Aviation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a rule for pilots that would ban use of electronics while working. The proposed rule would prohibit flight crew members from using a personal wireless communications device or laptop computer for personal use “while at their duty station on the flight deck while the aircraft is being operated.” As reported in the Federal Register, the rule “is intended to ensure that certain non-essential activities do not contribute to…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered all Dreamliner flights in this country be grounded. The action comes on the heels of two Japanese airlines voluntarily grounding all 787 flights Wednesday (1/16/13). An All Nippon Airways flight had to land in an emergency in western Japan following a battery fire that led to smoke in the cockpit and cabin. In a press release issued Wednesday, the FAA stated, it was issuing “an emergency airworthiness directive…

Communities surrounding Mason City, Iowa, continue to grieve after a medevac helicopter carrying three crew members crashed Jan. 3, 2013, in a field, burst into flames and killed the paramedic, nurse and pilot aboard. According to media reports, no patients were aboard the aircraft as it headed from Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa just north of Ventura in Cerro Gordo County about 9 p.m. that night. The dedicated emergency medical team that was killed…

A horrific helicopter crash occurred during the Wednesday morning rush hour in central London when the aircraft slammed into a construction crane on top of a 50-story residential building (1/16/13). The pilot and one person on the ground reportedly were killed; 13 others were injured on the ground. It was reported to be misty weather and the pilot had asked to divert and land in nearby London Heliport. The helicopter reportedly was on a commercial…

Chicago Fire Department officials confirmed that they treated several passengers aboard American Eagle Flight 3720 that was heading to Chicago today from New Orleans. The flight experienced “severe turbulence” while in flight that led to one passenger requiring to be taken to a local Chicago hospital. A spokesman for the Fire Department said that they experienced head, neck and back injuries. At least three people were injured, according to reports. The flight reportedly left New…

In a move that the flying public may have been waiting to happen, Japan’s two major airlines and the biggest customers of the new Dreamliner jets have grounded the 787 aircraft following yet another incident that led to an emergency landing Wednesday (1/16/13) in that country. An All Nippon Airways jet on a domestic flight was reported to have battery problems and a burning smell was detected in the cockpit and cabin, forcing the 787…

In the wake of another 787 Dreamliner problem at Japan’s airport over the weekend, its transport ministry has launched an investigation into what caused two separate fuel leaks on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Japan Airlines Company. The investigation comes just days after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it was undergoing a comprehensive review of the next generation aircraft following a number of incidents in the United States as well. The Chicago Tribune…

On the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review of the 787 Dreamliner following its series of troubles with the aircraft comes the news that yet another problem. A Japan All Nippon Airways 787 experienced a fuel leak Sunday (Jan. 13, 2013) during an inspection at Narita International Airport outside of Tokyo. The aircraft reportedly was the same one that had a fuel leak in Boston last week. Only about 50 of the 787’s…

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials held a press conference Friday (1/11/2013) in Washington, D.C., where they explained the comprehensive review that was ordered of the Boeing 787 aircraft. Following a week of more problems for what has been called the next generation airplane, experts and analysts speculated on what the high priority review of the 787 design and assembly, particularly the electrical system, means. Wall Street Journal reporter Andy Pasztor told PBS New Hour Friday…