Flight Safety Information - May 17, 2024 No. 099 In This Issue : Airbus A321-211 - Ground Damage (India) : Beechcraft V35 Bonanza - Inflight Breakup (Tennessee) : Oshkosh 2024 Notice Outlines Changes for Pilots Flying to AirVenture : American Airlines Pilot Averts Disaster In Orlando As ATC Puts Frontier Plane In Takeoff Path : FAA Clears United Airlines to Add New Aircraft and Routes : WA officials urge people to get their enhanced IDs for airplane travel now : Emirates expands aircraft fleet modernization program : Grapevine resident Wally Funk joins Texas Aviation Hall of Fame : Pilots could be left alone at controls on long-haul flights by 2030 : EAA Scholarship Flight Program Has Launched 500 Private Pilots : New FAA Act Will Make Airplane Medical Kits Anaphylaxis Ready : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Airbus A321-211 - Ground Damage (India) Date: Thursday 16 May 2024 Time: Type: Airbus A321-211 Owner/operator: Air India Registration: VT-PPK MSN: 3619 Year of manufacture: 2008 Engine model: CFMI CFM56-5B3/P Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Aircraft damage: Minor Location: Pune-Lohegaon Airport (PNQ/VAPO) - India Phase: Pushback / towing Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Pune-Lohegaon Airport (PNQ/VAPO) Destination airport: Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL/VIDP) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: Air India flight AI858, an Airbus A321-211, collided with a pushback tug at Pune Airport. During pushback the tow bar disconnected and the tug collided with the fuselage near the left-hand wing. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/388008 Beechcraft V35 Bonanza - Inflight Breakup (Tennessee) Date: Wednesday 15 May 2024 Time: c. 12:01 LT Type: Beechcraft V35 Bonanza Owner/operator: Private Registration: N47WT MSN: D-8217 Fatalities: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: near Franklin, TN - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Private Departure airport: Louisiana Regional Airport, LA (KREG) Destination airport: Louisville-Bowman Field, KY (LOU/KLOU) Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: A Beechcraft V35 Bonanza, N47WT, was destroyed following an inflight breakup near Franklin, Tennessee. There are three reported fatalities at this point. ADS-B data shows that the airplane was cruising at an altitude of about 7000 feet before it slightly changed course and climbed to 9600 feet. A few seconds later, the airplane entered a rapid descent with an average rate of about -4000 fpm. https://www.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/387967 Oshkosh 2024 Notice Outlines Changes for Pilots Flying to AirVenture The new measures for the annual fly-in stem from pilot feedback and FAA review of arrival procedure recommendations. If you plan on being one of the thousands of pilots who intends to fly into the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh annual fly-in at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) this summer, start studying. The 32-page document of official procedures, known as the Oshkosh 2024 Notice, is now available online and required reading for pilots intending to fly themselves to the Wisconsin event. According to the EAA, there are a few changes this year that are the result of “pilot feedback and FAA review of arrival procedure recommendations.” The EAA said the notice is in effect from noon CDT on July 18 until noon CDT on July 29. The document outlines procedures for the many types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft that land at nearby airports. New Procedures for 2024 This year there are TFRs in the Milwaukee area that have nothing to do with AirVenture. On July 15-18, the Republican National Convention will be held in the region, prompting a closure of airspace. On July 25-28, the Milwaukee Air & Water Show will be conducted with a TFR of its own. There is a new Fisk holding procedure. There are several pages on it in the notice that include drawings of landmarks and approved routes in addition to textual descriptions called out in boldface and boxes. No Fisk arrivals will be permitted before 8 a.m. CDT on Thursday, July 25. In addition, the ATC assignable transition points located west of Oshkosh will be in effect again. They are designed to reduce holding time and air traffic congestion. The points are at Endeavor Bridge, Puckaway Lake, and Green Lake. According to the notice, they will be announced on the arrival ATIS when ATC activates during times of highest traffic flow. This year’s AirVenture marks its 71st anniversary, and safety, as always, is paramount. “The most essential information for any pilot flying to Oshkosh involves reading and thoroughly understanding the 2024 AirVenture Notice to ensure safe operations on arrival and departure,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “This FAA notice document states the official requirements and expectations for pilots. We also urge all pilots to log appropriate cross-country time prior to their trip to Oshkosh so they have the proficiency and confidence to fly safely.” Pilots are advised to study the notice in advance and plan their flights carefully. Pro Tips: Add an additional 30 minutes to your estimated time en route, and be prepared to divert to another airport if weather, traffic, or an accident creates a delay. In addition to having the notice in digital form on your iPad or tablet, print it out and have a hard copy with you in the cockpit as a backup. https://www.flyingmag.com/oshkosh-2024-notice-outlines-changes-for-pilots-flying-to-airventure/ American Airlines Pilot Averts Disaster In Orlando As ATC Puts Frontier Plane In Takeoff Path On May 6, air traffic control cleared American Airlines flight 2473 to take off for Dallas. Then – immediately after – the same air traffic controller cleared Frontier 1734 from Denver to cross the same runway to head towards its gate. The American Airlines pilots noticed traffic on the runway and rejected takeoff. The controller notices what’s happened, and told the pilots to cancel takeoff. They’d already done so. The controller got lucky. The passengers got lucky that their pilots had the skill and situational awareness not to simply trust the instructions they’d been given. This would have been much closer otherwise. And the controller did not even apologize or acknowledge what had happened. The flight returned to the gate – the captain deciding it wasn’t a good idea for him to try that again right then. I’ve been increasingly concerned with air traffic control incidents. The FAA air traffic organization has badly bungled technology investments over the last 20 years. Way too much is manual, reliant on people coordinating and noticing and people make mistakes. There are 300 near-collisions per year. Last month, for instance, we saw four planes cross in front of a jet about to take off from New York JFK and Southwest and JetBlue jets come within 300 feet of colliding on a runway at Washington National airport. https://viewfromthewing.com/heroic-american-airlines-pilot-averts-disaster-in-orlando-as-atc-puts-frontier-plane-in-takeoff-path/ FAA Clears United Airlines to Add New Aircraft and Routes There’s some positive news for United Airlines, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clearing the carrier to add new aircraft and routes to its network. Today’s news follows a period of several weeks of regulatory scrutiny by the FAA. This was brought about by a spate of air safety incidents involving United Airlines aircraft earlier this year. FAA Green Lights United Growth Restart The US aviation regulator has now lifted the operational restriction on the carrier. The regulatory block has prevented the airline from adding new planes and routes to its network. This means United can now restart the process of getting approval for new aircraft and destinations. This marks a significant step forward for the airline, which has been working to address safety concerns raised by the FAA earlier this year. The FAA had essentially paused the certification process for new United aircraft and routes. This allowed them time to review the airline’s overall operations and safety procedures. United Airlines 767 Suffers Hydraulic Issue on Arrival to New York According to news reports, the US airline confirmed it now had clearance to proceed in a note to employees on Wednesday. “Today, we got some good news. After a careful review and discussion about the proactive safety steps United has taken to date, our FAA Certificate Management Office has allowed us to begin the process of restarting our certification activities, including new aircraft and routes, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the FAA.” Scrutiny After Safety Incidents The increased level of scrutiny and restriction followed a string of air safety incidents. Several incidents occurred in rapid succession through the earlier part of the year. Notable among these was the detachment of a main wheel from a United Boeing 777. The wheel separation occurred during a departure from San Francisco in March. Eight incidents involving United Airlines aircraft occurred over a 10-day period. In March 2024, AviationSource reported on the incidents involving United Airlines aircraft. A full list of these incidents is summarized here. The airline responded at the time, adding additional pilot training and retooling training for its engineers and mechanics. Busy Summer Season Anticipated United Airlines welcomes the latest news, as the FAA restrictions had significantly hindered their ability to launch new routes planned for the peak summer travel season. An estimated 271 million passengers are expected to take to the skies across the US peak season from June 1 to August 31. This equates to a significant 6.3% increase compared to last year, which itself was a record-breaking season. While the regulatory clearance is a positive development, it’s important to note that the FAA’s review of United is still ongoing. As such, the full impact of the review on United’s growth plans in the longer term remains to be seen. https://aviationsourcenews.com/airline/faa-clears-united-airlines-to-add-new-aircraft-and-routes/ WA officials urge people to get their enhanced IDs for airplane travel now SPOKANE — In one year, a standard driver’s license or state-issued ID card will no longer be adequate identification for Washington residents to board an airplane. Instead, people 18 and older will need to bring an enhanced driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport, tribal ID, military ID, green card or another approved identification document with them to the airport. The change is the state’s response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s move to “Real ID” compliance for domestic flights. Effective May 7, 2025, the new federal “Real ID” guidelines were born out of security legislation passed by Congress in 2005 in response to 9/11. State Department of Licensing Director Marcus Glasper visited the Spokane International Airport earlier this month to discuss the upcoming change in federal law. Glasper urged people to take proactive steps to evaluate their identification card setups well before the May 7 deadline. “Please don’t wait until next year,” Glasper said. “If you’re thinking of getting an enhanced driver license or ID card, I encourage you to do it as soon as possible. Lines at driver licensing offices will get longer as we get closer to the May 7, 2025, deadline.” Roughly 22% of Washington residents with licenses or state-issued ID cards already have made the switch to an enhanced license, state Department of Licensing spokesperson Christine Anthony said. Enhanced licenses cost more than standards ones. An enhanced license that expires in five years costs $116, compared to $81 . Licensing officials aren’t sure exactly how many people will make the switch at their local licensing offices in the next 12 months, because they don’t have records of the number of people with other forms of ID that will work under the new federal law. Licensing offices across the state recently instituted an online appointment system where people can reserve a time slot in advance to cut down on in-person wait times. Walk-ins still are accepted. To figure out what documents to bring for an appointment to get an enhanced ID card, Anthony said the DOL manages a web page with instructions for residents. Anthony wanted to remind the public that they might already have another form of ID that will work to get them on an airplane. “It’s just about knowing what you have and knowing what you might need,” Anthony said. “We have a website that people can go to that will walk them through.” The following ID formats will be accepted in lieu of an enhanced license or state-issued ID card: • U.S. or foreign passport. • U.S. passport card. • Military ID. • Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST). • Tribal ID. • Transportation Worker Identification Credential. Called the Real ID Act, the federal law that will require additional identification to board airplanes was passed by Congress in 2005. Multiple times, the government has punted the date they say the law will take effect. https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/northwest/wa-officials-urge-people-to-get-their-enhanced-ids-for-airplane-travel-now/article_b43adb98-13a7-11ef-be7c-53a749d28aaf.html Emirates expands aircraft fleet modernization program Emirates is intensifying its aircraft fleet modernization program. Currently, 43 A380s and 28 Boeing 777s are being equipped with the latest cabin products. Originally, 120 aircraft were planned for the conversion. The expansion of the project to a total of 191 aircraft ensures that Emirates continues to offer its passengers a first-class travel experience. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, emphasized the importance of this investment: “We are increasing our multi-billion dollar investment in the conversion program to equip even more of our A380s and Boeing 777s with state-of-the-art cabin products. This is an important step to ensure even more passengers can experience our premium products.” The modernization work, which will be carried out internally at the airline's Engineering Centre, includes the renovation of the first class cabin, the introduction of new business class seats and the installation of premium economy seats. Converting a Boeing 777 takes about two weeks. Emirates will serve a total of 2025 destinations with Premium Economy by February 42. The airline is also expanding its route network with newly renovated aircraft, including A380 flights to Osaka and the addition of Premium Economy Boeing 777s to additional routes. https://aviation.direct/en/Emirates-expands-aircraft-fleet-modernization-program#google_vignette Grapevine resident Wally Funk joins Texas Aviation Hall of Fame An aviator and astronaut from Grapevine, Wally Funk, was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame last month, according to a news release. Funk was joined in the 2024 induction class, which was enshrined in the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame April 19, by Colleen Barrett, former president of Southwest Airlines; R. Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 Astronaut, and Heather Wilson, former secretary of the Air Force. What you need to know She earned her pilot’s license during her time at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and went on to volunteer for the First Lady Astronaut Trainees program in 1961. Funk is the only member of the program, now known as “Mercury 13,” who would go to space when she did so at 82 years old—the oldest woman to go to space—aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft during its suborbital flight. "I never let anything stop me," Funk said in the release. In 1968, Funk earned her rating as an airline transport pilot, but her application to become a commercial pilot was denied by airline companies because she was a woman, according to the release. What else? Funk became the first civilian flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and has logged more than 30,000 flight hours, trained over 3,000 pilots to fly and assisted thousands of individuals in obtaining advanced flight ratings. Per the release, she became the Federal Aviation Administration’s first female inspector and, in 1974, became the first female investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/grapevine-colleyville-southlake/government/2024/05/16/grapevine-resident-wally-funk-joins-texas-aviation-hall-of-fame/ Pilots could be left alone at controls on long-haul flights by 2030 European planes could be operating with only one pilot for cruise portions of long flights as soon as 2027 or 2028, if moves by aircraft manufacturers are successful. Airbus and Dassault applied to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) between 2019 and 2022, the body has said, to gain approval for for large planes to implement so-called “extended Minimum Crew operations”. If deemed airworthy, the Minimum Crew operations would allow one pilot to leave the cockpit to rest during cruising, while the co-pilot flies the plane, with both present for take off and landing. Airbus has said the deployment of new tech solutions it is developing would mean flight crews could “better organise their presence in the cockpit during the cruise phase” and “pilots can thus achieve a better balance between working and resting time on long-range flights.” While EASA is considering the idea’s “anticipated benefits in term of pilot fatigue management”, it is likely to be four years or more before any changes to safety rules go live. Pilots however are not happy with the proposal. The European Cockpit Association, a Brussels-based body representing various pilots unions, has denounced the plans as “a gamble with safety” and launched a “OneMeansNone” website to lay out its concerns, explaining that “relying on one pilot is not enough as flying with just one pilot is like flying on a pilotless flight.” They have called the minimum crew arrangement “an inherently dangerous concept” which they claim is “driven solely by the commercial interests of manufacturers and airlines.” The pilots’ organisation point out that “Automation on a plane requires humans to programme and manage it effectively. But, it often fails. This is why planes are equipped with multiple backups – like two engines, two generators, two hydraulic systems, two navigation receivers. “This redundancy is key to maintaining today’s impressive safety record. If one system fails, another kicks in. The same applies for pilots: if one gets sick or needs to use the bathroom, another one must swiftly take over.” Meanwhile, Easa has said it “will only approve such operations once the agency is convinced that they are at least as safe as today’s two-pilot operations.” If the Minimum Crew idea goes ahead, it could prove to be a precursor to Single Pilot Operation (SiPO), using only one pilot per flight – something EASA is also looking at in the longer term. https://traveltomorrow.com/pilots-could-be-left-alone-at-controls-on-long-haul-flights-by-2030/ EAA Scholarship Flight Program Has Launched 500 Private Pilots The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced today its EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has now seen 500 recipients complete flight training and earn their private pilot certificates. Founded by James C. and Joan L. Ray, the Ray Foundation enables EAA and its chapter network to provide up to $11,000 for deserving youth to help cover flight training expenses. The Foundation has made $1.8 million available to the EAA this year. Rick Larsen, EAA vice president of communities and member programming, said, “Many aspiring pilots fall short of their goal due to the cost of flight training, so EAA, working with the Ray Foundation, helps relieve some of the financial pressure and make the goal of becoming a pilot even more accessible for future generations. The high completion rate of our scholars demonstrates the impact of a supportive environment provided by EAA chapters.” In addition to the Ray Aviation Scholarships, The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation partners with EAA to award a Zulu 3 headset to each fight student upon completing their first solo flight. If the student had already soloed before starting in the Ray Aviation Scholarship program, the headset goes to them when they pass their written exam. “This recognizes the scholar as they progress and ultimately complete flight training,” according to EAA. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/eaa-scholarship-flight-program-has-launched-500-private-pilots/ New FAA Act Will Make Airplane Medical Kits Anaphylaxis Ready Allergic Living has been sounding the alarm for years on the urgent need for Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to update the contents of airlines’ emergency medical kits. Finally, there is hopeful news on airplane EMKs. The U.S. Senate, followed by the House of Representatives on May 15, have each passed an FAA reauthorization bill. Tucked into the sweeping bill is an important clause that directly references airplane emergency medical kits and anaphylaxis, the severe form of allergic reaction. It states that the FAA must consider whether the EMKs include “appropriate medications and equipment that can practicably be administered” for anaphylaxis. That means epinephrine, the first-line medicine for treating anaphylaxis. When it comes to administering epinephrine, this section (Section 368) of the bill opens the door for FAA rules that mandate epinephrine auto-injectors in planes’ medical kits. It should also cover future needle-free epinephrine options. For those flying with serious allergies, the expected changes will be a huge improvement. In my reporting for Allergic Living, I’ve heard from many doctors assisting in-flight anaphylaxis emergencies who’ve encountered challenges treating in-flight allergy emergencies. Some doctors found epinephrine wasn’t in the airplane’s emergency medical kit at all. Other times, it wasn’t available as an auto-injector. In still other in-flight allergy emergencies, the vial and syringe method wasn’t available in the dosage suited to anaphylactic reactions. Senator Tammy Duckworth has been invaluable to achieving the medical kit update. The Illinois senator has championed inclusion of epinephrine and auto-injectors in EMKs since 2019. “I’m proud the FAA reauthorization bill that will soon be law includes my bipartisan provision – which I led with Senator [Deb] Fischer,” Duckworth told Allergic Living. She says the clause will “help ensure our airplanes have the most equipped emergency medical kits possible on-board for passengers and crew who might need it.” Plane Medical Kit Incidents As part of such a large regulatory reauthorization, the EMK changes have taken a long time and considerable lobbying. I’ve been part of that for a decade since, in addition to being Allergic Living’s airlines correspondent, I’m also the leading advocate for food allergy airline accommodations. Allergy advocacy groups, including my No Nut Traveler nonprofit, sent a letter in May 2023 urging lawmakers to address EMKs in the 2023 version of the FAA reauthorization bill. The letter asked the Transportation Committee to include a provision that requires a review of airline medical kits and ensures the inclusion of best practice medications for anaphylaxis. There’s no doubt, at 30,000 feet in the air, it’s critical to administer epinephrine without delay in an anaphylactic reaction. Yet, following are just some of the in-flight incidents Allergic Living has covered. • In 2019, Dr. Mikhail Varshavski assisted a passenger suffering first-time anaphylaxis on a flight from New York City to Tel Aviv. In the plane’s medical kit, Varshavski, known as “Dr. Mike” on social media, found an epinephrine vial. But it was in the concentration for a heart attack, so he had to troubleshoot to correct the dosage – or he could have stopped the man’s heart. He later told me that, without epinephrine for anaphylaxis, “you’re leaving the medical professionals to battle a fire without water.” • College student Alexa Jordan began to have an in-flight anaphylactic reaction to a purchased salad in 2019. In her well-known case, she used her own auto-injector. She says she was offered no further epinephrine or assistance in a reaction in which she was passing out. Jordan launched a petition, amassing thousands of signatures, and became an advocate for auto-injectors on airplanes. • A 4-year-old experienced a first-time anaphylactic reaction on a transatlantic flight from to the United States in 2014. Dr. Patricia Leonard later related fumbling through drugs in the disorganized EMK. Eventually, she found the epinephrine vial and the child needed two doses. The allergist has lobbied for auto-injectors to avoid delay. As well, she says not all doctors would know the epinephrine dose for a child. • Orthopedist Dr. Samara Friedman had to jerry-rig a cardiac epinephrine device in 2022 to treat a young woman with worsening symptoms of nut anaphylaxis. In error, the passenger with a known allergy didn’t have her auto-injectors with her. Act’s Epinephrine Wording Matters Thanks to physicians speaking out, pressure built to improve the EMKs for anaphylaxis. Dr. Kimberly Blumenthal tells me: “I am thrilled to see the FAA has specifically called out anaphylaxis in their update.” On two different flights over ocean in 2022, the Massachusetts General allergist was called up for allergic reaction emergencies. In both cases, there was no epinephrine auto-injector in the EMK. Blumenthal resorted to polling passengers to ask who had one. Blumenthal notes the high prevalence of food allergy and the need for readiness. “It is highly important that medical kits on board contain appropriate anti-allergic medications, including injectable epinephrine,” she says. Once the President signs it into law, the FAA reauthorization act will renew the aviation regulator’s funding for five years. The bill will improve many consumer protections and reflects a commitment to prioritizing passenger safety. Of particular significance is the reauthorization bill’s language that requires the FAA to move forward with rulemaking on airlines’ emergency medical kits. The language marks a pivotal shift. In the 2018 FAA Reauthorization, it was only required for the FAA to review the kits. The FAA got the Aerospace Medical Association to evaluate the kits and the association recommended epinephrine auto-injectors for their ease of use. The FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine then endorsed the recommendation. Despite the FAA receiving these recommendations in 2019, no rulemaking was begun to update the kits. This is why the words of the 2024 reauthorization bill matter. It compels the FAA to issue a final rule on emergency kit contents within two years. The bill also introduces crucial consumer protections for families traveling with children. Specifically, it ensures that families with small children can sit together without additional fees. For parents of children with food allergies, this provision is vital to prevent unwitting allergen exposures. Airplane Medical Kits & Safer Skies “We expect our planes to have standard safety equipment like seatbelts, and there’s no reason consumers shouldn’t have the same expectation for emergency medical kits on our flights,” notes Duckworth. The senator’s leadership on this provision in the FAA bill was first sparked by Alexa Jordan’s distressing in-flight anaphylaxis experience in 2019. Jordan is one of her constituents. Duckworth says she began looking into in-flight allergy issues “to help prevent more incidents like this.” The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 takes a proactive approach to in-flight medical readiness. Once in place, it should ensure airplane emergency kits reflect a commitment to passenger safety and well-being. By 2024, we have the right tools to stock airline EMKs. It’s been a long time coming, but soon, the skies will be safer for those with food allergies. https://www.allergicliving.com/2024/05/16/new-faa-act-will-make-airplane-medical-kits-anaphylaxis-ready/ 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, 2024Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc. (APSCON 2024) - July 29 - August 3; Houston TX • Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS 2024), Aug. 13-15, Beijing, China. • 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) • Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore Curt Lewis