Most popular posts 2015

1.) Single-engine airplane preparing to ditch in Pacific Ocean - The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a distress call from a single-engine aircraft running out of fuel approximately 975 miles north of the Big Island, Hawaii. [Full story]

2.) PC-24 Super Versatile Jet performs maiden flight - The new PC-24 Super Versatile Jet took off on its maiden flight Monday from Buochs airport in Switzerland. [Full story]

3.) Lufthansa to demonstrate pilot-controlled taxiing system without engines running - TaxiBot, a semi-robotic pilot-controlled vehicle, transports airline aircraft from terminal gates to the runway and back, without using the airplane's own engines. [Full story]

4.) NTSB releases report on fatal Boeing 747 crash in Afghanistan - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released their first public factual report for the ongoing investigation into the April 29, 2013 crash of a National Airlines Boeing 747 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. [Full story]

5.) Delta adds Boeing 717s for Los Angeles/San Francisco service - Delta Air Lines will introduce Boeing 717 aircraft on eight of the 15 daily flights between Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International airports in June, offering 40 percent more seats on its hourly nonstop Delta Shuttle. [Full story]

Most popular posts February 2015

1.) Lufthansa to demonstrate pilot-controlled taxiing system without engines running - TaxiBot, a semi-robotic pilot-controlled vehicle, transports airline aircraft from terminal gates to the runway and back, without using the airplane's own engines. [Full story]

2.) Delta adds Boeing 717s for Los Angeles/San Francisco service - Delta Air Lines will introduce Boeing 717 aircraft on eight of the 15 daily flights between Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International airports in June, offering 40 percent more seats on its hourly nonstop Delta Shuttle. [Full story]

3.) NTSB releases report on fatal Boeing 747 crash in Afghanistan - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released their first public factual report for the ongoing investigation into the April 29, 2013 crash of a National Airlines Boeing 747 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. [Full story]

4.) Singapore-based airline receives first 787 Dreamliner - Boeing and Scoot Pte Ltd. announced the delivery of the Singapore-based airline's first 787 Dreamliner. [Full story] 

5.) FBI begins market research to replace 'alert aircraft' - The FBI Mission Support Contracts Unit, in support of the Critical Incident Response Group, is seeking information about leasing, purchasing, or leasing to own, an alert aircraft, according to contract documents released in February. [Full story]

NTSB investigating single-engine plane crash in Virginia

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash of a single-engine Cessna 150J aircraft Sunday in Topping, Va.

The aircraft impacted grass terrain southeast of Hummel Field Airport, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot was fatally injured and the sole passenger onboard the airplane received serious injuries.

The aircraft (tail number N50824) was built in 1968 and registered to Stephen Myers of Christiansburg, Va., according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

DCNewsroom most popular posts August 2013

1.) Sequestration: Florida-based company offers alternative to military flyovers - As sequestration continues to affect the U.S. military's ability to perform at air shows and participate in flyovers, the civilian-owned Black Diamond Jet Team is stepping in as an alternative for professional and college-level sports teams, as well as other organizations looking to book a flyover for an upcoming event. [Full post]

2.) NASA plans to remove engines on Shuttle Carrier Aircraft - NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center launched a project last month to remove the engines from the two retired Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft so they can be used on the agency's astronomy research aircraft SOFIA. [Full post]

3.) F-16C Falcon jets collide near Chincoteague, Va. - The U.S. Coast Guard rescued an Air National Guard pilot last month after his F-16 jet went down approximately 35 miles southeast of Chincoteague, Va. [Full post]

4.) Watch for the Perseid meteor shower this weekend – Observers worldwide enjoyed a summer evening of sky watching last month as the annual Perseid meteor shower peaked on the morning of Aug. 12. [Full post]

5.) NTSB releases preliminary data from UPS 1354 crash - National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Robert Sumwalt held a series of press briefings last month following the crash of UPS flight 1354 in Birmingham, Ala. [Full post]

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NTSB releases preliminary data from UPS 1354 crash

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Robert Sumwalt holds third press briefing on UPS flight 1354 crash in Birmingham, Ala.

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Video: NTSB begins investigation of fatal UPS plane crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into Wednesday morning's crash of United Parcel Service Flight 1354, an Airbus A300 (registration number N155UP), that crashed while on approach to Runway 18 at Birmingham International Airport in Birmingham, Ala.

NTSB Senior Aviation Investigator Dan Bower will serve as investigator-in-charge. NTSB Board Member Robert Sumwalt is accompanying the team and will serve as the principal spokesman during the on-scene phase of the investigation.

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Preliminary report on Fredericksburg plane crash

On July 22, a single engine Cessna 172M (tail number N61954), was destroyed when it collided with terrain while maneuvering near Shannon Airport in Fredericksburg, Va. The private pilot was fatally injured.

The accident airplane was operated by a flight school located at Shannon Airport. A flight instructor who worked for the flight school stated that he had met the accident pilot about three months before the accident, and had performed a checkout flight with the pilot so that he could rent the flight school’s airplanes. The pilot had subsequently flown the school’s airplanes several times between the date of the checkout and the accident flight.

On the day of the accident, the pilot utilized the flight school’s internet-based computerized scheduling system to reserve a flight in N61954. He arrived at the airport shortly thereafter. The flight instructor who had previously flown with the accident pilot was at the flight school at the time, preparing for an upcoming flight with another student.

“According to the flight instructor, he and the pilot had a brief conversation about work, their recent flying activities, and the current weather conditions,” the National Transportation Safety Board said in their preliminary report. “The flight instructor reported that the pilot seemed to be in good spirits and was not otherwise behaving abnormally. After retrieving the paperwork required to dispatch the airplane, along with the keys from where they were normally secured, the pilot said goodbye to the instructor and proceeded to the airplane.

“The flight instructor next saw the accident airplane as it performed a low pass down the runway and then began maneuvering erratically in the vicinity of the airport. The airplane then climbed to an estimated altitude of 3,000 feet before it pitched down and descended in a near-vertical attitude. During the descent, the engine sounded as if it were producing 'full' power, and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground about 200 feet northwest of the runway.”

The aircraft is registered to Cross Flot Aviation, Inc., Fairfax, Va., according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The crash is still under investigation.

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Nose gear collapses on Southwest Airlines flight upon landing

Southwest Airlines flight 345 landed at New York's LaGuardia at 5:40 p.m. EDT Monday evening from Nashville. The aircraft is a Boeing 737-700. Eyewitness reports indicate the aircraft's nose gear collapsed upon landing. There were 150 people on board including customers and crew.

“Initial reports indicate local responders are caring for five customers and three flight attendants who have reported injuries at this time,” Southwest said in a press statement. Southwest is cooperating with local authorities, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.

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Video: Asiana Airlines crash site at San Francisco International Airport

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Video: NTSB shows wreckage from Asiana flight 214

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Video: NTSB briefs media on Asiana flight 214

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Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 crashes at San Francisco airport

At 2:36 p.m. EDT Saturday, Asiana Airlines Flight 214, a Boeing 777 arriving from Seoul, South Korea, crashed while landing on runway 28L at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the accident.

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are already gathering information on the crash, a "Go Team" is being sent to the scene, the agency reported on Twitter.

David Eun, a passenger on the Asiana flight, reported on Twitter, “I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I'm OK. Surreal. Fire and rescue people all over the place. They're evacuating the injured. Haven't felt this way since 9/11. Lots of activity here. Friends, please don't call right now. I'm fine. Most people are totally calm.”

Los Angeles International Airport officials report, "Due to the accident at SFO, some flights scheduled to land at SFO are being diverted to LAX. Please contact airline for details."

Air traffic control communications with Asiana Airlines flight 214, click here.

Frontier Airlines reports, "Due to the unfortunate incident at SFO, the airport is closed and our flights today have been canceled. Please call reservations to rebook."

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NTSB responds to fatal parasailing accident in Florida

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending an investigator to Pompano Beach, Fla. to investigate a fatal parasailing accident that occurred on Wednesday.

 

At about 3:15 p.m. EDT, a female passenger, parasailing in tandem with another individual, fell from her harness approximately 150-200 feet into water. The woman was fatally injured. The other passenger was unharmed. The parasailing trip was being operated by Waveblast Water Sports. The NTSB has investigated a number of parasailing accidents, and will examine the circumstances of this accident for any recurring safety issues.

 

NTSB investigator Larry Bowling will join the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard investigating the accident, the board said on Friday.

NTSB: Not much to say on Lufthansa/Colgan collision at Dulles

On Friday, at about 3:15 p.m. EDT, Lufthansa flight 417, an Airbus A330, collided with Colgan Air flight 3912, a Bombardier DHC-8-400, on the ground at Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va. The two aircraft collided while the Airbus was taxiing for takeoff.

“At the time of the accident, the DHC-8 (tail number N341NG) was stationary and waiting for ramp workers to assist with parking at gate A1C,” the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a preliminary report filed on Monday. “There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. The DHC-8 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the Airbus (tail number D-AIKE) sustained minor damage to its right wingtip.”

The NTSB continues to investigate the accident.