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.
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