• Flight 447: Press release N° 11

    Paris, 03 June 2009 – 13:21 local time
    Archbishop Of Paris Press Release
    INTER-RELIGIOUS PRAYER CEREMONY FOR THE 228 VICTIMS OF FLIGHT AF 447 OF 1ST JUNE 2009, AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS – NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS – WEDNESDAY, 3 JUNE 2009 AT 4PM
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    The ceremony will be attended by ~~~~inal André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris and President of the Bishops Conference of France, Grand Rabbi Haïm Korsia, the Jewish Chaplain for Air Personnel, Mr. Mohammed Moussaoui, President of the French Council of Muslim Faith, Metropolite Emmanuel, President of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France and Pastor Claude Baty, President of the Protestant Federation of France.

    In addition to the Grand Rabbi Haïm Korsia, the Catholic, Protestant and Muslim Chaplains of Paris-Charles de Gaulle will attend: Father Francis Truptil, Father Gérard Sqarcioni, Father Baudouin Tournemire, Pastor Jean Pierre Dassonville and Imam Hazem El-Shaffei.

    This ceremony has been prepared together with Air France. It will be a moment of contemplation and prayer for the families and friends of the victims, in a spirit of unity among people from every country and religious belief. Readings will therefore be made in French, English and Brazilian. Prayers will be accompanied by hymns in French, Latin and German by the Choirs of Notre-Dame de Paris and Air France.

    At the start of the ceremony, His Eminence ~~~~inal Vingt-Trois will propose that the families and friends of the victims carry 228 lighted candles to the altar, each one symbolizing a victim.

    The families may then take the candle away with them after the ceremony.

    Music and Readings:

    Introit from Requiem op. 9, by Maurice Duruflé (Choir of Notre Dame)
    Psalm 42 Wie der Hirsch, by Felix Mendelssohn (Air France Choir)
    Reading: Lamentations 3, 17-26
    Psalm 129 (Choir of Notre Dame and congregation)
    I have waited for thee O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word
    Reading from the Gospel according to Saint Luke (Luke 23, 33-53)
    Johann Sebastian Bach, Chorale Ich harre des Herrn (from Cantata BWV 131) (Choir of Notre-Dame)
    Felix Mendelssohn, Da nobis Pacem (Air France Choir)
    Kyrie, from Requiem op. 9, by Maurice Duruflé (Choir of Notre-Dame)
    Giuseppe Verdi, Requiem, Libera me Domine – (Air France Choir)
    The poem Footsteps in the Sand by Brazilian poet Ademar de Barros will be read at the end of the ceremony.

    (Extracts)

    One night, I dreamed a dream, I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord. When the last scene of my life shot before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma. “Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me”.

    He whispered “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

    Português

    Arcebispado de Paris

    Celebração inter-religiosa de prece
    Para as 228 vítimas do vôo AF 447 de 1° de junho de 2009, para suas famílias e seus entes próximos

    Catedral Notre-Dame de Paris – Quarta-feira 3 de junho de 2009 às 16 horas
    Na presença do ~~~~eal André Vingt-Trois Arcebispo de Paris e presidente da Conferência dos Bispos da França, do Grande Rabino Haïm Korsia, capelão Israelita do ar, do Sr.Mohammed Moussaoui, presidente do Conselho Francês do Culto Musulmano, do Metropolita Emmanuel, presidente da Assembléia dos Bispos Ortodoxos da França e do Pastor Claude Baty, Presidente da Federação Protestante da França.

    Além do Grande Rabino Haïm Korsia, dos capelões católicos, protestantes e musulmanos de Roissy estarão presentes: o Padre Francis Truptil, o Pastor Jean Pierre Dassonville e o Imame Hazem El-Shaffei.

    Esta celebração foi preparada conjuntamente com a Air France. Ela será um tempo de recolhimento e de prece para as famílias e os entes próximos das vítimas, dentro de um espírito de aproximação entre os homens de todos os países e de todas as religiões. Na ocasião serão feitas leituras em francês, inglês e português. A prece será acompanhada por cânticos em francês, latim e alemão da Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris e do Coral da Air France.

    No início da celebração, Mgr Vingt-Trois vai propor aos membros das famílias e entes próximos de levarem 228 velas acesas diante do altar. Elas simbolizam cada um e cada uma dos desaparecidos.
    As famílias serão convidadas a conduzir esta vela no final da celebração.

    Músicas e Textos da celebração:

    Intróito do Requiem de Duruflé (Maîtrise de Notre Dame)
    Salmo 42 Wie der Hirsch de Felix Mendelssohn (Coral da Air France)
    Leitura do Livro das lamentações de Jeremias (Lm 3, 17-26)
    Salmo 129 (Maîtrise de Notre Dame e assembléia)
    Eu deposito minha esperança no Senhor, eu tenho a certeza da sua palavra
    Evangelho de Jesus Cristo segundo São Lucas (Lc 23, 33-53)
    Coral de Johann Sebastian Bach, Ich harre des Herrn (trecho Cantate BWV 131) (Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris)
    Felix Mendelssohn, Da nobis Pacem (Coral da Air France)
    Trecho do Requiem de Maurice Duruflé, Kyrie (Maîtrise de Notre-Dame)
    Giuseppe Verdi, Libera me Domine – trechos do Requiem (Coral da Air France)
    Um poema “Passos sobre a areia” de Ademar de Barros, poeta brasileiro, será lido no final da celebração.
    (trechos):

    Uma noite, eu tive um sonho,
    Eu caminhava pela praia, lado a lado com o Senhor, deixando uma dupla pegada na areia, a minha e a do Senhor.
    Veio-me a idéia – era um sonho – de que cada um dos meus passos representava um dia da minha vida. (…) Mas observei que em certos lugares em vez de duas pegadas, havia apenas uma. Então, dirigindo-me ao Senhor, ousei repreendê-Lo:
    “O Senhor nos havia no entanto prometido de estar conosco todos os dias!
    Por que não cumpristes a vossa promessa?
    Por que me deixastes sozinho no pior momento da minha vida?
    Nos dias em que eu mais precisava da vossa presença.”
    Mas o Senhor me respondeu:“Meu amigo, os dias em que tu vês uma única marca de passos sobre a areia, são os dias em que Eu te carreguei.”

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 10

    Paris, 02 June 2009 – 21:26 local time
    Memo to the press
    Inter-religious ceremony wednesday 3 June
    In respect for the mourning of the relatives and friends of the victims, we inform the press that they will not be able to attend the inter-religious ceremony to be held inside Notre Dame cathedral tomorrow at 4pm. There will be a sound broadcast of the ceremony on the square outside the cathedral.

    Paris, 02 June 2009 – 14:20 local time
    Press release N° 10
    Homage to victims in Paris
    An inter-religious ceremony for the relatives and friends of the victims will be held on Wednesday 3 June at 4pm at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

    Note for media: practical information will be sent later.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 9

    Paris, 02 June 2009 – 11:53 local time
    Press release N° 9
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Assistance to relatives of victims: Air France staff arrive in Rio de Janeiro

    A team of approximately 20 Air France staff members, including two doctors and a nurse, arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday morning on flight AF 442.

    This team has travelled to Brazil as back-up to Air France staff in Rio, to help and assist the families of victims.

    Phone numbers reserved for relatives and friends:

    0800 800 812 in France, 0800 881 20 20 in Brazil, and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from all other countries.

    Air France will release further information as soon as it is available.

    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for relatives and close friends.

    Português

    Chega ao Rio de Janeiro mais uma equipe da Air France de ajuda às famílias das vítimas

    Além de toda a equipe destacada no Brasil, de profissionais de saúde e voluntários, um novo time de cerca de 20 voluntários, dois médicos e uma enfermeira vieram de Paris para prestar assistência aos familiares das vítimas, chegando hoje de manhã pelo voo AF 442 no Rio de Janeiro.

    Números toll free disponíveis para atendimento às famílias:

    Para todo o Brasil: 0800 881 2020;
    Para a França: 0800 800 812;
    Para outros países: + 33 1 57 02 10 55

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para estes números, reservados às famílias.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 8

    Paris, 02 June 2009 – 08:12 local time
    Press release N° 8
    How are Air France’s volunteers trained to assist relatives and friends of victims?
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Overall, 4,000 Air France staff members are part of the voluntary programme to help in case of a crisis.

    These volunteers have four main tasks: contact with relatives and friends, logistical assistance, back-up at airports and telephone assistance.

    This programme was launched in November 1998 by the Chairman of Air France.

    Air France offers these volunteers three one-day training modules:

    – Theory (explaining what it means to be a volunteer and the commitments involved etc.) and practical training with a psychiatrist,

    – Theoretical and practical courses to train leaders whose role is to lead a group of volunteers and liaise with the Air France crisis centre,

    – Training on how to handle telephone calls when the Air France toll-free number is available.

    Yesterday, as soon as the news of flight AF 447 was announced, around one hundred volunteers were contacted to provide back-up to Air France teams in Paris and Rio. Others will be taking over later.
    Português

    Como os voluntários da Air France são treinados para acompanhar as famílias e parentes das vítimas?

    No total, 4 mil funcionários da Air France fazem parte de um programa de voluntariado da companhia para serem acionados em situações de crise.

    Estes voluntários têm quatro missões principais: acolher famílias e parentes de vítimas, dar apoio logístico, reforçar equipes de aeroporto e dar assistência pelo telefone.

    Este programa foi lançado em novembro de 1998 pelo presidente da companhia.

    A Air France oferece aos voluntários módulos de treinamento de um dia:

    – Teoria (explicação dos princípios do voluntariado e seus compromissos, entre outros) e prática, na presença de um psicólogo.

    – Teoria e prática para treinar líderes para guiar um grupo de voluntários e fazer ligação com a equipe de crise da Air France.

    – Treinamento de escuta telefônica para preparar voluntários a atender ligações a partir do momento que um número de contato é disponibilizado.

    Desde o anúncio do desaparecimento do voo AF 447, uma centena de voluntários foi mobilizada para reforçar as equipes da Air France em Paris e no Rio de Janeiro. Outros poderão ser convocados nas próximas horas a fim de que haja um rodízio de equipes.

    Números toll free disponíveis para atendimento às famílias:

    Para todo o Brasil: 0800 881 2020;
    Para a França: 0800 800 812;
    Para outros países: + 33 1 57 02 10 55

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para estes números, reservados às famílias.
    Paris, 02 June 2009 – 07:25 local time
    Memo to the press
    Air France asks all journalists, and in particular those from the audio visual media, to respect the privacy of the relatives currently staying in hotels at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

    Thank you for your cooperation.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 7

    Paris, 02 June 2009 – 05:38 local time
    Press release N° 7
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Flight deck crew

    Flight Captain:
    · French
    · 58 years old
    · Entered Air France in 1988
    · Qualified on Airbus A330/A340 in February 2007
    · 11,000 flight hours, including 1,700 on Airbus A330/A340
    2 co-pilots:
    · French
    · 37 and 32 years old
    · Entered Air France in 1999 and 2004
    · Qualified on Airbus A330/A340 in April 2002 and June 2008
    · 6,600 flight hours, including 2,600 on Airbus A330/A340
    · 3,000 flight hours, including 800 on Airbus A330/A340
    Cabin crew

    Chief purser:
    · French
    · 49 years old
    · Entered Air France in 1985
    2 pursers:
    · French
    · 54 and 46 years old
    · Entered Air France in 1981 and 1989
    6 stewards and stewardesses:
    · 5 French and 1 Brazilian
    · Between 24 and 44 years old
    · Entered Air France in 1996 and 2007
    Phone numbers reserved for families and friends
    0800 800 812 in France,
    0800 881 20 20 in Brazil,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from all other countries.

    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for relatives and close friends.

    Português
    Tripulação técnica

    Comandante :
    Nacionalidade francesa
    58 anos
    Entrou na companhia em 1988
    Qualificação Airbus A330/A340 em fevereiro 2007
    11 000 horas de voo das quais 1 700 em Airbus A330/A340
    2 oficiais pilotos (co-pilotos) :
    Nacionalidade francesa
    37 anos e 32 anos
    Entraram na companhia em 1999 e em 2004
    Qualificação em Airbus A330/A340 em abril 2002 e em junho 2008
    6 600 horas de voo das quais 2 600 em Airbus A330/A340
    3 000 heures de voo das quais 800 em Airbus A330/A340
    Tripulação comercial (comissários de bordo)

    Chefe de cabine principal :
    Nacionalidade francesa
    49 anos
    Entrou na companhia em 1985
    2 chefes de cabine :
    Nacionalidade francesa
    54 e 46 anos
    Entraram na companhia em 1981 e em 1989
    6 comissárias e comissários
    5 de nacionalidade francesa e 1 de nacionalidade brasileira
    Entre 24 e 44 anos
    Entraram na companhia entre 1996 e 2007
    Números toll free disponíveis para atendimento às famílias:

    Para todo o Brasil: 0800 881 2020;
    Para a França: 0800 800 812;
    Para outros países: + 33 1 57 02 10 55
    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para estes números, reservados às famílias.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 6

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 20:30 local time
    Press release N° 6
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France is doing its utmost to provide support for relatives and friends.

    Medical and psychological assistance involving 15 specialist physicians has been set up at Paris-Charles de Gaulle 2 and Rio de Janeiro airports.

    Some one hundred voluntary members of Air France staff are backing up the teams in Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Rio de Janeiro.

    Air France has also established a special toll-free number for the relatives and friends of passengers.

    Phone numbers reserved for relatives and friends

    0800 800 812 in France,
    0800 881 20 20 in Brazil,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from all other countries.

    Air France will release further information as soon as it is available.

    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for relatives and close friends.
    Português

    A Air France está fazendo tudo ao seu alcance para dar apoio aos familiares e pessoas próximas aos passageiros.

    Os familiares estão sendo encaminhados a um hotel na Barra da Tijuca, no Rio de Janeiro, onde podem se hospedar se assim desejarem. Além disso, uma equipe de médicos e psicólogos está no local para total assistência, sendo: 4 psicológos, 2 psiquiatras e dois clínicos.

    Equipes médica e psicológica também estão disponíveis no aeroporto do Galeão, no rio e no de Paris – Charles de Gaulle.

    Cerca de 100 voluntários da Air France reforçam as equipes dos aeroportos de Paris Charles de Gaulle e do Rio de Janeiro.

    Números toll free estão disponíveis para atendimento às famílias:

    Para todo o Brasil: 0800 881 2020;
    Para a França: 0800 800 812;
    Para outros países: + 33 1 57 02 10 55

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 5

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 18:13 local time
    Press release N° 5
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France is now able to confirm the nationalities of the passengers who were on board flight AF 447 on 31 May 2009, which disappeared between Rio de Janeiro and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. This list of nationalities is based on the information provided by the Brazilian Authorities.

    2 American
    1 Argentinian
    1 Austrian
    1 Belgian
    58 Brazilian
    5 British
    1 Canadian
    9 Chinese
    1 Croatian
    1 Danish
    1 Dutch
    1 Estonian
    1 Filipino
    61 French
    1 Gambian
    26 German
    4 Hungarian
    3 Irish
    1 Icelandic
    9 Italian
    5 Lebanese
    2 Moroccan
    3 Norwegian
    2 Polish
    1 Romanian
    1 Russian
    3 Slovakian
    1 South African
    2 Spanish
    1 Swedish
    6 Swiss
    1 Turkish
    Air France expresses its deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the passengers and crew who were on board this flight.

    Air France is doing its utmost to provide support to relatives and friends: counselling with physicians and psychologists as well as specially trained Air France volunteers has been set up at the airports of Paris-Charles de Gaulle 2 and Rio de Janeiro.

    Air France has also established a special toll-free number for the attention of relatives and friends of passengers who may have been on board. They can use this number to obtain information on whether or not a member of their family or friends was on board.

    Phone number reserved for relatives and friends

    0800 800 812 in France,
    0800 881 20 20 in Brazil,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from all other countries.

    Air France will release further information as soon as it is available.

    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for relatives and close friends.

    Português

    Air France confirma as nacionalidades dos passageiros que se encontravam a bordo do voo AF 447 do dia 31 de maio 2009, desaparecido entre o Rio de Janeiro e Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Esta lista foi constituída tendo como base informações fornecidas por autoridades brasileiras.

    · 1 Sul-africano
    26 Alemães
    2 Norte-americanos
    1 Argentino
    1 Austríaco
    1 Belga
    58 Brasileiros
    5 Britânicos
    1 Canadense
    9 Chineses
    1 Croata
    1 Dinamarquês
    2 Espanhóis
    1 Estoniano
    61 Franceses
    1 Gambiano
    4 Húngaros
    3 Irlandeses
    1 Islandeses
    9 Italianos
    5 Libaneses
    2 Marroquinos
    1 Holandeses
    3 Noruegueses
    1 Filipinos
    2 Poloneses
    1 Romeno
    1 Russo
    3 Eslovacos
    1 Sueco
    6 Suiços
    1 Turco
    A Air France dirige suas sinceras condolências às famílias e aos parentes dos passageiros e membros da tripulação.

    A Air France está concentrando todos os seus esforços em dar suporte às famílias e parentes: uma assistência psicológica foi instalada no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 e no aeroporto do Rio de Janeiro. Ela é composta de médicos e psicólogos, assim como voluntários da empresa, especialmente treinados para estas situações.

    A empresa também colocou à disposição um número de telefone toll free especial de atendimento às famílias dos passageiros. Ela informa, conforme solicitação, de uma eventual presença a bordo de um familiar.

    Números de telefone reservados às famílias
    0800 881 20 20 para o Brasil,
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    Air France comunicará outras informações assim que elas estiverem disponíveis.

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 4

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 14:44 local time
    Press release N° 4
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France expresses its deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the passengers and crew who were on board AF flight 447 on 31 May 2009, which disappeared somewhere between Rio de Janeiro and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

    Air France is doing its utmost to provide support to relatives and friends: counselling with physicians and psychologists as well as specially trained Air France volunteers has been set up at the airports of Paris-Charles de Gaulle 2 and Rio de Janeiro.

    Air France has also established a special toll-free number for the attention of relatives and friends of passengers who may have been on board. They can use this number to obtain information on whether or not a member of their family or friends was on board.

    Phone number reserved for relatives and friends

    0800 800 812 in France,
    0800 881 20 20 in Brazil,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from all other countries.

    Air France will release further information as soon as it is available.

    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for relatives and close friends.

    Português
    Air France dirige suas sinceras condolências às famílias e amigos dos passageiros e membros da tripulação que se encontravam a bordo do voo AF 447 do dia 31 de maio, desaparecido entre o Rio de Janeiro e Paris Charles de Gaulle.

    A Air France está concentrando todos os seus esforços em dar suporte às famílias e parentes: uma assistência psicológica foi instalada no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 e no aeroporto do Rio de Janeiro. Ela é composta de médicos e psicólogos, assim como voluntários da empresa, especialmente treinados para estas situações.

    A empresa também colocou à disposição um número de telefone toll free especial de atendimento às famílias dos passageiros. Ela informa, conforme solicitação, de uma eventual presença a bordo de um familiar.

    Números de telefone reservados às famílias
    0800 881 20 20 para o Brasil,
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    Air France comunicará outras informações assim que elas estiverem disponíveis.

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 3

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 13:59 local time
    Press release N° 3
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France has sent all the information in its possession on the disappearance of flight AF 447 operating the Rio de Janeiro – Paris-Charles de Gaulle route to the French Accident Investigation Bureau for civil aviation (BEA), the French organization in charge of technical investigations into civil aviation incidents and accidents, and to the aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Air France is in permanent contact with the BEA and Airbus.

    The Airbus A330-200 aircraft, registration F-GZCP, left Rio on 31 May at 7:03pm local time (12:03am in Paris). The aircraft hit a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence at 2am this morning (universal time), i.e. 4am in Paris. An automatic message was received from the aircraft at 2:14am (4:14am in Paris) indicating a failure in the electric circuit in an area a long way off the coast.

    The aircraft was powered with General Electric CF6-80E engines.

    The aircraft had totalled 18,870 flight hours and went into service on 18 April 2005.
    Its last maintenance check in the hangar took place on 16 April 2009.

    Air France shares the anxiety and distress of the families concerned. The families are being taken care of in a specially reserved area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2.

    A toll-free number has been opened at 0800 800 812 in France,
    at 0800 881 20 20 in Brazil
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from outside France.
    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for families and close relatives.

    Português

    Air France informou ao Bureau de Investigação e Análises para a Segurança de Aviação civil, organismo responsavél na França pelas investigações técnicas sobre acidentes e incidentes da aviação civil, e para a Airbus, fabricante do avião, as informações que tem em seu poder após o desaparecimento do voo AF 447, fazendo a ligação Rio de Janeiro – Paris-Charles de Gaulle : a companhia está em contato permanente com o Bureau e com a Airbus.

    A aeronave, do tipo Airbus A330-200, matrícula F-GZCP, deixou o Rio dia 31 de maio às 19h03 (hora local).

    A aeronave atravessou uma zona de tempestade com fortes turbulências às 2 horas da manhã (horário TU) – 23 horas horário do Brasil. Uma mensagem automática foi recebida às 2h14 da manhã (horário TU = 23h14 horário do Brasil) indicando uma pane do circuito elétrico numa zona afastada da costa.

    A aeronave é equipada de motores General Electric CF6-80E.

    O avião tem um total de 18 870 horas de voo e começou a operar em 18 de abril de 2005.

    A última visita de manutenção em hangar foi feita em 16 de abril de 2009.

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no Salão Nobre do Galeão.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 881 2020 para o Brasil
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias.

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  • Flight 447: Press release N° 2

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 13:10 local time
    Press release N° 2
    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France regrets to confirm the disappearance of flight AF 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, scheduled to arrive at 11:10am local time today, as announced to the press by Air France CEO, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

    The Airbus A330-200, registration F-GZCP, left Rio on 31 May at 7:03pm local time (12:03am in Paris).

    The aircraft hit a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence at 2am this morning (universal time), i.e. 4am in Paris. An automatic message was received from the aircraft at 2:14am (4 :14am in Paris) indicating a failure in the electric circuit a long way from the coast.

    The Brazilian, African, Spanish and French air traffic control centres all tried to make contact with flight AF 447 but to no avail. The French military air traffic control centre tried to detect the aircraft but did not succeed.

    216 passengers were on board: 126 men, 82 women, 7 children and one infant.

    There were 12 flight crew members: 3 pilots and 9 flight attendants.

    The flight captain had a record of 11,000 flight hours and had already flown 1,700 hours on Airbus A330/A340s.

    Of the two first officers, one had flown 3,000 flight hours (800 of which on the Airbus A330/A340) and the other 6,600 (2,600 on the Airbus A330/A340).

    The aircraft was powered by General Electric CF6-80E engines.

    The aircraft had totalled 18,870 flight hours and went into service on 18 April 2005.
    Its last maintenance check in the hangar took place on 16 April 2009.

    Air France fully shares the anxiety and distress of the families concerned. The families are being taken care of in a specially reserved area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2.

    A toll-free number has been opened at 0800 800 812 for calls from France,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from outside France.
    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for families and close relatives.

    Português
    A Air France lamenta informar o desaparecimento do voo AF 447 que efetuava a ligação entre Rio de Janeiro e Paris-Charles de Gaulle, chegada prevista às 11h10 (hora local), acaba de anunciar o Diretor Geral da Air France, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

    A aeronave, do tipo Airbus A330-200, matrícula F-GZCP, deixou o Rio dia 31 de maio às 19h03 (hora local).

    A aeronave atravessou uma zona de tempestade com fortes turbulências às 2 horas da manhã (horário TU) – 23 horas horário do Brasil. Uma mensagem automática foi recebida às 2h14 da manhã (horário TU = 23h14 horário do Brasil) indicando uma pane do circuito elétrico numa zona afastada da costa.

    O conjunto dos controles aéreos civis brasileiro, africano, espanhol e francês tentaram em vão estabelecer contato com o voo AF 447. O controle aéreo militar francês tentou detectar o avião, sem sucesso.

    216 passageiros estão a bordo : 126 homens, 82 mulheres, 7 crianças e um bebê.

    A tripulação é composta por 12 pessoas : 3 tripulantes técnicos e 9 comissários.

    O comandante tem 11 mil horas de voo e já tinha efetuado 1700 horas no Airbus A330/A340.

    Os dois co-pilotos possuem: um 3000 horas de voo, sendo 800 horas em Airbus A330/A340 e o outro 6600, sendo 2 600 em Airbus A330/A340.

    A aeronave é equipada de motores General Electric CF6-80E.

    O avião tem um total de 18 870 heures de voo e começou a operar em 18 de abril de 2005.

    A última visita de manutenção em hangar foi feita em 16 de abril de 2009.

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no do Galeão.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 881 2020 para o Brasil
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países
    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias

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  • Flight 447: First Press Release

    Versão brasileira abaixo

    Air France regrets to announce that it has lost contact with flight AF 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, expected to arrive this morning at 11:15 local time.

    The flight left Rio on 31 May at 7pm local time.

    216 passengers are on board.

    There are 12 crew members on board: 3 pilots and 9 cabin crew.

    The following toll-free number is available in France: 0800 800 812,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 outside France.

    Air France fully shares the anxiety and distress of the families of the passengers concerned. The families are been taken care of in a specially reserved area at Paris-Charles de Gaulle 2 airport.

    Português

    Air France lamenta informar que se encontra sem notícias do voo AF 447 que efetuava a ligação entre Rio de Janeiro e Paris Charles de Gaulle, com chegada prevista às 11h15 da manhã (hora local).

    O voo decolou do Rio no dia 31 de maio às 19 horas locais.

    216 passageiros estão a bordo.

    A tripulação é composta de 12 pessoas : 3 tripulantes técnicos e 9 comissários.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no do Galeão.

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  • Airbus Debris Located

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  • Lightning Strike Not a Cause?

    Video Courtesy of KSL.com

    Severe turbulence theory: does the new generation plane measure up to the old? One pilot’s opinion

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  • | | |

    NW flight Diverts from LA to Waterloo

    What: Northwest Airlines Flight 335 Boeing 757 en route from Detroit to Los Angeles.
    Where: Waterloo
    When: on Tuesday morning
    Who: 182 passengers
    Why: An hour into the flight, the crew smelled smoke and diverted to Waterloo. Northwest is flying mechanics in on a substitute 757.

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  • |

    Flying in the face of Fate

    George’s Point of View

    Sometimes heroes do things that are counter-intuitive.
    Police break up riots.
    Soldiers enter battle.
    Firemen run into fires.

    Our natures are designed to have the urge to run away from harm. It only makes sense.

    There are thrill seekers who defy that urge:
    race car drivers
    parachutists
    The Evel Knievils of the world.

    Pilots are trained to do whatever is necessary to avoid thunderstorms. Serious storms are taken seriously–especially if routed through the “inter-tropical convergence zone.”

    It is counter-intuitive to fly into a storm.

    Maybe the storm crept up out of nowhere. Engineers can claim new planes are safely flown into storms but some things that are counter-intuitive are that way for a reason.

    We humans are solvers by nature. We like to see what the problem is, analyze it, and fix it. But what we find, while doing our fixing, is that there’s never just one thing wrong.

    This is true for any airline event. When is it ever just one thing? It’s not just the rain; the runway is too short. And part of the brakes are down. It’s not just that the pilot is landing on the wrong runway–the runway isn’t long enough, and it’s on a collision course. Plus when there are maintenance issues, they snowball. Maintenance crews get fluids on the engine that burn and send fumes in the cockpit, which causes the crew to have an emergency landing with a fuel-filled plane that stresses the landing gear and explodes the tire, and damages the nose wheel…

    It’s never one thing.

    So this time, it looks like it’s turbulence, hail, lightning strike, rapid decompression, storms, and electrical failure in the desolate oragious Atlantic. The controversy will keep going for a long time.

    What we decide is futile. Ultimately the only thing you can call a tragedy is a tragedy. This is a tragedy.

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  • | |

    Timeline: Air France flight 447

    Timeline of the disappearance of Air France flight 447:

    All times are universal time, or Greenwich Mean Time. At this time of year, Seattle is seven hours behind GMT.

    May 31:

    22:03 — Air France flight 447 departs from Rio de Janeiro. (Brazilian Air Force says plane left at 22:30.)

    June 1:

    01:30 — Plane has last contact with Brazil air traffic control, where it is 351 miles from the city of Natal.

    01:48 — Brazilian Air Force has last radar contact. Plane appears to be flying normally.

    02:00 — Aircraft hits a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence

    02:14 — An automatic message was received from the aircraft at indicating a failure in the electric circuit a long way from the coast.

    02:20 — Plane fails to make previously scheduled radio contact with Brazil. Brazil notifies air traffic control in Dakar, Senegal.

    05:00 – 06:00 — Brazilian, African, Spanish and French air traffic control centers try to make contact with the flight, but are not successful. The French military air traffic control center cannot detect the aircraft.

    05:30 — Brazilian Air Force starts a search and rescue mission

    07:30 — Air France sets up a crisis center

    09:15 — Flight was expected to arrive in Paris

    11:31 — Air France announces the following: “Air France regrets to announce that it has lost contact with flight AF 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, expected to arrive this morning at 11:15 local time.”

    13:10 — Air France announces the following: “Air France regrets to confirm the disappearance of flight AF 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, scheduled to arrive at 11:10am local time today, as announced to the press by Air France CEO, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.”

    13:59 — Air France reports that it has sent all of the information it has regarding the flight to the French Accident Investigation Bureau for civil aviation (BEA) and to Airbus

    14:44 — By this time, the airplane is expected to have run out of fuel. Air France publicizes “its deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the passengers and crew who were on board AF flight 447 on 31 May 2009, which disappeared somewhere between Rio de Janeiro and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.”

    Airbus also announces, “Airbus regrets to confirm that an Airbus A330-200 operated by Air France has been lost about 3.5 hours after departure.”

    18:13 — Air France releases a list of the nationalities on board

    (Sources:
    “Flight Safety Information” is a service of:
    Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP
    CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC
    (Targeting Safety & Risk Management)
    curt@curt-lewis.com
    www.curt-lewis.com
    www.fsinfo.org)

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  • | | | | |

    Air France Press Releases

    Flight Air France 447 Rio de Janeiro – Paris-Charles de Gaulle

    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 16:44 local time
    Press release N° 4
    Air France expresses its deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the passengers and crew who were on board AF flight 447 on 31 May 2009, which disappeared somewhere between Rio de Janeiro and Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

    Air France is doing its utmost to provide support to relatives and friends: counselling with physicians and psychologists as well as specially trained Air France volunteers has been set up at the airports of Paris-Charles de Gaulle 2 and Rio de Janeiro.

    Air France has also established a special toll-free number for the attention of relatives and friends of passengers who may have been on board. They can use this number to obtain information on whether or not a member of their family or friends was on board.

    Phone number reserved for relatives and friends

    0800 800 812 in France,
    0800 881 20 20 in Brazil,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from all other countries.

    Air France will release further information as soon as it is available.

    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for relatives and close friends.

    Português
    Air France dirige suas sinceras condolências às famílias e amigos dos passageiros e membros da tripulação que se encontravam a bordo do voo AF 447 do dia 31 de maio, desaparecido entre o Rio de Janeiro e Paris Charles de Gaulle.

    A Air France está concentrando todos os seus esforços em dar suporte às famílias e parentes: uma assistência psicológica foi instalada no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 e no aeroporto do Rio de Janeiro. Ela é composta de médicos e psicólogos, assim como voluntários da empresa, especialmente treinados para estas situações.

    A empresa também colocou à disposição um número de telefone toll free especial de atendimento às famílias dos passageiros. Ela informa, conforme solicitação, de uma eventual presença a bordo de um familiar.

    Números de telefone reservados às famílias
    0800 881 20 20 para o Brasil,
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    Air France comunicará outras informações assim que elas estiverem disponíveis.

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias.
    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 15:59 local time
    Press release N° 3
    Air France has sent all the information in its possession on the disappearance of flight AF 447 operating the Rio de Janeiro – Paris-Charles de Gaulle route to the French Accident Investigation Bureau for civil aviation (BEA), the French organization in charge of technical investigations into civil aviation incidents and accidents, and to the aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Air France is in permanent contact with the BEA and Airbus.

    The Airbus A330-200 aircraft, registration F-GZCP, left Rio on 31 May at 7:03pm local time (12:03am in Paris). The aircraft hit a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence at 2am this morning (universal time), i.e. 4am in Paris. An automatic message was received from the aircraft at 2:14am (4:14am in Paris) indicating a failure in the electric circuit in an area a long way off the coast.

    The aircraft was powered with General Electric CF6-80E engines.

    The aircraft had totalled 18,870 flight hours and went into service on 18 April 2005.
    Its last maintenance check in the hangar took place on 16 April 2009.

    Air France shares the anxiety and distress of the families concerned. The families are being taken care of in a specially reserved area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2.

    A toll-free number has been opened at 0800 800 812 in France,
    at 0800 881 20 20 in Brazil
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from outside France.
    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for families and close relatives.

    Português

    Air France informou ao Bureau de Investigação e Análises para a Segurança de Aviação civil, organismo responsavél na França pelas investigações técnicas sobre acidentes e incidentes da aviação civil, e para a Airbus, fabricante do avião, as informações que tem em seu poder após o desaparecimento do voo AF 447, fazendo a ligação Rio de Janeiro – Paris-Charles de Gaulle : a companhia está em contato permanente com o Bureau e com a Airbus.

    A aeronave, do tipo Airbus A330-200, matrícula F-GZCP, deixou o Rio dia 31 de maio às 19h03 (hora local).

    A aeronave atravessou uma zona de tempestade com fortes turbulências às 2 horas da manhã (horário TU) – 23 horas horário do Brasil. Uma mensagem automática foi recebida às 2h14 da manhã (horário TU = 23h14 horário do Brasil) indicando uma pane do circuito elétrico numa zona afastada da costa.

    A aeronave é equipada de motores General Electric CF6-80E.

    O avião tem um total de 18 870 horas de voo e começou a operar em 18 de abril de 2005.

    A última visita de manutenção em hangar foi feita em 16 de abril de 2009.

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no Salão Nobre do Galeão.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 881 2020 para o Brasil
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias.
    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 15:10 local time
    Press release N° 2
    Air France regrets to confirm the disappearance of flight AF 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, scheduled to arrive at 11:10am local time today, as announced to the press by Air France CEO, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

    The Airbus A330-200, registration F-GZCP, left Rio on 31 May at 7:03pm local time (12:03am in Paris).

    The aircraft hit a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence at 2am this morning (universal time), i.e. 4am in Paris. An automatic message was received from the aircraft at 2:14am (4 :14am in Paris) indicating a failure in the electric circuit a long way from the coast.

    The Brazilian, African, Spanish and French air traffic control centres all tried to make contact with flight AF 447 but to no avail. The French military air traffic control centre tried to detect the aircraft but did not succeed.

    216 passengers were on board: 126 men, 82 women, 7 children and one infant.

    There were 12 flight crew members: 3 pilots and 9 flight attendants.

    The flight captain had a record of 11,000 flight hours and had already flown 1,700 hours on Airbus A330/A340s.

    Of the two first officers, one had flown 3,000 flight hours (800 of which on the Airbus A330/A340) and the other 6,600 (2,600 on the Airbus A330/A340).

    The aircraft was powered by General Electric CF6-80E engines.

    The aircraft had totalled 18,870 flight hours and went into service on 18 April 2005.
    Its last maintenance check in the hangar took place on 16 April 2009.

    Air France fully shares the anxiety and distress of the families concerned. The families are being taken care of in a specially reserved area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2.

    A toll-free number has been opened at 0800 800 812 for calls from France,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 for calls from outside France.
    NB: We ask journalists not to call this number, which is reserved for families and close relatives.

    Português
    A Air France lamenta informar o desaparecimento do voo AF 447 que efetuava a ligação entre Rio de Janeiro e Paris-Charles de Gaulle, chegada prevista às 11h10 (hora local), acaba de anunciar o Diretor Geral da Air France, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

    A aeronave, do tipo Airbus A330-200, matrícula F-GZCP, deixou o Rio dia 31 de maio às 19h03 (hora local).

    A aeronave atravessou uma zona de tempestade com fortes turbulências às 2 horas da manhã (horário TU) – 23 horas horário do Brasil. Uma mensagem automática foi recebida às 2h14 da manhã (horário TU = 23h14 horário do Brasil) indicando uma pane do circuito elétrico numa zona afastada da costa.

    O conjunto dos controles aéreos civis brasileiro, africano, espanhol e francês tentaram em vão estabelecer contato com o voo AF 447. O controle aéreo militar francês tentou detectar o avião, sem sucesso.

    216 passageiros estão a bordo : 126 homens, 82 mulheres, 7 crianças e um bebê.

    A tripulação é composta por 12 pessoas : 3 tripulantes técnicos e 9 comissários.

    O comandante tem 11 mil horas de voo e já tinha efetuado 1700 horas no Airbus A330/A340.

    Os dois co-pilotos possuem: um 3000 horas de voo, sendo 800 horas em Airbus A330/A340 e o outro 6600, sendo 2 600 em Airbus A330/A340.

    A aeronave é equipada de motores General Electric CF6-80E.

    O avião tem um total de 18 870 heures de voo e começou a operar em 18 de abril de 2005.

    A última visita de manutenção em hangar foi feita em 16 de abril de 2009.

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no do Galeão.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 881 2020 para o Brasil
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países
    NB : Solicitamos aos jornalistas que NÃO liguem para este número, reservado às famílias
    Paris, 01 June 2009 – 13:31 local time
    First press release
    Air France regrets to announce that it has lost contact with flight AF 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, expected to arrive this morning at 11:15 local time.

    The flight left Rio on 31 May at 7pm local time.

    216 passengers are on board.

    There are 12 crew members on board: 3 pilots and 9 cabin crew.

    The following toll-free number is available in France: 0800 800 812,
    and + 33 1 57 02 10 55 outside France.

    Air France fully shares the anxiety and distress of the families of the passengers concerned. The families are been taken care of in a specially reserved area at Paris-Charles de Gaulle 2 airport.

    Português

    Air France lamenta informar que se encontra sem notícias do voo AF 447 que efetuava a ligação entre Rio de Janeiro e Paris Charles de Gaulle, com chegada prevista às 11h15 da manhã (hora local).

    O voo decolou do Rio no dia 31 de maio às 19 horas locais.

    216 passageiros estão a bordo.

    A tripulação é composta de 12 pessoas : 3 tripulantes técnicos e 9 comissários.

    Um toll free está disponível :
    0800 800 812 para a França,
    e + 33 1 57 02 10 55 para outros países

    A Air France divide a emoção e a inquietação das famílias envolvidas. Os familiares serão recebidos num local especialmente reservado no aeroporto de Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 assim como no do Galeão.

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  • |

    A330: Continued

    UPDATE: 11:40pm EDT: The French government has requested assistance from the US in hopes that US spy satellites and listening stations could help find the aircraft.

    George’s Point of View

    June 30 1994 was a red letter day for the A330. It’s only fatality occurred on June 30 1994 when pilot error and faulty autopilot systems killed three pilots, two engineers and two observers on board a test flight.

    So we can hope that today–June 1 2009–does not become another red letter day in A330 history. The last communication from the flight was an automatic report of an electrical short circuit and the loss of cabin pressure.

    The A330:
    -6,750 nautical mile range
    -seats up to 335 passengers
    -600 in service with 82 airlines
    -300 on order
    -38% more fuel efficient than the DC-10
    -choice of GE, Pratt & Whitney, or Rolls Royce engines
    -Variants:
    A330-200 A330-300 A330-200F

    Our thoughts are with all on board and families.


    Youtube text follows:
    PARIS, France (CNN — An Air France plane missing over the Atlantic with 228 people aboard reported electrical problems before it lost contact, the airline said Monday.
    The incident involves an Air France Airbus A330-200.

    The Airbus A330-200 jet had experienced turbulence during the 11-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, the spokesman said.

    Brazil’s air force has launched a search near the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha in the Atlantic Ocean, 365 km (226 miles) from Brazil’s coast, a spokesman for the air force told CNN.

    Two Brazilian squadrons are searching for the plane, although it disappeared after it left the country’s radar space, said the officer, who declined to be named.

    The flight, AF 447, took off shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday local time (6 p.m. Sunday ET) for the 11-hour flight, with 216 passengers and 12 crew members. It was scheduled to land in Paris at 11:15 a.m. local time (5:15 a.m. ET).

    The last known contact with the plane was at 1:33 a.m. GMT (8:33 p.m. Sunday night ET), the Brazilian Air Force spokesman said.

    Air France said it could not confirm reports of a short circuit on board the aircraft.

    The airline said it “shared the emotion and the concern of the families concerned” adding that friends and relatives waiting at the airport would be taken to a special area.

    A crisis center is being set up at Charles de Gaulle where the plane had been due to land at 11.15 a.m. local time.

    Agence France-Presse quoted France’s Environment Minister Jean Louis Borloo saying that it was extremely unlikely the plane had been hijacked.

    “We are very worried,” an aviation official told AFP. “The plane disappeared from the screens several hours ago. It could be a transponder problem, but this kind of fault is very rare and the plane did not land when expected.”

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  • | | | |

    Air France Flight 447 Airbus Missing


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

    Family members can call — 0 800 800 812 for people in France and 00 33 1 57 02 10 55 for families outside France.


    What: 4 year old Air France Airbus A330-200 en route from Rio de Janeiro,RJ (Brazil) to Paris Charles de Gaulle
    Where: Missing over the Atlantic Ocean
    When: June 1
    Who: In all, there were 216 passengers (incl seven children and one baby, 82 women and 126 men) and 12 crew. 60 French citizens were on the plane. Italy said at least three passengers were Italian.The pilot had 11,000 hours of flying experience, and 1,700 hours flying this aircraft.
    Why: The last known radio contact was an automatic message made at 0133 GMT when the plane was near the Island of Fernando de Noronha; since then, the airplane has made no radio communication. Fifteen minutes after flying through a storm and strong turbulence, there was an electrical short-circuit. There is speculation that the plane may have been hit by lightning.

    Search planes left Fernando de Noronha Island looking for signs of the plane concentrating in an area 230 miles off the northeast Brazil coast. Though there is not radar over the entire ocean, the black box will be emit a signal even if it is under water.

    The flight left Rio at 7 p.m. and was expected in Paris on Monday at 11:15 a.m. By now, fuel would have run out.

    Families of the missing are being brought to an information centre at Charles de Gaulle airport.

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  • | |

    Fly Keystone Cops, no, I mean Fly India

    George’s Point of View

    Once upon a time, there were two runways: Runway 27 and Runway 14. They crossed each other. It didn’t matter that they crossed each other because the KING of the runway (Air Traffic Control) never allowed planes in a collision course. In Air Traffic Control school, they teach that a collision course would be a very bad thing.

    So one day, an Air India A310 was on Runway 27, and waiting for input from Air Traffic Control. And, simultaneously, a Jet Airways Boeing 737-800, flight was waiting on Runway 14.

    Somehow, both planes started to take-off.

    Air Traffic control recognized that the very bad thing was about to happen, and cancelled one of the take-offs.

    Fortunately both pilots were awake, saw the what was happening and both pilots rejected takeoff.

    (Fortunately, they teach that a collision course is a bad thing in Pilot school too. Nice juxtaposition, that.)

    It’s a good day when no one dies from the accident that could have happened.

    It’s not a happy ending yet, because it won’t be over until the investigation is over. No one died…but it remains to be seen if heads may still roll.

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  • Fly Nigera? Maybe Walk.


    George’s Point of View

    Air Consult International recently audited the safety factors of Nigerian Airlines.

    Only Aero Contractor’s aircraft were all okayed.

    Virgin Nigeria Boeing 767-300 aircraft and Arik Air’s Hawker HS-125 planes were judged to be at risk. In fact, the executive jet charter business is deemed to be a risky business which has not kept up with general aviation safety standards, according to 234Next which somehow obtained the confidential report.

    The report says also that “The operating environment in Nigeria is still a difficult one. Vast areas of the country’s airspace do not have radar coverage and air traffic control is provided by radio and procedural means.”

    Of course, it is public knowledge that many African air carriers are on the European Banned list Non-EU air carriers are vetted against internationally binding safety standards established by the 1944 Chicago Convention and its annexes. Failing criteria include poorly maintained, antiquated or obsolete aircraft and the inability of the airlines involved to rectify their shortcomings and respect safety standards.

    Virgin Nigeria has deteriorated since its original audit, and is now operating with fewer employees and deteriorating standards. Also, HS-125 Executive jets operated by Arik Air got a Category 0 rating in the audit.

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  • | | | |

    Airbus Flap Failure


    Contact photographer Ian Older
    What: Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 en route from San Francisco,CA to Munich Germany
    Where: Munich
    When: May 29th 2009
    Who: 277 passengers
    Why: When landing flaps failed, the Airbus prepared for an emergency landing. Fortunately, though the plane landed too fast, there was no serious consequence to the flap failure. Reportedly the plane was repaired and returned to service hours later.

    George’s Point of View

    It’s a good thing they weren’t landing at Sao Paulo, or another airport with a short runway–

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  • | |

    Helicopter Lands in Lake

    What: Tonnesen Aviation’s Robinson R44
    Where: Y-Landing Marina on Meredith Neck, Lake Winnipesaukee
    When: May. 26, 2009 11:30 a.m.
    Who: 4 aboard
    Why: The helicopter was struck by wind gusts on approach to the landing pad, and landed in 15 foot water. Everyone made it safely to shore. Pilot was Glenn Tonnesen. Passengers include Phil Davidson.

    George’s Point of View

    I saw a comment online where someone cites the Robinson Helicopter Safety Notice:
    “Flying in high winds or turbulence should be avoided..”
    Sounds like a good idea to me.

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    Unreliable Airspeed: Blame it on the Bee

    What: SAS Norway Boeing 737-700 en route from Oslo Gardermoen Norway to Malaga Spain
    Where: Gardermoen Airport
    When: May 30th 2009
    Who: 134 passengers
    Why: After takeoff, airspeed numbers did not agree. The crew landed back at the airport about half an hour after takeoff. Passengers were flown to their destinations on an alternative Boeing 737-800.

    Mechanics found the problem. A bee had flown into one of the plane’s air speed sensors (pitot tube).

    George’s Point of View

    A good thing that the pilot was able to land the plane and discover the problem.

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    MD-90 Engine Failure over Madinah, Saudi Arabia

    What: Saudi Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 en route from Damascus to Madinah, Saudi Arabia
    Where: emergency landing at Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah
    When: Thursday May 28th 2009-evening
    Who: 121 passengers
    Why: On approach, the plane experienced a failure in one of its engines. The pilot had to burn off fuel, telling the control tower he was unable to land. After a number of attempts, the MD-90 landed safely.

    George’s Point of View

    Math question
    If an MD-80 flies from Damascus to Madinah carrying 121 passengers with all its engines, loses one and has to circle for thirty minutes after it arrives at its destination, how much fuel was in the plane to begin with?

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