AirAsiaX Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

The first day of what is the new financial year for most Australian companies sees D7206 from KUL to OOL (A333 9M-XXP) suggested as arriving at about 1113, 78 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Media reports indicate that last night (Monday 3 July), D7207 (A333 9M-XXT), the scheduled 2220 hours OOL - KUL (that earlier came in from AKL) was airborne at 2250 hours but diverted to BNE, landing at 2333 hours due to a suspected bird strike affecting the starboard engine.

There were apparently 345 passengers and 14 crew on board:

AirAsia flight turned back to Australia after suspected bird strike

It is yet to be reported on the Aviation Herald website.

 

[flydoc]

Other commentators doubting the veracity of Air Aisias claims of bird strike.
AirAsia X incident: Bird strike suspected in turnback to Brisbane - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[Melburnian1]

Other commentators doubting the veracity of Air Aisias claims of bird strike.
AirAsia X incident: Bird strike suspected in turnback to Brisbane - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

flydoc, while investigators have to determine whether they launch one, and then issue in time a preliminary report, this airline has had a number of serious safety breaches.

Is it too soon to rush to the conclusion that its flights to and from Oz ought be immediately suspended by CASA, or suspended after the preliminary reports (if issued) re the PER and OOL incidents are available, assuming both raise concerns about AirAsia?

Such a move would hit many travellers in the hip pocket as many would not have travel insurance. However it could be justified on safety grounds.

Alternatively (or concurrently) should we be concerned about these particular engines (which are in use worldwide) or is it just a question of alleged poor AirAsia maintenance?

 

[jb747]

Other commentators doubting the veracity of Air Aisias claims of bird strike.
AirAsia X incident: Bird strike suspected in turnback to Brisbane - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Whilst I would not expect a couple of birds to give the sort of fan damage seen, I'm prepared to wait on this one. Given the flashes of flame from compressor stalling, I expect something has gone through the core, whether birds or bits of fan, I guess will be revealed.

Alternatively (or concurrently) should we be concerned about these particular engines (which are in use worldwide) or is it just a question of alleged poor AirAsia maintenance?

They don't seem to be breaking fan blades as a matter of course....and I doubt that Air Asia would do any maintenance that would involve touching the fan. All TBA.

 

[Melburnian1]

An updated Fairfax story version says that airport management has confirmed that 'the remains of two plovers' were found on the runway:

AirAsia flight turned back to Australia after suspected bird strike

Plovers (which I suspect means 'masked lapwing(s)') can be aggressive against intruders (especially during the breeding season.) They are reasonably large birds:

Masked Lapwing | BIRDS in BACKYARDS

They have a call that is pretty distinctive:

http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Vanellus-miles

 

[coriander]

Plovers (which I suspect means 'masked lapwing(s)'

OT - I grew up with them (~60 years) always being called "Spur winged Plovers". When did they change their name?

 

[Melburnian1]

OT - I grew up with them (~60 years) always being called "Spur winged Plovers". When did they change their name?

Since this is an aviation site, pardon me for again briefly going off topic. I gather that the southern subspecies is also called what you suggest, coriander, but the northern one has the 'm... w...' name.

Note in the above Fairfax updated report how one passenger travelling from AKL to India described what occurred on board as 'exciting.' He has a different definition of the word to some of us.

 

[Melburnian1]

Friday 14 July 2017 sees D7212 (1010 hours KUL - MEL that was not airborne until 1135, A333 9M-XXD) arriving at 2102 hours, 62 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 19 July, D7206, the overnight from KUL down to OOL (A333 9M-XXJ) is predicted to arrive at 1026 hours, 31 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thursday 20 July 2017 sees D7221, the 2125 hours from SYD up to KUL that was airborne at 2223 hours (A333 9M-XXJ) suggested as arriving 36 minutes tardy at 0436 hours on Friday 21.

 

[Melburnian1]

D7223 (Sunday 23 July 1100 hours SYD - KUL, A333 9M-XXF) took off at 1149. Arrival is forecast for 1832 hours, 57 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 27 July, D7214 (A333 9M-XBA), the overnight KUL - MEL should be arriving at 0850 hours, half an hour behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

A333 9M-XXS on D7206, the redeye from KUL down to OOL looks to be arriving on Friday 28 July at around 1049 hours, 54 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 29 July, D7212 (1010 hours nicely timed for tourists KUL to MEL that was airborne at 1130 with A333 9M-XXA) should arrive at 2034, 34 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 31 July, D7214, the overnight from KUL down to MEL (A333 9M-XXV) should arrive at 0858 hours, 38 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

Wednesday 23 August sees D7206, the overnight KUL - OOL (A333 9M-XBA) likely to arrive at 1039, 44 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 14 September, D7206 (the 2355 hours Wednesday KUL - OOL with A333 9M-XXK) is suggested as arriving at 1126 hours, 91 minutes late as it did not take off until 0206 this morning.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 17 September sees A333 9M-XXP on D7215, the 0935 hours MEL - KUL having taken off at 1024. Arrival should be 33 minutes delayed at 1633.

 

[Melburnian1]

D7222, the 2340 hours Monday 18 September KUL - SYD (A333 9M-XXC) did not take off until 0056 on Tuesday 19 so arrival has become a predicted 1039 hours, 49 late.