Man jailed for pointing laser at commercial aircraft

One Delta flight on final approach.
One blast from a green laser.
One person issued an 18-month federal prison sentence.

A U.S. judge has sentenced Joseph L. Crapsi, 31, of Cheektowaga, New York, to 18 months in federal prison for aiming a green laser at a Delta Air Lines flight approaching Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF/KBUF).

According to federal prosecutors, the incident happened on the 2nd of March 2024, while the aircraft was on its final approach. Crapsi lived directly beneath the airport's flight path, and investigators say he deliberately pointed the laser at the cockpit because he had had enough of the aircraft noise.

Laser strikes are far more dangerous than many people realize. A beam can temporarily blind or distract pilots during takeoff or landing—two of the most critical phases of any flight—and put everyone on board at risk.

The FBI, local police, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police investigated the case, which ended with a federal conviction and prison sentence. The FAA continues to receive thousands of reports of lasers being aimed at aircraft every year, and officials have repeatedly warned that what some see as a prank can quickly become a serious federal crime.

Malaysia flight MH 17 - 12 years on and still in our memories

MALAYSIAN AIRLINES BOEING 777-2H6 9M-MRD (CN 28411)
SPORTING THE FREEDOM OF SPACE LIVERY

 

Malaysia flight MH 17 (codeshare with KLM Flight 4103) was a scheduled passenger flight from Amsterdam (AMS/EHAM) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL/WMKK) and was shot down on the 17th of July 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board.

The incident was and still is the deadliest airliner shootdown incident to date. The crew were all Malaysian, while over two-thirds (68%) of the passengers were Dutch. Most of the other passengers were Malaysians and Australians, the remainder were citizens of 7 other countries. At least twenty family groups were on the aircraft, and eighty passengers were under the age of 18.

Nation Number 
Netherlands 182
Malaysia 43
Australia 38
Indonesia 12
United Kingdom 10
Germany 4
Belgium 4
Philippines 3
Canada 1
New Zealand 1
Total 298 

On the 19th of June 2019, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service charged four people with murder in connection with the shooting down of the aircraft: three Russians, Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky, and Igor Pulatov, and one Ukrainian, Leonid Kharchenko. International arrest warrants were issued in respect of each of the accused. Their trial in absentia is scheduled to be held on the 9th of March 2020 in the District Court of The Hague.

MH 17 was operated by a Boeing 777-2H6ER registration 9M-MRD (CN 28411). MRD was the 84th Boeing 777 produced. It first flew on the 17th of July 1997, exactly 17 years before the incident, and was delivered new to Malaysia Airlines on the 29th of July 1997. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engines and carrying 280 seats (33 business and 247 economy), the aircraft had recorded more than 76,300 hours in 11,430 cycles before the crash.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL THE FAMILES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY

Looking back on Trans World Airlines Flight 800

On the 17th of July 1996, at about 8:31 p.m. EDT, 12 minutes after take-off from John F. Kennedy International Airport on a scheduled international passenger flight to Rome, Trans World Airlines Flight 800 exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 13 km (8.1 miles) S off East Moriches, New York.

The flight was scheduled to depart New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY (JFK/KJFK), United States of America for Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG), France about 19:00; however, the flight was delayed because of a disabled piece of ground equipment and concerns about a suspected passenger/baggage mismatch. The aircraft was pushed back from gate 27 about 20:02. Between 20:05 and 20:07, the flight crew started the Nos. 1, 2, and 4 engines and completed the after-start checklist. The flight crew then received taxi instructions and began to taxi to runway 22R. 

While the airplane was taxiing, about 20:14, the flight crew started the No. 3 engine and conducted the delayed engine-start and taxi checklists. At 20:18:21, ATC advised the pilots that the wind was out of 240-degrees at 8 knots and cleared flight 800 for take-off. Shortly after take-off there was an explosion and all 230 people on board died in the crash. It is the third-deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history. Accident investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) travelled to the scene, arriving the following morning amid speculation that a terrorist attack was the cause of the crash. Consequently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and New York Police Department Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) initiated a parallel criminal investigation. Sixteen months later, the JTTF announced that no evidence of a criminal act had been found and closed its active investigation.

The four-year NTSB investigation concluded with the approval of the Aircraft Accident Report on August 23, 2000, ending the most extensive, complex and costly air disaster investigation in U.S. history at that time. The report's conclusion was that the probable cause of the accident was explosion of flammable fuel vapors in the center fuel tank. Although it could not be determined with certainty, the likely ignition source was a short circuit. Problems with the aircraft's wiring were found, including evidence of arcing in the Fuel Quantity Indication System (FQIS) wiring that enters the tank. The FQIS on Flight 800 is known to have been malfunctioning; the captain remarked on "crazy" readings from the system approximately two minutes and thirty seconds before the aircraft exploded. As a result of the investigation, new requirements were developed for aircraft to prevent future fuel tank explosions.

Aircraft Information

Airline: TWA (Trans World Airways)

Code: TW/TWA

Aircraft: Boeing 747-131

Registration: N93119

Serial Number: 20083

Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7AH

First Flew: 18/08/1971

Age: 25 Yrs. Old

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL THE FAMILES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY 

Hawaiian Airlines drops Auckland but adds Boise, Idaho, and Spokane

Alaska Airlines, Inc., which includes Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, has announced expanded seasonal service, including new nonstop flights between Honolulu (HNL/PHNL) and Boise (BOI/KBOI) and Spokane (GEG/KGEG), as well as increased service between Honolulu and Las Vegas (LAS/KLAS). As part of these seasonal network adjustments, designed to align capacity with evolving travel demand, Hawaiian will not resume its three-times-weekly seasonal Honolulu-Auckland service.

Flights between Honolulu and Boise will operate daily between 17th of December and the 21st of March 2027, while flights between Honolulu and Spokane will run weekly, on Saturdays, from the 19th of December to the 17th of April 2027.

Beginning in mid-December, Alaska Airlines will be the only carrier to connect Honolulu with Boise and Spokane, expanding access between Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West — regions with strong and growing demand for Island travel.

Hawaiian Airlines will also increase seasonal capacity on existing routes, including the addition of three weekly flights between Honolulu and Las Vegas during peak holiday and spring break periods.

Hawaiian Airlines’ seasonal, three-times- weekly, Honolulu–Auckland service, which has operated during the winter since the pandemic, will not resume in November due to challenges of high fuel costs, soft demand recovery in international Pacific markets, unfavorable exchange rates and evolving global travel trends.

Andrew Stanbury, Regional Managing Director, South Pacific Alaska Airlines, Inc. said in a statement
"New Zealand is deeply important to us as part of our Pacific island ‘ohana. However, we must carefully allocate our limited capacity to markets where demand is strongest, and these changes ensure we are well-positioned for the future – delivering the exceptional travel experience Hawaiian Airlines is known for, while adapting to conditions across our combined network."

Latest details for the Virgin Australia Doha service

Virgin Australia last week announced service changes to Qatar during Northern winter 2026/27 season, as the carrier launches its daily Sydney - Doha flight.

Planned changes include the following,

Brisbane - Doha eff 08DEC26 

Service resumption, 3 weekly 777-300ER

VA015 BNE 15.10 - 22.50 DOH 77W 357
VA016 DOH 0150 - 22.55 BNE 77W 246

Perth - Doha eff 09DEC26 

Service resumption, 4 weekly 777-300ER

VA021 PER 16.35 - 22.55 DOH 77W x357
VA022 DOH 19.55 - 12.00 +1PER 77W x246

Sydney -Doha eff 07DEC26 

Increase from 1 to 2 daily, 777-300ER

VA001 SYD 15.50 - 22.40 DOH 77W D

VA002 DOH 08.45 - 06.50 +1SYD 77W D

 
VA003 SYD 21.10 - 04.00 +1DOH 77W D
VA004 DOH 20.15 - 18.20 +1SYD 77W D

Virgin Australia continues to offer 1 daily Melbourne - Doha flight with 777- 300ER. 

VA007 MEL 16.10 - 23.15 77W D

VA008 DOH 01.35 - 22.05 77W D

All flights are operated by Qatar Airways 777-300ER aircraft

10 Dead After Small Plane Crashes in the Bahamas:

A plane that crashed in the Bahamas on Bahamian Independence Day has left 10 people dead.

The Aircraft Investigation Authority of the Bahamas (AIAA) said in a media release that it is investigating a crash that occurred just after 1 p.m. local time on Friday the 10th of July. 

The aircraft, believed to be a Cessna 404, and belonging to Flamingo Air, was flying to San Andros Airport (SAQ/MYAN) after departing Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS/MYNN). The aircraft reportedly “encountered difficulties and crashed into bushes prior to landing on runway 12 at San Andros Airport,” according to the media release.

Our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic accident and we keep all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


Aircraft Information 

Owner/ Operator: Flamingo Air Charter

Aircraft: Cessna 402C Utiliner III

Registration: C6-FLX

Serial Number: 402C0628

Engines: 2 x Continental TSIO-520-VB

First Flew: January 1980

Age: 46

More from Brisbane Airport

Yesterday, my brother and his partner, arriving from Seoul, South Korea, asked me to pick them up from the airport. Their flight was scheduled for 8:00 am but was delayed until 9:15 am, so my daughter and I left for Brisbane Airport around 7:00 am. We went early mainly because a VietJet Airbus A330, which had arrived around 5:20 am after an eight-hour delay, was expected to depart around 7:30 am. A group of us gathered on the far side of the car park, expecting to see it take off, but then noticed on Flightradar24 that it had already departed from another runway. Saying we were shocked and frustrated would be an understatement. I did manage to capture it overflying Brisbane airport.

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-224 N78001 (MSN 27577)
UA 96 ARRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 27 YEARS

BRISBANE CITY

ALLIANCE AIRLINES EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYJ (MSN 19000056)
QF1988 ARRIVING FROM NEWCASTLE (NTL) 20 YEARS
FLYING FOR QANTAS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBC (MSN 506)
QF98 ARRIVING FROM MANILA (MNL) 23 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A321-271NY VH-OGB (MSN 12427)
QF500 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (STD) 1 YEAR

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OYU (MSN 12030)
JQ565 OFF TO MELBOURNE (MEL) 2 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFX (MSN 41013)
VA600 ARRIVING FROM MACKAY (MKY) 9 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-324S (MSN 478)
CZ381 ARRIVING FROM GUANGZHOU (CAN) 5 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFY (MSN 41016)
VA382 ARRIVING FROM TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 8 YEARS

VIETJET AIR AIRBUS A330-343 VN-A816 (MSN 1659)
VJ84 OFF TO HO CHI MIHN CITY (SGN) 10 YEARS

BATIK AIR BOEING 737-MAX 8 9M-LRL (MSN 43012)
OD158 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 6 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YVC (MSN 40997)
VA9949 OFF TO DARWIN (DRW) 14 YEARS
FARWELL FLIGHT - OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-XZP (MSN 44577)
QF613 OFF TO MELBOURNE (MEL) 11 YEARS

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A330-243 B-5952 (MSN 1547)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 12 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 (MSN 1489)
MH134 OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 12 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-251 VH-A5C (MSN 12374)
JQ572 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 1.6 YEARS

QANTAS A321-271NY VH-OGG (MSN 12853)
QF935 OFF TO PERTH (PER) 2 MONTHS

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF LIVERY

AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST THREE

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKF (MSN 36231)
JQ66 ARRIVING FROM BANGKOK (BKK) 12 YEARS

KOREAN AIR BOEING 787-9 HL7209 (MSN 34818)
KE408 OFF TO SEOUL (ICN) 7 YEARS

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A220-300 VH-X4E (MSN 55312)
QF1550 OFF TO TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 1 YEAR

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHO (MSN 394)

SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 6 YEARS

AERLINK FREIGHT ATR 72-212 VH-AK2 (MSN 460)

CAVOK AIR ANTONOV AN12BK (MSN 01348005)