AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*The FAA has reported that a V22 Osprey and civilian de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft came within feet of colliding at 12000 altitude in controlled airspace. No date or location was given for the event, which was reported yesterday. The incident occurred in air route traffic control centre (ARTCC) airspace "in the vicinity" of an Airport, according to the report. "A DHC6 Twin Otter was climbing VFR in the vicinity of an Airport," read the report. "Radar data indicates the V22 was approaching the Twin Otter climb area. The Twin Otter maintained an altitude of approximately 12000ft for a brief period, and the V22 approached the same area at 12000ft," the FAA said. "The ARTCC controller issued a traffic advisory to the Twin Otter, stating the traffic was 2 miles away. The Twin Otter Pilot stated the military aircraft was about 100-150ft away at closest proximity while the V22 Pilot reported closest proximity to be approximately 20ft." The FAA said the V22 Pilot "took action to avoid the Twin Otter".

*The German BFU has reported a near collision between 2 aircraft on July 18, 2010, near Bremen, Germany. RYANAIR Flight 3665 was on International Boeing 737 Service from Trapani, Italy, to Bremen, Germany, with 152 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. While on approach to Bremen, the 737 encountered a private glider plane in close proximity, however Flight 3665 went on to land without incident. In reporting the incident, the BFU said that the separation between the 2 aircraft was 0.36nm laterally and 200 feet vertically. The Ryanair crew said that while descending thru 4500 feet, the glider plane crossed from right to left, about 200 feet above their 737. The incident took place in class E airspace, which permits both aircraft to operate.

*US AIRWAYS Flight 432, on Domestic Boeing 757 Service from Phoenix, Arizona, to Kahului, Hawaii, with 175 passengers and 6 crew members onboard, had to make an emergency diversion, yesterday, September 17. While inflight overhead the Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles from San Francisco, California, the crew declared an emergency reporting smoke in the cockpit. The crew requested diversion to San Francisco, thus the 767 turned around. While on approach to San Francisco, the crew reported that the smoke had dissipated. The aircraft landed without incident about 2 hours after the 1st report of smoke and was later removed from service for inspection.

*CENTURIAN AIR CARGO Flight 427, on International MD11 Cargo Service from Miami, Florida, to Manaus, Brazil, with 5 crew members onboard, had to make an emergency diversion, yesterday, September 17. While inflight overhead Venezuela, the crew declared an emergency reporting the total loss of the #3 hydraulic system. The MD11 was diverted to Caracas, Venezuela, where it landed 45 minutes later without incident. The aircraft was removed from service for repairs.

*HAWAIIAN AIRLINES Flight 6, on Domestic Boeing 767 Service from Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu Hawaii, with 225 passengers and crew onboard, was delayed by a bomb threat, on Thursday, September 16. Shortly before departure, a telephone bomb threat was received in regards to Flight 6. All passengers and luggage were rescreened and no explosives were found. After a 2 hour delay, the aircraft was allowed to depart for Honolulu, where it arrived without incident. The incident is under investigation.

*DELTA AIRLINES Flight 109, on International Boeing 767 Service from Madrid, Spain, to Atlanta, Georgia, had to return to Madrid, on Wednesday, September 15. While cllimbing thru 1000 feet, on takeoff from Madrid, the aircraft suffered a bird strike. The crew elected to continue the flight as it appeared no damage had been sustained. About 2 hours later, while inflight at 31000 feet, overhead the Atlantic, the crew requested return due to engine vibrations. The 767 landed back at Madrid without incident and was removed from service for inspection.

*JET AIR Flight 314, on Domestic BAe Jetstream 32 Service from Krakow to Gdansk, Poland, with 18 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, had to divert while enroute, on Wednesday, September 15. The Jetstream diverted to Lodz, Poland, after the crew had to shut down an engine for unspecified reasons. The aircraft was removed from service for repairs.