AMERICA has been plagued by a slew of unfortunate plane crashes and turbulence disasters that have so far killed dozens of people and injured many.
Scared passengers are now asking authorities “what the hell is going on?” after the aviation industry suffered six horror aviation disasters in just the last six weeks.
Just yesterday, horrified American Airlines passengers were forced to escape a burning plane by climbing onto the wing.
The plane’s engine suddenly caught fire with smoke seen billowing across the airport after it diverted to land in Denver.
There were no reports of serious injuries but 12 people were taken to hospital in minor conditions.
Aviation expert Julian Bray told The Sun that while the plane’s blackbox will reveal the real reason behind the raging flames.
But he suspects something went inside the plane’s injured and triggered the inferno.
He said: “A fan blade might have broken and gone in and shattered the fuel line.
“That is possible because it was a delayed reaction for the fire and, well, smoke first fire. There can be no smoke without fire.
“So obviously, that’s what happened. Now, this plane was diverted so they knew it was all going to happen and Denver was ready for it.
“They were just not ready for the fire.”
Crew on board on a Boeing 737-800 reported engine vibrations before it went up in flames, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
All 172 passengers on board, along with six crew members, were evacuated safely after the scary ordeal,
It comes after a Delta plane crashed and flipped on its roof at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.
Panicked passengers onboard the plane from Minneapolis were forced to crawl along the ceiling to flee after the jet slammed into the icy runway in the terrifying near-disaster.
The body of the aircraft was completely engulfed in fire as it was captured flipping several times, before the bright-orange blaze changed to plumes of thick black smoke.
Officials confirmed 21 people were treated for injuries and two were airlifted to trauma centers for critical but non-life-threatening injuries. One child was also taken to a children’s hospital after the crash.
Aviation experts said the “freak accident” was something “from the movies”.
Meanwhile, Motley Crue singer Vince Neil’s private jet crashed into a parked plane on a runway, killing the pilot and injuring the star’s girlfriend.
CCTV footage caught the jet veering to the left off the tarmac and into the dirt as the pilot appeared to lose control and head straight towards the idle flight.
The Learjet 35A smashed into the underside of the much bigger Gulfstream 200 and collapsed to the ground with the cockpit caved in.
The band confirmed that a pilot had been killed and the co-pilot and two passengers were taken to hospital, in a now deleted statement posted to X.
But thankfully these crashes were not as deadly as some of its recent predecessors.
Fifteen years of relative safety in commercial US flying came to a halt after a passenger plane collided with a Black Hawk earlier this year.
All 67 people onboard an American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter died when the two aircraft crashed midair and plunged into the Potomac River on January 29.
There were 64 passengers on the CRJ700 plane and three crew members on the Black Hawk chopper.
At least 30 bodies were pulled from the Potomac River after the chopper smashed into the jetliner, breaking the aircraft in three pieces as it plunged into the frigid waters.
Then, on January 31, a medical jet crashed into a busy Philadelphia street, killing all six on board and one person on the ground.
A six-year-old girl travelling back from life-saving treatment and her mum were among the plane’s passengers.
And earlier this month, a commuter plane went missing in the Alaskan wilderness.
It was found near Alaska’s east coast, with all nine passengers plus the captain dead.
But why is the aviation industry suddenly experiencing such horror disasters in such a short span of time?
Speaking to The Sun, a top aviation expert insisted flying remains an incredibly safe way to travel.
However, Julian Bray revealed there are some gaps in the aviation industry which authorities need to fix going forward.
Mr Bray said: “There have been problems, both within Boeing and within certain airlines in the states.
“The FAA is also at fault because that’s been pretty lax at times. But they say they’re tightening up there and they do have a lot of well, the FAA has a lot of work on.
“Although when these accidents and incidents do happen, they tend to be quite dramatic in terms of casualties and outcome.”
In the aftermath of last month’s Washington DC crash, it emerged that an air traffic controller had left their post early on the night of the incident.
More concerningly, 90 per cent of air traffic control facilities in the country have been operating below FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recommended staffing levels, according to US media reports.
Mr Bray said: ” I hear that they’ve actually taken out the helicopter routes.
“Helicopters are allowed to go along the river to the Washington Airport as regional passenger aircraft go at a slightly higher altitude.
“But when that Blackhawk went into the side of the Canadian regional jets it was way out of its permitted zone. It’s way over what it’s supposed to be.
“They have now decided that this is far too dangerous to allow these routes to carry on.”
The last few years saw Boeing, one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, embroiled in scandal over poor design and shoddy manufacturing.
In January 2024, a packed flight over the US narrowly escaped disaster when a side panel was torn mid-air.
The investigation found critical bolts were missing.
Whistleblower Sam Mohawk described the factory floor as “chaos”, with faulty parts potentially making their way into aircraft.
It followed serious incidents in 2018 and 2019 that saw 346 people die when a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 jet and an Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 crashed just minutes after take-off.
Last year, the firm agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud in the development of the Max and pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.
AS a Formula One driver, being surrounded by beautiful women is par for the course, but some champs have been driven round the bend when their love lives are thrust into the spotlight.
With the new season getting underway on Sunday, all eyes will be on the likes of Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton as they battle it out on the track.
But some of our favourite F1 stars are famed for their off-track escapades as much as their racing exploits.
One driver had to grovel to his wife after being caught red-handed dancing with mystery women at a posh party, while another legend has boasted about bedding over 5,000 women.
In a world where speed meets seduction, these drivers live life in the fast lane – both on the circuit and behind closed doors.
Here, we dive into the scandalous romances of F1’s most notorious playboys, where every lap on the track is matched by a wild spin in the bedroom.
Back in 2022, Sergio Perez issued a grovelling public apology to his wife Carola Martinez after he was filmed dancing with mystery women in Monte Carlo, after his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Mexican racer got up close and personal with a brunette before dancing with his arms around a blonde’s waist.
Checo posted on Instagram: “It was a bad party that I didn’t know how to control at the height of the person that I am, but it was just that, a very bad party.
“People close to me know my values and the type of person that I am.
“For those who ask me, we are more united than ever, me and my wife.
“And for those who just want to hurt us, I wish you the best.
“Thank you all for your love and I apologise to all the people who love me because those videos don’t represent me not at all.
“We will not talk about this topic anymore, which only makes us forget the great moment we are living as a family. Thank you.”
F1 icon James Hunt sadly died in 1993 aged just 45, after suffering a heart attack – but he was the original racing playboy.
While his rival Jackie Stewart would famously abstain a week before a motor race, Hunt would often have sex minutes before climbing into the cockpit – and is rumoured to have bedded 5,000 women.
These are said to have included 35 British Airways air hostesses in Tokyo during his run to the 1976 F1 World Championship title.
His son Freddie told the Mirror: “There were witnesses. There was a fresh supply of hostesses.
“They would come to the hotel, stop over, then get on the plane the next day. There was a different one every night.”
Things got awkward on and off the race track for Red Bull star Max Verstappen and Russian driver Daniil Kvyat.
Verstappen has been dating Brazilian beauty Kelly Piquet – daughter of F1 legend Nelson Piquet – since 2020, but her ex is Kvyat, who drove in F1 from 2014 to 2017 and 2019 to 2020.
They even have a daughter, Penelope, together.
Not only is Verstappen now dating Kvyat’s ex and expecting his own baby with her, but he also nicked his Red Bull racing seat back in 2016. Ouch.
Ferrari Lewis Hamilton has had dalliances with many famous ladies, including Nicole Scherzinger, Danielle Lloyd and Rihanna.
In 2018, his model ex-girlfriend Veronica Valle – who dated him for three months in 2015 – made the sensational claim that the Ferrari driver is obsessed with threesomes.
Glamour model Veronica said Lewis, 40, was initially very “sweet” towards her, but sometimes lost his temper.
She said: “We were on the way to New York and Lewis went crazy after he found out that the pilot had pooped in the toilet.
“He was going to fire the pilot! He said, ‘Everybody knows that they shouldn’t take a s**t on my plane’. He was really mad.”
She also claimed Lewis made cruel jibes about her weight and told her the reason he and ex Nicole split was because she wanted to get married, but he “wasn’t ready”.
F1 legend David Coulthard, 53, was married to Belgian TV star Karen Minier for nine years – until he split from her in 2022.
Not long after, he was spotted canoodling with Swedish model Sigrid Silversand – who is 23 years younger than him – and it was revealed in January that they’re now engaged.
Coulthard and Karen tied the knot in Monaco back in 2013 after meeting eight years earlier while she was covering the glitzy Grand Prix for French telly.
They have a son together – Dayton, born in 2008.
Sigrid isn’t the first model Coulthard has dated. He was previously engaged to American Heidi Wichlinski, whom he was with for four years until their split in 2001.
He then quickly moved on to Brazilian Simone Abdelnour that same year, and had a four-year relationship with her.
Jenson Button famously won the 2009 Drivers’ Championship – and it was apparently due to a self-imposed sex ban.
In an attempt at improving his chances of winning his first world title, Button banned himself from sleeping with his then-girlfriend, Japanese model Jessica Michibata.
As he won, he thanked her and they ended up getting married in 2014.
However, less than a year later, they split.
Button later married Playboy model Brittny Ward – four years after they got engaged and welcomed two children.
In 2022, McLaren-Mercedes driver Lando Norris, 25, announced he’d split from his model girlfriend Luisinha Oliveira – after he was caught inviting another model on a McDonald’s date.
When his flirty messages ended up online, Lando privately pleaded to the model “please delete them haha” before writing a gushing post about Luisinha, saying they’d decided to break up after eight months – a message he later deleted.
McLaren made no comment, and a source close to Norris told The Sun that he only messaged the mystery Dutch girl after ending it with Luisinha.
Lando later moved on and began a relationship with Portuguese model Margarida Corceiro. However, they called it quits and he now appears to be living the single life.
SHAUGHNA Phillips has revealed exactly how much she weighs in a fan Q&A after losing over five stone.
The slimmed down Love Island star, 30, is always honest with her fans and had no issue sharing the number on the scales when asked on Instagram.
Alongside a picture of her in gymwear, she wrote: “I weighed myself last week for the first time in forever and I was 9st 10lb.
“I was about that weight for a good few months at the end of last year. Then I got INSANELY ill end of December/January and lost about a stone obviously unintentionally.
“So I’m back up to my ‘normal’ weight now.
“I was 15st 5lb at my heaviest.”
It comes just weeks after Shaughna, who lost her weight naturally through exercise and healthier eating, revealed why she couldn’t use a fat jab like Ozempic.
Despite continuously denying the use of appetite-suppressing injections for 18 months, Shaughna still faces questions about her methods.
Type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic can curb appetite by mimicking a hormone that signals fullness and slowing digestion, and it’s precisely because of this why Shaughna wouldn’t want to use it.
“I love food way too much,” she said to The Mirror.
“There’s a new fad every other year. It just so happens that this is the fad this time around, and after I have lost weight.
“The thing is, it just coincided with the time when I had my daughter Lucia, and I had this baby weight and everyone was commenting on it. Had it been a few years prior, everyone would have been saying I had a BBL, or some magical liposuction that completely transformed how I looked.”
She went on to say how “we’re in the Ozempic season at the moment”, noting how she can’t help how people perceive her.
Mum-of-one Shaughna revealed that her weight loss was done in a “safe way” after finding an eating and exercise plan that worked for her.
Favouring a natural look as well as lifestyle, Shaughna recently ditched her lip fillers and told fans ‘this is the most natural I’ve been in a very long time’.
She said on social media: “I finally did it, I’m actually pleasantly shocked with how I feel about them, I’m calling that growth.”
After getting her filler dissolved, Shaughna spoke to the camera and said: “This is the most natural I’ve been in a very long time.
“I’m trying to tell myself, or convince myself, that you don’t need these things to be pretty. You can be pretty without.”
MANCHESTER UNITED are braced for a monumental summer transfer window – with Ruben Amorim expected to overhaul the squad with incomings players AND exits.
But Geovany Quenda will not be coming to Old Trafford to join his former boss after Chelsea agreed a deal worth up to £41.9million for the Sporting wing-back.
Elsewhere, SunSport can exclusively reveal that the Red Devils are keeping tabs on Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.
Elsewhere, Man Utd have unveiled stunning plans to build a new £2bn 100,000-capacity stadium.
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CORONATION Street’s Audrey Roberts has made a life-changing decision after 46 years in Weatherfield.
The hairdresser – who is played by actress Sue Nicholls in the ITV soap – has been a mainstay on the soap for decades.
But she’s never lived on the actual cobbles herself – until now.
With the family struggling with David, Shona and Lily crammed into Sarah’s apartment after their house burned down, Audrey came up with a solution.
Sitting her grandchildren down she told them: “I’ve made up my mind, I’m going to sell Grasmere Drive.
“And then we’ll have the money to repair number eight. Or at least you’ll have the money to repair number eight.”
Sarah was outraged at David being bailed out – ignoring that it all started because of her daughter’s botched foreign lipo and lack of insurance.
Audrey told her to keep her nose out, and added: “I am going to have to downsize and find somewhere smaller.
“What I do with my money Sarah, is my business. All I want now is my family. It’s all that matters to me, right?”
But it soon became clear that Audrey hadn’t been entirely honest about her plans.
Summoning David to the Bistro, she asked him if he would accept her offer.
And when he agreed they all celebrated, with Sarah then pointing out that Audrey would need to start looking for somewhere to live herself.
“Actually, I’ve already got somewhere,” replied Audrey.
“Once you’ve sorted out the annex, right? Well, I’ll move in there.”
A HUGE £300million attraction has been given the green light with Britain’s longest ski slope, waterpark and adventure zones.
Holidaymakers are buzzing to experience a new state-of-the-art 39,200 sq m indoor snow centre now one step closer to being approved in the Welsh Valleys.
Merthyr Tydfil Council’s planning committee have given the go ahead for the multi-million pound attraction, which would be located just off the A470 dual carriageway.
It will smash the UK record for longest indoor ski slope out of the park – with a proposed trail of 424m.
This takes the crown from the current title holder, Chill Factore in Manchester, which offers a run of just 180m.
But, the indoor and outdoor activity centre won’t be limited to just winter sports.
There are also plans for a tropical themed waterpark, and a hotel for guests with up to 418 rooms.
Or if visitors fancy something more rustic and cosy, they can try out one of the 30 drawn-up woodland lodges.
The council’s approval comes despite a report recommending a rejection but in light of a petition backed by more than 2,800 people.
And the development company, Marvel Limited, boasted the new attraction should create 842 new jobs in the community.
It has been proposed the site will spark a positive impact on the local economy, fetching an eye-watering £38.1milliion.
But a report in opposition also stated there was “harm identified to the important ecological and landscape value of the site”.
Meanwhile, some locals have expressed their worries over more traffic, noise and air pollution in the area.
However, councillors have given Marvel Limited the green light.
Ali Tyebkhan, Rhydycar West’s chief executive, said “As the UK’s national centre of excellence for snowsport, Rhydycar West will be the home and training HQ of the Welsh and GB National, Paralympic and Olympic teams, while boosting local businesses, the town centre, and cultural attractions.”
Plans will now have to go through Welsh government ministers before official approval.
This comes after another multi-million project is now hoping to reduce problems caused by visitors at a ‘spectacular’ tourist attraction.
Waterfall Country at Pontneddfechan, a village in Wales, is getting £7million in funding.
The scheme, which was approved by councillors, hopes to ease visitor pressures in the area.
Located in Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons), Waterfall Country is unsurprisingly known for its stunning waterfalls, scenery and countryside landscapes.
Visitors flock to the area in the summer causing traffic and parking problems in the area, with lines of cars seen covering roads and pavements in recent years.
Under the plans, a new 125-space car park will be built in a bid to ease congestion.
In addition to the improved parking spaces, a new children’s play park will also be installed as well as a shop and a coffee kiosk.
Overnight accommodation featuring roughly eight bedrooms will also be installed, the BBC reports.
Several existing buildings, such as a toilet block and a farm track, will be knocked down.
DARTS star Prakash Jiwa has been hit with an eight-year ban for match-fixing.
The 54-year-old has featured just once at the World Championships in 2023.
Alongside players Jack Main and Andy Jenkins, the Indian thrower fixed matches at a Modus Super Series event in 2023 and has been suspended since.
Jiwa has been found guilty of fixing four games and betting on the outcomes of others following an investigation assisted by The Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit.
The Darts Regulation Authority have hit him with an eight-year ban from all tournaments, which means he will not be able to play again until 6 November 2031.
Jiwa has also been ordered to pay a huge fine totalling £17,741.46.
He has until March 19 to appeal the decision.
Gambling Commission chief John Pierce said: “All betting customers in Britain should have confidence that bets placed with licensed gambling businesses are on markets that are fair and free from betting-related corruption.
“Our Sports Betting Intelligence Unit works closely with partners such as the Darts Regulation Authority to support sporting integrity investigations and combat match-fixing.
“This decision sends a clear message that betting-related corruption in sport will not be tolerated.”
Jiwa has held a PDC Tour Card on three occasions and has previously faced the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright in the Players Championship.
In his only Ally Pally appearance, the Rugby-born star lost in the first round to Madars Razma.
Away from darts, Jiwa works as a warehouse manager.
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FROM glamour modelling to launching her own makeup range, writing books, and now venturing into fashion – Katie is certainly right when she says you can never underestimate the Pricey.
This week, she stunned fans by stripping down to a skimpy bikini for a sizzling high-fashion campaign.
The mum-of-five modelled for a Diesel campaign, showing off her tattoos and the results of her 17th boob job in a grey string bikini.
Katie, 46, struck a mannequin-like pose in the corner of a room, glancing at the camera while posing with a black handbag by the brand.
The artistic Diesel advert featured a beauty salon and a party, with a whole cast of people engaging in different activities.
Katie, who lost her driving licence in 2021 after crashing her car while drink-driving, was snapped next to a motor that had crashed into the room.
The advert also featured her boyfriend, JJ Slater, 31, who appeared to be tattooing a woman.
Sharing a picture from the shoot with her 2.7 million Instagram followers, Katie wrote: “Who says Pricey can’t do high fashion?”
It seems Katie – known for her bold and often outlandish fashion choices during her years in the spotlight – is now trying her hand at fashion, regularly posting endorsed content for the JYY London brand.
Here, we take a look back at some of Katie’s most outrageous outfits over the years…
Katie began modelling as a teenager, and it was her appearance on Page 3 of The Sun in 1996 that made her a household name.
Under her Jordan alter ego, she frequently appeared in popular lads’ magazines, and turned heads on nights out with revealing outfits.
In 2004, Katie’s fame skyrocketed after appearing on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and sparking a romance with singer Peter Andre.
The couple married a year later, with Katie wearing a bright pink wedding dress, veil, and crystal tiara.
Over the years, Katie has donned some truly memorable outfits.
From bright red ankle warmers paired with a sheer mini skirt and strappy top in 2004 to showing off her 32F breast augmentation – which she underwent in 1998 at the age of 20, reportedly for £5,000 – in a bright blue crop top and mini skirt.
In 2007, Katie expanded her empire by launching a perfume range, which quickly became a cornerstone of her beauty brand.
The first fragrance, Stunning, came in a crystal bottle.
For the launch event, Katie pulled out all the stops, wearing a light pink gown encrusted with crystals.
She accessorised with a diamond heart necklace, bangles, and an enormous bright blonde wig.
That same year, she also released her second novel, Crystal, which tells the story of a young woman’s journey to become a singer.
For the book launch at Harrods, the glamour model wore a low-cut white ball gown, a crystal tiara, and yet another blonde wig.
In 2008, Katie released another book, Time for a Picnic, as part of her children’s series about Katie the Mermaid and Peter the Pirate.
For the launch, she dressed as a mermaid in a picnic-themed outfit with a brunette wig cascading to her waist.
Katie’s flair for dramatic outfits continued to captivate fans.
In 2011, she attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the largest book signing at the O2 Academy – although she didn’t succeed.
However, she stole the show in a gold low-cut catsuit and heels.
That same year, while promoting her Sky Living series Signed By Katie Price, she appeared in nothing but suspenders, a thong, a bra, and a half-buttoned shirt.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of her KP Equestrian clothing brand, she dressed as a pink pony.
Katie also launched her own magazine in 2011, wearing a tiny bright orange swimsuit and red stilettos for the occasion.
In 2014, as the Global Ambassador for ColourB4, Katie turned heads in a multicoloured wig, tights, a mini dress, and sparkling brown stilettos.
Later that year, she dressed as an angel, complete with lingerie, suspenders, a feathered ensemble, a tiara, and stripper heels.
Katie’s bold fashion choices have remained a constant.
She continues to stun on red carpets and at events, most recently dressing as a fire flame and even a flamingo for the launch of her book This Is Me.
A SMASH hit show is officially returning for a fourth series – two years after its last ever episode.
The stars of Ted Lasso will reunite after months of rumours in a move that will leave fans ecstatic.
Star and executive producer Jason Sudeikis announced: “As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to ‘look before we leap discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be.
“In season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to LEAP BEFORE THEY LOOK, discovering that wherever they land, it’s exactly where they’re meant to be.”
Fans have been eagerly awaiting news after the third season concluded, which aired back in 2023 and had been expected to be the final season.
Matt Cherniss, head of programming for Apple TV+ added: “Ted Lasso’ has been nothing short of a juggernaut, inspiring a passionate fanbase all over the world, and delivering endless joy and laughter, all while spreading kindness, compassion and unwavering belief.
“Everyone at Apple is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and the brilliant creative minds behind this show.”
Ted Lasso season three managed to secure 21 nominations at the 2023 Emmy Awards, though it only took home two wins—for Outstanding Guest Actor and Outstanding Original Music.
The finale culminated in Coach Lasso’s return to Kansas, where he was reunited with his son Henry.
His long-awaited trip home came after a miraculous end to AFC Richmond’s season, which saw the Greyhounds beat West Ham United but come in second to Manchester City.
AppleTV+ have yet to confirm when fans can expect the fourth instalment of the multi-Emmy-winning comedy series.
Bosses also haven’t confirmed the exact cast lineup and if all stars will reprise their roles.
