Rich International Airways

Rich International Airways was an American airline whose flight has ceased operations due to bankruptcy in 1997.

History

Rich International Airways was founded in 1969 as a cargo airline. The headquarters was located in Miami.

In 1982, Rich International passenger got into the business and bought some Douglas DC-8, primarily of Braniff. They also received the approval for passenger charter flights.

In June 1983, Rich International presented the first time under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the flight operation was continued.

In the spring of 1984, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration established serious deficiencies in maintenance at Rich International and deprived the pilot's license. Rich International used the bankruptcy protection to carry out restructuring. Also in the spring of 1984 found Rich International with George E. Batchelor a financially strong partner and could be discharged from Chapter 11. The end of 1984 a fresh start with new leadership and scaled fleet was finally ventured.

In 1991 came with the Lockheed L -1011 TriStar first wide-body jets to the fleet. These aircraft were used for European routes and supplemented the Douglas DC -8. Later Rich International had 11 machines of the L- 1011.

On 27 June 1996, inspectors found the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in six - Rich International aircraft 75 unexamined items. As a result, Rich International has been atoned for two million euros and on all 21 machines worldwide flight ban was imposed. The on-board computer as well as parts of the landing gear and rudder come from a Peruvian, previously purchased and gutted L- 1011. Also, was suspected irregular maintenance and unreliable pilot training. Also rest of the crew were questioned.

The suspicion was confirmed in September 1996 as the FAA noted significant maintenance deficiencies, which eventually led to the complete cessation of air operations.

In November 1996, Rich International presented for the second time under bankruptcy protection to avoid a bankruptcy scarce.

Although the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration would allow flight operations until February 1997 but the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) refused to consent and made a license from numerous conditions dependent.

In February 1997, Rich International announced its bankruptcy known and has been resolved. She had the requirements of the Department of Transportation no longer economically able to cover. The aircraft and the entire inventory was auctioned in July 1997.

Fleet

Rich International entertained different types of aircraft:

Route network

Getting Rich International charter flights conducted in 1982 by Florida to the Caribbean.

From the North American mainland were also connections to Hawaii.

Furthermore, led Rich International North Atlantic flights through Europe. The German Frankfurt airport was served by California (San Francisco and Los Angeles ). The airline also flew charter flights for German tour operators.

Incidents

According to Rich International President William Meenan security was guaranteed, but according to those in the airline was really known for their weaknesses.

  • 28 February 1994: Rich International Flight 303 - Considerable damage resulted from the failure of the engines Nos. 1 and 3 with simultaneous fire outbreak at the engine 1 startup in Fairbanks (Alaska) on the flight to Miami. The launch was aborted and the fire could be extinguished.
  • March 1994: The engine of a Rich International machine exploded on the flight Anchorage -Las Vegas.
  • As of 1995, the incident list of U.S. carriers recorded 205 reports of Rich International. Rich International aircraft suffered mostly to rust.
  • August 1996: The Lockheed L -1011, which was still a month earlier by the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt ( LBA) approved, was on the flight to Honolulu from a generator. The machine was acquired in March of LTU and flew back after the incident to Frankfurt am Main.

Criticism

Apart from the poor maintenance among other things, the services on board and various austerity measures has been criticized:

  • On flights from Germany to California often lacked food or blankets.
  • Check- in counters, departure gates or flight numbers changed at short notice.
  • The check-in procedure was made ​​without a computer by hand.
IATA-Code International Civil Aviation Organization airport code Insolvency Trip computer Running gear Rudder#Aircraft rudders Fairbanks, Alaska Anchorage, Alaska LTU International
683283
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