A development like the Boeing helicopter that can make autonomous takeoffs and landings is one that brings with it a whole set of questions.
The “little bird” which is the first full-size helicopter to take off and land on its own was developed by Boeing, Carnegie Mellon University and Piasecki Aircraft.
One wonders for example, if the software/hardware is transferable to other helicopters, and if this would increase or decrease the safety of those aboard.
I am looking forward to hearing more about the progress of this helicopter.
According to Boeing, the Unmanned Little Bird Demonstrator is a modified MD 530F single-turbine helicopter designed for optionally manned flight, a platform capable of dual pilot, single pilot or no pilot flight operations. It can be remotely operated or programmed for autonomous operation in any mode. The unmanned variant is only being marketed internationally.
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What: Air Astana Boeing 767-300 en route from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Atyrau (Kazakhstan) Where: Amsterdam When: Jan 4th 2012 Who: n/a Why: During takeoff, the Air Astana Boeing had a tail strike, observed on the ground by the Air Italia following this flight, lined up for takeoff. Passengers reported hearing a “bang” of contact.
After burning off fuel for two hours, the pilots returned to an Amsterdam runway where they made a safe landing and submitted to a safety inspection. The cause is being attribute to possible “wind, wind vortices or too rapid rotation.”
The flight took off again after two hours, this time without a tail strike.
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Alaska Airlines flight AS-35 had to divert and make an emergency landing in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 29th.
The Boeing 737-800 plane heading from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Seattle, Washington, was diverted after an electrical burning odor was noticed in a lavatory.
The plane landed safely. The airline said three crew members were taken to hospital.
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This CNN news reportage indicates 91 injured rather than the 40 discussed earlier. No one mentions how the plane came mere meters from slipping into the bay. What: American Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Miami to Kingston Where: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston When: Tuesday Dec 22 2009 Who: 148 passengers and six crew; 40 injured; 4 passengers in serious condition Why: After a turbulent flight, while landing in heavy rain, the jet overshot the runway. According to passengers, the plane landed normally, but failed to come to a stop but bounced through the perimeter fence, and skidded down the runway ending ten feet away the sea along the Port Royal main road. While skidding, they heard a loud bang, and oxygen masks deployed. On impact, the plane went dark.
The plane was reported to have lost an engine upon landing and that the landing gear collapsed; the plane skidded, crashed starboard engine detatched, and the fuselage broke. THe port wingtip snapped off; the fuselage rutured aft of the wing. Officers at the scene reported the plane ran off the end of the runway.
The Injured have been taken to the Kingston Public Hospital.
American Airlines official statement is below:
AMERICAN AIRLINES STATEMENT REGARDING FLIGHT 331 Release #1 @ 11:58 (p.m.) U.S. Central Time
PRNewswire
FORT WORTH, Texas
FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ — On Tuesday, December 22, 2009, American Airlines Flight 331, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, overran the runway on landing at Kingston, Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport. The flight originated out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, operated into Miami International Airport, and then operated into Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport.
Preliminary reports indicate there are no serious injuries. The aircraft was carrying 148 passengers and a crew of six.
American Airlines is in direct contact with officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration and is cooperating fully with appropriate authorities. American Airlines will not speculate as to possible causes of the incident. At this point, no additional details can be confirmed.
——–
Title: AA 331 Crash at Norman Manley International Airport
Date: Wednesday 23 rd December, 2009
Details: Press Release : American Airlines 331 Crash at NMIA
At approximately 10:25 pm American Airlines (AA 331) while in its final approach to landing overshot the runway resulting in an accident. 145 passengers and 6 crew members were on board. The injured passengers have been taken to hospitals in Kingston. No fatality has been reported.
The Airport emergency response was activated with support from emergency units in the municipality. The aircraft and crash site have been secured and the areas have been cordoned off by the security forces. Preliminary investigation is ongoing. The Airport is currently closed and the respective NOTAMS issued.
The number of persons being treated at hospitals is as follows:
38 :Kingston Public Hospital
35 :University of the West Indies
12: Andrews Memorial Hospital
5: Medical Associates
As a result of the accident, three flights have been delayed.
Access to and from Port Royal will be denied (except for emergency purposes) until 12 noon.
Please direct all queries to:
Mr. Mark Williams, Vice President, AAJ Tel# 876-322-8841
Mr. Paul Hall, Snr Vice President, AAJ Tel# 876-997-1693
Mr. Earl Richards, President, AAJ Tel# 876-990-6492
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What: American Airlines Boeing 767-200 en route from San Francisco to New York Where: Chicago When: Apr 29 2010 Who: 3 flight attendants Why: While en route to NY, the flight encountered turbulence. Several flight attendants received bumps and bruises from the encounter. The flight diverted to Chicago, landing there half an hour after the incident, and remained In Chicago for an hour and a half prior to taking off again for New York.
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Alaska Airlines flight AS-35 had to divert and make an emergency landing in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 29th.
Southwest Airlines flight WN-1914 had to divert and make an emergency landing at O’Hare International Airport, Illinois, on June 12th.
