The plane crashed in Lakewood, New Jersey, shortly before 4 p.m.
Remember that check pilot we wrote about yesterday? The one who yanked off a circuit breaker to test the pilot?
He’s being “tested” now, by Airline regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In fact, the Jet Airways senior pilot who pulled the circuit breaker stunt is now suspended.
The pilots had no way to tell how close they were to the ground. Luckily they landed safely.
Ironically, the injured parties (the commander and co-pilot) have also been derostered.
Pilot exercises are supposed to be performed in a simulator, not in a full plane engaging in a commercial flight.
Good news for Flyers: The FAA will not shut down Sunday due to lack of funds. Operating funds till the September 30th close of the 2010 fiscal year have been tacked on to a bill going through the Senate today.
The main forse of the legislation stems from the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster, and as part of the FAA legislation goes before the Senate on July 30 2010. The bill attempts to raise the quality of pilot performance, a problem which was a contributing factor in the Continental Buffalo-Niagara crash, among others.
These safety measures have been lobbied for almost a year and a half; and will require the FAA to limit pilot scheduling based on sleep/fatigue research; increase required minimum flight experience for pilots; strengthen pilot training; develop pilot mentoring programs; require disclosure of airlines at point of sale so passengers can see if the carrier is a major or regional carrier.
A small plane safety landed along Interstate 376 Sunday afternoon.
$3.8 million fine
The FAA says United Airlines:
$5.4 million fine
The FAA says US Airways:
After yesterday’s Super Puma ditching in the North Sea, CHC helicopters suspended Puma flights due to suspicions of possible flaws in the design of the main gearbox lubrication system.
The concern is a hangover from a 2009 Bond Aviation crash that led to recommendations to look into the Super Puma’s gearbox lube system design.
Bond Aviation is also suspending Puma flights for the same issue. Their flight schedule is posted here: http://www.bondflights.com/index.php?day=1350946800
Financial analysts at Barclays have upgraded Boeing (BA) to Overweight, citing improved balance sheet, higher free cash flow, and new leadership.