179 killed, 2 survive plane crash at South Korean airport
More details emerged from a fiery plane crash in South Korea that left 179 people dead in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. It happened Sunday, Dec. 29, at Muan International Airport 180 miles south of Seoul.
The jetliner skid off the runway into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its landing gear allegedly failed to deploy. Only two people survived. South Korean officials said the survivors were crew members and did not appear to have any life-threatening injuries.
Not long before the crash, the control tower issued a warning about birds and granted the crew permission to land in a different area. The pilot reported a bird strike, but the exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Officials said the crew also sent out a distress signal shortly before the crash.
South Korean transportation officials said it could take months to figure out exactly what happened.
The plane that crashed in South Korea was a Boeing 737-800, marking yet another setback when it comes to disasters and safety for the plane-maker.
Biden, Trump, former US presidents pay tribute to Carter
Tributes are pouring in for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away in Plains, Georgia, at 100 years old Sunday. And 179 people are dead after a plane crash in South Korea. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.
Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100
Former President Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, who served as the 39th president of the United States and the longest-lived president in American history, died Sunday, Dec. 29, at 100 years old.
Unbiased. Straight Facts.™ Right at your fingertips.
Welcome back to trustworthy journalism.
The Carter Center, a nonprofit organization founded by the former president and his wife, said there will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Sunday evening declaring Jan. 9 a National Day of Mourning.
Biden, Trump, former US presidents pay tribute to Carter
Over six decades, Jill and I had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend.
But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. pic.twitter.com/irknhZ6CJY
Tributes from around the world poured in after the news of Carter’s death hit Sunday afternoon. Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and other former presidents were among those who paid tribute to Carter.
Biden delivered remarks in a live broadcast Sunday evening, calling Carter a “remarkable leader” and a “dear friend.”
“What I find extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people all around the world, all over the world, feel they lost a friend as well, even though they never met him, and that’s because Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds. Just look at his life, his life’s work. He worked to eradicate disease, not just at home, but around the world. He forged peace, he advanced civil rights, human rights, promoted free and fair elections around the world. He built housing for the homeless with his own hands, and his compassion and moral clarity lifted people up and changed lives and saved lives all over the globe. We may never see his like again. You know, we can all do well to try to be a little more like Jimmy Carter.”
President Joe Biden
Trump released a statement saying, “The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Former President Bill Clinton also issued a statement, saying, “From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as president to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at habitat for humanity—he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world.”
Former President George W. Bush called Carter a man of “deeply held convictions.” Bush added, “His efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations.”
Former President Barack Obama highlighted Carter’s single term as president, saying, he “believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion.” Obama added, “Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image.”
179 killed, 2 survive plane crash at South Korean airport
More details emerged from a fiery plane crash in South Korea that left 179 people dead in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. It happened Sunday at Muan International Airport, 180 miles south of Seoul.
The jetliner skid off the runway into a concrete fence and burst into flames after its landing gear possibly failed to deploy. Only two people survived. South Korean officials said the survivors were crew members and did not appear to have any life-threatening injuries.
Not long before the crash, the control tower issued a warning about birds and gave the crew permission to land in a different area. The pilot reported a bird strike, but the exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Officials said the crew also sent out a distress signal shortly before the crash.
South Korean transportation officials said it could take months to figure out exactly what happened.
The plane that crash-landed was a Boeing 737-800, marking the latest incident involving the company. Boeing’s 737-800 is in a different class than its 737 Max jets, which were involved in fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
At least 4 killed by storms that spawned tornadoes across the Southern US
A least four people are dead after a storm system tore across the Southern U.S. over the weekend. National Weather Service meteorologists received dozens of reports of tornado damage across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Crews are conducting surveys to assess the damage.
The NWS confirmed at least five tornadoes hit near Houston, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 28, killing one woman and destroying or damaging dozens of homes. A man in North Carolina died in what a state trooper described as a “freak accident” after a tree fell on the pickup truck he was driving.
The storms also killed two people in Mississippi, while at least 10 other people were injured across the state.
2 men found dead after failing to return from Sasquatch search
Two Oregon men were found dead in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwestern Washington on Saturday after they disappeared last week while searching for Sasquatch. Sasquatch, also known as “Bigfoot,” is a mythical creature said to inhabit forests in North America.
A relative reported the men missing Christmas Day after they failed to return from their search.
Authorities said the men appear to have died from exposure and were not prepared for the “brutally cold weather”. They have only been identified as a 37-year-old and a 59-year-old from Portland.
‘Mufasa,’ ‘Sonic’ battle for top spot at holiday box office
It was a battle at the box office over the holiday weekend between a fast-moving hedgehog and a brave lion. In the end, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” overtook Sony’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” on the Christmas box office leaderboard.
The “Lion King” prequel edged out the “Sonic” sequel over the five-day stretch, bringing in nearly $64 million. “Sonic” garnered just under $60 million.
However, according to traditional weekend box office numbers, it was “Sonic” that came out on top $38 million to $37 million.
Russian anti-aircraft system may have struck Azerbaijan passenger plane
Early indications suggest a Russian air defense system may have caused the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Dec. 25. According to U.S. officials and reports, the aircraft, diverted due to fog, was possibly struck by a surface-to-air missile from a Russian Pantsir-S system. The crash killed 38 of the 67 people onboard.
A commission, including representatives from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Russia, is investigating the crash. However, Kazakh authorities stated that Russian and Azerbaijani investigators would not conduct independent forensic analyses. Both black boxes have been recovered.
The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed while attempting an emergency landing in Kazakhstan. Russian authorities initially attributed the crash to a bird strike, but aviation experts have expressed doubt, citing damage consistent with shrapnel. Video footage shows the plane’s tail section peppered with holes, which experts suggest could indicate a missile strike during heightened military activity in the area.
Investigators are also examining claims that radar jamming interfered with the plane’s systems. FlightRadar24 noted that the aircraft had problems with altitude control during its final minutes, and independent experts observed wild fluctuations in its trajectory.
While the Kremlin urged caution in drawing conclusions, the crash has raised broader questions about safety in airspace affected by military activity. The investigation is ongoing, with officials and experts working to determine the exact cause.
RAVEN robot could inspire next generation of takeoff for drones: Study
A new bird-like robot could revolutionize how drones and planes take off in the future. According to new research published in the journal Nature in early December, researchers have made a new prototype robot called the “Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple Environments” or “RAVEN” for short.
Scientists say the new robot is capable of hopping, walking and leaping like a real raven. They hope the prototype will provide new ways for drones and planes to take off, just like a bird.
The crow-sized drone can launch or take off with a simple leap. The experimental robot also uses flexible legs and joints to walk on the ground and maneuver around rocky, uneven terrain.
The robot includes hips, joint ankles and an elastic toe. These features allow the RAVEN to stand on uneven surfaces without falling over.
Engineers also say the RAVEN is better at takeoffs than conventional drones or aircraft.
The research team noted that jumping takeoffs are about 10 times more energy efficient than conventional takeoffs, and they offer higher takeoff speeds as well.
Researchers say they are hopeful RAVEN can be a springboard for larger drones and conventional-sized aircraft.
Currently, most winged drones need a long runway or catapult to liftoff, while the RAVEN needs neither.
Scientists say the technology employed in RAVEN may someday be used on aircraft carriers, where planes and drones have minimal space. They believe the robot could also help with landing drones and planes on difficult terrain.
This isn’t the first bird-bot entering the next generation of flight. Straight Arrow News previously reported on the “PigeonBot,” which researchers say will help with aircraft stability and prevent “barrel rolls” in the future.
AeroVironment introduces customizable AI UAV to the battlefield: Weapon of the Week
AeroVironment, a leading defense contractor based in Virginia, had a bustling 2024. Known for designing and producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the company saw significant milestones this year.
In May, AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600 loitering munition system was selected for Tranche 1 of the Department of Defense’s Replicator Initiative. By June, these systems were already deployed and in the hands of American troops.
Fast-forward to October, and AeroVironment introduced its latest UAV at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting – the P550.
The UAV is touted as a new benchmark for adaptability in combat and operational preparedness. The P550 employs a modular open systems approach and AI-driven autonomy.
Designed to enable troops to swiftly address changing mission needs, it offers quick deployment, scalability and enhanced situational awareness.
“It’s sort of like a Swiss Army knife in the sky. To our knowledge, I can say this very confidently is, pound for pound, the best performing solution that’s in the market. When you look at all the sets of requirements and missions that the U.S. Army would like to achieve for the battalion force, that’s ISR missions, lethality missions, electronic warfare missions, comms relay missions, endurance, vertical, takeoff and landing capability, swapability, modularity, most of the requirements.
The list goes on and on and on. If we put all those things together, what you see is the best in class solution in the entire face of this planet today that we know of, and we’ve done our homework, is the P550 system.”
Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president, and CEO of AeroVironment.
Nawabi said the company worked for two years on designing the P550. The company said the UAV is aimed at delivering a platform based on the Army’s force structure and mission requirements.
“All of those things change as you talk about the different types of force structures or echelons within the military and the Army, they have a specific requirement,” Nawabi said. “It’s a program called LRR, Long Range Reconnaissance. LRR was specifically developed as a set of requirements and objectives for the battalion force. And P550 is directly designed for those set of requirements for the LRR initiative in a program.”
One key aspect of the P550’s design is its compliance with the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). MOSA is a strategy for designing affordable and adaptable systems.
“We’re partnered with Parry Labs that helps with their model-based systems engineering approach, and really this MOSA approach that allows us to really incorporate all these different technologies into the platform to keep it relevant, not only today and tomorrow, but I see for decades to come,” Trace Stevenson, senior vice president and general manager for uncrewed systems at AeroVironment said.
Stevenson noted that unlike a Swiss Army knife, the P550 can perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
“So baseline ISR, obviously, which is what we’ve been doing with Pumas and Ravens for decades. But then adding communications relay, adding electronic warfare, adding signals intelligence and also being able to do many of those missions into one payload at one time,” Stevenson said.
To get a better understanding of what the P550 brings to the table, Chris Cornell, AeroVironment’s senior product line manager, provided a closer look.
“So the nose of the airplane is where our payload bay is, and everything on P550 is toolless connection. So no tool is required. Snap together. You know, the entire airplane can go together in minutes,” Cornell said. “And you know, one of the payload is a prime example of it, right? It’s, you know, pop out and slide on and off. These are all hot swappable. So you know, if an operator wanted us to change from, you know, a basic ISR, and then now they need to go to the munition, they pull this off an airplane that can still be on, slide it back on, and you’re off and ready to go.”
Stevenson added they’ve also equipped the P550 to handle munitions.
“With the modular, open approach, we’ll be able to incorporate multiple different kinetic type payloads combined with ISR. Ultimately, our goal is also to be able to carry a laser designator on there with a kinetic effect, so that you can laser target and take on a target all within one mission, versus having to call in a Switchblade or some other asset to perform a fires mission,”
AeroVironment claims the P550 can be rapidly deployed in 10 minutes or less. The company also said the UAV has a flight time of five hours, making it an impressive addition to the lineup.
Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
US Air Force deploys A-10 ‘Warthogs’ to Philippines
The United States deployed A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, commonly known as Warthogs, to the Philippines for joint training exercises with the Philippine Air Force. The deployment serves to strengthen the long-standing defense partnership between the two nations.
The A-10s are assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron, which is based in South Korea. The aircraft arrived at Clark Air Base on Dec. 6, and will remain in the Philippines until Dec. 15.
The A-10, in service with the U.S. Air Force since 1976, is designed for close air support and armed with a 30 mm cannon and up to 16,000 pounds of ordnance. It can target both land-based and maritime threats. It demonstrated its versatility in past operations, including maritime combat patrols in the Gulf of Oman in 2023.
The training mission follows reports of nearly 100 Chinese vessels near the Philippine-held Thitu Island in late November. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve overlapping claims by China, the Philippines and other nations. China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, citing historical rights, while other countries contest this claim.
The U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1951, obligates both nations to respond to attacks on public vessels, aircraft or armed forces in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.
US works to maintain free, open Indo-Pacific
The U.S. Air Force stated that the exercises aim to improve interoperability and enhance shared capabilities with the Philippine Air Force. This mission marks the second recent joint training operation between the two nations, following a fighter jet training exercise over the Philippine Sea in November.
The Pentagon identified the Indo-Pacific as a priority theater, citing growing regional Chinese activity. Regular joint training and deployments, such as the arrival of the A-10s, are part of the U.S. effort to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Final curtain falls on Taylor Swift’s billion-dollar ‘Eras Tour.’ What’s next?
Taylor Swift’s record-breaking “Eras Tour” came to a spectacular close on Sunday, Dec. 8, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over nearly two years and more than 150 shows across five continents, the tour solidified Swift’s billionaire status and left an undeniable economic imprint worldwide.
A billion-dollar boost
Swift captivated fans, old and new, with the Eras Tour, but the impact extended beyond her Swifties. Cities across the globe experienced surges in tourism, business and job creation. According to the U.S. Travel Association, attendees spent an average of $1,300 on travel, hotels, food and merchandise.
In Vancouver, the final leg of the tour generated an estimated $157 million in economic benefits, according to local tourism officials. In California, her six-night run created 3,300 jobs and $160 million in local earnings. Pittsburgh saw its highest hotel occupancy since the pandemic during her shows, bringing in $46 million.
Controversy and challenges
The Eras Tour wasn’t without its controversies. Swift faced scrutiny for her private jet usage after a report by The Yard surfaced that her jet logged 170 flights in 2022, prompting environmental concerns. A spokesperson for Swift clarified that her jet is often loaned out to others.
Ticketmaster also faced backlash when overwhelming demand for tickets crashed the platform. The debacle sparked congressional hearings on ticket pricing and resale practices.
What’s next for Swift?
Although the Eras Tour has ended, Swift continues to make headlines. In November 2024, she released her first book, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the tour. Speculation swirls around a potential Eras Tour documentary, as camera crews reportedly followed her journey.
Swift may also revisit her roots. Known for her evolution across genres, she could experiment further with her sound. Fans also anticipate more “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings as Swift reclaims her early catalog after a dispute over her original masters.
As Swift closes one chapter, fans eagerly await her next move. Whether it’s music, film or a completely new venture, the Taylor Swift Era is far from over.
Federal judge rejects Boeing deal with DOJ due to concerns about diversity
A federal judge in Texas has scuttled a deal between the Justice Department and aircraft maker Boeing related to two plane crashes. The judge ruled the plea arrangement inappropriately tied the court’s hands by adding diversity considerations to selecting a compliance officer. That officer would oversee and make sure Boeing is living up to its end of the deal.
Two 737 Max crashes, one in 2018 near Indonesia, and one in 2019 near Ethiopia, left 346 people dead. The FAA then grounded all 737 Max jets.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department accused Boeing of violating its probation over a fraud-conspiracy charge related to those two crashes. Boeing agreed to plead guilty, which led to this week’s court action.
Judge Reed O’Connor wrote that contradictory explanations were given regarding the role that race and diversity would play in selecting a compliance monitor. He said it’s in the utmost interest of justice and public confidence that the selection of a compliance monitor is based solely on competence.
The judge also noted that the Justice Department cited an executive order from the Biden administration in 2021 to promote diversity, equity and inclusion policies at federal agencies. Judge O’Connor said this would inject discrimination into the monitor selection process.
He also pointed out that Boeing had removed materials related to DEI from its website. The judge had asked for more information on that particular topic.
The Justice Department has said it picks monitors based on merit from the broadest possible pool of candidates. Boeing hasn’t commented on the ruling or rejection. The judge ordered both sides to update him within 30 days on how they plan to proceed.
Honeywell 360: The future of wearable tech for warfighters
For many, the image of Buffalo Bill stalking Clarice Starling through his dimly lit basement using night vision goggles in “The Silence of the Lambs” was the first exposure to wearable tech designed to give users an advantage in the dark. It has been 33 years since that award-winning film hit the silver screen, and such hardware is now commonplace in military units worldwide.
At this year’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) gathering, Straight Arrow News had the opportunity to see what could be the next game-changer in wearable tech for American warfighters.
The Honeywell 360 Display resembles high-tech arcade game equipment and could become a modern warrior’s best friend in low-light environments. It also eliminates the problems of previous designs.
“The Honeywell 360 is designed to operate a vehicle at a high rate of speed without any outside visual reference, meaning no windows, and do that without making you sick,” said Adam Gavrich, senior technical sales manager at Honeywell. “Our system is one of the only systems that can do that for an extended period without making you ill.”
The system’s technology focuses on low latency and depth perception to simulate natural vision. Gavrich explained that the 360 Display is vehicle, camera and sensor agnostic, meaning it can integrate with existing cameras and mountings for standard night vision goggles.
“The idea is to take a vehicle that might already have cameras and integrate with those existing cameras,” Gavrich said. “If you have a requirement for very high-end cameras, very high resolution, we can integrate with that. If you have lower resolution cameras, we can do that as well and still safely operate the vehicle using our headset technology.”
The system has 26 U.S. patents for its anti-motion sickness technology. Currently in production, it is being fine-tuned for military operations.
“Simulating your natural vision and making your body feel as if it is looking with its own two eyes when it actually has no reference is crucial,” Gavrich said. “We have to accurately find the position of your head, accounting for both unnatural motion from the vehicle and where you are intentionally moving your head. When those two things agree, you do not get sick.”
Unlike most showcased at AUSA, the SAN team was able to climb into a vehicle and try the 360 Display.
The team said it felt like an F-35 glass cockpit. If a pilot were to look back, they would be able to see what is directly behind the vehicle. In a combat scenario, that could be militants or innocents the pilot doesn’t want to run over.
Another important aspect is the effort to avoid adding neck strain to the wearer.
“We are taking weight out of our prototype, and it is going to be very light,” Gavrich said. “When you put on the headset today, it feels heavy because it is a military helmet. The end target system will be very light and rugged to support military operations. We cannot have a heavy headset that adds a lot of neck strain, and that is a design consideration we have accommodated for.”
While Honeywell has not yet disclosed which American troops will first use the 360 Display, Gavrich mentioned that the company recently won several unannounced contracts. When those deals are announced, SAN will provide more updates.
‘Rock formation’ dashes hopes in search for Amelia Earhart’s plane
Hopes that Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane had been found were dashed on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Researchers scanning the Pacific Ocean for the nearly 90-year-old wreckage thought they had found it last year but upon further inspection it’s reportedly just a natural rock formation shaped like a plane.
Tony Romeo funded the $11 million search with the group Deep Sea Vision for Earhart’s doomed flight.
In January of 2023, searchers claimed to have found sonar evidence of “what appears to be Earhart’s Lockheed 10-3 Electra” plane.
The images were captured by a submersible around 16,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, and 100 miles off of the coast of Howland Island, roughly halfway in between Hawaii and Australia, which would have been Earhart’s next scheduled stop as she attempted to become the first woman to fly around the globe.
Upon its return to the site, the team found the long-anticipated discovery was just a pile of rocks.
Despite the disappointing setback, the researchers vowed on Instagram to continue their search. The group said members have covered nearly 7,700 square miles so far in their efforts to find the ill-fated plane, which has been the subject of conspiracy theories for decades.
