AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*The Canadian TSB has issued a brief update on an incident involving a BRITISH AIRWAYS Boeing 767 at Calgary, AB, Canada, on December 5, 2009. On that date, BA Flight 102 was on International Service from Calgary to London Heathrow. The crew declared MAYDAY while on its takeoff roll from runway 34. The crew aborted its takeoff at high speed, but was able to roll out the aircraft without incident. The crew canceled the emergency and was able to taxi back to the gate on its own. In its brief update, the CTSB said that as the crew prepared to depart, they were aware of another aircraft that was 8 miles out, that would be landing on runway 34. At the time of departure, surface winds were at 50kt and visibility was very poor due to heavy falling snow. Of Calgary's 3 runways, only runway 34 was in use due to the weather. While at full takeoff power, the left hand engine's thrust reverser light went on. The crew immediately rejected takeoff and declared MAYDAY, to warn all other aircraft of the situation on the runway. The crew reported that the thrust reverser light went out after they selected forward idle thrust. A post flight inspection revealed that a fault in the sensor was the cause of the indication, and the sensor was replaced. The CTSB noted that a BA Boeing 747 experienced a similar incident in Johannesburg, South Africa, last May, which caused the aircraft to come close to crashing.

*A SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 had to return to Paris, France, yesterday, December 16. Flight 333 was on International Service from Paris to Singapore, with 444 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. About 2 hours after departure, the A380 was inflight at 35000 feet overhead Poland, when the galley power supply failed. The crew requested to return to Paris, and the A380 landed back to Charles de Gaulle Airport without incident, about 4 hours after its initial departure. In a brief statement, Singapore said that the aircraft did not return due to a safety issue. Due to the power failure, passengers would have been unable to have food or drink, thus the reason for the return.

*A UNITED AIRLINES Boeing 777 was damaged upon touchdown at Munich, Germany, yesterday, December 16. Flight 902, on International Service from Washington Dulles, burst a hyrdaulics line in its nose gear upon touching down at Munich. The 777 had to be towed off the runway and remains out of service in Munich while undergoing repairs.

*An AUGSBURG AIRWAYS Dash 8-400 had to make an emergency return to Munich, Germany, yesterday, December 16. Flight 1184 was on Domestic Service on behalf of LUFTHANSA from Munich to Paderborn, Germany, when the crew had to shut an engine down due to problems with the engine control. The Dash landed back at Munich without incident. The aircraft was inspected and repaired, and resumed service later in the day.

*A FLAIR AIRLINES Boeing 737 had to make an emergency landing at St John's, NL, Canada, on Tuesday, December 15. Flight 501 was on Domestic Service from Stephenville, NL, to St John's, when the crew abandoned their 1st approach due to problems with the flaps. The 737 landed without incident about 15 minutes later and was removed from service for inspection and possible repair.

*A WEBJET Boeing 737 had to make an emergency diversion due to a loss of cabin pressure while overhead Brazil, on November 28. The incident was just disclosed yesterday. On that date, Flight 6720 was on Domestic Service from Curitiba to Porto Alegre, Brazil, and was climbing thru 33000 feet, when cabin pressure was lost. The O2 masks in the passenger cabin automatically deployed. The crew declared an emergency and diverted to Florianopolis, Brazil, where they landed without incident. The US NTSB said in a brief statement that no one onboard was injured and the aircraft sustained no damage. Brazilian aviation officials have opened an investigation.