United Airlines flight forced to divert after disgusting act sparks 'biohazard'

UNITED BOEING 737-924 N68807 (MSN 42819)

A United Airlines flight had to divert after a large amount of 'biohazard' was found in the crew area. Plane passengers found themselves in the middle of a "biohazard" after a revolting incident in the crew area. Staff and some passengers aboard the United Airlines flight reportedly fell sick during the journey and the flight had to divert.

United flight UA2477 traveling from Houston (IAH/KIAH) to Boston (BOS/KBOS) diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD/KIAD) amidst the "biohazard" incident, which was revealed by aviation enthusiasts who spotted the 9.39am flight in distress.

Audio captured and shared on Twitter appears to show a doctor on board the flight saying over the radio: "Especially with this kind of being a biohazard, I think we need to get this plane on the ground ASAP."

The flight is believed to have landed safely, though United Airlines is yet to confirm the incident or what caused people on board to become sick. Reports on 'X' - say that the crew was in the back and ill, with some indicating passengers could have been sick as well. 

According to reports the smell from the vomiting became so bad that some had to ask for masks. “I talked to the crew, and it sounds like it’s quite bad back there. The crew is vomiting, and passengers all around are asking for masks,” someone said over the radio.

REX Airlines on the brink of collapse

REX BOEING 737-8FE VH-RQC (MSN 33797)

Australia's domestic aviation market was thrown another curve ball yesterday with the news that Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex), the nation's largest independent regional and domestic airline, has called for a trading halt of its shares on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

This news comes just a few months after Bonza's collapse, sending a shudder through the industry. This is particularly so after Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson recently said that "history proved three airlines struggle to survive in Australia" and that Australia's population could not support "more players."

This morning, the ASX advised that shares in Regional Express Holdings Limited would be temporarily paused pending a further announcement, and that was followed soon after by an official announcement to the stock exchange from Rex, which said:

"In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 17.1, Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) requests the securities of the company to be placed in an immediate trading halt pending a material announcement in relation to a news article published on Saturday, 27th July 2024. Rex advises the trading halt is to last until the commencement of trade on Wednesday, 31st July 2024 or until the announcement mentioned above has been made."

The article appeared in the Australian newspaper on Saturday and painted a rather bleak picture of Rex in the domestic market and its future. The article claims that Rex is in "serious financial bother" and that "it seems the airline has invited a turnaround team from Deloitte to rifle through its books and try to stop the proverbial plane from crashing into the mountain."

Deloitte is a financial services business that worked on Virgin Australia's restructuring when it went into administration and later emerged under the control of Bain Capital. The newspaper article also mocks Rex for having a domestic market share that "languishes in the single digits" and says that the situation "could become intractable enough to push the airline into administration."

Although this short piece presents nothing to back up its assertions, it clearly has the potential to damage Rex and its shareholders, leading to the company's request for a trading halt. Simple Flying contacted Rex today for comment, but as a public company, it could not say much other than to supply us with this statement:

"The company is currently in an ASX trading halt pending making a material announcement. Accordingly, in the meantime, it isn't appropriate for us to make further comments until such announcement is made."


Without judging Rex's financial stability or otherwise, the airline has only responded to a scurrilous report by protecting its shareholders and the company. It is now formulating an announcement that will set the scene for what follows, including dealing with the boardroom challenge launched by its major shareholder, Lim Kim Hai.

Today, the Transport Workers Union, a vociferous critic of all things Qantas, called for an independent Safe and Secure Skies Commission to provide regulatory oversight, stability and binding standards for aviation. National Secretary Michael Kaine said:

"Like Bonza, Rex was another airline attempting to do right by the Australian public, keeping regional communities connected and driving down fares on popular routes. Following complaints against Qantas of capacity dumping, slot hoarding and a bidding war in regional Australia, Rex has now become another victim of an unregulated aviation market."

While that does sound like an epitaph, it does express what many think about Qantas' market strength and its arrogant approach to workers and competition over the last decades. Rex has been Australia's most reliable airline for more than a year and has provided Australians with lower fares at a time when Qantas and Virgin Australia sent them so high that domestic aviation is still well short of pre-pandemic levels.

There is more to play out with this story, but there are many, many Australians who don't want an aviation industry ruled by Qantas and its misplaced sense of entitlement to a majority market share.

Story sourced from here

Rex's Boeing 737s Are Flying But Its Shares Are Grounded (simpleflying.com)

Woman dies on Virgin flight to Melbourne

                                 BREAKING NEWS

A woman has died on a flight from Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) to Melbourne (MEL/YMML) The passenger collapsed on a Virgin Australia flight at around 9.30am local time on Monday.

The crew aboard VA flight 314 performed CPR on the woman as the plane was given priority landing at Tullamarine at 10.15am. Emergency crews were waiting on the tarmac to aid the woman upon arrival but were unable to revive her.

Victoria Police confirmed that officers attended the scene at Tullamarine on Monday morning. A spokesperson said police would prepare a report for the coroner and that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends; may they all find the strength to get through this devastating time.

More from Melbourne's Tullamarine

Yesterday we flew back to Brisbane from Melbourne, so we got to the airport 3 hours before our flight so I could do some plane spotting.

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OYC (MSN 11676)
JQ733 OFF TO LAUNCESTON (LST) 7 MONTHS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-MAX 8 VH-81C (MSN 66635)
VA91 OFF TO DENPASAR (DPS) 10 MONTHS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A 320-232 VH-YXT (MSN 5940) 
JQ705 OFF TO HOBART (HBA) 10 YEARS

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 N26960 (MSN 36408)
UA61 OFF TO SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 8 YEARS

QANTASLINK BOEING 717-2K9 VH-YQY (MSN 55056)
QF1542 ARRIVING FROM HOBART (HBA) 24 YEARS

VIETNAM AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 VN-AA891 (MSN 067)
VN780 OFF TO HO CHI MIHN CITY (MSN SGN) 7 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBJ (MSN 0940)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPI (MSN 0705)
QF29 OFF TO HONG KONG (HKG) 18 YEARS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKF (MSN 36231)

SHANGHAI AIRLINES BOEING 787-9 B-1111 (MSN 63706)
MU738 OFF TO SHANGHAI (PVG) 5 YEARS

ROYAL BRUNEI BOEING 787-8 V8-DLE (MSN 34791)

CAPITAL AIRBUS A330-343 B-305R (MSN 1880)
JD461 ARRIVING FROM QINGDAO (TAO) 6 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES CARGO BOEING 747-412F (MSN 32901)
SQ7293 ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND (AKL) 18 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNI (MSN 66073)

GARUDA INDONESIA AIRBUS A330-343 PK-GHD (MSN 1733)
GA716 ARRIVING FROM JAKARTA (CGK) 8 YEARS

FIJI BOEING 737-MAX 8 DQ-FAE (MSN 64309)
FJ935 ARRIVING FROM NADI (NAN) 4 YEARS

XAIMEN BOEING 787-8 B-2762 (MSN 41542)
MF804 OFF TO XAIMEN (XMN)

THAI AIRBUS A350-941 HS-THC (MSN 050)

REX BOEING 737-8FE VH-RQC (MSN 33797)
ZL961 OFF TO HOBART (HBA) 20 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VYF (MSN 33994)
QF433 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 19 YEARS

MALAYSIA AIRBUS A350-941 9M-MTE (MSN 1243)

CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 777-367 B-KQE (41432)
CX105 ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG (HKG) 11 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VXQ (MSN 33723)
QF615 ARRIVING FROM BRISBANE (BNE) 21 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 787-9 VH-ZNB (MSN 39039)
QF93 OFF TO LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YEARS

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEW (MSN 65304)
QR989 ARRIVING FROM ADELAIDE (ADL) 6 YEARS

Why do airline captains sit on the left-hand side?

Following on from my story a few days ago titled "Why do we board aircraft from the left"? Have you ever wondered why airline captains sit on the left.

In road transport, the position of the driver in motor vehicles varies between the left or right-hand side, depending on the country for which they are manufactured. In contrast, air travel is more internationally standardized, particularly regarding the captain's seat in the cockpit, which is universally on the left-hand side. This practice originates from the era preceding jet engines, rooted in the mechanics of early rotary engine aircraft, like those used in World War I.

These early aircraft had a propensity for left turns, aligning with the torque produced by their clockwise-spinning propellers. Conversely, turning right was more challenging, requiring greater control and rudder input to counteract the engine's torque.

This ease of left turning led to operational practices that established the left-hand side as the captain's seat. Airports, for instance, adopted traffic patterns that favored simpler left turns. As these patterns became predominantly left-oriented, it naturally became standard for the captain to sit on the left-hand side, positioning them on the inside of the turn.

Two helicopters collided, both pilots killed.

Two pilots have died after two helicopters collided shortly after taking off in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Emergency services rushed to Mount Anderson Station, in Camballin, 120km south of Derby on Thursday after the helicopters crashed shortly after taking off at about 6.20am.

WA Police said both cattle mustering helicopters had only one person on board - both pilots.

A 29-year-old man and a 30-year-old man died as a result of the injuries received during the crash.

Mount Anderson station is run by the Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company. Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company chairperson, Wayne Bergmann said the incident was “extremely tragic” and investigations are needed to understand the cause of the collision.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two young pilots,” Mr Bergmann told National Indigenous Times, of which he is a co-owner.

“The two pilots were well known in the community and to the (station) workers, and we are providing support to people affected in this extremely sad time.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and will conduct a transport safety investigation into the incident, WA Police confirmed.

Aircraft Information

Owner/Operator: Helico Australia 

Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta

Registration: VH-HQH

Serial Number: 3936

Aircraft Information

Owner/Operator: Pearl Coast Helicopters 

Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta II

Registration: VH-HYQ

Serial Number: 3835

Thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends; may they all find the strength to get through this devastating time.

Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 crashes in Kathmandu

On the 24th of July 2024, a Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 crashed just after takeoff from Kathmandu, Nepal. 

The aircraft was operating a ferry flight from Kathmandu (KTM/VNKT) to Pokhara (VKR/VNPR) for maintenance.

The crash occurred shortly after 11AM.
After takeoff, the aircraft banked sharply to the right and crashed into the ground about 200 meters from the runway.

The aircraft had 19 people onboard, with
everyone being an employee of the airline

Unfortunately, 18 people were killed with only the captain surviving. The captain is in stable position condition and was rushed to the hospital.

Aircraft Information 

Airline: Saurya Airlines

Code: SAU

Aircraft: Mitsubishi CRJ 200

Registration: 9N-AME

Serial Number: 7772

Engines: 2 x GE CF34-3B1

First Flew: January 2003

Age: 21.5 Years 

Thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends; may they all find the strength to get through this devastating time.

Remembering Air France flight 4590

Air France Flight 4590 was an international charter flight of Air France, traveling from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG) to New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY (JFK/KJFK), United States of America, flown by an Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde. 

On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 25th of July 2000, the aircraft taxied to runway 26R. Takeoff weight was calculated to be 186,900 tons, including 95 tons of fuel, which was one tone over the maximum takeoff weight. At 16:42:17 local time (14:42:17 UTC) the crew were cleared for takeoff.

At 16:42:31 (14:42:31) the captain commenced takeoff. At 16:42:54 (14:42:54) the co-pilot called one hundred knots, then V1, nine seconds later. A few seconds after that, tyre No 2 (right front) on the left main landing gear was destroyed after having run over debris on the runway during takeoff, blowing a tyre, which threw chunks of tyre into the underside of the left wing and into the landing gear bay with great force. The debris was lost by a Continental Airlines DC-10-30, registered N13067 (MSN 47866) which departed Paris as flight CO55 to Newark five minutes before,

The fuel tank built inside the left wing was completely full. When the tyre fragments struck the wing, the tank ruptured, thereby releasing large quantities of fuel. Tyre fragments severed wiring in the landing gear bay, preventing retraction of the landing gear. Fuel from the ruptured tank ignited, causing a loss of thrust in engines 1 and 2. Lack of thrust, high drag from the extended landing gear, and fire damage to the flight controls made it impossible to control the aircraft, which crashed into a hotel in nearby Gonesse two minutes after takeoff. All 109 people on board were killed, alongside four in the hotel. Six other people in the hotel were critically injured.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air France

Code: AF/AFR

Aircraft: Aérospatiale / BAC Concorde 101

Registration: F-BTSC

Serial Number: 203

Engines: 4 Rolls-Royce Olympus 593/610

Additional Information:

The aircraft involved was a 25-year-old Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde, it had its maiden flight on the 31st of January 1975 (during testing, the aircraft's registration was F-WTSC). The aircraft was purchased by Air France on the 6th of January 1976. It was powered by four Rolls-Royce Olympus 593/610 turbojet engines, each of which was equipped with afterburners. 

Air France grounded its remaining Concorde's immediately; British Airways, the only other operator of the aircraft, followed suit in August. Both airlines resumed services in November 2001, but less than two years after that, all Concorde service ceased permanently.

Twenty Concorde aircraft were built, six for development and 14 for commercial service.

Two prototypes

• Two pre-production aircraft
• Two development aircraft
• 14 production aircraft (7 to AF and 7 to BA)

Spotting at Melbourne's Tullamarine

Today my wife, youngest daughter and I flew from Brisbane (BNE/YBBN) to Melbourne (MEL/YMML) on holidays for 5 days. We had planned to do a few hours plane spotting at the airport from the high-level carpark, but due to winds gusting up to 60 kilometers per hour, and the feels like temperature of 5 degrees, we decided to shoot from inside the terminal. The photos aren't crystal clear as I'd like, so I do apologise. 

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-842 A6-EVH (MSN 257)

QANTASLINK BOEING 717-2BL VH-NXO (MSN 55096)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPH (MSN 695)
QF35 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 18 YRS

THAI AIRBUS A350-941 HS-THH (MSN 142)
TG466 OFF TO BANGKOK (BKK) 6 YRS

REX BOEING 737-85R VH-MFM (MSN 42805)
ZL616 OFF TO CANBERRA (CBR) 9 YRS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBK (MSN 945)
QF770 ARRIVING FROM PERTH (PER) 16 YRS

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKK (MSN 36237)
JQ7 OFF TO SINGAPORE 9 YRS

VIETNAM AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 VN-A892 (MSN 086)
VN780 OFF TO HO CHI MIHN CITY (SGN) 7 YRS

QANTAS BOEING 767-9 VH-ZNA (MSN 39038)
QF93 OFF TO LOS ANGELES (LAX) 6 YRS

REX BOEING 737-8FE VH-RYU (MSN 33794)
ZL101 ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY (SYD) 20 YRS

CHINA AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 B-18908 (MSN 121)
CI58 OFF TO TAIPEI (TPE) 7 YRS

REX SAAB 340B VH-RXS (MSN 340B-285)
ZL3916 ARRIVING FROM KING ISLAND (KNS) 32 YRS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-231 VH-VWU (MSN 3948)
JQ442 OFF TO GOLD COAST (OOL) 15 YRS

QANTASLINK BOEING 717-2K9 VH-YQY (MSN 55056)
QF1559 OFF TO HOBART (HBA) 24 YRS

SCOOT BOEING 787-9 9V-OJC (MSN 37114)
TR19 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 9 YRS

FIJI AIRWAYS BOEING 737 MAX 8 DQ-FAD (MSN 64308)
FJ934 OFF TO NADI (NAN) 5 YRS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838
AIRBUS A220-300 

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A220-300 VH-X4B (MSN 55269)
QF1276 OFF TO CANBERRA (CBR) 5 MONTHS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q 300 VH-SBJ (MSN 578)
QLK947 OFF TO LAUNCESTON (LST) 

QANTAS FREIGHT AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBE (MSN 0842)
QF7320 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 17 YRS

CAPITAL AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-343 B-305R (MSN 880)
JD462 OFF TO QINGDAO (TAO)

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251 VH-OPF (MSN 11102)
JQ941 ARRIVING FROM CAIRNS (CNS) 1 YR

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKG (MSN 36232)

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEP (MSN 64066)
QR898 ARRIVING FROM ADELAIDE (ADL) 6 YRS

CAPITAL AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-343 B-305R (MSN 1880)
JD462 OFF TO QINGDAO (TAO) 6 YRS

QANTASLINK AIRBUS A220-300 VH-X4A 9MSN 55253)
QF1292 ARRIVING FROM HOBART (MEL) 8 MONTHS

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTF (MSN 1281)
MH148 OFF TO KUALA LUMPUR (KUL) 12 YRS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES BOEING 777-312 9V-SWU (MSN 42235)
SQ228 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 11 YRS 

AIR CHINA AIRBUS A350-941 B-32CA (MSN 572)
CA165 ARRIVING FROM BEIJING (PEK) 1 YR

SRI LANKAN AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-343 4R-ALR (MSN 1689)
UL604 ARRIVING FROM COLOMBO (CMB) 8 YRS

QANTAS FREIGHT AIRBUS A321-231 VH-XF6 (MSN 2312)