Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi killed in Helicopter crash

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has been killed along with the Imam of Juma Tabriz, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Governor of East Azarbaijan in a helicopter crash, Iranian state media has confirmed. Mr. Raisi was on board an aircraft when it crashed into a mountain range on Sunday after it got into difficulty while travelling in very heavy fog. It is believed to be to one of a three aircraft convoy.

Rescuers fought through blizzards and difficult terrain through the night to reach the wreckage in the early hours of Monday after a search effort backed by Russia was hampered because of bad weather

Rescuers said there was "no sign of life" when they managed to reach the wreckage with the search effort hampered by bad weather conditions at the time. The aircraft was taking Raisi from the Azerbaijan border to Tabriz, the capital of the East Azerbaijan Province, when it got into difficulties and plummeted into a mountainous area on Sunday.

Under the Iranian constitution, Iran´s vice first president takes over if the president dies with Ayatollah Khamenei´s ascent, and a new presidential election would be called within 50 days. Iranian state media has already reported Mohammad Mokhber, 68 has assumed the role of interim president and has already had begun receiving calls from officials and foreign governments.

Mokhber will lead a temporary government alongside the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and the head of the judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i. Qalibaf, who campaigned for the Iranian presidency as early as 2005, is expected to be one of the candidates pushing hard to succeed Raisi.

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF)

Aircraft: Bell 412

Registration: 6-9221

Two engine fires, two different aircraft, two days apart

On Saturday, an Air India Express flight bound for Cochin (COK/VOCI) from Bengaluru (BLR/VOB) made an emergency landing in Bengaluru after one of its engines caught fire, according to Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

The fire was detected shortly after takeoff, as per sources. Air India Express confirmed that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without any injuries. Following the incident, the crew alerted the Air Traffic Controller, and a full-scale emergency was declared. The aircraft landed at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), where the fire was extinguished.

A BIAL spokesperson reported, "flight IX 1132 from Bengaluru to Cochin made an emergency landing at BLR Airport at 23:12 hrs due to a fire reported in one of the engines."

After the emergency landing, the fire was quickly put out. All 179 passengers and six crew members were evacuated successfully, the spokesperson added.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air India Express Connect

Code: I5/IAD

Aircraft: Airbus A320-216

Registration: VT-ATF

Serial Number: 6015

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-5B6

First Flew: 19th February 2014

Age: 10.3 Years Old

Then a few days earlier a Boeing 747-400 travelling from Makassar-Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG/WAAA) to Madinah-Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport (MED/OEMA) carrying 468 passengers was compelled to execute an emergency landing in Indonesia when one of its four engines ignited, and flames erupted during takeoff.

The Garuda Indonesia aircraft, en route to Medina, Saudi Arabia—a key point for many Muslims embarking on their pilgrimage to Mecca—departed from Makassar's international airport. Footage revealed that during the Wednesday evening takeoff, flames consumed one of the aircraft's four engines.

Online videos disseminated by JACDEC, an aviation incident analysis firm, captured the moment flames burst forth as the aircraft ascended from the runway. According to JACDEC, the 747 entered a holding pattern for roughly 90 minutes before it safely returned and touched down in Makassar.

Garuda Indonesia, the national airline, reported that a pilot observed sparks in an engine, prompting an immediate halt to the flight. Following a secure landing, the airline grounded the 22-year-old aircraft for further examination and reassigned the passengers to an alternative flight on the same day.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Garuda Indonesia, (leased from Terra Avia)

Code: GA/GIA

Aircraft: Boeing 747-412

Registration: ER-BOS

Serial Number: 28025

Engine: 4 x PW PW4056

First Flew: 24 October 2001

Age: 22.7 Years Old

Hijacking of Air New Zealand flight 24

Air New Zealand Flight 24 was hijacked at Nadi International Airport (NAN/NFFN) Fiji, on the 19th of May 1987. The Boeing 747-200, on a scheduled refueling stop from Tokyo Narita (NRT/RJAA) to Auckland (AKL/NZAA), was boarded by a hijacker who took three crew members hostage. He threatened to detonate the aircraft unless the ousted Fijian Prime Minister, Dr. Timoci Bavadra, and his ministers under house arrest were freed. The crew ultimately subdued the hijacker and turned him over to the authorities. There were no casualties, and the plane remained on the tarmac.

Flight TE24, bound for Auckland from Tokyo, was refueling in Nadi when Ahmjed Ali, armed with dynamite from a gold mine, forced his way aboard. Ali, a 37-year-old ethnic Indian and refueler for Air Terminal Services, demanded the release of Dr. Bavadra and his ministers, held by Lt. Col. Sitiveni Rabuka after the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, and requested to be flown to Libya.

The 105 passengers and most crew disembarked, leaving Captain Graham Gleeson, flight engineer Graeme Walsh, and first officer Michael McLeay with Ali. For six hours, Ali negotiated from the cockpit with relatives and Air New Zealand officials. The New Zealand Special Air Service was on alert. At approximately 1 p.m., Walsh incapacitated Ali with a whiskey bottle while he was occupied with the radio, allowing the crew to restrain him.

Remembering Aeroflot Flight 6709

Aeroflot Flight 6709, a Tupolev Tu-154B, was en route from Baku (GYD/UBBB) to Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport (LED/ULLI) on the 19th of May 1978 when fuel starvation disrupted the fuel supply to its three Kuznetsov NK-8 engines, leading to engine failure. This problem may have stemmed from the aircraft's design flaws.

The flight departed from Bina International Airport at 10:30 a.m. MSK, heading for Pulkovo Airport in Leningrad, covering a distance of 2,550 kilometers (1,580 miles). About two hours into the flight, the engines lost power. It is speculated that the flight engineer might have accidentally shut off the fuel pump to the aircraft's sump tank, although the veracity of this claim is debated. The Tu-154B's design was such that a single fuel pump failure could halt all three engines. After the power loss, the aircraft's AC generators ceased functioning, causing sudden pitch and roll movements, alerting the pilots to the issue.

Attempts to restart the engines during the descent were partially successful but failed to restore enough power to the generators to reactivate the fuel pump. Attempts to use the auxiliary power unit (APU) to power the fuel pump were unsuccessful, as its operation was intentionally disabled at altitudes over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet).

The aircraft made an emergency landing in a potato and barley field 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) southeast of Maksatikha at 1:32 p.m. The plane bounced on impact and broke into three sections after colliding with trees. Shortly after coming to a halt, the fuselage ignited, leading to a fire that destroyed the aircraft. The accident resulted in four deaths and 27 injuries.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: Aeroflot
Code: SU/AFL
Aircraft: Tupolev Tu-154B
Registration: CCCP-85169

Serial Number: 76A169

Engines: 3 x Kuznetsov NK-8-2U

First Flew: 1976

Age: 2 Years Old

End of an era for QANTAS

      Qantas bids farewell to its final Boeing 767 Freighter

Today marks the end of an era for Qantas as it bids farewell to its last operational Boeing 767 aircraft, concluding nearly four decades of service. The Australian airline announced on Instagram that the final 767 in its fleet, registered VH-EFR, is set to be decommissioned.

QF7526 departed Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH) at 21.41 bound for Sydney (SYD/YSSY) and after a quick eight hour twenty-eight-minute flight, it touched down on runway 16R at 8.35 a.m. 

Qantas ceased using Boeing 767s for passenger flights in 2014, having operated a total of 41 since 1985. The fleet has transported 168 million passengers across 927,000 flights, as per the airline's records.

VH-EFR, which is just over 18 years old, was incorporated into the Qantas fleet in 2011, previously serving as a cargo plane for Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA). Under Qantas ownership, it was managed by Express Freighters Australia, flying for Qantas Freight.

With the introduction of Airbus A321F and A330F planes to Qantas Freight, the airline is preparing to retire its older 737-300 and 737-400 models. The current fleet of the freight division includes five A321s, two A330s, three BAe-146s, and two 737s, with plans to phase out the remaining Boeing 737 cargo planes later this year.

Some major points for the Qantas 767

Boeing 767-381F.  VH-EFR 33510 / 939.
(Was also registered as: JA-603F; N324MY.)

• This aircraft was ordered new by Mercury Aircraft Leasing, Tokyo, Japan
• Powered by General Electric CF6-80C2B6 engines
• Rolled off the Boeing production line at Everett (Paine Field) - 8th of January 2006
• Entered onto the Japanese Aircraft Register as JA-603F - January 2006
• Registered to Mercury Aircraft Leasing, Tokyo, Japan
• Leased to All Nippon Airways as the registered operator
• First flown as JA-603F - on the 19th of January 2006
• Departed Everett on the delivery flight to Japan as ANA9397 - 14th of February 2006
• Returned to lessor at the end of the lease - November 2010
• Cancelled from the Japanese Aircraft Register - February 2011
• Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N324MY -3rd of February 2011
• Registered to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest National Trustee, Salt Lake City
• Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - 4th of February 2011
• Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EFR - on the 7th of February 2011
• Registered to Mercury Airline Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
• Leased to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney as the registered operator
• The aircraft will be operated by Express Freighter Australia (Qantas freight subsidiary)
• Ferried Singapore - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as QF7572 - 12th of February 2011
• The aircraft was operated in the basic Qantas livery with Qantas Freight titles and an 'all-red' tail
• Operated its first revenue service Sydney - Auckland as QF7525 - 6th of March 2011
• Registered to Mercury Aircraft Limited, Tokyo, Japan - 30th of April 2013
• Leased to Express Freighters Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney as the registered operator
• Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney - 6th of June 2013
• Leased to Express Freighters Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney as the registered operator
• It was repainted during maintenance with new titles and the 'Qantas' tail logo
• Ferried Singapore (Paya Lebar) - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as QF7530 - 13th of January 2014
• Returned to service Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - Auckland as QF7523 - 13th of January 2014
• Flew its last operational flight Hong Kong to Sydney- 18th May 2024

For nearly 40 years, Qantas operated the Boeing 767 for both passenger and freight services.

Which airlines have the oldest planes?

As stories about airplane mishaps and disasters across the skies continue, many air travelers may be more interested in the conditions of planes than ever before. And while age does not dictate an aircraft’s safety, you might be surprised to know just how long planes can stick around in service.

Recently, consumer finance outlet FinanceBuzz analyzed data from the civil aviation database Planespotters.net to determine which airlines currently have the oldest and newest planes. In addition to Planespotters data, we cross-referenced fleet age information from air traffic tracker/database Flightradar24.
Using this data, FinanceBuzz found that Canada has the oldest planes followed by Iran and the United States.

Boasting one of the oldest passenger aircraft is Canadian Airline, Air Inuit with four 737-200’s averaging an age of 44 years. The airline also has 737-300 aged 32 years and 15 Dash-8’s at an average age of 29 years.

Iranian Mahan Air, like Air Inuit also has an average fleet age of 29.4 years. Until recently, Mahan Air was still flying the world's oldest Boeing 747-300 which was then 35 years old.

The United Airlines though has the oldest planes on average, with the average age of its fleet being 19.4 years. Though United has many brand-new planes, Planespotters data showed 49% of the airline’s fleet is 20 years old or older. Meanwhile, Flightradar24 shows that of United’s 1,440 aircraft, its oldest planes are four Boeing 767s, which boast 33 years each.

Here’s how several other airlines fared:
Airline                                 Median plane age in years
United Airlines                                  19.4
Sun Country Airlines                       18.1

Allegiant                                            17.6
Delta                                                  17.2
JetBlue                                               13.2
Southwest Airlines                            11.5
American Airlines                             11.1
Hawaiian Airlines                             10.4
Alaska Airlines                                   7.2
Spirit                                                    6
Frontier Airlines                                 4.7
Breeze Airways                                   2.1

Interestingly, several “budget” airlines were found to have the newest planes. This includes airlines like Spirit and Frontier, which boast average fleet ages of 6 years and 4.7 years, respectively.

The airline with the lowest average plane age is the Utah-based budget airline Breeze Airways, with an average plane age of 2.1 years. Seeing as how Breeze Airways is a newer operation (began business in May 2021), this isn’t all that unusual. Flightradar24 data shows that of Breeze Airways’ 39 aircraft, its oldest plane is an 18-year-old Embraer E190 jet, in addition to several of the same type that are 17 years old.

With all this information, you might be wondering how much age of a plane actually matters. And it does — but there are also many other factors that determine an aircraft’s long-term viability.

Back in 2020, Flightradar24 published an article titled “Aircraft age explained,” which helped illuminate why years might not be the best gauge of determining aircraft wear and tear. Because while a 30-year-old plane might be 30 years old, if it’s flown fewer total hours and pressurization cycles than a 5-year-old plane, the 30-year-old veteran might actually be in better shape.

Aviation news outlet Simple Flying explains that a pressurization cycle occurs when an aircraft takes off and its cabin is pressurized to allow everyone on board to be able to breathe normally at a high altitude. But Simple Flying says the process is harsh on a plane’s metal frame, causing what’s called “metal fatigue.”

With this in mind, aircraft manufacturers set a maximum pressurization cycle number, which dictates how many cycles a plane can go through and still be safe and/or repairable. Boeing previously said its 747 aircraft are able to weather 35,000 pressurization cycles.

All in all, most contemporary commercial aircraft are designed to last between 25 and 35 years, according to Simple Flying. That equals about 30,000 pressurization cycles.

Bonza workers forced to wait to find out if they will keep their jobs

BONZA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-UJK (MSN 43974)

Over 300 Bonza employees have been informed they will continue to be stood down for at least another fortnight. Reports indicate that staff were summoned to an online meeting shortly after noon on Tuesday, where Hall Chadwick administrators announced the flight suspension would persist until the 29th of May.

Discussions are reportedly ongoing with entities interested in rescuing the struggling airline, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for this Thursday. At the initial creditors' meeting last Friday, it was revealed that there are as many as 20 prospective purchasers, encompassing airlines, travel firms, and investors.

The airline, headquartered on the Sunshine Coast, halted its nationwide flights on the 30th of April, stranding numerous travelers.

Since then, employees have been in a state of uncertainty. Currently, the airline is under administration, saddled with debts exceeding $116 million.

Emily McMillan, the national assistant secretary of the Transport Workers' Union, described this period as harrowing for Bonza's workforce. She explained that the duration without pay now extends from April through at least the 29th of May, with scant clarity on future developments.

"Going two months without income is quite challenging," McMillan remarked.

She mentioned that the union is collaborating with government agencies to aid employees facing pivotal decisions. She posed the question of whether they should depart and seek alternative employment, given the dire circumstances.

She characterized the atmosphere as somber, noting that while employees recognize the need for the company to recuperate and engage with potential investors, the prolonged uncertainty exacerbates the difficulty. Meanwhile, two aircraft formerly operated by Bonza have left the country.

Flight tracking sources reveal that the Boeing 737 Max-8 named 'Bazza' (VH-UIK) has arrived in Egypt after leaving from Melbourne on the 8th of May, and 'Bruce' (C-FLHI "Flair Airlines") has reached Canada, having departed from the Sunshine Coast on the 9th May .

Delta passengers evacuate plane after small fire breaks

DELTA AIRLINES BOEING 757-251 N544US (MSN 26491)

A startling video has surfaced, showing the moment a Delta aircraft burst into flames, leading to a full-scale evacuation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The footage, released to the media, captures a fireball erupting and thick smoke billowing from the front of the Airbus jet, just beneath the cockpit, shortly after its landing on the evening of the 6th of April.

Delta Flight 604, arriving from Cancun International Airport (CUN/MMUN), touched down safely at Seattle airport (SEA/KSEA) around 9:35 p.m. However, the situation deteriorated when the plane was connected to the terminal's electrical supply.

The connection malfunctioned, emitting sparks and igniting a fire beneath the cockpit of the Airbus A321, SEA spokesperson Perry Cooper reported. The pilots detected smoke by both smell and sight and instructed the crew to deploy the emergency slides, Cooper added. A passenger recounted to media that panic ensued among the travelers upon realizing an evacuation was underway.

"People reacted with panic, and there was some shuffling in the aisles to reach the exits," shared Ashwin Menon, a Seattle software engineer returning from a holiday with his spouse. "Nevertheless, the evacuation proceeded quite smoothly overall." Security cameras recorded passengers exiting onto the aircraft's wing before descending the inflatable slides to safety on the tarmac.

"The exit was swift; we just jumped out and slid down, and within minutes, everyone was off," Menon explained. "I was more composed than expected, given my fear of flying." Cooper stated that approximately two-thirds of the 189 passengers evacuated using the slides, while the rest had already disembarked via the passenger loading bridge.

Seattle's fire department arrived on the scene, and although the fire had extinguished itself, they assessed several individuals for potential slide-related injuries. None required hospital treatment, the airport spokesperson confirmed.

The narrative of the evacuated passengers was cut off mid-sentence.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Delta Airlines

Code: DL / DAL

Aircraft: Airbus A321-271

Registration: N504DZ

Serial Number: 10884

Engines: 2 x PW PW1133G

First Flew: 7th July 2022

Age: 1.10 Years

Looking back on Sichuan Airlines Flight 8633

SICHUAN AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-243 B-6545 (MSN 1291)

Sichuan Airlines Flight 8633, en route from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG/ZUCK) to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA/ZULS) was compelled to make an emergency landing at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU/ZUUU) due to a cockpit windshield failure. The aircraft, an Airbus A319-100, became the subject of the 2019 film "The Captain" and was featured in the "Mayday" documentary series.

On the 14th of May 2018, Flight 8633 departed from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 6:25 CST. Roughly 40 minutes into the flight, while above Xiaojin County, Sichuan at an altitude of 9 km (30,000 ft; 9,000 m), the right front section of the windshield detached, leading to an uncontrolled decompression. This event damaged the flight control unit and the loud noise from outside made verbal communication very challenging. Nevertheless, the co-pilot managed to squawk 7700 on the transponder, signaling their distress to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport's control tower. Due to the mountainous terrain, the pilots could not descend to the recommended 8,000 ft (2,400 m) to alleviate the cabin pressure loss.

Approximately 35 minutes after the incident, the aircraft safely landed at 7:42 CST (23:42 UTC) at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, albeit overweight. This caused a longer stopping distance than normal which resulted in the tyres bursting.

First officer Xu, despite being buckled in, was partially ejected from the aircraft. He sustained facial injuries, a slight eye injury, and a sprained wrist. Flight attendant Zhou Yanwen also incurred a wrist injury and was treated. Thanks to the Airbus A319's insulation design, the passengers' compartment did not experience an immediate temperature drop, despite the cockpit being open to the external environment, which prevented frostbite among the passengers. 

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Sichuan Airlines

Code: 3U / CSC

Aircraft: Airbus A319-133

Registration: B-6419

Serial Number: 4660

Engines: 2 x IAE V2524-A5

First Flew: 11th July 2011

Age: 12.10 Years

Textbook wheels up landing at Newcastle Airport

Two passengers and a pilot emerged unscathed from a small plane after it was forced to land without its landing gear following a mechanical failure at Newcastle Airport in Australia’s New South Wales.

Emergency services were notified of the issue around 9.30 a.m. Monday morning.  The plane, a Beach B-200 Super King, was travelling from Newcastle (NTL/YWLM) to Port Macquarie (PQQ/YPMQ) 

circled the airport for hours burning fuel before making a “textbook” wheels-up emergency landing.

EASTERN AIR SERVICES BEECH B200 KING AIR VH-XDV (MSN BB-1100) 

Xray Delta Victor departed Newcastle around 8.35 a.m. from runway 30, stopped climb at 1,300 feet and circled 28 times before landing on runway 30 at 12.20 p.m. 

Footage on social media shows the plane approaching the runway without its landing gear activated before touching down and skidding along the tarmac until coming to a stop.

Emergency response vehicles were on standby and could be seen in the video racing to the aid of the plane. Superintendent Wayne Humphrey from NSW police praised the 53-year-old pilot for executing a successful landing, saying that nobody was injured, and the passengers had even been able to drive home it was reported.

“It was a great result, really well done by the pilot,” Humphrey reportedly said. “I could hear him on the air, he sounded very calm to me.”

The plane had been circling the airport for several hours in order to burn fuel.

Those guiding the plane down in the control room burst into applause when they saw it had landed safely, Humphrey said.

The plane had been scheduled to make a 26-minute flight from Newcastle to Port Macquarie, about 400 kilometers (248 miles) north of Sydney.

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Eastern Air Services

Aircraft: Beech B200 Super King Air

Registration: VH-XDV 

Serial Number: BB-1100

Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney PT6A-41 turbo propeller

First Flew: January 1982

Age: 42 Years 

Two DeHavilland's collide over George Inlet, Alaska

On the 13th of May 2019, a collision occurred over George Inlet, Alaska, United States, between a Mountain Air Service de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver floatplane and a Taquan Air de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter floatplane. The DHC-2 disintegrated mid-air, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and all four passengers. The DHC-3 pilot managed to retain partial control despite significant damage from the collision and the emergency landing that followed; the pilot sustained minor injuries, nine passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger died. Both planes were on sightseeing tours, operating under visual flight rules which require pilots to maintain separation from other aircraft visually, a method known as "see and avoid."

In April 2021, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the crash was due to "the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept" and a lack of alerts from the traffic display systems of both planes. The DHC-2 pilot's view was obstructed by the aircraft's structure and the passenger in the right-hand seat, while the DHC-3 pilot's view was blocked by the left front window post. Although both planes had Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) systems, the DHC-3's alert feature was inoperative due to an equipment modification, and the DHC-2's system failed to alert because the DHC-3's avionics did not transmit its altitude. The NTSB also cited Taquan's insufficient preflight checklist and the Federal Aviation Administration's lack of enforcement for Taquan to adopt a safety management system as additional contributing factors.

Aircraft Information:

Owner/Operator: Mountain Air Service

Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk 1

Registration: N952DB

Serial Number: 237

Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial.

First Flew: 1951

Age: 67 Years 

Aircraft Information:

Owner/Operator Taquan Air

Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-3T Vazar Turbine Otter 

Registration: N959PA

Serial Number: 159

Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop

First Flew: 1956

Age: 63 Years

Remembering Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771

Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771 was a scheduled international flight from Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB/FAOR) to Tripoli International Airport (TIP/HLLT).
Afriqiyah Airways crashed on the 12th of May 2010 at about 06:01 local time (04:01 UTC) on approach to Tripoli International Airport, about 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) short of the runway. Of the 104 passengers and crew on board, 103 were killed. The sole survivor was a 9-year-old Dutch boy. The crash of Flight 771 was the third hull-loss of an Airbus A330 involving fatalities, occurring eleven months after the crash of Air France Flight 447.

Afriqiyah Airways flight 771, an Airbus A330-202, crashed on approach to Tripoli International Airport, Libya. There were 11 crew members and 93 passengers on board. One passenger survived the accident.
On the 11th of May 2010 at 19:45 UTC, the aircraft departed Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), South Africa on an international passenger flight to Tripoli. The co-pilot was pilot flying. The en route part of the flight was uneventful.

The captain contacted the Tripoli ACC controller at 05:29 local time (02:29 UTC) and received clearance direct to Tripoli for a TW locator approach to runway 09. Weather was reported as: wind calm, visibility 6 km, clear sky, temperature/dew point 19/17°C, QNH 1008. After receiving further descent clearances, the crew contacted the Tripoli Tower controller at 05:58. Tripoli Tower cleared the aircraft to continue the approach and to report runway in sight.
The flight then received information from a flight that had landed ahead of them, informing the accident crew about fog patches noticed during short final.

At 06:00 the flight passed the TW locator beacon at an altitude of 1000 feet, 200 ft below the prescribed altitude. The captain then informed ATC that he would report when runway in sight. The approach was continued below the Minimum Descent Altitude of 620 feet, but the crew still did not have the runway in sight. At an altitude of 280 feet the GPWS sounded ('too low... terrain'). The captain then instructed the co-pilot to execute a go-around, after which he informed the Tower controller. The aircraft began to climb, reaching an altitude of 450 feet above ground level. The Airbus then nosed down, causing the captain to take priority over the flight controls by pushing on priority button and the aircraft was fully under the captain's control who applied a sharp nose down input. The captain did not verbally state that he was taking control. He applied a pitch-up and a pitch-down input on his stick until the airplane impacted the ground 1200 m from the threshold of runway 09 with high energy (-4400 ft/min) and high longitudinal velocity (260 kts).

The aircraft broke up, leaving an 800 m long wreckage trail.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: Afriqiyah Airways
Code: 8U-AAW
Aircraft: Airbus A330-202
Registration: 5A-ONG
Serial Number: 1024
Engines: General Electric CF6-80E1A4B
First Flew: 12/08/2009
Age: 14.9 Years

Air Senegal runs off runway, wing catches fire

Air Senegal Flight 301, a scheduled international passenger flight from Dakar-Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS/GOBD) to Bamako Airport (BKO/GABS) experienced a failed take-off and subsequent crash on the 9th of May 2024. The incident resulted in ten injuries, four of which were severe.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-300, was previously operated by Tarom until November 2023, where it was acquired by Air Senegal. During preparations for a 4:30 pm local time departure, the pilots encountered a hydraulic issue and aborted the take-off. The plane veered off the runway to the left and came to a stop on the grass, where the left engine and wing caught fire but were quickly extinguished. Emergency services evacuated the passengers, and those injured were taken to a local hospital. The airport temporarily ceased operations following the incident. Reports from a passenger indicated that the aircraft had previously attempted take-off unsuccessfully, and during the second attempt, smoke was observed emanating from the wing.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Transair Senegal

Code: R2/GTS

Aircraft: Boeing 737-387

Serial Number: 27182

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-3C1

First Flew: 13/10/1994

Age: 29.6 Years

Remembering Aeroflot Flight 6551

Aeroflot Flight 6551, a scheduled domestic passenger flight on an Ilyushin Il-18B from Baku (GYD/UBBB) to Novosibirsk (OVB/UNNT) with a stopover in Tashkent (TAS/UTTT), crashed on the 11th of May 1973, over Semipalatinsk in the Kazakh SSR, resulting in the death of all 63 people on board.

While on autopilot, the aircraft's speed dropped from 400 to 370 km/h within six seconds at cruising altitude, followed by a rapid descent without lateral roll, experiencing overloads between 1.5 to -0.8g. Seventeen seconds later, the plane entered a right bank with an angular velocity exceeding 100 degrees per second. This led to overloads that caused the right wing to detach at 5,000 meters (16,000 ft) and a speed of 670 km/h, followed by the fuselage breaking apart at 3,600 meters (11,800 ft) and a speed of 700 km/h, surpassing the Il-18's maximum safe speed.

The aircraft's wreckage impacted the steppe 84 kilometers (52 miles; 45 nautical miles) south of Semipalatinsk at 04:37 local time, 38 seconds after the descent began. Although investigators reached the crash site by 04:50 local time, there were no survivors.

Military units in the vicinity reported no projectiles fired or air force operations that could have interfered with the flight at the crash time. The initial phase of the descent suggested a controlled emergency altitude reduction, but this was followed by an unexplained loss of control, leading to an overspeed condition. One hypothesis was an accidental elevator control loss by a crew member during the emergency descent, but this could not be definitively established.

Aircraft Information:

Aircraft: Aeroflot

Code: SU/AFL

Aircraft: Ilyushin Il-18B

Registration: CCCP-75687

Serial Number: 189001202

Engines:  Ivchenko AI-20

First Flew: 1959

Age: 14 years

Fed Ex 767 lands without a nose wheel

FEDEX McDONNELL DOUGLAS MD 11 N522FE (MSN 48476)

A FEDEX (Federal Express) Boeing 767 travelling from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG) to Istanbul-Atatürk Airport (ISL/LTBA) executed a dramatic emergency landing at Istanbul Airport due to a failure in its front landing gear. Social media footage depicted the aircraft utilizing its rear landing gear before the nose touched down, scraping the front section of the fuselage along the runway.

The aircraft's front landing gear did not deploy but remained on the runway, and there were no injuries reported, according to Turkey’s transport ministry. Videos captured the moment sparks and smoke erupted as the plane's nose ground against the runway, subsequently extinguished by firefighting foam.

Originating from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the Boeing 767 communicated with Istanbul Airport's traffic control tower regarding the landing gear malfunction, successfully landing with their assistance, as stated by the ministry.

Airport rescue and firefighting teams made necessary preparations on the runway before landing, and no one was injured, the ministry also said, without giving a reason for the failure. The runway where the cargo plane landed has been temporarily closed to air traffic, but traffic on the other runways at the airport was continuing without any interruption, the airport operator IGA said.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Fed Ex 

Code: FX/FDX

Aircraft: Boeing 767-3S2
Registration: N110FE
Serial Number: 43542
Engines: 2 x GE CF6-80C2B6F

First Flew: 24th November 2014

Age: 9.6 Yrs. 

Air Vanuatu cancels all flights to Australia and New Zealand

Another airline has cancelled its flights to and from Australia and New Zealand, confirming it may enter voluntary administration. 

AIR VANUATU BOEING 737-8SH YJ-AV8 (MSN 42052)

Air Vanuatu has suspended its services to and from Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland from today until at least Sunday, with subsequent flights subject to review. The airline is considering voluntary administration, according to a spokesperson who spoke to news media, with Ernst & Young specialists arriving in the country to assist the Vanuatu government with the national carrier. They will conduct an assessment of Air Vanuatu's financial situation. 

All international flights up to Sunday the 12th of May have been cancelled, and all future flights beyond this date are under review. Air Vanuatu has committed to providing updates until a final decision is reached. Qantas, which has a codeshare partnership with Air Vanuatu but does not fly to Vanuatu, is assisting affected codeshare customers. Qantas advises customers booked on an Air Vanuatu flight between now and the 31st of May to contact Qantas or their travel agent to explore options, including refunds or flight credits. 

The Australian airline will rebook customers who are mid-journey on alternative flights. Concerns about the airline's future arose earlier on Thursday after flight cancellations and reports from the Vanuatu Daily Post that the Air Vanuatu board had been dissolved and an administrator appointed on the 6th of May. This follows last month's report by a former infrastructure and public utilities minister that Air Vanuatu is facing bankruptcy. The airline's website attributes the cancelled flights to extended maintenance requirements and states efforts are being made with partner carriers to manage the impact.

The airline's website lists the cancelled services between Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, and its base in Port Vila. This follows closely on the heels of the Australian airline Bonza's collapse, which occurred a few days ago, less than 18 months after its inaugural flight. It's first aircraft, leased from Flair Canada, departed Maroochydore this morning.

United Airlines to increase flights to Australia and New Zealand

UNITED BOEING 787-9 N29978 (MSN 66137)

United Airlines has announced plans to increase its flight operations between the US and Australia and New Zealand by nearly 40%. This winter, the airline aims to run 66 weekly flights across these regions.

The expansion plan includes a new non-stop service from San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC/NZCH) in New Zealand, commencing on the 1st of December. United intends to operate this route three times a week using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, becoming the sole airline to provide a direct link between Christchurch and the US.

Furthermore, United is looking to introduce four additional weekly flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) to Auckland Airport in New Zealand (AKL/NZAA) starting on the 28th of October, and three weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) to Brisbane Airport (BNE/YBBN) in Australia beginning on the 29th of November. These routes are expected to be serviced by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

All new flights, including those from San Francisco to Christchurch, Los Angeles to Auckland, and Los Angeles to Brisbane, are pending government approval. In addition, United is set to launch daily services between San Francisco and Brisbane, as well as twice-daily services between San Francisco and Sydney, starting on the 28th of October.

Currently, United operates thrice-weekly flights from San Francisco to Brisbane and daily flights to Sydney. The airline also aims to increase its seat capacity on flights from San Francisco to Melbourne, Australia, by deploying its largest aircraft, the 777-300ER, which will add approximately 100 seats per day starting on the 28th of October.

Last winter, United Airlines was the leading carrier connecting the US with the South Pacific, offering 512,715 seats, marking an 18% increase from 2019, as reported by the aviation blog Simple Flying.

Remembering China Southern Airlines Flight 3456

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A330-323 B-5966 (MSN 1625)

On the 8th of May 1997, Flight 3456 departed from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG/ZUCK) at 19:45 local time, with an expected arrival at Shenzhen Huangtian Airport (SZX/ZGSZ) at 21:30. The flight was cleared for the approach to Runway 33 by the Shenzhen Airport approach controller at 21:07. At 21:17, the tower alerted the crew of extremely heavy rain on the final approach and requested visibility confirmation upon runway sighting. By 21:18.07, the crew confirmed the establishment of an ILS approach, and at 21:18:53, they reported sighting the approach lights, receiving clearance to land from ATC. Despite the controller observing the aircraft's landing lights, heavy rain obscured clear visibility. The aircraft made contact with the runway's southern end at 21:19:33, resulting in three bounces and damage to the nose gear, hydraulic systems, and flaps, prompting a go-around decision.

Performing a go-around and climbing to 1,200 meters (3,900 ft), the aircraft executed a left turn. The crew failed to activate the transponder for ATC position tracking, as indicated by the absence of a secondary surveillance radar signal. At 21:23:57, the crew notified ATC of their downwind position and requested airspace clearance for landing. An emergency was declared at 21:24:40, with a plea to clear the approach once more. Concurrently, cockpit alarms for the main system, hydraulics, and landing gear were activated. At 21:24:58, the crew requested full emergency airfield support and commenced a turn for a southern landing approach, which was granted. The aircraft veered off the runway at 21:28:30, breaking into three sections and igniting, resulting in the fatalities of 33 passengers and 2 crew members. 39 passengers out of the original 74 passengers (65 passengers and 9 crew) survived.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: China Southern Airlines

Code: CZ/CSN

Aircraft: Boeing 737-31B
Registration: B-2925
Serial Number: 27288
Engines: 2 x CFM International CFM56-3C1 turbofan

First Flew: 28/01/1994

Age:  3.4 Yrs. 

Selling seats on already cancelled flights - Qantas forced to pay $120 million

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has declared that Qantas will pay $120 million (79,248,000.00 US) to resolve a conflict with the airline for marketing seats on flights that were already cancelled.

Qantas has settled a lawsuit with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for selling seats on flights that were already cancelled. As part of the settlement, Qantas will implement a remediation program for impacted passengers, offering payments from $225 for domestic customers to $450 for international customers, expected to total around $20 million. "We anticipate approximately 87,000 consumers, who purchased tickets on flights Qantas had already planned to cancel," said ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb. These payments are in addition to any other remedies Qantas has offered, like alternative flights or refunds. Pending Federal Court of Australia's approval, Qantas will also pay a $100 million civil penalty to the federal government for violating Australian Consumer Law. 

Ms Cass-Gottlieb, in a statement, labeled the airline's behavior as "egregious and unacceptable." "The penalty is substantial, yet Qantas is somewhat fortunate it's not larger," she commented. "The proposed penalty reflects Qantas' cooperation, potentially reducing the amount. However, the ACCC initially sought a higher penalty." Dr Kemp noted the Federal Court might still decline the proposed settlement and impose a heftier fine. "The Federal Court does not simply approve penalties presented by the ACCC and respondents; it makes its own decisions," she stated. 

Bomb threat aborts take off and evacuates terminal

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 787-9 G-ZBKN (MSN 38630)

A British Airways pilot abruptly halted take-off on the runway when his fully loaded aircraft received a dire bomb threat. Air Traffic Control notified the pilots of an email claiming a bomb was on board their aircraft. Shortly thereafter, further confusion arose as another email claimed a bomb was in the terminal, prompting an evacuation.

The Bermuda (BDA/TXKF) to London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) Boeing 777-200ER service was halted, with passengers buckled in their seats. The captain issued a 7700 squawk – the emergency signal – leading air traffic control to revoke the plane's final take-off approval.

Flight BA158, with the callsign Speedbird One Five Bravo, was discontinued, and passengers were quickly directed onto the tarmac while police and counter-terrorism officers searched the aircraft.


Bermuda officials sealed off roads within a six-mile radius of the airport as a state of panic set in.
An insider reported, "No chances were being taken. The BA jet was specifically mentioned in a bomb threat according to the email received by the authorities. The only option was to cancel the take-off.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: British Airways

Code: BA/BAW

Aircraft: Boeing 777-236

Registration: G-VIIN

Serial Number: 29319

Engines: 2 X GE GE90-85B

First Flew: 7th August 1998

Age: 25.9 Years

Looking back on the 7th May

Regrettably, on the 7th of May 2002, there were two aircraft accidents. 

The first was a China Northern Airlines flight traveling from Beijing-Capital International Airport (PEK/ZBAA) to Dalian Airport (DLC/ZYTL). Flight 6163 left Beijing at 20:37 for a scheduled flight of one hour and three minutes to Dalian. During descent, the crew reported an onboard fire. Communication was lost at 21:32, and the aircraft crashed into the sea 20 km from Dalian, resulting in the death of all 112 people on board. 

The cockpit voice recorder was retrieved on May 14, and the flight data recorder on May 18, 2002. The MD-82 involved was manufactured under license from McDonnell Douglas by the Shanghai Aviation Industrial Corporation (SAIC). The crash was attributed to arson by a passenger who had purchased seven insurance policies totaling $170,000 before the flight. He is believed to have carried gasoline-filled water bottles onto the plane and ignited them.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: China Northern Airlines

Code: CJ/CBF

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82)

Registration: B-2138

Serial Number: 59522

Engines: 2 x PW JT8D-217C

First Flew: 1/10/1990

Age: 12 Years

The second incident involved an EgyptAir Flight, a Boeing 737-500, traveling from Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA) to Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN/DTTA).

Flight 843 left Cairo at 13:40, bound for Tunis. At 15:00 local time, the plane was cleared for a VOR/DME approach to runway 11 at Tunis-Carthage Airport. The crew did not perform a verbal approach briefing before or during the descent.

The approach procedure requires that the plane cross the Initial Approach Fix at 11 DME at 2100 feet and maintain this altitude until the Final Approach Fix at 6 DME. However, Flight 843 started descending prematurely at 6.8 DME.

There was no verbal acknowledgment of passing 1000 feet during the final approach. The descent continued through clouds until the plane struck the side of a hill at 750 feet, 6.6 km from the runway.

The aircraft lacked an EGPWS. The investigation concluded that an EGPWS would have issued a "Caution Terrain" alert 32 seconds before the crash, followed by "Terrain, terrain. Pull up, pull up" three seconds later.

The crash was due to the crew's inability to execute and control the final approach, as shown by their disregard for the approach fix and the premature descent.

Contributing factors to the crash included:

- Poor weather conditions at the time, including low visibility;

- Identified deficiencies in the training of both pilots, especially in conventional VOR/DME approaches;

- The relatively limited experience of both crew members with the type of aircraft being flown.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Egypt Air

Code: MS/MSR

Aircraft: Boeing 737-566

Registration: SU-GBI

Serial Number: 25307

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-3C1

First Flew: 24/09/1991

Age: 9 Years

Remembering Alitalia flight 112

ALITALIA (NOW ITA) AIRBUS A319-112 EI-IMD (MSN 2074)

Alitalia Flight 112 was a scheduled flight travelling from Roma-Fiumicino Airport (FCO/LIRF), Italy to Palermo-Punta Raisi Airport (PMO/LICJ), Italy. On the 5th of May 1972, it crashed into Mount Longa, about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Palermo while on approach to the airport, killing all 115 people on board. Investigators believe that the crew had 3 miles visibility and did not adhere to the established vectors issued by air traffic control. It remains the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy, and the second deadliest behind the Linate Airport disaster in 2001. 

The flight contacted Palermo Approach around 9:10 PM stating to be at 74 nautical miles (137 km) from VOR. Around 10:23 PM, the aircraft hit a crest 935 meters (1,980 feet) high, about 300 feet (91 m) below the top of the mountain and slid for a long time on the ground with its wings, its fuselage, and its four engines, until it disintegrated in the successive hits against the rocks of the crest. Part of the debris and bodies of the victims rolled on the mountain side (Carini side) from where the kerosene fire was witnessed. The wreckage was strewn across a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) area, so wide it took rescue teams three hours to reach it. Later on, some witnesses at Carini said that they had seen the aircraft on fire before the crash.

This incident is the worst in Alitalia's history.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Alitalia

Code: AZ/AZA

Aircraft: Douglas DC-8-43
Registration: I-DIWB
Serial Number: 45625
Engines: 4 Rolls-Royce Conway 508-12

First Flew: May 1961

Age: 11 Yrs 

Spotting at Perth's Jandakot Airport

Last week I went to Perth's second airport, and apparently the busiest light aircraft airport in Australia.
This was my first time visiting this amazing airport, but unfortunately, I witnessed a plane crash and even though the pilot survived the crash, sadly he passed away 5 days later.

 
Jandakot Airport (JAD/ YPJT) is a general aviation airport located in Jandakot, Western Australia. The airport is about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the city of Perth and the same distance from Perth Airport (PER/YPPH) but southwest
Jandakot airport opened in 1963. From the 1st of July 1998, Jandakot Airport Holdings purchased a 50-year lease with a 49-year option to operate and maintain the airport including its conservation areas.

It is 30 metres (99 feet) above sea level and has three runways, which are:

06R/24L 1,150 metres (3,773 feet) Asphalt
06L/24R 1,392 metres (4,567 feet) Asphalt
12/30 990 metres (3,248 feet) Asphalt

The airport provides access for essential service organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bushfire Water Bombers, RAC Rescue Helicopter and the WA Police Air Wing. There are two major flying schools at Jandakot Airport, and they are the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia, and Singapore Flying College

DUNN AVAITION AIR TRACTOR AT- 802A VH-8DA (MSN 802A-0978)

DUNN AVIATION AIR TRTACTOR AT-802A VH-8DB (MSN 802A-1018)

De HAVILLAND CANADA DHC-1 CHIPMUNK VH-POR (MSN OGMA 44)

ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR PILATUS PC-12 VH-OWX (MSN 1439)

POLICE AIRBUS HELICOPTER H145 VH-VQY (MSN 21187) 

AIRBUS HELICOPTER H125 VH-BTV (MSN 9038)

CESSNA 441 CONQUEST VH-LWK (MSN 441-0088)

McDERMOTT AVIATION AIRBUS AS365 DAUPHIN N97MD (MSN 6330)

McDERMOTT AVIATION AEROSPATIALE AS355F1 VH-YUQ (MSN 5057) 

AUS WEST AIRLINES BEECH B200 KING AIR VH-ZXM (MSN BB-1470)

BEECH 58 BARON VH-DMD (MSN TH-1294)

ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS PILATUS PC-12 VH-OWI (MSN 1232)

BUDBAY CESSNA 208 CARAVAN VH-MMV (MSN 20800096)

STAR AVIATION BEECH B200 SUPER KING AIR VH-NQT (MSN BB-305)

ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS PILATUS PC-24 VH-KWO (MSN 106)

CESSNA 172S SKYHAWK VH-ZES (MSN 172S10856)

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 

ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS PILATUS PC-12 VH-OWI (MSN 1232)

AIR AFFAIRS AUSTRALIA BEECH B200T SUPER KING AIR VH-LAB (MSN BT-23)

VAN'S RV-9A VH-LAT (MSN 90484)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 

FAIRCHILD METROLINER VH-KGX (MSN TC-326)

ROBINSON R22 BETA II VH-INZ (MSN 4506)

PIPER PA30 VH-TXC (MSN 30-1771)

XCALIBUR CESSNA 208B GRAND CARAVAN VH-ZKA (MSN 208B0860)

AERO CLUB OF WA MOONEY M20J VH-JXC (MSN 24-3097)

CESSNA 172S SKYHAWK SP VH-PUJ (MSN 172S12626)

QUEST KODIAK 100 VH-KGO (MSN 100-0195)

BEECH 76 DUCHESS VH-KTB (MSN ME-409)

MAULE AIRCRAFT CORP VH-BOO (MSN 7431C)

PIPER PA -31P-350 VH-PWZ (MSN 31P-8414009)