I have read quite a bit about Air France flight 447 that crashed on June 1, 2009. I think a recent story from Popular Mechanics is the best and really paints a picture about [...]]]>

F-GZCP, the Airbus A330 involved in Air France flight 447, taken in March 2007. Photo by Pawel Kierzkowski / Wikipedia.

I have read quite a bit about Air France flight 447 that crashed on June 1, 2009. I think a recent story from Popular Mechanics is the best and really paints a picture about what really happened in the cockpit of that Airbus A330 the day of the accident.

The story shows what was said on the voice recorder and explains what it all means, very interesting and worth the time to read it.

Thanks to Drew for pointing this out.

This incident happed a few months back in in Greenville, Mississippi after the aircraft was painted to the new [...]]]>

To the untrained eye, one might not know what airline owns this Boeing 737. Lucky for us airline nerds, it is easy to tell that it is either a Boeing 737 with United or Continental livery.

This incident happed a few months back in in Greenville, Mississippi after the aircraft was painted to the new United Airlines livery. It had completed being painted and was about to be flown to Houston on a ferry flight. While taxiing out to the runway, the concrete collapsed under the left main gear, causing it to fold.

Luckily there were no passengers on board and both pilots were able to escape, uninjured, out the back of the aircraft.

It appears as though United didn’t want to be associated with a broken down aircraft on the taxi-way and they covered up all the identifiable markings. This is not uncommon for airlines to do when their aircraft become severely damaged.

I tried to get a status update on the aircraft from United, but at this time they have no comment. I have been trying to track down the registration number of this aircraft, but I have not had any luck. Super brownie points to anyone who can.

On April 29, 2007 a Thomson Airways Boeing 757, flight 253H, was taking off from Manchester Airport on its way to Spain when a bird (most people said a heron, but it looks black and smaller to me) got sucked into its starboard engine.  The video shows the bird going in, the flame out [...]]]>

On April 29, 2007 a Thomson Airways Boeing 757, flight 253H, was taking off from Manchester Airport on its way to Spain when a bird (most people said a heron, but it looks black and smaller to me) got sucked into its starboard engine.  The video shows the bird going in, the flame out and the plane landing safely at Manchester Airport.

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US Airways Flight 2495 was departing from Charleston, heading to Charlotte with 31 passengers and 3 crew and was powering up for takeoff. During take off, the pilot decided to abort. It is still not clear why the pilot made this decision.

The CRJ200 was going too [...]]]>

CRJ200 (N246PS) after hitting the concrete barriers

US Airways Flight 2495 was departing from Charleston, heading to Charlotte with 31 passengers and 3 crew and was powering up for takeoff. During take off, the pilot decided to abort. It is still not clear why the pilot made this decision.

The CRJ200 was going too fast and went off the end of the runway and about 150 feet onto a crushable concrete arresting system that stopped the aircraft from going down a steep hillside behind the runway. Normally the FAA requires 1000ft of safety room at the end of the runway, but due to the safety system’s superior stopping abilities, only 403 feet of it is needed.

None of the passengers or crew were injured and the runway was re-opened six hours after the incident.

For more information and an additional picture, check out Flight Global

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Air Iran flight IR762 was trying to leave from Stockholm on its way to Tehran, but it didn’t make it off the runway. As the Airbus A300-600, with 172 aboard, [...]]]>

An Iran Air Airbus 300-600 stands in the snow after skidding off the runway on takeoff from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (AP Photo/Maja Suslin)

Air Iran flight IR762 was trying to leave from Stockholm on its way to Tehran, but it didn’t make it off the runway. As the Airbus A300-600, with 172 aboard, started its take off roll, it went off the runway about 130yards.“Some 100, 150 meters out on the runway (the plane) made a very slow turn and got stuck in the snow on the side of the runway,” airport spokesman Jan Lindqvist said.

There was light snow on the ground at the time of the incident, but investigators are looking to see if there was something wrong with one of the engines, causing the slow turn.

The airline states the aircraft was not damaged and none of the passengers were injured.

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Wandering around on Airliners.net, I found the first pictures I have seen of Royal Air Maroc’s Boeing 767-300 which had a hard landing back in April 2009. The aircraft was cleared to land at JFK (flying from Morocco). 

After [...]]]>

CN-RNT Royal Air Maroc Boeing 767 showing the damages after a hard landing. Click for Larger.

Wandering around on Airliners.net, I found the first pictures I have seen of Royal Air Maroc’s Boeing 767-300 which had a hard landing back in April 2009. The aircraft was cleared to land at JFK (flying from Morocco). 

After the landing there was no obvious damage to the plane and it was set up for the return flight. Then the flight crew noticed the damage during the walk-around and it is expected to cost up to $10 million to repair the damaged plane. It is currently thought that the incident was caused by wake turbulence.

It is scary to think what might have happened if the plane would have taken off without the damages found. And to think this damage was found in the dark during the walk-around! That must have been one hard landing for everyone aboard for sure.

When the Brazilian military planes arrived they found a 3 mile long path of debris from the Air France jet carrying 228 people.

The ocean depth at the crash location is about 3 miles. With the [...]]]> The Brazilian Military has been heading to the location where another jetliner reported seeing flames on the ocean previously.

When the Brazilian military planes arrived they found a 3 mile long path of debris from the Air France jet carrying 228 people.

The ocean depth at the crash location is about 3 miles. With the area and depth of the crash scene, it will be very difficult to track down the cockpit and the blackbox, which records much of the flight data.

A few unverifiable objects (life vests, seats) have been found among the mostly unidentifiable wreckage, but no signs of any of the 228 aboard at this point.

There is still only speculation to what caused this crash. It is known the flight hit heavy weather and it seems there was little time for the pilots to make a Mayday call.

Our thoughts go out to all those who are affected by this tragic loss.

Read the most up-to-date information on this story.

British Airways Flight 38 crashed in Heathrow Airport in London in January 2008. Luckily no one died and only 13 of the 136 aboard had minor injuries. The flight landed 1000 feet short of the runway due to lack of thrust to the engines, probably caused from ice [...]]]>

Boeing 777 not looking so great

British Airways Flight 38 crashed in Heathrow Airport in London in January 2008. Luckily no one died and only 13 of the 136 aboard had minor injuries. The flight landed 1000 feet short of the runway due to lack of thrust to the engines, probably caused from ice in the fuel lines.

Upon landing, the landing gear collapsed and caused quite a mess.

Since then, the aircraft has been kept intact while investigating the accident. Even though the investigation is not completed, permission has been given for the airframe to be “broken up” and “sent for recycling.”

It is quite interesting to think what will happen to the airframe and in what future products it might end up in.

I notice I seem to avoid having to write about stories in the news that aren’t so positive in the airline business. I know those of us interested or that work in this business hate to see when a plane goes down and lives are lost.

Flight 3407, [...]]]>

Continental Airlines Dash-8 Q400 Image: lindsaywp

I notice I seem to avoid having to write about stories in the news that aren’t so positive in the airline business. I know those of us interested or that work in this business hate to see when a plane goes down and lives are lost.

Flight 3407, a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, crashed at about 10pm on February 12th.  It crashed into some houses, killing a 61-year old man who was home at the time and all 48 people (44 passengers, 4 crew) that were aboard the plane.

It appears at this point the plane lost forward momentum and came down flat on its belly. Some indicators are pointing to icing that was reported before the crash.

Even though ice could turn out to be the main factor of this, the Dash 8 is well known to handle the ice well and ability to get through almost anything. From what is reported now, it seems this accident happened very quickly, giving very little opprotunity for the pilots to save the doomed plane.

My thoughts go out to the families of those affected by this tragic loss.

Story: NYTimes

Last September an Aeroflot-Nord Boeing 737-500 crashed and killed all 88 on board. The final report released today shows that the pilot lost “spatial orientation”, banking the plane on its left wing, causing rapid decent into the ground.

It seems the pilot had been overworked, drinking alcohol, [...]]]>

Aeroflot-Nord Boeing 737. Image: Osdu

Last September an Aeroflot-Nord Boeing 737-500 crashed and killed all 88 on board. The final report released today shows that the pilot lost “spatial orientation”, banking the plane on its left wing, causing rapid decent into the ground.

It seems the pilot had been overworked, drinking alcohol, and not trained well on the Boeing’s altitude indicator as he should. All Boeing 737 flights have been suspended until additional training can be had by the pilots.

After the crash Aeroflot severed links with Aeroflot-Nord and required they remove all the company branding — probably a very smart move considering what happened.

Source: KOMO

I try not to make multiple blogs about the same subject, but as more comes out about US Airways flight 1549, I can’t help but point out how awesome (yes, I am going to use the word “awesome”) the captain, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is with this accident.

I was first impressed with how [...]]]>

Captain Sullenberger

I try not to make multiple blogs about the same subject, but as more comes out about US Airways flight 1549, I can’t help but point out how awesome (yes, I am going to use the word “awesome”) the captain, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is with this accident.

I was first impressed with how he reacted to the media and not wanting to give statements right off the bat. Then how he wanted to put the plane down in the Hudson instead of risking crashing the plane in a heavily populated area while trying to land on an airport. And now the transcript of flight 1549 was released today showing the calmness of the pilot in a very dangerous situation.

An amazing videos here and here showing the crash and evac (crash at 2:02). Some great pictures can be found here.

You have probably heard of the story in some detail by now, if you have an interest in the airline industry. Normally when I hear about an accident, [...]]]>

Flight 1549 Floating in the Hudson

An amazing videos here and here showing the crash and evac (crash at 2:02). Some great pictures can be found here.

You have probably heard of the story in some detail by now, if you have an interest in the airline industry. Normally when I hear about an accident, I think I am about to have to write a blog that I do not want to write about. However, in this case things (other than some minor injuries and probably some nightmares) worked out about as well as an accident can.

Flight 1549 took off last Thursday a few minutes before 3:30pm from LaGuardia on its way to .

At about 3,000 feet, climbing after take off, it is certain that the jet his a group of birds causing both engines to go silent. Most people have the mis-conception that if a large aircraft like this loses it engines it will fall quickly to the ground. However, they still have forward momentum and lift, causing them to glide.

But with only 3,000 feet of elevation in a large metropolitan area, it doesn’t give the pilot too much time to think or maneuver.

After impact all 155 passengers were able to successfully exit the aircraft. Absolutely amazing. I have always seen those water landing images in the airline safety card and thought there would be very little chance a plane could successfully land like that and allow people to escape. I am glad I was wrong!

Source: AP Video: AP Images: Fox

A Continental Boeing 737-500 slid off the runway at Denver International Airport this morning. No one was killed, but 38 of the 107 passengers and 5 crew were taken to the emergency room. Looking at the picture of the plane, it is lucky that the number is not higher.

Flight 1404 [...]]]>

Continental Flight 1404

A Continental Boeing 737-500 slid off the runway at Denver International Airport this morning. No one was killed, but 38 of the 107 passengers and 5 crew were taken to the emergency room. Looking at the picture of the plane, it is lucky that the number is not higher.

Flight 1404 on its way to Houston had the gear and engine ripped off. The fuselage filled with smoke as the plane started to burn. It is currently believed to be a braking problem that caused this accident to occur.

A very shaky start to the holiday travel season. Hope everyone stays safe and we won’t have any more of these stories!

Fragments, found on the Qantas 747 that had an emergency landing on Friday, are believed to be from an exploded oxygen tank. The combination of finding the fragments and the fact that some of the passenger’s oxygen masks did not work, the FAA is quite certain an oxygen tank is to blame [...]]]>

Fragments, found on the Qantas 747 that had an emergency landing on Friday, are believed to be from an exploded oxygen tank. The combination of finding the fragments and the fact that some of the passenger’s oxygen masks did not work, the FAA is quite certain an oxygen tank is to blame for the explosion. 

A few months ago the U.S. FAA prompted airlines to inspect their oxygen cylinders. They warned that cylinders on 747-400′s may not have been properly heat treated which could cause them to fail.

Qantas states that all their aircraft were inspected and passed. However, they have been ordered to inspect every oxygen bottle aboard all their 30 747′s.

All things considered, this incident could have been much worse. 

Source: Sydney Morning Herald  Image: MSNBC.com