Urgent warning issued for Boeing aircraft as Lion Air crash details revealed
Indonesian investigators have revealed the doomed Lion Air plane had a crucial sensor replaced the day before it crashed into the sea killing all 189 people onboard.
Authorities said the “angle of attack” sensor, which helps the aircraft adjust the angle of its nose relative to the current of air to prevent stalling and diving, could have worsened existing problems with the plane.
Flight data retrieved from the aircraft showed airspeed indicator malfunctions on the jet’s last four flights, which Transport safety committee chairman Soerjanto Tjahjono said would have been intertwined with the sensor issue.
“The point is that after the AOA [sensor] is replaced the problem is not solved, but the problem might even increase. Is this fatal? NTSC wants to explore this,” he said, according to the ABC.
Tjahjono said the airline’s first two attempts to fix problems with the sensor failed, so they replaced it on the aircraft’s second-last flight.
During the second-last flight, the plane went into a sudden dive minutes after take-off which the pilots were able to recover from.
Boeing has since provided Lion Air with draft procedure recommendations based on how the flight crew responded to the problems on the second last flight.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued an “urgent airworthiness directive” from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to News Corp.
Prompted by Lion Air’s reported issues with the “angle of attack” sensor, the directive said that if this issue isn’t addressed the flight crew could have “difficulty controlling the aeroplane”.
The FFA said the condition is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type.
“Due to the need to correct an urgent safety of flight situation, good cause exists to make this airworthiness directive effective in less than 30 days,” the directive said.
The doomed jet was a Boeing 737-Max 8 and is one of the world’s newest and most advanced commercial passenger planes.
Human remains are still being recovered as the search continues for the cockpit voice recorder.
The search, which has been extended a second time, is expected to conclude on Sunday.
The flight was on its way from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang on the island of Bangka when it lost contact with air traffic control 13 minutes after takeoff, and crashed into the sea.
All 189 people on board were killed in what is being called the worst airline disaster in Indonesia in more than 20 years, sparking fresh concerns about the country’s fast-growing aviation industry which was only just removed from EU and US blacklists.
Latest News
South African Airways ups capacity between Perth and Johannesburg amid sustained demand
Lekker! You WA travellers are now even closer to beef jerky and safaris thanks to South African Airways.
WATCH: Norwegian Cruise Lines unveils plans for brand new Norwegian Luna in Sydney
NCL celebrated the launch of Luna with a full moon inspired event and we were on the scene with our cameras to share it.
Hawkins Limited scores NZ$800m construction contract to oversee build of Auckland Airport’s new domestic terminal
Half a century between domestic terminal construction, and we thought our layover was long.
Footy fans panic as cancelled flights leave matchday plans in doubt, while Qantas & Jetstar reveal AFL Grand Final plans
Airlines are scrambling to avoid getting between footy fans and their team and/or their beer and meat pie tonight.
PROFILE: Leanne Geraghty, chief customer and sales officer, Air New Zealand
Nothing like punching above your weight in a competitive field. No, we are not talking rugby.
Quark Expeditions offers three exclusive itineraries to see the Northern Lights
We also thought this picture was a UFO sighting at first, but rest assured it's not.
Silversea announces new Venetian Society Reunion voyage for 2025
Silver Spirit sounds like the name of an older woman I met at a yoga retreat in Bali one time.
Storm Boris leads to worst flooding in 20 years in Europe
Weather does not discriminate, but some insurers do. It's always good to check the fine print, too.
Brisbane chooses Amadeus for an exceptional airport experience
Not sure about you but I can't read the word Amadeus without Mozart playing automatically in my head.
The 3 biggest trends shaping travel in 2024
It is important to keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to knowing what's going on in travel.
Non-stop travel options as Indians takes flight to Australia
It's a bit of a carrot and stick approach, but in this case the 'lathi' is a bit too hefty. See you in Jaipur for GX!
Qantas soon to open enhanced Broome Regional Lounge
Why is it that the stock images before something has been built always look like something from Paranormal Activity?
Bookings now open for Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre
With all these conference centres popping up, Sydney and Melbourne will be getting very scared indeed.
Australian Cruise Association confirms Board of Management with Port Authority boss as chair
Was this photo before or after the Board meeting, that is what we want to know.
Veriu Group’s Punthill Sunshine ready to welcome its first guests
When we lived down the road from Sunshine, liveability was not in the lexicon. Glad it is on the rise now though.
Fiji Airways collaborates on feasibility study for SAF made from sugarcane
This sounds like a sweet deal for all of the Pacific islands if they can get it off the ground.
Business Events Victoria encourages applications for regional business events funding
Business Events Victoria is encouraging conference and event organisers to apply and make the most of all regional Victoria has to offer. The funding is part of the Regional Business Events Program, which is being delivered by Business Events Victoria in partnership with Melbourne Convention Bureau. The program supports national and international businesses to host […]
Club Med offers savings on its Japan ski resorts
If skiing in Japan has long been on your vision board then now is the time to move!
Travel Portland returns to ANZ with trade program
When it comes to visitors, us Aussies are definitely the most wanted. It isn't like we can do weekend stays...
Cameron Daddo heads to Vietnam on new golf tour with Luxury Escapes
Pairing Daddo with O'Hern seems like a perfect match for a Pro-Am. Topical reference, this is not.
Azamara Cruises returns to ANZ for a hot summer of voyages
If you are looking for the suite life on a smaller ship cruising locally this summer, this is probably it.
SITA study reveals technology is the key to unlocking the passenger experience of the future
Are you on board with the digital revolution? Perhaps that's a loaded question, because no one really has a choice.
Alaska Airlines completes multi-billion dollar acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines as carriers join forces
You swap the beanie and gloves for a pair of boardshorts, or vice-versa, but we know which order we'd be doing it!
Emirates announces winners of ultimate sports fan incentive
With the cost of flights to sporting events on the up, this really is a prize worth winning.
Australian Tourism and Hospitality Skills Symposium set for Brisbane in November
First up, the Government needs to open the gates to more OS students with work visas so they can work in hospitality.
WTTC announces final line-up for 24th Global Summit in Perth
We wonder who will be running the travel world when all the leaders are in Perth next month. See you there?
REVIEW: Pullman Adelaide is a classy stay just minutes from the action
We're getting better and better at sampling buffet breakfasts, and the Pullman Adelaide might just be top of the class!
Women In Travel: Why we still need female-only networking with Flight Centre’s Katrina Ryan
You have less than two weeks to enter this year's awards. And it's free! What are you waiting for!?
Bali’s hospitality sector agree technology, community and cooperation are key to future
We presume that no delegate from Australia, sporting a Bintang singlet, was present at this event.
NZ watchdog to sue Jetstar for misleading consumers
If you're feeling short on cash it might be time to check if you are entitled to compensation (said in advert voice).
African Wildlife Safaris set to celebrate 40th anniversary with specials
Having been around for 40 years, we expect they have the lion's share of Australians travelling to Africa.
Collette launches Encompass Campaign, a new and enhanced tools for travel agents
Great - Collette University - just as along as we don't have to add another degree to understand it.
Macao tourism campaign enters second phase
The key takeaway here is that there is a quiz and you can win some fabulous prizes!
Global CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead steps down
Maybe now that she has time on her hands, Kelly can jump on a cruise and relax.
IndiGo and Amadeus enter strategic NDC partnership
There are more partnerships in the airline industry these days than there are on Married At First Sight.
APT donates more than $100,000 to the Vietnam’s Blue Dragon charity
If a short walk was all it took to raise $100k, then our office needs to lift its game.