Three seconds from disaster for TUI aircraft:

A TUI Boeing 737-800 suffered an auto-throttle glitch during take off

TUI AIRLINES BOEING 737 MAX 8 PH-TFT (MSN 44610)

A TUI passenger jet travelling from Bristol (BRS/EGGD) to Gran Canaria (LPA/GCLP) carrying 163 passengers and 9 crew cleared the end of a runway by just ten feet after a software glitch allowed it to take off using too little power.

BY-6114 was departing Bristol's runway 09 on the 4th of March, when the autothrottle disengaged upon selection of TO/GA at the start of the takeoff roll. The crew manually set the thrust to 84.5% N1 (rather than 92.8% N1 as needed) and continued the takeoff. Neither pilot noticed the potentially fatal lack of power needed to safely take off. (TO/GA is an autopilot/autothrottle setting activating take-off or go-around thrust. Depending upon aircraft type, it may be activated by depressing a switch or by manually moving the thrust levers to the appropriate position.)

The 15-year-old jet took off with just 260 metres (853ft) of runway remaining, clearing the end of the tarmac at a height of just 10 feet. It then passed over the nearby A38 road at less than 100 feet. When the wheels of the aircraft finally left the ground, it was travelling at around 150kts - meaning it would have run out of runway three seconds later.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport is investigating the incident which it describes as 'serious'. They have released a special warning to airlines using the Boeing 737-800 next generation series about the software problem which jeopardised the safety of the flight.

The report said Boeing were aware of the software glitch before the incident which saw the aircraft struggling to get into the air. According to the AAIB report: 'A Boeing 737-800 completed a takeoff from Runway 09 at Bristol Airport with insufficient thrust to meet regulated performance.'

A review of problems on the affected flight showed 11 errors - many of those were related to the aircraft's autothrottle system. The data showed the system, which is designed to reduce the workload of the flight crew, disengaged twice on the flight.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: TUI Airways

Code: BY/TOM

Aircraft: Boeing 737-8K5

Registration: G-FDZS

Serial Number: 35147

Engines: 2 x CFMI CFM56-7B27

First Flew: 30/03/2009

Age: 15.3 Years

Passengers describe as ‘crying and screaming’ before landing

SOUTHWEST BOEING 737-7H4 N953WN (MSN 36668)

A passenger onboard a Southwest Airlines flight that was diverted back to Denver (DEN/KDEN) after suffering a tyre failure says people in the cabin were "crying and screaming" before the plane made an emergency landing.

Southwest Airlines Flight 225 – a Boeing 737-700 – was initially heading to Phoenix (PHX/KPHX) on Monday night.

"When the flight attendants said we were going to have an emergency landing, we started to panic a little bit," passenger Julianna Donadio told reporters. "People were definitely crying and screaming and trying to console one another."

"We knew we blew a tyre, but we didn’t know what the landing gear situation was," she added, describing a loud noise during takeoff. "The cabin crew started preparing us for the crash position, having our head between our knees, they were informing us about the emergency exit line how to open the doors and operate potentially the slides."

"Following standard safety procedures, the pilots declared an emergency prior to landing. The flight landed without incident and taxied off the runway," the spokesperson added. "A separate aircraft operated the scheduled flight to Phoenix departing four hours later."

"We thank our Flight Crew for their professionalism and our customers for their patience," Southwest Airlines also said.

"When we landed everyone was cheering and clapping," Donadio told the media.

Flight been delayed or cancelled? Know your rights.

A refueling problem at Perth Airport last Saturday resulted in thousands of passengers being stranded across the country, including some at international airports. Many customers questioned if they would be eligible for refunds; however, the law specifies that airlines are not obligated to offer compensation for delays or cancellations beyond their control.

What rights do passengers have when their travel plans are disrupted?

Here's what I found.

What are my rights when my flight is cancelled?
It depends on your airline, how long the delay is and what caused the delay.

As a general rule, if your flight is delayed or cancelled and it was: 

Within the airline's control (mechanical issues or crew shortage): 

Most airlines will either transfer you to another scheduled service at the earliest opportunity or offer a refund. At the airline's discretion, they may also provide meals, accommodation, and airport transfers. In situations beyond the airline's control, such as bad weather or border closures, most airlines will attempt to assist you in reaching your destination, but they are not liable for any additional costs or expenses you may incur due to delays or cancellations.

In the case of the Perth Airport refuelling issue, this was outside the control of the airlines — which means most won't compensate customers. However, you should always contact your airline to confirm the conditions of compensation and refunds.

To give you a clearer idea of your rights, here's a deeper dive into what each airline offers.

Within the airline's controls
Think aircraft maintenance, crewing issues or system outages.

Put on the next available flight if delayed or cancelled?

Qantas: Yes, if Qantas makes a significant change to your flight time

Virgin: Yes, once the delay is more than two hours (domestic) and four hours (international)

Jetstar: Yes, once the delay is more than three hours

Rex Yes

Option of a refund instead?

Qantas: Yes

Virgin: Yes, if Virgin can't make suitable alternative arrangements

Jetstar: Yes
Rex: Yes

Pay for meals, accommodation and transfers?

Qantas: Meal voucher for a delay of over two hours. Or $30 per person overnight and $50 if the new departure time is over 12 hours or original departure (if you're away from your home airport)

And, appropriate to the length of the delay if you're not at your home port: assistance to find overnight accommodation or up to $200 for a room
Airport transfers available for overnight delays

Virgin: Refreshment vouchers at two-hour intervals while you wait at the airport

And, appropriate to the length of the delay if you're not at your home port: reasonable cost of airport transfers, up to $200 per room per night for hotel, and up to $30 per person per night for meals

Jetstar: Meal vouchers for delays over three hours or reimbursement of $30 per person if delay is overnight

Up to $200 per room plus reasonable costs of airport transfers (if you're not at your home port)

Rex: If a delay exceeds 90 minutes, Rex will provide refreshments or vouchers if requested

Outside of the airline's control
Think bad weather, air traffic control issues, or airport refuelling issues.

Put on the next available flight if delayed or cancelled?

Qantas: Yes, will book you on the next available flight

Virgin: Yes, once the delay is more than two hours

Jetstar: Yes, once the delay is more than three hours

Rex: Yes

Option of a refund instead?

Qantas: Yes, if Qantas can't rebook you

Virgin: Yes, if Virgin can't make suitable alternative arrangements
Jetstar: No, but you can get a credit voucher for the value of your flight on request (only if the airline can't rebook you on an acceptable flight)
Rex: Yes

Pay for meals, accommodation and transfers?

Qantas: No
Virgin: No
Jetstar: No
Rex: No

If you're after more information, head to your airline for each airline's compensation policy and search for "My flight has been delayed a few hours, what can I do"?

The Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC) says airlines don't have to guarantee flight times.

"When a consumer buys a flight ticket, they are entering into a contract with the airline," it says.
"Airline conditions of carriage do not include a guarantee of flight times.
"Consumers should not assume that a plane will meet its exact advertised schedule."

So, if for example, you end up missing your connecting flight, this is where travel insurance comes in. You should check to see if your provider covers any unexpected disruptions to travel plans.

Who do I contact if I have a complaint?
If an airline doesn't deliver the service you'd reasonably expect, there are a few things you can do.
In the first instance, take your issue up directly with the airline.
If this fails, make a complaint to your state's consumer protection agency (for example NSW Fair-Trading or Office of Fair-Trading Queensland etc).

You can also file a complaint to the Airline Customer Advocate (ACA) and consider reporting the matter to the ACCC.

World's longest serving flight attendant dies

The world’s longest-serving flight attendant Bette Nash has passed away after a battle with cancer, American Airlines confirmed on Saturday. Nash started her career as a so-called “stewardess” for Eastern Air Lines in 1957, eventually ending up at American through a series of mergers.

“We mourn the passing of Bette Nash, who spent nearly seven decades warmly caring for our customers in the air. She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant. Bette inspired generations of flight attendants. Fly high, Bette,” the airline said in a statement.

In June 2022, Guinness World Records officially recognised Nash as the longest-serving flight attendant ever at 65 years of service. She was based in Washington, D.C., known for flying the airline’s shuttle service to Boston.

According to ABC News, Nash regularly opted for this route so she could be home each night to take care of her son who has disabilities. She is survived by her son and “many dear close friends,” the airline told flight attendants in a Saturday memo.

“I wanted to be a flight attendant from the first moment I got on an airplane,” she told CNN during a 2017 interview. Nash’s decorated career spans several industry downturns, including the Sept. 11th attacks and COVID-19 pandemic

“Bette has taken care of millions of our customers, around the world, for the past six decades,” said former American CEO Doug Parker during Nash’s 60th anniversary celebration.“It’s the simple things that she does each day, like greet customers with a warm smile, friendly hello and thanking them for their business that has added to her legacy and ability to create an airline that customers want to fly. On behalf of Bette’s more than 120,000 fellow team members, we are honored to celebrate her and her milestone 60 years of service today.”

A Virginia native, the airline told D.C.-based flight attendants that Nash passed away peacefully on Friday evening. “She will be missed dearly, but we take comfort in knowing she is now resting peacefully,” the memo added

Remembering Iran Air flight 655

Iran Air flight 655 was a scheduled passenger flight from Tehran (IKA/OIIE) to Dubai Airport (DXB/OMDB), United Arab Emirates, via Bandar Abbas Airport (BND/OIKB), Iran and was shot down on the 3rd of July 1988 by two SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles fired by the USS Vincennes, a guided-missile cruiser of the United States Navy.

The flight departed from runway 21 at 10:17 local and climbed straight ahead. At 10:23 the missiles were fired from the USS Vincennes and hit the aircraft, an Airbus A300, while it was flying its usual route over Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, shortly after the flight departed its stopover location, Bandar Abbas International Airport. The tail and one wing broke off as a result of the explosions.

All 290 people, 274 passengers and 16 crew, on board were killed. The attack occurred during the Iran–Iraq War, which had been continuing for nearly eight years. Vincennes had entered Iranian territorial waters after one of its helicopters drew warning fire from Iranian speedboats operating within Iranian territorial limits.

The official report stated that 10 attempts were made to contact Iran Air Flight 655: seven on military frequencies and three on commercial frequencies, addressed to an "unidentified Iranian aircraft" and giving its speed as 350 knots (650 km/h; 400 mph), which was the ground speed of the aircraft their radar reported. Flight 655's crew, however, would have seen a speed of 300 knots (560 km/h; 350 mph) on their cockpit instruments, which was their indicated airspeed, possibly leading them to conclude that Vincennes was talking to another aircraft.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Iran Air

Code: IR/IRA

Aircraft: Airbus A300B2-203

Registration: EP-IBU

Serial number: 186

Engines: 2 x GE CF6-50C2
First flew: 16/03/1982
Age: 6.4 Years

Fuel issues cause 12-hour delays and cancellations at Perth Airport

A refuelling issue at Perth Airport which grounded domestic and international flights on Saturday morning has been resolved, the airport says. Around 70 domestic and international flights were affected, with planes unable to land or depart at the airport.

Passengers were stranded at airports nationwide and at some international destinations, including Doha waiting to get to Perth. Perth Airport said a problem with load pressure in the fuel lines had caused the issue.
Mr Waters apologised to impacted travellers and said the airport would be working with airlines to resume normal operations as soon as possible. "The effects will be felt throughout today but we'd like to think that within a short period of time after that we'll get back to normal flights," he said.

"I'd like to think by Sunday, we'll have it dealt with but given we're talking about long haul flights and the extent of the backlog, it might take some time."

It's understood some flights had been delayed since Friday night, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The airport called in external experts, including engineers and technicians, to identify and repair the problem.

"As of just recently, I can inform you that we are back to normal refuelling and obviously very keen to see a return to normal operation," Mr Waters said.

"This has had a significant impact on flights overnight.

"From Perth airport's perspective we're very apologetic and sympathetic to impacted travellers.

"We're going to work very hard with our airlines here to ensure we get things back to normal as quickly as possible."

Mr Waters said the problem appeared to be the result of "air sucked into the distribution system". About 70 of the airport’s scheduled domestic and international flights had been cancelled.

It’s understood that the fuelling issue has now been fixed.

Remembering Air France Flight 447

AIR FRANCE AIRBUS A318-111 F-GUGQ (MSN 2972)

Air France Flight 447 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (GIG/SBGL) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG/LFPG). On the 1st of June 2009, inconsistent airspeed readings led the pilots to inadvertently stall the Airbus A330 serving the flight. Unable to recover from the stall, the aircraft plunged into the mid-Atlantic Ocean at 02:14 UTC, claiming the lives of all 216 passengers and 12 crew members.

Within five days of the tragedy, the Brazilian Navy retrieved the first significant wreckage and two bodies from the ocean. However, the investigation by France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) faced early challenges due to the delayed recovery of the aircraft's flight recorders from the seabed in May 2011, almost two years post-accident.

On the 5th of July 2012, the BEA published its final report on the crash, corroborating earlier findings and adding further details and safety recommendations. The report concluded that the accident was a sequence of critical events: a temporary discrepancy in speed measurements, likely caused by ice crystals blocking the pitot tubes, which led to autopilot disconnection and a shift to "alternate law (ALT)" flight control mode. The crew's unsuitable control inputs destabilized the flight path. They did not adhere to the correct procedures for handling the loss of airspeed display, were slow to recognise and rectify the flight path deviation, lacked understanding of stall approach, and failed to realize the aircraft was in a stall, missing the opportunity to execute recovery maneuvers.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Air France

Code: AF/AFR

Aircraft: Airbus A330-203

Registration: F-GZCP

Serial Number: 660

Engines: 2 x General Electric CF6-80E1A3

First Flew: 25th February 2005

Age: 4.4 Years