What: Air France Airbus A340-300 en route from Caracas Venezuela to Paris Where: NW of Point A Pitre Guadeloupe When: Jul 22nd 2011 Why: In an experience that is being compared to Air France Flight 447, in night/instrument conditions, the AF Airbus flew through turbulence (reported by pilots, not on METAR) at 35,000 feet, accelerated (to 0.66 mach), and autopilot quit. Pitch attitude increased to 11 degrees and decelerated. Turbulence reduced, and pilots were able to level off and return the flight to normal parameters.
Hopefully the events of this flight will inform us of what is going on in the Airbus at high altitude
In George’s Point of View
Perhaps this flight recapitulates the events of Air France 447. It certainly seems to. Because of what history shows us, I wonder if there was a repeat of faulty input from the pitot tubes. The pilots, in this case managed to regain control of the plane. (I doubt if there is an airbus pilot now who hasn’t studied the events of AF447 and worked out some kind emergency response.)
Pilots blame the equipment. The BEA blames the pilots. Air France blames the instruments.
When the dust settles and the finger-pointing stops, we want those involved to stop blaming, and start taking responsibility.
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What: Spanair McDonnell Douglas MD-87 en route from Madrid to Valencia Where: Madrid When: Apr 25 2010 Who: 43 passengers Why: After takeoff, the flight developed an issue with the hydraulics. The crew decided to return to Madrid where they made a safe landing. A replacement jet was provided for the passengers.
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Delta Airlines flight DL-745 had to return and make an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport, in Detroit, Michigan, on June 9th.
The Boeing 767-300 plane took off for San Francisco, California, but had to return shortly afterwards due to an issue with one of the redundant power systems.
The plane landed uneventfully. There were 244 passengers aboard at the time; all of them remained safe.
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What: Aserca Airlines Douglas DC-9-30 en route from Puerto Ordaz to Caracas Where: Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela When: Sep 26th 2011 Who: 90 passengers Why: Four hours after the Aeropostal hard landing emergency at Puerto Ordaz, another emergency occurred, this one a take-off.
A Douglas DC-9-30 took off from Puerto Ordaz and filled with smoke.
The smoke came from a high pressure hydraulic leak. The pilot returned to Puerto Ordaz and made a safe landing with emergency services on standby. No injuries were reported.
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