Saturday, December 20, 2008

RIP PAN AM 103

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Pan Am 103 disaster. The Pan Am Boeing 747-121, N739PA, Clipper Maid of the Seas, operating as flight 103 from London's Heathrow airport to New York John F Kennedy airport was destroyed by a small bomb which tore it's nose section off at approximately 19:03 local time over Lockerbie, Scotland. The crash killed all 259 people aboard and 11 others on the ground. Among those killed were 35 students from Syracuse University and 2 students from SUNY Oswego. A memorial to those 35 SU students was subsequently built in front of the Hall of Languages at SU. for more info see the following links:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19881221-0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_103
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7777553.stm

Friday, December 19, 2008

Potential SYR Renovations

A plan was recently released that would result in a major renovation of Syracuse airport terminal. The plan calls for among other things moving the baggage screening machines into a new first floor area behind the ticket counters that will allow the space that they occupy now to be reclaimed for the public. Another aspect involve constructing a new second floor central security check point and a second floor bridge to connect the two concourses. This would probably involve obliterating the airport exhibit and there's no word as to whether anything might replace it. The parking garage would still be a viable viewing place but the view fo the terminal might be degraded but the runways would still be visible. The renovation would also include energy efficient savings and food service improvements. The plan still has to be approved by the Syracuse Common Council.
http://news10now.com/Default.aspx?ArID=130224
Snowy weekend
Today was a very snowy day across New York state and northeast with many flight cancelations as a result. After a short break on Saturday, Sunday is due to be a snowy and windy day.
http://news10now.com/content/top_stories/130269/snow-causes-problems-at-hancock/Default.aspx

Monday, December 15, 2008

December update

Due a busy schedule, I've been unable to have much time to myself and so have had to put things like this blog on the back-burner.
Update on NWA DC9-30 decompression incident on 5/18/07 SYR-DTW resulting in a diversion to Buffalo, NY.
According to the NTSB, the damage (a 12 inch by 5 inch fuselage skin tear about 6 feet forward of the right forward cargo door) was caused by a inadvertent contact with the fuselage by a belt loader and a tug which those present didn't seem to realize would cause major damage. http://avherald.com/h?article=411ba58b&opt=0