Boeing sent a notice to all Trent 800-powered 777 operators that both the uncommanded loss of thrust on a Delta Air Lines 777-200ER in November and the dual rollback that led to the British Airways -200ER crash landing at London Heathrow 13 months ago likely were caused by ice in the fuel feed system (ATWOnline, Dec. 19, 2008).

Ryanair Deputy CEO Michael Cawley told reporters yesterday that the LCC is talking with both Boeing and Airbus about placing an order for 300-400 aircraft within the next two years for delivery in 2012-17. It will sell older aircraft to clear some space but eventually is targeting 200 million passengers per year. It transported 57.7 million in 2008 and currently operates 181 737-800s. Cawley said there was no impediment to operating both Boeing and Airbus types; "We're large enough now to run two fleets."

Pratt & Whitney said it completed ground and flight testing of the PurePower PW1000G demonstrator engine, including 27 flights and more than 75 hr. of flight testing on an A340-600 testbed in Toulouse in cooperation with Airbus. "We were able to complete all flight test objectives with flawless engine operation. The Airbus A340 flight test program included engine test evaluations normally conducted for a production engine certification," Pratt VP-Next Generation Product Family Bob Saia said.

Boeing delivered its 77th 777 (also its 19th 777-300ER) to Singapore Airlines on Jan. 30.

Naverus said it will develop Required Navigation Performance procedures for China Eastern Airlines for operating into Lhasa. Naverus also will assist the carrier in obtaining the necessary regulatory approval to fly the procedures with both 737NG and A319 aircraft.

Japan Airlines Friday conducted the latest biofuel test flight, operating a 747-300 partially powered by fuel derived primarily from the camelina plant. The 90-min. flight from Tokyo Haneda followed recent biofuel demonstration flights conducted by Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines (ATWOnline, Jan. 8). A 50/50 blend of traditional jet fuel and camelina-based biofuel powered one of the aircraft's four Pratt & Whitney JT9Ds. It was the first biofuel test flight using Pratt engines.

Russia's S7 Airlines has canceled its order for 15 787s, it confirmed yesterday, becoming the first carrier to terminate a major deal for Boeing's delayed next-generation widebody.

FedEx ATR 42 operated by Empire Airlines crashed on landing at Lubbock, Tex., early yesterday morning, leading to a fire that destroyed the aircraft. Both crewmembers survived. En route from Fort Worth Alliance, the aircraft skidded off the runway after touching down and the right wing caught fire, according to Flight Safety Foundation's Aviation Safety Network. The accident occurred just after 4:30 a.m. in poor weather conditions that included "freezing drizzle and mist," ASN reported. FedEx said the two pilots escaped with only "minor injuries."