Coroners and sheriff’s deputies descended on a Jet Blue plane at the Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida after two bodies were found in the landing gear compartment.

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False Alarm in Fond du Lac
What: Alleged crash reported
Where: Mitchell Road area east of Highway 45.
When: 3:40 p.m
Who: no one
Why: A farmer reported a low-flying plane followed by a puff of smoke. Rescue rushed to the scene, including a medical evacuation helicopter, but the crisis turned out to be a pile of burning leaves. Two planes which had been flying in the area at the time were accounted for. No plane was involved.

How the Jeju Air Plane Crashed: Timeline, Maps and Photos
Video from the scene and aircraft positioning data offer clues about the deadliest aviation disaster in years.

Reports of planes colliding with wildlife increasing at Florida airports
Last year, Florida plane strikes with all species reached the highest number in FAA database history, at 1,717 reports.
Spatial Disorientation-in the pilot, or in the head of the investigator
Donald Estell attempted to land the 21-year-old, single-engine Piper aircraft in challenging conditions, (on its second approach to St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia) but instead, struck a house. The crash that ended the life of 65-year-old Estell of Clayton, Mo., and Robert Clarkson, 77, of Belleville has been attributed to pilot error by a June 27 report by the NTSB. The crash occurred on Feb 21, 2010, and it happened (according to the NTSB) because of spatial disorientation.
A pilot who loses his orientation, and whose proprioception (perception of direction) is compromised is described as suffering from spatial disorientation. Most useful for maintaining orientation is an external visual horizon, which helps maintain the sense of “up and down.”
We know that spatial disorientation is a real condition. It is also one of several “pilot error” causes that officials point to when they can not figure out why an otherwise airworthy (or supposedly airworthy) plane crashes.
There are cases rightly or wrongly attributed to spatial disorientation, for example, the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 that spiraled into the sea off Beiruit; the May 12 2010 Afriqiyah Airlines Flight 771 crash where the pilot undershot the runway on approach to Tripoli; and the July 28 2010 Airblue Flight 202 which crashed in the Margalla Hills on an ILS approach to the opposite runway 30.* There are events attributed to spatial disorientation when it may or may not be a factor, and may or may not be the only cause. Even when it does occur, it is usually in combination with something else, such as foggy weather which obliterates the horizon, radar failure, cabin pressure loss (the sudden loss of pressure can cause a pilot to lose consciousness.)
Families who have lost loved ones in airline crashes rely on investigations to determine what systems failed, and what went wrong that caused the crash. It is the solemn duty of investigators (like those in the NTSB) to sort through the wreckage, and analyze the black boxes to determine to the best of their ability what went wrong. The final report is usually the result of a year or several years of intensive study and research. It is usually the more responsible or determined investigators who do not settle for a spatial disorientation cause blaming the pilot, but who look beyond it to find the underlying factor—the radar failure, or system failure, or pressure leak or faulty automatic pilot—that instigated the disorientation.
*See Comment
Super Bowl Flight Advisory
FAAST Blast
Notice Number: NOTC2108
FAAST Blast — January 20, 2010
In anticipation of a large number of aircraft operating to and from the South Florida metropolitan area during the 2010 Pro-Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV weeks, special procedures will be used to enhance safety and minimize air traffic delays. Among the security provisions for this event are TFRs, two-way communications, and discrete transponder requirements.
Specific procedures for this event may be revised and access to some airports may be restricted. Pilots should be prepared to provide documentation, including personal identification, certificate number,aircraft ownership information, and a contact number. Pilots are also encouraged to check NOTAMs frequently to verify they have the most current information. TFR information is normally disseminated by FDC NOTAM three to five days prior to the event. Once published, text and graphic depictions of restrictions may be found on the following web site: www.tfr.faa.gov. The Super Bowl TFR is scheduled to be in effect on Feb. 7.
ADS-B Debuts in Gulf of Mexico
On January 12, 2010, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt announced that an improved satellite-based system – Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) – is now being used to more efficiently and safely separate and manage aircraft flying over the Gulf of Mexico.
“This is a significant, early step toward NextGen,” Administrator Babbitt said. “We’re delivering on time, a system that’s not only more accurate than radar but comes with significant safety and efficiency benefits. This will save time and money for aircraft operators and passengers and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Before the installation of ADS-B in the Gulf, controllers were required to maintain a 120-mile separation between aircraft. The new technology shrinks that to only five nautical miles, while increasing safety. The agency also can now provide more direct routes, which reduces fuel costs and improves efficiency.
This is the nation’s second major installation of ADS-B equipment. Controllers at Louisville International Airport started using the technology last fall. This year, ADS-B is expected to become operational at Philadelphia International Airport, as well as in Juneau, Alaska. It is expected to be available nationwide by 2013.
Finding and Fighting Fatigue
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” This simple Irish proverb offers some profound advice, especially to those involved in the aviation industry. Each year, fatigue is all too often a factor in aircraft-related accidents and incidents. Although airline operator mishaps garner the lion’s share of media attention, GA pilots and mechanics are subject to the same fatigue-related risks as are air carrier personnel.
According to “Finding and Fighting Fatigue” in the January/February 2010 FAA Aviation News, the solution is amazingly simple, yet often difficult to implement: Get more sleep. In addition to providing tips to help airmen develop better sleep habits, the article also provides a sleep log which helps readers gauge how much sleep they get during a two-week period. The authors offer some sobering facts about fatigue. For instance, did you know that your performance level after being awake for 20 hours is equivalent to that of a legally drunk driver? Be sure to check out the entire article for more tips on how to combat fatigue.

Putin apologises to Azerbaijan’s president over ‘tragic’ plane crash
Vladimir Putin says incident occurred in Russian airspace, but stops short of acknowledging Moscow’s possible role.