Norma de seguridad afecta ruta nacional de Aeropostal (El Universal)
La entrada en vigencia este sábado de las normas de seguridad RAV 121 y 135, emitidas por el Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC), afectó las operaciones de Aeropostal en sus rutas nacionales.
Humberto Figueras, presidente de la Asociación de Líneas Aéreas de Venezuela (ALAV), manifestó que dos aparatos de la referida aerolínea no entraban en los parámetros de seguridad que impone la norma RAV 121, por lo que dejaron de prestar servicio.
De acuerdo con el diario Sol de Margarita, Jesús Carpio, director de operaciones del Aeropuerto Internacional Santiago Mariño, dijo que desde el viernes esta empresa no presta sus servicios, por una orden emitida del INAC.
La reseña indica que las fallas que arrastra Aeropostal en su servicio habrían motivado la decisión del INAC.
El aeropuerto de Maiquetía reportó ayer vuelos cancelados o demorados de Avior, Conviasa y Aeropostal, en rutas desde Coro, Maracaibo, Porlamar, Mérida y Puerto Ordaz. http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/04/21/eco_art_norma-de-seguridad-a_828273.shtml
Incluyen vuelo 518 de Santa Bárbara en sitio de referencia virtual Wikipedia
A partir de hoy los cibernautas podrán contar con un punto de referencia e información sobre el vuelo 519 de Santa Bárbara siniestrado el pasado 21 de febrero en un paraje de la cordillera andina.
En este sitio los usuarios tendrán acceso a información y estadísticas recopilada sobre la tragedia, además de hipervínculos a noticias publicadas por los medios de comunicación a nivel internacional.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuelo_518_de_Santa_B%C3%A1rbara_Airlines
“A TACA le interesan los precios bajos y ver más gente viajando” (El Periódico de Guatemala)
Estuardo Ortíz, vicepresidente Comercial de Grupo TACA, analiza la difícil situación de la industría aeronáutica mundial y los planes futuros para Guatemala.
La situación de la aviación comercial en el mundo es súper dura. En EE.UU. es más dura porque está subiendo de una forma dramática el costo del combustible y el mercado está muy débil. Difícil para TACA también porque tenemos bastante tráfico bajando de EE.UU. y no se puede transferir el costo del combustible en el precio del pasaje porque la gente ya no lo va a pagar. Es una etapa muy difícil por lo menos en lo que queda de 2008 y parte de 2009. http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20080421/economia/53043/
Extraordinario crecimiento de aerolínea china (The Standard)
La aerolínea China Southern Airlines publicó unos beneficios netos de 1.870 millones de yuanes (267 millones de dólares, 169 millones de euros) para 2007. Este neto de la principal aerolínea china por flota representa una subida de un 895 por ciento respecto a 2006. El año pasado China Southern elevó a 56,9 millones los pasajeros, un 15,6 por ciento más que el año anterior. http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/breves_hong_kong_2413229.htm
Lufthansa se ve activa en nuevas fusiones de aerolíneas (Reuters)
Lufthansa espera una mayor consolidación entre aerolíneas en Europa y Estados Unidos y dice estar preparada para jugar un papel activo, dijo el lunes su presidente ejecutivo.
El consejero delegado Wolfgang Mayrhuber dijo a periodistas que Lufthansa tiene la fortaleza financiera para hacer adquisiciones. http://ve.invertia.com/noticias/noticia.aspx?idNoticia=200804210904_RTI_1208768672nL21662679
Transformación del aeropuerto internacional ampliará las rutas (El Universal)
Maiquetía.- Tres nuevas puertas de embarque y desembarque de pasajeros, identificadas con los números 26, 27 y 28, serán activadas en enero 2009 por las líneas que operan en el aeropuerto internacional de Maiquetía, fecha en la que se prevé inaugurar la nueva edificación que amplía el terminal internacional en su extremo oeste y eleva a 10 el número de posiciones (puertas) donde los aviones llegan o parten.
Ello incrementará en 20% la movilizacio´n de pasajeros, ya que se aumentará el número de rutas hacia el exterior, según informó el equipo de ingenieros del Instituto Aeropuerto Internacional de Maiquetía (IAIM) que labora en el proyecto. La obra, cuya inversión es de BsF 79 millones y tiene 70% de avance, eleva el número de puentes de abordaje y el nivel de atención a los viajeros, cuya demanda anual en Maiquetía es de 7,5 millones de usuarios. Estas obras de ampliación, que corresponden a la Fase III del Proyecto Maiquetía 2000 (plan macro de modernización que empezó hace 8 años), contemplan la construcción de un edificio de 3 pisos con todos los servicios. http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/04/21/grccs_art_transformacion-del-a_811126.shtml
• En mora con el hotel (El Universal)
Si bien el desarrollo y la modernización de las instalaciones del terminal internacional son evidentes, también lo es el retraso que registra la construcción de la instalación hotelera dentro de las áreas del aeródromo.
El pasado año, el entonces ministro de Infraestructura, José David Cabello, informó que un tribunal se pronunció a favor de rescindir el contrato de concesión otorgado en el año 2000 a Proyectos y Construcciones GTS, con el fin de que se encargara de la construcción de un hotel 5 estrellas en las adyacencias del terminal internacional, lo administrara durante 40 años y pagara al Estado 6,2% de los ingresos brutos.
Amenaza de bomba en vuelo de Air Europa con rumbo a Madrid desde Maiquetía (Globovisión)
Se presentó una situación irregular en el aeropuerto de Maiquetía. Según el pasajero Antonio González, funcionarios de la Guardia Nacional, la Disip y el Cicpc entraron a la aeronave UX 72 de Air Europa, con destino a Madrid, España, y sacaron a todos los pasajeros. La gerente de Air Europa en Maiquetía, Xiomara Marín, explicó que “se recibió una llamada sobre un pasajero con supuestos explosivos y se procedió a alertar a las autoridades. La aeronave fue trasladada a un punto X donde está siendo requisada”. Posteriormente, indicó que se recibieron dos llamadas que alertaban sobre la misma situación: una desde Venezuela y otra desde España.
De acuerdo a la versión de González los efectivos revisaron debajo de la silla del piloto y les retiraron el equipaje a los más de 200 pasajeros del vuelo para chequear sus pertenencias. El denunciante también explicó que los efectivos se llevaron a cuatro jóvenes a una clínica para realizarles radiografías del tórax. http://globovision.com/news.php?nid=85295
Copa Airlines es línea aérea oficial de la gira profesional de golf ‘Tour de las Américas' (Hispanic PRwire)
Copa Airlines se ha convertido por tercer año consecutivo en línea aérea oficial de la importante y reconocida gira profesional de golf en Latinoamérica y el Caribe, el Tour de las Américas (TLA).
El TLA, que se inició en octubre, ha seleccionado al Coronado Country Club y al Summit Country Club para ser las sedes oficiales en Panamá. Fueron escogidos por poseer los más altos estándares internacionales de golf y excelentes calificaciones, lo cual los hacen merecedores de celebrar eventos tan exigentes como el Tour de las Américas. http://hispanicprwire.com/news.php?cha=8&id=3307&l=in%26id%3D903%26cha%3D7
Guatemala pronostica expasión turística (DTNews)
Autoridades del sector turístico de Guatemala esperan para el actual año un crecimiento cercano al ocho por ciento en la afluencia de visitantes a los diversos destinos del país.
Directivos del Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo indicaron que existen condiciones para lograr ese propósito a pesar de los problemas que muestra el escenario económico internacional. http://www.dtcuba.com/shownews.aspx?c=25311&ref=dtcnews&lng=1
NOTICIAS DE FIN DE SEMANA
INAC suspendió lote de aeronaves por incumplir normas ((El Universal)
El Instituto Nacional de Aviación Civil, en un comunicado publicado en la prensa, informó que procede a suspender "las operaciones de algunas aeronaves por no contar con todos los equipos de aviónica y seguridad establecidos, de acuerdo al proceso de certificación desarrollado para cada empresa", aunque no menciona las aerolíneas afectadas.
Humberto Figueras, presidente de la Asociación de Líneas Aéreas de Venezuela, explicó que las empresas aeronáuticas están determinando cuantas aeronaves pudieran resultar afectadas por esta medida, y explicó que han mantenido reuniones al respecto.
El aeropuerto de Maiquetía reportó en su sitio web que había vuelos cancelados de Conviasa, Aserca y Aeropostal, mientras que había otras frecuencias demoradas en vuelos de Avior y Laser. Se conoció que el counter de atención al público de Laser en el aeropuerto Simón Bolívar de Maiquetía no tenía personal de trabajo, ni público en cola.
http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/04/20/eco_art_inac-suspendio-lote_827664.shtml
Exceso de aerolíneas y aviones en el mundo, afirma IATA (Prensa Latina)
Ginebra, 19 abr (PL) En el mundo existen demasiadas aerolínea y aviones nuevos, y la industria está muy fragmentada, declaró Giovanni Bisignani, director de la Asociación Internacional del transporte Aéreo (IATA), al diario Le Temps.
Ese gremio tiene 260 afiliados, responsable del 94 por ciento del tráfico internacional, pero –destacó Bisignani- la mayor empresa aérea no mueve más del cinco por ciento, pues es la industria más fragmentada del planeta.
Para argumentar su teoría, indicó que el año pasado se incorporaron a la flota aérea mundial mil nuevos aparatos, a los cuales se sumaran este año otros mil 200, pero el número de viajeros sólo se elevó el 11 por ciento en 2007 y en 2008 se prevé que crezca dos por ciento. http://www.prensalatina.com.mx/Article.asp?ID=%7B46F75156-9D41-416E-B744-2C930D5CB118%7D&language=ES
SACUDIDAS EN LA AVIACIÓN BRASILEÑA (Jornal de Turismo)
• Con la salida de Varig y Ocean Air, TAM será la única empresa aérea brasilera que vuele a Europa y Estados Unidos. En un e-mail para los operarios de la compañía Varig, expedido el pasado 10 de abril, el presidente de la firma Gol –que también comanda Varig- Constantino Oliveira Junior, confirmó la salida de ésta de todos los vuelos de largo alcance.
• La compañía Ocean Air también se prepara para dejar sus operaciones internacionales. La empresa cancelará los vuelos a México y suspenderá los inicios de sus operaciones para Luanda, en Angola. El principal accionista, German Efromovich dejará el día a día de la firma, que pasará a ser regida por los mismos gestores de Avianca.
• TAM se convierte así en la empresa brasileña de largo alcance a, en un modelo similar al que ocurre en el resto del mundo Para Europa, la empresa fundada por el comandante Rolim compite con Lufthansa, British Airways, TAP, Ibéria, Air France, Alitália, KLM y Air Europa. Hacia Estados Unidos, enfrenta la competencia de American Airlines, Delta, United y Continental.
http://mensajeroweb.com.ar/web/nota.php?id_nota=14767
A pesar de la turbulencia económica Spirit expande sus operaciones a Colombia (Caracol Radio)
El próximo 8 de mayo comenzará en firme operaciones en Colombia la compañía Spirit Airlines, con tarifas de bajo costo, reveló el director de comunicaciones, Juan Arbeláez.
El primer vuelo de la aerolínea se cumplirá entre las ciudades de Fort Lauderdale, en los Estados Unidos, y Cartagena con un Airbus 319 con capacidad para 144 pasajeros.
“La aceptación de los colombianos que viven en los Estados Unidos y de los americanos ha sido excelente y, a la fecha, ya se han vendido cerca de 8 mil pasajes ", comentó Arbeláez.
Explicó que la tarifa de promoción es de 88 dólares por la compra de los tiquetes de ida y vuelta y que hace parte de la estrategia de la aerolínea.
El aumento de productividad en Iberia, implicaría la contratación de hasta 300 nuevos pilotos (Aviación Digital)
Iberia estaría cerca de concluir la negociación del nuevo convenio colectivo. Concretamente vaticina que para éste Verano la cuestión está lista. A la finalización del acuerdo con el colectivo, se deberá concluir la elaboración del Plan Director para la compañía, tambien éste año.
La cuestión clave son las rutas de largo radio, y fundamentalmente, la "niña bonita" de los productos Iberia, Latinoamérica. Esta expansión hará necesaria la incorporación de aeronaves con ésta capacidad. A su vez, la productividad que se pacte en el convenio, incidirá en el número de nuevos comandantes a contratar.
El cálculo que se hace, apunta la cifra de hasta 300 pilotos, que irían a las rutas de corto y medio, lo que liberaría comandantes, que irían a las rutas de largo radio. http://www.aviaciondigitalglobal.com/noticia.asp?NotId=6051&NotDesignId=4
COMBUSTIBLES
Tablero de control del petroleo
Lunes 21 Abril 2008 - 07:26:45
Petroleo crudo
$116.26 0.10 0.09%
7:26 AM EDT - 2008.04.21
Precio semanal de jet fuel para aviación:
Cambio percentual
11-Abr.-2008 Index* $/b cts/gal $/mt 1 semana Promedio hace un mes Hace un año
Jet Fuel Precio 394.9 144.5 344.0 1138.7 6.8% 8.0% 69.3%
Fuente: Platts * 100 in 2000 (87 cts/gal)
Impacto de facturación en la industria aérea:
Nuevo precio promedio para el 2008 Impacto para este año
$121.6/b +$58 millardos
Estimado por IATA IATA Methodology
EVENTOS Y CONFERENCIAS
Buenos Aires acogerá el I Congreso Iberoamericano de Derecho del Turismo
La Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación, junto con la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) y el International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates IFTTA Argentina organizan el I Congreso Iberoamericano de Derecho del Turismo que tendrá lugar en la Facultad de Derecho de la UBA los días 21 y 22 de agosto de este año. http://www.hosteltur.com/noticias/52108_buenos-aires-acogera-i-congreso-iberoamericano-derecho-turismo.html
Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Convention & Trade Show
Fecha: 23 de abril de 2008 a 26 de abril de 2008
Ubicación: : Washington, D.C.
Website: http://www.aea.net
ST MARTEEN PREPARA LA QUINTA EDICIÓN DE SMART2008 (TURISMO 530)
Entre los días 20 al 22 de mayo, tendrá lugar en St Maarten una nueva edición del ya reconocido SMART 2008, uno de los eventos más importantes del Caribe VIP, en el que participan , entre otros, los principales hoteles, operadores, proveedores y oficinas de turismo de los países caribeños.
Desde hace más de cinco años St Maarten es sede de este workshop que reúne a empresarios del sector turístico de las islas Anguila, Barbuda, Dominica, Guadalupe, Martinica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Eustatius, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts y St. Maarten/St. Martin. http://www.caribepreferente.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8115&Itemid=43
ARUBA SERÁ LA SEDE DE LA CONFERENCIA ANUAL DEL 2009 DE LA SOCIEDAD DE EJECUTIVOS DE VIAJES DE INCENTIVOS (HOSTELTUR)
La isla caribeña de Aruba ha sido el destino elegido como próxima sede de la conferencia anual de la Sociedad de Ejecutivos de Viajes de Incentivos (SITE, por sus siglas en inglés), que tendrá lugar del 3 al 6 de diciembre de 2009.
A este encuentro se espera que asistan varios de los principales actores mundiales de los viajes de incentivos, que conforman un segmento millonario de la industria turística, que va cobrando cada vez más auge en todo el mundo.
http://www.hosteltur.com/noticias/51630_aruba-sera-sede-conferencia-anual-2009-sociedad-ejecutivos-viajes-incentivos.html
PLANIFICACIÓN Y DIRECCIÓN ESTRATÉGICA EN AVIACIÓN CIVIL
Organizador: IATA
Fecha: 28 de abril a 2 de mayo
Lugar: Miami
Contactos: Jennie Franco
Training Coordinator
Tel +1 (305) 264 4255
Fax +1 (305) 262 2654
email: francoj@iata.org
TRIGÉSIMA TERCERA SESIÓN DE COMITÉ LEGAL
Organizador: OACI
Fecha: 21 de abril a 2 de mayo de 2008-04-02
Lugar: Montreal, Canadá
2008/04/21
A Killing Syndrome of Four Letters
A killing syndrome of four letters
By Héctor Héreter
Special for Air Crash News and Information
Right after 46 passengers and crew of Santa Barbara's flight 518 were killed on February 21st on a desolated and cold mountain slope in the Venezuelan Andes, it became evident for many that Venezuelan pilots do as they wish, disregarding all local and international set of flying regulations.
Their attitudes demonstrate a lack of professionalism and excess of self confidence, mostly among the most experienced pilots who think of themselves as infallible. This leads to bad judgment and unfortunate decisions, in some cases with tragic results, as in flight 518.
Just as The Peter Principle states in a hierarchy members are promoted so long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent (their "level of incompetence"), with potential to create conflicts, or worse still, disastrous endings.
"The level of pilots arrogance in our country is amazing" says a high Venezuelan airline executive who prefers to remain in anonymity. "They do as they please regardless of regulations set by authorities or the airline the work for, and there is no nobody that can restrain them from following that behavior"
"And this is common among all the airlines?" we asked.
His answer gave us chills: "You better believe there is God who will protect you and start pray to him so you reach your destination in one piece every time you board a Venezuelan plane."
The 518 flight is a vivid example of what is known here as the "3IA" syndrome: Impatience, Imprudence, Indiscipline and Arrogance.
Human error is a major, recurring issue in most aviation accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has consistently cited triplane's crews as the major cause or factor of accidents, exceeding the proportion of accidents related to aircraft or environmental causes by a large margin. The human factor in modern aviation is a source of concern, since humans are the ones to suffer from the 3IA syndrome: aircraft equipment, engines, navigation and in-flight safety devices have become so good that human beings are the constant weak link in aviation safety.
NTSB HUMAN ERROR CHART
Unprofessional Attitudes 47%
Visual Perception Misjudgment 19%
Pilot Technique 21%
Inflight Judgment or Decision 5%
Improper Operation of Equip. 6%
Unknown Causes 4%
Santa Barbara's crash started with a series of events that led to a disastrous end.
In first instance the pilot who commanded the ill-fated airplane, Captain Aldino Garamito, was called at last minute to substitute for the designated pilot grounded at the Vigia airport because of bad weather. Garamito who was an experienced pilot with 9 years in Santa Barbara, was hastening to return to his home near Caracas.
The first "I" of the 3IA syndrome: Impatience
In this point enters another law, Murphy's law. Anything that can go wrong, will—and at the worst possible moment When an event begins badly and is not corrected on time, the subsequent decisions that are taken follow a mistaken path. Due to the change of pilots, SB flight 518 already had two hours of delay which increased the pressure on (and impatience of) the pilots. Such impatience was demonstrated when initiating the return to Caracas, the flight: 1) didn't wait for the airplane's avionics to calibrate, 2) didn't follow procedure of preparing a pre- flight check list, 3) took a flying route prohibited by the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC the Venezuelan equivalent of FAA). This "non-approved air path" saved them 15 minutes on their way back to Maiquetía International airport.
This last decision, aside from being impatient, demonstrates imprudence, a lack of discipline and a failure to follow the set of flying rules established by the aeronautical authorities and Santa Barbara´s Corporate policies.
Several experts in the Venezuelan civil aviation agree that the most experienced pilots become victims of excess of confidence, developing among them a sense of "infallibility and rules don't apply to them". Minutes before the airplane collided with the mountain, copilot, Denis Fereira, said to Garamito "we just made another yucca", That's a Venezuelan idiom meaning that they were repeating a mistake.
Posted in "Vigilante Aéreo", a blog dedicated to analyze airplane crashes in the country, were the last words ever exchanged between pilot and copilot just before they slammed the mountain wall:
"Sir. this is not the route", says copilot Fereira.
"Relax, I know what I'm doing," and then sarcastically adds, "Are you scared?"
The big gray barrier of mountains appears in front of them. They set the engines to full power.
The fatal affirmation of "Relax, I know what I'm doing." and asking "Are you scared'?" is the last letter of the syndrome.
"A" for Arrogance and excess of confidence, ends the life of 46 people in a desolate and the cold Andean slope at 12,000 feet.
By Héctor Héreter
Special for Air Crash News and Information
Right after 46 passengers and crew of Santa Barbara's flight 518 were killed on February 21st on a desolated and cold mountain slope in the Venezuelan Andes, it became evident for many that Venezuelan pilots do as they wish, disregarding all local and international set of flying regulations.
Their attitudes demonstrate a lack of professionalism and excess of self confidence, mostly among the most experienced pilots who think of themselves as infallible. This leads to bad judgment and unfortunate decisions, in some cases with tragic results, as in flight 518.
Just as The Peter Principle states in a hierarchy members are promoted so long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent (their "level of incompetence"), with potential to create conflicts, or worse still, disastrous endings.
"The level of pilots arrogance in our country is amazing" says a high Venezuelan airline executive who prefers to remain in anonymity. "They do as they please regardless of regulations set by authorities or the airline the work for, and there is no nobody that can restrain them from following that behavior"
"And this is common among all the airlines?" we asked.
His answer gave us chills: "You better believe there is God who will protect you and start pray to him so you reach your destination in one piece every time you board a Venezuelan plane."
The 518 flight is a vivid example of what is known here as the "3IA" syndrome: Impatience, Imprudence, Indiscipline and Arrogance.
Human error is a major, recurring issue in most aviation accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has consistently cited triplane's crews as the major cause or factor of accidents, exceeding the proportion of accidents related to aircraft or environmental causes by a large margin. The human factor in modern aviation is a source of concern, since humans are the ones to suffer from the 3IA syndrome: aircraft equipment, engines, navigation and in-flight safety devices have become so good that human beings are the constant weak link in aviation safety.
NTSB HUMAN ERROR CHART
Unprofessional Attitudes 47%
Visual Perception Misjudgment 19%
Pilot Technique 21%
Inflight Judgment or Decision 5%
Improper Operation of Equip. 6%
Unknown Causes 4%
Santa Barbara's crash started with a series of events that led to a disastrous end.
In first instance the pilot who commanded the ill-fated airplane, Captain Aldino Garamito, was called at last minute to substitute for the designated pilot grounded at the Vigia airport because of bad weather. Garamito who was an experienced pilot with 9 years in Santa Barbara, was hastening to return to his home near Caracas.
The first "I" of the 3IA syndrome: Impatience
In this point enters another law, Murphy's law. Anything that can go wrong, will—and at the worst possible moment When an event begins badly and is not corrected on time, the subsequent decisions that are taken follow a mistaken path. Due to the change of pilots, SB flight 518 already had two hours of delay which increased the pressure on (and impatience of) the pilots. Such impatience was demonstrated when initiating the return to Caracas, the flight: 1) didn't wait for the airplane's avionics to calibrate, 2) didn't follow procedure of preparing a pre- flight check list, 3) took a flying route prohibited by the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC the Venezuelan equivalent of FAA). This "non-approved air path" saved them 15 minutes on their way back to Maiquetía International airport.
This last decision, aside from being impatient, demonstrates imprudence, a lack of discipline and a failure to follow the set of flying rules established by the aeronautical authorities and Santa Barbara´s Corporate policies.
Several experts in the Venezuelan civil aviation agree that the most experienced pilots become victims of excess of confidence, developing among them a sense of "infallibility and rules don't apply to them". Minutes before the airplane collided with the mountain, copilot, Denis Fereira, said to Garamito "we just made another yucca", That's a Venezuelan idiom meaning that they were repeating a mistake.
Posted in "Vigilante Aéreo", a blog dedicated to analyze airplane crashes in the country, were the last words ever exchanged between pilot and copilot just before they slammed the mountain wall:
"Sir. this is not the route", says copilot Fereira.
"Relax, I know what I'm doing," and then sarcastically adds, "Are you scared?"
The big gray barrier of mountains appears in front of them. They set the engines to full power.
The fatal affirmation of "Relax, I know what I'm doing." and asking "Are you scared'?" is the last letter of the syndrome.
"A" for Arrogance and excess of confidence, ends the life of 46 people in a desolate and the cold Andean slope at 12,000 feet.
2008/04/20
Is Brazil a One Trick Pony?
In May, will Tam become the only Brazilian airline flying out of Brazil? If Ocean Air and Varig cancel all their International flights, their fleets of Boeing 737, Ebraer and Folker airplanes will service only Intra-Brazilian destinations.
Brazil's aviation safety record is notoriously negative. In 2007, electrical problems shut down Brazilian airspace for 2½ hours. Brazil diverted incoming flights to return to their respective points of origin or unscheduled landings at airports from Chile to Puerto Rico. (This was subsequent to the Sao Paulo Airbus A320 TAM Airlines Flight 3054 crash, but it was by no means the first disaster.) The last couple of years,in fact, Brazil's entire civil aviation system has been in crisis, suffering from safety issues, air traffic controller strikes as well as flight cancellations and delays. The so-called "Apagão Aéreo" (Aerial blackout) followed the Gol Flight 1907 mid-air collision.
The four CINDACTA, or "Centro Integrado de Defesa Aérea e Controle de Tráfego Aéreo (Integrated Air Traffic Control and Air Defense Centers) are run by the Brazilian Air Force. The government's Tribunal de Contas da União (Union Accounting Tribunal) holds the Brazilian Government responsible for the disastrous record, due in part to Pan American World Airways Flight 202 ( April 28, 1952), VASP Flight 168 ( June 8, 1982), Varig Flight 254 ( September 3 1989), and TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 (October 31, 1996), among others.
Brazil's aviation safety record is notoriously negative. In 2007, electrical problems shut down Brazilian airspace for 2½ hours. Brazil diverted incoming flights to return to their respective points of origin or unscheduled landings at airports from Chile to Puerto Rico. (This was subsequent to the Sao Paulo Airbus A320 TAM Airlines Flight 3054 crash, but it was by no means the first disaster.) The last couple of years,in fact, Brazil's entire civil aviation system has been in crisis, suffering from safety issues, air traffic controller strikes as well as flight cancellations and delays. The so-called "Apagão Aéreo" (Aerial blackout) followed the Gol Flight 1907 mid-air collision.
The four CINDACTA, or "Centro Integrado de Defesa Aérea e Controle de Tráfego Aéreo (Integrated Air Traffic Control and Air Defense Centers) are run by the Brazilian Air Force. The government's Tribunal de Contas da União (Union Accounting Tribunal) holds the Brazilian Government responsible for the disastrous record, due in part to Pan American World Airways Flight 202 ( April 28, 1952), VASP Flight 168 ( June 8, 1982), Varig Flight 254 ( September 3 1989), and TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 (October 31, 1996), among others.
2008/04/18
Marketplace Leveled by Congo DC-9 Crash
Survivors punch and claw a hole in the side of the plane to flee the wreckage as it burns. Most passengers escape, but there are 110 injuries, and 40 fatalities, many in the marketplace. (The tape says 33 deaths and 80 injuries.) You can see the valiant efforts of local heroes stuggling to free trapped passengers with whatever is on hand: rocks, buckets of water and sheer determination.
2008/04/17
El impacto en América Latina de la fusión Delta-Northwest
Ahora muchos viajeros procedentes de Sur América contarán con mayores alternativas para planificar sus viajes hacia Estados Unidos, Europa y Asia.
Por Héctor Héreter
Especial para Air Crash News and Information
La fusión de Delta (DL) con Northwest (NW) acaparó los grandes titulares de la prensa especializada y la gran mayoría de los medios anunciaron el “nacimiento de la aerolínea más grande del mundo”, pero pocos explicaron en qué manera será la más grande: ¿por el número de aviones? ¿por la cantidad de “hubs” alrededor del mundo? ¿por la cantidad de empleados que integrarán su nómina? o ¿por su solidez financiera que la hace una de las más apetecibles a los inversionistas de Wall Street?
Pero hasta los momentos pocos se han fijado en el mapa que la hace más fuerte: la nueva geografía de redes interconectadas, que abarcan grandes territorios, tanto en Estados Unidos, siendo casi soberana en el región del medio oeste, como a nivel internacional .La fusión unirá los centros de operaciones (hubs) de Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Menphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York/JFK y Salt Lake en los Estados Unidos, en Asia el aeropuerto de Narita en Tokio y en Europa contará con Ansterdam en Holanda.
Por Héctor Héreter
Especial para Air Crash News and Information
La fusión de Delta (DL) con Northwest (NW) acaparó los grandes titulares de la prensa especializada y la gran mayoría de los medios anunciaron el “nacimiento de la aerolínea más grande del mundo”, pero pocos explicaron en qué manera será la más grande: ¿por el número de aviones? ¿por la cantidad de “hubs” alrededor del mundo? ¿por la cantidad de empleados que integrarán su nómina? o ¿por su solidez financiera que la hace una de las más apetecibles a los inversionistas de Wall Street?
Pero hasta los momentos pocos se han fijado en el mapa que la hace más fuerte: la nueva geografía de redes interconectadas, que abarcan grandes territorios, tanto en Estados Unidos, siendo casi soberana en el región del medio oeste, como a nivel internacional .La fusión unirá los centros de operaciones (hubs) de Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Menphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York/JFK y Salt Lake en los Estados Unidos, en Asia el aeropuerto de Narita en Tokio y en Europa contará con Ansterdam en Holanda.
Si observamos el mapa de estados rojos (NW) y azules (DL), salta a los ojos algo obvio: la total consolidación del territorio norteamericano (quisieran los candidatos demócratas lograr esta consolidación, aunque debemos apuntar la coincidencia de que los estados donde Northwest tiene una mayor presencia son los territorios ganados por la ex primera dama Hillary Clinton).¿Qué significa esto para nosotros los viajeros procedentes de América Latina?...Que nos podemos liberar de la supremacía que ejercía American Airlines sobre las conexiones a otras ciudades de Estados Unidos, la cual nos forzaba a realizar conexiones a través de sus dos principales hubs: Miami o Dallas. Ahora con la fusión de NW y DL, muchos viajeros, principalmente aquellos en itinerarios de negocios, podrán planear sus viajes con mayores alternativas de ahorro de tiempo y dinero.
Para muchos que se ven obligados a visitar frecuentemente el país del norte intentan cuando le es posible omitir Miami en sus itinerarios debido al mal trato que reciben los viajeros por parte de las autoridades de aduana e inmigración.
“Nos tratan como si fuéramos delincuentes”, dijo un hombre de negocios de Venezuela que acude dos veces por mes a reuniones en Detroit. “Siempre me toca el mismo tipo de inmigración…y aunque me ha visto cientos de veces, siempre me trata igual de mal”.
Muchos consideran que el trato que se da en Atlanta es de mucha mayor calidad profesional, la base principal de Delta.
Aunque American Airlines hasta ahora no ha hecho ningún comentario sobre la fusión de sus grandes rivales, Michael Blunt, vicepresidente de Comunicación Corporativa de la alianza Oneworld, organización que agrupa a 10 aerolíneas en estrecha cooperación, descartó que tal unión fuese una preocupación para AA.
Lo que no menciona Blunt es que mientras American Airlines cuenta con una blindada soberanía sobre los aeropuertos de Dallas/F.Worth y Miami, por su parte Delta y Northwest poseen un mayor número de aeropuertos a nivel nacional donde son la ley.
Esta fusión tiene mayores significados que la simple unión de dos empresas; son los indicativos de que le depara el futuro a la industria aeronáutica comercial: la desaparición de pequeñas aerolíneas y la consolidación de la grandes que les permitan encarar los retos por el alza del combustible, mayores costos operacionales, escrutinios más severos por parte de las autoridades aeronáuticas y una muy infiel lealtad de los viajeros que se inclinan más por los precios de los pasajes que por el renombre de la empresa.
Para las aerolíneas latinoamericanas es también un llamado de atención sobre los avances de la globalización donde la palabra clave es colaboración a fin de competir con mayor eficiencia en un mundo empresarialmente hostil.
Avianca, que hace menos de tres años atrás estaba al borde la quiebra, se reinventó como la ave Fénix gracias a alianzas estratégicas y una nueva mentalidad administrativa enmarcada en la realidad global
Otros dos ejemplos muy interesantes son los LAN, primero y MEXICANA, luego, que se adhirieron a OneWorld, una de las más grandes alianzas de líneas aéreas. Es significativo que la tradución de OneWorld es “un solo mundo”. Creo que eso lo dice todo.
2008/04/16
Update: 111 injured; 40 Dead in Goma Crash
The black box flight recorder from the DC-9 plane has been recovered. The crash site lies at the end of the runway where the pilot had tried to take off but was blocked by a trail of lava from a volcanic eruption in 2002. Potholes and broken tarmac are part of the problem on the runway.
A probe into the crash has been ordered.
The Hewa Bora Airlines chief said publicly that "It needed to reach 126 knots to take off. The pilot braked, but the runway was wet, the aircraft skidded and he lost control." Information is conflicting as to whether or not emergency doors were opened.
2008/04/15
Congo Plane Crash, Forty Dead
A Congolese domestic airliner taking off from Goma failed lift off, rammed through a fence and crashed into a crowded market district and burned. The Hewa Bora McDonnell Douglas DC-9 was taking off for the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, when it crashed into the teeming market district of Birere; the single-story shops and stalls of Birere were crowded at the time of the crash. An American missionary, Barry Mosier, was onboard with his wife and two children, and said the plane's front tire blew out just before the DC-9 lifted off. When they saw flames, and smoke coming up through the floor, the passengers who were not trapped tried the side doors which did not open, so they exited thru the pilots cabin.
Pilots could not stop on the short runway which was partially blocked by volcanic lava from 2002. Residents heard a big explosion. A large plume of smoke rose from the crash site. A witness said, "Half of the plane has broken off, there is a fire towards the back. People are coming with buckets of water to put out the fire. The U.N. is here trying to keep back the crowds.”
Crew members and U.N. troops managed to evacuate most of the 79 passenger on board, but there were 40 deaths and 110 injured--many of them locals. Not all bodies have been recovered.
Recovery of bodies was hindered by ground fires where there were additional casualties.
The Congo has one of the world’s worst air safety records. The Goma airport has been the site of several accidents, with planes overshooting the runway and endangering homes near the airport. According to the International Air Transport Association, the air accident rate in Africa is six times the average. Aviation safety experts single out Democratic Republic of Congo as one of the worst offenders. The huge country only has a few hundred miles of paved roads. The European Union added Congo’s Hewa Bora Airways to the banned list of aviation companies flying in the 27-nation block last week.
One of the survivors, Frederic Katemo, said that he scrambled out through the cockpit. “I was in my seat with my seat belt fastened. There was a big crash. We jumped up and found our way out. We could feel the fire behind us.”
Initially, Governor of North Kivu province, Julien Paluku, said there were 79 passengers and six crew members but that “...six people have been saved, two pilots and four passengers including two children.”
Serge Ukundji a local conservationist said, "We have been waiting for something like this to happen. There have been lots of accidents just behind here at the airport.”
The cause of the accident was still under investigation. The overloaded cabin is believed to be the reason behind the crash.
2008/04/07
Tam Air Flight 3054 Case Filed
Partner of the elite legal team of Masry and Vititoe, Podhurst Orseck filed 59 wrongful death lawsuits for the families of passengers killed on July 17, 2007 aboard Brazil’s TAM Airlines Flight 3054. The Law Office of Masry and Vititoe is familiar to the public as the firm depicted in the academy award winning film, "Erin Brockovich," starring Julia Roberts.
The 59 wrongful death lawsuits stem from the notorious Flight 3054, the worst airline disaster in Brazil’s history, when the A320 TAM Linhas Aareas aircraft attempted landing at Sao Paolo’s Congonhas airport and slammed into an air cargo building, killing 199 people (187 aboard the plane and 12 ground crew). Aware that the thrust reverser (an instrument that helps planes slow down on landings) had been deactivated during a maintenance check, the pilots mishandled the landing procedures. The parties included in the lawsuits are TAM, leasing company Pegasus Aviation, Airbus, Airbus Customer Services, Goodrich (thrust reverser provider) and International Aero Engines.
The devastation was compounded when, within hours of the disaster, TAM released the passenger manifest via the internet. Abandoning the families of the crash victims to draw their own conclusions, Tam neglected to assign personal contact with the families of the victimized passengers to notify them of their loss.
In prior airline crash cases, Masry and Vititoe has partnered with internationally recognized Florida-based aviation attorneys Podhurst Orseck. In addition to the Tam Flight 3054 case, together they also currently represent families of the passengers aboard the Gol Transportes Aeros Flight #1907 that collided with an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet over the Amazon Rainforest in September 2006. They also represent victims' families in the Sibir Airlines crash that involved the same type of Airbus under similar circumstances; they too attempted landing in the rain, failed to stop and crashed into a building resulting in catastrophic loss of life.
About Masry and Vititoe
Masry and Vititoe is a leading law firm whose compassionate policy of keeping in personal contact further supports their clients' comfort and confidence. The Masry and Vititoe firm has been defending the rights of the victims of negligence for over 30 years. As in the Hinkey case on which the movie “Erin Brockovich” was based, the firm is known for pursuing the rights of individuals who have suffered acute and chronic chemical exposure. They represent thousands of injured persons throughout the country, from Hawaii to the East Coast, and on their behalf have fearlessly combated and prevailed against some of the world's largest corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, public utilities and oil companies. For more information, visit http://www.masryvititoe.com.
The 59 wrongful death lawsuits stem from the notorious Flight 3054, the worst airline disaster in Brazil’s history, when the A320 TAM Linhas Aareas aircraft attempted landing at Sao Paolo’s Congonhas airport and slammed into an air cargo building, killing 199 people (187 aboard the plane and 12 ground crew). Aware that the thrust reverser (an instrument that helps planes slow down on landings) had been deactivated during a maintenance check, the pilots mishandled the landing procedures. The parties included in the lawsuits are TAM, leasing company Pegasus Aviation, Airbus, Airbus Customer Services, Goodrich (thrust reverser provider) and International Aero Engines.
The devastation was compounded when, within hours of the disaster, TAM released the passenger manifest via the internet. Abandoning the families of the crash victims to draw their own conclusions, Tam neglected to assign personal contact with the families of the victimized passengers to notify them of their loss.
In prior airline crash cases, Masry and Vititoe has partnered with internationally recognized Florida-based aviation attorneys Podhurst Orseck. In addition to the Tam Flight 3054 case, together they also currently represent families of the passengers aboard the Gol Transportes Aeros Flight #1907 that collided with an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet over the Amazon Rainforest in September 2006. They also represent victims' families in the Sibir Airlines crash that involved the same type of Airbus under similar circumstances; they too attempted landing in the rain, failed to stop and crashed into a building resulting in catastrophic loss of life.
About Masry and Vititoe
Masry and Vititoe is a leading law firm whose compassionate policy of keeping in personal contact further supports their clients' comfort and confidence. The Masry and Vititoe firm has been defending the rights of the victims of negligence for over 30 years. As in the Hinkey case on which the movie “Erin Brockovich” was based, the firm is known for pursuing the rights of individuals who have suffered acute and chronic chemical exposure. They represent thousands of injured persons throughout the country, from Hawaii to the East Coast, and on their behalf have fearlessly combated and prevailed against some of the world's largest corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, public utilities and oil companies. For more information, visit http://www.masryvititoe.com.
2008/04/05
2008/04/04
Protección Civil reportó que no hay sobrevivientes en avión
¡Bienvenidos !
For my Spanish speaking friends
2008/04/03
2008/04/01
TAM crash families file suit in florida
TAM crash families file suit in florida
ACCIDENT: Attorneys for the families of passengers killed on TAM Linhas Aereas Flight 3054 filed 58 wrongful death lawsuits in Florida last week. The 17 July 2007 crash, the worst in Brazil's history, killed 187 on board and 12 people on the ground when an A320 attempted a go-around at Sao Paolo's Congonhas airport and slammed into a building just past the runway end. The investigation in part is focusing on whether the pilots mishandled landing operations in light of a known inoperative thrust reverser. Parties named in the lawsuits include TAM, leasing company Pegasus Aviation, Airbus, Airbus Customer Services, thrust-reverser provider Goodrich and International Aero Engines.
Read the original
2008/03/30
PR Newswire: Multiple Lawsuits Against TAM Airlines
Masry and Vititoe Partners, MIAMI, March 26 /PRNewswire/ PRESS RELEASE -- Internationally recognized aviation attorneys Steven C. Marks and Ricardo M. Martinez-Cid with the Podhurst Orseck law firm have filed a series of lawsuits on behalf of families of passengers killed in Brazil's worst airline disaster. On July 17, 2007, 199 people perished when TAM Airlines Flight 3054 slid off the runway at Congonhas Airport and slammed into an air cargo building in Sao Paulo. Today, Podhurst attorneys filed 59 wrongful death complaints related to the catastrophe in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
In addition to TAM NYSE: TAM, which is charged with its own negligence and that of its pilots and maintenance personnel, the defendants in the lawsuits are Pegasus Aviation IV, Inc.; Airbus S.A.S.; Airbus Industrie G.I.E. (EADS) (EAD.PA); Airbus Customer Services, Inc.; Goodrich Corporation NYSE: GR; and International Aero Engines AG.
"Responsibility not only lies with the companies that manufactured and handled maintenance for the aircraft," said Marks, "We believe Airbus provided inadequate customer support, simulator services, and training materials for the pilots and flight crew that replicates the performance of the aircraft in all normal and abnormal conditions."
Marks said it's clear the flight crew knew there were problems with the aircraft before the disaster because the plane's right thrust reverser had been deactivated before the flight.
"The thrust reverser is used to slow the jet down upon landing. Without an operational right thrust reverser, it didn't have enough room to stop on the runway, ending in a horrific crash when the plane skidded off the runway's edge," he said.
Podhurst Orseck filed the first lawsuit related to the crash on behalf of the family of 35-year-old Ricardo Tazoe of Miami, an employee with Banco Santander. In all of the cases, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial to recover financial damages for pain and suffering; lost value of life; funeral expenses; and all other damages they may be entitled to under the law.
Marks and Martinez-Cid have extensive experience handling Brazilian aviation matters. They currently represent the families of numerous passengers who were killed when Gol Transportes Aeros Flight #1907 collided with an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet over the Amazon Rainforest in September 2006.
They have represented victims in countless significant major commercial airline crashes, including those killed in the crash of Comair Flight 5191 at the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky. in August 2006. Marks has acted as co-lead trial counsel for the California State Court plaintiffs after a Silk Air crash between Jakarta and Singapore in 1997 (successfully obtaining one of the most significant and largest verdicts in a mass disaster aviation case) and acting as lead liaison counsel for the state court and federal multi- district litigation plaintiffs' steering committees over the ValuJet Flight 592 crash in Miami-Dade County in 1996.
Based in Miami, Podhurst Orseck, P.A. concentrates exclusively in trial and appellate litigation. The firm's general tort practice places a major emphasis on aviation, automobile, products liability and medical malpractice litigation. In addition, the firm has a substantial practice in commercial, matrimonial and criminal litigation, as well as complex commercial tort litigation. Attorneys serve clients and corporations throughout the United States, and in many foreign countries. You can learn more about Podhurst Orseck by visiting the firm's website at www.podhurst.com.
In addition to TAM NYSE: TAM, which is charged with its own negligence and that of its pilots and maintenance personnel, the defendants in the lawsuits are Pegasus Aviation IV, Inc.; Airbus S.A.S.; Airbus Industrie G.I.E. (EADS) (EAD.PA); Airbus Customer Services, Inc.; Goodrich Corporation NYSE: GR; and International Aero Engines AG.
"Responsibility not only lies with the companies that manufactured and handled maintenance for the aircraft," said Marks, "We believe Airbus provided inadequate customer support, simulator services, and training materials for the pilots and flight crew that replicates the performance of the aircraft in all normal and abnormal conditions."
Marks said it's clear the flight crew knew there were problems with the aircraft before the disaster because the plane's right thrust reverser had been deactivated before the flight.
"The thrust reverser is used to slow the jet down upon landing. Without an operational right thrust reverser, it didn't have enough room to stop on the runway, ending in a horrific crash when the plane skidded off the runway's edge," he said.
Podhurst Orseck filed the first lawsuit related to the crash on behalf of the family of 35-year-old Ricardo Tazoe of Miami, an employee with Banco Santander. In all of the cases, the plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial to recover financial damages for pain and suffering; lost value of life; funeral expenses; and all other damages they may be entitled to under the law.
Marks and Martinez-Cid have extensive experience handling Brazilian aviation matters. They currently represent the families of numerous passengers who were killed when Gol Transportes Aeros Flight #1907 collided with an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet over the Amazon Rainforest in September 2006.
They have represented victims in countless significant major commercial airline crashes, including those killed in the crash of Comair Flight 5191 at the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky. in August 2006. Marks has acted as co-lead trial counsel for the California State Court plaintiffs after a Silk Air crash between Jakarta and Singapore in 1997 (successfully obtaining one of the most significant and largest verdicts in a mass disaster aviation case) and acting as lead liaison counsel for the state court and federal multi- district litigation plaintiffs' steering committees over the ValuJet Flight 592 crash in Miami-Dade County in 1996.
Based in Miami, Podhurst Orseck, P.A. concentrates exclusively in trial and appellate litigation. The firm's general tort practice places a major emphasis on aviation, automobile, products liability and medical malpractice litigation. In addition, the firm has a substantial practice in commercial, matrimonial and criminal litigation, as well as complex commercial tort litigation. Attorneys serve clients and corporations throughout the United States, and in many foreign countries. You can learn more about Podhurst Orseck by visiting the firm's website at www.podhurst.com.
2008/03/27
Suit Filed
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)--Relatives of victims of Brazil's Tam Air CRASH filed suit in Miami seeking damages in 59 wrongful death complaints. Plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial for pain and suffering, lost value of life, funeral expenses and other damages. The TAM Airlines Flight 3054 crash killed 199 people. Masry and Vititoe's partner Podhurst Orseck filed the first case ten days after the accident occurred.
Charged are TAM S.A. (TAM), its pilots and maintenance personnel, France-based Airbus; Goodrich Corp. ( GR) of Charlotte, North Carolina; International Aero Engines AG of East Hartford, Connecticut; and Pegasus Aviation IV Inc. of Delaware. The thrust reverser slows the jet down when it lands. Without a working right thrust reverser, it didn't have enough room to stop on the runway, he said.
Atty Steven C. Marks said."Responsibility not only lies with the companies that manufactured and handled maintenance for the aircraft," and that the flight crew knew there were problems with the aircraft before the disaster because the plane's right thrust reverser had been deactivated before the flight.
Brazil's largest airline, was trying to reach agreements with families of victims and did not have an immediate comment.
src: Dow Jones Newswires; South Florida Lawyers blog
Charged are TAM S.A. (TAM), its pilots and maintenance personnel, France-based Airbus; Goodrich Corp. ( GR) of Charlotte, North Carolina; International Aero Engines AG of East Hartford, Connecticut; and Pegasus Aviation IV Inc. of Delaware. The thrust reverser slows the jet down when it lands. Without a working right thrust reverser, it didn't have enough room to stop on the runway, he said.
Atty Steven C. Marks said."Responsibility not only lies with the companies that manufactured and handled maintenance for the aircraft," and that the flight crew knew there were problems with the aircraft before the disaster because the plane's right thrust reverser had been deactivated before the flight.
Brazil's largest airline, was trying to reach agreements with families of victims and did not have an immediate comment.
src: Dow Jones Newswires; South Florida Lawyers blog
2008/03/14
helicoptor crash along Carolina Beach Rd. Thursday March 13, 2008
Thursday March 13, 2008-Pilot John C. Miller, 18 year veteran firefighter, died in a helicopter crash behind Strickland Surplus Inc. at 5915 Carolina Beach Road in North Carolina. Miller was a member of a water rescue and recovery team and captain of Station 5. He ran a business, Wilmington Helicopter Rental & Training, and was about to take his final test to become a certified instructor. The helicoptor was a (year 2000) Robinson R22 Beta, a "trainer". Miller was the only person on board the two seater.
We extend our condolences to family and friends.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
We extend our condolences to family and friends.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
2008/03/11
Copter Crash Construction Catastrophe
The question is should helicopters be used as aerial cranes in construction?
Helicopters are prone to the vortex ring state (fatally settling into their own downwash), Low-G condition, Dynamic rollover and tail rotor failure, ground resonance, not to mention a serious state of vibration, (among other problems.)
Using helicopters to carry loads connected to long cables or slings to relocate heavy equipment such as large air conditioning units on tall buildings is asking for trouble.
It is not surprising that the aerial crane helicopter crashed at the Willow Island Power this weekend. The pilot was in the process of his fifth lift of the day when he started spinning and the tail rotor came off. The pilot dropped his load but managed to crash land with his props bent up, on a coal heap.
The FAA’s FSDO office is investigating the incident. The St. Louis Helicopter Company pilot's name has not been released.
src: http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/16432916.html
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/503230.html?nav=5061
http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=35801
Helicopters are prone to the vortex ring state (fatally settling into their own downwash), Low-G condition, Dynamic rollover and tail rotor failure, ground resonance, not to mention a serious state of vibration, (among other problems.)
Using helicopters to carry loads connected to long cables or slings to relocate heavy equipment such as large air conditioning units on tall buildings is asking for trouble.
It is not surprising that the aerial crane helicopter crashed at the Willow Island Power this weekend. The pilot was in the process of his fifth lift of the day when he started spinning and the tail rotor came off. The pilot dropped his load but managed to crash land with his props bent up, on a coal heap.
The FAA’s FSDO office is investigating the incident. The St. Louis Helicopter Company pilot's name has not been released.
src: http://www.wtap.com/home/headlines/16432916.html
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/503230.html?nav=5061
http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=35801
2008/03/09
Hamburg - A320 nearly crashes during crosswind approach
1st march 2008 - A320 nearly crashed during crosswind approach at Hamburgs RWY23.
This wise pilot aborted his landing and saved them all from a crash. Pilots should be able to calculate the wind direction and speed to determine if they can execute a safe crosswind landing. This plane landed safely on the second attempt.
2008/03/07
Helicoptors: How long has this been going on?
I was looking at the news and noticed this:
Paramedics die in AirCare helicopter crashThe National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash, which may have occurred through negligent acts, i.e. failure to properly maintain the helicopter
Have we always had so many helicopter crashes or are we just hearing about them now because our information management is what it is today?
Look at all of these incidents:
- Fatal Helicoptor Crash in Nebraska
- Helicoptor carrying Senator Kerry, Senator Chuck Nagel and Senator Joe Biden crashes in a snowstorm.
- 12 left at sea after a helicopter crash
- Rescue Pilot walks away from Crash
- Families morn midair collision that killed two teenage pilots and an instructor
- Swedish Helicoptor Crash *you tube listed below
- Training an issue in Helicopter Crash
Swedish helicoptor crash. This was supposed to be his birthday present. Some birthday, huh.
2008/03/05
Santa Barbara ATR-42-300 photographs
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. There are no words to describe the nightmarish war zone quality of the scene on the ground at the Santa Barbara crash site. Most of the photographs can not be shown--it is just that horrifying and heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.
2008/02/25
Flight Data Recorders found
Thirty six searchers, officials and forensics staff members have been attempting recovery of the remains of the 46 fatalities of the Santa Barbara ATR crash. Vina announced that the two flight data recorders were found. The "black boxes" hold "information on the aircraft's electronic equipment and the 'voice data recorder' that records the conversations the pilots had within the craft and with others."
Currently the weather is impeding investigations.
Currently the weather is impeding investigations.
2008/02/24
Brazil Tam Air Crash: Still Under Investigation after 7 months
Here is where the disaster stands:
On July 17, 2007 the pilot of TAM Airlines Flight JJ3054, tried to land at Congonhas, but realizing he wouldn't be able to stop in time on the rain-slicked tarmac, tried to take off again.
He failed.
The Airbus A320 skidded across a road and smashed into a building owned by the airline. The ensuing fireball killed all 186 people on the plane and 13 more on the ground, making this the worst air disaster in Brazilian history.
The thrust reverser had been deactivated during maintenance checks, the airline confessed. The reverser is used to help jets slow down on landing. Tam Airlines insists the deactivation was in accordance with proper procedures. However, nearly 200 people--passengers and crew--are dead.
Brazil's Globo TV televised that a problem with the right thrust reverser had emerged four days prior to the crash.
The Airbus's manual stipulates that ten days can lapse after a problem is first detected in an inspection and the plane can continue to operate in the meantime.
Aviators call São Paolo's Congonhas Airport "the aircraft carrier," because landing on its short runway, surrounded by densely populated residential areas, is like landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Though a Brazilian court had banned large jets from the airport in February, citing safety concerns, the ban was later overturned.
Masry and Vititoe is participating in the litigation.
On July 17, 2007 the pilot of TAM Airlines Flight JJ3054, tried to land at Congonhas, but realizing he wouldn't be able to stop in time on the rain-slicked tarmac, tried to take off again.
He failed.
The Airbus A320 skidded across a road and smashed into a building owned by the airline. The ensuing fireball killed all 186 people on the plane and 13 more on the ground, making this the worst air disaster in Brazilian history.
The thrust reverser had been deactivated during maintenance checks, the airline confessed. The reverser is used to help jets slow down on landing. Tam Airlines insists the deactivation was in accordance with proper procedures. However, nearly 200 people--passengers and crew--are dead.
Brazil's Globo TV televised that a problem with the right thrust reverser had emerged four days prior to the crash.
The Airbus's manual stipulates that ten days can lapse after a problem is first detected in an inspection and the plane can continue to operate in the meantime.
Aviators call São Paolo's Congonhas Airport "the aircraft carrier," because landing on its short runway, surrounded by densely populated residential areas, is like landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Though a Brazilian court had banned large jets from the airport in February, citing safety concerns, the ban was later overturned.
Masry and Vititoe is participating in the litigation.
2008/02/23
Santa Barbara ATR-42-300 Crashes Indian Face
13,000 feet above sea level on the sheer cliff called "Indian Face" by the locals, buffeted by freezing winds, crews rappelled from helicopters to search the wreckage in a dramatic rescue and reconnaissance attempt. No survivors were found.
The flame-charred tail of the twin-engine plane rested on the mountainside amid fuselage and assorted wreckage.
The Merida airport six miles away is hemmed in among mountains in a region notoriously difficult to navigate. Terrain forced searchers to camp a mile away and hike in. Pilots–including the one lost in this flight–receive specialized training to fly through the area.
Venezuela mourns.
The flame-charred tail of the twin-engine plane rested on the mountainside amid fuselage and assorted wreckage.
The Merida airport six miles away is hemmed in among mountains in a region notoriously difficult to navigate. Terrain forced searchers to camp a mile away and hike in. Pilots–including the one lost in this flight–receive specialized training to fly through the area.
Venezuela mourns.
2008/02/22
Santa Barbara ATR-42-300 Crash Site Found. No Survivors.
Santa Barbara Airlines 518 flight from Mérida to Maiquetía had 43 passengers and three crew members on board. Passenger list includes the Major of Mucuchíes Municipality, Mérida state, Alexander Quintero; foreign affairs expert Italo Luongo, and two relatives of the Vice-Minister of Citizens' Security Tarek Al Aissami.
Six nautical miles from the Alberto Carnevalli Airport, it's point of departure, the wreck was discovered.
Missing since Thursday, it failed to contact the Maiquetía airport air control tower within the 15 minutes after takeoff.
Venezuelan Civil Aeronautics Institute director Ramón Viñas declared in a public statement, "Given the way the airplane crashed, we believe no people survived,"
Officials with the Aeronautics Prosecution Office, physicians, pathologists, and forensic scientists and search and rescue teams are scheduled to begin removal of the aircraft and the victims.
Firefighter Department Sergeant Johnny Paz told local news TV channel Globovisión that the airplane shattered. "The plane crashed at 12,000 feet high against a stone wall in the high plateau."
Status: Preliminary
Date: 21 FEB 2008
Time: CA 17:00
Type: ATR-42-300
Operator: Santa Bárbara Airlines
Registration: YV1449
C/n / msn: 028
First flight: 1986
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120
Crew: Fatalities: 3 of 3
Passengers: Fatalities: 43 of 43
Total: Fatalities: 46 of 46 (confirmed)
Airplane damage: Written off
Location: ca 10 km NW of Mérida-A Carnevalli Airport (MRD) (Venezuela)
Phase: En route
Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport: Mérida-A Carnevalli Airport (MRD/SVMD), Venezuela
Destination airport: Caracas-Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS/SVMI), Venezuela
Flightnumber: 518
518 departed Mérida (MRD) at 16:59 on a domestic flight to Caracas. Shortly after take-off the airplane flew into the side of a mountain. Weather reported about the time of takeoff (21:30 UTC) was:
SVMD 212100Z 29008KT 9999 SCT013 BKN100 XX/XX Q1018=
SVMD 212200Z 25005KT 9999 BKN013 OVC100 20/12 Q1021=
Film of ATR42 landing at Mérida Airport. Note the surrounding mountains and the fierce wind.
2008/02/21
Flight 518-Andes Mountain Crash, 46 on board
Head of the Civil Defense for Merida, Noel Marquez, said locals saw the plane go down 500 kilometers (300 miles) southwest of Caracas, in the Andean region of Coyado del Condor.
The Santa Barbara Airlines flight went missing after departing from Merida at 5:45 pm (2245 GMT).
Rescue teams are in transit, according to Marquez. The plane they are searching for is a French-Italian-made ATR42 twin-engine turbo-prop. It crashed approximately 15,600 feet above sea level and sent no emergency signals prior to its disappearance. When air traffic controllers had been out of contact with flight 518 for hours, alarms went out.
Advance rescue teams traveled toward the Paramo Mifafi valley. The first rescue team left Thursday night for the village of Mucuchies, an hour from Merida but won't not arrive at the accident location for about three hours because of the steep terrain and near freezing temperatures. Marquez, said "Early tomorrow (Friday) two M17 rescue helicopters will be deployed." Until then, over a hundred searchers are working on on the ground.
National Civil Defense chief Antonio Rivero said officially that the plane is still listed as missing.The passenger list included a Venezuelan political analyst and relatives of a government official. The pilot had received special training for flying in the Andes and had been employed by Santa Barbara Airlines eight years.
The 20-year-old plane had no record of technical problems but the Aviation Safety Network publishes that the ATR 42 series has been involved in at least 17 accidents its beginnings in 1984. Psychologists have been sent to counsel relatives waiting at the airport.
2008/02/20
Five Manslaughter Convictions in Air Crash
In October 2001, in thick fog, a Copenhagen-bound SAS airliner ploughed into a Cessna business jet as the airliner was taking off resulting in the deaths of 118 people in 2001 in Italy's worst air disaster. Italy's top tribunal, The Cassation Court, acquitted two senior airport officials who stood trial for the Milan's Linate airport crash. The SAS plane slammed into a baggage hangar and burst into flames. All on board both planes died, plus four people in the hangar.
Paolo Pettinaroli, spokesperson of an association of relatives of the victims, said he was "happy with the confirmation of the convictions, but I did not expect that they would acquit those responsible for the airports' security...It was shameful then, and it is still today."
Following the disaster, the airfield was found to have safety shortcomings, and lacked a functioning ground radar system. The July 2006 Milan appeals court findings of multiple manslaughter as well as negligent disaster were upheld. Investigations verified that runway signs were confusing; the control tower failed to ask the business plane's pilot to read back his instructions, ground radar was out of operation and safety procedures were poorly followed.
Details of the accident
In the fog, the private Cessna invaded the runway of SAS flight 686 which committed to take off. The collision at 270.5 km/h crashed the Cessna, instantly killing the four passengers. The MD-87 lost the right engine and debris from the Cessna weakened the left engine. Commander Joakim Gustafsson could not end the takeoff phase so he was forced to carry out a perfect textbook emergency landing. However the MD-87 crashed into the baggage hanger at around 260 km/h, bursting into flames, killing 110 passengers and four workers in the building. The only survivor was Pasquale Padovano, an employee of SEA, Milan's airport management company. Italians, Swedes, Danes, Finns, Norwegians, a Romanian, a Briton, a South African and an American were killed.
Upheld was:
Angelo Di Popolo, deputy prosecutor of the Cassation, requested cancellation of the acquittals for the ex-director of Linate airport Vincenzo Fusco (current ENAC director in the airport of Alghero-Fertilia), and the ex-director of the Milan airports, Francesco Federico (now ENAC director of the "Sandro Pertini" airport of Turin).
Paolo Pettinaroli, spokesperson of an association of relatives of the victims, said he was "happy with the confirmation of the convictions, but I did not expect that they would acquit those responsible for the airports' security...It was shameful then, and it is still today."
Following the disaster, the airfield was found to have safety shortcomings, and lacked a functioning ground radar system. The July 2006 Milan appeals court findings of multiple manslaughter as well as negligent disaster were upheld. Investigations verified that runway signs were confusing; the control tower failed to ask the business plane's pilot to read back his instructions, ground radar was out of operation and safety procedures were poorly followed.
Details of the accident
In the fog, the private Cessna invaded the runway of SAS flight 686 which committed to take off. The collision at 270.5 km/h crashed the Cessna, instantly killing the four passengers. The MD-87 lost the right engine and debris from the Cessna weakened the left engine. Commander Joakim Gustafsson could not end the takeoff phase so he was forced to carry out a perfect textbook emergency landing. However the MD-87 crashed into the baggage hanger at around 260 km/h, bursting into flames, killing 110 passengers and four workers in the building. The only survivor was Pasquale Padovano, an employee of SEA, Milan's airport management company. Italians, Swedes, Danes, Finns, Norwegians, a Romanian, a Briton, a South African and an American were killed.
Upheld was:
- a 6 year prison sentence for former head of air traffic control authority ENAV, Sandro Gualano. He received the longest prison term.
- a 3 year sentence for Paolo Zacchetti, air traffic controller
- a four-year, four-month sentence for Fabio Marzocca's Former ENAV director general
- a 3 year 3 month sentence for Lorenzo Grecchi, former official with the SEA airports agency,
- a 3 year 3 month sentence for Antonio Cavanna, former official with the SEA airports agency
Angelo Di Popolo, deputy prosecutor of the Cassation, requested cancellation of the acquittals for the ex-director of Linate airport Vincenzo Fusco (current ENAC director in the airport of Alghero-Fertilia), and the ex-director of the Milan airports, Francesco Federico (now ENAC director of the "Sandro Pertini" airport of Turin).
Convictions Stand in Milan Airport Crash
Convictions Stand in Milan Airport Crash
4 hours ago
ROME (AP) — Italy's top criminal court on Wednesday upheld prison sentences for five aviation officials convicted in a 2001 runway collision of two aircraft that killed 118 people, Italian news agencies reported.
The Court of Cassation upheld the convictions of manslaughter and negligence and confirmed sentences ranging from three to 6 1/2 years in jail, the ANSA and Apcom news agencies reported.
The longest prison term belongs to Sandro Gualano, who stepped down as chief executive of Italy's air traffic agency ENAV after the Oct. 8, 2001, crash between an Scandinavian Airlines System airliner and a corporate jet at Milan's Linate airport, the agencies said.
The crash happened on a foggy morning when the SAS MD-87, bound for Copenhagen, rolled down the tarmac for takeoff. The jetliner collided with a business plane with four people on board then careened into a baggage hangar, killing four ground workers and 110 people on the jetliner.
Investigators have described the accident as avoidable, caused by a combination of human error and poorly followed safety procedures. The ground radar was out of operation.
Investigators cited confusing runway signs, and the control tower failed to ask the smaller plane's pilot to read back his instructions, authorities said.
Wednesday's ruling upheld the sentence of former ENAV director general Fabio Marzocca to four years and four months in jail. Three-year terms were also confirmed for Paolo Zacchetti — the controller on duty during the crash — and two other airport officials, ANSA reported.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
4 hours ago
ROME (AP) — Italy's top criminal court on Wednesday upheld prison sentences for five aviation officials convicted in a 2001 runway collision of two aircraft that killed 118 people, Italian news agencies reported.
The Court of Cassation upheld the convictions of manslaughter and negligence and confirmed sentences ranging from three to 6 1/2 years in jail, the ANSA and Apcom news agencies reported.
The longest prison term belongs to Sandro Gualano, who stepped down as chief executive of Italy's air traffic agency ENAV after the Oct. 8, 2001, crash between an Scandinavian Airlines System airliner and a corporate jet at Milan's Linate airport, the agencies said.
The crash happened on a foggy morning when the SAS MD-87, bound for Copenhagen, rolled down the tarmac for takeoff. The jetliner collided with a business plane with four people on board then careened into a baggage hangar, killing four ground workers and 110 people on the jetliner.
Investigators have described the accident as avoidable, caused by a combination of human error and poorly followed safety procedures. The ground radar was out of operation.
Investigators cited confusing runway signs, and the control tower failed to ask the smaller plane's pilot to read back his instructions, authorities said.
Wednesday's ruling upheld the sentence of former ENAV director general Fabio Marzocca to four years and four months in jail. Three-year terms were also confirmed for Paolo Zacchetti — the controller on duty during the crash — and two other airport officials, ANSA reported.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
2008/02/18
2008/02/03
Brazil jet thrust reverser 'off'
This photograph was produced by Agência Brasil, a public Brazilian news agency.Their website states: "O conteúdo deste site é publicado sob a licença Creative Commons Atribuição 2.5 Brasil"(This photo is published under the Creative Commons License Attribution 2.5 Brazil)
The thrust reverser had been deactivated during maintenance checks, the airline confessed.
The reverser is used to help jets slow down on landing.
Tam Airlines insisted the deactivation was in accordance with proper procedures. However, nearly 200 people--passengers and crew--are dead.
Yet this was in accordance with proper procedures?
The airbus started to land at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport, and either aborted the landing or failed to slow down when the deactivated thrust reverser failed. The plane crossed the street, hit buildings and exploded.
Tam Airlines said the right thrust reverser was "deactivated" at the time of the accident. To quote them specifically:
"in conditions stipulated by the maintenance of the manufacturer Airbus and approved by [Brazil's] National Civil Aviation Agency".
Brazil's Globo TV televised that a problem with the right thrust reverser had emerged four days prior to the crash.
The Airbus's manual stipulates that ten days can lapse after a problem is first detected in an inspection and the plane can continue to operate in the meantime.
sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk
http://www.aviation.com/ap_070721_thrustreverser.html
2008/01/27
Pilot Error Down
Blame it on better training.
Blame what? The good news that mishaps due to pilots' poor decision-making declined 71 percent 1983 and 2002.
Thanks to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for doing the research that says that though the overall rate of airline accidents remained stable during that period, the proportion of mishaps involving overall pilot error has decreased 40 per cent.
The study's lead author, Susan P. Baker says, "A 40 percent decline in pilot error-related mishaps is very impressive. Pilot error has long been considered the most prominent contributor to aviation crashes. Trends indicate that great progress has been made to improve the decision-making of pilots and coordination between the aircraft's crew members. However, the improvements have not led to an overall decline in mishaps. The increase in mishaps while aircraft are not moving may require special attention."
Read more about Baker's study in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine.
Blame what? The good news that mishaps due to pilots' poor decision-making declined 71 percent 1983 and 2002.
Thanks to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for doing the research that says that though the overall rate of airline accidents remained stable during that period, the proportion of mishaps involving overall pilot error has decreased 40 per cent.
The study's lead author, Susan P. Baker says, "A 40 percent decline in pilot error-related mishaps is very impressive. Pilot error has long been considered the most prominent contributor to aviation crashes. Trends indicate that great progress has been made to improve the decision-making of pilots and coordination between the aircraft's crew members. However, the improvements have not led to an overall decline in mishaps. The increase in mishaps while aircraft are not moving may require special attention."
Read more about Baker's study in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine.
2008/01/17
Emergency Landing: Flight BA38 British Airways Boeing 777
What: Flight BA38 British Airways Boeing 777
Where: Heathrow
When: January 17 2008
Who: one passenger seriously injured and 12 others slightly hurt.
Why: lost thrust in both engines at 600ft
Initial report stated: drop in temperatures to -105F (-76C) may have caused the fuel in the aircraft to thicken during the flight which meant it was unable to get the additional thrust needed to land.
2008/01/14
Air Traffic Up
Brazilian air traffic has been up for the end of 2007 holiday season. This is news as Brazil's aviation infrastructure has been struggling since a fatal crash of a TAM airliner at Congonhas airport, which was Brazil's main domestic hub, caused disruption and led the government to restrict flights and basically turn over most of the aviation leadership.
2008/01/01
Top Ten Disaster
The Tam Air Crash in Sao Paulo has made a top ten disaster list.
#2. Brazil Plane Crash - Aviators call São Paolo's Congonhas Airport "the aircraft carrier," because landing on its notoriously short runway, surrounded by densely populated residential areas, is as touchy as trying to put down on the deck of a ship at sea. Though a Brazilian court had banned large jets from the airport in February, citing safety concerns, the ban was later overturned. On July 17, the pilot of TAM Airlines Flight JJ3054, tried to land at Congonhas, but realizing he wouldn't be able to stop in time on the rain-slicked tarmac, tried to take off again. He failed. The Airbus A320 skidded across a road, smashed into a gas station and then into a building owned by the airline. The ensuing fireball killed all 186 people on the plane and 13 more on the ground, making this the worst air disaster in Brazilian history.
Read More here
#2. Brazil Plane Crash - Aviators call São Paolo's Congonhas Airport "the aircraft carrier," because landing on its notoriously short runway, surrounded by densely populated residential areas, is as touchy as trying to put down on the deck of a ship at sea. Though a Brazilian court had banned large jets from the airport in February, citing safety concerns, the ban was later overturned. On July 17, the pilot of TAM Airlines Flight JJ3054, tried to land at Congonhas, but realizing he wouldn't be able to stop in time on the rain-slicked tarmac, tried to take off again. He failed. The Airbus A320 skidded across a road, smashed into a gas station and then into a building owned by the airline. The ensuing fireball killed all 186 people on the plane and 13 more on the ground, making this the worst air disaster in Brazilian history.
Read More here
2007/12/25
Recent Airline Accidents since the Tam Air Crash in Sao Paulo
30 November 2007; Atlasjet MD83; near Keciborlu, Turkey:
Domestic flight from Istanbul to Isparta disappeared from radar screens. The crew had requested permission to land and subsequently crashed in mountainous terrain near the town of Keciborlu 7.5 miles from the Isparta airport. All seven crew members and 50 passengers were killed.
16 September 2007; One-Two-Go Airlines MD82; Phuket, Thailand:
Scheduled domestic flight from Bangkok (DMK) to Phuket (HKT). After landing heavy rain and poor visibility , the aircraft skidded off the runway, impacted trees, and caught fire. At least 89 deaths, including 85 of the 123 passengers and five of the seven crew members.
20 August 2007; China Airlines 737-800; Naha, Japan:
After landing at Naha on the island of Okinawa, the left engine caught fire and the crew initiated an emergency evacuation. All 157 passengers (including two toddlers) and eight crew members survived. This event did not result in a passenger death.
9 August 2007; Air Moorea Twin Otter; Moorea, Frech Polynesia:
Scheduled domestic flight from Moorea (MOZ) to Tahiti (PPT) crashed into the ocean shortly after takeoff. The single crew member and all 19 passengers were killed.
Domestic flight from Istanbul to Isparta disappeared from radar screens. The crew had requested permission to land and subsequently crashed in mountainous terrain near the town of Keciborlu 7.5 miles from the Isparta airport. All seven crew members and 50 passengers were killed.
16 September 2007; One-Two-Go Airlines MD82; Phuket, Thailand:
Scheduled domestic flight from Bangkok (DMK) to Phuket (HKT). After landing heavy rain and poor visibility , the aircraft skidded off the runway, impacted trees, and caught fire. At least 89 deaths, including 85 of the 123 passengers and five of the seven crew members.
20 August 2007; China Airlines 737-800; Naha, Japan:
After landing at Naha on the island of Okinawa, the left engine caught fire and the crew initiated an emergency evacuation. All 157 passengers (including two toddlers) and eight crew members survived. This event did not result in a passenger death.
9 August 2007; Air Moorea Twin Otter; Moorea, Frech Polynesia:
Scheduled domestic flight from Moorea (MOZ) to Tahiti (PPT) crashed into the ocean shortly after takeoff. The single crew member and all 19 passengers were killed.
2007/12/05
Brazil Compensation
Defense Minister Nelson Jobim announced Brazilian airlines will have to compensate customers for excessive delays of more than five hours.
During the past 14 months after two fatal plane crashes, the Brazilian government limited flights at certain airports and allowed air-traffic controllers to reduce the number of flights they monitor.
Brazil's federal government is in charge of managing and operating the country's ailing aviation industry, which has been struggling since the GOL and TAM crashes.
During the past 14 months after two fatal plane crashes, the Brazilian government limited flights at certain airports and allowed air-traffic controllers to reduce the number of flights they monitor.
Brazil's federal government is in charge of managing and operating the country's ailing aviation industry, which has been struggling since the GOL and TAM crashes.
2007/12/02
Reali Taxi Aerea responsible for 8 More Dead
The Learjet 35 that crashed on November 4 in São Paulo, Brazil, is responsible for the death of at least eight people. The São Paulo-based Reali Taxi Aerea Learjet was attempting to return to Campo do Marte Airport just after takeoff in light rain. It slammed nose first into a suburban neighborhood. The deceased include the pilot, copilot and at least six people in the residential neighborhood.
The head of Brazil’s National Civilian Aviation Agency, Milton Zuanazzi, resigned in October after two recent aviation accidents: the July crash of a TAM Airbus at Congonhas Airport and the September 2006 midair between a Gol Airlines Boeing 737 and an Embraer Legacy 600.
The head of Brazil’s National Civilian Aviation Agency, Milton Zuanazzi, resigned in October after two recent aviation accidents: the July crash of a TAM Airbus at Congonhas Airport and the September 2006 midair between a Gol Airlines Boeing 737 and an Embraer Legacy 600.
2007/12/01
David Barioni Neto CEO
SAO PAULO, Nov 28 (Reuters) -TAM, Brazil's largest airline appointed David Barioni Neto as its chief executive, replacing Marco Antonio Bologna, who stepped down following disaster after disaster over the past year. Though Bologna resigned, he remains a special adviser to TAM's controlling shareholders, the airline said in a statement.
TAM hired Barioni Neto in September from rival Gol Linhas Aereas
TAM hired Barioni Neto in September from rival Gol Linhas Aereas
Atlasjet Flight 4203 Crash
MD 88 pictured
What: Atlasjet Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 Leased from World Focus Airlines en route from Isparta Airport
Where: mountainous terrain near Isparta.
When: 30 NOV 2007
Who: Crew: Fatalities: 7 Passenger fatalities: 50
Why: MD-83 departed Istanbul at 00:50 on a domestic flight to Isparta. The plane broke into two pieces--fuselage and rear landed in different locations.
Plane's wings and engine were at the top of a hill. Fuselage was 500 feet lower.
Atlasjet before accident
2007/11/23
Brazil's Turbulent Airline Biz
São Paulo-based BRA suspended all operations as it struggles to find financing. Currently Brazil is left with TAM and Gol/Varig, both of which have had their own issues.
2007/11/06
8 Dead in New Crash
Officials of Reali were not immediately available for comment on the crash of the Learjet 35 on Sunday. It was raining at the time, but not badly; the cause of the crash is unknown.
The private jet can carry up to 10 passengers. The first three victims identified were not passengers.
The private jet can carry up to 10 passengers. The first three victims identified were not passengers.
2007/11/04
Sao Paulo Crash Sunday Nov 4
Reali Taxi Aero's small executive Learjet 35 took off in the rain at 14:10 local from Campo de Marte Airport in Sao Paulo and crashed into a house in the Casa Verde neighborhood half a kilometre from the runway after taking off. Eight people died; the bodies of four men, three women and a baby were found in the plane wreckage.
Three others were rescued, including Claudia Lima Fernandes, 30,who was badly burned, and an 11 year old girl.
Other neighborhood houses had to be evacuated and are being evaluated for safety.
Witnesses said that the jet, which took off from Campo de Marte for Rio de Janeiro, ploughed nose first into the houses when it seemed to attempt a return to the airport.
This was Sao Paulo's second large air tragedy this year. On July 17, a TAM Airbus crashed while landing at the Congonhas airport, killing 199 people.
São Paulo is known for its large helicopter fleet. Businessmen often fly the vast city by helicopter to avoid traffic and security threats .However last Monday three helicopters crashed in Sao Paulo in two hours.
Three people died. Five days earlier, after having mechanical problems, an air force plane crashed north of Sao Paulo, There were no casualties.
Three others were rescued, including Claudia Lima Fernandes, 30,who was badly burned, and an 11 year old girl.
Other neighborhood houses had to be evacuated and are being evaluated for safety.
Witnesses said that the jet, which took off from Campo de Marte for Rio de Janeiro, ploughed nose first into the houses when it seemed to attempt a return to the airport.
This was Sao Paulo's second large air tragedy this year. On July 17, a TAM Airbus crashed while landing at the Congonhas airport, killing 199 people.
São Paulo is known for its large helicopter fleet. Businessmen often fly the vast city by helicopter to avoid traffic and security threats .However last Monday three helicopters crashed in Sao Paulo in two hours.
Three people died. Five days earlier, after having mechanical problems, an air force plane crashed north of Sao Paulo, There were no casualties.
2007/11/01
Chairman Resigns!
At a press conference Oct 31 in Brasília, Board Chairman Milton Zuanazzi, the last remaining member of ANAC's former board of directors of the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) announced his resignation from the board.
Zuanazz based his decision on claims that the National Civil Aviation Agency was the “scapegoat” for Brazil's current air crisis.
He said publicly that he “would not like to work” with Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, a position which is certainly understandable since Jobim has been trying to remove him since July.
He delayed his resignation to the current time to allow Jobim to find new directors. Zuanazzi says that Jobim is not well-informed about Brazil's aviation system, and classifies some of his proposals as "reckless." The last straw was Defense Minister Nelson Jobim's proposal to increase the required distance between airplane seats. Doing so would force carriers to raise fares, Zuanazzi said.
One wonders how raising the distance between airplane seats will increase the safety factor, which is at the root of the whole aviation problem in Brazil.
Zuanazz recommends Civil Aviation Secretary Solange Paiva Vieira to be his replacement.
Zuanazz based his decision on claims that the National Civil Aviation Agency was the “scapegoat” for Brazil's current air crisis.
He said publicly that he “would not like to work” with Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, a position which is certainly understandable since Jobim has been trying to remove him since July.
He delayed his resignation to the current time to allow Jobim to find new directors. Zuanazzi says that Jobim is not well-informed about Brazil's aviation system, and classifies some of his proposals as "reckless." The last straw was Defense Minister Nelson Jobim's proposal to increase the required distance between airplane seats. Doing so would force carriers to raise fares, Zuanazzi said.
One wonders how raising the distance between airplane seats will increase the safety factor, which is at the root of the whole aviation problem in Brazil.
Zuanazz recommends Civil Aviation Secretary Solange Paiva Vieira to be his replacement.
Tam Air Threatens Football's Future
Fifa, football's world governing body has awarded the 2014 tournament to Brazil--a brave move, considering that Brazil's justice ministry has recorded 150 murders per day in Brazil, and the state of Brazil's aviation industry is less than stellar.
Currently it only takes a brief thunderstorm in Sao Paulo to knock out Brazil's domestic air system. Congonhas airport must shut during storms, which has a domino effect.
Two major crashes occurred in the past 13 months:
Gol-In September last year- 155 people died when a Boeing 737-800 operated by domestic company Gol collided with an executive jet
Tam-In July,- 187 people were killed when an Airbus A320 overshot the runway at Congonhas.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is quoted as saying "Our aviation system, in spite of the investments we have made in expansion and modernisation, is passing through difficulties."
An overland journey from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus takes 60 hours on a bus to Belem, followed by several days on a boat down the Amazon river. There is no astrobus.
Currently it only takes a brief thunderstorm in Sao Paulo to knock out Brazil's domestic air system. Congonhas airport must shut during storms, which has a domino effect.
Two major crashes occurred in the past 13 months:
Gol-In September last year- 155 people died when a Boeing 737-800 operated by domestic company Gol collided with an executive jet
Tam-In July,- 187 people were killed when an Airbus A320 overshot the runway at Congonhas.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is quoted as saying "Our aviation system, in spite of the investments we have made in expansion and modernisation, is passing through difficulties."
An overland journey from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus takes 60 hours on a bus to Belem, followed by several days on a boat down the Amazon river. There is no astrobus.
2007/10/25
Tam: Business as usual?
With July's fatal crash and a year of turmoil in the Brazilian airline sector, it has been a tough year for Brazil's TAM Linhas Aéreas. Following months of air traffic controller strikes, airport delays and flight cancellations, one of Tam's Airbus A320s overran the runway at São Paulo Congonhas airport in a catastrophe that claimed 199 lives.
TAM president Marco Antonio Bologna has been feeling the brunt of Brazil's favorite blame game: "who is responsible?" Bologna is reluctant to discuss the accident other than to describe the measures taken by TAM to assist the victims' families.
What did cause the crash?
Brazil's aviation industry continues on in a climate of fear and mistrust.
TAM president Marco Antonio Bologna has been feeling the brunt of Brazil's favorite blame game: "who is responsible?" Bologna is reluctant to discuss the accident other than to describe the measures taken by TAM to assist the victims' families.
What did cause the crash?
Brazil's aviation industry continues on in a climate of fear and mistrust.
2007/10/23
Pleas for Brazil to Drop Criminal Investigation
Brazil's air traffic control problem did not begin in July when a TAM Linhas Aereas SA Airbus crashed into a warehouse in Sao Paulo, killing 199 people. There was another crash the year before, a crash which led to a criminal investigation.
The criminal investigation relates to this event: the mid-air collision between a GOL Boeing 737-800 and an Embraer Legacy executive jet last year The Boeing crashed into the Amazon jungle, killing all 154 people onboard. The business jet landed safely.
The International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations claims that "The bottom line is they've got the cart in front of the horse on this. If they're serious about improving air safety in Brazil, they've got to wait for the (technical) report and swiftly apply any recommendations made by it."
IFALPA is asking the Brazilian government to suspend the legislative inquiry and the Justice Ministry to adjourn criminal proceedings."
Joseph Lepore of Bay Shore, New York, and Jan Paladino of Westhampton Beach, New York are the Legacy's two American pilots. Additionally four Brazilian controllers face charges in the criminal case in connection with the accident.
The probe by Brazil's air accident investigation body has yet to publish its findings.
The pilots' association claims that "A Federal Police investigation running in parallel with the independent accident investigation ... risks obscuring the benefits of a proper investigation." The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers also criticizes the police probe.
U.S. and Brazilian officials say the Legacy's transponder and its collision-avoidance system were not functioning at the time of the crash, and that this went unnoticed by its American pilots. However, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warns that pilots flying Embraer Legacy executive jets can accidentally switch off the transponder when placing their feet on a footrest under the instrument panel. The pilot's left shoe can touch the switch controlling both instruments and accidentally switch them into "standby" mode.
The criminal investigation relates to this event: the mid-air collision between a GOL Boeing 737-800 and an Embraer Legacy executive jet last year The Boeing crashed into the Amazon jungle, killing all 154 people onboard. The business jet landed safely.
The International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations claims that "The bottom line is they've got the cart in front of the horse on this. If they're serious about improving air safety in Brazil, they've got to wait for the (technical) report and swiftly apply any recommendations made by it."
IFALPA is asking the Brazilian government to suspend the legislative inquiry and the Justice Ministry to adjourn criminal proceedings."
CRIMINAL CHARGES
Joseph Lepore of Bay Shore, New York, and Jan Paladino of Westhampton Beach, New York are the Legacy's two American pilots. Additionally four Brazilian controllers face charges in the criminal case in connection with the accident.
The probe by Brazil's air accident investigation body has yet to publish its findings.
The pilots' association claims that "A Federal Police investigation running in parallel with the independent accident investigation ... risks obscuring the benefits of a proper investigation." The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers also criticizes the police probe.
U.S. and Brazilian officials say the Legacy's transponder and its collision-avoidance system were not functioning at the time of the crash, and that this went unnoticed by its American pilots. However, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warns that pilots flying Embraer Legacy executive jets can accidentally switch off the transponder when placing their feet on a footrest under the instrument panel. The pilot's left shoe can touch the switch controlling both instruments and accidentally switch them into "standby" mode.
2007/10/20
Gol Linhas Aereas Buyback Under Consideration
The Tam Air crash revealed defects in Brazil's civil aviation system. The system has been stressed subsequent to air traffic controller strikes and work slowdowns that have been causing mass delays and cancellations and damaged Brazilian airlines.
Gol Linhas Aereas Intelligentes SA shares dropped since Brazil's deadliest air accident in.July, when theTAM passenger jet crashed in Sao Paulo and killed 199 people.
Following the crash, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva responded to pressure by firing the defense minister in charge of civil aviation, and the government is imposing a plan to reduce air traffic at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport, the site of the crash and the nation's busiest airport.
The family-run fund that controls the company announced it is considering a share buyback.
Gol Linhas Aereas Intelligentes SA shares dropped since Brazil's deadliest air accident in.July, when theTAM passenger jet crashed in Sao Paulo and killed 199 people.
Following the crash, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva responded to pressure by firing the defense minister in charge of civil aviation, and the government is imposing a plan to reduce air traffic at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport, the site of the crash and the nation's busiest airport.
The family-run fund that controls the company announced it is considering a share buyback.
2007/10/04
Gol Goes On and On
According to Brazil's Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, critics are "playing politics" when they disparage the state of Brazil's aviation industry, in which occured in the past year, the crash of a Gol jetliner over the Amazon in which 154 people died, and July's disaster when an Airbus crashed into a warehouse in Sao Paulo killing 199 people.
Nevertheless, during a seminar in the United States, the President of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers, Marc Baumgartner criticized the Brazilian Air Force which oversees Brazil's air traffic control system for trying to punish the controllers. "The Brazilian Air Force invested lots of energy to arrest and prosecute its own workers but none to fix its (air traffic control) system." He also said that "it's a question of time before a new air accident happens again in Brazil."
So far, a military court has declined to indict five Brazilian air traffic controllers for the GOL crash. Two American pilots face charges in a civilian criminal court in connection with the same crash. A Congressional commission report supports the indictment of pilots Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino.
Nevertheless, during a seminar in the United States, the President of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers, Marc Baumgartner criticized the Brazilian Air Force which oversees Brazil's air traffic control system for trying to punish the controllers. "The Brazilian Air Force invested lots of energy to arrest and prosecute its own workers but none to fix its (air traffic control) system." He also said that "it's a question of time before a new air accident happens again in Brazil."
So far, a military court has declined to indict five Brazilian air traffic controllers for the GOL crash. Two American pilots face charges in a civilian criminal court in connection with the same crash. A Congressional commission report supports the indictment of pilots Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino.
2007/10/01
Flight Recorder Details Heard
Just before TAM Airlines Flight 3054 skidded off a runway and exploded as it slammed into a building, pilots screamed, “Slow down!” and “Turn, turn, turn!” as recorded by flight recorder transcripts disclosed Wednesday.
If the congressional commission investigating air safety find that mechanical failure or pilot error contributed to the accident in São Paulo, that conclusion would take some heat off a government widely blamed for failing to improve the challenging runway. Pilots worldwide liken landing on it to landing on an aircraft carrier.
According to the tapes, pilots were unable to activate the spoilers, aerodynamic brakes on the Airbus A320’s wings, as they touched down on the short, rain-slicked runway at Congonhas airport, according to the transcripts.
The pilot, Kleyber Lima, 54, said “Only one reverser — spoiler nothing,” in the transcript, the first indication that something was wrong. The co-pilot, Henrique Stephanini Di Sacco, 54, says: “Look at that. Slow down, slow down.” Mr. Lima replies: “I can’t. I can’t. Oh my God! Oh my God!” Mr. Di Sacco’s last words are: “Go! Go! Turn! Turn! Turn!”
The recording ends with screams and a woman’s voice, followed by an explosion.
The July 17 crash killed all 187 people aboard the jetliner and 12 people on the ground.
One of the two thrust reversers used to slow planes during landings, was inoperative. The airport’s runway is so short that pilots are warned to abort landings if they make any errors while touching down. TAM’s press office declined comment until the investigation is finished.
Airbus spokeswoman, Barbara Kracht, said the aircraft manufacturer could not comment on the investigation, citing international aviation rules.
If the congressional commission investigating air safety find that mechanical failure or pilot error contributed to the accident in São Paulo, that conclusion would take some heat off a government widely blamed for failing to improve the challenging runway. Pilots worldwide liken landing on it to landing on an aircraft carrier.
According to the tapes, pilots were unable to activate the spoilers, aerodynamic brakes on the Airbus A320’s wings, as they touched down on the short, rain-slicked runway at Congonhas airport, according to the transcripts.
The pilot, Kleyber Lima, 54, said “Only one reverser — spoiler nothing,” in the transcript, the first indication that something was wrong. The co-pilot, Henrique Stephanini Di Sacco, 54, says: “Look at that. Slow down, slow down.” Mr. Lima replies: “I can’t. I can’t. Oh my God! Oh my God!” Mr. Di Sacco’s last words are: “Go! Go! Turn! Turn! Turn!”
The recording ends with screams and a woman’s voice, followed by an explosion.
The July 17 crash killed all 187 people aboard the jetliner and 12 people on the ground.
One of the two thrust reversers used to slow planes during landings, was inoperative. The airport’s runway is so short that pilots are warned to abort landings if they make any errors while touching down. TAM’s press office declined comment until the investigation is finished.
Airbus spokeswoman, Barbara Kracht, said the aircraft manufacturer could not comment on the investigation, citing international aviation rules.
2007/09/24
Proposed Brazilian Airline Restrictions
Defense Minister Nelson Jobim announced plans to for an escape area at the end of the notorious Congonhas runway and limits on operations in wet conditions.
Proposed rules would restrict destinations to a 620-mile radius of the Congonhas airport; it would also bar connecting flights
Plans include limiting the number of passengers, and restricting takeoffs/landings to 33 hourly, and cutting passenger capacity from 5,100 per hour to 4,700.
Operations at Brazil's busiest airport were reviewed after an airliner ran off the runway and crashed into a building on July 17, the deadliest air accident in the country's history. The 620-mile limit would eliminate tourist destinations in the northeast. One wonders if they are deliberately targeting the American market.
Proposed rules would restrict destinations to a 620-mile radius of the Congonhas airport; it would also bar connecting flights
Plans include limiting the number of passengers, and restricting takeoffs/landings to 33 hourly, and cutting passenger capacity from 5,100 per hour to 4,700.
Operations at Brazil's busiest airport were reviewed after an airliner ran off the runway and crashed into a building on July 17, the deadliest air accident in the country's history. The 620-mile limit would eliminate tourist destinations in the northeast. One wonders if they are deliberately targeting the American market.
2007/09/20
Brazil Regulator Proposes Restrictions
For Immediate Release
Sept 20, 2007
SAO PAULO, Brazil-Brazil's civil aviation regulator proposed restricting flights at the nation's busiest airport on Thursday, hoping to improve safety at the site of the nation's deadliest plane crash.
The rules proposed by the Civil Aviation Authority would restrict destinations to a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) radius of the Congonhas airport and would bar connecting flights from the airport.
The Defense Ministry will now assess the report, and Defense Minister Nelson Jobim announced separately that authorities will decide within one month the precise location for construction of a third runway at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos airport.
Guarulhos handled mostly international flights before the July 17 crash at Congonhas, but many domestic flights were transferred there after the crash, prompting officials to revive a long dormant plan for the extra runway.
As many as 5,000 families living near Guarulhos may have to be relocated to make way for the runway, depending on the location selected, Brazil's Agencia Estado news service said.
The proposals grow out of a review of operations at Congonhas following the crash in which a TAM airliner ran off the runway and slammed into a building two months ago, killing 199 people.
Officials have not determined a cause, but many experts have said that Congonhas' main runway is too short and that the airport _ Brazil's busiest _ handles far too many flights.
The 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) limit would let airlines fly to key destinations such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and cities in southern Brazil, but not to tourist destinations in the northeast.
TAM Linhas Aeras SA and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes _ Brazil's two largest airlines _ previously used Congonhas as a major hub, but are now reorganizing operations.
The regulators also proposed limiting the number of passengers aboard flights, and restricting takeoffs and landings to 33 per hour at Congonhas, cutting overall passenger capacity at the airport to 4,700 per hour from 5,100 per hour.
Jobim, whose ministry oversees Brazilian civil aviation, earlier announced plans to for an escape area at the end of the runway and limits on operations in wet conditions.
Sept 20, 2007
SAO PAULO, Brazil-Brazil's civil aviation regulator proposed restricting flights at the nation's busiest airport on Thursday, hoping to improve safety at the site of the nation's deadliest plane crash.
The rules proposed by the Civil Aviation Authority would restrict destinations to a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) radius of the Congonhas airport and would bar connecting flights from the airport.
The Defense Ministry will now assess the report, and Defense Minister Nelson Jobim announced separately that authorities will decide within one month the precise location for construction of a third runway at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos airport.
Guarulhos handled mostly international flights before the July 17 crash at Congonhas, but many domestic flights were transferred there after the crash, prompting officials to revive a long dormant plan for the extra runway.
As many as 5,000 families living near Guarulhos may have to be relocated to make way for the runway, depending on the location selected, Brazil's Agencia Estado news service said.
The proposals grow out of a review of operations at Congonhas following the crash in which a TAM airliner ran off the runway and slammed into a building two months ago, killing 199 people.
Officials have not determined a cause, but many experts have said that Congonhas' main runway is too short and that the airport _ Brazil's busiest _ handles far too many flights.
The 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) limit would let airlines fly to key destinations such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and cities in southern Brazil, but not to tourist destinations in the northeast.
TAM Linhas Aeras SA and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes _ Brazil's two largest airlines _ previously used Congonhas as a major hub, but are now reorganizing operations.
The regulators also proposed limiting the number of passengers aboard flights, and restricting takeoffs and landings to 33 per hour at Congonhas, cutting overall passenger capacity at the airport to 4,700 per hour from 5,100 per hour.
Jobim, whose ministry oversees Brazilian civil aviation, earlier announced plans to for an escape area at the end of the runway and limits on operations in wet conditions.
2007/09/19
One Two Go Disaster
Perth expatriate Robert Borland, 48, survived Sunday's crash of discount airline One-Two-Go when it slid off the runway and burst into flames on the island resort of Phuket. Borland's family wants to find the man who rescued him from the burning plane. 89 passengers and crew were killed, and 41 injured. 57 of the injured were foreigners. Forensic police have now identified 21 of the foreign victims Civil aviation officials have said the pilot had received permission to abort the landing at the last minute.
There were no survivors of the Tam Airbus crush on July 18. All 186 people aboard the ill-fated Brazilian TAM flight 3054 died in a fiery crash in Sao Paulo. Thirteen people on the ground also were killed. The Airbus 320 careened off the notoriously short runway upon landing at Sao Paulo's Cagonhas airport, skidded across a crowded avenue and slammed into a warehouse where it burst into flames.
Though nearly 1.5 million dollars in indemnities to families of victims, only one case has settled. Other of the Tam Air cases are in negotiation. Counselling treatment and funeral costs are also expected to be covered.
There were no survivors of the Tam Airbus crush on July 18. All 186 people aboard the ill-fated Brazilian TAM flight 3054 died in a fiery crash in Sao Paulo. Thirteen people on the ground also were killed. The Airbus 320 careened off the notoriously short runway upon landing at Sao Paulo's Cagonhas airport, skidded across a crowded avenue and slammed into a warehouse where it burst into flames.
Though nearly 1.5 million dollars in indemnities to families of victims, only one case has settled. Other of the Tam Air cases are in negotiation. Counselling treatment and funeral costs are also expected to be covered.
2007/09/15
1.5 Million paid
On July 18, all 186 people aboard the ill-fated Brazilian TAM flight 3054 died in a fiery crash in Sao Paulo. Thirteen people on the ground also were killed. The Airbus 320 careened off the notoriously short runway upon landing at Sao Paulo's Cagonhas airport, skidded across a crowded avenue and slammed into a warehouse where it burst into flames.
Though TAM announced Saturday it has paid nearly 1.5 million dollars in indemnities to families of victims, as of Thursday, only one case has settled.
Ninety-nine victim's relatives were indemnified, at 30,000 reales per victim, for a total of nearly three million reales.
Food and lodging expenses for families who traveled to the Sao Paulo airport in the days after th crash of flight 3054, as well as psychological treatment and funeral costs were also defrayed by the airline.
Though TAM announced Saturday it has paid nearly 1.5 million dollars in indemnities to families of victims, as of Thursday, only one case has settled.
Ninety-nine victim's relatives were indemnified, at 30,000 reales per victim, for a total of nearly three million reales.
Food and lodging expenses for families who traveled to the Sao Paulo airport in the days after th crash of flight 3054, as well as psychological treatment and funeral costs were also defrayed by the airline.
Latin Airports Plagued with Problems
Brazilian officials have yet to agree on exactly what caused a TAM airliner to skid off the rain-slicked runway at Congonhas on July 17, killing all 187 aboard and 12 on the ground. Critics claim the runway is too short and lacks grooves to prevent skidding during wet weather.
Mountains increase the risks at airports in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and Quito, Ecuador.
Birds pose problems at airports in Panama City; Guayaquil, Ecuador; and Barranquilla, Colombia. A single bird sucked into an engine can down a plane.
Six hundred vultures have closed Barranquilla's airport for two hours daily since June 19, Illegal dumping by squatters around the airport attracts the birds.
Peter Cerda, a Miami-based specialist in air safety said, ''We don't have any airport in the region that we consider to be unsafe, including Congonhas,''
Mexico City already has modernized approach and departure procedures, allowing airliners to shave a few minutes off flights, and it is getting a new terminal later this year that will increase gates from 33 to 59. But air traffic there will remain congested because the airport's two runways are too close together to permit simultaneous use.
A similar plan in Brazil has yet to get under way.
Mountains increase the risks at airports in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and Quito, Ecuador.
Birds pose problems at airports in Panama City; Guayaquil, Ecuador; and Barranquilla, Colombia. A single bird sucked into an engine can down a plane.
Six hundred vultures have closed Barranquilla's airport for two hours daily since June 19, Illegal dumping by squatters around the airport attracts the birds.
Peter Cerda, a Miami-based specialist in air safety said, ''We don't have any airport in the region that we consider to be unsafe, including Congonhas,''
Mexico City already has modernized approach and departure procedures, allowing airliners to shave a few minutes off flights, and it is getting a new terminal later this year that will increase gates from 33 to 59. But air traffic there will remain congested because the airport's two runways are too close together to permit simultaneous use.
A similar plan in Brazil has yet to get under way.
2007/09/13
How the Airbus Brakes
An A320 gets three devices to brake
- The wheel brakes. Click here to download the pdf of 2005 Airworthiness Directive is published by the DGAC on behalf of EASA, Airworthiness Authority of the State of Design. This is directive is not directly related to the Brazil crash.
- The spoilers or air-brake: small panels located on the wings that help braking by increasing the drag of the wings and giving the aircraft's wheels better traction.
- The thrust reversers: engine device ejecting engine airflow forward, thus braking the plane.
Interested in more about the Airbus? Airbus Flight Crew Training Manual.pdf
TAM Linhas Aéreas Crash on 17th July Airbus A320-233 Paulo, Brazil
TAM Flight 3054 was a regular flight from Porto Alegre, Brazil, to São Paulo-Congonhas, Brazil.
FACTS
- The plane was carrying 181 passengers, all of whom died in the crash.
- The plane was carrying 6 crewmembers, all of whom died in the crash.
- The plane killed 11 people on the ground, all of whom died in the crash.
- The Airbus A320 skid off the end of the rain-soaked runway cleared the airport fence and slammed into a TAM building.
- A video shows the plane touching down then speeding up.
- One of the Airbus 320's two thrust reversers was deactivated.
- Flying with only one thrust reverser is allowed and considered "safe", but reduces braking power.
TAM AIRBUS Thrust Reverser 'OFF'
Tam Airlines admits a thrust reverser had been deactivated during maintenance checks.
Tam Airlines insists the deactivation was in accordance with accepted procedures. Thrust reversers assist jets to slow down on landing.
The Tam Airlines' Airbus 320 overshot the runway at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport, hit buildings and exploded. Speculation continues but there is no confirmation on the crash's cause. The same plane had problems landing at Congonhas a day prior the crash when it had barely managed to stop at the limit of the runway. The report said that the pilot told air traffic controllers it was very slippery.
The right thrust reverser was "deactivated" at the time of the accident "in conditions stipulated by the maintenance of the manufacturer Airbus and approved by [Brazil's] National Civil Aviation Agency" according to Tam Airlines. The Airbus's manual says an inspection can be done up to 10 days after it is first detected and that the plane can continue to operate in the meantime.
The crash occurred in wet conditions runway that has been criticized as being too short, and whose new surface had not yet been properly surfaced to handle rain.
Video footage shows a few final moments of the Tam Airlines flight, and a similar plane that had arrived earlier. The Tam plane appears to be traveling at a higher than normal speed.The first aircraft apparently takes eleven seconds to travel along the visible section, while the plane that crashed covers the same distance in three. The Airbus 320 jet appears to continue speeding along the runway without slowing, before disappearing out of view. The flash of an explosion is then seen.
The Brazilian air force believes the footage shows the plane was traveling at excessive speed, according to Globo TV. One theory speculates that the pilot tried to take off again. Instead, the aircraft crossed the road and ploughed into a Tam Airlines building.
Brig Jorge Kersul Filho, director of the Air Force's Centre for Investigation and Prevention of Air Accidents, said, ""That he jumped over the avenue was an indication he tried to take off. If he didn't [try to take off] he would have gone nose down at the end of the runway."
Tam Airlines insists the deactivation was in accordance with accepted procedures. Thrust reversers assist jets to slow down on landing.
The Tam Airlines' Airbus 320 overshot the runway at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport, hit buildings and exploded. Speculation continues but there is no confirmation on the crash's cause. The same plane had problems landing at Congonhas a day prior the crash when it had barely managed to stop at the limit of the runway. The report said that the pilot told air traffic controllers it was very slippery.
The right thrust reverser was "deactivated" at the time of the accident "in conditions stipulated by the maintenance of the manufacturer Airbus and approved by [Brazil's] National Civil Aviation Agency" according to Tam Airlines. The Airbus's manual says an inspection can be done up to 10 days after it is first detected and that the plane can continue to operate in the meantime.
The crash occurred in wet conditions runway that has been criticized as being too short, and whose new surface had not yet been properly surfaced to handle rain.
Video footage shows a few final moments of the Tam Airlines flight, and a similar plane that had arrived earlier. The Tam plane appears to be traveling at a higher than normal speed.The first aircraft apparently takes eleven seconds to travel along the visible section, while the plane that crashed covers the same distance in three. The Airbus 320 jet appears to continue speeding along the runway without slowing, before disappearing out of view. The flash of an explosion is then seen.
The Brazilian air force believes the footage shows the plane was traveling at excessive speed, according to Globo TV. One theory speculates that the pilot tried to take off again. Instead, the aircraft crossed the road and ploughed into a Tam Airlines building.
Brig Jorge Kersul Filho, director of the Air Force's Centre for Investigation and Prevention of Air Accidents, said, ""That he jumped over the avenue was an indication he tried to take off. If he didn't [try to take off] he would have gone nose down at the end of the runway."
2007/09/09
Has Brazil Overcome its Aeronautic Crisis?
Three ANAC directors ( Denise Abreu, Jorge Luiz Veloso and Leur Lomanto) have resigned, leading ANAC ( Brazil's National Civil Aeronautics Agency) to claim that the country's aeronautic crisis has been overcome--a political move laying the blame of the entire system on the heads of three individuals.
President Lula told local radio that "problems still exist at the airports." Statistics show that 11 percent of flights, 20 percent of which were canceled, were delayed during the holidays on Independence Day.
ANAC claims that problems began in Sept. 2006, when a GOL plane crashed in Mato Gross, killing 154, but the problem stems from a much earlier budget cut. The air disaster merely drew attention to the growing problem. The underfunded Brazilian air system has suffered from cutbacks and lowered standards across the board. Planes have been out of service for maintenance, and the airline Varig stopped flying.
When overworked traffic controllers stated their demands, a group of them was transferred from Air Defense to Civil Aviation.
After the TAM plane crash in July, killing 200 people, the Congonhas runway (known for its abbreviated length) in Sao Paulo was closed for resurfacing.
Replacements for Denise Abreu, Jorge Luiz Veloso and Leur Lomanto, have not been selected.
President Lula told local radio that "problems still exist at the airports." Statistics show that 11 percent of flights, 20 percent of which were canceled, were delayed during the holidays on Independence Day.
ANAC claims that problems began in Sept. 2006, when a GOL plane crashed in Mato Gross, killing 154, but the problem stems from a much earlier budget cut. The air disaster merely drew attention to the growing problem. The underfunded Brazilian air system has suffered from cutbacks and lowered standards across the board. Planes have been out of service for maintenance, and the airline Varig stopped flying.
When overworked traffic controllers stated their demands, a group of them was transferred from Air Defense to Civil Aviation.
After the TAM plane crash in July, killing 200 people, the Congonhas runway (known for its abbreviated length) in Sao Paulo was closed for resurfacing.
Replacements for Denise Abreu, Jorge Luiz Veloso and Leur Lomanto, have not been selected.
2007/09/04
TAM to delay expansion plans due to Brazil’s civil aviation chaos
TAM Linhas Aereas has postponed plans to increase its fleet of Airbus jets from 2008 to 2011 allegedly because of a drop in demand for domestic air travel.
It will cut demand for narrow-body Airbus jets by five planes a year. Previous plans included 103 narrow-body jets in 2008, 106 in 2009, 112 in 2010 and 115 in 2011.
Brazil's Aviation Industry has been in crisis for the past year due to overcrowding, air traffic controller strikes and massive delays, not to mention suffering from the consequences of the Sao Paolo air crash. A TAM Airbus 320 crashed at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport in July, killing 199 people. This crash at Brazil's busiest domestic airport led the government to review use of the airport.
It currently flies to Paris, London and Milan in Europe and New York and Miami. TAM plans to leave international flights unchanged. It plans to start flights to Frankfurt from November 30 and to start daily flights to Madrid by December. TAM said it is sticking to its forecast of a 10 to 15% rise in domestic demand in 2007.
TAM has orders for 51 narrow-bodied Airbus jets, which include the A319, A320 and A321, and orders for 10 A330 planes through 2011. It had ordered four additional Boeing 777-300ER planes worth 1 billion US dollars. Boeing said TAM was the first Latin American airline to add the long-range jetliner to its fleet.
The new planes will help the company save fuel and increase its presence in the international market. It is set to receive its first of the planes in June 2008.
The competition, GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, has a reduced fleet plan this year.
It will cut demand for narrow-body Airbus jets by five planes a year. Previous plans included 103 narrow-body jets in 2008, 106 in 2009, 112 in 2010 and 115 in 2011.
Brazil's Aviation Industry has been in crisis for the past year due to overcrowding, air traffic controller strikes and massive delays, not to mention suffering from the consequences of the Sao Paolo air crash. A TAM Airbus 320 crashed at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport in July, killing 199 people. This crash at Brazil's busiest domestic airport led the government to review use of the airport.
It currently flies to Paris, London and Milan in Europe and New York and Miami. TAM plans to leave international flights unchanged. It plans to start flights to Frankfurt from November 30 and to start daily flights to Madrid by December. TAM said it is sticking to its forecast of a 10 to 15% rise in domestic demand in 2007.
TAM has orders for 51 narrow-bodied Airbus jets, which include the A319, A320 and A321, and orders for 10 A330 planes through 2011. It had ordered four additional Boeing 777-300ER planes worth 1 billion US dollars. Boeing said TAM was the first Latin American airline to add the long-range jetliner to its fleet.
The new planes will help the company save fuel and increase its presence in the international market. It is set to receive its first of the planes in June 2008.
The competition, GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, has a reduced fleet plan this year.
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