Jetstar cabin crew in hospital after 'unusual smell' in plane

Four Jetstar cabin crew members were hospitalized following reports of an "unusual smell" on a flight from the Gold Coast Airport, QLD (OOL/YBCG) to Cairns Airport, QLD (CNS/YBCS) on Thursday.

After the plane landed in Cairns and passengers had disembarked, a crew member in her 40s felt faint around 9:30 am. She was supported by another crew member to prevent a fall, according to the airline. Paramedics administered oxygen at the scene.

The Queensland Ambulance reported that the crew suffered from nausea, headaches, eye irritation, and lightheadedness, believed to be caused by exposure to fumes on the aircraft. The affected individuals included one patient in her 20s, two in their 40s, and one in her 50s.

All four staff members were stable when transported to the hospital, the ambulance service stated. Additionally, staff had noticed an "unusual smell" in the cabin before the incident.

"Four of our cabin crew reported feeling unwell due to an unusual smell after the flight," Jetstar commented. "They were evaluated by paramedics and taken to the hospital for observation. There were no reports of the smell from passengers, and the aircraft landed normally in Cairns. Our engineers will conduct a thorough inspection of the aircraft." The pilots did not detect any unusual odors from the cockpit.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Jetstar

Code: JQ/JST

Aircraft: Airbus A320-232

Registration: VH-VQA

Serial Number: 3783

Engines: 2 x IAE V2527-A5

First Flew: January 2009

Age: 15.4 Years

Person killed by jet engine at Amsterdam airport

KLM EMBRAER E190STD PH-EZL (MSN 19000334)

A tragic event has occurred at Amsterdam's international airport where an individual died after being drawn into a plane's turbine engine. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines reported that the incident happened on Wednesday, involving a plane destined for Billund Airport (BLL/EKBI) from Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS/EHAM). 

KLM stated, "A fatal incident occurred at Schiphol, where an individual was caught in a running aircraft engine while the aircraft was being pushed back." The individual has unfortunately passed away. The flight in question was KL1341 heading to Billund. Efforts are being made to support the passengers and staff who witnessed the event at Schiphol. The identity of the deceased has still not been revealed by officials. Schiphol Airport, which serves around 72 million passengers annually and ranks as Europe's third busiest airport, is under investigation by authorities to determine the events leading to the incident, with more information to be released as it becomes available.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: KLM Cityhopper

Code: WA/KLC

Aircraft: Embraer E190STD

Registration: PH-EZL

Serial Number: 19000334

Engines: 2 x GE CF34-10E5

First Flew: 6th January 2010

Age: 14.4 Years

THOUGHTS AND PRAYES GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THE STAFF OF KLM 

Spirit Airlines passengers told to prepare for water landing

SPIRIT AIRLINES AIRBUS A321-231 N661NK (MSN 6867)

Passengers on a Spirit Airlines flight from Jamaica to Florida experienced panic and confusion when instructed to brace for a potential water landing.

Christy Atkins, along with her husband from Wichita, were aboard Flight 270 from Montego Bay (MBJ/MKJS) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL/KFLL). She reported that, 15 minutes post-takeoff, an alarm was triggered, and passengers were informed of a minor issue. The captain announced a return to the airport.

According to Atkins, a flight attendant attributed the problem to a sensor on a door.

Panic ensued five minutes later when flight attendants directed passengers to prepare for an emergency water landing and to don life vests. Atkins recounted a mother's desperate plea for a life vest for her infant.

"The women were screaming, crying, and praying, while the men tried to maintain calm," Atkins remembered. Ultimately, the aircraft made a safe landing in Jamaica, and passengers disembarked normally. A replacement aircraft was dispatched to complete the journey to Fort Lauderdale.

Spirit Airlines issued an apology for the distress caused, assuring that the mechanical issue posed no risk to flight safety and that the aircraft would undergo a thorough inspection by the maintenance team.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Spirit Airlines

Code: NK/NKS

Aircraft: Airbus A321-271NX

Registration: N718NK

Serial Number: 11872

Engines: 2 x PW PW1133G

First Flew: April 2024

Age: 1 Month

Looking back on the Hijacking of Qantaslink 1737

QANTASLINK BOEING 717-2BL VH-YQT (MSN 55179)

QantasLink Flight 1737 was an Australian domestic flight from Melbourne's-Tullamarine Airport, VIC (MEL/YMML) to Launceston Airport, TAS (LST/YMLT) and was subject to an attempted hijacking on the 29th of May 2003.

The Boeing 717 left Melbourne Airport at 2.50 p.m. on the 29th of May. Around ten minutes after take-off, as the crew prepared for the onboard meal service, David Mark Robinson, a passenger seated in Row 7, became agitated, stood up and began to make his way down the aisle. Producing two sharpened wooden stakes from his pocket, Robinson stabbed flight attendant Denise Hickson and flight purser Greg Khan in the head on his way to the cabin galley. Khan tackled Robinson to unbalance him, eventually succeeding despite repeated blows to the back of the head from Robinson's stakes. Several passengers (including a Canadian paramedic, Derek Finlay) helped restrain Robinson, holding him down and tying him up with materials found on board.

The plane immediately turned back to Melbourne, where Robinson was placed under arrest by Australian Federal Police. He was also found to be carrying aerosol cans and cigarette lighters, presumably to use as a flamethrower.

Khan and Hickson were taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment, and a passenger who received minor lacerations was treated at the airport by paramedics.

Despite numerous security improvements following the September 11, attacks, Flight 1737 lacked certain security arrangements. The door to the flightdeck had not been adapted to completely block access from the outside, and there was no sky marshal on board.

Qantas undertook a full security review following the incident and promised to secure the flightdeck doors on all of their aircraft by the 1st of November. The airline dismissed the suggestion of armed sky marshals on each flight as too expensive, and a full body search of passengers to detect wooden objects as unfeasible.

Qantas also made a training video regarding the incident; the crew involved were interviewed and this is shown during security training. Khan also speaks of how a passenger complained that the aircraft was returning to Melbourne, even though two crew members had suffered serious injuries and an attempt to hijack the aircraft had just occurred. Khan and other crew also report the amount of blood stains throughout the aircraft as a result of the injuries.

Since this incident, all Boeing 717 aircraft operated by Qantaslink have been fitted with cameras and the flight deck door is bullet proof.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantaslink

Code: QF/QFA

Aircraft: Boeing 717-231

Registration: VH-VQI

Serial Number: 55095

Engines: 2 x BMW RR BR715

First Flew: 7/11/2011

Age: 21 Yrs. 6 Mts

Man runs naked down aisle of Virgin aircraft

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-81A (MSN 65045)

A Virgin Australia flight from Perth (PER/YPPH) to Melbourne (MEL/YMML) had to return and make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff when a male passenger reportedly sprinted naked down the aisle, causing a crew member to fall.

The aircraft, which was scheduled to depart at 18.10 but departed one-hour twenty-four minutes late at 19.34, departed from runway 03 and after turning east, climbed to flight level 370. One hour into the flight the pilots turned the aircraft around and landed back on runway 21 at 21.56.

Upon the plane's return to Perth airport on Monday evening, Australian federal police officers were waiting and arrested the man about an hour into the Melbourne-bound flight. On Tuesday, a Virgin spokesperson stated that the flight, which usually lasts around three and a half hours, had to turn back due to a "disruptive passenger," who was then removed by the police.

"Our guests' and crew's safety is our utmost concern, and we deeply regret any inconvenience caused to our passengers," said the spokesperson. The federal police confirmed they were called to the scene by airport staff and that "officers apprehended a man who allegedly sprinted naked through the plane mid-flight, causing a crew member to fall to the floor."

A passenger named Sterling recounted that an hour into the flight, he suddenly heard someone running in the aisle; the man was unclothed and heading towards the front of the aircraft.

The 23-year-old mining engineer, who was traveling to Melbourne for his university graduation the following morning, expressed his initial shock at the sight of the individual rushing towards the cockpit. Sterling described the aftermath of the incident, where the man supposedly knocked down the flight attendant, as filled with "much shouting and commotion" near the cockpit area.

"The first thought is the fear of an attack, which is quite terrifying when you're on a plane," he said.

He further explained, "A brave individual from business class immediately stood up to intervene, followed by two others who later managed to subdue and restrain the man on the ground."

The man was eventually restrained, handcuffed, and escorted to the rear of the aircraft; Sterling added.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Virgin Australia

Code: VA/VOZ

Aircraft: Boeing 737-8FE

Registration: VH-YQG

Serial Number: 40999

Engines:  2 x CFMI CFM56-7B26

First Flew: 10th January 2012

Age: 12.3 Years

Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on Doha-Dublin flight

QATAR AIRBUS A380-842 A7-APC (MSN 145)

Just days after the Singapore Airlines turbulence incident, another twelve individuals were injured, eight of whom were hospitalized, following severe turbulence on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha-Hamad International Airport (DOH/OTHH) to Dublin Airport (DUB/EIDW), according to Dublin Airport authorities.

Flight QR017, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, touched down safely and on schedule before 1 pm local time on Sunday, the airport confirmed.

"Emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, were on the scene upon landing due to six passengers and six crew members [12 in total] reporting injuries after the aircraft encountered turbulence over Turkey," stated Dublin Airport.

"Before leaving the aircraft, all passengers were evaluated for injuries. Eight individuals were then transported to the hospital with varying degrees of injury," the airport added. Irish media reported that the turbulence, which occurred during meal service, lasted less than 20 seconds.

Passenger Paul Mocc described a scene where "people hit the ceiling," with food and beverages scattered throughout.

Emma Rose Power, another passenger, recounted to RTE that post-turbulence, she observed flight attendants with facial scratches and ice packs, and one attendant wearing an arm sling. Qatar Airways acknowledged that a "small number" of passengers and crew were injured during the flight and are currently receiving medical care.

While the airline did not comment specifically on the turbulence, it mentioned that the incident is under internal review.

"Our passengers' and crew's safety and security always come first," the airline emphasized.

This event occurred merely five days after a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore had to make an emergency landing in Bangkok due to severe turbulence, resulting in the death of a 73-year-old British citizen and leaving 20 others critically injured.

A 2021 study indicated that turbulence is the leading cause of airline accidents.

Aircraft Information: 

Airline: Qatar Airways 

Code: QR/QTR

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 

Registration: A7-BHM

Serial Number: 64222

Engine: 2 x GENX 1B

First Flew: 20th January 2021

Age: 3.4 Years Old

Sunday morning plane spotting at Brisbane Airport

It's been a while since I had been plane spotting at our own local airport, Brisbane airport, and even longer since my co-pilot (daughter) has come out with me.

So, with the street riots in New Caledonia brewing, Brisbane has had two French Air Force A330's an Airbus A400 and two Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules coming and going regularly, and with the arrival of a very special livery on Air Canada, the temptation was far too great not to go out.

Just as we drove onto the airport perimeter, we noticed on Flightradar24 one of the French Air Force Airbus A330's was lining up for departure. So, I pulled over and managed to get the departure. From there I managed to get a photo of the Airbus A400.

From there we headed up to the top-level domestic carpark where my friends at Julia Flights were streaming live. If you haven't seen her stream yet, you can view it here.  Julia Flights - YouTube

FRENCH AIR FORCE AIRBUS A330-243 F-UJCU (MSN 2022)

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EDO (MSN 057)

From left to right, Gavin, Julia, Tayla, Dean (Moderator), myself and James from England 

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VXD (MSN 29552)
QF500 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 22 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VGJ (MSN 4460)
JQ759 OFF TO HOBART (HBA) 13 YEARS

BATIK AIR BOEING 737 MAX 8 9M-LRM (MSN 43010)
OD158 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 4 YEARS

ALLIANCE EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYB (MSN 19000012)
QF1871 ARRIVING FROM TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 19 YEARS
FLYING FOR QANTAS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKF (MSN 36231) 
JQ54 ARRIVING FROM SEOUL (ICN) 9 YEARS 

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A321-271NX ZK-NNE (MSN 8799)
NZ201 ARRIVING FROM CHRISTCHURCH (CHC) 5 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8SA VH-IJW (MSN 44224)
VA314 OFF TO MELBOURNE (MEL) 9 YEARS

QANTASLINK EMBRAER E190AR VH-XVU (MSN 19000078)
QF1899 ARRIVING FROM CAIRNS (CNS) 17 YEARS

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZLG (MSN 340B-375)
ZL5631 OFF TO TOOWOOMBA (WTB) 28 YEARS

JETSTAR (JAFFA) AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VGF (MSN 4497)
JQ560 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MSL) 13 YEARS

UNITED BOEING 787-9 N29961 (MSN 37811)
UA96 ARRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 8 YEARS

PHILIPPINE AIRBUS A321-271 RP-C9936 (MSN 8619)
PR221 ARRIVING FROM MANILA (MNL) 5 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-XZP (MSN 44577)
QF935 OFF TO PERTH (PER) 9 YEARS

KOREAN AIR AIRBUS A330-223 HL-8228 (MSN 1203)
KE408 OFF TO SEOUL (ICN) 13 YEARS

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE C-130J HERCULES
A97-450 OFF TO NOUMEA (NOU) 25 YEARS

REX BOEING 737-8FE VH-REX (MSN 36609)
ZL227 OFF TO MELBOURNE (MEL) 14 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHK (MSN 369)
SQ256 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 4 YEARS

WEATHER STATION... CAN YOU SPOT THE BLUE WEATHER BALLOON

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPE (MSN 593)
QF119 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 20 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHJ (MSN 328)
SQ255 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 4 YEARS

LIFEFLIGHT LEONARDO AW139 VH-XIH (MSN 41403)

ALLIANCE EMBRAER E190LR VH-UYK (MSN 19000089)
QF1874 OFF TO DARWIN (DRW) 17 YEARS
FLYING FOR QANTAS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKA (MSN 36227)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 10 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-8ID (MSN 66638) 3 MONTHS 

LINK AIRWAYS SAAB 340B VH-VEA (MSN 340B-406)
SF34 OFF TO WOLLONGONG (WOL) 27 YEARS

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-FVLX (MSN 38356)
AC36 OFF TO VANCOUVER (YVR) 6 YEARS

SPORTING THE DISNEY "WISH" LIVERY

CHINA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 B-18909 (MSN 138)
CI53 ARRIVING FROM TAIPEI (TPE) 6 YEARS

Toowoomba's original airport could close down.

Toowoomba’s original airport is losing money and is in great danger of closing down, local users warn.

Toowoomba City Aerodrome (TWB/YTWB), which was replaced by Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (WTB/YBWW) for regular passenger flights in 2015, is currently under financial review by Toowoomba Regional Council, which owns and operates the airport. The review is expected to wrap up by next month.

The regional Queensland aerodrome is used by flying schools and community organisations such as the Darling Downs Aero Club, as well as aeromedical services such as LifeFlight and the RFDS. Users have banded together under the banner of the Toowoomba City Community Airport group to urge the council to keep the airport open, with a petition launched this month having already attracted around 2,200 signatures.

“The Toowoomba City Community Airport is more than just an airport; it is a vital lifeline and hub for our region,” the petition said.

“It delivers critical emergency responses, drives economic vitality, and provides educational opportunities. Its strategic location and comprehensive services not only save lives but also propel our community towards sustainable growth and connectivity.

“Toowoomba City Airport holds the distinction of being Australia’s longest continually running airport, a testament to its importance in our history and future prosperity. The threat to its existence jeopardises not only these crucial services, but also the safety and wellbeing of all residents in Toowoomba.”

In a statement, Toowoomba Region Mayor Councillor Geoff McDonald said that according to reporting from previous financial years, the council “does not recover the full cost of the aerodrome activities from revenue generated by leases and landing fees”.

Toowoomba City Aerodrome is located 4.1 kilometers (2.5 miles) northwest from the CBD of Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia. Toowoomba City Aerodrome is both licensed and certified. 

Being certified means the airfield is able to have airlines and larger charter aircraft operate from the aerodrome. Being licensed means that the aerodrome is regulated by federal transport security regulations. Toowoomba City Aerodrome does not have a control tower; however, the airfield is regulated and operated under Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations of aviation operations at non-tower-controlled aerodromes.

The aerodrome is owned and operated by Toowoomba Regional Council. 

It has two runways, one asphalt and one grass.

The asphalt runway is 11/29 and is 1,341 metres long (4,400 feet) - the grass runway is 06/24 and is 660 meters long (2,165 feet). Elevation AMSL is 636 mts / 2,086 ft.

Main part of this story sourced from here

Toowoomba’s council-owned airport could close down – Australian Aviation

Remembering American Airlines Flight 191

AMERICAN AIRLINES B787-9 N832AA (MSN 40638)

American Airlines Flight 191 was a regular scheduled passenger flight from O'Hare International Airport (ORD/KORD) in Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) in Los Angeles, California. On the 25th of May 1979, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 operating this flight was taking off from runway 32R when it crashed into the ground. All 258 passengers and 13 crew on board were killed, along with two people on the ground. At 14:59 hours local time Flight 191 taxied from the gate at O'Hare Airport. The weather at the time of departure was clear, and the reported surface wind was 020° at 22 kts. At 15:02:38, the flight was cleared for takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that as the aircraft was beginning its takeoff rotation, engine number one (the left engine) separated from the left wing, flipping over the top of the wing and landing on the runway. As the engine separated from the aircraft, it severed hydraulic fluid lines that lock the wing's leading-edge slats in place and damaged a 3-foot (1 metre) section of the left wing's leading edge. Aerodynamic forces acting on the wing resulted in an uncommanded retraction of the outboard slats. As the aircraft began to climb, the damaged left wing – with no engine – produced far less lift than the right wing, with its slats still deployed and its engine providing full takeoff thrust. The disrupted and unbalanced aerodynamics of the aircraft caused it to roll abruptly to the left until it was partially inverted, reaching a bank angle of 112 degrees, before crashing in an open field by a trailer park near the end of the runway 50 seconds later. The engine separation was attributed to damage to the pylon structure holding the engine to the wing, caused by improper maintenance procedures used at American Airlines. (A pylon structure is a hardpoint located on an airframe designed to carry an external or internal load.) 

With 273 fatalities, it is still the deadliest aviation accident to have occurred in the United States.

Aircraft Information

Airline: American Airlines

Code: AA/AAL

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas DC10

Registration: N110AA

Serial Number: 46510 

Engines: Three General Electric CF6-6D

First Flew: 25/02/1972

Age: 7 Years 3 months