An investigation is under way into a fatal collision involving of a pair of German air force Eurofighter combat aircraft near Rostock on 24 June. The two jets were part of a formation of three single-seat Eurofighters from the Luftwaffe's 73 Squadron, which had taken off for a training flight from their base at Rostock airport, close to the Baltic Sea. One of the pilots died during the accident, while the other – an instructor – was rescued alive, the Bundeswehr says. Both pilots operated the ejection seat following a "contact" between the two aircraft, around 20min into the flight, the Bundeswehr says. The pilot of the third aircraft involved in the mission observed two parachutes descending to the ground. The Bundeswehr has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Source: FlightGlobal

EVA Air expects revenue losses from the ongoing cabin crew strike to be around NT$1.07 billion ($34.3 million). The carrier says in a stock exchange disclosure that it has cancelled 248 flights since 20 June, when the strike began. Other impact costs are still being estimated. The Star Alliance carrier has also preemptively cancelled 363 flights over the weekend of 29/30 June, which is expected to affect 32,500 passengers. EVA will not be taking any new bookings until 29 June.

Source: FlightGlobal

United Arab Emirates investigators have disclosed that the Diamond Aircraft DA62 which fatally crashed at Dubai last month had been following preceding traffic on a parallel runway closer than prescribed before a suspected wake-vortex upset. It was flying 3.7nm behind an Airbus A350 whose wake turbulence is thought to have contributed to the accident. After levelling off from the turn to final, at around 1,100ft and 130kt, the DA62 rolled slightly but recovered 9s later. But 7s after that, the aircraft "abruptly" rolled to the left, says the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority, becoming inverted before entering a steep dive. It struck the ground in a nature reserve about 3.5nm from the runway 30L threshold, travelling at "high speed" on a heading of about 100° – almost the opposite direction to its intended flightpath, says the inquiry. Investigators found that the DA62 had "consistently followed" preceding traffic on approach to 30R at distances which were "below the specified minimum separation", and less than the distances discussed during a pre-departure meeting.

Source: FligtGlobal