AS350 PILOT HAD LIGHT AIRCRAFT WARNING: NTSB
The pilot of the Eurocopter AS350 tour helicopter that collided with a Piper PA-32 over New York on 8 August had been warned of the presence of a light aircraft moments before the collision, say investigators. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg says the PA-32, with a pilot and two passengers, including a child, had taken off from Teterboro airport in New Jersey, west of the river. The helicopter, operated by Liberty Helicopters, had been carrying five Italian tourists and a pilot, he adds. All nine people on both aircraft died.
BOMBARDIER TERMINATES MYAIR CRJ1000 ORDER
Citing its "uncertain situation", Bombardier has terminated its purchase agreement for 15 CRJ1000s with Italian low-fare carrier MyAir. The airline, which suspended operations in July, holds orders for 15 CRJ1000s, after converting a 2006 order for 19 CRJ900s into four CRJ900s and 15 of the stretched CRJ1000 variant in 2007. To date, four CRJ900s have been delivered to MyAir.
THIRTEEN DIE IN PNG TWIN OTTER CRASH
All 13 passengers and crew on board a de Havilland Canada Twin Otter died when it crashed in Papua New Guinea on 18 August. The Airlines of Papua New Guinea Twin Otter was located "up near the Kokoda airstrip", says the carrier. The Twin Otter (P2-MCB) departed Port Moresby at 10:53, but radio contact was lost as it approached its destination, the Kokoda airstrip.
SAS SLASHES MORE JOBS AND DEMANDS PAY CUTS
SAS Group is slashing up to 1,500 more positions through yet another cost-cutting programme, aimed at generating SKr2 billion ($273 million) in savings. The group's second-quarter earnings dropped by 92% to just SKr38 million, while restructuring costs have pushed the company into a net loss of more than SKr1 billion for the period. It says the latest initiative will "demand" a 10-20% cut in payroll and pension costs among pilots and cabin crew.
'NO ILFC SALE THIS YEAR': WELLS FARGO
American International Group's sale of its massive International Lease Finance aircraft leasing business is unlikely to happen anytime soon, according to Wells Fargo research, which notes that offer prices are reportedly in the $2.53 billion range but for AIG - which is under pressure to raise cash to repay US Treasury bailout funds - "it may be prudent to wait for a market recovery" while buyers may do better focusing on smaller, lower-risk lessors
CALIFORNIA MAY FOLLOW FLORIDA BIRD STRIKE LEAD
California may follow Florida in helping airport directors carry out bird strike mitigation programmes by giving them some freedom from prosecution should a protected animal be killed accidentally. Lawmakers are expected to vote soon on a bill similar to Florida legislation passed following the 15 January Hudson river landing of a US Airways Airbus A320 caused by bird strikes.
GOODRICH-XI'AN TIE-UP EYES CHINESE MARKET
Goodrich and Xi'an Aircraft International are to form two 50-50 joint ventures to make landing gear and engine nacelle components in China, with an eye to supplying the Comac C919 single-aisle Chinese commercial aircraft currently under development and other Chinese-made aircraft.
Source: Flight International
