News
06 FEB 2003
The FAA issued an airworthiness directive requiring Boeing 747 operators to find and fix possible fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin concealed under certain repair doublers, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane. These cracks are though to have played a major role in the May 2002 China Airlines Boeing 747 accident. (FAA)
AD 2003-03-19
Thousands of floating Chinese lanterns launched in celebration lit up the night sky and caused 12 aircraft approaching the Penang international airport in Malaysia to be diverted. The bamboo and oilpaper lanterns, fuelled by kerosene, were released to mark the eighth day of the Chinese New Year and several fell on the airport runway, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) said. (The Australian) 13 FEB 2003
A Japan Asia Airways Boeing 747-200 (Flight 201 from Narita to Taipei) diverted to Okinawa-Naha following engine problems. A fan blade from the nr.2 engine (P&W JT9D-7) had separated and exited through the engine cowling leaving hole of about 40 square centimeters. (Kyodo) 13 FEB 2003
Legislation which would allow U.S. cargo pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit to combat terrorist attacks was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today by the Republican leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. (U.S. House of Representatives)
press release
14 FEB 2003 The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) said it can no longer certify the safety of the Il-86 passenger jet in the light of the July 2002 accident at Moscow. The Russian State Civil Aviation Service however decided not to ban Il-86 flights. The Il-86 remains the most reliable passenger plane in Russia, and there are no grounds for suspending its flights, the State Civil Aviation Service said. (Moscow Times) 18 FEB 2003
The wreckage of a SAETA Vickers Viscount has been found on the 20,700-foot Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador. The plane went missing while on a flight from Quito to Cuenca on August 15, 1976. (ASN)
accident description
20 FEB 2003 All flights at Aomori Airport, Japan were cancelled after a Japan Air System Airbus A.300B4-600 overran the runway by 30m. The runway had just been cleared of snow. (Mainichi Shimbun) 26 FEB 2003
Virgin Blue has been accused of cutting corners and compromising safety by allowing pilots to do inspections on its newest planes. The issue will be discussed as a matter of urgency today by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association executive, which has also complained to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. (The Australian) 27 FEB 2003
An Air France Concorde (Flight AF002) landed safely at New York-JFK after losing a piece of its tail rudder during its flight from Paris. (AP) 28 FEB 2003
The NTSB issued a safety recommendation to the FAA for issueing an airworthiness directive to require operators of Boeing 747-100, ()
