Condor Makes Emergency Landing, Bird Strike

A Boeing 757 operated by German airline Condor carrying 245 passengers en route to Hurghada, Egypt, from Hamburg, Germany, made an emergency landing last week after a bird strike damaged the aircraft engine.

The plane's left jet engine failed after a bird struck the aircraft shortly after takeoff from Hamburg, according to the airline. The passengers and eight crewmembers were uninjured.

Texas Man Accused of Laser Emission at Aircraft

A Texas resident has been accused by a federal indictment of shining a laser at a Southwest Airlines aircraft that was flying near his home June 2.

Sammy Don Ladymon Jr., of Garland, Texas, is being charged with a single count of interfering with an aircraft. If convicted, Ladymon could receive up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine albeit from an additional $11,000 FAA penalty.

Pilot Error Caused Russian Hockey Team Crash

Russian investigators said Wednesday the Yak-42 airplane that crashed Sept. 7, killing 44, 36 of which were members of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) Lokomotive Yaroslavl, was caused by the pilot accidentally pressing the brake pedals during takeoff, prohibiting the aircraft to gain height.

The Russian-made, three-engine, single-aisle aircraft crashed some 500 yards from the runway, separating into pieces.

Alexi Morozov, lead investigator, blames the plane's owner for failing to observe safety standards and adequately training the crew. Yak-Service was subsequently closed after the accident by the Russian federal aviation authority for severe violations.