AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*Irish budget Airline RYANAIR has quashed suggestions that it might make another attempt to take over flag-carrier AER LINGUS. Ryanair has twice been blocked from acquiring Aer Lingus. While it had previously indicated that it would not try again, the recent deterioration of Aer Lingus' financial situation has raised questions as to whether Ryanair might be tempted. But the budget carrier insists today that it is not preparing a 3rd bid. "In the absence of any decision by the Irish Government to sell its 25% stake, a 3rd bid by Ryanair remains highly unlikely," a statement said.

*Transport Canada says reports that books and magazines purchased pre-security will not be allowed on Canadian flights are incorrect, and the result of a misunderstanding. Several media sources reported that the reading material would not be allowed on airplanes unless it was purchased after a passenger cleared security. The confusion was based on a list of 13 "approved" items that would be allowed, and books and magazines were not among them. In a statement yesterday, a spokeswoman said screeners have some discretion in what they may allow through security, and that books, magazines, and children's toys are among those discretionary items.

*A MACK AIR Cessna Grand Caravan suffered substantial damages when it crashed on takeoff yesterday from Piajo Airstrip in Botswana. The Caravan was on Non-Scheduled Domestic Service from Piajo Airstrip, which is in Okavango Delta, with 6 passengers and crew onboard, when the accident took place. According to media reports, the Caravan suffered engine failure on takeoff, and then crashed and overturned in a flooded plain. All 6 passengers and crew were injured, however none of the injuries are said to be life threatening. Mack Air provides charter aircraft for aerial photography, tourist travel and supply flights to game lodges, medical evacuations and scenic flights in Botswana and surrounding countries. An investigation into the crash has been launched.

*AIR BERLIN reported yesterday that the Boeing 737 that was involved in a runway mishap on January 3, will return to service. On that date, Flight 2450 had to reject takeoff in heavy snow from Dortmund, Germany, due to disagreeing air speeds between the Captain and Co-Pilot. The crew was unable to stop the aircraft on the runway, and the 737 overran the runway, ending up on soft ground. None of the 165 passengers or 6 crew members onboard, were injured in the incident. Yesterday, Air Berlin stated that a complete inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft, and that it would return to service today.

*A SWISS A340 required an Emergency Services response upon landing yesterday at Tokyo Narita Airport in Japan. Flight 160, on International Service from Zurich, Switzerland, with 226 passengers and crew onboard, had just landed, when another aircraft reported smoke coming from the left hand main gear. Emergency Services were deployed and they found leaking hydraulic fluid coming from the landing gear. Passengers were then offloaded and the aircraft towed for repairs. According to media reports, the A340 was repaired and returned to service in about 2 hours time.

*A MESABA AIRLINES Saab 340B had to make an emergency return to Sioux City, Iowa, on Wednesday, January 6. Flight 3265 was on Domestic Service on behalf of NORTHWEST AIRLINES, to Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, with 31 passengers and crew onboard. While climbing to 10000 feet, the crew reported problems with an engine, and were going to shut the engine down. The Saab landed back at Sioux City without incident, about 20 minutes after its initial departure. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and repair.

*A male passenger was removed from a NORTHWEST AIRLINES jet at Miami, Florida, and charged with disorderly conduct and other offenses, on Wednesday, January 6. The aircraft was preparing to depart Miami on Domestic Service to Detroit, Michigan. According to media reports, the man was arrested just minutes before departure when he screamed "kill all the Jews". It is not known what provoked the man. According to the Miami-Dade Police, the man is in jail and facing several charges for threats, disorderly conduct and resisting his arrest without violence. According to a spokeswoman, he will be prosecuted.

*A JETBLUE ERJ190 had to make an emergency return to New York JFK, on Wednesday, January 6. Flight 5103, on Domestic Service to Nashville, Tennessee, was climing thru 15000 feet, about 8 minutes after takeoff, when the crew reported engine vibrations. After leveling off at 17000 feet, the crew requested to return. While on approach to runway 31R, ATC notified Flight 5103 that parts of an engine, most likely from their aircraft, had been found on the runway 31R. The crew entered into a holding pattern, as all other runways were not available. Shortly thereafter, the crew notified ATC of ice building up on its wings, thus they were cleared to 3000 feet, and a short time later landed back at JFK without incident. The aircraft was then removed from service for a full inspection and repairs.

*A MERIDIANA A319 had to make an emergency return to Florence, Italy, on Wednesday, January 6, due to a bird strike. Flight 3613, on International Service to Madrid, Spain, struck 2 birds while rotating for takeoff. The crew continued to takeoff, but returned for a safe landing back at Florence 15 minutes later. A post flight inspection revealed no damage to the airliner and it was returned to service later the same day.

*An AMERICAN EAGLE ATR72 suffered a jammed elevator, on December 25. The incident came to light yesterday with a report from the NTSB. Flight 4756 was on Domestic Service from Midland to Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas, with 41 passengers and 4 crew members onboard. While inflight with autopilot on, the crew received a pitch mistrim message. The crew the disconnected the autopilot and found both columns restriced in their fore and aft movements. The crew attempted to troubleshoot the jammed elevator without success. After slowing down the ATR, the crew began to regain better control of the aircraft, however while on approach to DFW, the elevator jammed again. The crew abandoned their approach and performed a go-around. The crew landed without incident on its 2nd approach and while on taxi to the gate, the elevator unjammed. The NTSB stated in their report that they found fractured brackets in the elevator, which restricted the movement. As part of their investigation, the NTSB removed the left elevator and fractured pieces, long with both cockpit recorders, for futher analysis. The investigation continues.