Flight Safety Information - May 7, 2024 No. 091 In This Issue : Incident: American A319 at Washington on May 2nd 2024, engine issue : Incident: American A321 near St. Louis on May 4th 2024, lightning strike : Incident: Condor A339 enroute on May 5th 2024, engine anomaly : FAA investigating whether Boeing completed required inspections on 787 Dreamliner jets : Champion stunt pilot dies in mid-air crash after vulture smashes through cockpit windscreen : Spirit Airlines to furlough 260 pilots in September (update) : AirAsia Philippines hosts mass pilot recruitment on World Pilots’ Day : Boeing Admits That Its Employees Falsified Aircraft Records for 787 Dreamliner : F-22 Jet Crash At Savannah Airport: Everything We Know : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: American A319 at Washington on May 2nd 2024, engine issue An American Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N716UW performing flight AA-1263 from Washington National,DC to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA), was climbing out of National's runway 19 when the crew stopped the climb at about 17000 feet and decided to divert to Washington Dulles,DC (USA) for a safe landing on runway 19C about 22 minutes after departure. The FAA reported: "American Airlines Flight 1263 landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport around 7 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 2, after the crew reported an engine issue. The Airbus A319 departed from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and was en route to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The FAA will investigate." A replacement A321-200 registration N556UW reached Chicago with a delay of about 7.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Washington 4 days later. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=5184d0ec&opt=0 Incident: American A321 near St. Louis on May 4th 2024, lightning strike An American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N155UW performing flight AA-2651 from Charlotte,NC to San Francisco,CA (USA) with 150 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL320 about 120nm eastsoutheast of St. Louis,MO (USA) when the crew decided to divert to St. Louis where the aircraft landed safely on runway 11 about 30 minutes later. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LIGHTENING STRIKE DAMAGING AVIONICS, ST LOUIS, MO." A replacement A321-200 registration N543UW reached San Francisco with a delay of about 9 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 21 hours after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=5184b58b&opt=0 Incident: Condor A339 enroute on May 5th 2024, engine anomaly A Condor Airbus A330-900, registration D-ANRA performing flight DE-2282 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Mombasa (Kenya), was enroute at FL390 near Corfu (Greece) when the crew decided to return to Frankfurt. The aircraft descended to FL380 for the return and diverted to Frankfurt Hahn (Germany), where the aircraft landed safely about 45 minutes past midnight about 4.5 hours after departure. A passenger reported the crew talked about an engine anomaly without giving further details. They were bussed back to Frankfurt/Main. The aircraft is still on the ground in Frankfurt Hahn about 14.5 hours after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=5184b296&opt=0 FAA investigating whether Boeing completed required inspections on 787 Dreamliner jets The probe will determine whether some employees falsified aircraft records. Boeing will reinspect all 787-series planes in production among other safety measures. FAA says it's investigating Boeing for 787 Dreamliner issue The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into Boeing after it learned the company may not have completed required inspections on 787 Dreamliner jets. Boeing voluntarily told the FAA in April about the potential incomplete inspections meant to “confirm adequate bonding and grounding where the wings join the fuselage on certain 787 Dreamliner airplanes,” an FAA statement said. “The FAA is investigating whether Boeing completed the inspections and whether company employees may have falsified aircraft records. At the same time, Boeing is reinspecting all 787 airplanes still within the production system and must also create a plan to address the in-service fleet.” The agency added that it will take any necessary action to ensure the public's safety. A Boeing representative reached Monday declined comment but pointed to an email last week by Scott Stocker, who leads the Boeing 787 program, to Boeing employees in South Carolina. Stocker said in the April 29 email, a “teammate” in a factory saw something he believed was not done right and spoke up about it. “The teammate saw what appeared to be an irregularity in a required conformance test in wing body join. He raised it with his manager, who brought it to the attention of executive leadership,” Stocker said. "I wanted to personally thank and commend that teammate for doing the right thing. It’s critical that every one of us speak up when we see something that may not look right, or that needs attention.” Boeing learned that several people have been violating company policy by not performing a required test, “but recording the work as having been completed," Stocker said. He added, “We promptly informed our regulator about what we learned and are taking swift and serious corrective action with multiple teammates. Fortunately, our engineering team has assessed that this misconduct did not create an immediate safety of flight issue. But it will impact our customers and factory teammates because the tests now need to be conducted out of sequence on airplanes in the build process.” Last month, it was reported a whistleblower claimed Boeing's 787 Dreamliner planes have structural failings that could eventually cause them to break apart. The FAA is investigating claims made by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, The New York Times reported. In a long response, Boeing strongly disputed the claims and said it was “fully confident” in the 787. The Virginia-based company has been engulfed in a slew of negative stories since a door panel blew out on a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane flown by Alaska Airlines in January. The FBI informed passengers in March that they may have been the victims of a crime that the bureau was investigating. That same month, the company announced three senior Boeing executives, including its CEO, are stepping down. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/faa-investigating-boeing-over-787-dreamliner-inspections-rcna150953 Champion stunt pilot dies in mid-air crash after vulture smashes through cockpit windscreen Olivier Masurel tragically lost his life in Spain when a vulture crashed through his cockpit's windscreen less than a year after being crowned the Spanish Unlimited Aerobatic Flight Champion A renowned stunt pilot has died after a vulture smashed his cockpit windscreen in a terrifying mid-air collision. Olivier Masurel, a 42-year-old Spanish-French national, was killed yesterday while returning to an airport in Madrid, Spain after participating in an airshow in San Javier. The charred wreckage of the plane was later shared by firefighters after it ignited into flames as it crashed. A spokesperson from a regional government emergency response coordination centre confirmed the incident, stating: "Firefighters from Alcazar de San Juan responded to a light aircraft accident yesterday. The pilot, the sole occupant, perished as the aircraft caught fire upon impact beside the CM-3012 road." The San Javier Airshow released a photo of Oliver and said in a statement: “We are heartbroken by the news of the fatal accident Olivier Masurel, an aerobatic pilot who participated in the air festival, suffered. A vulture smashed into his cockpit and he died. The accident happened after the festival finished a few minutes before he returned to his destination. We accompany his family and friends in this sad loss. Flying has been Olivier’s passion and this fatal accident has cost him his life. Fly high dear Olivier.” The plane was engulfed in flames as it crashed ( Image: SOLARPIX.COM) Just last July, Olivier was crowned the Spanish Unlimited Aerobatic Flight Champion and was one of the three pilots who represented Spain at the 31st FAI World Aerobatic Championships in Poland in August 2022. A spokesperson from Matilla de los Canos Aerodrome in Valladolid clarified that Olivier had been en route to Cuatro Vientos Airport in Madrid, not their aerodrome as initially reported. They said: "We mourn your passing, Olivier. Much loved and respected by all, he had his second home here. Rest in peace, Olivier.” https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/champion-stunt-pilot-dies-mid-32744701 Spirit Airlines to furlough 260 pilots in September (update) Shares of Spirit Airlines (NYSE:SAVE) continue to lose altitude on Monday and are nearly 10% lower to an all-time low as Wall Street reacts to the company’s disappointing Q1 results as well as comments during the company’s earnings call. To further trim costs, the carrier said it will furlough up to 260 pilots in September, with other right-sizing initiatives to achieve its cost reduction goal of around $100M. Meanwhile, an engine recall from Pratt & Whitney (RTX) will result in ~70 planes to be grounded by the end of 2025. https://seekingalpha.com/news/4100402-spirit-airlines-furlough-260-pilots-september AirAsia Philippines hosts mass pilot recruitment on World Pilots’ Day AirAsia Philippines celebrates World Pilots’ Day with a one-day mass pilot recruitment event, offering opportunities amidst industry challenges. MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Pilots, the unsung heroes of the aviation industry, bring millions of guests safely to their destinations every day. Recognizing their invaluable role and as part of the often-overlooked World Pilots’ Day in the country, AirAsia Philippines hosted a one-day mass pilot recruitment. The pandemic has significantly impacted job security in the industry affecting pilots among others. In response, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline has been committed to growing its pilot force not only to address the increasing demand for travel but also to provide opportunities and make dreams come true for aspiring pilots. At present, AirAsia Philippines proudly employs 138 Captains and 116 First Officers. AirAsia continues to make an impact in aviation by holding a dedicated mass pilot recruitment day for aspiring Allstars at its HeadQuarters – Redpoint, Manila. Hundreds of aspirants participated in the hiring event where they underwent the selection process. “Opportunities for pilots have been limited over recent times, especially given the challenges the airline industry has faced during the pandemic. However, we maintain a positive outlook for the future, and now that travel demand is booming once again, we are dedicated to creating avenues of opportunity for individuals passionate about aviation. I am certain it will not stop here. Given AirAsia’s significant order book of over 300 aircraft deliveries until 2035 under the AirAsia Aviation Group, there’s so much more to look forward to,” shares AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla. “As part of our value to ‘make a difference’ here at AirAsia, we remain dedicated to connecting people, places, and passions – striving to create an impact in the industry,” Isla added. As Labor Day approaches, AirAsia Philippines is committed to honoring its more than 2,000 Allstars, all of whom contribute to flight safety beyond its pilots. Now more than ever, amid the challenges of the post-pandemic and scorching heat of the sun, the airline sees to it that they prioritize the well-being and support of every Allstar. AirAsia values Allstars’ dreams and encourages individuals passionate about revolutionizing the travel industry to start a career in the skies today with The World’s Best Low-Cost Airline by visiting mycareer.airasia.com and staying tuned to AirAsia’s social media channels for regular updates. https://www.traveldailynews.asia/aviation/airasia-philippines-hosts-mass-pilot-recruitment-on-world-pilots-day/ Boeing Admits That Its Employees Falsified Aircraft Records for 787 Dreamliner In the latest disturbing twist to the Boeing saga, the company admitted to falsifying records related to the inspection of its 787 Dreamliner plane. The company publicly disclosed this after news broke of yet another federal investigation into the company. The Federal Aviation Administration revealed on Monday that it was conducting a new probe into the embattled airplane manufacturer—this one focused on whether records related to the company’s 787 Dreamliner had been falsified, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Not long afterward, the Seattle Times reported that Boeing disclosed that employees at its assembly plant in North Charleston, S.C. had falsified records related. When reached for comment by Gizmodo, the FAA confirmed details of its probe. “The FAA has opened an investigation into Boeing after the company voluntarily informed us in April that it may not have completed required inspections to confirm adequate bonding and grounding where the wings join the fuselage on certain 787 Dreamliner airplanes,” the agency said, in an emailed statement. “The FAA is investigating whether Boeing completed the inspections and whether company employees may have falsified aircraft records. As the investigation continues, the FAA will take any necessary action — as always — to ensure the safety of the flying public.” Boeing has publicly admitted that record falsification did occur. In a note originally shared internally at Boeing that was subsequently shared with Gizmodo, one of Boeing’s executives, Scott Stocker—who is 787 vice president and general manager at one of its South Carolina assembly plants—explained a recent incident involving a Boeing teammate who had seen and reported “irregularity” at the plant. Stocker’s statement partially reads: The teammate saw what appeared to be an irregularity in a required conformance test in wing body join. He raised it with his manager, who brought it to the attention of executive leadership. I wanted to personally thank and commend that teammate for doing the right thing. It’s critical that every one of us speak up when we see something that may not look right, or that needs attention. After receiving the report, we quickly reviewed the matter and learned that several people had been violating Company policies by not performing a required test, but recording the work as having been completed. As you all know, we have zero tolerance for not following processes designed to ensure quality and safety. We promptly informed our regulator about what we learned and are taking swift and serious corrective action with multiple teammates. Stockeradded that Boeing’s “engineering team has assessed that this misconduct did not create an immediate safety of flight issue.” Boeing is currently the subject of several different federal investigations. The company has been under intense scrutiny ever since January, when an Alaska Airlines flight lost part of its hull, purportedly as a result of a manufacturing error. Regulators have raised questions about Boeing’s safety practices, and the company has become the focus of numerous federal investigations, as well as Congressional scrutiny. The company’s public relations crisis has also been marred by conspiracy theories as the result of the deaths of multiple corporate whistleblowers who have spoken out about safety issues at the company. In March, whistleblower John Barnett, a former quality control engineer at Boeing, was found dead in a motel parking lot from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnett was in the midst of giving legal testimony against the company at the time of his death. Joshua Dean, who previously worked as a quality auditor at the plane manufacturer’s supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, was involved in a similar legal battle with Spirit when he died last week from a fast-spreading infection. A number of other whistleblowers have come out against the company, including three who gave testimony in front of Congress late last month. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boeing-admits-employees-falsified-aircraft-212500266.html F-22 Jet Crash At Savannah Airport: Everything We Know An Air Force fighter jet was involved in a crash Monday morning at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. A F-22 Raptor crashed while participating in the Sentry Savannah showcase around 11:30 a.m., according to a press release from the 165th Airlift Wing public affairs office. One person was involved in what the Georgia Air National Guard called a "mishap," though no injuries were reported. Sentry Savannah, which started Monday, is an annual aerial combat training exercise hosted by the Georgia Air National Guard, featuring dozens of fighter jets and more than 1,000 airmen. The showcase highlights aircraft readiness, according to the director, Col. Steven Thomas. The single-seat supersonic F-22 Raptors returned to the Sentry Savannah in 2023 after a five-year hiatus, following a botched takeoff in 2018 when a plane slid about 6,500 feet down a runway before stopping. Pilot error was at fault in that crash, according to the Air Force investigation. The air base had re-certified the runway barricade prior to this year's two-week-long event to "ensure runway safety," the center posted on Facebook. https://www.newsweek.com/air-force-fighter-jet-crash-savannah-1897673 CALENDAR OF EVENTS • Blazetech - Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course June 4 - 7, 2024 • (APTSC) Asia and Pacific Turboprop Safety Conference - June 26 - 27, 2024 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc. (APSCON 2024) - July 29 - August 3; Houston TX • Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium - APATS 2024, 0-11 September, 2024, Singapore • Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 17 & 18 September - London • 2024 Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) - September 17-18, 2024 - Fort Worth, TX • 2024 ISASI - Lisbon, Portugal - September 30 to October 4, 2024 • International Congress of Aerospace Medicine ICAM 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, 3 - 5 October 2024 • Aviation Health Conference back on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th October 2024 • 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition - Oct. 22-24 (Vegas) Curt Lewis