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    Empresa Emergency Landing in Santo Domingo


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

    What: Empresa Aerocaribbean SA Boeing 737-200 en route from Caracas Venezuela to Santiago Cuba
    Where: Santo Domingo
    When: Dec 10th 2009
    Who: 90 passengers and 9 crew
    Why: While en route, the flight developed oil filter trouble in the right engine.

    Gushing black smoke, the plane made an emergency landing in Santo Domingo where maintenance took care of the problem. In six hours, passengers continued to their destination on the same plane.

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    Northeast Wing Strike


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

    What: Northwest Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 en route from Charlotte NC to Minneapolis MN
    Where: Minneapolis
    When: Dec 9th 2009
    Who: not available
    Why: On landing, the plane scraped a wing tip on the runway. The flight otherwise landed safely

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    Hudson Midair Collision Lawsuit

    Five wrongful death lawsuits filed in Newark US District Court over the Hudson River Collision deaths of tourists Fabio Gallazzi, Giacomo Gallazzi, Tiziana Pedroni, Filippo Norelli and Michele Norelli allege the Federal Aviation Administration’s procedures for controlling Hudson River are out dated, and that the Teterboro supervisor was “grossly negligent, reckless and wanton” in leaving work to conduct personal business on government time and failing to monitor flight traffic.

    Pilot Steven Altman, who was flying the piper that collided with the helicopter was named in the suit, as well as Liberty Helicopters Inc. and the Meridian Consulting Corporation Inc. Multiple parties are held responsible.

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    Cessna Closing Plants in Ohio

    Although one plant opened in Columbus in 2008 and had originally projected work for 5 years, three Cessna plants in Columbus will be closing in 6 to 24 months. Cessna broke the news to the last 315 employees in the Columbus plant.

    Any work ongoing will be relegated to plants in Independence, Kan., and Mexico.

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    Press Release: Alternative Aviation Fuels — Not Just an FAA Priority

    December 9 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) welcomes the announcement by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack of more than $600 million in awards to advanced biofuel projects. At least four grant recipients are working on technologies to produce fuels including renewable jet fuels. A number of the awardees also have a long standing relationship with the FAA co-sponsored Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) which coordinates public and private sector efforts to develop sustainable alternative jet fuels to help the aviation sector address energy and climate change challenges. .

    “Renewable jet fuels are critical to building the cleaner, more sustainable Next Generation commercial aviation system in the United States,” said Nancy LoBue, FAA Acting Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment. “This Administration is committed to establishing domestic renewable jet fuel production, address energy security, improve the environment and also create jobs in rural America.”

    CAAFI seeks to enhance energy resources and environmental sustainability for aviation through alternative jet fuels. The initiative is a coalition of the U.S. commercial aviation community that acts as a focal point for engaging the emerging alternative fuels industry. It enables its diverse stakeholders to build relationships, share and collect needed data, identify resources, and direct research, development and deployment of alternative fuels.

    CAAFI’s sponsors include the FAA office of Environment and Energy and three trade associations: Airports Council International of North America (ACI-NA) representing commercial airports, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) representing U.S. manufacturers, and the Air Transport Association representing U.S. airlines. CAAFI stakeholders are drawn from all elements of the international commercial aviation industry, fuel suppliers, universities, and multiple U.S. government agencies.

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    Transaero Sensor Error


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

    What: A Transaero Airlines Boeing 737-300 en route from Atyrau to Almaty
    Where: Kzyl-Orda
    When: Dec 8th 2009
    Who: 81 passengers and 9 crew
    Why: While en route, the crew detected a faulty fuel flow sensor and diverted to Kzyl-Orda for repairs, after which passengers resumed the flight on the same plane.

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    Heroic Tragic Firefighting Copter Crash: NSW


    Click to view full size photo at jetphotos.net
    Contact photographer Matthew Southwell

    What: NSW Rural Fire Service Bell B206L-1 LongRanger II performing bushfire surveillance
    Where: 5km SE of Dorrigo, on the mid-north coast, NSW Australia
    When: Dec 9. 2009 11:30 am
    Who: Pilot and passenger
    Why: While conducting bushfire surveillance while fighting a fire, the helicopter went down in the rainforest. The passenger, a 41-year-old National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger died. He had been a ranger for 12 years.

    In Dorrigo Hospital, the pilot is fighting for his life, after sustaining critical chest, head and back injuries. He will be airlifted to a major hospital later on Wednesday

    The pilot has over 3000 flying hours. This is the third serious firefighting helicopter incident in the past 48 hours.

    1,500 firefighters continue to fight the fire caused by dry conditions and lightning strikes. Unrelated to the helicopter crash, other individuals have been injured in the fire.

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    Porter Airlines Emergency Landing in Toronto


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

    What: Porter Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 en route from Montreal to Toronto
    Where: Toronto
    When: Dec 3rd 2009
    Who: 52 on board
    Why: On approach to Toronto, about ten minutes before landing, the crew received indication of a technical problem.

    The flight made a safe landing with emergency standing by.

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    Airbus Gear Disagree Message


    Pictured: A Vladivostok Avia Airbus A330-301
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Konstantin Tyurpeko

    What: Vladivostok Avia Airbus A330-300 en route from Vladivostok to Moscow
    Where: Khabarovsk
    When: Dec 9th 2009
    Who: 163 on board
    Why: After take-off the gear retracted (but rec’d a gear disagree message that the gear would not retract.) The flight diverted to Khabarovsk and landed safely.

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    Air France hydraulics failure at Sao Paulo


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

    What: Air France Boeing 777-200 en route from Paris France to Sao Paulo
    Where: Sao Paulo
    When: Dec 9th 2009
    Who: 259 passengers and 16 crew
    Why: While on approach to Sao Paulo, the plane experienced a hydraulics failure. The crew requested the longest available runway and made a safe landing.

    Passengers debarked normally.

    George’s Point of View

    Maintenance is so important.

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    Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Radiation

    Terrestrial gamma-ray radiation. No, it’s not the latest incarnation of Captain Kirk’s phaser, even though it does sound like it belongs in prime time on the syfy channel.

    If jets pass near lightning discharges or “terrestrial gamma-ray flashes” (TGF’s), aviation passengers can be exposed to radiation equivalent to 40 x rays. The exposure occurs when the plane is close to the lightning discharge’s origin. Scientists are recommending planes carry TGF meters to help them study the phenomenon. They believe TGFs are generated by electric fields above thunderstorms, although the mechanism is unknown, and the likelihood of exposure is low.

    Famous last words.

    Thank you scientists. More for airline travelers to worry about.

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    South Africa Airlines Under Scrutiny


    Friday, the Commissioner of the South African Civil Aviation Authority will be reporting the results of a SA Airlink safety audit being tendered to Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele due to the incident Monday when an Airlink plane overshot the runway at George Airport, allegedly due to poor pilot training. Three injuries were reported, including an ankle injury of the first officer. In another recent Airlink crash (Durban), the pilot died later of his injuries and 3 passengers were injured.

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  • Creaky Old News Leak

    George’s Point of View

    An out-of-date (circa May 2008) 93-page Transportation Security Administration federal airport screeners manual that tells U.S. airport screeners how to do their jobs was posted on a government jobs site. The government document had been edited in Adobe, but the edits were removable. Of course, the manual has been updated half a dozen times since that date.

    On the other hand, if you consider over time the number of ex-airport security screeners, the contents of that (out of date) manual is probably not exactly a national secret.

    Here’s an idea: maybe the Transportation Security Administration should leak some more old manuals to get seriously useless misinformation out there.

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    Michigan College Cessna Incident


    Click to view full size photo at Airport-data.com
    Contact photographer Mel II

    What: Northwestern Michigan College Cessna 172RG Cutlass RG
    Where: Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City Michigan
    When: Dec 8, 2009
    Who: pilot
    Why: During a training exercise, the pilot failed an attempted “touch and go.” The plane sustained minor damage. There’s no report of pilot injury.

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    ANN Landing Gear Up in Osaka


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

    What: ANN All Nippon Network de Havilland Dash 8-400 en route from Osaka Itami to Niigata
    Where: Itami Airport, Japan
    When: Dec 8th 2009
    Who: 22 on board
    Why: After takeoff, the plane could not retract the gear. The crew decided to return to Itami Airport where it made a safe landing. Passengers were provided an alternative flight to Niigata.

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    Condor Gear Door Error Interrupts Nassau Flight


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

    What: Condor Boeing 767-300 en route from Punta Cana Dominican Republic to Frankfurt/Main
    Where: Punta Cana
    When: Dec 7th 2009
    Who: not available
    Why: After takeoff from Punta Cana, the gear did not retract. When the crew received a “disagreeing gear doors” alert, they returned to the airport and made a safe landing about 2 and a half hours later.

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    BA Boeing Emergency Goes Up in Smoke on Nassau Flight


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

    What: British Airways Boeing 767-300 en route from London to Nassau Bahamas
    Where: Gander Canada
    When: Dec 8th 2009
    Who: 147 passengers
    Why: While over the atlantic, crew detected the smell of smoke in the cabin. The flight diverted to Gander, where it was examined for 3.5 hours, and no traces or problems reported. Passengers continued on the same plane to Nassau.

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    Aviation News From Washington

    Possible jobs bill; possible faa bill raising the cap on PFCs; airport infrastructure investment and stimulas packages; collective bargaining rights; the runway summit; plant based biofuels.

    (Not in video) In Britain, British climate change committee suggest airport expansions be put on hold until airline technology is more efficient. Curbs are recommended on aviation of emissions, which counters the possibilities of aviation as a growth industry.

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    Hydraulics Issue over Sydney


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

    What: Air Austral Boeing 777-200 en route from Sydney, Australia to Noumea
    Where: Sydney
    When: Dec 4th 2009
    Who: not available
    Why: Over the Tasman sea, the flight developed a hydraulics problem and entered a holding pattern. The plane landed safely back at Sydney, and was towed off the runway.

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    Embraer Flaps Problem Over Toronto


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

    What: Air Canada Embraer ERJ-170 en route from Newark,NJ to Toronto, Canada
    Where: Toronto
    When: Dec 6th 2009
    Who: 63 passengers and 4 crew
    Why: On approach to Toronto, the crew reported a flaps problem. Thirty minutes after declaring emergency, the flight landed safely.

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    Delta Cracked Windshield over KY


    Pictured: A Delta Connection (ASA – Atlantic Southeast Airlines) Canadair CL-600-2C10 Regional Jet CRJ-701ER
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Daniel J. Evans

    What: Delta/Atlantic Southeast Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 en route from Flint, MI to Atlanta, GA
    Where: NE of Louisville KY
    When: Dec 7th 2009
    Who: 61 passengers and 4 crew
    Why: While en route from Flint, the crew found and reported a cracked windshield. The crew made an emergency landing in Louisville. Passengers debarked safely, and alternative transportation was provided.

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    NTSB Investigating October Turbulence Incident


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Cary Liao
    The incident 35,000 feet above Norfolk where an AirTran Airways Boeing 717 maneuvered to avoid another aircraft on Oct. 26, and a passenger and flight attendant were both injured by turbulence is currently being investigated by the NTSB.

    The FAA does not know if the sharp loss of altitude is related to the collision avoidance maneuver or turbulence. The incident is not being called a close call.

    Original Incident post

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    Press Release: Boeing’s Houston Site Achieves Additional Environmental Certification

    HOUSTON, Dec. 7, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that its Houston site recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, the latest official recognition of the site’s efforts to improve its environmental performance. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. The certification process reviews energy, lighting, water and material use, and a variety of other sustainable strategies.

    The LEED Gold certification was awarded to the Houston facility’s Bay Area Boulevard building in September in the category of “existing buildings.” The site also earned International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification in September and an ENERGY STAR rating for the Bay Area Boulevard building in December 2008. The Bay Area Boulevard building is a 399,000-square-foot facility surrounded by wildlife at the border of metropolitan Houston and the wetlands of the Texas Gulf Coast. Houston is the first Boeing site to carry all three environmental certifications and one of only seven Houston-area companies to have a LEED Gold-certified existing building.

    “These certifications lay the foundation for continually improving our site’s environmental performance for reducing pollution and waste, increasing recycling rates and improving energy efficiency,” said Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager for Boeing Space Exploration. “Most importantly, they ensure our communities and our customers know that we’re doing our part to protect the environment.”

    By retrofitting the Houston site’s heating and cooling system and installing more efficient lighting and automated controls, Boeing has reduced energy consumption by more than 2 million kilowatt hours annually, or enough electricity to power about 170 average homes. The new heating and cooling system has saved the site $250,000 per year in energy costs since it was installed in 2007. The energy-efficient lighting system controls the building’s lighting automatically, based on peak employee occupancy hours. During off-peak hours, employees can call an automated number to have the lights turned on in their designated work area.

    The 21-acre site has more than 2,500 employees and serves as the headquarters for Boeing’s Space Exploration division, which includes the Constellation, International Space Station and Space Shuttle programs.

    The ISO 14001 environmental management system is a global standard — a common approach — to continually improve an organization’s environmental goals for reducing pollution and waste, increasing recycling rates and improving energy efficiency.
    ENERGY STAR — jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy — is dedicated to helping businesses and homeowners save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. ENERGY STAR offers a proven energy-management strategy for companies by helping them measure current energy performance, set goals, track savings and reward improvements.

    A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

    # # #
    Contact:
    Adam Morgan
    Boeing Space Exploration
    281-386-4396
    adam.k.morgan@boeing.com
    Ed Memi
    Boeing Space Exploration
    713-204-5464
    edmund.g.memi@boeing.com

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    FAA Solicits Bids for NextGen Contracts Worth $7 Billion

    The FAA is soliciting bids from companies interested in competing for NextGen support contracts with an approximate combined value of $7 billion, the largest award in the agency’s history. Under the umbrella awards, called System Engineering 2020 (SE2020), the FAA will award as many as five separate contracts for research and development and systems engineering work that will help the agency deliver NextGen.

    The SE2020 contracts will be awarded to teams of companies, up to three of which will perform research and development work and two of which will perform systems engineering work. This work will complement and enhance major NextGen initiatives already under way, such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, System Wide Information Management and Data Communications. Contract teams will focus on a series of operational capabilities, including Trajectory Based Operations, Collaborative Air Traffic Management and Reduced Weather Impact. The goal is to achieve early NextGen successes to improve safety and bring greater efficiencies to the nation’s airspace system.

    The team concept is designed to create competitive synergy within each group, driving innovation so that each team comes up with the best possible product. The FAA also structured the contracts, using market survey data, to encourage bids from teams that will include small companies as prime contractors as well as subcontractors. The agency is looking for the best and the brightest, regardless of size.

    Five-year contracts will be awarded next summer, with subsequent three- and two-year options

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  • NTSB LAUNCHES TEAM TO INVESTIGATE MARINE ACCIDENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA

    NTSB Advisory
    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594
    December 7, 2009

    The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a go-team to investigate Saturday’s marine accident in Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina. NTSB senior marine investigator Thomas Roth-Roffy is the Investigator-in-Charge and is leading the Safety Board’s investigation. He is accompanied by two NTSB investigators.

    On Saturday, December 5, at approximately 8:30 pm, a commercial passenger vessel and a 25 foot Coast Guard patrol boat collided. There were no fatalities.

    NTSB Media Contact:
    Terry N. Williams
    (202) 314-6100
    williat@ntsb.gov

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