06 AUG 2008 _______________________________________ *American Airlines jet makes emergency landing *American aircraft makes second unscheduled landing in two days *Delta To Offer Wireless Internet On Domestic Flights *GULF AIR ENHANCES SAFETY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS *United likely to cancel 42 outstanding A319/320s *Minor collision at Manchester damages A320 and 737 *Keenan rejoins United to lead maintenance operations **************************************** American Airlines jet makes emergency landing; second plane loses engine powerDallas Business Journal An American Airlines jet en route from Los Angeles to Honolulu made an emergency landing after a pilot smelled smoke in the plane's cabin. The jet, Flight 31 from LAX to Honolulu, returned to LAX. All passengers were evacuated safely, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department, and no injuries were reported. The jet was about one hour into its flight when the smell of smoke was reported, the fire department said. Television footage on CNN showed passengers evacuating the plane via inflatable exit slides. American spokesman Tim Wagner said the landing was normal, and the captain ordered the emergency evacuation. The airline is still looking into why the slides were deployed. The plane was a Boeing 757 with 188 passengers who were taken back to the terminal by bus after going down the slides, he said. American is arranging for another plane to take them to Honolulu this afternoon, Wagner said. A second American Airlines jet made an emergency landing Tuesday at New York's Kennedy airport after one of the two engines lost power, according to American. No injuries were reported. A spokesman for the airline, whose parent company is Fort Worth-based AMR (NYSE: AMR), said the MD-80 took off from New York's LaGuardia Airport bound for Atlanta, but the crew immediately noticed they did not have full power and made an incident-free landing at JFK. The spokesman said engine debris was found on the runway at LaGuardia, and the engine will be examined to determine the cause of the failure, according to Atlanta's WSBTV.com. There were 139 passengers and a crew of five aboard the plane. http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/08/04/daily22.html *************** American aircraft makes second unscheduled landing in two days An American Airlines Boeing 757 had to return to Los Angeles International Airport today roughly 57 min after takeoff as smoke filled the aircraft cockpit. Flight 31 was carrying 188 passengers and six crew members en route from Los Angeles to Honolulu, and upon return to Los Angeles four of the aircraft's slides deployed, says an American spokesman. Overwing slides on the aircraft were not used, but some passengers on the aircraft were evacuated using overwing stairs. The aircraft remained on the runway for more than an hour, explains FAA, which resulted in flight delays at the airport. Preliminary information indicates six airborne aircraft heading to Los Angeles were delayed in the air and five scheduled to depart the airport were delayed. FAA initiated a 28min ground stop for aircraft scheduled to depart from airports with an hour's flying time from Los Angeles. This incident follows an emergency landing of an American Boeing MD-80 on 4 August at John F. Kennedy International airport after experiencing a turbine failure in the back section of the number two engine. Flight 2393 took off from LaGuardia and declared an emergency to land at JFK. FAA says American changed out the engine today. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ************** Delta To Offer Wireless Internet On Domestic Flights Service Coming As Early As September On MD88s, MD90s Delta Air Lines says it will begin offering wireless broadband Internet service on domestic flights as early as next month. The Washington Post reports that makes Delta the first US carrier airline to commit its entire fleet to the technology. Delta's partner on the project is Aircell, which has similar projects underway with American Airlines and Virgin America. Until now, you couldn't even have many of these devices turned on in flight. Now, you'll be able to use your computer, or your mobile phone or Blackberry, to access Aircell's "Gogo" broadband network. Of course, it won't be free. You'll pay about as much for service on one flight as you would at home for a month of dial-up service. Delta says it will charge a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours. First to get the new technology will be Delta's MD88 and MD90 fleet, with the rest of its planes following by next summer. FMI: www.delta.com, www.aircell.com aero-news.net ************** GULF AIR ENHANCES SAFETY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS MANAMA, AUGUST 6 ( BNA) GULF AIR, THE NATIONAL AIRLINE OF THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN, HAS EMBRACED THE WORLDLS LEADING SOFTWARE FOR AVIATION SAFETY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT AS PART OF ITS GROWTH AND EXPANSION STRATEGY. GULF AIR HAS ADOPTED AVIATION QUALITY DATABASE WHICH IS THE FIRST IN THE WORLD TO COMBINE QUALITY AND ASSURANCE AUDITING WITH FLIGHT, CABIN MAINTENANCE AND GROUND SAFETY OCCURRENCE REPORTING. 2GULF AIR HAS EMBARKED ON A MAJOR GROWTH AND EXPANSION PLAN AND AS A GROWING AIRLINE WE WANT TO MAINTAIN BEST INDUSTRY PRACTICES IN ALL AREAS OF OUR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING SAFETY, WHICH IS OUR TOP PRIORITY,@ SAID GULF AIR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BJORN NOUF WTHIS INITIATIVE OF HAVING STATE-OF-THE-ART AQD SOFTWARE BEARS TESTIMONY TO OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN AVIATION SAFETY AND OUR EFFORTS TO BECOME THE CARRIER OF CHOICE,@ SAID GULF AIR CHIEF EXECUTIV. SAFETY MANAGEMENT IS THE SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FLIGHT OPERATIONS, RELATED GROUND OPERATIONS AND AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING OR MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SAFETY PERFORMANCE. GULF AIRLS VICE PRESIDENT SAFETY CAPTAIN PAOLO FITZE SAID THE NEW SYSTEM WILL SET A NEW BENCHMARK FOR AVIATION SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN THE REGION. 2SAFETY MANAGEMENT REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MAKING AVIATION, ALREADY THE SAFEST MODE OF TRAVEL, EVEN SAFER. THIS NEW SYSTEM WILL HELP US ACHIEVE OUR BUSINESS GOAL TO HAVE THE BEST SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND MOVE BEYOND MERE COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS,@ SAID FITZE. AQD IS A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED SET OF TOOLS TO SUPPORT SAFETY MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE, COVERING ALL FUNCTIONS FROM ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING, ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATION THROUGH TO AUDITING AND CORRECTIVE ACTION TRACKING. IT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY AVIATION SOFTWARE SPECIALISTS AND IS BACKED BY 20 YEARS OF PROVIDING AVIATION SYSTEM EXPERTISE TO REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, AIRLINES AND OTHER AVIATION RELATED ORGANISATIONS. EM. 06-AUG-2008 13:12 http://english.bna.bh/?ID=71767 *************** United likely to cancel 42 outstanding A319/320s United Airlines is likely to cancel its outstanding order for 42 Airbus A319/320 aircraft, a decision which will cost the carrier over $90 million in lost aircraft deposits. The Star Alliance member, which still has 23 A319s and 19 A320s on order, has disclosed in a 10-Q filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it will probably not be taking the jets. "United believes it is highly unlikely that it will take delivery of these [42 Airbus] aircraft in the future, and therefore believes it will be required to forfeit its $91 million of advance delivery deposits," the airline says, adding that the deposits are "not transferable". It notes in the July filing that the purchases are still included under its total commitments, "as the company has not formally terminated the orders". In a previous 10-Q submission, filed in May, United said it had reached an agreement in January 2006 with the manufacturer to "delay, with the right to cancel" these future orders. United also reached an agreement with the powerplant manufacturer, International Aero Engines, "eliminating all provisions pertaining to firm commitments and support" for future Airbuses. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ************** Minor collision at Manchester damages A320 and 737 Two aircraft, a Lufthansa Airbus A320 and a Futura International Airways Boeing 737-800, have sustained minor damage after a ground collision at Manchester Airport today. The incident occurred at about 13:30 as the two jets were heading from Terminal 1 to runway 05L/23R. Futura's aircraft has been identified as EI-DKD, owned by RBS Aviation Capital. The Lufthansa A320 involved is D-AIQA, owned by the German carrier. "One turned for the runway, one continued and their wingtips touched," says a spokesman for Manchester Airport's operator. He says the aircraft are damaged, but the extent has yet to be determined. Both aircraft are still parked at the scene of the incident, near Terminal 3 on the eastern side of the airport. Futura flight FUA1918, bound for Tenerife, was carrying 180 passengers and crew while the Lufthansa service, LH4853, was heading for Frankfurt with 107 occupants. There were no injuries. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news **************** Keenan rejoins United to lead maintenance operations Pratt & Whitney executive James Keenan has rejoined United Airlines to head up its global maintenance operation as senior VP of United Services. Keenan spent 14 years at United Airlines, where he served as VP of engineering and technical support, before spending six years with engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. He is currently senior VP and general manager of the Pratt & Whitney Global Services Partners MRO network. In his new role with United, he will have oversight for United's global maintenance operation. Keenan takes up his new role on 15 August. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ***************