Aviation

Captain of a TransAsia Airways ATR mistakenly switched off the plane’s Engine

Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council reported that this week’s crash ofTransAsia Airways flight 235 may have been a result of the aircraft losing power in both engines. However, only one of them failed.

“The first engine experienced a problem 37 seconds after take-off at 1,200 feet,” Aviation Safety Council director Thomas Wang told the press.

Black box data shows that the ATR-72-600 turboprop airliner’s rightengine failed, which triggered a warning in the cockpit, Deutsche Welle reported. But the aircraft’s functioning left engine was manually shut down. Wang told the media that it is “unclear” why this happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDqkW2iuWwc

The pilots then attempted to restart the engine but couldn’t.

The TransAsia plane struck a bridge before crashing into a river.When an engine fails on a turboprop, such as the 9-month-old ATR involved in the crash, the propeller on that engine goes into an “auto feather” mode. This reduces drag and disturbance to aircraft – basically, enabling it to continue flying.

According to Mark, modern turboprop airliners are designed to fly on just one engine. Even in emergency situations, the technology on board the aircraft should allow the pilot to get it out of trouble, he added.

Authorities reported that of the 58 people on board the TransAsia flight, more than 30 have been killed and many more are still missing. (Source : Business Insider)

On 6 February, investigators revealed that the left engine, which does not appear to have had suffered a malfunction, had been manually shut off, while cautioning that it was “too early to say if human error was a factor”. Investigators released the following preliminary sequence of events. All times are local (UTC+8).

10:51:13 — Crew receives take-off clearance
10:52:34 — Tower asks crew to contact Taipei Departure
10:52:38 — Right engine failure alert; master warning sounds for 3s
10:53:04 — Crew reduces power to the left engine
10:53:12–18 — Stall warning sounds
10:53:24 — Crew cuts power to the left engine
10:53:34 — Crew declares emergency: “Mayday, mayday, engine flameout”
10:54:09 — Crew calls for restarting the left engine multiple times
10:54:20 — Left engine is restarted
10:54:34 — Master warning sounds again
10:54:35 — An unidentified sound is heard
10:54:36 — Recordings end

According to an initial analysis of the plane’s flight data recorders, authorities said one of the plane’s engines went idle 37 seconds after the aircraft took off from Taipei Songshan Airport. ASC authorities also said the pilot made a “mayday” call and announced a flameout 35 seconds after noticing an engine failure. However, the CAA confirmed that Taipei International Airport’s control tower did not hear the “mayday” signal.

The ASC issued an interim report on 2 July. Without assigning responsibility for the crash, the report confirmed that after the failure of one engine the pilot pulled back the wrong throttle, shutting down the other, working engine. It also said that the pilot in command, Liao Chien-tsung, failed simulator training in May 2014. The ASC is expected to publish its final report in April 2016, with a draft version in November 2015

Aviation

Qatar Airways’ AI Campaign Lets Passengers Star in Their Own Film

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways has introduced a groundbreaking global film, ‘AI Adventure,’ which leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance its dedication to creating unparalleled, immersive experiences for its customers.

In a pioneering move, the campaign allows viewers to star in the film using advanced AI technology that integrates their likeness into the storyline. This innovative approach underscores the airline’s commitment to placing its customers at the center of its experiences.

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The campaign offers viewers the chance to choose from various scenes and assume leading roles within the film. The advanced AI ensures that the characters accurately reflect the viewer’s appearance, adjusting to their facial features and skin tone.

To experience the emotive AI adventure, visit flyqatar.com or watch the film on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel.

For those interested in booking a journey with Qatar Airways, the new campaign highlights the ease of making Qatar Airways reservations and Qatar Airways ticket booking.

To explore more, you can use Qatar Airways booking services or check out options with QR airlines.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, commented: “At Qatar Airways, we aim not just to meet but to exceed customer expectations by anticipating their needs and creating deeply resonant experiences.

This new brand campaign is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”

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Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, added: “Our latest campaign, featuring unprecedented AI capabilities in the airline industry, highlights our innovative spirit and customer-focused approach.

It transforms every journey into a unique adventure, proving that dreams have no limits.”

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mr. Babar Rahman, stated:

“This campaign exemplifies our vision as a leader in innovation. By offering a personalized brand experience where everyone can star, we’ve created meaningful connections with our audience, ensuring each moment is memorable.”