The issue, identified during a routine post-flight inspection, affects the thrust link component on multiple test aircraft.

The problem first emerged on the third 777-9 test aircraft, WH003, following a flight from Hawaii on August 16. Subsequent inspections revealed cracks in the thrust link structure on other 777-9 test planes.

Boeing confirmed the discovery reported by The Air Current. The company plans to resume flight testing once the problem is resolved.

This setback could potentially impact the 777X program’s timeline and certification process. The thrust link, crucial for transferring engine thrust to the aircraft’s structure, plays a vital role in the plane’s performance and safety.

Boeing shared this update with the FAA on Monday (August 19, 2024).

There are around 481 orders from various airlines across the globe for Boeing 777X.

These developments compound Boeing’s challenges, potentially impacting the 777X’s certification and delivery timeline. The company had previously scheduled deliveries for 2025, already five years behind the original plan.

FAA Mandates 787 Inspection

In a separate development, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated inspections for Boeing 787 Dreamliners following a LATAM Airlines (LA) incident in March 2024. The mid-air dive, caused by an unexpected captain’s seat movement, injured over 50 passengers.

The FAA directive impacts 158 U.S.-registered and 737 (not the type) other 787 Dreamliners, encompassing models 787-7, 787-9, and 787-10.

Airlines must inspect captain and first officer seats within 30 days for specific defects and implement necessary corrective actions.

The Airlines awaiting Boeing 777X deliveries may need to reassess their fleet plans, while those operating 787s must allocate resources for immediate inspections and potential repairs.

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Singapore Airlines is stopping its longest direct flight SQ52 (duration 26 hours and 15 minutes, including the 1 hour 30 minute stop in Manchester) citing insufficient demand as the primary reason for this decision.

The carrier will maintain its five-times-weekly service between Manchester and Singapore Changi Airport. However, the Houston link will be completely severed, marking Singapore Airlines’ withdrawal from the Texas hub.

This move aligns with Singapore Airlines’ ongoing capacity adjustments and network review strategy. The airline emphasizes its commitment to aligning capacity with demand, suggesting that the Houston-Manchester route no longer meets profitability thresholds.

Singapore Airlines has not indicated whether this cut is permanent or temporary, leaving the door open for potential future resumption. The carrier has served Houston since March 2008, initially operating a route from Houston to Singapore via Moscow.

This decision impacts the unique fifth-freedom flight offering, which allowed passengers to travel between Houston and Manchester on a non-British or American carrier.

Singapore Airlines Houston Flights

The airline maintains other fifth-freedom routes, including New York-Frankfurt-Singapore and Los Angeles-Tokyo-Singapore. Houston-Manchester emerges as the underperforming link in Singapore Airlines’ U.S. network.

Initially connecting Houston with Moscow, capitalizing on oil industry ties, the route shifted to Manchester in 2016. Despite potential connectivity through United Airlines’ Houston hub, travelers found more efficient options via Los Angeles or San Francisco for Singapore-bound journeys.

This cancellation impacts travelers seeking unique mileage redemption opportunities on a premium carrier for U.S.-Europe flights. However, Singapore Airlines simultaneously announces network expansions elsewhere, including increased frequencies and aircraft upgrades across European routes and additional flights to Johannesburg.

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The offer extends to destinations in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Subscribers can book available flights up to three days before departure for a flat fee of 9.99 euros, starting in September. The subscription price will increase to 599 euros after August 16.

This model follows similar schemes by Frontier Airlines in the US and AirAsia in Malaysia. Wizz Air aims to sell 10,000 subscriptions distributed across its operational airports.

The airline’s website indicates several ‘airport of preference’ options are sold out. Wizz Air’s terms and conditions state that seat availability for members is not guaranteed, depending on various factors.

Worst Airline in the UK?

Wizz Air faces mounting challenges as it ranks worst for UK flight delays for the third consecutive year. Official data analyzed by PA news agency reveals Wizz Air’s average departure delay from UK airports reached 31 minutes in 2022.

Consumer group Which? labels Wizz Air as the poorest performer in customer service, further damaging the airline’s reputation. Hungary’s competition authority recently fined Wizz Air 770,000 euros for misleading communications, particularly regarding the promotion of costlier travel packages.

Wizz Air contests the fine’s legality and reasoning, initiating legal action against the decision. The airline’s financial performance also suffers, with a 44% decrease in first-quarter operating profit and a downward revision of its annual profit forecast.

These issues compound Wizz Air’s existing problems, potentially impacting customer trust and loyalty. The airline must address these concerns to maintain its market position and support its new subscription model.

The airline that flies as far as Maldives is also planning to add flights to India with its brand-new Airbus A321XLR next year.

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The incident occurred during the inflight meal service aboard the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (registration B-16711).

Six flight attendants suffered minor injuries, while no passengers were reportedly hurt. Formosa News reported that one passenger narrowly avoided hitting the ceiling due to another passenger’s quick action.

Passengers shared images on social media depicting the aftermath, showing food, beverages, and meal trays strewn across the aisle. These visuals highlight the intensity of the turbulence experienced during the flight.

Despite the midair disturbance, the aircraft landed safely at Taoyuan International Airport, located 50km west of Taipei, approximately seven hours after it departed from Jakarta.

Similar Incidents

On August 4, 2024, Korean Air flight KE197 experienced severe turbulence approximately one hour after departing Seoul Incheon International Airport for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The incident occurred near Tianjin Airport in China, lasting 15 seconds and resulting in minor injuries to 14 passengers aboard the Airbus A330-300.

The Korea JoongAng Daily reported passenger screams as the aircraft encountered lightning and thunder. Korean Air confirmed to local media that the plane was carrying 281 passengers during the incident.

This event follows a similar occurrence on June 30, 2024, when Air Europa flight UX45 from Madrid to Montevideo encountered severe turbulence. That incident reportedly injured up to 30 passengers and forced the flight to divert to Natal, Brazil.

Social media footage from the Air Europa flight revealed significant damage caused by the turbulence, highlighting the potential severity of such events.

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah reports Gapco assaulted crew members and attempted to open exterior doors mid-flight on July 18.

The Seattle to Dallas flight diverted to Salt Lake City International Airport due to Gapco’s actions. He ignored instructions to remain seated, sexually propositioned a flight attendant, and repeatedly disturbed other passengers.

Gapco’s behavior escalated as he used a vape device, locked himself in the lavatory, and made multiple attempts to open the aircraft’s exterior doors while airborne.

Flight crew members and passengers restrained Gapco with flexible restraints on his hands and feet during the flight. Law enforcement arrested him upon landing in Salt Lake City.

The case is under investigation by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Salt Lake City Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting, emphasizing the federal nature of crimes committed on aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has intensified efforts to address unruly passenger behavior. Since late 2021, the FAA and FBI have collaborated to refer over 270 severe cases for criminal prosecution.

The FAA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with airline crew members. To reinforce this policy, the agency can impose civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation, serving as a strong deterrent against disruptive behavior.

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Among the 10 injured, including the pilot, passengers were evacuated from the burning aircraft. Some recounted scenes of “complete panic” as they sought safety.

The Air Sénégal flight, operated by TransAir, was en route to Bamako, Mali, late Wednesday, carrying 79 passengers, two pilots, and four cabin crew when the incident occurred at Blaise Diagne International Airport, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Dakar.

The cause of the Boeing 737-300 catching fire and skidding off the runway remains unclear. According to the minister, the injured individuals received treatment at a hospital, while the others were relocated to a hotel for rest.

Passenger Remarks

Malian musician Cheick Siriman Sissoko, who captured the passengers’ harrowing experience on his phone, described how they leaped down the emergency slides amidst flames engulfing one side of the aircraft, with screams echoing around.

“My life flashed before my eyes,” Sissoko, 39, recounted from the hotel where passengers were recuperating. “I thought about my mother, my wife, my kids.”

He added, “Only one side’s slide opened, causing complete panic during the evacuation.”

Ibrahim Diallo, a 20-year-old Malian citizen onboard, revealed that the plane had previously attempted to take off that night but encountered difficulties.

“The pilot assured us that everything was under control and we would attempt takeoff again,” Diallo said. “However, smoke emerged from one of the wings during the second attempt.”

Air Sénégal released a statement on the social media platform X, announcing the rescheduling of flights between Dakar and Bamako.

This marked the third incident involving a Boeing aircraft this week. The same day, Turkey’s transportation ministry also reported safely evacuating 190 individuals from a plane in Turkey after one of its tires burst while landing at a southern airport.

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The aircraft sustained damage to its engine, resulting in the cancellation of the flight. Preliminary visual evidence indicates that the aircraft may have inadvertently entered a parking area designated for ground crews, reported Aviacioncivil.

Luckily, no reported injuries have resulted from this incident thus far. Further, the airline released an official statement regarding the incident through its Instagram account.

The airline wrote, “Air Routes of Venezuela, S.A. (RAVSA) firmly rejects any comments made regarding the incident involving our aircraft at Las Americas International Airport in the Dominican Republic. We are actively working to resolve this situation promptly and provide the best possible service to all our passengers.”

Two Airbus A330s collided

Japan’s transport ministry says two passenger jets appear to have collided near a taxiway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Saturday.

Winglet of the wing of the Thai Airways plane looks to be broken, and what appears to be fragmented can be seen near the runway.

Thai Airways Airbus A330-300 (reg. HS-TEO) and Eva Air Airbus A330-300 (reg. B-16340) clipped wings when Thai flight #TG683 for Bangkok taxied alongside stationary flight #BR189 for Taipei before line-up on runway 16R at Tokyo-Haneda Airport, Japan.

Further, the Tokyo airport office has sent officials to the site to investigate. Subsequently, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways say some of their domestic and international flights have been delayed.

Also, Read, BREAKING Four children have been found alive in Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash (airlive.net)

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As a result, the engine emitted debris through the exhaust, which landed in the village of Meerssen, causing injuries to two people and property damage to houses and cars. The flight crew shut down the engine and landed safely at Liège Airport in Belgium.

The Dutch Safety Board classified the incident as serious because of the chance of an accident. This is because the falling debris ended up in a village and caused the injury, reported onderzoeksraad.nl.

That injury could have been much more serious. By the Dutch Safety Board Kingdom Act and European Regulation No. 996/20102, the Dutch Safety Board investigated this serious incident.

Report by the Dutch government

The Dutch Safety Board investigated the risk posed to individuals on the ground following concerns raised by residents through letters and emails.

The concerns centered on the safety of the residents after injuries and property damage occurred as a result of the incident above. Residents rely on the government to manage risks associated with the Maastricht Aachen Airport for their safety.

The airport is perceived as unsafe due to its location between residential areas and its use for commercial air transport services, including flights with heavy cargo aircraft. The incident has further exacerbated the residents’ sense of insecurity.

As per ICAO Annex 13 guidelines, the survey included the following organizations: the Dutch Safety Board, which represented the country where the incident occurred.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) represented the country of design and manufacture of the Boeing 747 and the Pratt & Whitney PW4056 engine type.

In addition, the NTSB has appointed designated representatives and advisors to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Pratt & Whitney, and the United States Federal Aviation Administration.

The British civil aviation investigation body, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), represented the airline’s country and the country of registration and appointed an authorized representative and advisor from the airline Longtail Aviation.

The report is in Dutch, and it states the various reasons why it occurred and what led to this failure. They have included data from the engine manufacturers and also added the readings.

Also, Read REPORT Midair Collision between Cirrus SR22 and Metroliner caused by high speed turn – AIRLIVE

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The rear of the Sky Cafe Truck caused damage to the wingtips of the Delta Air Lines aircraft. The truck is owned by a catering service provider that operates across several airports in the United States.

The damages to the wing tips of the Delta aircraft will require some time for repairs. It may be taken to the base hangar for assessment. The extent of the damage will be further evaluated during the process of structural repair.

According to Aviation A2Z, the aircraft that was hit by the truck is an Airbus A320-211 which was originally delivered to Northwest Airlines (NW) in May 1998, almost 25 years ago.

The aircraft, with registration N356NW, was previously owned by Northwest Airlines before it merged with Delta Air Lines. Currently, it is operated by Delta Air Lines and appears to have sustained minor damage in the incident.

Delta Air Lines operates a fleet of 946 aircraft, one of the world’s largest. Among them, the airline has a total of 61 Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

Wing Tip Hazard

According to Skybrary, ground maneuvering requires special attention, particularly for larger aircraft with swept wings. Further, the wingtips may not be visible from the flight deck and are subject to “swept wing growth” or “wing creep.” This increases the risk of wingtip damage, resulting in frequent incidents.

Designated taxiways are constructed based on pavement strength and adjacent obstacles, and they are either used by all aircraft or only specific types. Proper taxi clearance issued by air traffic control is essential to avoid the risk of wingtip damage. The aircraft’s flight crew must comply with clearances or standard routings to prevent any such incidents.

Occasionally, airport operators may be conscious of the possibility of wingtip collisions and, as a result, must take measures to reduce their liability. Subsequently, by including messages in ATIS or NOTAM, such as “wingtip clearance cannot be guaranteed.”

More details are awaited, and this is the developing story. Further, keep checking our website for the latest Updates.

Also, Read, British Airways #BA165 to Tel Aviv diverted to Cyprus due to rocket attack – AIRLIVE

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In 2022, Delta Air Lines Flight 211 was a return leg from Prague (PRG) to New York (JFK) before the flight number was reassigned to Delta’s South Africa services.

The flight had 221 passengers and 12 crew members onboard and departed from Prague at around 14:00 CEST. The journey between the two cities took around 9 hours and was operated by Delta’s 30-year-old Boeing 767-300 with registration number N181DN.

During Delta Air Lines Flight 211, cabin crew members reported flooding in the mid-cabin and forward-left lavatories while passing over southern Greenland.

Although an out-of-service aircraft is usually not an emergency, as the flight progressed, the flight deck crew noticed that the aircraft’s autopilot had disconnected and that there were roll control issues.

When the team attempted to fix the problem, they found that they couldn’t reconnect any of the aircraft’s three autopilots, and the aircraft was gradually drifting right.

Delta 767 Autopilot Incident

During Delta Air Lines Flight 211 in 2022, which flew from Prague to New York, issues arose when flooding was reported by cabin crew members in the mid-cabin and forward-left lavatories. Additionally, the autopilot disconnected, and there were concerns with the aircraft’s roll control.

The flight crew declared an emergency and began diverting to Gander Airport while attempting to regain control of the aircraft. They felt a slight jolt as they descended through 12,000 ft and were able to regain control of the flight. The emergency was cancelled, and the aircraft landed an hour later than scheduled at JFK. After landing, the aircraft was sent to Delta Air Line’s TechOps for repairs.

Repairs included the autopilot and roll control inspections, the grey water drain masts replacement, and a seal close to the aileron centring and trim mechanism. The aircraft was cleared for service on July 12th, reported SimpleFlying

NTSB Report

According to the NTSB’s report published on Friday, the limited flight controls and autopilot error on Delta Air Lines Flight 211 can be traced back to the faulty toilets.

Despite the older age of the aircraft, the report suggests that human error was the primary cause of the incident. Delta Air Lines’ maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) personnel found that the forward and aft toilets’ drain mast heater circuit breakers had been left open during prior maintenance in June 2022.

The NTSB concluded that this led to the formation of ice in the forward drain mast, improper wastewater flow into the main landing gear wheel well, and ice formation on one or more aileron system components. Delta Air Lines replaced the elements and confirmed normal functioning during testing.

Also, read American Airlines #AA1958 Boeing 737 experienced engine fire following bird strike – AIRLIVE

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A video posted online showed the plane emitting flames into the sky after hitting the geese during takeoff from John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

Flight 1958 of American Airlines, which was scheduled to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, departed from John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 7:43 am and returned to the airport at 8:22 am, according to RadarBox.

Witnesses at the airport heard unusual noises and observed flames coming out of the engine after the bird strike.

A witness in Columbus, Ohio, described the noise from the engines of the 737 after the bird strike as alarming, and it seemed like the engines were about to fail.

Fortunately, the plane was able to make an emergency landing at John Glenn Columbus International Airport without any reported injuries.

American Airlines 737 Engine Fire

Online videos and photos are circulating of American Airlines Flight 1958’s engine on fire as it returned to Columbus, Ohio, shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was originally headed for Phoenix, Arizona. Witnesses reported the plane making a low rumbling noise as it passed through Ohio, reported Daily Mail UK.

An anonymous passenger who was on board the flight informed WBNS that the pilot had mentioned that geese had entered the engine, causing the fire.

Passengers were transferred to another flight scheduled to depart for Phoenix at around 10 am. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has taken over the investigation of the incident while emergency teams continue to remain at the airport. Despite the incident, the airport has confirmed that it remains open and functional.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 (N972NN, built 2015) safely returned to land at Columbus-Intl AP (KCMH), OH after flames and smoke was seen coming from the right engine. Flight #AA1958 to Phoenix landed back on runway 28L 25 minutes after take-off. No one was hurt. @Cbus4Life… pic.twitter.com/YsAxsJ3D1O

— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) April 23, 2023

Similar Incident

The Federal Aviation Association is investigating a possible engine fire after visible flames forced crews to cancel takeoff of an American Airlines flight in Charlotte Thursday evening, officials said.

The Airbus A321 (reg. N980UY) was taxiing while passengers sat inside Flight 2288 — which was supposed to be headed to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

The flames continued for about 10 minutes until the fire department reached the plane, said passenger Frankie Leggington, 19, who shared video footage with The Charlotte Observer.

Once passengers were cleared to leave the plane, the pilot came over the loudspeaker to give props to the passengers for staying so calm, according to Leggington. If the plane had been flying, the whole side of the plane could have blown out, the pilot said, according to Leggington.

Also, Read American Airlines Airbus A321 rejected takeoff when flames were visible on the right wing – AIRLIVE

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The B757 was waiting at taxiway “H” to cross runway 23L, while the B737 proceeded at “D” for take-off from runway 23L.

On April 17, a collision took place between two aeroplanes at the International Airport of Mexico City (AICM). The incident happened when the aircraft was taxiing through Bravo (B) and Delta (D).

The planes involved were an Aeromexico Boeing 737-800 registered as XA-AMO and a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 registered as N694DL. The Aeromexico aircraft departing for San Francisco (SFO) as flight AM622. While the Delta Air Lines aircraft had just arrived from New York (JFK) as flight DL625.

AeroMexico Boeing 737 collided with Delta Boeing 757 in Mexico | Photo: JACDEC

Based on the images available, it appears that the winglet of the Aeromexico Boeing 737 collided with the horizontal stabilizer of the Delta Boeing 757 and got stuck.

As a result, both planes have sustained significant damage. It must undergo thorough inspections and repairs before they can resume commercial operations.

As of now, the status of the return flight from Mexico City to New York (JFK) is uncertain. It is unclear whether the flight will be cancelled or delayed until Delta or its partner, Aeromexico, can arrange a recovery flight.

In the meantime, Aeromexico has replaced the Boeing 737 involved in the collision with other aircraft in its schedule, reported Transponder1200.

Similar Incident

On Sunday, two Delta flights collided with each other at Miami International Airport as they were getting ready for departure. Delta Flight 1654 was heading from Miami to Atlanta, while Delta Flight 2911’s destination was Boston.

According to officials with the Miami International Airport, the Boston flight was backing out of its gate before departure when it hit the Atlanta-bound flight. Delta officials say that both passengers and crew members were able to exit the plane “safely and normally”.

Also, Read, Delta flight #DL838 forced to land back at New York JFK Airport amid bird strike – AIRLIVE

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