News
02 DEC 2002
The FAA has proposed to assess an $805,000 civil penalty against United Airlines for allegedly violating FAA regulations by operating three Boeing 757s on 193 flights when they were not in compliance with regulations. (FAA)
press release
The FAA has proposed to impose a $363,000 civil penalty against American Eagle Airlines for alleged violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleged the airline operated a Saab 340B in 88 revenue flights with an inoperative windshield defogger system in the cockpit. (FAA)
press release
03 DEC 2002 Ukrainian prosecutors investigating the downing of a Sibir Airlines Tupolev 154 by a Ukrainian missile said they need to retrieve the plane`s wreckage to complete their inquiry and start court hearings. ()
accident descriprion
03 DEC 2002 A Learjet 36 corporate jet (N546PA) struck an elk while trying to take off from Astoria Airport, OR (AST) runway 8. Takeoff was aborted but the aircraft overran the runway, coming to rest in a marshy patch. The airplane caught fire, destroying the entire fuselage. (The Daily Astorian) 05 DEC 2002
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a Board Meeting Tuesday, December 10, 2002 to consider the final report of its investigation into the January 31, 2000 Alaska Airlines MD-80 accident near Port Hueneme, California. (NTSB) 06 DEC 2002
The Blue Ribbon Panel on Aerial Firefighting, chartered to identify key information for planning the safe and effective future of aerial firefighting, revealed eight findings. Meanwhile the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management will no longer contract for the C-130A or PB4-Y aircraft as airtankers and the Forest Service is suspending fire missions of 19 P-58 Barons and 4 Shorts 330 aircraft pending evaluations of the issues identified in the Blue Ribbon panel’s report. (National Interagency Fire Center)
Federal Aerial Firefighting: Assessing Safety and Effectiveness
06 DEC 2002 Taking a critical step to ensure that aging aircraft remain just as safe as the day they were first certificated, the FAA has mandated age-related inspections and records reviews for most aircraft that have been in scheduled commercial service for 14 years or more. () 08 DEC 2002
An Air New Zealand Boeing 767-200 was forced to make an emergency landing in Brisbane after parts of one engine reportedly disintegrated in flight, damaging the wing. The jet had reached about 3000 metres on its departure from Brisbane when the pilot heard a loud bang, shut down the engine and returned to make an emergency landing. (AAP) 12 DEC 2002
Some 20-25 minutes after departing Belfast, a Flybe BAe-146-200 experienced severe pitch oscillations. Five crew and 36 passengers were on board the flight to Birmingham; four people were injured in the event - among those a flight attendant who suffered a broken leg. The plane returned to Belfast. (BBC) 12 DEC 2002
A Garuda Boeing 737 (flight GA833 to Jakarta) collided with a jeep while taxiing to the runway at Singapore-Changi. The incident happened at 20.50h. (The Straits Times) 13 DEC 2002
An Arrow Air DC-8 cargo plane (N1804) overran Singapore-Changi Runway 01 following a flight from Yokota. The nose gear collapsed and the plane came to rest 300m past the end of the runway. The runway had to be closed for 18 hours. (The Straits Times) 13 DEC 2002
US Airways Express DHC-8-201 N991HA collided with a deer after landing at Charlotte, NC. Minot damage to aircraft and no injuries to 40 occupants. (FAA) 13 DEC 2002
An Islands Aviation BN-2 Islander (reportedly P2-CBB) plane making an inaugural flight from the newly constructed Gohu Airstrip in the rugged Finisterre Mountains, Papua New Guinea slammed into a cliff minutes after takeoff, killing all eight on board. (The National; Post-Courier) 17 DEC 2002
A Philippine Air Force GAF Nomad plunged into the sea 300m offshore from Zamboanga City, but all the 13 passengers including the pilot survived the crash. The aircraft was approaching Andrews AFB after a flight from Tawi Tawi. (Journal Online) 18 DEC 2002
Thirteen people were taken to hospital after a China Eastern Airlines MD-82 plane lost cabin pressure and made a forced landing at Nanchan-Changbei Airport. Flight MU5406 which had left Kunming on a flight for Shanghai lost pressure at a height of 8,100 meters over Nanchang. (People`s Daily) 20 DEC 2002
The FAA announced that Guyana does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), thus giving the country a Category 2 rating following a reassessment of its civil aviation authority. (FAA)
press release
20 DEC 2002 Two Lufthansa pilots were tested positive for alcohol just before they were to takeoff from Helsinki for Frankfurt. Both pilots have left the company, the airline disclosed Jan. 3. (AP) 24 DEC 2002
A North Flying Swearingen Metro plane crashed onto a road while trying to takeoff from Aberdeen for a cargo flight to Aalborg, Denmark. The airplane struck two cars, injuring the drivers. Both pilots survived. () 26 DEC 2002
A TAAG Boeing 737 collided with a Westair Cessna 404 while climbing through an altitude of 11,500ft. The Cessna landed safely at Windhoek although 40% of the tail fin and rudder had been lost. The Boeing, with nearly 50 passengers and crew on board, continued it`s flight to Luanda. (ASN)
ASN accident description
