• | | |

    Six Fatalities in Guatemalan Crash


    What: Six-seat twin engine plane en route from the La Aurora to Belize bound for the neighboring country of Belize.
    Where: Guatemala City 200 yards (meters) from the airport
    When: Thursday 1942 GMT
    Who: Passengers included four Francisco Marroquin University professors; pilot Hector Ramos, and passengers Rafael Araneda, Claudia Porras of Araneda, Joseph Godoy, Juan Roberto Brenes and Helmuth Wintzer
    Why: The crash destroyed a home, and parts of the wreckage also ended up in a swimming pool. The cause of the crash is under investigation but bad weather is thought to be responsible. The pilot was attempting a turn when he crashed at 15th Avenue and 20th Street area near the 13th Air Force. The plane fell on house 20-21.

    Four people inside the house were shocked by the noise, but no one was hurt.

    George’s Point of View

    We offer our condolences to the families of Hector Ramos, Rafael Araneda, Claudia Porras, Joseph Godoy, Juan Roberto Brenes and Helmuth Wintzer

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Drugged Passenger Bites Air Official

    What: Egypt Air flight MF 968 en route from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur
    Where: Mumbai international airport
    When: Emergency landing 3 am on Friday; transport to hospital Monday May 11
    Who: Ojo Joshua Oladele
    Why: The passenger exhibited violent behavior while aboard the Cairo-Kuala Lumpur flight. (He assaulted the crew and bit the air marshall.) When his behavior became uncontrollable, the plane landed in Mumbai, where the passenger was escorted to Cooper Hospital suffering the throes of withdrawal. Because the Nigerian passenger did not have an Indian Visa, he was held in the airport in the custody of “security.” According to officials, when his condition improves, he will be sent back to Nigeria.

    George’s Point of View

    I wonder what the status is of his visa now?

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Cracked Window Sends Plane Back to Airport

    What: Bulgaria Air Boeing 737-300 en route from Tel Aviv to the Bulgarian city of Burgas on the Black Sea.
    Where: Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv
    When: May 14
    Who: 146 passengers
    Why: When a crack was discovered in a window, the plane returned to Tel Aviv. There were no injuries. Passengers were provided replacement transportation.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    Helicopter Crash in Kenyan Rift Valley


    Pictured: Kenyan Mi-17
    Contact photographer Guido Potters
    What: Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter
    Where: Rift Valley province, Kenya
    When: Monday May 11
    Who: 28 on board, including Kenyan Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ali, Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan and journalists suffered injuries. Fifteen injured were taken to Nairobi Hospital.
    Why: When the helicopter developed mechanical problems and lost power, it crash landed in the Rift Valley. Fuel, flight voice and data recorders have been collected, and the Russian plane builders have been invited to join the investigation.

    (unverified) Popular opinion is that the helicopter was too old to still be in service.

    George’s Point of View

    Air safety in Kenya, especially for government officials, seems to be an oxymoron.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    Q400 Bombardier Turns Back to Varna


    Hungarian Malev Airlines Q400 Bombardier
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Adam Samu
    What: Hungarian Malev Airlines Q400 Bombardier en route from Varna to Budapest
    Where: Bulgarian coastal town of Varna
    When: 5:25 am on May 12
    Who: 30 passengers
    Why: The plane experienced an undisclosed technical problem and turned back almost as soon as it was in the air. The plane that turned back is the same as the Colgan Air plane that crashed in Buffalo NY. This plane, however, was not flying with ice on its wings.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Air Do

    What: Air Do (AKA Hokkaido International Airlines) flight en route from Tokyo to Sapporo
    Where: Sapporo
    When: 4:40 p.m. Wednesday
    Who: 182 passengers aboard. Three passengers and a cabin attendant injured.
    Why: The airplane encountered turbulence en route over Ibaraki Prefecture, resulting in minor injuries. One woman was taken to the hospital.

    George’s Point of View

    All of a sudden there is more on turbulence.
    Need to stay buckled up. It’s a pain on a long flight, but, more safe.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | | | |

    Air Canada Jazz Lands on One Engine


    Contact photographer Galen Burrows
    What: Air Canada Jazz de Havilland Dash 8-100, en route from Sudbury to Pearson,ON
    Where: Sudbury
    When: May 12th 2009 21:07 (eighteen minutes)
    Who: 21 on board
    Why: While en route, the oil pressure and ITT indicators came on for engine number two just before it made a big “bang.” The pilot shut down engine two and returned to Sudbury for a safe landing

    George’s Point of View

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Houston Tire Fire


    View Large at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Mark Kopczak
    What: Southwest Airlines en route from New Orleans to Houston
    Where: HOUSTON, TEXAS at Hobby Airport
    When: May 12 Tuesday evening 8 pm
    Who: 47 passengers 5 crew
    Why: When a tire caught on fire after landing at Hobby Airport in Houston Texas, passengers debarked via emergency slide and waited on the runway for transport to the terminal. Several injuries were sustained on the slide. The fire occurred apparently because of a flat incurred on landing.

    George’s Point of View

    I know it’s unfair to pick on airline company that has gone way out on the limb to keep the price of flying low and fair, but, maintenance is a must, there can’t be any cost-savings in maintenance.

    Including the tires!

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Training on Trial

    A federal hearing into a fatal plane crash last February in Buffalo, N.Y., is focusing on the training of the pilot. A top concern is the training the flight’s captain, Marvin Renslow, received from Colgan Air. (May 12

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Buffalo: Haunting Questions

    George’s Point of View

    When it is all over, after the crash, after the investigation, after the finger-pointing, after all the intangible blame has been assigned to corporeal cause, and the reproachable have been reproached, it is important to remember that one of the objectives of a crash investigation is prevention.

    Accidents happen. It is a fact of life. Because accidents happen no matter what we do, it is crucial that we do everything possible to reduce their likelihood. When we hear contributing factors of the Buffalo New York crash included that one pilot’s training lacked the procedure of how to handle the particular crisis (how to “respond to a warning system designed to prevent the plane from going into a stall”), and that the co-pilot was sick, we need to look at every factor. We should recognize opportunities to make procedural changes that reduce the accident factor.

    I am sure that inclusion of this training is going to be the most obvious solution.

    Regardless of training, is anyone is considering that sending those pilots flying under the weather conditions of that night is a reckless policy that dumps administrative blame on pilots who can no longer defend themselves, and whose jobs are simply to follow orders?

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    Airbus Hydraulics Failure in Canada


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Michael Carter
    What: Air Canada Airbus A320-200 en route from Toronto,ON to Winnipeg,MB
    Where: Winnipeg
    When: May 3rd 2009
    Who: 148 people on board
    Why: When the flight crew discovered low hydraulics fluid, they turned off the system, declared an emergency and flew on to Winnipeg without hydraulics. Just prior to landing, the hydraulics were re-initiated and the plane landed safely. According to the the Aviation Herald’s May 04 report, the “O-ring on the brakes servo valve needed to be replaced. ”

    George’s Point of View

    It’s difficult to argue with a safe landing.

    Though it is impossible from our perspective to say whether this dangerous situation occurred due to maintenance failure or regular wear and tear, the Air Canada flight crew is to be commended for successfully landing without any injuries, and handling the situation in such a practical manner.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | | |

    4 Die in Cessna Crash


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Giovanni Francisco Rodriguez Bravo

    What: Single Engine Cessna 172 en route from Santa Cruz
    When: May 11
    Who: four people were killed: pilot Martyshev Basil, his wife and two children
    Why: The plane took off from Santa Cruz 20 minutes after the expiry of the permitted duration of flights.

    50 minutes after takeoff the plane fell from the sky. No cause is yet noted.

    Apparently Martyshev was Russian and had U.S. citizenship, while his wife and children were citizens of Bolivia.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Brakes, Brakes, Whose Got the Brakes? (Not Air Austral…)


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Carlos De Oliveira
    What: Air Austral Boeing 777-200 en route from Saint Denis to Dzaoudzi
    Where: Saint Denis (2x)
    When: May 8th 2009
    Why: When there was a problem with the brakes, the plane returned to Saint Denis twice for repairs, before the flight was ultimately cancelled

    George’s Point of View

    Maintenance! Maintenance! Maintenance!

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | | |

    Jet Blue Nose Gear went Belly Up at JFK

    What: Jetblue Embraer ERJ-190 en route from Austin,TX to New York JFK,NY
    Where: JFK,NY runway 22L diverted to runway 31L
    When: May 7th 2009
    Who: 80 people on board
    Why: After a missed approach, the Jet Blue crew announced a “little issue.” THe little issue turned out to be a nose gear steering fault. The plane landed safely under emergency status; no one was injured. And the plane did require a tow after landing.

    This plane–unlike several others at the same time frame at JFK–did NOT incur a bird strike.

    George’s Point of View

    JetBlue goes back and forth across the country.

    Maintenance! Maintenance! Maintenance!

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Bad day for Saudi Arabian Airlines (or MD-90s)


    © Michael Carter Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Michael Carter
    What: Saudi Arabian Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90 en route from Jeddah to Yanbu
    Where: Yanbu
    When: May 8th 2009
    Why: On landing, the plane struck one wing onto the runway. The logo light in the wing tip sustained damage. THe pilot was suspended.


    © Markus Buttinger Airliners.net
    View large photo on Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Markus Buttinger
    What: Saudi Arabian Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90 en route from from Jeddah to Riyadh Saudi Arabia
    Where: Riyadh
    When: May 8th 2009
    Who: 8 crew on board
    Why: On a ferry flight, after landing at Riyadh the plane skidded on a high speed turnoff, slid, turned, veered off the runway. The main gear collapsed and the left wing damaged made it a write-off.

    George’s Point of View

    Coincidence? 2 MD-90s? Both Saudi Arabian Airlines? Did they rush their pilot’s training? Or maybe they trained down on the penny arcade 1991 model Sega R360 flight simulator down at the 7/11?

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | | | |

    Airbus a Hot Mess over Geneva


    Contact photographer Mark Kwiatkowski
    What: Lufthansa A321-100, registration en route from Munich Germany to Lisbon Portugal
    Where: Diverted to Geneva Switzerland
    When: May 9th 2009
    Who: 147 passengers
    Why: En route, the airbus was hit by clear air turbulence. Twelve passengers were injured, and 2 crew members. 5 were taken to the hospital.

    George’s Point of View

    Turbulence does not necessarily result in a plane being taken out of commission. The passengers were delayed for five hours while replacement transportation was procured. There is no indication why.

    This makes me question why the passengers had to switch planes.

    • Was this just a precaution?
    • Was the turbulence so bad that it damaged the plane?
    • Did they get jostled around much the galley contents (or during mealtime) that it made a 5+ hour mess?
    • Did something on the plane go on the fritz before during or after?

      • Inquiring minds want to know…

    Update: Meal service was in progress at the time of the turbulence.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Beechcraft Plane Crash; Five Deaths

    What: small propeller-driven, six-seater Beechcraft BE95 twin-engine plane en route from the Minden-Tahoe Airport (500 yards south of Mottsville Lane, three miles west of State Route 88)
    Where: western Gardnerville Nevada
    When: Saturday afternoon about 4:10 p.m.
    Who: five people aboard: four men and one woman. All died of blunt force trauma.
    Why: Witnesses say the plane nose-dived into an open field. Witnesses said “The right wing of the plane dropped down and it appeared that the pilot had stalled”

    The cause is under investigation.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • The Businessman’s Real Question behind Smaller Planes…

    George’s Point of View

    If you’re a frequent flying businessman, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed the decline of the number of people flying, and the resulting greater availability of smaller jets, and smaller regional aircraft.

    The Regional Airline Association provides Regional Aircraft Statistics if you’re interested in that kind of thing.

    There are trade-offs. Except for safety statistics, for frequent flyers statistics don’t matter as much as tangible factors like leg room, airport accessibility, lack of baggage space, availability of non-stop flights, etc… It’s really a matter of practical concern and personal choice. You’re not really packed like sardines in smaller planes, it just seems that way. And non-stop flights are probably worth it.

    As long as your smaller plane has two engines (in case one quits), doesn’t ingest birds (because how many pilots are Chesley B. Sullenburger III?), and you’re not claustrophobic (and the guy sitting elbow to elbow with you didn’t forget to use his deodorant.)

    One wonders if the trend toward smaller planes is going evolve smaller businessmen.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • UPDATE ON NTSB PUBLIC HEARING ON THE COLGAN AIR ACCIDENT NEAR BUFFALO, NEW YORK

    May 8, 2009 -NTSB Advisory The National Transportation Safety Board today released additional information about the Board’s scheduled public hearing on the crash of the Colgan Air Dash-8 near Buffalo, New York. The three-day hearing will convene at 9:00 a.m. on May 12, 2009 at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. The room is lighted for television and a mult box is provided for sound.

    Read More

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • NTSB DETERMINES CAUSE OF EMS HELCOPTER MIDAIR COLLISION IN ARIZONA

    May 8, 2009 -NTSB Advisory The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the probable cause of a midair collision between two emergency medical service (EMS) helicopters last year was that both pilots’ failed to see and avoid the other helicopter on approach to the helipad. Read More

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    R-22 Engine Failure

    What: ROBINSON R22 ROTORCRAFT
    Where: WINTER HAVEN, FL
    When: 05/07/2009
    Who: pilot
    Why: A ROBINSON R22 ROTORCRAFT owned by “NOVEMBER ALPHA LLC” at 5657 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 330, REPORTED AN ENGINE FAILURE AND FORCE LANDED ON A PARKING LOT.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Indian Airlines Safe Emergency Landing

    What: Indian Airlines en route from Shamshabad Airport to Tirupati
    Where: Shamshabad International Airport
    When: fifteen minutes after takeoff at 1:55 pm. Thursday May 7
    Who: 135 passengers including the Minister for Endowments J Ratnakar Rao
    Why: The plane returned to the airport when the pilot had technical difficulties.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | | |

    Lantana Tragedy


    What: Beechcraft 35 Bonanza owned by James BREAZEAL of Florida
    Where: LANTANA, FL
    When: 05/06/2009
    Who: Two fatalities, pilot and passenger: Jack Henderson of Lake Worth and James Breazeal of Windermere were killed in the crash.
    Why: AIRCRAFT, ON LANDING MISSED THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED AIRCRAFT, THE TWO PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, LANTANA, FL, Air worthiness Date: 08/18/1959

    Although the airport is saying a new engine was recently installed, investigators believe that engine failure caused the plane to crash. The plane clipped parked planes and collided with a trailer, with the engine dislodging on impact. Apparently the rest of the plane “crumbled” on impact with the hanger.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    Airbus Nose Gear Issue in SF

    What: Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 en route from Munich Germany to San Francisco,CA
    Where: on far approach to San Francisco
    When: May 5th 2009
    Why: After reporting nose gear issues, the airbus was towed off the runway after landing, and it’s return flight was cancelled.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Two Robinson R22 Helicopters Crash in Australia

    What: Robinson R22 helicopters
    Where: Springvale Station, about 50km north of the Halls Creek, at a remote Western Australian cattle station
    When: May 5
    Who: pilot Wanganui pilot Matthew Warrick William Funnell, 39 and pilot 37-year-old Troy Aaron Wareham. Funnell is the cousin of John Funnell, managing director of Helicopter Services BOP – which provides air ambulance services.
    Why: When the pilots did not return, a search party was sent out, which discovered the wreckage. The crash is under investigation

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.