AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*ALASKA AIRLINES unveiled its new Portland Timbers livery on a Boeing 737-700 in Portland, Oregon, on Friday morning. The Timbers are Portland's Major League soccer team and Alaska is the official carrier for the team. The special livery will fly a normal rotation throughout the carriers route system.

*An EASYJET Airbus A320, registration G-EZUI, has been painted in an inverted livery. The aircraft, which is due for delivery shortly, was photographed in Hamburg, Germany, shortly after leaving the paintshop.

*Finland's Onnettomuustutkintakeskus (Accident Investigation Board AIBF) have released their Final Report into an incident involving a FINNCOMM ATR72 near Helsinki, Finland, on July 5, 2010. On that date, Flight 256 was on Domestic Service from Kuopio to Helsinki, with 18 passengers and 4 crew members onboard. While on approach to Helsinki, the crew reported a fuel leak, but expected a normal landing. The ATR went on to make a safe emergency landing on the runway 15, about 15 minutes later, with Emergency Services in attendance. It was noted that 2 minutes after touchdown, the right fuel tank gauge indicated 0, the left hand tank indicated 870 kg of fuel remaining. In their Final Report, the AIBF concluded: "The basic cause of the occurrence was that the Pilots failed to complete their MEL and the Dispatch Deviation Guide (DDG) at both Helsinki-Vantaa and Kuopio. Rather, they relied on the mechanic’s missunderstood advice instead". The full Report, which includes details on the numerous errors by the flight crew, and events as they unfolded on approach, can be found on the AIBF website.

*The wreckage of a FUERZA AEREA BOLIVIANA Cessna 210T Turbo Centurion that went missing while inflight on Thursday, was located yesterday near Santa Elena River, Iquisiva Province. According to media reports, the aircraft apparently hit a tree during emergency landing, killing everyone onboard. The plane had left El Alto International Airport in La Paz at 10:30am on Thursday on an overflight of coca-producing areas in the Los Yungas region of the country, north of the capital, La Paz. Onboard were 4 United Nations workers and 2 Pilots and the aircraft was due back around 2:30pm. When it failed to arrive, an emergency was declared and a search was launched. Late on Friday, the Mayor of The Assumption had announced that the aircraft had crashed landed in a local soccer field, but all occupants were in good condition. Bolivian Air Force officials discounted the report and continued their search, finally locating the wreckage of the Cessna yesterday morning, pictured above. Officials said the aircraft apparently struck the tree at a height of about 50 meters. On impact, the aircraft burst into flames and fell to the ground. The United Nations issued a letter of condolence and praised the work of the Air Force in its search for the aircraft. The FAB has announced that a full investigation has begun.

*AIR NEW ZEALAND Flight 417, a Boeing 737, had to make an emergency diversion to Hamilton, New Zealand, today, May 8. While enroute from Auckland to Wellington, New Zealand, a loud bang emitted from the right hand engine. The aircraft yawed and rolled to the right, before returning to level flight. The crew declared an emergency and shut down the right hand engine. Flight 417 was then diverted to Hamilton, where it safely landed with Emergency Services in attendance. The aircraft was then removed from service for inspection and repairs. According to a statement from ANZ, the problem was most likely caused by low oil pressure.

*NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE Flight 1890, a Boeing 737, had to divert to Copenhagen, Denmark, yesterday, May 7, due to unruly passengers onboard. While enroute at 35000 feet from Oslo, Norway, to Larnaca, Cyrpus, and near Copenhagen, the crew requested diversion, reporting 4 unruly passengers onboard. The 737 was diverted to Copenhagen, were it was met by Danish police. 3 male passengers were arrested and a 4th female passenger was removed from the aircraft, but not arrested. According to media reports, the 4 were traveling to Larnaca, where 1 of the men and the woman were to get married. The 3 men were intoxicated and reportedly began fighting amongst themselves and the woman. One of the men also reportedly urinated in the aisle, in the rear of the aircraft. Danish police are considering charges against all 3 men.

*A PHILIPPINE AIRLINES A320, preparing for departure to Bangkok, Thailand, was struck by lightning while parked at Bay 39 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, in Manila, The Philippines, yesterday, May 7. The PAL crew servicing the departing plane was unharmed, but 6 baggage loaders and some 3 ground staff were injured. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. None of the passengers or crew onboard the Airbus were injured. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and another aircraft performed the flight to Bangkok. Philippine aviation officials are investigating.

*DELTA AIRLINES Flight 88, an MD88, had to make an emergency return to Orlando, Floriday, on Friday, May 6. The crew declared an emergency on their initial climb, reporting a burning electrical smell in the rear of the airliner. The aircraft safely landed back in Orlando about 10 minutes and was met by Emergency Services. No trace of heat, smoke or fire was found. The MD88, which was enroute to Washington National, was removed from service for inspection.

*AMERICAN AIRLINES Flight 366, an MD83, suffered a wing tip strike while trying to land at New York La Guardia, on Thursday, May 5. The crew was about to land on the runway 22, when for reasons unknown, they decided to go around from a low height. As they went around, a flight crew onboard another airliner, reported that Flight 366 had struck its left wing tip on the runway as they began to go-around. The MD83, which had originated from Chicago OHare, safely landed about 20 minutes later. The aircraft was reportedly damaged and was removed from service for a damage assessment. The aircraft that was following Flight 366 on its 1st attempt at landing also went around, suggesting that weather may have been a factor.

*FLYBE Flight 774, an ERJ195, had to make an emergency landing in Southampton, England, on Wednesday, May 4. The aircraft, arriving from Edinburgh, Scotland, aborted their 1st approach for landing, reporting flaps problems. They then entered a holding pattern to troubleshoot. Unable to correct the problem, they brought the ERJ in for a safe landing, with Emergency Services in attendance. The aircraft was then removed from service for repairs.