Japanese investigators of the China Airlines plane that burst into flames say that the fuel tank had been pierced.
"We spotted a hole in a fuel tank," the transport ministry's investigative division said in a brief statement.
"We suspect that oil leaked from this hole and spilled from the right wing to the outside."
It’s believed that a bolt in the aircraft’s structure perhaps pierced the tank. The black box has now been recovered and is being analysed to find out the pilots’ conversations.
China Airlines have meanwhile apologised to customers and is going to give compensation. They have also painted over their logo on the wreckage to minimise ay bad publicity. Chairman Philip Wei has also offered his resignation.
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Friday, 24 August 2007
Thursday, 23 August 2007
More misery for China Airlines
To add to the bad luck of China Airlines another of its jets nearly ended its routine flight in disaster.
The aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Japan after it ran out of fuel. The pilots had to ask for permission to land at Kansai International Airport en-route to central Japan from Taipei.
Fortunately the plane landed safely with no injuries to anyone onboard.
After refuelling the plane resumed its journey to Chubu International Airport, China Airlines weren’t available for comment at this time.
The aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Japan after it ran out of fuel. The pilots had to ask for permission to land at Kansai International Airport en-route to central Japan from Taipei.
Fortunately the plane landed safely with no injuries to anyone onboard.
After refuelling the plane resumed its journey to Chubu International Airport, China Airlines weren’t available for comment at this time.
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Airlines - Is Flying the Safest Way to Travel?
Following the recent incident involving China Airlines, and although, miraculously no-one was seriously injured, do you think that flying is still the safest way to travel? Have your say in the poll on the right.
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Airline Explosion Investigation
Investigators involved with the China Airlines explosion in Japan yesterday are looking into the fact that the fire could have been caused by a fuel leak.
Japanese officials could reach no immediate conclusion to the cause of the explosion and Hiromi Tsurumi said: “We are investigating a possible fuel leak in the engine area. We want to know how the fuel could have leaked and how it could have caught fire.”
The US Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board along with Boeing sent investigators to the scene. On Wednesday efforts will begin by a team of Japanese, Taiwanese and US experts to uncover the cause of the accident.
Speculation is focussing on the possibility of a big fuel leak near the plane’s right engine and also the chance of loose parts or objects being sucked into the engine causing the sparks.
The pilots were the last ones out of the giant fireball after waiting for all passengers to be evacuated first. The crew have been praised by the airline for their bravery and the well-organised evacuation procedure.
Captain Yu Chien-Kuo was seen jumping from the cockpit window only a second after Co-Pilot Tseng Ta-Wei.
“Our pilots were the last to depart,” Mr. Sun said. “They told the flight attendants to execute an evacuation and help passengers escape within the shortest possible time.”
“They did what they should have and acted with great bravery,” he said. The aircraft was evacuated within three minutes.
It’s come to light that this particular aircraft had experienced a problem with its sensor on one of the wings earlier this month. This has been denied that it is related to the fire.
While the aircraft was in the air, air traffic control had received no distress signals from the pilot.
The investigation continues.
Japanese officials could reach no immediate conclusion to the cause of the explosion and Hiromi Tsurumi said: “We are investigating a possible fuel leak in the engine area. We want to know how the fuel could have leaked and how it could have caught fire.”
The US Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board along with Boeing sent investigators to the scene. On Wednesday efforts will begin by a team of Japanese, Taiwanese and US experts to uncover the cause of the accident.
Speculation is focussing on the possibility of a big fuel leak near the plane’s right engine and also the chance of loose parts or objects being sucked into the engine causing the sparks.
The pilots were the last ones out of the giant fireball after waiting for all passengers to be evacuated first. The crew have been praised by the airline for their bravery and the well-organised evacuation procedure.
Captain Yu Chien-Kuo was seen jumping from the cockpit window only a second after Co-Pilot Tseng Ta-Wei.
“Our pilots were the last to depart,” Mr. Sun said. “They told the flight attendants to execute an evacuation and help passengers escape within the shortest possible time.”
“They did what they should have and acted with great bravery,” he said. The aircraft was evacuated within three minutes.
It’s come to light that this particular aircraft had experienced a problem with its sensor on one of the wings earlier this month. This has been denied that it is related to the fire.
While the aircraft was in the air, air traffic control had received no distress signals from the pilot.
The investigation continues.
China Airlines Jet bursts into flames after landing
Today at Naha Airport on the Japanese island of Okinawa a China Airlines aircraft burst into flames.
There were 165 people onboard all of whom managed to escape. Some only just made it when the plane exploded just seconds before they had evacuated.
Television pictures showed flames and smoke pouring out the 737-800 and even showed the pilot jumping out the cockpit window.
The Airline has said the cause of the explosion is not yet known but some reports have said that the left engine of the plane caught fire.
"Everything was normal, including take-off and landing, until the pilots were told the airplane was on fire," China Airlines spokesman Johnson Sun said.
"Then the crew on board immediately took the due procedure to evacuate all the passengers."
The plane had embarked on a routine flight from Taipei to Okinawa but after only 8 minutes after landing on the Japanese island black smoke and fire was seen coming from the plane.
The aircraft had actually broken in two after the fire was put out. There were 8 members of crew onboard the flight and all eight are reported to be safe despite reports that two had to be taken to hospital.
China Airlines have a reputation for being one of the unsafest airlines in the world and this recent incident will only add fuel to that belief.
During the 1990s the airline had several crashes and in 2002 one crashed into the sea near Penghu with 225 passengers onboard.
There were 165 people onboard all of whom managed to escape. Some only just made it when the plane exploded just seconds before they had evacuated.
Television pictures showed flames and smoke pouring out the 737-800 and even showed the pilot jumping out the cockpit window.
The Airline has said the cause of the explosion is not yet known but some reports have said that the left engine of the plane caught fire.
"Everything was normal, including take-off and landing, until the pilots were told the airplane was on fire," China Airlines spokesman Johnson Sun said.
"Then the crew on board immediately took the due procedure to evacuate all the passengers."
The plane had embarked on a routine flight from Taipei to Okinawa but after only 8 minutes after landing on the Japanese island black smoke and fire was seen coming from the plane.
The aircraft had actually broken in two after the fire was put out. There were 8 members of crew onboard the flight and all eight are reported to be safe despite reports that two had to be taken to hospital.
China Airlines have a reputation for being one of the unsafest airlines in the world and this recent incident will only add fuel to that belief.
During the 1990s the airline had several crashes and in 2002 one crashed into the sea near Penghu with 225 passengers onboard.
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
JAL announce reduced airfares for flights commencing May 1st
Welcoming news for passengers planning to jet away with JAL. The airline has announced they are slashing ticket prices for international fares from May 1st.
Flights to North America, Europe and Hawaii will be reduced by 1,000 Yen. Routes to Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines are being cut by 600 Yen, China by 500 Yen and for those going to South Korea fares will be reduced by 300 Yen.
So get booking before they change their minds!!
Flights to North America, Europe and Hawaii will be reduced by 1,000 Yen. Routes to Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines are being cut by 600 Yen, China by 500 Yen and for those going to South Korea fares will be reduced by 300 Yen.
So get booking before they change their minds!!
Thursday, 15 March 2007
Cause of All Nippon aircraft landing on 2 wheels established.
It’s thought that the Nippon aircraft, which landed on only two wheels, had a detached bolt resulting in the landing gear getting stuck inside the fuselage.
The bolt, which is positioned in the joint of the arm that opens and shuts the door, had become unhinged thus resulting in the door becoming un-operational.
Investigators have not yet found the missing bolt and the reason why the bolt broke off is still being looked into.
This type of case isn’t unheard of in Japan, there have been three other incidents where the same model aircraft has had problems with the landing gear.
Luckily nobody was injured on the flight.
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Aircraft lands safetly after landing gear failed to work.
An airliner carrying 60 people was forced to circle around a Japan airport when its landing gear was found to be not working properly.
The All Nippon jet had to make an emergency landing in the South West of Japan. It was thought the aircraft was circling the airport to try and lose fuel in order to prevent fire before attempting the landing and to try to extend the front wheels.
The Bombardier DHC-8 eventually landed on its rear wheels with the nose touching the runway.
Luckily there were no injuries although rescue vehicles were in place on the ground incase of any unforeseen mishaps.
The flight was expected to touch down at Kochi airport before 9am (8pm EDT Monday).
An ANA spokesman Daisuke Kato said that the cause of the landing gear not working hasn’t yet been established.
Monday, 5 February 2007
Near miss in Japan
The late takeoff of a Japanese Jet almost caused a fatal disaster at Taoyuan International Airport when it could have collided with a China Airlines 747.
The Japan Asia Airways jet was preparing for takeoff whilst at the same time the 747 was preparing to land on the same runway.
The engine of the JAA shut off which resulted in a delayed takeoff which the China Airlines jet wasn’t notified of straight away and hence began its descent onto the runway.
It wasn’t until the Boeing was approximately 200 metres away from the JAA jet that the control tower notified them of the delay in takeoff. The landing gear was pulled up and an almost certain fatal accident was averted.
Lack of pilot experience on the behalf of JAA’s pilot and the slow response from the control tower to notify the 747 of the change in circumstances were to blame for this incident.
The Japan Asia Airways jet was preparing for takeoff whilst at the same time the 747 was preparing to land on the same runway.
The engine of the JAA shut off which resulted in a delayed takeoff which the China Airlines jet wasn’t notified of straight away and hence began its descent onto the runway.
It wasn’t until the Boeing was approximately 200 metres away from the JAA jet that the control tower notified them of the delay in takeoff. The landing gear was pulled up and an almost certain fatal accident was averted.
Lack of pilot experience on the behalf of JAA’s pilot and the slow response from the control tower to notify the 747 of the change in circumstances were to blame for this incident.
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