Landing

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    Bad Day for Air Europa Flaps


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

    What: Air Europa Boeing 737-800 en route from Madrid,SP to Lanzarote,CI
    Where: Lanzarote
    When: Jun 16th 2011
    Why: On approach to Lanzarote, the plane developed flap problems. The crew responded by entering a holding pattern, and shortly afterward landed with flaps up. Touchdown was lower and at a higher speed but a safe landing.

    What: Air Europa Boeing 737-800 en route from Lanzarote,CI to Bilbao,SP
    Where: Bilbao
    When: Jun 16th 2011
    Why: The same plane was on approach to Bilbao and suffered a reoccurrence of the flap problem.

    The pilots diverted to Madrid. Touchdown was lower and at a higher speed but a safe landing.

    In George’s Opinion
    One can not help but wonder what was going on behind the scenes here–if they had an attempted-but-failed flap repair in maintenance, or if someone had a boneheaded thought process of flying a disabled plane.

    We do not have a record here that this was a ferry flight, so whether or not there were commercial passengers aboard, someone else will have to enlighten us.

    Hopefully the flaps problem will be repaired rather than continuing to subject the crew to a less-than-airworthy plane. Good on you to the flight crew of EC-III

    .

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    Croatian Pilots Survive Coyote Crash but not the Fire

    What: Rans S-6 Coyote
    Where: Letjelište Zvekovac, Croatia
    When: June 16, 2011
    Who: 2 fatalities, one injury
    Why: A home built ultralight carrying two passengers on a training exercise crashed at an airfield two hundred feet from the runway between 10:00 and 10:15 pm. The plane fell from the sky, and exploded when it impacted the ground. A local farmer who was on site to cut the grass attempted to come to the aid of the pilots who were calling for help, and was injured by the fire.

    The light aluminum frame burned quickly.

    Apparently Vladimir Bodiš and Marinko Lovri? survived the impact but died in the fire. Bodiš was an Eagle test pilot with a commercial license, and Lovri? taught military pilots although a Croatian newspaper said they found no license for him.

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    Delta Flight Cancelled over Jacksonville—Engine Lost and Recovered

    What: Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 en route from Jacksonville FL to Atlanta.
    Where: Jacksonville
    When: Jun 15th 2011, 10:30 p.m
    Who: 135 aboard
    Why: Taking off from Jacksonville, they had a compressor stall.

    The pilots recovered the left engine, and made a safe landing back in Jacksonville, in spite of a loud bang that occurred. They stopped on the runway (which had been inspected for debris). A passenger told reporters that there was an engine sparking.

    Emergency vehicles were on hand.

    Passengers disembarked, and were provided an alternative flight.

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    Virgin Emergency Diversion to Hobart

    What: Virgin Australia Boeing 737-700 en route from Brisbane to Launceston
    Where: Hobart
    When: Jun 16th 2011
    Who: 56 passengers
    Why: On approach to Launceton, the crew noted a flaps asymmetry, and aborted the approach. They burned off fuel, and diverted to Hobart where they made a safe landing. Passengers feared for their lives but apparently were not in as much danger as they feared.

    Subsequently, due to Puyehue ash concerns, they took a bus to Launceston. The flight was carrying the Gold Coast Suns football team.

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    Piper Crashes in Australia


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

    What: TRENK Contracting Pty. Ltd. Piper PA-46-310P en route from Doolgunna to Meekatharra
    Where: Meekatharra Airport Australia
    When: June 15, 2011, 9:00 am
    Who: Pilot and passenger
    Why: The pilot and passenger in a piper that was flying from Doolgunna to Meekatharra are both hospitalized today, after crashing short of the Meekatharra runway.

    The plane’s right wing and undercarriage were smashed, and the hood was lost. Meekatharra voluntary brigade reported a fuel spill but nothing that would cause a fire.

    Both pilot and passenger only had minor injuries, and one was already discharged from Meekatharra Hospital. One injured party was flown to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.

    The crash is under investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau who declined to make a statement.

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    5 Die in Mountainous Crash in Andorra, 1 Burned Crewman Struggles For Survival

    What: Inaer/Helland Helicopter en route to Juclar
    Where: Estany de Juclá – Canillo, Andorra
    When: June 15, 2011
    Who: 6 aboard, 5 fatalities, 1 serious injury
    Why: At 10:30 am, a flight transporting equipment and supplies to Juclar crashed in a mountainous area near the Andorran town of Canillo. Four bodies were immediately being recovered; one was missing, having been ejected from the chopper. One individual survived with serious burns on 70% of his body, and was evacuated to Barcelona by chopper to the Hospital Vall d’Hebrón de Barcelona..

    The helicopter is reported to be of French origin and registered in Spain. Forensic and technical experts are on scene; and the investigation will include Spanish officials, and representatives of the French helicopter buildern.

    A field hospital has been set up to care for the victims’ families whose names were not released but were all reported to be “members of the crew.”

    Inaer, the company which owns the helicopter, stated the accident is due to bad weather and low visibility due to foggy conditions.

    Although the original report lists one as missing, the body of the missing person was found.

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    Bird Strike Damages American Airlines, Endangers Flight


    Capture from video posted below

    What: American Airlines MD-80 en route from Dallas/Fort Worth to Norfolk Virginia
    Where: DFW airport
    When: June 13 2011, 6:15 pm
    Who: 122 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: On takeoff from Dallas/ Fort Worth , Monday’s American Airlines flight struck a flock of (20+) pigeons, damaging the cone and right wing and requiring an emergency landing. The plane had to be taken out of service for repairs, and bird part extractions. Dead birds littered the runway.

    Birds can be a problem at the 29 square mile airport. Attached you can view a wildlife management news clip demonstrating a wildlife expert’s noise system used to disrupt the birds.

    View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

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    Bomber Crashes in Chicago Outskirts


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

    What: B-17 bomber (Boeing B-17G-105-VE Flying Fortress)
    Where: Chicago
    When: June 13, 2011, 09:30
    Who: 7 aboard
    Why: A working B-17 bomber which had been in a $3.5 million dollar restoration (Tim Reilly Vintage Aircraft conservators) for fourteen years, took off from Aurora Municipal Airport on a test flight—and caught fire. John Hess, the pilot, made an emergency landing in a cornfield.

    Witnesses described a “cracking noise” before the plane landed in the field, streaming black smoke. Fire fighters were impeded by the muddy cornfield, and the plane burned.

    This weekend the plane was grounded with a leak.

    No one sustained serious injury although one person did have a minor head injury.

    The plane was described as a “national treasure,” and one of a dozen B-17s still operable.

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    Romania: Emergency landing


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

    What: Carpatair Fokker 70 en route from Timisoara to Iasi Romania
    Where: Timisoara
    When: Jun 13th 2011
    Who: 72 passengers, 4 crew
    Why: After pressure problems were detected on board, the flight returned to Timisoara where it made a safe landing.

    A replacement Fokker was provided, although passengers experienced a delay.

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    Possible Suicide Crash in ultralight in Baru Rumania

    What: Mircea Chira’s Flight Design CTSW
    Where: Baru Romania
    When: June 13 2011
    Who: pilot
    Why: The ultralight took off from Deva airport, and crashed 60 kilometers away in rough topography between Pui and Baru Mare. The plane was loaned by the owner, Mircea Chira, to a businessman with more than 200 flight hours.

    The wreckage was found in a a rocky and forested area in Hunedoara county.

    The 47-year-old German pilot who lived in the Romanian town of Orastie apparently sent a farewell letter which some have interpreted as a suicide note.

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    Small Plane Crash Kills 3

    What: Bellenca 17-31ATC Super Viking en route From Oregon to Wyoming
    Where: 13 miles East of Ukiah, Oregon
    When: June 12, 2011
    Who: 3 aboard
    Why: The small plane crashed after taking off from Dallesport Washington. The wreckage was found near Ukiah in a remote area set in the mountains. The forest service cut a road into the area to make it accessible. According to reports, two bodies were found; the third was missing but also declared a fatality.

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    Engine Backfire, Flame out Grounds Air New Zealand Passengers


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

    What: Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300en route from Auckland to Perth,WA
    Where: Auckland
    When: Jun 9th 2011
    Who: 206 passengers, 10 crew
    Why: Just after takeoff, while climbing, the left hand engine shot flames and emitted engine backfire and banging noises. The pilots described an interruption to the airflow through the left hand engine. The pilot shut down the engine and returned to Auckland where they made a safe landing. No bird strike was found, although that was initially assumed to be the cause. The engine’s electronic control has been replaced, and the engine is being tested; and the engine’s electronic control has been shipped to the manufacturer for testing.

    Passengers were provided an alternative flight to Perth. Some of them were shaken, although the airline says they were never in any danger.

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    Narcotics Chopper Crash in Colombia Kills 8, 4 Survive


    What: Colombian Police Bell UH-1 Huey en route from La Salina to Yopal
    Where: La Salina, Casanare Province Colombia
    When: June 11, 2011
    Who: 11 aboard, 8 fatalities
    Why: In Bogata, a police Huey crashed on take-off when it became entangled with electrical cables (high voltage wires). Mechanical failure may have been involved. Seven died on the scene, and one en route.

    The deceased included four helicopter crewmen (Pilot Captain Manuel Niño Nestor Acosta, co-pilot Lt. Fuentes Fabián Meneses and technical sub Leandro Mayor Sanchez) and four members of the police anti-narcotics service (Gutierrez Mendoza Eimer, John Contreras Lobo, John Jewel Delgado, Wilson Germain Medina Correa Delgado and Castillo). Four surviving narcotics officers (Miguel Ochoa Assistant Parrado, Domingo Gamarra Roso, Orlando Castillo and Jose Jaimes Torres Vesga) have been hospitalized.

    The helicopter was completely destroyed.

    The chopper’s registration number was PLC-0731

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    Naked Flying Man Returned to Madrid


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

    What: Iberia Airbus A319-100 en route from Madrid Spain to Frankfurt Germany
    Where: Madrid
    When: Jun 9th 2011
    Who: 110 passengers
    Why: After takeoff, one of the passengers undressed, and attacked the flight attendant who inquired about his naked condition. The pilot returned to Madrid. The plane was met at the gate by officials in Madrid, although no charges were filed.

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    Blue Cypress Lake Cessna Crash Kills Scottish Visitors

    What: N70FT Inc. Cessna 152 en route from Space Coast Aviation at the Merritt Island Airport
    Where: Blue Cypress Lake, Indian River County, FL
    When: June 9 2011
    Who: 2 fatalities, Carly Beattie and Daniel Beattie
    Why: A Cessna 152 chartered by Scottish visitors Carly Beattie and Daniel Beattie crashed in Indian River County southwest blue Cypress Lake. The plane crashed in mud and swampland in Blue Cypress Conservation area; the crash site is north of State Road 60 and east of Florida’s Turnpike, between Fellsmere and Yeehaw Junction, on land owned by the St. John’s River Water Management District. The rural area is home to venomous snakes and alligators, making recovery more difficult.

    Carly was a student pilot, and not allowed to take passengers.

    The plane apparently nosedived engine deep into the mud, splitting the fuselage behind the cockpit. The plane was lost on Thursday, reported Thursday at 11, and not found till Friday. Cell tower analysis helped to determine the location.

    A crane will probably be used to recover the wreckage. An airboat was used to reach the site, and hikers were wearing waist-high boots. The NTSB is investigating.



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    GoAir Emergency Landing after False alarm


    Contact photographer Rob Beekmans

    What: GoAir Airbus A320-200 en route from Delhi to Bangalore
    Where: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
    When: Jun 6th 2011, 9:23 am
    Who: 165 passengers and 6 crew
    Why: After taking off from Delhi, the flight returned within eighteen minutes due to an indication of smoke in the cockpit. Emergency services was on standby. VT-WAM is a new plane.

    A faulty sensor was blamed for the indication.

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    United Airlines Smoke in Cockpit

    What: United Airlines/Skywest Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Lincoln,NE to Denver,CO
    Where: Lincoln Nebraska
    When: June 6 2011, 7 am
    Who: 53 passengers 3 crew
    Why: On takeoff from Lincoln Airport, the crew detected smoke in the cockpit.

    Pilots returned immediately to Lincoln and made a safe landing. Maintenance examined the plane. Takeoff was delayed for 9 hours.

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    Delta/Skywest Makes Safe Landing on one set of Landing Gear

    What: Delta Air Lines/ SkyWest en route from Cincinnati to Milwaukee
    Where: Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee Wisconsin
    When: June 6, 2011
    Who: 41 passengers, 3 crew
    Why: On approach to the airport, the landing gear developed problems.

    The plane made a safe landing at 10 pm Monday night on one set of landing gear. Passengers were bussed to the terminal. Once passenger was hospitalized.

    According to news crews covering the incident, the plane looked tilted on the runway. The airport was closed for two hours after the landing.

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    4 Survive Antonov Crash offshore Gabon, Africa

    What: DHL Aviation (leased from Solenta Aviation) Antonov 26
    Where: 2.3 km S of Libreville Airport, Gabon
    When: 06 JUN 2011
    Who: 2 crew 2 passengers
    Why: The flight had permission to land when it began experiencing a hydraulic problem, and was flying with difficulty when it crashed into the sea near Libreville Airport. (Although reported as a hydraulics issue, both propellors had stopped according to witnesses, so it may have been a fuel issue. )

    One passenger from Gabon and one Bulgarian passenger were on board. The two member crew was Ukranian.

    The flight ditched in shallow water and the plane is still visible above the water line.

    Gabon has banned Antonov 26 flights in its airspace until further notice

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    Rag Bags Plane Crashes during Vancouver Island Airshow

    What: Home built “rag bags” kit plane
    Where: Nanaimo Airport, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
    When: June 4, 2011
    Who: pilot Dr. Bill Phipps, 71, of Campbell River
    Why: Six minutes into a planned eight minute exhibition before 1000 spectators at the Wings and Wheels air show, while supposed to be doing a four point roll, Dr. Phipps home built plane was “tail-on to the crowd and upright” and flew into the ground. A witness describes that “The right wing clipped the ground and he did a cartwheel.” Another witness said it was likely he stalled and that his wings lost lift.

    Rag Bags was Phipps name for his home-built wood and fabric plane.

    B.C. Ambulance and Cranberry Fire and Rescue recovered Phips, who was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital. He was in serious condition, with severe injuries but was stable Monday.

    See Video here: https://airflightdisaster.com/?p=17289

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    Continental Engine Shut Down over Indianapolis


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

    What: Continental Express/Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Indianapolis to Newark
    Where: Indianapolis
    When: June 1, 2011
    Who: 51
    Why: While en route, the flight developed an oil pressure problem. At 10,000 feet, the pilot requested a return to the airport due to the engine issue. He shut down the left engine and returned to Indianapolis to make a safe landing.

    Passengers were rerouted to alternative flights.

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    Angels Land at LAX sans Hydraulics

    What: Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 en route from Kansas to Irvine
    Where: LAX
    When: 6:30 pm
    Who: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team
    Why: While en route the plane developed hydraulic issues and diverted to LAX.
    The landing gear had to be manipulated manually.

    The plane had been slated to land at John Wayne Airport in Irvine.

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    American Airlines Emergency Landing at Will Rogers World

    What: American Airlines MD-80 en route from Dallas to Calgary
    Where: Oklahoma City
    When: June 2, 2011
    Who: 56 passengers 5 crew
    Why: While en route, emergency indicators came on in the cockpit. The pilot diverted to Oklahoma City and landed at Will Rogers World Airport.
    (Latitude 35.396 Longitude -97.597 )

    The flight made a safe landing and passengers disembarked without problems. Maintenance is examining the plane

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    Air Canada Engine Shut Down, Diverts to Montreal


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

    What: Air Canada Boeing 767-300 en route from Halifax to London Heathrow
    Where: Montreal
    When: Jun 2nd 2011
    Who: 138 aboard
    Why: After takeoff, the left engine emitted a loud explosive noise. Pilots shut down the engine but weather prevented a return to Halifax. The flight diverted to Montreal where it made a safe landing between two and three hours later. A replacement jet was sent to Montreal for passengers, resulting in a 13 hour delay on that flight.

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    On Board Fisticuffs over Washington DC


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

    What: United Airlines Boeing 767 en route from Chantilly Virginia to Ghana
    Where: en route
    When: May 29 , 2011
    Who: 144 passengers
    Why: After passenger one reclined his seat into passenger two’s lap, passenger two objected
    and slapped passenger one in the head. Apparently passenger one retaliated. This escalated into a fight, which had to be broken up by passenger 3 and a flight attendant.

    The fight that erupted between passengers resulted in a fighter escort from Andrews Air Force Base being sent in to shadow the flight on its return/diversion to Washington.

    No one was arrested and no charges were filed, but police did meet the UA flight on its arrival. The flight was delayed for eighteen hours.