Plane spotting from my back yard

Runway 01 in Brisbane has been active most of the week, which usually excites me since incoming aircraft flying into Brisbane often fly over or near my home. Unfortunately, the weather has been miserable, with frequent bouts of heavy rain. Yesterday morning, Runway 01 was still in use, so I took advantage of the mostly high clouds to do some plane spotting. Despite the light drizzle and occasional very dark skies, I decided to give it a go.

Brisbane had some exceptionally rare visitors this week. On Tuesday, a Conair Avro RJ dropped by for a few hours before departing. Wednesday saw a Silkway Airlines Ilyushin 76 arrive in the late afternoon and leave early the next morning. Thursday afternoon brought an Atlas Air Boeing 747 that went tech and stayed overnight. We were set to have two jumbos on the ground at once and parked next to each other, with a National Airways Boeing 747 arriving expected in around 5.30pm, but if arrived around 9pm and departing at 3am the following morning.

CONAIR AVRO RJ85 C-GVFK (MSN E2268)

SILKWAY AIRLINES IIYUSHIN II-76TD 4K-AZ100 (MSN 2073421708)

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNM (MSN 66077)
QF16 ARRIVING FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBJ (MSN 0940)
QF52 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 18 YEARS

NAURU AIRLINES BOEING 737-83N VH-AN2 (MSN 30660)
ON91 ARRIVING FROM NAURU (INU) 23 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKA (MSN 36227)
JQ1010 ARRIVING FROM TOKYO (NRT) 13 YEARS
THIS FLIGHT DELAYS BY 24 HOURS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OFP (11102)
JQ965 ARRIVING FROM PERTH (PER) 3 YEARS

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-224 N79011 (MSN 28959)
UA96 ARRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 27 YEARS

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EON (MSN 188)
EK434 ARRIVING FROM DUBAI (DXB) 11 YEARS

KOREAN AIR BOEING 787-9 HL8085 (MSN 34814)
KE407 ARRIVING FROM SEOUL (ICN) 8 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-941 9M-MNI (MSN 2088)
MH135 ARRIVING FROM KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 1 YEAR

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N824AN (MSN 40643)
AA7 ARRIVING FROM DALLAS (DFW) 9 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPG (MSN 603)
QF62 ARRIVING FROM TOKYO (NRT) 22 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNF (MSN 8839)
NZ141 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A320-271N ZK-NHA (MSN 8715)
NZ205 ARRIVING FROM CHRISTCHURCH (CHC) 7 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FRTG (MSN 37184)
AC35 ARRIVING FROM VANCOUVER (YVR) 9 YEARS

AIR NIUGINI BOEING 767-383 P2-PXW (MSN 25365)
PX3 ARRIVING FROM PORT MORESBY (POM) 35 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VYK (MSN 34183)
QF516 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 20 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-VUS (MSN 36607)
VA319 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 17 YEARS

SLING TSi VH-ZMD (MSN 223S) 5 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS AIRBUS A350-941 DQ-FAN (MSN 260)
FJ921 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 7 YEARS

AIRLINES OF TASMANIA CESSNA 172 SKYHAWK VH-EOK (MSN 172S10018)

BASAIR AUSTRALIA CESSNA 172N SKYHAWK VH-YRQ (MSN 17273375)

BASAIR PIPER SEMINOLE VH-BJI (MSN 4496410) 9 YEARS

AERO VODOCHODY L-39C VH-SIC (MSN 433144) 42 YEARS

HONG KONG AIR CARGO AIRBUS A330-243F B-LNZ (MSN 1051)
RH637 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 16 YEARS

PIPER CHEROKEE CRUISER VH-UQJ (MSN 28-7425435) 

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHU (MSN 469)
SQ265 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEP (MSN 64066)
QR898 ARRIVING FROM DOHA (DOH) 9 YEARS

Looking back on Singapore Airlines Flight 006

SINGAPORE AIRLINES BOEING 747-412 9V-SPN (MSN 28031)

 

Singapore Airlines Flight 006 was a scheduled international passenger service from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX), with a stopover at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP) in Taipei, Taiwan. On the 31st of October 2000, at 23:16 local time in Taipei, the Boeing 747-412 assigned to the flight mistakenly attempted takeoff from an incorrect runway at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport amidst a typhoon. The plane collided with construction equipment on the runway, resulting in the deaths of 83 of the 179 passengers on board. Initially, 98 passengers survived the crash, but two later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. This incident marked the first fatal crash of a Boeing 747-400.

At 23:05 ground control cleared the aircraft to taxi to runway 05L via taxiways SS, WC, and NP. 

At 23:15 the aircraft was cleared for takeoff on runway 05L.

After a six-second hold, at 23:16 the crew attempted takeoff on runway 05R—which had been closed for repairs—instead of the assigned runway 05L (which ran parallel to 05R). The captain correctly acknowledged that he needed to take off at 05L, but he turned the aircraft 215 m (705 ft) too soon and lined up with 05R. The airport at the time was not equipped with ASDE, a ground radar that enables air traffic controllers to detect potential runway conflicts by providing detailed coverage of movement on runways and taxiways.

Due to poor visibility from the heavy rain, the pilots failed to notice the construction equipment parked on runway 05R, which included two excavators, two vibrating rollers, a bulldozer, and an air compressor. Additionally, the runway was obstructed with concrete Jersey barriers and pits. Roughly 41 seconds later, the aircraft collided with the equipment, breaking into three main sections. The fuselage split, the engines and landing gear detached, and a crane severed the left wing, causing the plane to crash back to the ground. The nose hit a scoop loader, leading to a large fire that consumed the forward fuselage and wings.

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 747-412, registered as 9V-SPK with serial number 28023, it was powered by four Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engines. It was the 1,099th Boeing 747 built and its first flight took place on the 12th of January 1997. It was one of two Singapore Airlines 747-412s painted in a special "Rainbow" livery to promote Singapore Airlines' latest cabin product and service offerings across all of the airline's travel classes at the time. 

Remembering those whose lives were lost and sending love to the families and friends who continue to cherish their memories.

Passenger caught sending text about hijacking the aircraft to another passenger

A routine cross-country flight in the United States took a serious turn late on Saturday the 24th of October 2026, when a passenger allegedly sent messages threatening to hijack the aircraft and crash it.

United Airlines Flight UA1681, operating from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS/KLAS) in Las Vegas to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR/KEWR) in New Jersey, was forced to return to the airport after a member of the cabin crew reportedly spotted the alarming messages.

Shortly after take-off, a flight attendant noticed a text message on a passenger's mobile phone that raised immediate concerns about the safety of the aircraft and everyone on board. According to details contained in a criminal complaint, the message allegedly included the words, “I'm gonna hijack this plane” and “crash ur row only”.

The messages were reportedly sent by a passenger identified as 25-year-old Dante Raymond Milne, who was seated in row 10. The intended recipient was another passenger seated in row 37. The flight attendant recognised the potential seriousness of the message and alerted the lead flight attendant, who subsequently informed the captain.

Rather than confronting the passenger, the crew reportedly maintained a calm cabin environment while the pilots assessed the situation and implemented security procedures. The passenger was apparently unaware that his messages had been detected or that the crew was taking action. The crew's decision to return to Las Vegas meant abandoning the flight to Newark and dealing with a potentially serious security threat while the aircraft was airborne.

Air traffic control recordings subsequently provided an insight into the situation unfolding aboard the aircraft.

In the reported radio exchange, the captain explained that a flight attendant had seen a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft. The crew had responded by initiating a lockdown and turning back to Las Vegas. When asked by air traffic control whether the passenger was compliant or restrained, the pilot indicated that the individual was unaware of what was happening and remained compliant.

The decision not to confront the passenger in flight was an important aspect of the response. By avoiding a direct confrontation, the crew was able to maintain control of the situation while returning the aircraft to an airport where law enforcement could intervene.

For the passengers on board, the return meant an unexpected diversion. For the crew, it meant managing a security concern while continuing to ensure the aircraft could be landed safely.

Air traffic control was advised of the situation, and the aircraft was given priority to facilitate its return. Following the landing, law enforcement officers responded to the aircraft and detained Milne without incident. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on a charge of making a threat or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism. The charge is a very serious one, carrying a potential prison sentence of 1 to 20 years under the applicable Nevada law, according to reports on the case.

However, an arrest and criminal charge do not constitute a conviction, and the allegations must still be tested through the legal process. According to the arrest report, Milne told detectives that he had been exchanging messages with a co-worker and characterised the conversation as banter and mucking around.

He denied intending to hijack the aircraft, crash it or hurt anyone. He also reportedly acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and expressed remorse. His lawyer indicated that he intended to plead not guilty. Milne was released on a $10,000 bail payment and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for the 5th of January 2027.

The case remains a reminder that messages which might be intended as funny jokes can have serious consequences when they appear to threaten the safety of an aircraft.

Aircraft Information
Airline: United Airlines 
Code: UA/UAL 
Aircraft: Boeing 737 Max 8
Registration: N17310
Serial Number: 67566
Engines: 2 x CFMI LEAP-1B
First Flew: June 2023
Age: 3.4 Years

Looking back on Lion Air Flight 610

LION AIR BOEING 737-8GP PK-LQV (MSN 39861)

 

Lion Air Flight 610 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK/WIII), Indonesia to Pangkal Pinang Airport (PGK/WIKK), Indonesia

On the 29th of October 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the route crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew. It was the first major accident involving the new Boeing 737 MAX series of aircraft, introduced in 2017, and the highest death toll of any accident or incident involving the entire Boeing 737 series, Original, Classic, Next Generation or MAX, surpassing Air India Express Flight 812 in 2010. It was the deadliest accident in Lion Air's history, surpassing the 2004 Lion Air Flight 538 that killed 25, and the second deadliest aircraft accident in Indonesia behind Garuda Indonesia Flight 152.

The aircraft departed at 6:20 a.m. local time and was scheduled to arrive at Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinang at 7:20 a.m. It took off in a westward direction before circling around to a northeast heading, which it held until crashing offshore northeast of Jakarta in waters estimated to be up to 35 m (115 ft) deep. The flight crew had requested clearance to return to the Jakarta airport 35 km (19 nautical miles) into the flight. The accident site was located 34 km (18 nautical miles) off the coast of the island of Java.

Communication between air traffic control (ATC) and Flight 610 was suddenly lost at 6:33 a.m. ATC informed the National Search and Rescue Agency, which deployed three ships and a helicopter to the area. At 7:30 a.m., the agency received reports that Flight 610 had crashed a few kilometres from an offshore oil platform. Workers on the platform reportedly saw the aircraft crash with a steep nose-down angle. Boats from the platform were immediately deployed and debris from the crashed aircraft was found shortly after.

The aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration PK-LQP, serial number 43000, line number 7058, powered by two CFM International LEAP - 1B25 engines. The aircraft was leased from China Minsheng Investment Group (CMIG) Aviation Capital. It made its first flight on the 30th of July 2018 and was delivered new to Lion Air on the 13th of August 2018. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was only three months old had flown around 800 hours in service.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends reflecting on their loved ones today.

Man charged after allegedly assaulting cabin crew at Brisbane Airport

A NSW man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting an airline staff member and causing property damage inside a Brisbane Airport terminal.

The 51-year-old Portland man was at the boarding gate on Monday when he allegedly became very aggressive towards airline staff before striking a staff member in the chest and damaging equipment on a check-in counter.

The man then walked to a baggage collection area and allegedly began throwing passengers luggage off the carousel and became aggressive with other airport-goers.

Members of the public restrained the man until AFP officers arrived at the scene and placed the man under arrest. He was taken to Brisbane Watch House and charged with one count of wilful damage, one count of common assault, and one count of public nuisance.

AFP Detective acting Superintendent Kurt Wesche said the man’s aggressive behaviour towards airline staff was unacceptable.

“The AFP has zero tolerance for antisocial, violent or disruptive behaviour at our airports, and the AFP will take action against any alleged offenders,” Supt. Wesche said.

“The travelling public, airport and airline staff deserve to feel safe at our airports and the AFP will continue to work hard to protect the community in the airport precinct.”

The man is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court in the next few days.

Stung with a parking fine for an 18-second airport stop to tackle a wasp

No matter what the cause, airports in England are ruthless in issuing a parking charge notices (PCN) if a car stops in a red zone.

A man visiting the airport had to stop his car for 18 seconds in a red zone at Leeds Bradford airport (LBA/EGNM)  to deal with a large wasp. It was buzzing right in front of my face and making safe-driving impossible.

The result was a £100 parking charge notice sent to my wife (the registered owner) by Vehicle Control Services (VCS). The gentleman went on saying I’ve explained the circumstances to VCS, whose CCTV footage shows I only stopped for 18 seconds and never left the car, but it won’t listen.

Things did improved when I contacted the airport, which ordered the VCS to refund the charge as “goodwill”. The airport tells me that if you had contacted it directly, it would have intervened earlier. However, it is evidently worried that its actions in this case will open the floodgates to wasp-ridden drivers.

“Stopping in this area remains enforceable,” it says sternly. “And due to the safety-critical nature of the road, we would not be able to consider cancellation of any future penalty notices for stopping in this area.” VCS did not respond to a request for a comment.

Parking operators are infamously ruthless when enforcing airport no-stopping zones. In the past drivers have been charged for stopping at temporary lights, or waiting in traffic queues and had to go on and fight the charges.

A tragic day for Philippine military aviation

Four Philippine Air Force pilots have lost their lives following a mid-air collision involving two military training aircraft at Fernando Air Base in the Philippines. The pilots involved were from the 102nd Pilot Training Squadron "Cougars".

The accident occurred at approximately 3:51 pm local time on Friday, the 23rd of October 2026, in Lipa City, Batangas province, south of the capital, Manila. The aircraft involved were two Italian-designed SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainers operating during a training flight. Both aircraft crashed within the boundaries of Fernando Air Base (RPUL), killing all four pilots aboard.

The Philippine Air Force confirmed the fatalities on Saturday, expressing its condolences to the families, friends and fellow aircrew of the deceased.

No additional casualties on the ground were reported.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the inherent risks associated with military flying, where pilots must operate in close proximity to other aircraft while maintaining precise control, situational awareness and coordination. For the families of the four pilots, however, the loss is far more personal. Four people who went to work performing their duties as military aviators will not be returning home.

Local media reported that the flight involved seven aircraft operating in a coordinated formation. Following the accident, the remaining five aircraft reportedly landed safely. The two aircraft involved have been identified in Philippine media reports as SF-260s carrying the tail numbers 032 and 037.