Mangalore on 22nd May 2010, while operating a scheduled flight IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore, resulting in tragic death of 152 passengers and 6 crew members.

    A Court of Inquiry has been ordered by the Government of India, vide Notification No AV.15013/02/2010-DG dated 3rd June, 2010. As per the notification, the Headquarters of the Court of Inquiry will be at New Delhi. The court is required to submit its report by 31st August, 2010.

    Constitution of the Court of Inquiry: –

    The court consists of the following: –

    (a) Air Marshal (Retd) BN Gokhale : Chairman
    (b) Capt Ron Nagar : Assessor
    (c) Shri SS Nat : Assessor
    (d) Shri Babu Peter : Assessor
    (e) Shri Gurcharan Bhatura : Assessor
    (f) Shri SN Dwivedi :Secretary to the Court

    A brief Bio-data of each member of the Court of Inquiry is given below: –

    Air Marshal BN Gokhale

    Air Marshal BN Gokhale PVSM AVSM VM (Retd) was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 1968. He has flown over 3500 hours on various fighter and trainer aircraft and has taken active part in 1971 operations. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader from the prestigious Tactics and Combat Development Establishment. During his illustrious career, he has held several operational and staff appointments, He has commanded a frontline
    fighter squadron during the Siachen Operations. He has been Chief Operations Officer of an operational base and has also commanded a premier air base. Air Marshal Gokhale has been an Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College and Inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. He has had assignments abroad which include Flying Instructor in Iraq and Indian Defence Advisor in Embassy of India, Cairo. Apart from being a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, he is an Alumnus of Air War College, USA and a Fellow of Aeronautical Society of India.

    He has served as Air Advisor to the Chief of Air Staff, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of IAF Training Command, Bengaluru, prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of Air Staff. On retirement as the VCAS in Dec 2007 he has been appointed as Scientific Consultant to the Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India. He is also appointed as Consultant to DRDO and National Security Council.

    Captain Ron Nagar

    Capt Ron Nagar is the Senior Vice President (Flight Operations and Training) with King Fisher Airlines Pvt. Ltd.

    He is an accomplished pilot with 37 years of experience in Flight Operations wherein he has been Executive Director (Safety) and Chief Executive (Training) at Indian Airlines. He has been a Training Captain for 30 years, a TRE (Examiner) on Boeing 737,Airbus A320 family and HS 748.

    He has participated in several international seminars and training courses, related Human Factors, Aviation Security, IOSA awareness, Aircraft accident prevention, Emergency Response and Crisis communication. He was also a Simulator instructor and has evaluated Simulators.
    Shri SS Nat

    Shri SS Nat, Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation, India (Retd) is a Type-rated Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence holder with rich experience in Civil Aviation. He has successfully completed DGCA approved Maintenance Training on Heavy Aircraft and Jet Engines.

    He has worked for about 30 years in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India in various capacities and retired as Deputy Director General in 2006. He was Head of Airworthiness Wing of DGCA from 1996 to 2004. He has been associated in the formation of various Civil Aviation Requirements during his tenure with DGCA.

    He has also carried out Audits, Surveillance inspections and Surprise Checks on Scheduled, Charter and General Aviation operators during his tenure with DGCA to ensure compliance of regulatory requirements.

    He was a member of the initial stage accident investigation Team for the crash of Alliance Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft at Patna on 17 July 2000.
    Shri Babu Peter

    He is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from Regional Engineering College Calicut, Kerala. He joined Air India as a Graduate Engineer in 1971, and has worked as a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance
    Engineer over 25 years. He holds valid licenses on several Boeing and Airbus aircraft and their Engines.

    He was the Director of Engineering Air India from 2002 to 2004 and the Director of Engine Overhaul in Air India from 2004 to 2005. He later moved over to Indian Airlines as Functional Director and Board Member and retired from Indian Airlines in 2006.

    He is presently working as Executive Vice President Engineering in GoAir. He is also a Fellow of Aeronautical Society of India and was the Chairman of Academic Committee in the year 2008-09. In the past he has also been Assessor to the Court of Inquiry in to two aircraft accidents in the past. Boeing 737 accident at Palam, in 1995 and Dornier 228 accident in Kochi.

    Shri Gurcharan Bhatura

    Shri Gurcharan Bhatura specializes in Air Traffic Management and Airport Operations. After completing the ab-initio programme for Air Traffic Controller, he started his career at Delhi airport and acquired all the possible ratings. Director General Civil Aviation appreciated his services when he saved a Boeing 747 aircraft from landing on a wrong runway at Delhi Airport. Subsequently he specialised in airport operations and held the position of Airport Director at Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai airports. He is also recognized for his analytical abilities and management skills. Prior to his retirement in 2005, he was Executive Director in AAI.

    A fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, he is presently Director General of Foundation for Aviation and Sustainable Tourism – a think tank in Civil Aviation. With 42 year long association with Civil Aviation Industry, he has written several well-researched articles on related subjects.
    Shri SN Dwivedi

    Shri S N Dwivedi is Graduate in Electrical Engineering and Post Graduate in Management. Presently, he is working as Director of Airworthiness at DGCA Hqrs., New Delhi and has vast experience in Civil Aviation Department since 1986 till date. During his service in Civil Aviation Department, he has completed the various professional and technical courses covering Heavy Aircraft and Jet Engines including Boeing 737 and Airbus A – 320 aircraft.

    Shri S N Dwivedi has been involved in Court of Inquiries for investigation of the following aircraft accidents:

    ? Indian Airlines Boeing 737-200 Aircraft VT-ECS accident on 2nd December, 1995 at IGI Airport, Palam, New Delhi, headed by Air Marshal (Retd.) JK Seth, PVSM, AVSM, VM.

    ? Archana Airways LET – 410 Aircraft VTC accident on 11th July, 1996 at Kullu, headed by Air Marshal (Retd.) S Ramdas, PVSM, AVSM, VM.

    ? High level inquiry committee into escalator accident on 13th December, 1999 at IGI Airport, Palam, New Delhi, headed by Shri RC Jain, IAS (Retd.)

    ? Alliance Air Boeing 737-200 Aircraft VT-EGD accident on 17th July, 2000 at Patna Airport, headed by Air Marshal P Rajkumar, PVSM, AVSM, VM.

    Convening of the Court:

    On the very next day of the Government Notification, the court convened on 4th June, 2010. The Court took stock of the situation and available information. The Chairman along with all the members met the officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding some of the administrative arrangements.

    Investigation Process:

    In an accident of such a nature, the DGCA appoints an Inspector of Accident immediately. This is done to take stock of all the activities relating to accident till the Court of Inquiry is instituted by the Government of India. The Inspector of Accident is required to submit his reports giving his observations / findings to the Court of Inquiry constituted by the Government of India. Thereafter, the Court of Inquiry takes over the charge of accident investigation.

    Senior officers of DGCA reached Mangalore on 22nd May, 2010 itself for a first hand appraisal. The search for Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) known as ‘Black Box’ was initiated. CVR records the conversation of the flight crew among themselves and with ATC including any sound in the cockpit. DFDR records various parameters of the aircraft, engines and their systems. CVR and DFDR were recovered from the wreckage with the outer casing damaged due to heavy fire and impact during accident. However, the data storage module appeared to be intact. Since suitable facility to retrieve the data from partially damaged CVR and DFDR do not exist in our country, the Court of Inquiry decided to carry out decoding of these recorders at the facility of M/s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Washington DC, USA.

    Visit to the Accident Site:

    The members of the Court of Inquiry visited Mangalore airport and the accident site from 7th to 9th June, 2010. The members of the court observed two minutes silence to pray for the departed souls at the crash site.

    The members of the Court of Inquiry met with Emergency Response Team which took part in the post crash Search and Rescue (SAR) operation; and heard their observations of the fateful day. The court visited ATC Tower, Area Control, Fire Station, and Meteorological Office and met the personnel who were on duty on the day of the accident. The court also met and interacted with the officials of District
    Civil Administration, City Police, City Fire Service, District Health Administration and Air India Express personnel at the airport, who were involved in the post accident search and rescue operation.

    The Court also visited the city hospitals where two of the eight survivors are undergoing treatment. The Court interacted with the team of doctors treating them in the hospitals. The survivors narrated their experiences to the Court.

    Interaction with Key personnel of M/s Air India Express:

    The Court visited the facilities of M/s Air India Express at Mumbai and met its key officials in the evening of 9th June, 2010. The Air India Express officials made presentations regarding their Organisational Structure, Flight Operations, Maintenance and other facilities including Emergency Response Plans.

    Brief of Boeing 737-800 aircraft:

    Boeing 737-800 aircraft is an upgraded version of Boeing 737 aircraft family. The passenger seating capacity of this aircraft is 186 and is manned by 2 operating and 4 cabin crew. Its maximum take off weight is 77110 Kg. The aircraft is powered with two CFM-56 Jet Engines. The Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) of the ill-fated aircraft is 36333, Line No. 2481 and it was manufactured during the year 2008. This Boeing 737-800 aircraft was delivered to Air India Express during January, 2008. This aircraft had accumulated 7189 Flight Hours and 2829 Landings, till the date of accident.

    Brief of the Crew-members:

    The Commander of the ill-fated aircraft was Capt Glusica Zlatko , of Serbian origin and British Nationality paired with First Officer HS Ahluwalia, an Indian National, as co-pilot. There were four cabin crew members namely Miss Sujata Survase, Miss Tejal Anil Kumar Kamulkar, Mr Yugantar Rana and Mr Mohammad Ali.

    Capt Glusica Zlatko had a total experience of about 10,200 Flying Hours, out of which, he had total Command Experience of about 7630 Flying Hours. He had flown about 2770 Flying Hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) on Boeing 737 aircraft. He was examined by the DGCA and issued with authorization called Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA) to operate Indian registered aircraft.

    First Officer HS Ahluwalia had a total flying experience of about 3650 hours. He had flown about 3350 hours as Co-pilot on Boeing 737 aircraft and operated 66 flights to Mangalore Airport.

    Synopsis of the accident:

    Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-AXV was operating scheduled Flight No IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore on 22nd May, 2010 with 160 passengers and 6 crew members on board. This aircraft was given clearance to land on runway 24 by the Mangalore Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower. However, during landing, the aircraft departed the paved surface including the Runway End Safety Area (RESA). The right wing impacted the localizer structure at the end of the RESA. Thereafter, the aircraft hit the boundary fence, fell into the gorge and caught fire. Due to impact and fire, the aircraft was destroyed. In this tragic accident, 152 passengers and 6 crew members lost their lives. Seven passengers sustained serious injuries and one person escaped with minor bruises.

    Rescue Operations:

    The rescue operation was initiated by the officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI). AAI and Air India Express were assisted by the officials of District Administration. Local population was involved in the rescue operation In full force and their involvement was appreciated by all concerned. The survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Thereafter, Volunteers of Air India Emergency Response Team, commonly known as Air India Angels, worked tirelessly to provide succour to the injured and to the bereaved families.

    Analysis of CVR and DFDR:

    A team consisting of three members of the Court of Inquiry left for Washington DC, USA from 21st to 25th June, 2010 for analysis and decoding of the CVR and DFDR at the facilities of M/s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Government of United States of America. All the activities were carried out under strict supervision of the Court of Inquiry.

    The data recovered from these Recorders is being analysed by the Court along with other material evidence.

    Notification:

    A notification is being published in the News Papers inviting any information or evidence on this accident. Such information should reach the court by 20th July 2010 by Post, Fax or e-mail as per the details given below:

    Shri SN Dwivedi
    The Secretary to the Court of Inquiry – Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT- AXV accident at Mangalore
    Office of DGCA, Technical Centre,
    Opposite Safdarjung Airport,
    New Delhi 110003

    Tel. 011 24611357

    Fax. 011 24692374

    e-mail coi.voml@gmail.com
    coivoml.moca@nic.in
    sndwivedi@hotmail.com

    Public Hearing:

    The Court also plans to hold Public Hearings at Mangalore and Delhi for the convenience of those who wish to participate in the deliberations. Dates and Venue of these Public Hearings will be notified at a later date.

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    Twinstar Engine Failure


    Pictured: A Diamond Aircraft Industries Diamond DA-42 Twin Star, Farnborough England
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Rez Manzoori

    What: Diamond Twinstar en route from Jersey to Vendee France
    Where: Jersey Airport
    When: July 30 2010 1220 BST
    Who: Pilot
    Why: While en route, the plane developed engine trouble. The pilot returned to Jersey Airport, made a safe landing, and was towed to the gate.

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    Another AIRBUS smoke alarm


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Malcolm J.Bezzina

    What: Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 en route from Frankfurt to Dallas
    Where: Frankfurt
    When: Jul 29th 2010
    Why: After takeoff, smoke was detected in the cockpit. The returned to Frankfort where they made a safe landing, by which time (less than a half hour later) the smoke was gone. A replacement flight was provided. The cause of the smoke has either not been determined or not been released.

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    Manchester: Flybe “Precautionary” Landing


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

    What: Flybe de Havilland Dash 8-400 en route from Manchester to Bournemouth
    Where: Manchester
    When: Jul 25 2010
    Who: 40 passengers
    Why: While en route, the pilot announced to the passengers they were undergoing a technical problem. That problem worsened, and eventually necessitated shutting down one engine and returning to Manchester. Passengers were provided a flight to Southampton, and a bus to Bournemouth.

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    Airblue Crash in Pakistan


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact Gary Culpan

    On 28 July 2010 after taking off from Karachi at 0241 UTC (0741 PST)on a domestic flight to Islamabad, Airblue Flight 202 (AP-BJB), an Airbus A321, executed a circling approach for RWY-12 at Islamabad, crashed into the Margalla Hills nine and a half miles north-east of Islamabad apparently due to bad weather. One hundred and forty-six people were aboard, and six crew. One hundred forty-six passengers and all six crew members died. The plane was a total loss. It is the first fatal accident involving an Airbus A321 and Pakistan’s worst air disaster.

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    Lufthansa Freighter Splits and Burns


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

    What: Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 freighter
    Where: King Khaled International Airport, Riyadh
    When: July 27 2010
    Who: piloted by 2 German crewmembers
    Why: Observers report seeing smoke coming from the plane as it approached the runway. On landing, the plane burst into flames in the mid-section where the hull broke. The plane split in two and collapsed.

    The pilot and copilot have been hospitalized. No deaths are reported, but the plane is a total loss. It was carrying 80 tons of freight.

    The Lufthansa press release on the crash is titled “Lufthansa Cargo plane crash in Riyadh, 27 Jul 2010.”

    “According to the latest reports, a Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 freighter crashed this morning at 11.38 a.m. (local time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft, coded Flight LH 8460, was on a flight to Riyadh from Frankfurt, Germany. The plane was piloted by a two-man crew, according to initial reports. Both pilots are being treated in hospital. On board Flight LH 8460 were 80 tonnes of freight. It is not yet known exactly what type of freight it was or which customers are affected. The cause of the accident is still being investigated. At the moment, we have no further details. We will communicate any further information immediately. Updates are also available at www.lufthansa-cargo.com.

    The next press release will be published at 2 p.m. CET.”

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    India: Boeing Completes Final Design Review for P-8I

    SEATTLE, July 26, 2010 — Boeing on July 16 successfully completed the final design review (FDR) for P-8I, India’s long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The P-8I, based on the Boeing 737 commercial airplane, is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy.

    Completion of the FDR locks in the design for the aircraft, radar, communications, navigation, mission computing, acoustics and sensors, as well as the ground and test support equipment. It also paves the way for the program to begin assembling the first P-8I aircraft.

    “For P-8I, we are incorporating not only India-unique design features, but also India-built subsystems, so this agreement that the design addresses all customer requirements is a huge milestone,” said Leland Wight, P-8I program manager for Boeing. “It also leads us to the program’s next stage: We are on track to start fabricating the P-8I’s empennage section before the end of this year.”

    During the five-day FDR held in Renton, Wash., Indian Navy officers met with Boeing representatives from Defense, Space & Security and Commercial Airplanes to review relevant design information and performance against specifications.

    “The P-8I’s unique capabilities are tailored to India’s maritime-patrol requirements. It has the reach and capability to defend India’s vast coastline and maritime waters,” said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country lead, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

    Boeing will deliver the first P-8I to India within 48 months of the original contract signing, which took place in January 2009. India is the first customer for the P-8 outside the United States.

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    Lethbridge Jet Crash

    What: Canadian air force CF-18 Hornet
    Where: Lethbridge County Airport
    When: July 23, 2010
    Who: pilot Capt. Brian Bews
    Why: Practicing for the Alberta International Air Show, the 419 Moose Squadron
    jet olled right and nosedived, sputtered and emitted smoke, before the jet exploded in flames. The pilot ejected from the plane, and survived with minor injuries. The one other hornet in the show may or may not perform in the airshow.

  • | |

    Louisiana plane crash

    What: Southern Seaplane
    Where: BELLE CHASSE, La in Plaquemines Parish Oak river
    When: July 24 2010.
    Who: Instructor and student pilot
    Why: While the student pilot and teacher were practicing touch-and-go landings near Delacroix Island, the small plane encountered wind shear, causing it to flip over. The pilot and student on-board were on board. Two men out boating were flagged down by the instructor pilot Lyle Panepinto, 51, who survived the crash and was standing on the pontoons of the overturned plane. The student pilot, Jeffrey Wallace Dickson of Cumming, Ga, who for the U.S. Department of Interior, was trapped inside in the marsh and was taken directly to the hospital where he was declared dead.

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    S African Helicopter Crash, 7 lost


    Pictured: A SAPS
    MBB BO-105CBS-4
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Lonell Swatton

    What: South African Police Service MBB-BK 117-B1 Helicopter
    Where: Open field about 4km from Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa
    When: 23-JUL-2010
    Who: 7 fatalities
    Why: 5 National Intervention Unit police officers, a pilot and a crew member died in a crash whose details are sketchy. The helicopter was one of two that were en route to assist local police in Witbank where armed thieves had just robbed a local supermarket. One helicopter arrived safely and ended up in a gun battle. The other, according to witnesses, exploded in mid-air and crashed.

    Paramedics from ER24 were dispatched to an open field where the helicopter was already burned beyond recognition.

    A piece of the tail was found 150 meters from the wreckage.

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    Gulf Air Flight Diverts to Beirut


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

    What: Gulf Air Airbus A319-100 en route from Athens Greece to Bahrain
    Where: Beirut Lebanon Rafik Hariri International Airport
    When: Jul 20th 2010
    Who: 101 passengers
    Why: While en route at an altitude of 36000 feet, the plane developed a crack in the right windshield and diverted to Bahrain. They made a safe landing at 9:43 pm. Passengers are expecting at least a 24 hour delay.

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    Shandong Airlines Emergency Landing


    Pictured: A Shandong Airlines – SDA Boeing 737-8AL in Kunming – Wujiaba (KMG / ZPPP) China, June 30, 2010
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer AnHz

    What: Shandong Airlines flight SC4981 en route from Xiamen in Fujian Province to Jinan in Shandong Province
    Where: Linyi Airport
    When: July 19 2010
    Who: 163 passengers and 10 crew
    Why: During a violent thunder and lightening storm, pilots noticed cracks in the outer pane of the cockpit windshield and diverted to Linyi airport. Passengers disembarked safely, and the airport provided hot water and VIP waiting room services until they were able to transfer to another plane at 10.

    A passenger claimed the plane’s window was damaged by a lightning strike, which is denied by airport officials. The cockpit window was replaced although the cause of breakage was unclear. Cabin pressure was not affected.

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    China Southern 737 Loses Air Pressure

    What: China Southern Boeing 737-300 en route from Kunming to Zhengzhou
    Where: en route
    When: Jul 17th 2010
    Who: 130 passengers
    Why: After takeoff and reaching cruise level, cabin pressure was lost. Oxygen masks were deployed, and the flight returned to Kunming where it made a safe landing. Twenty passengers were hospitalized with ear pain.

    A replacement flight was provided six hours later.

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    All Nippon Airways Fuel Leak

    What: ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300 en route from London to Tokyo
    Where: en route (halfway)
    When: Jul 20th 2010
    Who: 249 passengers and 17 crew
    Why: While en route, about halfway to their destination, the pilot detected one engine burning fuel faster. The crew d to continued on to Tokyo, eventually shutting down the left engine prior to making a safe landing.

    Maintenance did discover a fuel pipe leak.