Flight Safety Information - June 10, 2024 No. 115 In This Issue : Incident: Austrian A320 at Vienna on Jun 9th 2024, hail strike : Incident: Azores A320 at Ponta Delgada on Jun 3rd 2024, crew prevents runway incursion after operational error : Accident: British Airways A319 at Stuttgart on Jun 8th 2024, hydraulic leak injures ground workers and forces evacuation : Incident: Indigo A20N and India A20N at Mumbai on Jun 8th 2024, loss of separation on runway : Incident: American B738 at Kingston on Jun 6th 2024, temporary runway excursion on landing : Incident: American B738 at Chicago on Jun 6th 2024, tail strike on landing : Amazon Legacy 600 Midair Collision Case Closed : Hailstorm causes major damage to nose, cockpit windows of Austrian Airlines plane : Warning as carry-on rules revised at 6 airports (UK) : United Partner Mesa Airlines Sells 6 CRJ900 Aircraft : Position Available: Vice President, Aviation Operations and Regulatory Affairs : Altius Aviation Successfully Achieves FAA SMS Part 5 Acceptance with Expert Guidance from Aviation Safety Solutions : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: Austrian A320 at Vienna on Jun 9th 2024, hail strike An Austrian Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration OE-LBM performing flight OS-434 from Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) to Vienna (Austria), was descending through about FL200 about 60nm southsouthwest of Vienna when the aircraft encountered hail. The crew continued for a safe landing on Vienna's runway 11 about 20 minutes later. Austria's Unwetterzentrale (UWZ) reported the aircraft had a "date" with a thunderstorm cell over Hartberg, Styria, in about 6000 meters of altitude. After a "blind flight" the aircraft landed safely. The airline reported the aircraft entered a thunderstorm cell that was not visible on the weather radar. Both windshields, the nose/radome as well as several panels were damaged. The crew declared Mayday and continued for a safe landing. All on board remained uninjured. https://avherald.com/h?article=519b01ae&opt=0 Incident: Azores A320 at Ponta Delgada on Jun 3rd 2024, crew prevents runway incursion after operational error An Azores Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration CS-TKQ performing flight S4-172 from Ponta Delgada to Porto (Portugal), was taxiing for departure when the crew received clearance to line up runway 12. At the same time a SATA Air Acores de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration CS-TRG performing flight S4-161 from Funchal to Ponta Delgada (Portugal), was on final approach to Ponta Delgada's runway 30 and had already been cleared to land. The A320 crew recognized the developing conflict and queried ATC, stopping on the taxiway clear of the runway for about 5 minutes prior to lining up their departure runway. Both aircraft completed their flights without further incidents. Portugal's GPIAA confirmed they received a report of a possible runway incursion received from Portugal's Navigation Provider. Portugal's NAV (Navigation Provider) reported tower had already cleared an arriving Sata Dash 8 on final approach to land on runway 30 when tower also cleared a departing Air Azores A320 to line up runway 12 for departure. The A320 crew, recognizing the conflict, queried tower and stopped thus averting an accident. Tower immediately recognized the error and cancelled the clearance to line up. The A320 had never been on the runway or its protected area. https://avherald.com/h?article=519adf6f&opt=0 Accident: British Airways A319 at Stuttgart on Jun 8th 2024, hydraulic leak injures ground workers and forces evacuation A British Airways Airbus A319-100, registration G-EUPR performing flight BA-921 from Stuttgart (Germany) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 93 passengers and 6 crew, was preparing for departure, the passengers were boarding at the time, when ground workers operated a cargo door, when a leak of a hydraulic line prompted a smoke alert. The aircraft was evacuated. Five ground workers received injuries by the leaking hydraulic oil, 4 of them were taken to a hospital. Stuttgart's Police reported 93 passengers and 6 crew, who were already on board of the aircraft at the time, needed to be evacuated after a smoke alert activated. The smoke alert was caused by a technical defect on the hydraulic system of a cargo door, five ground workers received injuries due to the contact with the hydraulic oil. Four of the five injured were taken to hospitals by ambulances. Fire Brigades and Ambulances dispatched a total of 33 vehicles onto the scene, 2 police patrol cars were also dispatched. The flight was cancelled, the passengers rebooked onto the next day. The aircraft is still on the ground in Stuttgart about 18 hours later. https://avherald.com/h?article=519adbfc&opt=0 Incident: Indigo A20N and India A20N at Mumbai on Jun 8th 2024, loss of separation on runway An Indigo Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-ISV performing flight 6E-5053 from Indore to Mumbai (India), was cleared to land on Mumbai's runway 27. At the same time an Air India Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-RTS performing flight AI-657 from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram (India), was cleared to line up runway 27 and subsequently for takeoff. The aircraft entered the runway at 00:44:18Z, was lined up with the runway centerline at 00:44:43Z and accelerated through 30 knots over ground at 00:45:14Z. According to ADS-B Data transmitted by both aircraft the arriving Indigo A20N was about 1.75nm short of the runway threshold and about 600 feet AGL when the India A20N reached the lined up position on the runway. The India Airbus became airborne just before the Indigo touched down at a horizontal distance remaining of about 0.35nm/650 meters/2130 feet. Subsequently the horizontal as well as vertical separation began to increase again. Indigo reported their flight 6E-5053 had received landing clearance and complied with the ATC instructions, continued the approach and landed. The occurrence was reported to India's DGCA. Air India reported their flight AI-657 was cleared to enter the runway and subsequently for takeoff, the crew continued the takeoff procedure in accordance with procedures. The occurrence was reported to DGCA. India's DGCA opened an investigation and de-rostered an Air Traffic Controller. https://avherald.com/h?article=519ac9a1&opt=0 Incident: American B738 at Kingston on Jun 6th 2024, temporary runway excursion on landing An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N879NN performing flight AA-850 from Miami,FL (USA) to Kingston (Jamaica) with 168 passengers and 6 crew, landed on Kingston's runway 30 in heavy rainshowers but after touchdown veered left beyond the runway edge before returning onto the runway center line. After landing the crew advised ATC they might have collided with a number of runway edge lights. A runway inspection revealed the aircraft had been fully onto the grass south of the runway, there was some debris found on the runway however no damage to the runway surface. Jamaica's Civil Aviation Authority opened an investigation into the occurrence. ADS-B Data suggest the aircraft touched down at about 145 knots over ground, crossed the runway edge at about 130 knots over ground, reached the maximum distance from the runway centerline at about 80 knots over ground and returned onto the runway center line at about 40 knots over ground. The aircraft is still on the ground in Kingston about 31 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=519a131e&opt=0 Incident: American B738 at Chicago on Jun 6th 2024, tail strike on landing An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N916AN performing flight AA-2715 from West Palm Beach,FL to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) with 100 passengers and 8 crew, landed on Chicago's runway 28C when the crew initiated a balked landing and went around. The aircraft positioned for a landing on runway 27C and landed without further incident about 15 minutes later. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A TAIL STRIKE WHILE LANDING." and rated the damage minor. The aircraft is still on the ground in Chicago about 23 hours later and is currently estimated to return to service on Jun 9th 2024. https://avherald.com/h?article=5199c37e&opt=0 Amazon Legacy 600 Midair Collision Case Closed The federal judge ruled that too much time had passed to sentence the American pilots A Brazilian federal judge has extinguished the case against two U.S. pilots of an Embraer Legacy 600 that collided in September 2006 with a Boeing 737 over the Amazon. The judge ruled that too much time had passed for a sentence to be imposed. Joseph Lepore and Jan Paul Paladino were piloting the aircraft on its delivery flight to ExcelAire on Long Island when Brazilian air traffic control cleared them on a collision course with a B737-800 operating as Gol Flight 1907. The midair collision sheared the Boeing’s wing, and all 154 aboard died in what was then the country’s worst air disaster. The Legacy 600 made an emergency landing with all seven aboard uninjured, including journalist Joe Sharkey, who was on assignment for AIN sister publication Business Jet Traveler. Among the factors leading to the collision were the Legacy’s transponder being turned off, disabling the TCAS, and a series of failures by Brazil's military-run ATC. Several controllers were found guilty by criminal and military courts. The American pilots were eventually sentenced to three years and three months of alternative penalty for failing to observe the “TCAS Off” message. But the NTSB disagreed with the safety investigation’s conclusions, and the specific charge—placing an aircraft in danger—has no equivalent in the U.S., making the crime non-extraditable. The judge blamed the “lack of cooperation from the United States” for the lapse of time, which means that under Brazilian law, the sentence can no longer be enforced. In extinguishing the penalty, the judge canceled warrants and also ordered the federal police to have the pilots’ names removed from the Interpol red list, where they have been since 2017. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2024-06-06/amazon-legacy-600-midair-collision-case-closed Hailstorm causes major damage to nose, cockpit windows of Austrian Airlines plane "We could definitely feel the hail coming down on the plane," a passenger said. An Austrian Airlines flight suffered significant damage from hail, which took off part of the airplane's nose on Sunday, the airline said. Flight OS434 was flying from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, to Vienna, Austria, when it hit a "thunderstorm cell," Austrian Airlines said in a statement to ABC News. The hail caused damage to the cockpit windows, some coverings and the nose, which photos showed appeared to have broken off. "I think we were about 20 minutes from landing when we got into a cloud of hail and thunderstorm, and the turbulence started," Emmeley Oakley, a passenger on the flight, told ABC News via text message. Oakley said that inside the cabin, they could hear the hail as it hit their aircraft. "We could definitely feel the hail coming down on the plane and it was quite loud and ofc super rocky for a minute," Oakley wrote. As the plane -- an Airbus A320 -- was going through the severe weather patch, which the airline said was not visible on the radar to the cockpit crew, a Mayday call was made due to the damage. Oakley estimated the plane took about two minutes or less to fly through the hailstorm, which caused "phones and cups" to fly around the plane. Some people screamed, Oakley said, and the flight attendants stepped in to help. "The cabin crew did a really good job calming those people down though," Oakley wrote. Despite the rocky final leg, the plane landed safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, with no passengers harmed, Austrian Airlines said. "It was a pretty uneventful flight for 90% of the trip," Oakley said. Austrian Airlines' technical team is currently inspecting the damage. "It wasn’t until we exited that we saw the nose was missing! The pilots really did an excellent job keeping things as smooth and safe as they could," Oakley said. https://abcnews.go.com/International/hailstorm-causes-major-damage-nose-cockpit-windows-austrian/story?id=110970221 Warning as carry-on rules revised at 6 airports (UK) Restrictions on carrying liquids over 100ml in hand luggage are being temporarily reintroduced at some regional airports in the UK. The change will apply from 00:01 BST on Sunday 9 June 2024 and will affect passengers at Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports. All of the airports affected have Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) in full operation and had scrapped the 100ml liquid rules after introducing the high-tech CT scanners. The Department for Transport said reintroducing restrictions would "enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems" and was not in response to a specific threat. Bristol Airport was scheduled to scrap the 100ml limit on liquids being allowed in carry-on baggage from 14 June. However, that will now be delayed. "There remains a 100ml max rule for each liquid taken in hand luggage,” said a spokesperson for Bristol Airport. Most UK airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, still have the restrictions on liquids in place as their new scanners are not yet in place. The six smaller airports affected warned passengers to pack liquids into hold luggage wherever possible to avoid delays going through security. Liquids, including aerosols and gels, carried in hand luggage should not exceed 100ml. A Newcastle International Airport spokesperson said the airport was working to “keep disruption to a minimum”. Transport Secretary Mark Harper advised passengers to check airport websites for specific rules before travelling. “For most passengers actually the rules haven't changed at all yet, and won’t therefore change tonight,” he told BBC Breakfast. He said the reintroduction of restrictions was to allow “changes” to be made to the scanning equipment. “It's a temporary measure and we’ll set out when that can be reversed in due course,” he said. The government originally told all UK airports to upgrade to the new scanners by 2022, but the deadline was later moved to 1 June 2024. Major airports were subsequently allowed to miss the 1 June roll-out date. For some airports, the new scanners, which are bigger and heavier than older versions, required physical changes to security areas and in some cases even the reinforcement of floors. The six smaller airports had met the deadline and removed the 100ml rule. Teesside Airport said it was "proud" to have been the first UK airport to drop the 100ml limit after significant investment in the new technologies. A spokesman said it meant passengers had a smoother journey, but added: "We recognise and respect the announcement made by the Department for Transport and will fully comply with all requirements. "We hope this nationwide issue is resolved as quickly as possible," they said. Birmingham Airport had already upgraded to the new equipment, but has had to keep the 100ml rule – although passengers don’t have to remove liquids up to 100ml from hand luggage when going through security. It puts this down to “an outstanding regulatory approval on its new screening machines". Airports that missed the installation deadline have been able to apply individually for extension, which could mean passengers may have to deal with the restrictions until June 2025. The DfT previously said that the Civil Aviation Authority would impose financial penalties on airports that kept missing deadlines. Back in January, consumer group Which? warned that extending the restrictions could cause confusion during the summer holidays. The rules requiring liquids to be taken through security, in containers of 100ml or less in a clear plastic bag, were introduced in 2006 after a plot to bomb a transatlantic flight was foiled. The new scanners use CT X-ray technology to provide 3D images, so items can be left inside bags and liquids up to two litres will be permitted. Airports have been hit by supply chain issues and faced major construction work to install the scanners. The X-ray machines, similar to CT scanners used in hospitals, are very heavy and in some instances, floors will need to be reinforced. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clmm97x3yvmo United Partner Mesa Airlines Sells 6 CRJ900 Aircraft In addition to selling the regional planes, the airline also sold ten engines. SUMMARY • Mesa Air Group sold assets to reduce lease obligations and regain profitability. • By spreading out asset purchases, Mesa's $50.4 million obligation reduced to $27.3 million by May 2024. • Despite recent sales, Mesa reported a net loss for Q1 2024 but aims for profit soon. United Airlines regional partner Mesa Airlines has sold six of its 15 surplus Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets and ten of its 30 surplus engines as part of its Regional Aircraft Securitization Program (RASPRO) finance lease, the airline said in an official announcement. Mesa had earlier entered into agreements with two different third parties to sell 15 aircraft and 30 engines. The agreements were made to reduce its lease obligations and return to profitability. Reducing lease obligations Previously, Mesa Airlines had a financial agreement that required them to buy certain assets for $50.4 million at the end of the lease period in March 2024. However, they have now arranged to spread out this purchase over the months from May 2024 to September 2024. Mesa Airlines Bombardier CRJ-900 (N914FJ) departing from Runway 7L at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - November 4, 2023. Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock As of May 31, 2024, due to some recent sales and payments, this obligation has been reduced to $27.3 million. Mesa expects to completely pay off this obligation soon by continuing to buy and then sell the remaining assets as planned. Mesa Air Group Jonathan Ornstein commented on the RASPRO finance lease. “Addressing the RASPRO lease has been one of the top priorities for our surplus asset sale efforts over the past year-and-a-half. This is a significant financial obligation that we are putting behind us, and we are increasingly able to prioritize the future of the company for our investors and people. “We look forward to enhancing our focus on returning to profitable performance and executing other strategic actions while closing the remaining transactions related to the RASPRO assets in the coming months.” Current financial status It has been a long journey for Mesa to complete the majority of surplus CRJ900 asset sales. In its latest quarterly report, announced on May 20, 2024, the carrier disclosed the sale of twelve CF34-8C engines, which brought in gross proceeds of $54.4 million. Despite the sales of surplus assets, the airline reported a net loss of $57.9 million for the first quarter of 2024. Looking ahead, the airline expects to report an adjusted net profit for the first time in ten quarters, according to Ornstein. “We also expect to generate breakeven cash flow for the remainder of the fiscal year. As our business turns the corner, we can focus on longer-term strategic opportunities to enhance shareholder value as well as job security and career advancement for our people.” More about Mesa Air Group Mesa Air Group is the holding company of Mesa Airlines. Headquartered in Phoenix, it is a regional carrier offering scheduled services to 79 destinations across 36 states and the District of Columbia, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico. Currently, the regional carrier operates a fleet of 123 aircraft, according to ch-aviation data. The fleet comprises 60 Embraer ERJ 170-200LRs, 25 Bombardier CRJ900ERs, 13 Bombardier CRJ-900LRs, 12 Bombardier CRJ900s, 11 Embraer ERJ 170-200LL, and two Boeing 737-400SF regional jets. https://simpleflying.com/united-partner-mesa-airlines-sells-6-crj900s/ Vice President, Aviation Operations and Regulatory Affairs Hybrid - Full time Washington, District of Columbia, United States Description The Regional Airline Association (RAA) seeks an experienced and motivated aviation leader who is committed to making a difference each day as our Vice President, Aviation Operations and Regulatory Affairs. The Vice President will be a vital member of the RAA executive team and reports to the CEO with secondary reporting to the Senior Vice President, Safety and Regulatory Affairs. RAA exists to support safe, healthy and strong regional airlines, capable of connecting communities of all sizes. The VP must actively listen, anticipate challenges, provide strategic advice, weigh options and advocate with courage and integrity for strong and safe outcomes. Essential Functions of the Position: · Advocates for the regional airline industry with a high level of diplomacy. · Supports and helps to develop the strategy and vision of RAA’s Operations and Regulatory Affairs; contributes to the development and implementation of RAA’s strategic objectives. · Identifies regulatory developments related to flight operations, pilot training, air traffic and other technical matters; analyzes proposals for anticipated impact on members and designs and implements response. · Tracks, Interprets, and responds appropriately and with advocacy to current or proposed aviation rules, compliance expertise, or other relevant regulatory analysis. · Works cooperatively with RAA members and other industry stakeholders to form coalitions and consensus positions. · Gives technical advice to RAA team and members on matters ranging from pilot training and qualifications and use of flight simulation training devices to air traffic management and flight technology and more. · Effectively communicates information to RAA team and members, the FAA and other stakeholders; contributes to development of RAA positions, Congressional testimony, regulatory comments, and other policy communications. · Provides Subject Matter Expertise on aviation task forces and working groups, including agency rulemaking and regulatory negotiating committees. Serves as Liaison between RAA and FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO), NextGen and related organizations. · Provides leadership and member service for the Regional Operations Council and the Flight Technology, Flight Training, Maintenance, and Inflight Committees. · Develops content and coordinating activities for RAA-sponsored events, including the Leaders Conference and Summer Seminars. This Role May be Right for You If: · You believe in your work. The right difference-maker will come to work each day with an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to our mission of promoting aviation safety and keeping smaller communities connected. · You want to tackle a challenge. Regional airlines are poised to grow yet face obstacles ranging from growing their workforce to ensuring access to airspace. Our team is equipped to help our members and meet this moment. · You want to achieve. RAA fosters a culture of Leadership at All Levels. Each team member is expected to generate ideas and make decisions from a place of ownership. · You are a team player and want to contribute to building strong team spirit and encourage others to succeed. · You want to work within – and are committed to striving for – diversity. We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion within our own ranks and across aviation broadly. Requirements · Thorough understanding of aviation safety standards, safe operating practices and 14 CFR Chapter I (Federal Aviation Regulations). Extensive familiarity with 14 CFR Part 135 and 121 airline operations. · 10 or more years of experience in regulatory interpretation and a history of advocacy in airline or association-based role. · Transport pilot with line experience and Flight operations managerial experience strongly preferred; former Pilot in Command (PIC) for an air carrier operating under part 121 or part 135 of FAR 119 is ideal. · Impeccable oral and written communication; able to effectively and persuasively present information to top management, regulatory agencies, public groups, and the RAA Board of Directors. · Able to expand upon the association’s significant professional relationships with both government and industry representatives and develop and manage new relationships. · High proficiency with Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, and the ability to collect, analyze and present data · Strong project management skills; strategic, tactical, self-motivated, determined, outcome-oriented. · Diplomatic; able to challenge established or entrenched ideas and advocate for mission-driven objectives. · Able to work quickly and effectively, make fast and well-reasoned recommendations despite ambiguity, anticipate and adapt to evolving member needs. · Professional, organized, responsive and enthusiastic. · Candidate must reside in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. · Moderate (up to 30%) travel required. Benefits As a member of the RAA team, you will have the opportunity to contribute to and enjoy a supportive work environment, and make a difference in an organization where your role is mission-critical and valued. RAA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Salary range: USD $150,000 - $180,000 annually with discretionary bonus opportunity. Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skillset, experience, qualifications and other job-related factors. Benefits: RAA is highly focused on employee quality of life and offers a choice of employer-sponsored medical, dental and vision plans; and provides employees with life & AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurances at no cost. RAA offers a 401K plan with employer match and a discretionary profit sharing program. RAA offers 12 weeks paid parental leave to qualified employees and Paid Time Off begins at 22 days per calendar year and increases with longevity. RAA additionally offers 14 paid holidays and paid leave for community service and voting. CALENDAR OF EVENTS • (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 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