SEATAC – Alaska Airlines and the FAA are investigating why smoke appeared in the cockpit and cabin of one of the airline’s older 737s after it landed Thursday morning at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The plane, carrying 103 passengers and a crew of five, was evacuated using its emergency slides on a taxiway.

The first officer was treated for possible smoke inhalation but was later said to be OK, and two passengers reported minor injuries, according to the airline.

Investigators do not know if the smoke was caused by a problem with the nose gear, which delayed the landing while the pilots were troubleshooting and made an airport fly-by.

Flight 529 from Los Angeles was about five to 10 minutes from landing at the Seattle airport when the cockpit instruments indicated a possible problem with the nose gear, said Paul McElroy, an airline spokesman.

The pilots decided to make a low-level pass over the runway so air traffic controllers in the tower could make sure the landing gear was down, McElroy said. The plane then circled back around and made a normal landing. But while it was taxing to the gate, a hazy smoke appeared in the cockpit and the cabin, and the captain ordered evacuation chutes deployed.

The plane landed at 9:20 a.m. It was supposed to land at 9:03 a.m.

McElroy said the first officer later received “precautionary medical attention” for possible smoke inhalation. He did not require hospitalization. And two passengers reported “minor” injuries during the evacuation and asked for medical treatment, McElroy said.

The 10-year-old plane is one of Alaska Airlines’ older “classic” 737s that are gradually being replaced with newer models. The average age of Alaska’s fleet of 40 737-400s is 12 years and six months. Earlier this year, the airline inspected all its 737-400s for possible wing-flap problems after several emergency landings.

Older 737s have been getting a lot of attention in recent weeks after the FAA fined Southwest Airlines a record amount for failing to make timely inspections.

SOURCE:

• Seattle P-I

SEATTLE – A man who shot and killed a Farwest cab driver in SeaTac before setting fire to the taxi has been convicted of aggravated murder and arson.

The King County prosecutor’s office says 19-year-old Earnest Lenell Collins of Seattle will automatically receive a life term with parole when he is sentenced May 9 in King County Superior Court. The jury returned with the verdict Friday.

Prosecutors say robbery was the apparent motive for the July 17 killing of the Farwest Taxi driver, Jagit Singh. He was shot twice in the head and his cab was set afire.

Collins fled and was arrested in Chicago.

SOURCE:

• Seattle P-I

SEATAC – Three passengers on a flight between Amsterdam to SeaTac Airport may have been exposed to measles in late March.

Health officials say a woman on the flight has a confirmed case of the disease, and now they are contacting passengers who sat near her.

The Northwest Airlines flight 33 came from the Netherlands to Sea-Tac on March 26, and arrived in Washington at about 3:25 p.m. The woman - who is in her 20s - then flew from Seattle to Portland on Horizon Airlines Flight 2243, which departed from Seattle at 5 p.m.

Health officials say passengers who were on her flight or in the airport at that time should be alert for symptoms and contact health providers if they become ill.

Measles is a highly infectious illness that causes rash, fever, cough, and red, watery eyes.

SOURCE:

• KING-TV

Through October 2008, visitors to the SeaTac International Airport North Terminal will be able to view artwork created by some very special artists.

Using a myriad of recycled objects, Northwest artists from Creative ArtSpace and Art Escape designed teapots primarily for fun rather than mere functionality.  In the spirit of “found art,” artists scavenged at least one pot body, handle, lid and spout; often garnering numerous spouts or handles.  These were assembled according to whim, whimsy, or the dictates of imagination.  Wonderful re-created Ming vases and dragon paintings complete the exploration of Asian art from this very unique perspective.

This exhibit is a small sampling of the vibrant and creative voices of contemporary Northwest artists with developmental disabilities and vivid, imaginative capabilities.  These artists participate in the Art Escape program at the Moshier Community Art Center in Burien, WA and in the Creative ArtSpace program at the Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services Resource Centerin Kent, WA.  Instructor Shariana Mundi works with the artists in an atmosphere of playful exploration and creative expression.

Artists Include:

• Giel Ahn
• Brenda Satko
• Jesse Whitehouse
• Tracy Wieland
• Sue Owens
• Doug Query
• Shannon Twilley
• Shirley Strand
• Anish Titus
• Min Lee
• Lisa Pickering
• Ryan Steve
• John Shaw
• Dustin Moles
• Jean Cavanaugh
• Libby Heller
• Cindy Mason
• Kelly McLaughlin
• Jeff Ingraham
• Hoa Caldwell
• Joseph Ruf

For more information regarding inclusive arts programming for people with disabilities, please contact Gina Kallman at Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, 206-242-7752, or Kent Parks, Recreation and Community services, 253-856-5030.

Doncha just love it when big fancy ’spensive displays end up showing error messages?

We do:

SOURCE:

• Skyzyk’s Flickr Photostream