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LGW Plane’s Tire Bursts on Landing in Saarbruecken

Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter (LGW) flight AB-6478 blew a main tire upon landing in Saarbruecken, Germany, on August 29th.

The incident happened when the plane was coming from Berlin, Germany.

The plane safely taxied to the apron. Everyone aboard remained unharmed.

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3 Killed, 1 Injured After Small Plane Crashes in Switzerland

A Piper PA-28 plane crashed near the Diavolezza mountain in Switzerland, on August 4th.

The incident happened when the plane was transporting three teenagers who were participating in a week-long youth camp organized by Swiss Aero Club.

Three people, including the pilot and two 14-year old boys were killed in the crash. A 17-year-old girl was injured and was flown to a hospital in serious condition.

The cause of crash is being investigated.

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4 Killed as Small Plane Crashed in Chatsworth, Georgia

A small plane crashed on Piney Hill Road in Chatsworth, Georgia, on July 1st.

The incident happened when the twin-engine Piper PA-23 plane was carrying four people.

Authorities said all four occupants of the plane were killed in the crash.

The incident is being investigated.

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Ural Airlines Plane Overruns Runway at Koltsovo Airport, Russia

Ural Airlines flight U6-261 overran runway while landing at Koltsovo Airport, Russia, on June 15th.

The incident happened when the Airbus A320-200 plane flying from Domodedovo International Airport, Russia, was attempting to land during heavy rain.

The plane was carrying eighty-one people at the time; all of them remained uninjured.

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Air India Plane Overruns Runway at Jammu Airport

Air India flight AI-821 overran the runway during landing at Jammu Airport, India, on June 9th.

The incident happened when the Airbus A320-200 plane was coming from Delhi, India.

There were one hundred and thirty-four people aboard at the time; all of them remained uninjured.

The airline said the plane burst a tire on landing.

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Summit Air Freight Flight Crashes in Nepal; 2 Killed, 3, Injured

A Summit Air freight flight crashed on the runway of Tenzing–Hillary Airport, Lukla, Chaurikharka, Nepal, on May 27th.

The Let L-410 flying from Kathmandu, Nepal, was about to land when it hit a tree near the runway and hit the land. The incident happened due to fog.

The aircraft sustained technical problems.

Captain and the first officer were killed in the crash. All three crew members sustained injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Aeromexico Plane Collides with Service Truck at LAX; 8 Injured

An Aeromexico plane collided with a service truck after landing in Los Angeles, California, on May 20th.

The incident happened when flight AM-642 from Mexico City, Mexico, was taxiing toward the terminal at Los Angeles airport.

The truck overturned due to impact. There were eight people aboard, including six men and two women; all of them were injured.

The Boeing 737-800 plane, carrying 149 people, sustained minor damage.

Aero Contractors Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Lagos
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Aero Contractors Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Lagos

Aero Contractors flight NG-316 had to make an emergency landing in Lagos, Nigeria, on April 18th.

The plane flying from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, declared an emergency after smoke was noticed in the cabin.

The plane continued for a safe landing. There were 52 people aboard at the time; all of them remained unharmed.

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the incident.

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Daily Air Plane Veers Off Runway in Taiwan

Daily Air flight DA-7511 veered off runway after landing in Orchid Island, Taiwan, on April 13th.

The incident happened when the plane was coming from Taitung, Taiwan.

There were 17 passengers and 2 crew members aboard at the time; none of them were injured.

The plane sustained considerable damage.

The incident is being investigated.

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Small Plane Crashes Near Franklin Airport, VA

A small plane crashed near Franklin Municipal–John Beverly Rose Airport in Virginia, on December 10th.

The plane had just taken off from the airport when the pilot reported engine issues and decided to return.

However, the aircraft could not make it back to the airport and went down around 100 yards off Route 258.

There were two people aboard at the time, including the pilot Linda Mathias, 75, and passenger Paul L. Ruehrmund, 69. Both of them sustained minor injuries in the incident and were taken to Southampton Memorial Hospital.

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Three Passengers Injured after Fire Alarm Went Off in Egypt Air Plane

EgyptAirEgypt Air flight MS-875 was evacuated while it was boarding at Cairo International Airport, Egypt, on October 2nd.

The plane bound for Lagos, Nigeria, was boarding when a fire alarm went off for a cargo hold.

The passengers were asked to deplane quickly which triggered a stampede.

Three passengers were injured in the incident and were taken to hospital.

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Smoke and Other Issues in Flight

Just like it happens with cars, obscure plane parts wear out. Take for example an incident that happened in 2008, when a 747 cable burned out after the protective covering was worn off due to friction against a bolt.

Take a look at this final report on this 747 smoke event on Eva Airways Flight BR67 at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Prior to this event, Boeing had sent out a service Letter to inform operators of the potential fire hazard from the arcing of a wire bundle which might result in a fire on Corrosion Inhibiting Compound (CIC) contaminated insulation blankets. They predicted it. It happened.

So as we think about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. There is always the possibility that some small component like the one below failed, and led to something catastrophic. What if the pilots were overcome by smoke in the cabin? I am not saying that this DID happen, I am only saying there are myriad small parts that can lead to catastrophic events. It makes sense to look at any and all Boeing 777 safety advisories, in case they might predict some small event that cascaded into disaster.

Thanks to input from John King.