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British Airways Boeing 777 Crash in Heatrow - Investigation Update

May 12, 2008 - Air Accidents No Comments →

The UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) published today an update about the crash-landing of the Boeing 777 flying from Beijing to Heathrow as BA038 on 17th of January.
This new update confirms that all systems operated as expected, but both engine’s high pressure pumps experiences a low fuel pressure condition. Quoting the report:
“The high pressure […]

It’s always stupid, Mr. Murphy

April 17, 2008 - Air Accidents 1 Comment →

There are no elegant, or smart aviation accidents. Loosing someone is always tragic, whatever the circumstances. I don’t want to judge anybody, my aim is simply to highlight how quick and silly accidents can be.
A KingAir 200 was back from a short test flight after maintenance. The pilot reported some noises, and the mechanic decided […]

Ryanair Boeing 737 skids off runway when landing in Limoges

March 21, 2008 - Air Accidents 2 Comments →

A Ryanair Boeing 737 operating from Charleroi (Belgium) to Limoges (France) as FR1216 failed to stop on runway, and came to rest in the grass after runway end. None of the 175 passengers and 6 crew members got injured. A pregnant women has been taken to hospital, as a precautionary measure. Passengers have been evacuated […]

The Day I Saw a Wreckage

March 06, 2008 - Air Accidents, Pilots Talk 1 Comment →

Planes do crash. It’s rather seldom, but it does happen. I know it, and I frequently read incident and accident reports. A couple of my friends died in accidents. Pilots often say simluator is good for training, but nothing is like actual flying - the same applies to accidents scene.
I’ve never been on a crash […]

British Airways Boeing 777 Crash at Heathrow - New Report Update Published

February 19, 2008 - Air Accidents No Comments →

The UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch published a new intermediary report about the crash-landing of the British Airways Boeing 777 in Heathrow on the 17th of January. This report presents the results of initial investigations and a recommendation.
Up to now, the investigators tested various parts of the engines and fuel system, analyzed fuel sampled at […]

British Airways Boeing 777 Crash at Heathrow Initial Report Update Published

January 25, 2008 - Air Accidents 2 Comments →

The UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch published yesterday an update of the initial investigation report. The new information available is not much:

The plane was established on ILS with autopilot and autothrust engaged
Autothrust comanded a thrust increase to which the engines reacted initially
Three seconds later, the thrust of right right engine reduced
Eight seconds later, the thrust […]

Do You Trust Young Airline Pilots ?

January 23, 2008 - On Airports and Airlines No Comments →

A friend of mine told me he got slightly scared because he’s been welcomed on an airliner by a co-pilot looking like a teenager. I’m personally quite bad at guessing how old someone is, but I know the pilot’s licences rules quite well. I can promise that no teenager will ever act as an airline […]

Boeing 777 Crash-Landing in Heathrow - Initial Report Published

January 22, 2008 - Air Accidents No Comments →

According to standard investigation procedure, the UK AAIB published today the initial report about the British Airways Boeing 777 which crash-landed in Heathrow last week. Usually such a report simply states obvious facts. In this case however as and all on board survived, and the black-boxes were easily extracted and not damaged, the initial report contains […]

British Airways Flight from Beijing Makes Emergency Landing in Heathrow

January 17, 2008 - Air Accidents 5 Comments →

A Boeing 777 flying from Beijing to London Heathrow (flight BA38) carried an emergency landing today, at 12:42 (UK time) in London Heathrow. It is not clear now if the landing gear collapsed after landing or if it was not extended at all. The plane touched-down in the grass before the runway and came to rest on its belly […]

When Flight Instructor Crashes…

January 03, 2008 - Speaker's Corner No Comments →

Two highly experienced instructors I personally knew got killed during instruction flights in the past months and the initial shock has been replaced by an uneasy feeling. Most instructors I had the chance to fly with were at least 25 years older than me and very experienced. This certainly helped me to trust them almost […]