Russian Airliner Crash caught on Film

A Russian Tupolev TU-204 overshot its runway & crashed into an embankment on the edge of a freeway. Dramatic video footage captured the moment of impact with the freeway as debris was hurled at cars.

Four crew members onboard the aircraft were killed. These were the two pilots, flight engineer & an air hostess. There were no passengers on board at the time. For more details & photos on the accident:

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/29/moscow-plane-crash-fire_n_2380400.html#slide=more272173

What is the TU-204?
Very few Russian planes ever make it down-under, so notwithstanding the human tragedy, I was naturally curious to know more about the plane. At first I assumed it to be some old Soviet-era rust bucket. I was quite surprised.

From the www.planes.cz picture above, the aircraft appears to be copied off the A321 / B757. A comparison of the aircraft is here:  Compare: TU-204 Vs A321. 

Here's some more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-204

And here's an interesting in-flight video of a Red Wings TU-204, showing a better day at the office for the flight crew: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNvrHkvYtQA&noredirect=1

One obvious difference to the A321 is the double bogey main gear. However, Airbus themselves have played with the double bogey concept. Check this out: http://www.airliners.net/photo/1543738/M/

It is believed that the double bogey gear provided better braking, weight displacement & traction on sub-standard or snow covered runways; typical of those used by the Russian jets. Unfortunately, it doesn't seemed to have helped it in this accident.

Our thoughts & prayers are with those of the crew & their families.

A Tale of Two Cities

Here are two images of the two biggest airports in Australia, courtesy of www.flightradar24.com, taken at around 11:30 this evening. Here's a quick quiz:

1. Which one is right next to the Federal Minister for Transport's electorate?
2. Which one is making money for both the airport & the airlines, providing more employment, serving passengers needs, & fueling the local economy?

Qatar Boss Spits the Dummy at Boeing

Someone's not happy with their new B787's!

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/is-there-a-sqwark-in-the-dreamliner-787/story-e6frfq80-1226540085579

World's Newest Airliner Avoids Sydney

Qatar Airways claimed bragging rights today as the first airline to be flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on regular scheduled services to Australia.

Qatar will fly the 787 on its Doha - Perth service from February, which it currently operates three times a week.

 

The aircraft is regarded as something of a technological "game changer", & is on order with Qantas & Jetstar, with the latter expecting their first Dreamliners later in 2013. The ever-shrinking Qantas meanwhile, recently cancelled a number of its 787's it currently has on order.

The interesting thing to note in the reports from the media was the blatant ruling-out of flying the 787 into Sydney "until it becomes a 24-hour operation".

Last month, a united representation of all major Australian airlines & aviation industry groups, backed up by a number of foreign airlines, again made a heavyweight submission to the Federal Government to sort out Sydneys' second airport, preferably Badgerys Creek, fast. It also slammed once again the ridiculous curfew that exists over Sydney Airport, which just happens to be right next to the electorate for the federal Transport Minister.

The curfew is seen as a conflict of interest in the ministers duties, as no such concern for residents is given for those who live near Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, airports, etc. The airlines want greater flexibility in their schedules & the airport will make a truckload of money out of the increased traffic. The only thing stopping the minister from lifting, or even reducing the curfew, is the backlash from a relatively small number of voters keeping him personally in his job.

It all smells pretty rank to me. It restrains untold millions of dollars worth of commercial activity, & the opportunities & employment it could bring to Sydney. Everbody in the airline industry knows it. And the minister couldn't care less.