Airline Empires » Pictures

Hangar Collapse in Washington

miller22 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:34:48 +0000

The latest snow storm to hit Washington has caused some very expensive casualties. A hangar housing business jets buckled under the weight of the snow, damaging Gulfstreams, Global Expresses, and a few I’m not able to identify.

The question floating around the office today was whether or not these aircraft could be salvaged. It seems to me they would be, assuming you can repair any tail stress damage, although if the keel of the aircraft was bent…game over.

Aftermath: American 737-800 in Jamaica

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:18:07 +0000

On December 22, American Airlines flight 331, a 737-800 bound to Kingston, Jamaica from Miami, Florida overran the runway in Kingston. The pictures speak for themselves.

Airport Trivia

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:59:07 +0000

I’m going to try something new with some ‘name that airport trivia’ questions, but from a true airplane geek’s point of view. Simply look at the picture below, and name that airport in the comments.

Just enter your answer in a comment. I’ll be keeping score (massive bonus points for being the first, but you still get a point for being right). I will also give bonus points for any informative, snarky, witty, or otherwise hilarious comments.

Rare View

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:54:00 +0000

Images and Video of B-2 Guam Crash

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:41:16 +0000

On February 26th, a B-2 bomber crashed on takeoff from Guam. This July, the Air Force finally released video and photos of the accident, as well as an official cause. According to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board, water became trapped in some of the sensors which detect airspeed, altitude, and attitude. The on-board computer used this erroneous data to command a higher nose angle than the airspeed could withstand, and the inevitable stall resulted.

Detailed Qantas 747 Explosion Pictures

admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:38:01 +0000

It certainly does appeart that this was an oxygen bottle by the placement. With the high pressure inside those bottles and the differential in pressure across the skin of the pressure vessel, it doesn’t take much to create a hole.

A close-up of the damage.

Closer view yet. The damage to the electrical wiring is apparent.

These look like some sort of oxygen system blow-out valves, but I’m not certain. Anyone with more information on this?

The explosion also did damage to the passenger door above the bottle. Don’t see the damage?

How about now? Take a look at that last picture and you’ll see where the reinforced skin around the door was compromised.

A view inside the cabin which seems to be directly above the explosion. There was significant damage to the interior of the aircraft, none of which seemed to be structural.

Ode to Landing Gear

admin — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:26:01 +0000

Wheels on an airplane may sound a bit redundant and unnecessary, until you don’t have them. This is an ode to the oft forgotten landing gear. Nobody even seems to care about you until you’re missing.

Waiting for the inevitable.

Pucker Time.

What a solidly build airplane!

Great action pic. Anyone know the status of this crew and aircraft?

This one breaks my heart! Such a beautiful airplane, but a great picture.

Expensive result of a bad landing gear.

Ultra-expensive result of a bad landing gear. Good way to lose your job.

So here’s to you, landing gear. Without you, we’d all end up on our bellies.

Kalitta 747 Split in Half

miller22 — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:26:10 +0000

Out of Brussels this weekend, a Kalitta Air 747 aborted takeoff and slid off the end of the runway. Mayhem ensued.

ATR’s Meet God’s Wrath in GSO

miller22 — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:04:15 +0000

A strong storm that swept through Greensboro, left the following carnage for two of FedEx’s ATR-42′s

Why It’s Important to Secure Your Cargo

miller22 — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:49:47 +0000

The similarities between passengers and freight end at their seemingly similar IQ. Passengers walk themselves on the aircraft while you have to hire someone to load your freight. Passengers complain while freight remains silent (usually, anyway). Passengers buckle themselves in while you have to make sure freight is secure…or at least you should.

Take this Atlas 747-400, for example, that was carrying oil drills that were…um…less than secured, shall we say. One drill came loose during the takeoff rotation, and shot to the back of the cabin, and through the pressure vessel, narrowly missing a critical hydraulic pump before it finally came to a stop without puncturing the skin of the aircraft. The crew returned to the airport unevenfully, and were suprised to see this: