Spotting from home and Brisbane Airport

Here are some photos that were taken on Friday from my home and then Saturday morning at the airport. 

I raced out early on Saturday because I wanted to see the Malaysian Airlines sporting the Manchester United livery. 

From home

AERO VODOCHODY L-39 VH-SIC (MSN 433144) 42 YEARS
NORTH AMERICAN P-51D MUSTANG VH-FST (MSN 45-11526)

INTERAIR CESSNA 172M SKYHAWK VH-DWE (MSN 17264267) 52 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS BOEING 737 MAX 8 DQ-FAD (MSN 64308)
FJ921 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 7 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFW (MSN 41037)
VA1211 ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA (CBR) 9 YEARS

AMERICAN CHAMPION SUPER DECATHLON VH-NQX (MSN 1016-2006) 20 YEARS

BASAIR PIPER SEMINOLE VH-BJC (MSN 4496409) 9 YEARS

BEECH 58 BARON VH-WRT (MSN TH-1664) 34 YEARS

CESSNA 172R SKYHAWK VH-AST (MSN 17280202) 29 YEARS

From the airport

GULF AIRCRAFT CESSNA CARAVAN VH-PYO (MSN 208B5595)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBK (MSN 945)
QF52 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 17 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-308T (MSN 318)
CZ381 ARRIVING FROM GUANGZHOU (CAN) 6 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-7K2 VH-NBV (MSN 39446)
VA1207 ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA (CBR) 14 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YFW (MSN 41037)
VA382 ARRIVING FROM TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 9YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-YXS (MSN 5732)
JQ929 ARRIVING FROM CAIRNS (CNS) 12 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPH (695)
QF62 ARRIVING FROM TOKYO (NRT) 20 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTL (MSN 1395)
MH135 ARRIVING FROM KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 13 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-XZQ (MSN 44227)
QF706 OFF TO CAIRNS (CNS) 10 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNH (MSN 12513)
NZ141 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 11 MONTHS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OFV (MSN 11301)
JQ813 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 2 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNG (MSN 
QF119 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 7 YEARS

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A330-243 B-6537 (MSN 1262)
MU715 ARRIVING FROM SHANGHAI (PVG) 14 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBD (MSN 313)
QF54 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 23 YEARS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SIB (MSN 2445)
IE701 OFF TO HONIARA (HIR) 20 YEARS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-LQG (MSN 4376)
QLK320D OFF TO BUNDABERG (BDB) 14 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737 MAX 8 VH-8IA (MSN 65045)
VA387 OFF TO TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 2 YEARS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SAL (MSN 5566)
IE726 OFF TO LUGANVILLE (SON) 13 YEARS

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZLO (MSN 340B-382)
ZL9911 OFF TO COFFS HARBOUR (CFS) 30 YEARS

NAURU AIRLINES BOEING 737-3U3 VH-ONU (MSN 28732)
ON406 OFF TO HONIARA (HIR) 28 YEARS

KOREAN AIR BOEING 787-9 HL7207 (MSN 34816)
KE408 ARRIVING FROM SEOUL (ICN) 7 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NND (MSN 8629)
NZ272 OFF TO WELLINGTON (WLG) 7 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHJ (MSN 328)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 6 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKL (MSN 36238)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 10 YEARS

Looking back on Air Philippines Flight 541

Air Philippines Flight 541 was a scheduled domestic service from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL) in Manila to Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO/RPMD) in Davao City. On the 19th of April 2000, the Boeing 737-2H4 crashed near Samal, Davao del Norte, during its approach, claiming the lives of all 124 passengers and 7 crew members.

The flight, operated by a Boeing 737-200, departed Manila at 05:21 and was due to arrive in Davao at approximately 06:45. It was conducting a route check for one captain, with another acting as Pilot Monitoring. The flight until the approach was without incident. During an ILS approach to runway 05, the crew was informed they would be following a Philippine Airlines flight 809, an Airbus A319. Upon breaking through the clouds, the A319 was visible on the runway. The Pilot Flying planned a 360° turn, but the Pilot Monitoring incorrectly communicated a right turn to ATC, deviating from the standard missed approach procedure which required a left turn to a 020° heading. The plane re-entered the clouds, attempting to navigate visually at a lower altitude in instrument conditions, rather than climbing to the mandatory 4000 feet.

Subsequently, the flight moved over Samal Island, requesting a VOR/DME approach for runway 23, which was approved by the controller. While aligning with the runway, the aircraft descended below the prescribed glide path, dropping to 570 feet instead of the expected 1500 feet. The aircraft then crashed into a coconut plantation on a hillside in Barangay San Isidro, broke apart, and ignited.

This crash is recorded as the most catastrophic aviation accident in the history of the Philippines and the third deadliest involving a Boeing 737-200.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air Philippine

Code:2P/GAP

Aircraft: Boeing 737-2H4

Registration: RP-C3010

Serial Number: 21447

Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A

First Flew: 19/01/1978

Age: 22.3 Years

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AS THEY REMEMBER LOVED ONES TODAY

Two 737's collided at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport

A SpiceJet Boeing 737-700 which had traveled from Leh- Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport (IXL/VILH) to Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL/VIDP) was involved in a ground accident with an Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8. The SpiceJet was taxiing when the aircraft struck the stationary Akasa Airplane, damaging both aircraft but causing no injuries. 

IMAGE TAKEN FROM FACEBOOK 

The incident occurred around 2:15 pm at Terminal 1 when SpiceJet flight SG-124 from Leh was taxiing to its stand and struck Akasa Air flight QP-1406, which had completed pushback for Hyderabad-Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD/VOHS). The impact damaged SpiceJet’s right winglet and Akasa’s left-hand horizontal stabiliser. Both planes were grounded, and all passengers and crew were safely disembarked, with Akasa arranging alternative travel for affected passengers.

This collision is the second such incident in just two months, after an Air India and IndiGo aircraft were involved in a minor ground collision at Mumbai airport in February. It also comes amid a spate of safety-related events at Delhi airport, including emergency landings, engine failures, and runway breaches over the past year. The recurrence of such incidents has amplified calls for stricter monitoring and adherence to aviation safety protocols.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded the involved SpiceJet pilots and the air traffic controller pending investigation. 

Airline Information:

Airline: Akasa Air

Code: QP/AKJ

Registration: VT-YBA
Boeing 737 - Max 8
Serial Number 61289

Engines 2 x CFMI LEAP-1B
First Flew: 21/04/2022
Age 4 years

Airline Information:

Airline: SpiceJet

Code: SG/SEJ
Aircraft: Boeing 737-7GL

Registration: VT-SLB

Serial Number: 34760

Engines 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B20/3
First Flew: 02/08/2007
Age: 18.7 years

China Airlines damaged at Melbourne airport - looking like human error

A China Airlines Airbus A350-941 has been grounded at Melbourne Airport (MEL/YMML) after a jetbridge collision damaged its forward door.

CHINA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 B-18902 (MSN 057)

The aircraft had arrived as flight CI-57 from Taipei (TPE/RCTP) on Tuesday morning. The aircraft was empty at the time, and no injuries were reported. The aircraft had completed an overnight flight from Taipei and landed at Melbourne Airport around 10.30am Tuesday morning.

After all passengers and crew had safely deplaned, the aircraft remained parked at the gate with the forward left-hand door open and the jetbridge still attached. Shortly after arrival, the aircraft began to roll backward unexpectedly. With the jetbridge connected and the door open, the movement caused the door to strike the jetbridge.

The impact partially tore the door off its hinges, resulting in significant structural damage to the door assembly.

The exact cause of the rollback has not been officially confirmed. However, early indications suggest that wheel chocks may not have been properly positioned in front of and behind the aircraft’s tires. This allowed unintended movement while the aircraft was still secured to ground equipment.


Such incidents highlight the importance of strict adherence to ground handling procedures, especially during post-arrival operations.

The scheduled return service to Taipei on Tuesday night was cancelled immediately. Engineers are now assessing whether the damage is limited to the door or extends into the fuselage structure, which would significantly impact repair time.

Jetbridge incidents usually stem from human mistakes or mechanical issues. In this situation, the main suspected cause is improper aircraft securing procedures, though the investigation is still in progress.

As of today, the aircraft remains grounded in Melbourne awaiting repairs.

Aircraft Information:
Airline: China Airlines  
Code: CI/CAL
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Registration: B-18902
Serial Number: 057
Engines: 2 x RR Trent XWB-84
First Flew: 27th October 2016
Age: 9 Years 

Looking back on Southwest Airlines Flight 1380

Southwest Airlines Flight 1380, a Boeing 737-700, suffered a contained engine failure in its left engine after departing from New York–LaGuardia Airport (LGA/KLGA) heading to Dallas Love Field (DAL/KDAL) on the 17th of April 2018. The engine cowl broke apart, and the resulting fragments damaged the fuselage, shattered a cabin window, and caused an explosive decompression of the aircraft. Additional debris damaged the wing. The crew initiated an emergency descent and diverted to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL/KPHL). Sadly, one passenger was fatally injured after being partially ejected from the aircraft, and eight others sustained minor to serious injuries. 

The aircraft incurred significant damage.

At 11:03 AM (Eastern Daylight Time), the aircraft was at an altitude of 32,000 feet (9,800 meters) and ascending when the left engine exploded. Consequently, a significant portion of the engine inlet and cowling fragments detached. These fragments impacted the wing and fuselage, shattering a window at row 14 in the cabin, leading to an uncontrolled decompression of the aircraft.

This incident closely resembled an accident that occurred 20 months prior involving Southwest Airlines Flight 3472, which was operating the same type of aircraft and engines. Following the earlier incident, CFM, the engine manufacturer, issued a service directive for ultrasonic inspections of turbine fan blades with specific serial numbers, service cycles, or service time. However, Southwest did not inspect the engine that failed in this incident as it did not fall within the directive's specified parameters.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Southwest Airlines

Code: WN/SWA

Aircraft: Boeing 737-7H4

Registration: N772SW

Serial Number: 27880

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B24

First Flew: 26th June 2000

Age: 17 Years 10 Months

Woman dies on Qantas flight from United States

A woman has unexpectedly passed away midflight on Qantas flight QF4, which left New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK/KJFK) on Sunday at 7:07 p.m. EDT, bound for Auckland (AKL/NZAA). The non-stop trip usually takes over 17 hours and covers roughly 14,200 kilometers.

A Qantas spokesperson said the medical emergency happened during the long-haul part of the flight, with both cabin crew and medical professionals onboard quickly stepping in to help.

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touched down at Auckland Airport early Tuesday morning at 5:15 NZST. Following standard procedures for an in-flight death, emergency services were on hand to meet the plane upon arrival.

New Zealand Police said they were at the scene and are working with the coroner to figure out the cause of death. By Tuesday afternoon, they hadn’t released the woman’s identity or age, and it’s still unknown whether she was from New Zealand, the United States, or elsewhere.

The flight, which continues from Auckland to Sydney, was delayed by approximately 90 minutes while officials conducted their initial investigation on board.

The New York-to-Auckland route is an ultra-long-haul journey with unique challenges, as planes can be hours from the nearest diversion airport while crossing the Pacific. Qantas has expressed condolences to the family and is said to be offering support to the crew members affected by the incident.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends in this difficult time.

Irate passenger causes flight to divert

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKK (MSN  36237                

A woman has been charged after her alleged “erratic” and abusive behaviour led to an international flight en route to Thailand being diverted.

Federal police were alerted by airline staff to an incident on-board Jetstar flight JQ17, which was travelling from Melbourne (MEL/YMML) to Phuket (HKT/VTSP) on Sunday.

The 37-year-old woman was allegedly acting in “an increasingly erratic manner” that escalated to her “verbally abusing passengers and cabin crew”, Australian Federal Police (AFP) said.

The plane was diverted to Perth Airport where officers had to forcibly remove the woman from the plane after she refused to leave on her own.

She was charged with behaving in an offensive and disorderly manner endangering safety on an aircraft.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of a $16,500 fine.

AFP Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal condemned the woman’s alleged anti-social and abusive behaviour towards staff and passengers.


Aircraft Information:
Airline: Jetstar 
Code: JQ/JST
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
Registration: VH-VKI
Serial Number: 36235
Engines: 2 x GEnx-1B
First Flew: 19th December 2014
Age: 11 Years