Storm causes several FOD incidents at Pittsburgh

A storm moved through western Pennsylvania on February 12 packing what the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review described as "vicious winds" that caused problems for operations at airports in Allegheny County. 'Foreign object debris' (FOD) struck several aircraft that were either landing or attempting to take off during the storm, causing minor damage.

An article in the Tribune-Review described sustained winds of more than 50 mph, with a 92 mph gust recorded at Allegheny County Airport.

The high winds blew sand and pebbles onto the runways at Pittsburgh International Airport, forcing officials to close them for more than an hour to allow workers to clear the debris, Allegheny County Airport Authority spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said.

Four flights were affected during the closure that lasted from 3:15 p.m. until 4:28 p.m, Jenny said. She said the runways were not damaged.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted preliminary incident reports this morning about four aircraft that sustained minor damage from blowing debris.

• Air Wisconsin Flight 4025, a CL-600 (registration N442AW), was struck by debris on landing.
• An ExpressJet Airlines Embraer 145XR (registration N12145), operating as Continental Express Flight 2035, rejected takeoff after being hit by debris.
• The windscreen of an Embraer 145EP (registration N801HK), operating as Trans States Airlines Flight 3541, was struck by debris during takeoff roll.
• Debris struck the windscreen of Hawker Beechcraft 400A (registration N440CT) that was preparing to take off.

Each of the aircraft taxied back to the ramp without further incident. No one was injured.

Sounds like it was definitely a rough night for flying.

Alaska Airlines flight attendants have tentative contract agreement

The flight attendants' union at Alaska Airlines announced that they have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on a proposed two-year contract extension. The TA will be circulated to the union membership and a vote will be scheduled. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which represents Alaska flight attendants, says that if the TA does not receive membership approval, the union will begin preparations for
traditional negotiations beginning this spring.

"We understand the benefit in having a stable labor agreement in the face of the challenging times ahead," said Kelle Wells, president of the Alaska Airlines unit of AFA. "This proposal offers pay increases for flight attendants while keeping our insurance formula and work rules intact. Our members will now evaluate whether this tentative agreement and the associated changes are in their best interests and vote accordingly."

[Photo Source]

UPDATE Mar. 12, 2009: Alaska Airlines flight attendants ratify contract extension

The Flight Attendants from Colgan Air Flight 3407

On February 12, 2009, a Dash 8 Q400 aircraft operated by Colgan Air crashed into a house while on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Continental Connection Flt. CJC 3407, was arriving at Buffalo from Newark Liberty International Airport at the time of the accident. There were no survivors among the 49 people on board. One person on the ground also perished in the accident.

Among those who lost their lives in the accident were the two flight attendants: Matilda Quintero, 57, and Donna Prisco, 52. They had been flight attendants for less than a year. Both had joined Colgan Air on May 28, 2008. They trained together and had become good friends.

Matilda Quintero

Matilda Quintero, a breast cancer survivor, lived in Woodbridge, NJ with her 90 year old mother, and one of her two grown daughters. Her other daughter also lived in the area. Her husband passed away in 1998.

An article about Matilda Quintero in the Democrat and Chronicle quoted her boyfriend, Jim Ferris, who said, "She wished she had a chance to show what she could do, to save lives. She was proud of what she learned. She used to say her job was not just about serving drinks and meals."

Donna Prisco

Donna Prisco was a stay-at-home mom of four until last year when she went to work for Colgan Air, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a flight attendant. She resided in Randolph, NJ with her husband, three sons and daughter. Her daughter also works for Colgan Air.

An article about Donna Prisco in the New Jersey newspaper, the Star-Ledger, quoted Ms. Prisco's sister who said, "She wanted to go back to work and do something for herself. She said, 'I'd do this job for free.' She just loved it."

A pilot from Canada told the Edmonton Sun he recalled flying with Matilda Quintero and Donna Prisco.

"I remember flying with Donna and Matilda on a flight in early November," said John, who did not want his last name used. "We were sitting on the ground for several hours in Toronto on a ground delay program into Newark. The passengers were starting to get angry with the long wait but the women did an amazing job serving the passengers and joking with them to keep them calm."

"I instantly recognized their names because these two were so exceptional. Commuting pilots don't always remember the names of flight attendants that serve on their flight. It saddens me to hear that such a good crew of flight attendants and pilots died in this crash."

Sincere condolences to the families, flying partners and friends of those who perished in the Colgan Air accident.

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about Colgan Air Flt 3407 on Aircrew Buzz.

NTSB Briefing on Colgan Flt 3407 Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder

A short time ago, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board presented initial factual findings obtained from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) retrieved from the wreckage of the Colgan Air Dash 8 Q400 that crashed near Buffalo last night. Speaking at a press briefing, NTSB Member Steven Chealander said that information yielded by both the FDR and the CVR was of "excellent quality."

Chealander said the last 30 minutes of the CVR recorded that the crew of the accident aircraft briefed an ILS approach to runway 23 at Buffalo; and briefed weather of three miles visibility with snow and mist. At an altitude of about 16,000 feet they reported hazy conditions and requested a descent to 12,000 ft. Soon after, they were cleared by ATC to descend to 11,000 feet.

The crew "discussed significant ice build-up" on the windshield and the leading edges of the aircraft's wings. Just prior to those comments, the FDR indicated that airframe de-ice was selected 'on'.

One minute before the recordings ended, the crew extended the landing gear, and 20 seconds after that, 'flaps 15' was selected. Within 15 seconds of the flaps command, the flight director indicated a "series of severe pitch and roll excursions." Shortly thereafter -- and just before the end of the recording -- the crew "attempted to raise the landing gear and the flaps," said Chealander.

Since this is very early in the investigation, Chealander declined to elaborate or engage in any interpretation of the factual information presented.

Here is the video of the entire press briefing, which was held earlier today at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara, Amherst, NY, courtesy of MSNBC TV.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on MSNBC.com.

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about Colgan Air Flt 3407 on Aircrew Buzz.

Dash 8 crashes on approach to Buffalo, no survivors

A Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft operated by Colgan Air has crashed while on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The aircraft reportedly crashed into a house, and a fire ensued. There are no survivors among the 49 on board. One person on the ground also is reported to have been killed.

The accident happened last night, February 12, 2009, at about 22:20 local time as the aircraft, operating as Continental Connection Flt. CJC 3407, was arriving at Buffalo from Newark Liberty International Airport. The aircraft (registration N200WQ) disappeared from radar during an instrument approach to Buffalo.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a team of investigators to the scene early this morning.

Colgan Air has released the names of the crew members on board Flight 3407, all of whom perished:

• Marvin Renslow, Captain, joined Colgan on September 9, 2005
• Rebecca Shaw, First Officer, joined Colgan on January 16, 2008
• Matilda Quintero, Flight Attendent, joined Colgan on May 28, 2008
• Donna Prisco, Flight Attendent, joined Colgan on May 28, 2008

Capt. Joseph Zuffoletto, an off-duty crew member who joined Colgan on September 19, 2005, also was on board.

Condolences to the families, colleagues, and friends of all those who lost their lives.

[Photo Source]

UPDATE: The NTSB has retrieved the flight recorders from the accident scene, and transferred them to NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC.

UPDATE Feb. 16, 2009: Colgan Air has released the names of the passengers who were on board Flight 3407 (one page 'pdf' file).

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about Colgan Air Flt 3407 on Aircrew Buzz, or choose from the list below.

• Video: NTSB Briefing on Colgan Air Flt 3407 Flight Data Recorder & Cockpit Voice Recorder - Feb. 13, 2009
• The Flight Attendants from Colgan Air Flight 3407 - Feb. 14, 2009
• Colgan Air addresses speculation about Flt. 3407 accident - Feb. 19, 2009
• Video tribute to the crew of Colgan Air Flight 3407 - Feb. 28, 2009
• Colgan Air Flt. 3407 crash near Buffalo: New info from NTSB - Mar. 25, 2009
• The Colgan Air accident: Don't draw conclusions from incomplete information - Mar. 26, 2009
• Public hearing on the crash of the Colgan Air Dash-8 near Buffalo slated for next week - May 8, 2009
• Cockpit Voice Recorder Transcript from Colgan Air Flight 3407 released by the NTSB - May 13, 2009
• NTSB animation of the Colgan Air accident near Buffalo - May 19, 2009
• Highlights of the NTSB's findings on the Colgan Air accident near Buffalo in February 2009 - Feb. 3, 2010

Smithsonian confirms Canada Goose remains in downed US Airways A320

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced today that the bird remains found in both engines of the US Airways A320 that ditched in the Hudson River last month were indeed those of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). The identification was made by the Smithsonian Institution's Feather Identification Laboratory, "through DNA analysis as well as through morphological comparisons in which feather fragments were compared with Canada Goose specimens in the museum's collections."

In a press release, the NTSB said:

A total of 25 samples of bird remains have been examined as of today. Additional analysis will be conducted on samples
received from the NTSB to attempt to determine if the Canada Geese were resident or migratory. While no determination has been made about how many birds the aircraft struck or how many were ingested into the engines, an adult Canada Goose typically ranges in size from 5.8 to 10.7 pounds, however larger individual resident birds can exceed published records.

The accident aircraft was powered by two CFM56-5B/P turbofan engines. The bird ingestion standard in effect when this engine type was certified in 1996 included the requirement that the engine must withstand the ingestion of a four-pound bird without catching fire, without releasing hazardous fragments through the engine case, without generating loads high enough to potentially compromise aircraft structural components, or without losing the capability of being shut down. The certification standard does not require that the engine be able to continue to generate thrust after ingesting a bird four pounds or larger.

US Airways Flight 1549 was en route from New York-LaGuardia to Charlotte when it encountered the geese shortly after departure. The bird strike resulted in a loss of thrust in both of the aircraft's engines. The aircraft was successfully ditched in the Hudson River, and all 150 passengers and five crew members on board were rescued.

RELATED: Click here to view all posts about US Airways Flt 1549 on Aircrew Buzz.

Ryanair threatens 200 job cuts at Dublin

Irish low fare carrier Ryanair announced today the intention to cut 200 jobs at Dublin, and reduce its flying schedule from that airport in order to contain costs in the face of declining passenger traffic. Ryanair blamed the "collapse" of passenger traffic at Dublin on the Dublin Airport Authority's rising fees, and "the Irish Government’s crazy decision to impose a €10 tourist tax from 30th March." The airline also plans to reduce the number of aircraft based at Dublin from 22 to 18.

Ryanair proposes to eliminate jobs among pilots, cabin crew, and engineers based at Dublin. It was unclear whether the 200 job cuts at Dublin would entail layoffs, or if those affected would be offered transfers to other bases.

According to the Irish Times, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary told a news conference in Dublin the company would also be seeking pay cuts of up to 10 per cent among staff.

Ryanair had announced earlier that 100 jobs would be cut at Shannon. The airline plans to eliminate five routes from Shannon and reduce the number of aircraft based there from six to four from the end of March.

Midwest Airlines pilots ask for federal mediation of contract talks

The pilots at Midwest Airlines have petitioned the National Mediation Board (NMB) for assistance with their labor contract negotiations. According to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents Midwest Airlines pilots, the decision to request NMB mediation came after the airline's management tried to pressure the pilots' union to agree to all concessions initially sought last summer before contract talks got underway.

Midwest pilots currently are working under a concessionary agreement reached in 2003. Their contract became amendable August 31, 2008. ALPA notes that the pilots began negotiating with management in October 2008, a month after the airline cut nearly 300 pilot jobs in a deal that outsourced much of Midwest's flying to Republic Airways.

In December of 2008, the pilots submitted what ALPA describes as "a comprehensive proposal addressing compensation, scheduling, retirement, and insurance." When face-to-face talks resumed in January, management failed to offer a counterproposal. Instead, says ALPA, "management again demanded concessions and advised the pilots that negotiations would not be productive unless they submitted a proposal providing those concessions."

Capt. Tony Freitas, incoming chairman of the Midwest Master Executive Council of ALPA, said, "While the pilots remain fully engaged in working to reach a fair, consensual agreement, Midwest management has refused to do the same. Instead, management continues to demand the same outrageous concessions that it did last July, despite several changes in the airline’s situation and operational plans."

Capt. Ken Krueger, chairman of the pilots’ Negotiating Committee, added, "We are committed to obtaining a new contract that offers some level of job security and maintains a decent quality of life for Midwest pilots. However, we have reached the point in our direct negotiations with management’s representatives where we believe that the assistance of a federal mediator is necessary to help us move this process forward."