Cargolux flight makes emergency landing in Shannon.

CARGOLUX BOEING 747-8R7 LX-VCF (MSN 35811)

A Cargolux jumbo travelling from Miami International Airport (MIA/KMIA) to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS/EHAM) made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN) after the crew declared a Mayday, reporting a possible fire on board.

Flight CLX94K was about an hour west of Shannon when the crew declared an emergency at around 6.00am and requested clearance from air traffic controllers to descend from 37,000ft to 25,000ft initially.

A spokesperson for the Shannon Airport Group has confirmed that the cargo flight, which is owned and operated by the Luxembourg-based cargo airline Cargolux, reported an emergency while crossing the Atlantic. Upon arrival at Shannon Airport, the Boeing 747 was met by emergency services and airport personnel.

All crew members are confirmed to have successfully evacuated the plane, and no injuries have been reported. Passengers and airport visitors were advised that there would be some disruption to services at Shannon Airport. 

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Cargolux (Retro Livery)

Code: CV/CLX

Aircraft: Boeing 747-4EV

Registration: LX-NCL

Serial Number: 35170

Engine: 4 x GE CF6-80C2B5F

First Flew: 13/07/2006.

Age: 17.7 Yrs. 

Plane crashes into house, killing three

A Beechcraft Bonanza travelling from Vero Beach Regional Airport, FL (VRB/KVRB) to Clearwater Airpark, FL (CLW/KCLW) has crashed into a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida, when approaching Clearwater Airpark (CLW/KCLW).

The pilot and two people on the ground perished and the aircraft and a mobile home were destroyed by fire. The ATC recording shows that the pilot was on approach and trying to align with runway 34 at KCLW. The pilot then mentions that he wants to change frequencies to activate the runway lights via PAL (pilot assisted lighting), and a few seconds later, he cancels the IFR clearance. The pilot returns to the frequency later and reports that he was "losing engine power".

It crashed in an explosive fireball at the Bayside Waters mobile home park in Clearwater, about 30 minutes outside Tampa, Florida. The plane hit one home and left at least three others with fire damage, although the flames were quickly doused, the Clearwater fire chief, Scott Ehlers, said at a news conference.

The death toll was given at three by the FAA – the pilot and two people on the ground, local station.

An accident report from the FAA said the plane “crashed under unknown circumstances” and resulted in a “post-crash fire”. 

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Control Data Inc
Aircraft: Beechcraft V35B Bonanza
Registration: N6659L
Serial Number: D-10279
Engines: 1 x Cont Motor IO 520 Series
First Flew: 30/07/1979.
Age: 44.6 Yrs. 

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIME.

Delta crew removes passenger for not wearing a bra

DELTA BOEING 757-232 N681DA (MSN 26957)

A Delta Air Lines (DL) passenger, who identifies as queer, alleges that they were removed from a recent flight for not wearing a bra, as airport staff accused them of violating Delta’s dress code. Lisa Archbold, a Kiwi expatriate residing in the United States, shared with reporters that their intention was to fly with Delta from Salt Lake City (SLC/KSLC) to San Francisco (SFO/KSFO) on the 22nd of January. However, shortly after boarding, a staff member summoned her and her travelling companions to the front of the plane and had them deplaned. Lisa, who had just concluded her involvement at the Sundance Film Festival, where she was assisting in promoting a liquor brand, initially believed she was in trouble due to her checked-in bag containing a few bottles of vodka.

When confronted by the Delta employee, Lisa realised that it was her clothing choice causing the issue. Describing the incident, Lisa shared “This woman from the ground crew comes to me and loudly says in front of the whole plane, ‘I need to speak to you in private now. Follow me.’” Lisa initially thought it might be a serious matter like someone’s death or a peculiar item found in their bag. However, the employee allegedly informed Lisa that Delta’s policy mandated the removal of individuals in “revealing clothes” and presented them with an ultimatum: either cover up with a jacket or leave the plane.

“I was dressed in baggy pants and a shirt like a little boy; I had no clue what she was referring to,” Lisa expressed. They asserted that they were singled out because of wearing men’s clothing and argued that the absence of a bra should be irrelevant to their travel eligibility. Lisa pointed out, “Neither were the men on that flight, and lots have bigger breasts than me.”

Sharing the experience on Instagram, Lisa posted, “I was singled out last week by a Delta Airlines ground crew. She removed me from a flight after everyone was seated, parading me around – humiliation and abuse.” 

“I am convinced it was because I don’t conform to her idea of how a woman should appear. She weaponized a policy to mistreat people who are different.”

A DJ and vocalist known by the stage name DJette Kiwi, Lisa mentions that Delta used to be one of their favorite brands, primarily due to its reputation for inclusivity. While Delta doesn’t have a specific dress code, the airline states that it reserves the right to remove individuals from its airplanes if their “conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.”

Lisa contends that this policy “exposes an inclusive company to the exploitation by bigots.”

American Airlines to lay off 656 employees

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 777-223 N785AN (MSN 30005)

Just two days after the exciting announcement of the new daily direct flights from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW/KDFW) to Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) in October, American Airlines has announced the layoff of hundreds of employees as the carrier seeks to reorganise and improve its customer service team, according to the airline.

As part of these updates, we are creating a new Customer Success team that will be dedicated to providing more convenient, elevated support to American Airlines customers with some of their most complex travel needs," the airline said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, this means some current positions will be eliminated. We’re working closely with impacted team members to support them through this transition including providing exclusive access to job openings throughout American Airlines, outplacement services and severance."

The layoffs will eliminate 8.2% of its 8,000-customer service-related positions for a total of 656 employees, who are not represented by a union, according to Bloomberg. The impacted includes 335 who work in Phoenix and 321 in Dallas-Fort Worth. These workers currently assist passengers with their lost luggage and AAdvantage loyalty program service groups.

"We are laser-focused on improving your customer experience," Carolyne Truelove, American Airlines Vice President of Reservations and Service Recovery, told reporters. "With that focus is digging deep into where we have customer pain points."

Gold Coast to Rockhampton and back just for fun

Bonza Airlines, Australia's newest airline, was having a huge sale to celebrate their 1st birthday. They had flights from Coolangatta to Rockhampton $19.50 (inc) one way and return flights for $25.50 (inc). So, this morning my wife and I got up at 4.30 am and drove to the Gold Coast Airport to meet up with 5 other av geeks and flew to Rockhampton and back. To make this flight even more exciting, Bonza have two aircraft from the sister company in Canada called Flair here in Australia. We got to fly on the Canadian aircraft with Canadian crew.
Our flight was to depart at 7.25 am. 

We began boarding from gate 5 at 6.57 am.

The cabin doors we closed at 7.17 am and we pushed back a few minutes later.

We taxied out at 7.25 am and headed for a runway 14 departure. Once at the holding point, we continued out for a rolling start right on 7.30 am.

We climbed to flt lvl 400. 

We began our decent at 8.08 am and landed in Rockhampton on runway 33 20 minutes ahead of schedule at 8.26 am.

BONZA / FLAIR BOEING 737 MAX 8 C-FLHI (MSN 61804)
AB1543 OFF TO ROCKHAMPTON (ROK)

We had a very quick turnaround in Rockhampton as we began boarding at 8.40 instead of the scheduled 9.05 am boarding time.

There are no tugs in Rockhampton so aircraft taxi out under their own power.

We began taxiing at 9.25 am and headed out for runway 15. We had to back track before departure.

We began rolling at 9.29 am and climbed to 370.

We began our descent at 10.03 am and after passing abeam the famous Surfers Paradise, we land back at the Gold Coast airport, landing on runway 14 at exactly 10.30 am.

We found the Boeing MAX 8 to be very comfortable and extremely quiet. 

BONZA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-UJK (MSN 43974)
AB1052 OFF TO MELBOURNE (MEL)

SKYTRANS DASH 8 Q300 VH-QQM (MSN 0246)

AIR ASIA X AIRBUS A330-343 9M-XXU (MSN 1581)

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251 VH-OFP (MSN 11102)

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFP (MSN 41011)

Bonza Aviation Pty Ltd, operating as
Bonza, is an Australian low-cost airline, with its headquarters on the Sunshine Coast. Bonza commenced operations on the 31st of January 2023.

Amercian Airlines is coming to Brisbane

This is great news for Brisbane, and a long time coming.

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N830AN (MSN 40650)

The world's largest carrier, American Airlines, is to start daily direct flights from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW/KDFW) to Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) for the very first time, from the 27th of October 2024.
The Government's Attracting Aviation Investment Fund helped secure the flights, up to 62,000 international visitors, and $113 million over three years and expected to create up to 690 Queensland jobs. American Airlines will fly into Brisbane with a daily service in a major coup for attracting visitors to Queensland from the massive North American market.

The service will bring 141,000 seats into Queensland over three years, filled by a forecast 62,000 international visitors, who will spend up to $113 million. Among them will be US students, who represent the tenth largest international student cohort in Queensland, but those numbers have dropped since COVID. The new American Airlines flights, will be serviced by their 244-seat B787-900,

"This is a massive coup for Queensland as we continue to rebuild international tourism after the COVID downturn, opening up the state to the lucrative North American market during the peak winter period.

"This new American Airlines service also opens up so many new opportunities for Queensland businesses, both in Texas and across parts of the eastern and southern United States.

"Dallas Fort Worth is one of the top 5 largest and busiest airports in the world and its metroplex is home to 24 fortune 500 company headquarters."

Remembering Cebu Pacific Flight 387

 

CEBU PACIFIC AIRBUS A320-214 RP-C3266 (MSN 4870)

Cebu Pacific Flight 387 was a domestic Cebu Pacific flight from Tacloban-D. Z. Romualdez Airport (TAC/RPVA), Philippines to Cagayan de Oro-Lumbia Airport (CGY/RPML), Philippines. On the 2nd of February 1998, the 31-year-old McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 crashed on the slopes of Mount Sumagaya in Gingoog. The incident resulted in the deaths of all 104 passengers and crew on board. Cebu Pacific Flight 387 departed Manila at 09:16 for a flight to Cagayan de Oro. The flight made an unscheduled stop at Tacloban at 09:53 to deliver some spare tyres for another Cebu Pacific DC-9 stranded at Tacloban. 

The flight left Tacloban again after 9 minutes for a 61-minute flight to Cagayan de Oro. 

Last radio contact was at 10:48 while flying at FL115 over Claveria.
Local residents heard an explosion around 11:00 near the 8200 feet high Mount Balatucan. 

The aircraft was reportedly two miles off course when it hit the mountain.

There were 5 crew members and 94 Filipino passengers, (including 5 children). 

5 other passengers were from Australia, Austria, Japan, Switzerland and Canada. 

Additionally, a surgeon on a medical mission was from the United States, totaling 104 passengers.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Cebu Pacific

Code: 5J/CEB

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32

Registration: RP-C1507

Serial Number: 47069

Engine: 2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7A

First Flew: 17/08/1967.

Age: 30.4 Yrs. 

The aircraft was first delivered to Air Canada in September 1967 before acquired by Cebu Pacific in March 1997.

THOUGHTS GO OUT TO ALL THOSE WHO WILL BE THINKING ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONES TODAY