Today a Caspian Airlines Tupolev 154M (EP-CPG) crashed near Qazvin (Iran), killing all 153 passengers and 16 crew members on board. The flight RV7908 was bound from Tehran-Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) (Iran) to Yerevan Airport (EVN) (Armenia) when it crashed 16 minutes after takeoff.
According to local media, the airplane slammed into the ground and exploded on impact, creating a 10 m deep crater.
Video by AP
Raw Video
Yesterday, the NTSB has released its report on the crash of Steve Fossett on September 3 2007, near Mammoth Lakes.
The Board determined downdrafts, that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane, as probable cause of the crash. Contributing to the accident were high density altitude, and mountainous terrain.
Examination of the accident site revealed that the Bellanca 8KCAB-180 (N240R) piloted by Steve Fossett was on a northerly heading at impact, indicating that the pilot had executed a 180-degree turn after radar contact was lost. Ground scars and distribution of the heavily fragmented wreckage indicated that the airplane was traveling at a high speed when it impacted in a right wing low, near level pitch attitude. A postimpact fire consumed the fuselage, with the exception of its steel frame. The wings were fragmented into numerous pieces. The ELT was destroyed. Damage signatures on the propeller blades and the engine crankshaft indicated that the engine was operating at impact. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.
Visual meteorological conditions existed in the accident area at the time of the accident. Mean winds at 10,000 feet were from 220 degrees at 15 to 20 knots; some gusts of 25 to 30 knots may have occurred. Moderate turbulence and downdrafts of at least 400 feet per minute probably occurred at the time and in the area of the accident. The magnitude of the downdrafts likely exceeded the climb capability of the airplane, which, at a density altitude of 13,000 feet, was about 300 feet per minute.
Link: Full NTSB Report
Today, the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has released a first intermediate investigation report on the Air France flight 447 crash from June 1.
The report reveals that the plane (Airbus A330-200 F-GZCP / MSN: 660) was not destroyed in flight and had likely struck the surface of the water in a straight line, with a high rate vertical acceleration.
The airplane had taken off from Rio de Janeiro without any known technical problems, except on one of the three radio handling panels. No problems were indicated by the crew to Air France or during contacts with the Brazilian controllers. No distress messages were received by the control centres or by other airplanes. The last radio exchange between the crew and Brazilian ATC occurred at 1 h 35 min 15 s. The airplane then arrived at the edge of radar range of the Brazilian control centres. At 2 h 01, the crew tried, without success for the third time, to connect to the Dakar ATC ADS-C system. Up to the last automatic position point, received at 2 h 10 min 35 s, the flight had followed the route indicated in the flight plan.
Weather
The meteorological situation was typical of that encountered in the month of June in the inter-tropical convergence zone. There were powerful cumulonimbus clusters on the route of AF447. Some of them could have been the centre of some notable turbulence. Several airplanes that were flying before and after AF 447, at about the same altitude, altered their routes in order to avoid cloud masses.
ACARS
Twenty-four automatic maintenance messages were received between 2 h 10 and 2 h 15 via the ACARS system. These messages show inconsistency between the measured speeds as well as the associated consequences. Before 2 h 10, no maintenance messages had been received from AF 447, with the exception of two messages relating to the configuration of the toilets.
The last ACARS message was received towards 2 h 14 min 28 s.
ACARS messages:
FLR = Fault
WRN = Cockpit Warning
Autopilot disconnection other than by pressing the push-button provided for that purpose on the control sticks
Unavailability of the reaction to wind shear detection function
Switching to alternate flight control law
Disappearance of the display of the characteristic speeds (in particular VLS and green dot) on the Captain and First Officer PFDs, with display of the SPD LIM flag at the bottom of the speed scales due to unavailability of the FMGEC’s characteristic speed calculation function.
Disconnection of the auto-thrust other than by pressing the button provided for that purpose on the throttle control levers (instinctive disconnect) or that the throttle control levers were moved to the idle notch.
TCAS is inoperative
Disappearance of the Flight Director on the Primary Flight Displays, Captain and First Officer sides, and display of the red FD flag
Unavailability of the rudder deflection limitation calculation function. The limitation value remains frozen at the current value at the time of the failure (until the slats extension command is given).
Detection of different speed by pitot probes. Detection of decreasing speed of more than 30 kt in one second of the “polled†speed value.
Disappearance of the Flight Path Vector (bird) on the PFDs (Primary Flight Displays), Captain and First Officer sides, and display of the red FPV (Flight Path Vector) flag
The Electronic Flight Control Systems have rejected an Air Data Reference, and then identified an inconsistency between the two remaining Air Data References on one of the monitored parameters.
Internal failure at the level of the Calibrated Airspeed or Mach elaboration function. The Calibrated Airspeed or Mach values are outside certain limits.
Unexplained fault
Flight Control Primary Computer 1 and Flight Control Secondary Computer 1 have stopped functioning.
Unexplained fault detected for less than 2.5 seconds
A cabin altitude variation greater than 1,800 ft/min for five seconds.
Investigation of the recovered tail fin showed that the frames broke during a forward motion with a slight twisting component towards the left. A recovered galley was not very distorted. Baskets and racks were compressed in the lower part of both galley carts. The distortions observed in the metal vertical reinforcements of a toilet door showed evidence of great compressive forces. Fragments of the walls of the flight crew rest area were crumpled and those of the ceiling were deformed downwards. The floor was curved under the effect of a strong upward pressure from below. The connecting brackets between the floor and the walls were bent
backwards.
The agency also published further in-depth details about the weather at time of the crash, information about pitot probes, location of wreckage, as well as the general condition of the plane prior to the accident.
Also included in this investigation report is the full ATC transcript as well as some new photos of recovered wreckage.
Links
Intermediate Investigation Report (English) – Does NOT include several additional information such as ATC transcript and weather details!:
http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp090601e1.en/pdf/f-cp090601e1.en.pdf
Intermediate Investigation Report (French) – Complete report including ATC transcript and weather!:
http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp090601e1/pdf/f-cp090601e1.pdf
Source & Images: Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA)
Related:
More New Photos of AF447 Wreckage
New Photos Of AF447 Wreckage
Photos – AF447 Wreckage
Photos – AF447 Tail Recovered from Atlantic Ocean
Today Yemenia Airways flight IY626, an Airbus A310-324 (7O-ADJ, MSN: 535), bound from Sanaa (SAH, Yemen) to Moroni (HAH, Comoro Islands) crashed into the Indian Ocean while on approach. According to unconfirmed reports 141 passengers and 11 crew died, 1 child apparently survived. Weather in the area at the time of the crash was stormy, with high seas.
The plane was delivered from the production line in 1990 and has been operated by Yemenia since October 1999. The aircraft had accumulated approximately 51,900 flight hours in some 17,300 flights. It was powered by Pratt and Whitney engines PW4152.
Date: 06/29/2009 15:20
Location: Tampa, FL
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-400 Registration: Unknown
Operator: US Airways Flight: AWE1241
Phase: Landing
Level of Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: On landing the nose wheel tire blew and nose gear collapsed, no injuries reported
Video
Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.
Date: 06/23/2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-232 Registration: N425UA
Operator: United Airlines Flight: 468
Phase: Unknown
Level of Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: United Airlines flight 468 was struck by lightning while inflight – post flight inspection revealed damage to the left elevator.
Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.
Today the Brazil Navy has released more new photos of the recovery of Air France flight 447 (AF447) – Airbus A330-200 F-GZCP / MSN: 660. That photos mostly show many smaller parts of wreckage like parts of the cabin side wall (without windows), overhead compartments and parts that could belong to a horizontal stabilizer or wing as well as some galley wreckage.
Photos: Brazil Navy
Related:
New Photos Of AF447 Wreckage
Photos – AF447 Wreckage
Photos – AF447 Tail Recovered from Atlantic Ocean
Today the Brazil Navy has released new photos of wreckage belonging to Air France flight 447 (AF447) – Airbus A330-200 F-GZCP / MSN: 660 – that mysteriously crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on June 1. One picture is showing an IFE screen, others show the recovery of parts of the galley.
Photos: Brazil Navy
Related:
Photos – AF447 Wreckage
Photos – AF447 Tail Recovered from Atlantic Ocean
The Brazil Air Force recently published further pictures of Air France flight 447 (AF447) wreckage (Airbus A330-200 F-GZCP / MSN: 660).
Photos: Brazil Air Force
Related:
Photos – AF447 Tail Recovered from Atlantic Ocean
Photos – Air France Flight 447 Tail Found
Just recently the vertical stabilizer of Air France flight 447 (AF447), Airbus A330-200 (F-GZCP / MSN: 660) was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. The wreckage was lifted on a navy ship and brought to land for further investigation.
Source: Brazil Air Force
