Hawaiian Airlines flight declares emergency due to fire onboard

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES AIRBUS A33-243 N379HA (MSN 1672)

A Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu (HNL/PHNL) to Tokyo Haneda (HND/RJTT) faced a mid-air emergency when a passenger’s cell phone caught fire at 40,000 feet. The incident, caused by a lithium-ion battery, raised safety concerns and prompted a priority landing.

The incident occurred aboard Hawaiian Airlines Flight HA457, an Airbus A330, prompting the flight crew to declare an emergency and request a priority landing at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported.

On a Hawaiian Airlines (HA) flight from Honolulu (HNL/PHNL) to Tokyo Haneda (HND/RJTT), cruising over a remote area of the Pacific Ocean, passengers on Flight 457 began noticing a strong burning odor. According to Hawaiian Airlines, now a subsidiary of the Alaska Airlines Group, flight attendants traced the source to a mobile phone that had become jammed and damaged inside a passenger seat.

Flight attendants retrieved the phone and secured it in a fire containment bag, a standard tool for handling lithium-ion battery fires. The pilots declared an emergency, securing priority landing at Tokyo Haneda. The aircraft carrying approximately 150 passengers, landed safely with no injuries.

The aircraft was grounded for five hours, longer than a typical turnaround, for engineers to inspect the seat for damage.

Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish due to a process called “thermal runaway,” where the battery overheats uncontrollably. In this case, the crew’s swift action prevented escalation, but the incident underscores the challenges of managing such fires in confined aircraft cabins.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Hawaiian Airlines

Code: HA/HAL

Aircraft: Airbus A330-243

Registration: N375HA

Serial Number: 1606

Engines: 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 772-B60

First Flew: 12/01/2015

Age: 10.3 Years

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

Aloha Airlines Flight 243

On the 28th of April 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243, a scheduled flight from Hilo (ITO/PHTO) to Honolulu (PNL/PHNL) in Hawaii, experienced a catastrophic event. The Boeing 737-297 serving the route underwent severe damage due to an explosive decompression mid-flight, caused by part of the fuselage rupturing from poor maintenance and metal fatigue. Remarkably, the aircraft managed a safe landing at Kahului Airport (OGG/PHOG) on Maui. The incident resulted in one fatality, flight attendant Clarabelle "C.B." Lansing, who was ejected from the airplane, and injuries to another 65 passengers and crew. The significant damage from the decompression, the loss of a crew member, and the aircraft's safe descent marked this as a pivotal moment in aviation history, influencing future aviation safety regulations and practices.

Following a standard takeoff and climb, the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 24,000 feet (7,300 m). At approximately 13:48, while 23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi) south-southeast of Kahului on Maui, a portion of the left side roof ruptured, emitting a "whooshing" sound. The captain experienced the aircraft rolling left and right, with the controls becoming unresponsive. The first officer observed fragments of grey insulation in the cockpit. The cockpit door was dislodged, revealing "blue sky where the first-class ceiling had been." An extensive section of the roof, spanning the entire upper half of the aircraft from just behind the cockpit to the forward wing area, measuring about 18 feet (5.5 m), had detached.

The plane was a Boeing 737-297, the 152nd Boeing 737 constructed at the Renton assembly plant. Built in 1969 and initially named King Kalaniopuu after Kalaniʻōpuʻu, it was delivered new to Aloha Airlines and registered as N73711, with serial number 20209. It was later leased to Air California / Air Cal, during which time its original name was transferred to N728AL. Upon its return to Aloha, it was renamed Queen Liliuokalani in honor of Liliʻuokalani. Prior to the accident, the airframe had logged 35,496 flight hours and nearly 90,000 flight cycles, primarily from short-haul flights, far exceeding its intended design limit. At that point, Aloha Airlines operated the two Boeing 737s with the highest number of flight cycles globally, with this aircraft ranking second.

Qatar Airways cabin crew steals a passenger's phone

Qatar Airways has terminated a cabin crew member following a confirmed theft incident on a business class flight from Doha International Airport (DOH/OTHH) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN/WSSS). The passenger, whose phone was stolen from a lavatory, has filed formal complaints with aviation authorities after claiming the airline’s compensation offer was insufficient.

QATAR AIRBUS A380-861 A7-API (MSN 235)

The victim reports significant disruption to their business trip, including cancelled meetings and security concerns, while Qatar Airways offered only the replacement cost of the device despite acknowledging the theft through their Security Investigations Manager.

The March 28th incident occurred when a business class passenger briefly left their phone in a lavatory shortly before landing in Singapore. Upon returning only moments later, the phone had disappeared.
Despite asking cabin crew several times if they have it or have seen it, the phone disappeared. Tracking technology later placed the device at a crew hotel in Singapore before it was transported to the Philippines.

Qatar Airways’ investigation confirmed the theft and resulted in the dismissal of the responsible crew member. However, the airline’s customer service response has been characterized by delays, inconsistent communication, and what the passenger describes as inadequate compensation that fails to address the broader impact of the theft.

The airline initially ignored the passenger’s inquiries for weeks before offering SGD 949 (approximately £560 or A$1,144) to cover only the device’s replacement cost. Further communication from Qatar Airways reportedly mischaracterized the confirmed theft as simply “unattended personal belongings,” contradicting their own investigation findings.

Fustrated by the airline’s handling of the situation, the affected passenger has escalated the matter to both the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS). These formal complaints highlight not just the theft itself but the subsequent customer service failures that compounded the incident.

The passenger, who switched to Qatar Airways after years of loyalty to Singapore Airlines (SQ), expressed disappointment in the airline’s response to a serious security breach by their own staff member. Despite reaching out to the CEO’s office and senior management, the passenger reports no satisfactory resolution has been achieved.

Another passenger recently filed a lawsuit against Qatar Airways, alleging a flight attendant stole A$600 from her designer handbag while she slept in a QSuite Business Class seat. The incident occurred on the 26th of February 2025, during flight QR738 from San Francisco to Doha, operated by an Airbus A350-1000.

The lawsuit, filed in a California district court, states that the passenger boarded with $4,100 in cash. After waking from sleep, she discovered her handbag missing and subsequently found it on the lavatory floor alongside a Qatar Airways flight attendant. A check of her belongings revealed $600 missing from an envelope containing dollar bills.

Remembering 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 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

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

Stunt pilot dies in crash at Langley AFB ahead of air show

Famous stunt pilot Rob Holland was killed when his plane crashed on approach at Langley Air Force Base (LFI/KLFI) Thursday morning, Holland's official Facebook page confirmed.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says they are "investigating the crash of an experimental MX Aircraft MXS." Based on initial gatherings, the plane crashed while "on approach" to Langley Air Force Base.

This crash happened days before the biennial Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show. Holland had recently performed at the 2023 Air Power show and is a frequent sight at air show events. Officials confirmed on Friday they expect to continue on with the air show.

Just after 4 p.m., officials with Joint Base Langley-Eustis said they were canceling a media scheduled for Thursday afternoon with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilots "due to unforeseen circumstances."

The base confirmed the fatal crash at 11:39 a.m., and said it was related to the air show.

“Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family,” said Col. Matthew Altman, Joint Base Langley-Eustis commander. “On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator.”

An NTSB investigator is expecting to arrive Friday at Langley to begin looking into the cause of the crash.

The below message was taken from his Facebook account

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA. The cause of the crash is not known at this time, and is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and DOD.

Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history. Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday.

We would greatly appreciate your respect to the privacy of his family and friends.

And remember…. Never ever give up on your dreams.

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Rob Holland Ultimate Airshows LLC

Aircraft: MX Aircraft MXS-RH

Registration: N530RH

Serial Number: MX-001

Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540 SER

First Flew: 17/07/2019

Age: 5.9 Years

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. 

ANZAC DAY 2025

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 honour 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 November), but in Australia and New Zealand it is most commonly seen on Anzac Day, 25th 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 honour 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.

Virgin Australia leaves passengers stranded overnight at airport

Virgin Australia passengers faced significant travel disruptions during the Easter weekend when their Sydney (SYD/YSSY) bound flight from Queenstown (ZQN/NZQN) was cancelled, leaving approximately 120 travellers with no accommodation options.

As the delays mounted, the Virgin flight crew reached their maximum allowable duty hours under Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations. These safety rules limit how long crew members can work continuously, ultimately forcing the airline to cancel the flight entirely.

“The safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority. We sincerely apologise to our guests for the disruption to their travel plans.” a Virgin spokesperson said.

The Easter holiday period left stranded passengers with no hotel options in Queenstown, a popular tourist destination. This accommodation shortage forced travellers to spend the night on the airport terminal floor.

“No accommodation provided, offered or available in Queenstown, so 120 people slept on the carpet at the airport.” One affected passenger reported via email, questioning whether such a situation was legal

Problems continued the following day when the replacement flight scheduled for 1:50 PM New Zealand time on Sunday didn’t depart until 5:20 PM, creating additional frustration for already inconvenienced travellers. One passenger criticised the airline’s ability to handle such situations, stating-

“The airline has such a skeletal staff here in NZ, it is entirely incapable of dealing with these delays.”

Virgin Australia’s guest compensation policy states that in cases of cancelled flights, the airline will transfer passengers to the next available Virgin Australia flight “without charge.” When suitable arrangements cannot be made, customers may request either a travel credit or a refund for their impacted flight.

Airport authorities make jaw-dropping discovery

Late last month, customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport (BLR/VOBL), an international airport serving Bengaluru, India, intercepted 24 year-old Vinayagamoorthy Kottesvaran and his luggage upon landing from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The airport officials received a tip-off and searched his luggage, finding four siamangs and two Northern pig tailed macaques inside them.

These Southeast Asian primates, whose conservation statuses are endangered and vulnerable, respectively, were found in cardboard boxes inside two large suitcases, expected to be passed off to Kottesvaran's handler, known as Ansari. The airport officials suspect that these trafficked primates were headed to private zoos in India.

According to the officials, this bust was a violation of India's Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - both stipulations regulating the import and trade of certain wildlife species in India.

Punishable offenses carry an imprisonment term of up to seven years. For one, wildlife trafficking usually targets endangered or rare species-as seen in this case-which removes wildlife from their natural habitats and pushes them closer to extinction. 

Biodiversity loss, driven by human actions like the illegal removal of wildlife and habitat destruction, such as deforestation, disrupts food chains and can upset entire ecosystems.

If these wildlife species are successfully brought into a new space, they could still pose a threat to the ecological balance of their new habitat, overtaking the space as an invasive species.

Sadly, many of these trafficked animals do not survive transport because of the horrible conditions they are transported in, such as a case where eastern box turtles were all squished into boxes of almonds and chocolate cookies, and died during transportation.

Wildlife trafficking is on the rise globally. In Latin America reports estimated that there were about 2,200 wildlife seizures and poaching incidents between 2017 and 2024.

Interpol and the World Customs Organization seized nearly 20,000 live animals globally last year.

Delta Air Lines engine catches fire at Orlando Airport

DELTA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 N808NW (MSN 591)

A Delta Airlines Airbus A330-300 travelling from Orlando International Airport (MCO/KMCO) to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL/KATL) was grounded on Monday after one of its engines caught fire at Orlando International Airport. The incident occurred shortly after the Atlanta-bound aircraft pushed back from the gate and the engine was started.

Video footage seen on social media shows flames and thick black smoke billowing into the air indicates that the number two engine, the plane's right engine, was impacted. Passengers evacuated the aircraft via slides on the left side of the aircraft as first responders attended the scene.

"Today at approximately 11:06am, Delta Air Lines flight 1213 experienced an engine fire while positioned at the ramp area, prior to departure. Passengers were evacuated, and our Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) team promptly responded and successfully extinguished the fire."

The aircraft was carrying 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and two pilots.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Delta Airlines
Code: DL/DAL
Aircraft: Airbus A330-323
Registration: N807NW
Serial Number: 588
Engines: 2 x PW PW4168A
First Flew: 01/03/2004
Age: 21.1 Years

China returns brand new Boeing 737 MAX jet aircraft

The ongoing trade dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have major consequences for Boeing. Chinese airlines have started returning brand new Boeing aircraft to the United States, with one 737 MAX jet recently arriving at Boeing’s Seattle production facility, as reported by the media.

The returns occurred soon after China instructed its airlines to halt further Boeing deliveries, a reaction to the U.S. imposing a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, according to Bloomberg News. It has been confirmed three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, initially being prepared at Boeing’s Zhoushan delivery center for two major Chinese carriers, were redirected back to the U.S.

The 737 MAX 8's landed in the U.S. territory of Guam on Monday, after leaving Boeing's Zhoushan completion center near Shanghai. Guam is one of the stops such flights make on the 5,000-mile (8,000-km) journey across the Pacific between Boeing's U.S. production hub in Seattle and the Zhoushan completion center, where planes are ferried by Boeing for final work and delivery to a Chinese carrier.

XIAMEN AIRLINES BOEING 737-85C B-5658 (MSN 38395)

Over the weekend a Boeing 737 MAX intended for Xiamen Airlines—still bearing the airline’s branding—landed at King County International Airport (BFI/KBFI) (commonly known as Boeing Feild) in Seattle. The jet was among several parked at Zhoushan for final touches before handover to the Chinese airline.

According to the media, China’s delivery suspension has impacted internal operations as well. A local aircraft leasing company reported that a Chinese airline pulled out of its commitment to receive a 737 MAX, forcing the lessor to seek other buyers for the completed plane.

Industry experts have said that many airline CEOs are likely to delay taking delivery of Boeing jets to sidestep the hefty U.S.-China tariff burden, which could eventually impact the operational planning of Chinese carriers. The ongoing trade dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have major consequences for Boeing. The U.S. aerospace giant, once positioned to challenge Airbus’ stronghold in China, now faces a serious blow to its ambitions.

Data shows that Boeing has delivered 18 aircraft to nine Chinese airlines in 2025. The country’s three major carriers—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—have placed future orders for 45, 53, and 81 aircraft respectively, expected between 2025 and 2027.

Boeing had only recently begun recovering from a five-year halt on 737 MAX imports to China, originally imposed in 2019 following two tragic crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that raised global safety concerns about the aircraft model.

United flight diverts due to fuel leak

UNITED AIRLINES BOEING 777-222 N2748U (MSN 64994)

United Airlines flight UA130, en route from Tokyo Haneda (HND/RJTT) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR/KEWR), was diverted to Anchorage (ANC/PANC) after a technical issue with the fuel occurred mid-flight. The flight from Tokyo Haneda took off at 6.14pm local (9:14 UTC), but after seven hours in the air, the crew reported a suspected fuel leak, potentially from the aircraft's port side.

Following the leak discovery, the crew made the decision to divert to Anchorage, where they successfully landed at 17:13 UTC. Upon arrival, the aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER registered N791UA, shut down one engine (Engine No. 2) and taxied to the terminal using only a single engine. The flight had approximately 290 passengers and crew members aboard,

This Boeing 777-200ER, which is over 27 years old, is powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4000 engines. Interestingly, this aircraft had been involved in a similar issue just a month prior, when a water leakage from the cabin ceiling prompted an investigation.

This fuel leak incident is similar to a previous event with a United Airlines Boeing 777-300. Flight UA830, which had departed Sydney Airport (SYD/YSSY) for San Francisco International Airport (SFO/KSFO), was also forced to return to Sydney after just two hours of flying due to a midair fuel leak. This incident, back then, marked United Airlines' fifth emergency in just over a week.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: United Airlines

Code: UA/UAL

Aircraft: Boeing 777-222

Registration: N791UA

Serial Number: 26933

Engines: 2 x PW PW4090

First Flew: 21/08/1997

Age: 27.7 Years

Happy Easter

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family, wherever you are in the world, a wonderful happy Easter. As we celebrate this season of renewal and hope, may your heart be filled with peace, joy, and love. Easter reminds us of new beginnings, fresh starts, and the beauty of life’s endless possibilities. Whether you're surrounded by family, friends, or quiet moments of reflection, I hope you find blessings in every moment.

Wishing you a wonderful Easter filled with grace, happiness and laughter. 

LET YOUR SMILE CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT DON'T LET THE WORLD CHANGE YOUR SMILE

Plane spotting on Good Friday

As mentioned in my previous post yesterday, Brisbane saw the departure of the Antonov 124. Below are the other photos I took during the three hours we were there at the airport yesterday.

EMIRATES AIRBUS A380-842-A6-EVG (MSN 256)

ANTONOV AN-124 RUSLAN UR-82007 (MSN 19530501005)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBN (MSN 1094)
QF119 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 15 YEARS

ROYAL FLYING DOCTORS BEECH KING AIR 200C VH-FDI (MSN BL-162)

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VZF (MSN 34200)
QF604 ARRIVING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 15 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-VUT (MSN 36608)
VA924 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 15 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES FOKKER 100 VH-FKA (MSN 11345)
VA367 OFF TO TOWNSVILLE (TSV) 33 YEARS
FLYING FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-LQF (MSN 4375)
QF320D OFF TO BUNDABERG (DBD) 13 YEARS

NATIONAL JET EXPRESS DASH 8 Q400 VH-8QB (MSN 4323)
WO922 OFF TO COOMA (OOM) 15 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A320-232 VH-VFX (MSN 5871)
JQ930 OFF TO CAIRNS (CNS) 11 YEARS

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA BOEING 737-8FE VH-YIT (MSN 38717)
VA309 ARRIV9ING FROM MELBOURNE (MEL) 12 YEARS

SOLOMONS AIRBUS A320-232 H4-SIB (MSN 2445)
IE715 OFF TO MUNDA (MUA) 19 YEARS

DASSAULT FALCON 900EX VH-KCL (MSN 067)

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-XZJ (MSN 39365)
QF195 OFF TO WELLINGTON (WEL) 11 YEARS
MENDOOWOORRJI LIVERY

JETSTAR BOEING 787-8 VH-VKJ (MSN 36236)
JQ9 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 9 YEARS

ALLIANCE AIRLINES EMBRAER E190AR VH-UYC (MSN 19000016)
QF1971 OFF TO ALBURY (ABX) 20 YEARS

AIR NEW ZEALAND AIRBUS A320-271NX ZK-NNF (MSN 8839)
NZ272 OFF TO WELLINGTON (WLG) 5 YEARS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES AIRBUS A350-941 9V-SHG (MSN 309)
SQ255 ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE (SIN) 6 YEARS

AIR LINK CESSNA CITATION MUSTANG VH-SEQ (MSN 510-0143)

AIR CANADA BOEING 787-9 C-GWUU (MSN 66991)
AC36 OFF TO VANCOUVER (YVR) 2 YEARS

AERLINK ATR 42-500 VH-FVN (MSN 0501)

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-303 VH-QPF (MSN 0595)
QF61 OFF TO TOKYO (NRT) 21YEARS

UNITED AIRLINS BOEING 777-222 N786UA (MSN 26938)
UA97 OFF TO SAN FRANCISCO (SFO) 28 YEARS

JETSTAR AIRBUS A321-251NX VH-OYK (MSN 11960)
JQ153 OFF TO AUCKLAND (AKL) 1 YEAR

CHINA EASTERN AIRBUS A330-243 B-5930 (MSN 1429)
MU716 OFF TO SHANGHAI (PVG) 11 YEARS

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBP (MSN 1174)
QF51 OFF TO SINGAPORE (SIN) 14 YEARS

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AIRBUS A3210271N RP-C9930 (MSN 8117)
PR222 OFF TO MANILA (MNL) 6 YEARS

FIJI AIRWAYS BOEING 737-MAX 8 DQ-FAH (MSN 64311)
FJ920 OFF TO NADI (NAN) 4 YEARS

QANTAS BOEING 737-838 VH-VZH (MSN 34202)
QF525 OFF TO SYDNEY (SYD) 15 YEARS

Remembering 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.

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES AIRBUS A320-232 RP-C8614 (MSN 3652)

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

Antonov 124 pulls a huge crowd at Brisbane Airport

Today Brisbane was treated with a special visitor in the form of an Antonov AN-124. The Antonov arrived here in Brisbane on Wednesday night around 11.15pm (local) 13.15 UTC and sat on the ground until today. It was originally down for an 8pm departure last night and then revised that to 10am today. It finally got away at 12.19 from runway 01 Right and after circling the airport headed to Colombo.

The Antonov An-124 is a large, strategic airlift, four-engined aircraft that was designed in the 1980s by the Antonov design bureau in the Ukrainian SSR of the Soviet Union (USSR).
The An-124 remains the largest military transport aircraft in service.

Key Specifications:
Wingspan: 

73.3 meters wide (240.5 ft)

Length: 

69.1 meters long (226.7 ft)

Height: 

20.78 meters high (68.2 ft)

Maximum Take-Off Weight

405,000 kg (900,000 lb)

Maximum Payload: 

120,000 kg (264,600 lb)

Engines: 

4 x ZMKB Progress D-18T turbofans

Maximum Range: 

4,650 km (2,889 miles)

Cruise Speed: 

800 km/h (497 mph)

Wheels:
24 wheels
The landing gear of the An-124 is outfitted with an oleo strut suspension system for its 24 wheels. This suspension has been calibrated to allow for landing on rough terrain and the aircraft is able to kneel, which allows for easier loading and unloading via the front cargo door.

ANTONOV AN-124 RUSLAN UR-82007 (MSN 19530501005)

The An-124 is the world's second heaviest gross weight production cargo airplane and heaviest operating cargo aircraft, behind the destroyed one-off Antonov An-225 Mriya.

I went to Perth Western Australia to see this giant back in May 2016.

ANTONOV AN-225 MRIYA UR-82060 (MSN 19530503763)