Onboard Video from Qantas Emergency Landing

Someone had the smarts to record the landing and subsequent applause onboard the Qantas 747-400. See it below.

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'Big Hole' prompts emergency landing, passenger vomit

A Qantas flight from Australia to London had to divert to Manila in the Philippines this morning after a huge hole was punched in the side of the Boeing 747-400 after a loud bang was heard. Manila International Airport Authority deputy manager for operations Octavio Lina told the AP, "There were no injuries, but some of the 350 passengers vomited after disembarking." Lina said that part of the aircraft's ceiling collapsed and the floor gave way exposing the cargo hold. “There is a big hole on the right side near the wing,” Lina added. The hole, 2.5 to 3 yards in diameter, was more than large enough for the aircraft lose partial cabin pressure as passengers commented, “There was wind swirling around the plane and some condensation.” The incident and subsequent emergency descent occurred about one hour into flight over the South China Sea. I would assume the Manila airport is large enough to have an adequate supply of saw dust for that level of puke extraction.




UPDATED 11:50Z 7/25/08 WITH 2 NEW PICS

Photo Credits:
Edwin Llobrera MIAA via EPA
Unknown
La Republicca (Italy) via AFP

(MSNBC)

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Qantas exec to face jail time for role in "Cargo Cartel"

This is collusion with a capital C. Former Qantas Airlines VP of Freight for the Americas, Barry McCaffrey, could be the first person jailed for his involvement in a price-fixing conspiracy according to Aviation Week. The US Justice Department has already laid out some pretty hefty fines for British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air for their involvement in the conspiracy. McCaffrey is trying to reach a plea deal with the DOJ now that will include admission of his role and outing of other co-conspirators who met over a period of 7 years to set prices on freight going to and from the U.S.

The crime carries a maximum $1 million fine and up to 10 years in prison, but McCaffrey will likely not see that extent with any kind of deal with the DOJ. Qantas has already paid their share for participating in the "Cargo Cartel" with a $61 million fine. The investigation has been ongoing since 2006 when German carrier Lufthansa reached a deal with EU and DOJ prosecutors for immunity in return for snitchen on other airlines in the cartel. If you've ever seen a mob movie, I don't have to tell you what would happen to them next.

The DOJ hasn't commented on any other indictments yet, although it appears other airline executives could also see jail time for their involvement. A spokesperson for the DOJ did say "The department remains dedicated to aggressively pursuing those who conspire to cheat American businesses and consumers with price-fixing schemes".

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Hard Landing Down Under

A Qantas plane "bounced" on the runway at Darwin (AU) airport causing major damage to the bottom of the aircraft, according to a transport safety report.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's preliminary report into the "hard landing" of the Boeing 717-200 on February 7, 2008 was released March 27, 2008.

It found the that the Boeing 717, carrying 88 passengers and six crew was descending (read FALLING) at a rate of 1000 feet per minute when it hit the runway. They were not even kind enough to call it an attempted landing.

Damage to the aircraft included several creases to the skin on the fuselage above the wing area and underneath the fuselage behind the wing. The left main landing gear and outside left main tire were also damaged.

The plane is being repaired and expected to be airworthy again in late April.

In other fuselage creasing news, return to Contact Ground .9 and see the Algerian 737-800 rough landing pictures and story.