Russian general ID'd ordering actions before downing of Malaysian passenger jet

A semi-retired Russian three-star general oversaw the cross-border movements of a rocket launcher used to bring down a passenger jet in 2014 over eastern Ukraine, killing all aboard, an investigation by a team of reporting outlets has found. The reporting team, made up of McClatchy and investigative websites Bellingcat (based in London) and The Insider (based in Moscow), identifies the general as Nikolai Fedorovich Tkachev. His identification is potentially a breakthrough in a case that has… (www.msn.com) More...

Terrified British Airways passengers told 'don't rock plane'

This video shows the terrifying moment a packed British Airways plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Heathrow after its landing gear failed to work. The Boeing 747's landing gear on both wings failed and passengers were warned "not to rock the plane" when getting off as it could have overturned. The 293 passengers on board were asked to leave the holiday jet destined for Chicago "very slowly" in case it toppled over on the runway following the mid-air… (www.msn.com) More...

MH370: New report suggests plane dived rapidly, rejects 'controlled descent' theory

A new report by Australian investigators into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 suggests the aircraft's flaps were not extended when it crashed, effectively ruling out the possibility of a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean. An analysis of data associated with the plane's final communications to and from the satellite was also "consistent with the aircraft being in a high and increasing rate of descent at that time", the Australian Transport Safety… (www.msn.com) More...

Antarctica sightseeing flights from Australia: Qantas jumbo's cool day trip

The veteran 747 captain is one of only four Qantas pilots qualified to captain the airline's most unusual flight route – a 13-hour jaunt to Antarctica and back. Tour company Antarctica Flights charters a Qantas jumbo jet a few times a year to take tourists on a sightseeing tour of the world's coldest, most remote continent. It's an opportunity to get a bird's-eye view of this frozen wasteland and get a real sense of the awesome size and harshness of the landscape.… (www.msn.com) More...

Air Force One is an 'unrivalled flying fortress'

It's time for the American president to get a new plane. On the outside, the new Air Force One (which are actually two identical jets) will maintain its iconic blue and white livery - however, the inside will be barely recognisable. Considering the current plane was built at a time when having a fax machine on board was groundbreaking, the technology on board will get a considerable upgrade. It was never going to come cheap. President-elect Donald Trump cast a spotlight on the project this… (www.nzherald.co.nz) More...

MH17 families voice concerns over new discovery of remains

Relatives of those killed in the MH17 air disaster have called for greater respect for victims' remains fearing some may be "playing a game" after a new discovery of bones. Freelance journalist Patrick Lancaster revealed in a YouTube video on December 11 that he had found 52 bones and remains on the site of the 2014 crash in eastern Ukraine. His video shows him apparently excavating the remains from the snow-covered crash site in rebel-held territory. (www.msn.com) More...

Austrian Boeing 777-200 near Shanghai on Oct 3rd 2016, loss of engine thrust

An Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200, registration OE-LPC performing flight OS-75 from Vienna (Austria) to Shanghai Pudong (China) with 203 passengers and 16 crew, was enroute at 10700 meters (FL351) about 600nm northwest of Shanghai when ATC instructed the aircraft to descend to 8900 meters (FL291). While levelling off the right hand engine (GE90) did not fully spool up to the thrust needed, while the left hand engine continued to operate normally and went above target thrust to compensate for… (www.aeroinside.com) More...

United Airlines just announced 10 major changes to avoid another violent passenger incident (UAL)

Here are the changes: Limit use of law-enforcement to safety and security issues only. Do not force customers seated on the plane to give up their seat involuntarily, unless safety or security is at risk. Increase customer compensation incentives for voluntary denied boarding up to $10,000. Establish a customer solutions team to provide agents with creative solutions such as using nearby airports, other airlines or ground transportation to get customers to their final destination. Ensure… (www.msn.com) More...

'They slammed the brakes so hard my daughter hit the seat'

Passengers on-board a Qantas flight that had just landed in Perth were left bruised but grateful to be alive after their plane came seconds away from crashing into another flight. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau are examining the incident, which happened at a known hot spot for incursions, and have dubbed it as 'serious.' The planes, both of which were Bowing 737s, almost collided when flight QF567 had landed and taxied in front of another plane that was taking off,Hundreds of… (www.msn.com) More...

Air NZ puts total ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Air New Zealand is banning Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices from its aircraft, after reports the devices were catching fire and, in some cases, exploding. The national carrier is placing a total ban on the phones from 5am, following a decision by the United States Department of Transportation to ban them from all US aeroplanes. Air New Zealand said the devices can neither be carried on, nor checked in with luggage. "Air New Zealand is strongly advising travellers not to bring these devices to… (www.nzherald.co.nz) More...