They Think You may have Hit Somebody

JFK Tower: "Air France, they think you may have hit somebody, so hold there and we'll get back to you. Stand by."

You think? Watch this video.

The Air France Airbus 380 (Flight AF007) hits the tail of a Comair Bombardier CJR-700 (Flight 6293).



Watching the video I thought of two things.

"Please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain has taxied to the gate." Sound advice.

Also thought.

"Please return the stewardess to her original upright position."

With 61 passengers and crew aboard the Bombardier and 580 aboard the Airbus it was a Good Thing that no one was injured. As the investigation continues, fingers are being pointed. It's the pilot-in-command's responsibility to "see and avoid" all traffic. Watch the video again and watch for something. As the Bombardier taxis to it's spot, some dumbass in a pick up truck darts across its path. You never cross the path of a moving aircraft!

The Bombardier had to stop. The Airbus couldn't even see it happen as it had already passed out the the cockpit's view. Many will blame the mishap on the size of the Airbus. I disagree. NSTB investigators need to find out who was the asshat driving the truck.

FA-18 Explodes on U.S.S. Stennis

A mishap occurred during flight operations aboard the U.S.S. John C. Stennis (CVN-74). The nuclear powered aircraft was on a training cruise on the Southern Californian coast. Early reports say that an engine installed on an FA-18 fighter jet exploded injuring 10 sailors on the flight deck.
Although 4 were airlifted to hospital in San Diego, the Navy stated that none of the injures are serious or life threatening.

An investigation is being conducted to discover the cause of the engine explosion which caused an estimated one million dollars of damage.

Tower Asleep at the Switch

When American Airlines Flight 1900 could not raise the tower at Reagan International Airport, the controller at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach tries to help.

Here are some highlights....

Potomac: “Just so you’re aware, the tower is apparently not manned. We’ve made a few phone calls. No one’s answered. … So you can expect to go in as an uncontrolled airport.”
American 1900: “Is there a reason it’s not manned?”
Potomac: “I’m going to take a guess and say that the controller got locked out. I’ve heard of this happening before.”

Two airliners had to conduct unassisted landings because the only person pulling the over night shift in the tower has fallen asleep. Authorities have suspended the controller (a supervisor) while the incident is investigated.

Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt said.

"As a former airline pilot, I am personally outraged that this controller did not meet his responsibility to help land these two airplanes,. I am determined to get to the bottom of this situation for the safety of the traveling public."

On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood directed FAA to launch a nationwide study of airport tower staffing. He also directed that at least two controllers be on duty at night at Reagan, which is located just across the Potomac River from Washington in Northern Virginia.

"It is not acceptable to have just one controller in the tower managing air traffic in this critical air space," LaHood said.

The head of the union that represents air traffic controllers praised LaHood's actions, saying changes in staffing are needed.

Southwest Airlines Training Video

Southwest Airlines Safety Inspection Training... by NationalLampoon

Pilot in Hot Water for Blowing Whistle on TSA

Although it was cool with his airline, it wasn't with the TSA. A pilot who videoed security gaps at San Francisco airport has had his Federal Deputy status revoked and his federally provided side arm confiscated by the six agents that came to his house when he posted his video to YouTube.

This comes as no surprise to me. When I worked as a baggage handler we had to removed our SECURITY BADGE before going through the metal detectors on our way back from lunch. If we were in a hurry, we could duck into one office, go through the office and out by another door that was on the other side of the screening. Sometimes if the screener was rude we'd wave from inside the security zone.

While waiting to park a jet we were relaxing under the jetway (that ramp thingy that you walk through to board) when two guys in suits walked out of a crew door looked around and when back into the crew offices. After playing a short round of hide and seek in the hallways we confronted them and asked to see their security badges.

"We don't have badges son," the older of the two said as he opened his sports coat, "we have one of these."

My eyes focused on the big black Glock he had in a shoulder holster.

"Not the gun, son. Look at the badge."

They were Secret Service and had been inspecting security of the terminal. The Vice-President's wife was coming to our fair city in the near future. They had roamed around for about a half an hour before we jacked them for badges. We were the only ones to challenge them. We were given $100 ($50 for each agent) by the company for our alert action.