Another tragedy has added to the New Year's rash of airline accidents, as a Yakovlev 40 crashed Tuesday on approach to the airport in Uzbekistan's capital of Tashkent. A top United Nations (UN) official was on Uzbekistan Airways flight 1154, which claimed the lives of at least 35 passengers.

American Utilicraft Corporation's FF-1080, a cargo-plane project that was hampered by the damage done to aviation in the wake of 9/11, may be on the mend. AUC and WSI Hong Kong, Ltd., have jointly announced that the companies have entered into an arrangement for 300 aircraft and exclusivity for the Far East air freight markets. John J. Dupont, President and CEO of American Utilicraft Corporation, and Ruben O. Caputo, President and CEO of WSI Hong Kong, Ltd., signed a Letter of Intent to facilitate on-going discussions and negotiations for positions on 300 FF-1080 Freight Feeder Aircraft, including exclusive rights for sales and support in the Far East Markets. This represents the Company's efforts to launch "back into the market" post 9/11, and solidifies the C