Plane spotting over home

Yesterday, I got up at 5:30am to catch the first international arrival for runway 01 in Brisbane. 01 hadn't been used for early morning arrivals for some time, so I spent the morning outside catching these arrivals.

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNJ (MSN 66074)
QF16 ARRIVING FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPE (MSN 593)
QF62 ARRIVING FROM TOKYO (NRT) 21 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-203 VH-EBL (MSN 976)
QF52 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 17 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKH (MSN 36233)
JQ10 ARRIVING FROM TOKYO (NRT) 11 YEARS

SLING 2 24-8489 (MSN 151) 12 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A320-271N ZK-NHC (MSN 8833)
NZ271 ARRIVING FROM WELLINGTON (WLG) 6 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNH (MSN 12513)
NZ141 ARRIVING FORM AUCKLAND (AKL) 9 MONTHS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VFH (MSN 5211)
JQ810 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 13 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UZD (MSN 19000152)
QF1962 ARRIVING FROM NEWCASTLE (NRT) 18 YEARS

CESSNA 172N SKYHAWK VH-KJR (MSN 17273529) 46 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VZF (MSN 34200)
QF502 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 16 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTB (MSN 1219)
MH135 ARRIVING FROM KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 14 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-271NX VH-OFV (MSN 11301)
JQ560 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 2 YEARS

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EOC (MSN 165)
EK434 ARRIVING FROM DUBAI (DXB) 11 YEARS

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N851MK (MSN 66020)
AA7 ARRIVING FROM DALLAS (DFW) 4 MONTHS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHB (MSN 263)
SQ235 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 7 YEARS

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-224 N37018 (MSN 31680)
UA96 ARRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 23 YEARS

CESSNA 140 VH-COO (MSN 10805) 80 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFR (MSN 41012)
VA1385 ARRIVING FROM ADELAIDE (ADL) 12 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-32EW (MSN 625)
CZ381 ARRIVING FROM GUANGZHOU (CAN) 2 YEARS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SIB (MSN 2445)
IE725 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 20 YEARS

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRBUS A350-941 B-LRU (MSN 148)
CX113 OVER FLYING BRISBANE FROM HONG KONG TO AUCKLAND

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-306Y (MSN 272)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANHAI (PVG) 7 YEARS

CESSNA 172P SKYHAWK VH-AUC (MSN 17275190)

DELTA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 N576DZ (MSN 313)
DL93 ARRIVING FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FRSO (MSN 37177)
AC35 ARRIVING FROM VANCOUVER (YVR) 8 YEARS

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRBUS A350-941 B-LRJ (MSN 061)
CX153 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 9 YEARS

TAG AVIATION GULFSTREAM G600 VP-CDE (MSN 73188)

CESSNA SKYLANE RG VH-WWB (MSN R18201614)

CESSNA 172N SKYHAWK VH-AVS (MSN 17269913) 48 YEARS

DIAMOND DA40 DIAMOND STAR VH-EQO (MSN 40.1039) 17 YEARS

NETJETS BOMBARDIER GLOBAL 6000 N163QS (MSN 9557) 13 YEARS

Air India fined for flying unairworthy A320neo

AIR INDIA BOEING 787-8 VT-ANP (MSN 36287)

India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a monetary penalty of 10 million INR (approximately USD 110,000 / AUS $156,000) on Air India for operating an Airbus A320-200N aircraft without a valid certificate of airworthiness.

The aircraft in question was VT-TQN (MSN 11097)

According to a regulatory order issued on the 5th of February the penalty pertains to eight scheduled commercial flights conducted on the 24th and the 25th of November 2025. The DGCA stated that the violation “further eroded public confidence and adversely impacted the organisation’s safety compliance.” The regulator held Air India’s Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Wilson, accountable for the breach and ordered the suspension of two senior officials from the airline’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation.

It was reported the aircraft operated flight sectors linking Bengaluru International Airport, Delhi International Airport, Hyderabad International Airport, and Mumbai International Airport without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). Although the aircraft had undergone maintenance for approximately one month prior to these operations, engineering personnel failed to renew the expired certification before the aircraft was returned to service.

An internal investigation by the Tata Sons owned airline identified "systemic failures" and insufficient cross-checks. The inquiry revealed that the head of the defect cell closed a query regarding required approvals without conducting proper verifications.

"All identified gaps have since been satisfactorily addressed and shared with the authority," the airline said in a statement. Air India noted that it has now voluntarily reported the non-compliance to the regulator.

Airlines may impose flying ban on disruptive passengers

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has proposed new rules that would allow airlines worldwide to impose flying bans of up to 30 days on passengers who engage in disruptive behaviour during a flight. Under the draft revision, airlines would no longer need to refer such cases to the existing independent committee before enforcing a short-term ban.

The DGCA’s updated definition of “disruptive acts” includes smoking on board, drinking alcohol on domestic flights, tampering with emergency exits, misusing safety equipment such as life jackets, staging protests or sloganeering, and any unruly behaviour linked to intoxication. Actions such as screaming, disturbing fellow passengers, or kicking and banging seats or tray tables have also been added to the list.

Airlines would be required to keep internal records of passengers penalised under these provisions and report each ban to the DGCA. However, these individuals would not be placed on the regulator’s formal No Fly List.

The proposed amendments—issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937—are open for stakeholder feedback. Currently, any case of unruly behaviour must be reviewed by an independent committee led by a retired District and Sessions Judge, which has up to 45 days to issue a decision before a ban can be imposed.

According to the DGCA, the revised framework aims to streamline the process and allow airlines to act more swiftly to protect passenger safety. Although such incidents are relatively rare, the regulator emphasised that even one disruptive passenger can compromise safety and disrupt flight operations. Airlines already follow a Standard Operating Procedure for managing and reporting these events.

American Airlines returns to gate due to racist comments against cabin crew

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N826AN (MSN 40649)

Passengers onboard an American Airlines were left stunned after a man launched a racist tirade at a flight attendant before the departure from Dallas (DFW/KDFW) to Las Vegas (LAS/KLAS).

The disruption escalated during the push back and taxi, which then forced the flight to return to the gate and delayed the departure as airport police removed the unruly passenger. The episode highlights both crew professionalism and continued federal enforcement against disruptive behavior.

The incident first occurred in the First-Class cabin while the Boeing 737 remained at the gate at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. A passenger began arguing with a flight attendant and accused her of “buying an illegal social security number.” During the exchange, the man shouted, “I’m American… you’re the illegal one!” and threatened to call immigration authorities.

He then loudly addressed the cabin, claiming he saw the crew member and her relatives “swim the Rio Grande.” The remarks were directed at both the flight attendant and the surrounding passengers.

The flight attendant responded calmly, telling him, “You’re a racist, that’s what you are.” Despite the verbal abuse, she maintained composure and continued performing her duties.

Observers noted her professionalism, with some commenting that she appeared to handle the situation as though it were routine. According to the media, the plan was to reconnect the jet bridge and remove the passenger before departure to Las Vegas.

However, the jet bridge malfunctioned, extending the delay while passengers remained onboard and listened to the continued racist rant.

Crew members instructed the man to return to his seat and informed him that he would be removed once access to the aircraft was restored. After the aircraft returned to the gate, airport police boarded and escorted him off the plane. American Airlines subsequently deplaned all passengers to manage the disruption.

Two EVA Air pilots could face dismissal after making a mayday call

Authorities in Taiwan are investigating two EVA Air pilots who issued a mayday call during a disruption at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP). The situation arose after a temporary runway closure caused long holding times and fuel worries for several incoming flights.

The Civil Aviation Administration said the distress call occurred after a separate landing incident involving a T’way Air flight arriving from Jeju International Airport (CJU/RKPC). That aircraft experienced a landing gear failure, prompting the closure of the airport’s north runway and triggering a chain of operational delays. The runway disruption began when the T’way Air aircraft landed and suffered a detachment of its right main landing gear. Airport authorities closed the north runway to allow for inspection, recovery, and safety checks.

As air traffic congestion built up, five inbound flights were affected by extended holding patterns. Three of these flights were operated by EVA Air. With fuel levels reportedly running low, the affected crews declared a mayday call to alert air traffic control of their urgent operational status.

The Civil Aviation Administration confirmed that the mayday declarations were linked to fuel concerns caused by the prolonged runway closure. Following the incident, Taiwan’s aviation regulator launched a formal investigation to assess whether the flight crew’s actions complied with existing regulations.

Crew interviews were completed several days after the event as part of the review process.

The authority cited Article 57 of the Civil Aviation Act when ordering EVA Air to take immediate corrective measures. The airline was found to have failed to preserve cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder information as required.

Investigators are also examining the timing and decision-making process related to potential diversions to alternate airports. Any regulatory breaches identified during the investigation will be addressed in accordance with applicable aviation laws, and the two pilots could face instant dismissal.

Flight attendant performs Heimlich maneuver during severe turbulence

Flight attendant Marcus Thompson turned into an unexpected hero when he pulled off the Heimlich maneuver on a choking passenger amid violent turbulence high above the Rocky Mountains.

Passenger Robert Davidson started choking on a piece of steak during meal service just as the plane hit a sudden bout of severe clear-air turbulence. With the seatbelt sign on and the captain instructing all crew to sit down, Thompson had to make a split-second, life-or-death choice. Ignoring the chaos as the aircraft pitched and dropped, he unbuckled his belt and made his way down the wildly rocking aisle to reach Davidson.

As the plane rocked violently, Thompson steadied himself against the seats and moved behind the choking passenger. He delivered several abdominal thrusts until Davidson coughed up the blockage. A sudden drop sent them both tumbling to the floor, but Davidson was breathing again. Thompson quickly helped him back into his seat just as the turbulence began to ease.

After landing, Davidson was checked by medical staff and made a full recovery. The airline honored Thompson with their highest award for extraordinary heroism, praising his courage in risking his own safety to save a passenger’s life.

Two pilots shot dead after landing at Korowai Batu Airport

Two pilots, who flew from Tanahmerah Airport (TMH/WAKT), to Koroway Batu Danowage Airport (WAKY) have been shot and killed moments after landing their Smart Cakrawala Aviation aircraft at the Airport in South Papua, Indonesia, on Wednesday.

“At 11:05 a.m. local time, the plane landed and was immediately fired upon,” said Lukman F. Laisa, director general of Air Transport at the Transportation Ministry, in a written statement.

The flight was carrying 13 passengers, including a toddler. In the chaos, passengers fled toward nearby forested areas.

Authorities said the pilot transmitted a distress message reporting gunfire and loss of signal. Police later identified the victims as Captain Egon Erawan and Captain Bas Koro.

South Papua Police Chief Wisnu Perdana Putra said the two pilots were chased, hunted down and killed near the runway. All of the passengers survived.

Footage from the scene shows the aircraft on the runway with doors open and visible bullet damage along the fuselage. Reports indicate a fuel leak from the right wing area was the cause of the distress call.

Indonesian officials have launched a full investigation and announced tighter security around inland airports.

Aircraft Information 

Owner/Operator: Smart Cakrawala Aviation

Aircraft: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan 

Registration: PK-SNR

Serial Number: 208B5358

Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops 

First Flew: 2017

Age: 9 years 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time.