SNAPSHOTS

NEWLY FALLEN SNOW IS CAPTURED YESTERDAY ON THE CASCADES, IN WASHINGTON STATE.

LUXE MEN/ CANDID SHOTS (#28)

5 SHOTS OF AMATEUR MEN FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE.

MUSIC HISTORY/ 30 YEARS AGO

BILLBOARD TOP 10 SINGLES FOR WEEK ENDING FEB 28,1979:
1. DO YA THINK I'M SEXY--ROD STEWART
2. FIRE--POINTER SISTERS
3. I WILL SURVIVE--GLORIA GAYNOR
4. TRAGEDY--BEE GEES
5. A LITTLE MORE LOVE--OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN
6. HEAVEN KNOWS--DONNA SUMMER
7. LE FREAK--CHIC
8. YMCA--VILLAGE PEOPLE
9. LOTTA LOVE--NICOLETTE LARSON
10. WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES--DOOBIE BROTHERS

TOP DEBUT ON HOT 100: #66--RUBBER BISCUIT--BLUES BROTHERS

TV/ TOP 10 PROGRAMS 2-28-09

1. LOST (ABC)
2. 81ST ACADEMY AWARDS (ABC) **
3. THE CLOSER (TNT) *
4. SURVIVOR TOCANTINS (CBS)
5. CSI (CBS)
6. THE AMAZING RACE (CBS)
7. CHUCK (NBC)
8. GHOST WHISPERER (CBS)
9. THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS (CBS & Soapnet)
10. AMERICAN IDOL (FOX)

*--Season Finale
**--One Off Special

AVIATION/ CRASH LANDING FOR CARPATAIR JET

A CARPATAIR Saab 2000 was damaged this morning in Timisoara, Romania, when it had to crash land on the runway. The Saab was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Chisinau to Timisoara, with 47 passengers and 4 crew members onboard, when the incident took place. While on approach to Timisoara, the nosewheel landing gear did not deploy. The crew abandoned its approach and declared an emergency. The Saab then circled the Airport for about 2 hours, while the crew attempted to troubleshoot the problem, while at the same time dumping fuel. Unable to fix the landing gear problem, Emergency Services foamed the runway, and the Saab came in for a landing. "The plane ... crash-landed on the foam carpet spread by firefighters on the airstrip. All passengers are fine," said a Romanian inspectorate spokeswoman. Passengers and crew were then evacuated from the aircraft and taken to the terminal. One passenger told local media that the Pilot had told them that ice had caused a problem with the landing gear. According to the Airline and local media, the Saab only suffered minor damage in the incident. The Romanian Transportation Ministry has sent a team to Timisoara to investigate the incident.

AVIATION/ TURBULENCE EYED IN FL1951 CRASH

Investigators are examining turbulence as one of the possible causes of the crash of TURKISH AIRLINES Flight 1951, this past Wednesday in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Flight 1951 was on Scheduled International Boeing 737 Service from Istanbul, Turkey, to Amsterdam, when it went down about 1 mile from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport while on finals. Of the 128 passengers and 7 crew members onboard, 6 passengers and 3 crew members were killed in the crash. Dozens of surviving passengers remain hospitalized today in Amsterdam, with 1 person still listed in critical condition. A Turkish Pilots' group claimed that turbulence from a large plane landing at Schiphol shortly before the doomed flight may have caused the crash. Turkey Airline Pilots' Association said late last evening that a large Boeing 757 had landed at Schiphol Airport 2 minutes before Flight 1951 crashed. The TAPA said that plane most likely created "wake turbulence" that hampered the Turkish aircraft's landing. Wake turbulence forms behind an aircraft as it passes through the air. "All possible causes are (being) investigated and turbulence is known to have caused problems in the past, so you never know," a spokesmand for the Dutch Safety Authority investigation team said.

Pieter van Vollenhoven, head of the Dutch agency investigating the crash, has said that the plane fell almost vertically from the sky, which pointed toward its engines having stopped. He said a reason for that had not yet been established. Other possible causes under investigation include weather-related factors, insufficient fuel, loss of fuel, navigational errors, pilot fatigue or bird strikes. Witnesses on the ground said the plane dropped from about 300 feet. It smashed into 3 pieces as it skidded to a halt in the mud but there was no fire. Turkish Airlines also denied reports that the 773, which was built in 2002, had had technical problems in the days before the accident. The plane underwent routine maintenance February 19, and had to delay a flight February 23, the day before the crash, to replace a faulty caution light. Dutch Authorities said that the wreckage may be moved from the field in which it crashed, later this weekend. The Dutch Safety Board also denied requests by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) for access to CVR/FDR readout data of Flight 1951. Safety Board officials feel witnesses will not be able to speak freely if they feel their statements could be used in a criminal investigation

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

FIRST FL3407 LAWSUIT FILED: The 1st lawsuit has been filed over the February 12 crash of a COLGAN AIR Q400 turboprop near Buffalo, New York. On Thursday, a Buffalo law firm sued 4 parties connected to the crash of CONTINENTAL CONNECTION Flight 3407, on behalf of the family of 1 of the victims, Susan Wehle. Wehle was cantor of Temple Beth Am in Williamsville, New York, and left behind 2 sons. Flight 3407 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Newark, New Jersey, to Buffalo, when it went down in Clarence Center, New York, while on approach to Buffalo. All 49 passengers and crew onboard the Dash were killed in the crash, as well as 1 person on the ground. The firm filed suit on behalf of the sons against CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, Colgan Air, PINNACLE AIRLINES, parent company of Colgan; and Bombardier Aerospace, manufacturer of the Q400.The suit alleges the flight crew lost control of the aircraft due to, among other things, a combination of airfoil icing, negligent actions of the flight crew and an inadequate, defective, de-icing system and flight control system of the aircraft. Specifically, the lawsuit claims the Airline "negligently, carelessly, and recklessly operated and monitored flight 3407 and flew it into icing conditions, knowing the aircraft was equipped with ineffective de-icing equipment, and had negligently failed to properly train the crew of Flight 3407 to operate the aircraft in such circumstances," according to a release from the law firm. Further, the firm says the Q400 was "defective in its design and manufacture, had a defective de-icing system, a defective flight control system and was unreasonably dangerous to fly in such dangerous icing conditions as was the case on the night of the crash." The NTSB is currently investigationg the crash and has mentioned several factors, including Icing and Pilot Error, which may have played a part in the crash. The investigation is expected to take at least a year.
INCIDENTS
MONTENEGRO AIRLINES FLIGHT 990: The Fokker 100 was on Scheduled International Service from Podgorica, Serbia and Montegro, to Rome, Italy, when it had to make an emergency return to Podgorica, yesterday, February 27. Flight 990, with 33 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency on takeoff from Podgorica, after 1 of the left main gear wheels fell off during climbout. After circling to burn off fuel, the Fokker landed without incident, on the 2nd left main wheel as well as right and nose gear. The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection and repair. Montenegro is investigating the incident.
AIR NEW ZEALAND FLIGHT 2: The Boeing 777 was on Scheduled International Service from Los Angeles, California, to London Heathrow, when it had to divert while enroute, yesterday, February 27. Flight 2 was inflight about 500 miles from Gander, Newfoundland, when the crew declared an emergency and asked to divert to Gander due to a medical emergency involving a passenger. While moving towards Gander, the crew requested that Police also be on standby, as the ill passenger had become unruly. Flight 2 landed in Gander about 1 hour after first declaring the emergency, and the passenger was taken off the aircraft by emergency services and the police. The nature of the illness and what went on in the aircraft, has not been disclosed. ANZ is investigating the incident.
PELITA AIR SERVICE FLIGHT ?: The Fokker 100 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Jakarta to Kusuma, Indonesia, when it was damaged upon landing at Kusuma, on Thursday, February 26. The Fokker, with 71 passengers and crew onboard, burst a hydraulics line disabling the nose wheel steering while on the landing roll at Dumai. No one onboard was injured, and the Fokker, which had to be towed off the runway, has been removed from service for inspection and repair. Pelita is investigating the incident.

SNAPSHOTS

A SYRIAN BROWN BEAR IS CAPTURED LAYING IN THE SNOW, YESTERDAY, IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND.

LUXE MEN

LUXE MEN

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

FILM/SHERLOCK & WATSON GAY?: Web Gossip sites are reporting that Guy Ritchie's upcoming Sherlock Holmes film will give the legendary detective, (Robert Downey Jr) and his ever-faithful assistant, Dr. Watson, (Jude Law), a chance to finally express their attraction...to each other. The source of the gossip is none other than Downey Jr. According to "News of the World," when asked about the relationship between the 2 sleuths, he reportedly answered, “We’re 2 men who happen to be roommates, wrestle a lot and share a bed. It’s badass.” Law went on to add, "Guy wanted to make this about the relationship between Watson and Holmes. They’re both mean and complicated.” Sherlock Holmes' Author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. rarely provided insight into the inspector's emotional life, but when he did, it was in the context of Holmes' feelings for Watson. Downey Jr and Law are seen above in a still from the upcoming film.
FILM/"DAMN YANKEES" TO LENS: New Line Cinema is pairing up with Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal on "Damn Yankees," attaching both actors to star in a contemporized film transfer of the classic musical. The musical is being produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the duo behind New Line's musical "Hairspray"; a sequel to that film is in the works. "Damn Yankees," which bowed on Broadway in 1955 and won 7 Tony Awards, focuses on Joe Boyd, a happily married middle-aged man whose devotion to a hapless pro baseball team prompts him to make a Faustian bargain with the devil to help the team. He's transformed into slugger Joe Hardy, in exchange for Boyd's soul. Boyd can break the deal, but the deadline occurs during the World Series. For good measure, the devil engages Lola, a gorgeous lost soul, to seduce the slugger and seal his fate. The plan is for Carrey to play the devil, and Gyllenhaal to play Boyd. It's the 1st musical for each. No firm date for production has been set yet.
MUSIC/HEART TO RECEIVE AWARD: Ann and Nancy Wilson, founders of soft rock group Heart, are to receive a career achievement award from a US songwriters' organisation. The pair will receive their award at Ascap's annual ceremony on April 22, which is being held in Hollywood. Singer Ann, 58, and guitarist Nancy, 54, rose to fame with the band in the 1970s, scoring hits over 3 decades including "Crazy On You," "Barracuda," These Dreams" and "Alone". Ascap president Marilyn Bergman said the Wilsons' "success and influence helped pave the way for other female artists". "They continue to build their musical legacy with an artistic energy that remains as strong today as when they first started out over 35 years ago," she added.
MUSIC/CLASSIC TOUR SET: Classic rock fans will have an opportunity to tap into a recession-relieving concert with the 2009 Can't Stop Rockin' tour, featuring REO Speedwagon, Styx and 38 Special. The tour begins May 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In acknowledgement of the tour, Styx and REO Speedwagon teamed up to record a new single, “Can’t Stop Rockin’,” co-written by REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Styx’s Tommy Shaw. “Can’t Stop Rockin’” makes its radio debut in March and will be available for download. In a prepared statement, Shaw called the tour a 'rock 'n roll stimulus package." REO and Styx toured together 9 years ago on the Arch Allies tour.
THEATRE/"ADDAMS" OPENS IN 2010: "The Addams Family," the new musical inspired by the macabre characters created by illustrator Charles Addams, will begin previews at a Broadway theatre to be announced March 5, 2010, according to the official new website for the musical. The production will open on Broadway April 8, 2010. No casting has been announced. The musical will make its world premiere November 13, 2009-January 10, 2010, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre in Chicago, prior to Broadway. With a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (librettists of the 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, "Jersey Boys") and music and lyrics by Drama Desk Award-winning composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa ("The Wild Party"), the musical is wholly original and not based on Addams Family material from other media. As the Producers say, don't expect the TV series or the films.
THEATRE/ROBIN WILLIAMS TO BROADWAY: Stage and screen star Robin Williams will return to Broadway in a very limited engagement of his one-man show, "Weapons of Self-Destruction". Following an 80-city US tour, Williams will play the Neil Simon Theatre April 28-May 3. "Weapons of Self-Destruction," according to press notes, "highlights Williams’ trademark free associations and riffs on social and political absurdities.
TV/"SIMPSONS" SETS A RECORD: "The Simpsons" is to become the longest-running prime-time series in US TV history after makers Fox ordered another 2 seasons. The show is currently in its 20th season which matches the record of "Gunsmoke," shown on CBS, which ended in 1975. The 21st season will begin in the autumn with the 22nd airing next year. The new commission of 44 episodes over 2 seasons will bring the total number of shows to 493.
TV/MTV WANTS GAY FOR PAY: MTV, the venerable television music network, is testing the waters for a new segment of its popular "True Life" series. Tentatively titled "True Life: I'm Gay for Pay," the episode will explore the lives of young heterosexuals who pretend to be gay for a living."We are interested in hearing from people with all kinds of stories, from a young person working in gay porn to make a living, to a college student in a same-sex escort service to earn extra cash or even a straight bartender working for tips in a gay club," a producer said. "We're seeking young people 16-28, roughly, though anyone who appears younger than 28 is welcome to submit their story, who might be interested in sharing their story and ultimately participating in a documentary project that would follow as they navigate whatever conflict, tension, obstacle or decision they are facing because of or related to their unconventional line of work."

AVIATION/ V AUSTRALIA LAUNCHED

Richard Branson's new Airline, V AUSTRALIA, has launched it's trans-pacific service out of Sydney, Australia. V Australia's 1st Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft has a distinctively retro vibe. According the Airline, the red and green pattern of the economy seats, the mood lighting and the self-service bars take you back to a time before words like `global financial crisis' became part of the lexicon. A time when flying was something only the rich and famous could afford to do. The touch screen in-flight entertainment system has a chat feature that allows passengers to select a seat number and send messages direct to anyone who catches their eye on the plane. Passengers can use the entertainment system to play games like Texas hold'em poker and sudoku, complete crosswords, shop or even read books on screen. Naturally the system is stocked with hundreds of CDs and movies.

All cabins are fitted with deep overhead storage bins to accommodate the trend towards larger carry on luggage. V Australia is attempting to wrestle away QANTAS' long-held claim over the Australian national identity. It doesn't get much more Australian then the Southern Cross which adorns V Australia's tail and the business cabin ceiling when the lights are dimmed.Vegemite on tap, Sydney Opera House salt and pepper shakers and Australian icons hidden in the wallpaper of the plane flood the senses, creating a nostalgia for Australia whether you are leaving it or returning home. The 2-3-2 seating configuration in business class provides enough room for 40 lie-flat seats and a fully stocked bar. There's also a women-only toilet here because "men don't often get it right", the Virgin Blue Group chief executive Brett Godfrey has said. The 32 premium economy seats also provide sufficient room for business travellers to operate a workstation. These seats are comfortable and feature laptop power, USB slot and moveable reading light, as well as a separate bar. The 288 seats have less room than premium economy, at 18.8 inches wide they are the widest economy seats of any carrier offering flights across the Pacific, including the A380. The 777-300ER is also the most fuel efficient aircraft, a fact which Godfrey believes will give the airline an edge over DELTA AIRLINES when it launches on the Pacific in July with the 777-200 Longer Range.

AVIATION/ SEARCH FOR CLUES IN FL1951 CRASH

Experts are working today to identify the dead in the crash of TURKISH AIRLINES Flight 1951, that killed 9 people in Amsterday, The Netherlands, on Wednesday. Investigators also are analyzing black box recordings and a field of twisted metal wreckage in search of the cause. Flight 1951 was on Scheduled International Boeing 737 Service from Istanbul, Turkey, to Amsterdam, when it went down on finals without warning, about 1 mile from Schiphol Airport. Of the 128 passengers and 7 crew members onboard, 6 passengers and 3 crew members were killed. The number of people onboard Flight 1951 was corrected to 135 passengers and crew late yesterday by Dutch Authorities. The 3 crew members killed, all in the cockpit, were crushed by a panel that crashed thru the cockpit from the their back. Of the 9 people killed, 5 were identified as being from Turkey, and the other 4 are US Citizens. 2 of the passengers killed were identifed as employees of Boeing. The 3 crew members were all killed in the cockpit, when a rear panel crashed into the cockpit upon impact. 84 other passengers and crew were injured, with 6 of those in critical condition, and 25 in serious condition.

Pieter van Vollenhoven, head of the Dutch agency investigating the crash, said that the Boeing 737-800 had fallen almost directly from the sky, which pointed toward the plane's engines having stopped. He said a reason for that had not yet been established. A Spokeswoman for the Dutch Safety Authority confirmed his remarks and added that engine failure on the was still only "one of the possible scenarios" for the crash. Investigators are exploring a wide range of possible causes, ranging from weather-related factors to insufficient fuel, loss of fuel, navigational errors, pilot fatigue or bird strikes. Van Vollenhoven said an analysis of the plane's flight data recorders in Paris could be completed as early as today, but his agency would probably not make a preliminary finding until next week. Survivors say engine noise seemed to stop, the plane shuddered and then simply fell out of the sky tail-first. Witnesses on the ground said the plane dropped from about 300 feet. One survivor, Henk Heijloo, said the last message he heard from the captain was for flight crew to take their seats. He said it took him time to realize the landing had gone wrong. "We were coming in at an odd angle, and I felt the Pilot give the plane more gas," he said. He thought the Pilot might have been trying to abort the landing, because the nose came up. A recording of the conversations between ATC and the Pilots revealed nothing unusual in the final moments before the crash. A controller read out the proper radio frequency for requesting clearance to land. "Thank you, sir," the Pilot said.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

RYANAIR PROPOSES LOO CHARGES: Passengers flying with Irish Airline RYANAIR may soon be charged £1 to use the plane's restroom's. Chief executive Michael O'Leary said that coin slots might be fixed to doors in future, similar to systems already used in train stations. He said: "One thing we have looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in future. We are always, at Ryanair, looking at ways of constantly lowering the cost of air travel and making it affordable and easier for all passengers to fly with us." When asked if this would inconvenience passengers travelling without cash, replied: "I don't think there is anybody in history that has got on board a Ryanair aircraft with less than a pound. What do you do at Liverpool Street station at the moment you need to spend a penny? I think you have to spend 20p to go to the toilets at Liverpool Street station." Last week, Ryanair announced it was to shut all check-in desks at Airports and have passengers check in online instead. The head of research at Which? Holiday, said: "It seems Ryanair is prepared to plumb any depths to make a fast buck and, once again, is putting profit before the comfort of its customers. Charging people to go to the toilet might result in fewer people buying overpriced drinks on board, though, that would serve Ryanair right."
US PAX FEE MAY RISE: A fee charged to every airline passenger to help pay for security would go up an undisclosed amount in 2012 if President Barack Obama's proposed budget is approved. Currently, passengers pay $2.50 for every leg of a trip, with a maximum of $5. But the Obama administration said the fee captures only 36% of the cost of providing aviation security, and said the increased fee will result in passengers paying "a majority" of the estimated cost of passenger and baggage screening. The airline industry has fought fee increases in the past and is likely to fight this one.
INCIDENTS
AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHT 3890: The ERJ145 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas, when it had to make an emergency landing in Dallas, yesterday, February 26. Flight 3890 declared an emergency as it neared Dallas, after a smoke detector went off in the cargo department and passengers reported smelling smoke. The ERJ landed without incident and was met by Emergency Services. No trace of a fire was found, however the aircraft has been removed from service for a full inspection. AE is investigating the incident.
ORENBURG AIRLINES CHARTER: The Boeing 737 was on Non-Scheduled International Service from Volgograd, Russia, to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, when it was damaged on takeoff from Volgograd, yesterday, February 26. The 737, with 142 passengers and 7 crew members onboard, hit a runway edge light with its inner left main gear tire during takeoff. The inner tire was shredded and the hydraulics system damaged. The crew declared an emergency, and circled Volgograd for 2 hours to burn off fuel. The aircraft landed without incident and has been removed from service for inspection and repairs. Orenburg is investigating the incident.

AIR ONE FLIGHT 2135: The Boeing 737 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Venice to Naples, Italy, when it suffered a bird strike while on approach to Naples, on Wednesday, February 25. Flight 2135 was on appoach at 10000 feet, when a sea gull struck the radome of the 737, causing a loud bang heard throughout the aircraft and reshaping the nose cone. The bird remained embedded in the radome until after landing. The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection and repairs. Air One is investigating the incident.

SNAPSHOTS

3 HORSES CAPTURED GALLOPING THRU THE SNOW, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON NEAR WANGEN IM ALLGAEU, GERMANY.

LUXE MEN

LUXE MEN

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

TV/WENDY RICHARD DIES AT 65: Former "Are You Being Served?" and "EastEnders" actress Wendy Richard has died at the age of 65. The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One soap opera "Eastenders" for 21 years, had been suffering from cancer. Her agent said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end." Last October, Richard revealed she had an aggressive, terminal form of cancer. Soon after that she married her long-term partner John Burns. Francis said the star passed away in the Harley Street Clinic in London with her husband by her side. As well as her 21 years on Albert Square, Richard starred in "Are You Being Served?," as Miss Brahms, as seen at left in picture at teh top. She also starred in sitcoms "Dad's Army" and "Grace and Favour". She joined "EastEnders" when the program began in 1985 and remained in it until 2006, when her character died. During nearly 2 decades in the soap, Wendy Richard's character buried her husband, mother and brother, supported her daughter's teenage pregnancy, and coped with her son's HIV-positive condition. In 2000, Richard was awarded the MBE for services to television and in 2007 she was given a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement for her role in "EastEnders".
TV/SEINFELD RETURNING TO NBC: Jerry Seinfeld is returning to network series television after an 11-year hiatus as creator and exec producer of an NBC reality series that seeks to mine laughs out of marriage problems. The comedian is teaming with longtime "Oprah Winfrey Show" exec producer Ellen Rakieten to create "The Marriage Ref," a nonfiction series that will feature opinionated celebrities, comedians and sports stars offering commentary and advice to real-life couples enduring "classic marital disputes." "This is not a therapy show, it's a comedy show," said Seinfeld, who will, guest appearances aside, be involved in his first TV series since "Seinfeld" left the air in 1998. "After 9 years of marriage, I have discovered that the comedic potential of this subject is quite rich." According to NBC, no premiere date or timeslot has yet been selected for the series.
FILM/FINAL "POTTER" IN 2011: The final instalment of the "Harry Potter" film franchise is to be released in 2011. Fans of the boy wizard will get to see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" in cinemas from July 15. Warner Brothers decided to split the 7th book in JK Rowling's series into 2 parts as it was impossible to cram its 608 pages into a single film. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" is set to be released on November 19, 2010. The next film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" will be released this July.
FILM/BLANCHETT TO MAID MARIAN: Cate Blanchett will play Maid Marian alongside Russell Crowe's Robin Hood in the Ridley Scott-directed adventure film for Universal Pictures. The film, which had been called "Nottingham" but is undergoing a title change, begins production in early April. The film will be shot on a $130 million budget, benefiting from favorable exchange rates and tax credits that come from shooting in London. Scott will be aiming for a PG-13 rating. Crowe plays Robin of Loxley in an original story that hews close to historical facts of the period. Abandoned as a child, he finds community with the common people of Nottingham. Robin's abandonment and trust issues hamper his ability to fall in love. He meets his match in Marian, a strong, independent woman.
FILM/FERRELL & WAHLBERG TEAM UP: Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired “The B Team,” an Adam McKay-directed action comedy that will team Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as cops, with Chris Henchy and McKay writing the script. Sony has not set a release date on the film, but it is expected to go into production as quickly as the filmmakers can get it ready.

AVIATION/ ENGINES EYED IN TURKISH CRASH

Engine failure may have been a factor in yesterdayday's crash of a TURKISH AIRLINES Boeing 737 at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, the chief investigator says. Pieter van Vollenhoven told Dutch state television channel NOS the way the jet fell directly from the sky suggested its engines might have stalled. "If you then lose speed, you then literally fall out of the sky," Mr van Vollenhoven was quoted as saying. Turkish Flight 1951 was on Scheduled International Service from Istanbul, Turkey, to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, when ti crashed on final approach to Schiphol yesterday morning. Of those onboard, 6 of the 127 passengers, and 3 of the 7 crew members, were killed in the crash. 86 people were injured, with 6 of those in critical condition. Teams of investigators arrived at the crash site just after daybreak and set up a large white tent. They fanned out over the debris field, where the white fuselage of the Boeing lay in 3 pieces. A special Turkish Airlines flight landed in Amsterdam this morning from Istanbul, carrying about 70 relatives of those on board the fatal flight. The relatives were accompanied by trauma specialists, the airline said. The flight data and voice recorders were recovered, and have been sent for examination.

Also today, it emerged that Turkish Airlines was accused a week ago of "inviting disaster" by ignoring aircraft maintenance. Turkish Civil Aviation Union announced on its Web site on February 18 that Turkish Airlines "is ignoring the most basic function of flight safety, which is plane maintenance services." "The company administration does not understand the consequences of ripping people from their jobs and inviting a disaster." The union, which represents 12000 Turkish Airline employees, is involved in an ugly dispute with the company's management. Turkish Airlines posted a statement on its Web site on today saying it takes safety seriously and that it followed all "maintenance procedures of the plane manufacturer, national and international authorities directives" for the plane. 2 days before the crash, the company statement said, the Pilot of the plane reported failure with the "Master Caution Light" while taxiing. The part was replaced, and "after this replacement, the plane had 8 take-offs and landings and there were no problems," Turkish Airlines said. In the wake of the disaster, Turkish Airlines executives and officials from Turkey's Transportation Ministry said the Boeing 737-800 had last been inspected December 22. "There was no problem with maintenance in the records of the plane,"an executive board chairman of Turkish Airlines, said in a news conference just hours after the crash.

AVIATION/ BFU REPORTS ON AA FL84 INCIDENT

The German Bureau for Aviation Accident Investigation (BFU) have released their final report this week, into an incident involving an AMERICAN AIRLINES Boeing 767 on August 20, 2007. AA Flight 84 was on Scheduled International Service from Chicago OHare to Frankfurt, Germany, with 158 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. Flight 84 was on approach to Frankfurt, when the crew received an "AFT CARGO OVHT" (rear cargo hold overheat) warning. Even though the crew performed the according checklist, the alert remained. After landing at Frankfurt without incident, the crew activated the auxiliary power unit. The Flight Attendants reported smoke and smell in the cabin while the 767 was taxiing towards the gate. After arrival at the gate the smoke increased and visibility in the cabin became impaired. The crew initiated an accelerated disembarkment through the passenger door and an additional stair at the rear door and called for the emergency services. The emergency services verified smoke coming from an air conditioning outlet at the foot area of seat row 26, but could not establish a source of heat or fire. The BFU report states that a smouldering fire had developed at the front wall of the rear cargo hold and extinguished by itsself again. The traces of the fire were detected only after several panels were removed. Closer examination revealed fire traces at an insulated metallic cable clip around a cable harness above the smouldering fire location. Although the clip was isolated, its insulation had been chafed through, 2 wires were welded together. The BFU concluded, that a short triggered the warning and the circuit breaker for the temperature monitor in the rear cargo hold as well as the power supply for the auxiliary power unit. A fire developed behind the panels of the forward wall of the cargo hold due to the chafed insulation of the cable clip. When after landing additional consumers were automatically activated, the fire started again, which inflamed insulation blankets leading to a smouldering fire. The systemic reasons for the fire were a non-optimal protection against shorts, which led to a fire. A regular inspection or a life time limitation of the insulated clips was not mandated. The BFU recommended to examine and modify the protection against short circuits and to replace the metallic insulated clips with plastic clips.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

MOTHERSHIP EVE TO DEBUT: VIRGIN GALACTIC has announced that the space launch vehicle Virgin Mothership (VMS) Eve will make its world public debut on July 27 at EAA AirVenture 2009 show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This date is assuming that VMS completes its initial flight test program on schedule. The space launch vehicle will arrive as part of the opening-day air show. AirVenture attendees will have opportunities for up-close viewing of the vehicle on the ground each day until its departure flight as part of the Saturday, August 1 air show. Event organizers and Virgin Galactic officials are hopeful to arrange additional showcase flights during the week. Once Galactic takes to the skies, the launch vehicle's mission will include ferrying SpaceShipTwo, carrying passengers, science packages and payload on the 1st stage of the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space experience.
MORE FL1404 LAWSUITS: 4 passengers onboard CONTINENTAL AIRLINES Flight 1404, that veered off a Denver runway on December 20, have filed suit against the jet's maker. The lawsuits filed in federal court in Denver allege that Boeing negligently designed and manufactured certain parts of the plane, including its "directional control mechanisms." The complaints contend the defective parts made it hard for the Pilots to maintain runway heading while taking off in high crosswinds. Boeing did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday night. On December 20, the Houston- bound Boeing 737 veered sharply off a Denver International Airport runway and into a ravine, where it caught fire. The flight was carrying 110 passengers and 5 crew members; 38 people were injured. Aviation safety experts have said strong crosswinds likely were a factor in the crash. The 4 passengers say they suffered emotional and physical injuries and loss of personal property in the wreck. They're seeking compensatory and other damages. At least 8 other passengers on Flight 1404 are suing Continental. They claim the Airline failed to properly operate or control the aircraft as it veered off the runway.
DOT & FAA SUED OVER SAFETY: Airline safety advocates filed a lawsuit Tuesday to force the US Department of Transportation to adopt long-standing safety recommendations in the wake of the deadly CONTINENTAL CONNECTION crash in New York earlier this month. The complaint, brought he National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation, was filed in US District Court in Washington, DC, and names DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and Lynne Osmus, acting administrator for the FAA. Dunham's group says the government is moving too slowly on improving air safety. The lawsuit seeks to force the government to approve safety measures recommended by the NTSB as far back as the mid-1990s. The suit accuses the DOT and FAA of continuing to "shirk their duties to the traveling public" by not doing so. The DOT oversees the FAA, which has the power to put new safety measures in place. The NTSB is an independent investigative body. Listed in the lawsuit are recommendations made in 1996 that focus on aircraft performance in icing conditions, spurred by the 1994 crash of an AMERICAN EAGLE flight in Roselawn, Indiana, that killed 68 people. Icing has been cited by NTSB investigators as a factor in the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407, a Dash 8-400, similar to the American Eagle plane, in Clarence, New York, on February 12, in which all 49 people on board and 1 person on the ground were killed. The investigation is expected to take a year or more to determine the cause of the crash. The FAA had no comment on the suit.
INCIDENTS
AIR CANADA FLIGHT 105: The Boeing 767 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Toronto to Vanouver, Canada, when it had to make an emergency landing at Vancouver, on Tuesday, February 24. Flight 105 declared an emergency about 6 miles from touchdown, due to a fire in the wheel well alert. The 767 landed without incident, and was met by Emergency Services. No fire was found, and the aircraft was allowed to deplane passengers at the gate. The 767 was removed from service for inspection.
AIR NOSTRUM FLIGHT 8876: The CRJ200 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Madrid to Santander, Spain, when it had to make an emergeny landing in Santander, on Tuesday, February 24. Flight 8876, with 44 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency reporting they had an engine failure while on approach to Santander. Prior to landing, the crew notified the Tower that the engine had restarted. The CRJ landed without incident. Air Nostrum said in a statement that the Pilot had declared emergency because of the failure of 1 engine, but was able to restart the engine and landed with both engines running normally. The CRJ has been removed from service for a full inspection.

SNAPSHOTS

COLOMBIAN SINGER JUANES, CAPTURED IN CONCERT LAST EVENING IN VINA DEL MAR, CHILE.

LUXE MEN

LUXE MEN

MUSIC/ TOP 20 SINGLES 2-25-09

1. FLOWERS & FOOTBALL TOPS--GLASVEGAS
2. ALLEIN ALLEIN--POLARKRIES 18
3. THE FEAR--LILY ALLEN
4. ALLA MIA ETA--TIZIANO FERRO
5. YOU FOUND ME--THE FRAY
6. IF THERE'S A ROCKET, TIE ME TO IT--SNOW PATROL
7. BROKEN STRINGS--JAMES MORRISON w/ NELLY FURTADO
8. REVELRY--KINGS OF LEON
9. TIME TO PRETEND--MGMT
10. MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU--KELLY CLARKSON
11. FAME(THE GAME)(remix)--DONNA SUMMER
12. HALO--BEYONCE
13. LONG DISTANCE--BRANDY
14. I'M THROWING MY ARMS AROUND PARIS--MORRISSEY
15. GET ON YOUR BOOTS--U2
16. CALL ME--FRANZ FERDINAND
17. CRACK THE SHUTTERS--SNOW PATROL
18. SPACEMAN--THE KILLERS
19. LIVE AND LET DIE--DUFFY
20. DO THE STAND--SCISSOR SISTERS

NEW ENTRIES IN BOLD BLUE TYPE

CHARTBOUND
* BEAUTIFUL U R(remix)--DEBORAH COX
* BREATHE SLOW--ALESHA DIXON
* CRY FOR YOU--SEPTEMBER
* DIVA--BEYONCE
* EMBERS--JUST JACK
* KINGDOM OF DUST--DOVES
* SHOW ME LOVE--STEVE ANGELO, LAID BACK LUKE, & ROBIN S
* STUCK ON REPEAT--LITTLE BOOTS
* SUPERSTITION--ESTELLE
* TOO FAKE--HOCKEY
* WHAT I CANNOT CHANGE(remix)--LEANN RIMES
* WONDERFUL--GARY GO

MUSIC/ TOP 20 ALBUMS 2-25-09

1. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE--SOUNDTRACK
2. GLASVEGAS--GLASVEGAS
3. ITS NOT ME, ITS YOU--LILY ALLEN
4. DE NOCHE--ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ
5. LA EVOLUCION ROMANTIC STYLE--FLEX
6. YEARS OF REFUSAL--MORRISSEY
7. A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS--SNOW PATROL
8. A MI EDAD--TIZIANO FERRO
9. ONLY BY THE NIGHT--KINGS OF LEON
10. THE CRYING LIGHT--ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS
11. TONIGHT--FRANZ FERDINAND
12. EVERYTHING IS BORROWED--THE STREETS
13. THE STEADY RHYTHM--IVRI LIDER
14. VOM SELBEM STERN--ICH & ICH
15. E2--EROS RAMAZZOTTI
16. THE FRAY--THE FRAY
17. WETT SINGEN--SOHNE MANNHEIMS & XAVIER NAIDOO
18. WAR HEROES--VARIOUS ARTISTS
19. SONGS FOR YOU, TRUTHS FOR ME--JAMES MORRISON
20. HEAVY ROTATION--ANASTACIA

NEW ENTRIES IN BOLD BLUE TYPE

BOOKS/ TOP 20 BOOKS 2-25-09

1. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO--STIEG LARSSON
Fiction/The International Bestseller about murder, love, & family.
2. SING THEM HOME--STEPHANIE KALLOS
Fiction/A familiy comes full circle after the passing of their father.
3. ANIMALS MAKE US HUMAN--TEMPLE GRANDIN
NonFiction/The autistic author on creating the best life for animals.
4. DROOD--DAN SIMMONS
Fiction/A terrifying account of why Dickens never finished "Edwin Drood".
5. DEWEY--VICKY MYRON
NonFiction/The small town library cat that touched the world.
6. PRAYERS FOR BOBBY--LEROY AARONS
NonFiction/A mothers christian faith is shattered by her gay son's suicide.
7. CONQUISTADORS OF THE SKY--DAN HAGEDORN
NonFiction/The history of aviation in Latin America.
8. THE ASSOCIATE--JOHN GRISHAM
Fiction/A new associate at a law firm has a secret.
9. WESLEY THE OWL--STACEY O'BRIEN
NonFiction/The story of a barn owl and the woman who raised him.
10. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD--RICHARD YATES
Fiction/The classic novel of martial bliss and discord.
11. JUST AFTER SUNSET--STEPHEN KING
Fiction/A new collection of stories from the master of suspense.
12. DEAR FATTY--DAWN FRENCH
NonFiction/Autobiography of the iconic British Comedian.
13. 2666--ROBERTO BOLANO
Fiction/3 lives intersect in Santa Teresa, a city of hundreds of murders.
14. THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED--WALLY LAMB
Fiction/A question of faith and the future by a family rocked by tragedy.
15. PORTOBELLO--RUTH RENDELL
Fiction/Secrets shaken by the impact of chance of conincidence.
16. THE PRIVATE PATIENT--P.D. JAMES
Fiction/Adam Dalgliesh and his team investigate a murder at a private clinic.
17. EXECUTIVE MEN--MAP
NonFiction/A new portfolio from Men At Play productions.
18. ALL THE COLOURS OF DARKNESS--PETER ROBINSON
Fiction/Inspector Banks investigates a murder, staged as a suicide.
19. FOOL FOR LOVE--VARIOUS AUTHORS
Fiction/A new collection of gay fiction.
20. THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT--STEVE BERRY
Fiction/Cotton Malone in a dangerous quest to Antarctica

NEW ENTRIES IN BOLD BLUE TYPE

MEDIA/ SUMMER GEAR IN DNA #110

Adam takes the cover in DNA Magazine #110, out yesterday in Australia. Among the celebs profiled in this issue are Antony Hegarty and RuPaul. Features on Summer Fashion, Gay Dads, and Navy Divers. As always, the best in film, music, books, and more. DNA #110 will arrive stateside in about 3 weeks.