TURKISH AIRLINES B787-9 TC-LLI (MSN 65809)

Similar to the United 811 story I posted back on the 24th of February, the crash of Turkish Airlines 981 occurred when an incorrectly secured cargo door at the rear of the plane burst open and broke off, causing an explosive decompression that severed critical cables necessary to control the aircraft. 

To maximize the working space within the cargo hold, the cargo doors opened outwards, making them vulnerable to being forced open at high altitudes under normal in-flight pressure. To prevent this, a special latching system was used that locked shut under pressure when properly closed. To ensure the latches were properly positioned, a handle on the outside of the door pressed small metal pins into the latches; if the latches were not in the proper location the pins would not align and the handle would not close.

On Sunday the 3rd of March 1974 flight TK981 departed Istanbul (IST/LTFM) for a flight to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY/LFPO), France to London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), United Kingdom. The DC-10 landed at Paris-Orly at 11:02am and taxied to stand A2.

There were 167 passengers on board, of whom 50 disembarked. The aircraft was refueled, and baggage was loaded onto the plane. The planned turnaround time of one hour was delayed by 30 minutes. An additional 216 passengers embarked. Most of the passengers were booked on this flight because of a strike at British Airways. The door of the aft cargo compartment on the left-hand side was closed at about 12:15 pm. When all preparations were complete the flight received permission to taxi to runway 08 at 12:24. Four minutes later the crew were cleared to line up for departure and were cleared for departure route 181 and an initial climb to flight level 40. The aircraft took off at approximately 12:30 and was cleared by Orly Departure to climb to 6000, which was reached at 12:34. 

The North Area Control Centre then cleared TK981 further to FL230. Three or four seconds before 12:40:00, the noise of decompression was heard, and the co-pilot said: "the fuselage has burst" and the pressurization aural warning sounded. This was caused by the opening and separation of the aft left-hand cargo door. The pressure difference in the cargo bay and passenger cabin, the floor above the cargo door partly collapsed. Two occupied tripe seat units were ejected from the aircraft. All the horizontal stabilizer and elevator control cables routed beneath the floor of the DC-10 and were thus also severely disrupted. Also, the no. 2 engine power was lost almost completely. The aircraft turned 9 deg to the left and pitched nose down. The nose-down attitude increased rapidly to -20 deg. Although the no. 1 and 3 engines were throttled back the speed increased to 360 kts. The pitch attitude then progressively increased to -4 degrees and the speed became steady at 430 kts (800 km/h). At a left bank of 17 degrees the DC-10 crashed into the forest of Ermenonville, 37 km NE of Paris killing the 11 crew and the 335 passenger - total of 346 SOB.

The crash is also known as the Ermenonville air disaster. At the time, Flight 981 was the deadliest plane crash in aviation history until 27th March 1977, when 583 people perished in the collision of two Boeing 747s in Tenerife. It remained the deadliest single-aircraft accident until the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123 on the 12th of August 1985, and the deadliest aviation accident without survivors until the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision on the 12th of November 1996. It remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident without survivors, the first fatal and deadliest crash involving the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and the deadliest aviation accident to occur in France. It is also the deadliest aviation accident that does not involve a Boeing 747.

Aircraft Information

Airline: Turkish Airlines

Code: TK/TKY

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10

Registration: TC-JAV

Serial Number: 46704

Engines: 3 General Electric CF6-6D

First Flew: 15/02/1972

Age: 2.1 Yrs 

Rare sight at Brisbane Airport

Due to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, several major carriers — including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates — have suspended numerous international services worldwide.

As a result, Brisbane is currently hosting an unusual number of grounded long-haul aircraft. Three Qatar Airways Boeing 777-3DZ aircraft are on the ground, along with three Emirates aircraft: a Boeing 777-31H and two Airbus A380-861.

Given the rarity of this situation, my family and I took the opportunity to observe these aircraft. While it was remarkable to see such an uncommon sight at our local airport, the circumstances that brought them here are deeply unfortunate, making the experience both memorable and sobering.

    QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BER (MSN 64068)
ARRIVED AS QR898 FROM DOHA (DOH) 8 YEARS

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEQ (MSN 64085)
DIVERTED BACK AS VA15 HEADING TO DOHA (DOH) 8 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEI (MSN 60335)
ARRIVED AS VA16 FROM DOHA (DOH) 9 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EOF (MSN 171)
EK434 ARRIVED FROM DUBAI (DXB) 11 YEARS

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EOM (MSN 187)
EK434 ARRIVED FROM DUBAI (DXB) 10 YEARS

EMIRATES BOEING 777-31H A6ECR (MSN 35592)
EK430 ARRIVED FROM DUBAI (DXB) 16 YEARS

Here are a few aircraft I caught departing during our very brief visit.

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKD (MSN 36229)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 12 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPE (MSN 593)
QF51 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 21 YEARS

CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-951 B-32FQ (MSN 624)
MU716 OFF TO SHANGHAI (PVG) 2 YEARS

Emirates and Qatar cancel flights

Dubai and Doha have suspended all flight operations at both of its major airports after regional airspace closures triggered by escalating Middle East tensions on the 28th of February.

Dubai Airports confirmed that all arrivals and departures at Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB) and Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central Airport (DWC/OMDW) have been cancelled until further notice. Travelers have been strongly advised not to go to the airport and to contact their airlines directly for updates as authorities monitor the situation.

The shutdown follows a decision by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority to partially close national airspace as a precaution. The move comes amid rapidly developing security events involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, with several neighboring countries including Qatar, Bahrain, and Iraq also restricting or closing their airspace

Qatar​ Airways​ Group has also confirmed the​ temporary​ suspension​ of​ its​ flights​ to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The​ airline​ is​ working​ closely​ with​ government​ stakeholders​ and​ the​ relevant​ authorities​ to​ support​ impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace 

The suspension has brought operations at Qatar, Emirates and flydubai to a standstill, while dozens of international flights have been canceled, diverted, or forced to return to their departure airports. Ground teams are assisting passengers already in terminals, though congestion is expected to increase.

With Dubai acting as a critical global transit hub, the disruption is likely to ripple across long haul networks worldwide, the disruptions could go on for days.

LATEST UPDATE

Dubai's airport, the world's busiest, has suffered "minor damage" in an apparent missile strike as Iran retaliated to the United States and Israel's attacks.
Four people were injured at Dubai International, which handles around 350,000 passengers daily and 95 million a year.

Australians warned that Iran attacks increase risk of flight cancellations in region

Australia’s department of foreign affairs has warned of the risk of “reprisal attacks and further escalation” across the Middle East after Israel and the US launched an attack on Iran on Saturday.

Shortly after the attacks began, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, (Dfat) updated its “Smartraveller” website’s entry on Iran, confirming that “there have been airstrikes on Iran, including in Tehran and other locations”.

“There is a high risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation across the region,” the website said.

An hour later, the department also updated its warnings for Israel, highlighting a specific “risk of reprisal attacks on Israel” and advising people there to “try to get to an underground shelter if possible, or at minimum seek a shelter close to ground level”.

It noted reports that Israeli airspace was closed.

The department’s Iran update noted that “Closure of airspace around transit hubs may impact flights globally, causing delays and cancellations. We continue to advise do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it’s safe to do so. Regional tensions remain high and there continues to be a risk of military conflict.

“If you remain in Iran, be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period. Make sure you have supplies of water, food and medication. The security situation in Iran is extremely volatile. Avoid public gatherings and protests. Australians, including dual nationals, are at a high risk of being detained.”

Just a few hours before the attack began, Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong reposted on X the latest updated warnings for Australians in the Middle East.

The warnings advised of the “risk of military conflict”.

“If you’re in Israel or Lebanon, consider leaving while commercial options to depart are still available,” the advice said. “Conflict could lead to airspace closures, flight cancellations and other disruptions.”

On Wednesday last week, Australia announced it was withdrawing all the dependents of Australian officials from Israel and Lebanon “due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East” and offered voluntary evacuation for the dependents of officials in Jordan, Qatar and the UAE.

Story sourced from here

Australians warned that Iran attack increases risk of ‘further escalation’ and flight cancellations in region | Australia news | The Guardian

Government owned airports worldwide

A few days ago, I posted a story about the world's busiest single runway airports. Then that got me thinking, who owns the airports around the world and how many government owned.

Many major airports worldwide are owned by national, regional, or local governments. These airports are either managed directly through government ministries or operated by state-owned enterprises. Although a global trend toward privatization continues, substantial government ownership persists—particularly across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe.

Below is a list of prominent government-owned or majority government-owned airport operators and their primary hub airports:

Major Government-Owned Airport Operators 

• Airports Authority of India (AAI): Owns and operates the majority of airports in India (approx. 100+), including Chennai, Kolkata, and Pune.

• Airports Company South Africa (ACSA): Owns/operates 9 airports, including Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo), Cape Town, and Durban.

• Avinor (Norway): State-owned company operating 44 airports, including Oslo Gardermoen.

• Aena (Spain): 51% owned by the Spanish government (ENAIRE). Operates 46 airports, including Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Palma de Mallorca.

• Airports of Thailand (AoT): State-owned public company operating Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and others.

• Groupe ADP (France): Majority (50.6%) state-owned. Operates Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Le Bourget.

• Royal Schiphol Group (Netherlands): 92% government owned. Operates Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

• Fraport (Germany): Majority owned by the state of Hesse, city of Frankfurt, and government-owned banks. Operates Frankfurt Airport.

• Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK): Fully owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

• Incheon International Airport Corporation (South Korea): Owned by the South Korean government.

• Iran Airports Company: Operates most civil airports in Iran.

• Israel Airports Authority: Operates Ben Gurion International Airport and others.

• Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) (Mexico): Federal agency operating numerous regional airports.

• Infraero (Brazil): Government company managing regional airports.

• Singapore Changi Airport: Owned by the Government of Singapore.

Government-Owned Airports by Region 

Canada: 

While many large airports are managed by local authorities, many smaller, regional, and remote airports are owned directly by Transport Canada, such as Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Waskaganish.

USA: 

Most U.S. airports are publicly owned by municipal or state governments (e.g., city or county), even if they are operated by private companies. Examples include LAX, JFK (via Port Authority of NY & NJ), and Chicago O'Hare.

Australia: 

Major gateways (Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne) are leased from the Commonwealth government to private consortiums, but the land remains under government ownership.

Egypt: 

Most international airports are managed by the government, including Cairo International (CAI), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), and Luxor (LXR).

Qatar:

Hamad International Airport is operated by Qatar Airways Group, which is state-owned.

UAE: 

Dubai Airports Company operates Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC).

The end is near for the Alliance Fokker aircraft

Big changes are underway at Alliance Airlines.
The Brisbane-based carrier has announced a substantial AUD $160 million (USD $113.2 million) non-cash impairment charge tied to its long-serving Fokker fleet and associated spare parts.

In practical terms, the airline is formally recognizing that its Fokker 70 and Fokker 100 aircraft are approaching the end of their useful economic life. These distinctive T-tail jets will be progressively retired as the company continues its transition to the more modern Embraer E190.
The Fokker Era at Alliance

Current fleet in service: 

12 Fokker 70s 

24 Fokker 100s 

Impairment breakdown: AUD $130 million attributed to the aircraft themselves, plus AUD $30 million related to engines and spare parts inventory.

While the Fokkers are being phased out, Alliance’s growing E190 fleet has recently been valued at AUD $67 million above book value, underscoring its central role in the airline’s future strategy.

For years, Alliance Airlines has been one of the last major operators keeping the Dutch-built Fokker 100 flying—especially across Australia’s rugged interior, long after the type disappeared from many other markets. Watching these workhorses enter their twilight years marks the end of a remarkable chapter in regional aviation, and it’s sure to stir mixed emotions among aviation enthusiasts.

Baby dies on Air France flight

AIR FRANCE AIRBUS A320-214 F-HBNB (MSN 4402)

A tragic medical emergency has unfolded onboard an Air France long haul flight after an infant travelling for urgent treatment passed away mid-flight.

Air France confirmed that the incident occurred on flight AF815 from Nairobi (NBO/HKJK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG/LFPG), which landed in France at 06:09 CET on the 25th of February. The infant reportedly suffered a fatal respiratory arrest while the aircraft was en route. 

According to the airline, the child had a serious heart condition and was travelling specifically to France to receive specialist medical care. As soon as the emergency became apparent, the cabin crew followed established medical protocols. The flight deck contacted Samu de Paris via satellite communications while the crew issued a call for medical professionals onboard. Several doctors responded and attempted resuscitation, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

The Boeing 787 9 involved in the incident continued to Paris, where authorities and medical teams met the aircraft on arrival. Air France said the child was accompanied during the journey and expressed its deepest condolences to the family, declining to share further details out of respect for their privacy.

Deepest condolences to the immediate family and friends. May you find strength, comfort, and peace as you navigate this difficult time.