AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*The Russian carrier ROSSIYA, has introduced its 1st Antonov An148 into passenger service. The jet is the 1st Russian-built example of the twin-jet. Rossiya commenced operations with the aircraft on Monday December 21, with Flight 135 from St Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport to Moscow Sheremetyevo. The Antonov replaced a Boeing 737-500 that is usually used on that route. Rossiya's An148s are configured with 68 seats. The 1st flight transported 41 passengers, 6 of whom were in the 8 seat business class cabin. The Airline has ordered 6 of the aircraft.

*RYANAIR is threatening to stop domestic flights in Italy in a dispute over new flight boarding identification rules. ENAC, Italy's civil aviation authority, wants Airlines to accept ID such as driving, hunting and fishing licences. On its Italian website, Ryanair says flights within Italy involving 10 Airports will be grounded indefinitely from January 23. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said he was "really sorry" for the inconvenience the decision will cause. Ryanair says that since it started moving towards using entirely online check-ins, passengers are asked to show their passport or identity card before boarding. The Airline argues that the documents such as those proposed, are less secure and this threatens flight security.

*The South African Civil Aviation Authority, SACAA, has released its interim report on an incident involving an SA AIRLINK Jetstream 41 on November 18, 2009. On that date, Flight 8488 was on Domestic Service from Port Elizabeth to East London, South Africa, with 29 passengers and 3 crew members onboard. The JS41 veered left, off the runway, while on its takeoff roll in Port Elizabeth. The aircraft came to a stop in soft grass. No one onboard was injured, and the JS41 suffered no damages. In their interim report, the SACAA said that a cable of the nose wheel steering was found faulty, which allowed the aircraft to veer left while on its takeoff roll. Investigators believe that the cable was damaged during installation. The investigation continues. (SK COMMENT: This is 1 of 3 incidents involving SA Airlink this autumn. The SACAA has also released interim reports on the other 2 incident, both of which are posted seperately today).

 

*A UNITED AIRLINES Boeing 767 had to divert while enroute, yesterday, December 23. Flight 967 was on International Service from Rome, Italy, to Washington Dulles, when it requested to divert due to hydraulics problems. The 767 was diverted to Geneva, Switzerland, where it landed without incident after the crew dumped fuel while on approach. The aircraft is currently out of service undergoing repairs.

*2 airliners came too close to each other while overhead Darwin, Australia, on Tuesday, December 22. CATHAY PACIFIC Flight 135 was on International A330 Service from Beijing, China, to Melbourne, Australia, and was at 37000 feet, about 350 miles S/SE of Darwin. At the same time, VIRGIN BLUE Flight 1457 was on Domestic Boeing 737 Service from Melbourne to Darwin, also at 37000 feet, and on a reciprocal track of the Cathay flight. According to media reports, the crews of both aircraft had to veer off their flight trek near waypoint DOSAM, to avoid each other. It appears that the Cathay crew questioned ATC, which led to the aircraft changing course. Both aircraft landed without incident. The Australian TSB has rated the occurance as a serious event, stating that there was a breakdown of separation standards, and have opened an investigation.

 

*A WESTJET Boeing 737 experienced a loss of separation, on Friday, December 18. Flight 1565 was on International Service from San Diego, California, to Calgary, AB, Canada, with 95 passengers and crew onboard. The crew received a TCAS advisory while climbing thru 20000 feet, followed by a resolution advisory to descend. The crew followed the advisory and then notified ATC, who vectored the aircraft to avoid further conflicts. Flight 1565 then climbed to 27000 feet, followed by a request to divert. The 737 was diverted to Las Vegas, Nevada, where it landed without incident. According to media reports, there was traffic about 800 feet above, and 5 miles ahead of the Westjet airliner. The Canadian TSB reports that the crew of Flight 1565 had not been notified of the traffic. An investigation has been opened.

*A NORTH CARIBOO FLYING SERVICE Dash 8-300 suffered a hydraulics leak while inflight, on Friday, December 18. Flight 805 was on Cargo Service from Great Falls, Montana, to Calgary, AB, Canada, with 2 crew members onboard. While inflight at 22000 feet, overhead Alberta, noted problems with the No.2 hydraulics systems. The crew was able to land in Calgary by using the alternate gear extension. An immediate post flight inspection detected hydraulics fluid dripping off the right hand side of the nacelle. Repairs have since been made to the aircraft and the Dash has returned to service.