Remembering National Airlines Flight 102

NATIONAL AIRLINES BOEING 747-412 N756CA (MSN 26547)

 

National Airlines Flight 102 was a cargo flight from Camp Shorabak (OAI/OAIX) in Afghanistan to Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/OMDW) in Dubai, with a refueling stop at Bagram Airfield. On the 29th of April 2013, the Boeing 747-400 operating the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Bagram, resulting in the death of all seven crew members on board.

The investigation determined that cargo not properly secured broke loose during takeoff, rolled to the rear, breached the rear pressure bulkhead, and disabled the flight control systems at the back. This caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrollable pitch-up position, leading to a stall and making it impossible for the pilots to regain control.

The airline had been running flights between Camp Bastion and Dubai for a month before the crash. The ill-fated flight began at Camp Bastion, loaded with five heavy armored vehicles, and stopped at Bagram to refuel. Taking off from Bagram's runway 03 at 15:30 local time, the aircraft was ascending through 1,200 feet (370 m) when it abruptly pitched up. It then stalled, banked right, and leveled off just before crashing and exploding into a fireball, narrowly missing nearby vehicles. The crash occurred off the end of runway 03, within the airfield's boundary. All seven crew members, all American citizens including four pilots, two mechanics, and a loadmaster, perished. There were no ground injuries.

A thunderstorm was near Bagram at the crash time, with a 120° wind direction change about 35 minutes prior. A car's dashboard camera near the runway captured the crash, showing the aircraft's sharp pitch up, stall, and subsequent right bank after a slight left bank, suggesting asymmetrical lift. The aircraft then attempted to right itself.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: National Airlines

Code: N8/NCR

Aircraft: Boeing 747-428

Registration: N949CA

Serial Number: 25630

Engines: 4 x GE CF6-80C2B1F

First Flew: 29/01/1993

Age: 9.9 Years

The Port Arthur massacre - 30 years today

I don’t usually share stories unrelated to aviation, but this one is close to my heart. Growing up in Hobart and working as a traveling salesman, I visited the Sea Scape bed and breakfast every month for six years. During that time, I got to know the owners, David and Sally Martin, very well. I’m still friends with David and Sally's daughter and her husband, as well as their granddaughter and her husband.


The Port Arthur massacre was a mass shooting on the 28th of April 1996, in Port Arthur, a tourist town in Tasmania, 90 kilometers (56 miles) southeast of Hobart city.

Martin Bryant carried out the attack, killing 35 people and injuring 23 others in what became the deadliest massacre in modern Australian history. The tragedy prompted major reforms to Australia’s gun laws.

Two of Bryant’s victims were people he knew personally, killed at Seascape, a bed and breakfast. Most of the others died during a shooting spree at the Port Arthur Historic Site, a popular tourist spot. Armed with two semi-automatic rifles, he started in a small café, then moved into a nearby gift shop, killing twenty people in minutes. More lives were taken in the car park, including those of several children. At the tollbooth, he killed four people, stole their vehicle, and drove to a service station, where he shot a woman and abducted her partner. Along the way, he fired at passing cars before heading back to Seascape with his hostage, who was later killed. He set the property on fire but was captured the next morning.

Bryant admitted to the killings and was sentenced to 35 life terms without parole, though his motives remain debated. The tragedy prompted the newly elected Howard government to review Australia’s gun laws. Within two weeks, the National Firearms Agreement was introduced, placing strict limits on automatic and semi-automatic weapons, launching a gun buyback scheme, creating a national gun registry, and enforcing a waiting period for firearm purchases.

Port Arthur is most famous as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement. Operating from 1830 to 1877, it was a brutal penal colony, featuring a notorious "separate prison" system focusing on psychological punishment, alongside landmarks like the Penitentiary and Convict Church. Today, it is Tasmania’s premier historic site, known for its well-preserved ruins, ghost tours, and scenic maritime setting.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends as they remember loved ones today. 

Spirit Airlines faces imminent collapse as fuel prices soar

Spirit Airlines has requested an emergency bailout from the Trump administration due to financial troubles. Facing over $7 billion in debt, the airline could shut down within days.

SPIRIT AIRLINES AIRBUSA321-231 N661NK (MSN 6867)

Spirit Airlines is teetering on the edge of shutting down, with flights possibly ending as soon as the end of April. The budget carrier has struggled financially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and now its entire fleet could be grounded for good, putting the jobs of its 12,000 employees at risk.

While the airline reached a deal with lenders in February to exit its second bankruptcy in two years, that rescue plan has now failed. Reports from Bloomberg suggest the carrier is shifting from a plan to restructure its debt to a full closure of the business. This process, known as liquidation, would see the airline sell off all its assets to pay back creditors rather than trying to keep flying.

The recent conflict in the Middle East has increased fuel prices by 110%. For a budget airline that operates on razor-thin profit margins, these added costs have made it impossible to maintain a sustainable business. Spirit’s survival strategy was built on the assumption that fuel costs would remain stable.

Despite the optimistic outlook shared by CEO Dave Davis last month, who claimed the airline’s restructuring plan reflected “the confidence our lenders and noteholders have in our future”. The recent fuel hikes have placed the airline in a terminal position.

Spirit Airlines has never been able to recover fully from the global COVID-19 pandemic as travel patterns changed, and the airline struggled to profit with its thin margins. Before its current crisis, Spirit was already struggling to find its footing after a planned merger with JetBlue was blocked by regulators. That failed deal left the airline with a huge $7.4 billion debt and lease obligations, a burden that made Spirit’s survival as a standalone carrier impossible under its original capital structure.

Looking back on China Airlines Flight 140

CHINA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-302 B-18305 (MSN 0671)

 

China Airlines Flight 140 was a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek International Airport (TPE/RCTP), Taiwan to Nagoya-Komaki International Airport (NGO/RJNN), Japan

On the 26th of April 1994, the Airbus A300B4-622R was completing a routine flight and approach, when, just seconds before landing at Nagoya Airport, the takeoff/go-around setting (TO/GA) was inadvertently triggered. The pilots attempted to pitch the aircraft down while the autopilot, which was not disabled, was pitching the aircraft up. The aircraft ultimately stalled and crashed into the ground, killing 264 of the 271 people on board.

It was nighttime and Nagoya airport weather at the time was reported as winds from 280 degrees at 8 knots, visibility of 20 kilometers, cumulus clouds at 3,000 feet and a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. During the initial phase of the approach, both autopilot systems (AP1 and AP2) were engaged as well as the auto throttles. After passing the ILS outer marker and receiving landing clearance, the first officer, who was the pilot flying, disengaged the autopilot system and continued the ILS approach manually. 

When passing through approximately 1,000 feet on the approach glidepath, the first officer inadvertently triggered the GO levers placing the auto throttles into go-around mode, which led to an increase in thrust. This increase in thrust caused the aircraft to level off at approximately 1,040 feet for 15 seconds and resulted in the flight path becoming high relative to the ILS glideslope. The captain recognised that the GO lever had been triggered and instructed the first officer to disengage it and correct the flight path down to the desired glide slope. While manually trying to correct the glide path with forward yoke, the first officer engaged the autopilot, causing it to be engaged in the go-around mode as well. As he manually attempted to recapture the glide slope from above by reducing thrust and pushing the yoke forward, he was providing pitch inputs to the elevator that were opposite the autopilot commands to the Trimmable Horizontal Stabiliser (THS), which was attempting to command pitch up for a go around.

Passing through approximately 700 feet, the autopilot was disengaged but the THS remained at its last commanded position of -12.3 degrees. Also at this time, due to the thrust reduction commanded by the first officer, the airspeed decreased to a low level, resulting in an increasing angle of attack (also termed alpha, or AOA). As a result, the automatic alpha floor function of the aircraft was activated, causing an increase in thrust and a further pitch-up. The alpha floor function of the A300 is an AOA protection feature intended to prevent excessive angles of attack during normal operations. Because of the greater size of the THS relative to the elevator (approximately three times greater in terms of surface area), the available elevator control power or authority was overcome as the aircraft neared 570 feet on the approach. Upon hearing the first officer report that he could not push the nose further down and that the throttles had latched (alpha floor function engaged), the captain took over the controls unaware of the THS position.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: China Airlines

Code: CI/CAL

Aircraft: Airbus A300B4-622R

Registration: B-1816

Serial Number: 580

Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney PW4158

First Flew: 30/10/1990

Sending thoughts and prayers to the families and friends as they remember their loved ones today.

Plane spotting by the river

Yesterday, my family and I visited New Farm Park, just outside the city, because my daughter wanted to take her dog for a long walk. After arriving, we strolled along the waterfront toward Teneriffe for a refreshing drink. I brought my camera along, knowing I’d catch close-up departures from 19 Right and distant ones from 19 Left.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHP (MSN 436)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 5 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKB (MSN 36228)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 12 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-8VG (MSN 67037)
VA447 OFF TO DARWIN (DRW) 3 MONTHS

SOLOMON AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SIB (MSN 2445)
IE715 OFF TO MUNDA (MUA) 20 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FNOI (MSN 35268)
AC36 OFF TO VANCOUVER (YVR) 10 YEARS

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRBUS A350-941 B-30C0 (MSN 357)
CZ382 OFF TO GUANGZHOU (CAN) 6 YEARS

ALLIANCE EMBRAER E190AR VH-A2K (MSN 19000040)
QF1824 OFF TO MACKAY (MKY) 19 YEARS
FLYING FOR QANTAS 

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-222 N797UA (MSN 26294)
UA97 OFF TO SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 28 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPF (MSN 595)
QF61 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 22 YEARS

SKYTRANS AUSTRALIA AIRBUS A319-112 VH-L7A (MSN 1179)
SX2614 OFF TO DARWIN (DRW) 23 YEARS

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A330-243 B-5938 (MSN 1479)
MU716 OFF TO SHANGHAI (PVG) 12 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 70 VH-JFE (MSN 11545)
VA1239 OFF TO ROCKHAMPTON (ROK) 30 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND BOEING 787-9 ZK-NZR (MSN 65088)
NZ81 OVERFLYING BRISBANE FROM AUCKLAND TO HONG KONG

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBJ (MSN 940)
QF51 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 17 YEARS

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AIRBUS A321-271N RP-C9930 (MSN 8117)
PR222 OFF TO MANILA (MNL) 7 YEARS 

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKD (MSN 36229)
JQ23 OFF TO OSAKA (KIX) 12 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-UZF (MSN 19000166) 
QLK357 OFF TO HONIARA (HIR) 18 YEARS

ANZAC DAY 2026

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET

Anzac Day is a National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Observed on the 25th of April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honor the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. (1914–1918) Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, and Tonga, and previously was a national holiday in Papua New Guinea and Samoa. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. 

The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same Remembrance Day but making reference to both countries in its name. When war broke out in 1914, Australia and New Zealand had been dominions of the British Empire for thirteen and seven years respectively. World War One was one of the deadliest conflicts in the history of the human race, in which over 16 million people died. The total number of both civilian and military casualties is estimated at around 37 million people. The war killed almost 7 million civilians and 10 million military personnel. Two out of three soldiers died in battle; the rest died due to infections or disease. The Spanish flu also killed a lot of people in prisoner camps.

For Australia
The First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner.

For New Zealand
The First World War was one of the most significant events of the 20th Century and had a seismic impact on New Zealand society. Just under ten percent of their then population of 1.1 million served overseas, of which more than 18,000 died. There were also over 40,000 hospitalisations due to injury or illness. Nearly every New Zealand family was affected by the impact of the war.

The Red Poppy

The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or are serving in the armed forces. In many countries, the poppy is worn on Armistice Day (11th of November), but in Australia and New Zealand it is most commonly seen on Anzac Day, 25th of April.

In Flanders fields
The red or Flanders poppy has been linked with battlefield deaths since the Great War (1914–18). It was one of the first plants to grow and bloom on battlefields in the Belgian region of Flanders. The connection was made most famously by a Canadian medical officer, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, in his poem, ‘In Flanders fields’.

On this ANZAC Day, we pause to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of our veterans— past and present.

Thank you for your service, your courage, and the freedoms you have safeguarded for future generations. We remember those who gave their lives and those who returned forever changed.

Your legacy lives on in our hearts and continues to inspire unity, resilience, and gratitude across Australia and New Zealand.

                            LEST WE FORGET

All photos taken from the internet and story taken from different websites.

Qatar resumes Adelaide flights

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEG (MSN 60333)

Showing renewed confidence in the Australian market, Qatar Airways will resume flights to Adelaide in mid-June 2026. The seasonal Adelaide (ADL/YPAD) to Doha (DOH/OTHH) route will run daily from the 16th of June to the 14th of September 2026, using the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Flight QR915 will depart Adelaide at 10pm and arrive in Doha at 5am the next day. The return flight, QR914, will leave the Doha at 8pm and arrive in Adelaide at 3.30pm the following day.

The Adelaide-Doha route was halted soon after hostilities broke out between the United States and Iran in late February, with other Australian routes also grounded because of the war. 

Qatar Airways’ return to Adelaide marks the next step in the airline’s journey back to full capacity in Australia. The national carrier kicked things off in early April with three weekly flights from Melbourne and Perth, followed by the resumption of three weekly Sydney services on the 10th of April.

Qatar says it plans to resume flights to Brisbane on the 16th of May, with four flights per week.

Canberra to Doha is the only Aussie route yet to resume for the carrier.