AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*Lawyers for the 2 US Pilots who were flying a US-bound private Embraer Legacy 600 that was nvolved in a fatal mid-air collision with a GOL LINHAS AEREAS Boeing 737-800 on September 29, 2006, overhead Brazil, will appeal a guilty charge and sentence handed down by a Brazilian court. The collision killed all 154 passengers and crew onboard Gol Flight 1907. The Legacy made a safe emergency landing without injury to those onboard. The Pilots were acquitted on 5 of 6 charges, but were convicted of failing to notice a cockpit indication that the traffic and collision avoidance system had been inhibited. This left both aircraft with only see-and-avoid capabilities, and no last-minute course change was attempted. The Brazilian judge sentenced the Pilots to 4 years and 4 months community service to be served in the US.

*LUFTHANSA has announced that its current alignment in Italy with its core brand Lufthansa, along with LUFTHANSA ITALIA and regional carrier AIR DOLOMITI, will be streamlined. The Lufthansa Italia brand, which was launched in 2008, will be retained thru October 29 only. Thereafter, Airbus A319 aircraft currently operated by Lufthansa Italia will be deployed elsewhere within the Lufthansa Group from the start of the 2011/2012 winter timetable. At the same time, Air Dolomiti will also increase flight frequencies to Germany in its route network, which focuses on connecting the major economic centres in Northern Italy with Lufthansa’s Munich base. Together, Lufthansa and Air Dolomiti currently serve 19 destinations in Italy.

*QATAR AIRWAYS is reportedly going to increase its orders for the Airbus A380 at next months Paris Air Show. The Middle East carrier currently has currently holds orders for 5 A380s, with the 1st delivery scheduled for 2013. The size of the order is still to be determined. Its also expected that Qatar will also finalize a deal for the freighter conversion of its Airbus A330 passenger fleet.

*VIRGIN AUSTRALIA opened its new 300-seat, 1220-square metre domestic lounge at the Melbourne Airport today. The lounge, with curved glass partitions and walls, white polished stone floors, translucent bars, funky furniture and internet connectivity, opened to business and premium economy passengers. The carrier expects to serve 800 to 900 premium-class travellers at the Melbourne lounge daily. Economy passengers can gain entrance to the lounge for a A$50 fee.

*An AIR GRAND CANYON Cessna 207, on Charter Service for GRAND CANYON AIRLINES, crashed short of the runway in Monument Valley, Utah, yesterday, May 23. The Cessna was on a Tourist Flight from Grand Canyon National Park Airport to Monument Valley Airport, and was trying to land, when strong winds reportedly blew it out of control. The Pilot suffered critical injuries and was transported to hospital, while the 5 passengers onboard, were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The NTSB and FAA are investigating.

*ADA AEROLINEA DE ANTIOQUIA Flight 7930, a Jetstream 32, had to make an emergency return to Medellin, Colombia, yesterday, May 23, after suffering a bird strike while on its initial climb. The Jetstream, which reportedly hit a buzzard, landed safely back in Medellin. The aircraft, which had been enroute to Corozal, Colombia, was removed from service due to unspecified damage to a wing.

*BRITISH AIRWAYS Flight 239, a Boeing 777, had to make an emergency diversion to Shannon, Ireland, yesterday, May 23. While enroute at 38000 feet from London Heathrow to Boston, Massachusetts, and about 175 mile SW of Shannon, the crew declared an emergency, reporting smoke in the cockpit. While on approach to Shannon, the crew reported smoke also in the passenger cabin that was worsening. The 777 landed safely about 30 minutes later and was met by Emergency Services. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft was cleared to taxi to the gate, pictured above. The aircraft was removed from service and the incident is under investigation. Although there was no forecast for ash particles from the erupting Icelandic volcano at 38000 feet, reports say that volcanic ash is one possiblity being explored.

*SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Flight 333, an A340, had to make an emergency landing in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday, May 23. According to media reports, the A340 departed Johannesburg around 12:00 Noon on Domestic Service to Cape Town. About 1 hour after departure, a "number" of passengers began to cough. The Captain declared an emergency and requested that Emergency Services meet the aircraft upon landing in Cape Town. The Airbus landed at 2:07pm and Emergency Services boarded the aircraft wearing gas masks. Reports say that 3 passengers and crew were transported to hospital for treatment. Emergency Services found no obvious cause for the symptoms in the passenger cabin. The cargo was inspected and a hazardous cargo shipment was found to be leaking, causing chemical fumes to enter the passenger cabin. The aircraft has been removed from service for a full inspection.

*TRANS STATES AIRLINES Flight 9503, an ERJ145 on service for UNITED AIRLINES, encountered severe turbulence while on approach to Greensboro, North Carolina, on Sunday, May 22. The ERJ was on a Positioning Flight from St Louis, Missouri, to Greensboro, with 3 crew members onboard, and was descending from 12000 feet to 6000 feet, while on approach to the runway 23L at Greensboro, when the incident occurred. According to media reports, the First Officer declared an emergency, reporting that the Captain was bleeing from his head, but conscious. He requested Emergency Services meet the aircraft. Shortly thereafter, the F/O reported that they had encountered severe turbulence at 12000 feet. The ERJ safely landed about 10 minutes later and the Captain was treated for minor injuries in the incident. The FAA is investigating.

*ROSSIYA Flight 815, an A320, had to make an emergency medical diversion, on Sunday, May 22. While enroute from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to Bishkek, Kyrgystan, a female passenger became seriously ill. The crew requested diversion and the Airbus was diverted to Chelyabinsk, Russia, where it landed without incident. The passenger was transported to hospital and the A320 departed Chelyabinsk about 2 hours later.

*QANTAS Flight 768 reported a unruly passenger onboard, on Saturday, May 21. According to media reports, while enroute from Perth to Melbourne, Australia, a 35 year old intoxicated male passenger attempted to open the rear right hand side cabin door twice. The passenger also reportedly assaulted a cabin crew member when they moved to subdue him. The flight crew declared an emergency and upon landing in Melbourne, the man was arrested. He has been charged with prejudicing the safe operation of the aircraft and with recklessly endangering the safety of the aircraft by attempting to open the door. He was also charged with assault and ordered to undergo detoxification for alcohol.