Flight Safety Information - June 14, 2024 No. 119 In This Issue : Incident: Smartlynx Malta B38M at Dalaman on Jun 9th 2024, rejected takeoff due to engine problem : The FAA is investigating a new incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet in midair : Flight Safety International Pilot Hiring Event - Columbus, OH - July 19 : FAA sues San Antonio passenger who allegedly caused chaos on jet : F.A.A. Investigating How Counterfeit Titanium Got Into Boeing and Airbus Jets : Boeing finds new flaws in 787 jets: sources : PILOT SENTENCED FOR LYING ON FAA MEDICAL APPLICATIONS : FAA, EASA vow to boost collaboration on new airplane certification : The FAA is probing how to use AI for national airspace safety : FAA was 'hands-off' with Boeing before door blowout, administrator says : Aviation Industry Stakeholders, ASD, AIA, A4E and GAMA, Form Partnership : Air New Zealand Wants Aspiring ATR Pilots For Mangōpare Cadetships : Atlantic Jet Partners Acquires Aerodyne Corp, Expanding Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Capabilities : 8-year-old girl dies from medical emergency on SkyWest Airlines flight to Chicago : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: Smartlynx Malta B38M at Dalaman on Jun 9th 2024, rejected takeoff due to engine problem A Smartlynx Airlines Malta Boeing 737-8 MAX on behalf of TUI Airways, registration 9H-ETA performing flight TOM-213 from Dalaman (Turkey) to Manchester,EN (UK) with 189 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Dalaman's runway 19 when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 110 knots over ground) due to a problem with one of the engines (LEAP). The aircraft slowed safely and returned to the apron. The aircraft had taxied out for departure about 20 minutes earlier but needed to return to the stand. The flight was ultimately cancelled. A passenger reported the captain announced a light indicating a malfunction had come on, they would be trying to reset the indication. The aircraft subsequently taxied out again when a loud bang from an engine occurred, the aircraft slowed from high speed. They subsequently needed to unexpectedly stay in hotels for two nights. The airline reported the flight was scheduled to depart on Jun 8th 2024, however, the crew ran out of duty hours, therefore the flight needed to be postponed to the next day. The aircraft subsequently needed to reject takeoff, so that the flight was able to depart finally on Jun 10th. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration G-TAWX reached Manchester with a delay of about 40 hours. The occurrence aircraft was able to position to Manchester on Jun 11th 2024 and resumed service the following day. https://avherald.com/h?article=519d8161&opt=0 The FAA is investigating a new incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet in midair A Southwest Boeing 737 Max 8 jet prepares to land at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in March, 2019. A similar jet experienced a rare but potentially dangerous event known as a Dutch roll last month. WASHINGTON — A Boeing 737 Max 8 jet experienced a rare but potentially serious problem recently known as a Dutch roll before landing safely. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the incident during a Southwest Airlines flight last month. Less than an hour after taking off from Phoenix on May 25th, the plane experienced an uncontrolled side-to-side yawing motion known as a Dutch roll while cruising at 32,000 feet. The pilots of Southwest flight 746 were able to regain control and the plane landed safely in Oakland, according to a preliminary report from the FAA. “A Dutch roll is definitely not something that we like to see,” said Shem Malmquist, a commercial pilot who flies the Boeing 777 and an instructor at Florida Tech. “It's pretty rare on modern airplanes,” Malmquist said, because the aircraft and their systems are designed to prevent a Dutch roll from occurring. Still, it’s important for pilots to know how to respond when it happens, he said. “Obviously in this case they were,” Malmquist said. “That training is really, really critical.” The Boeing 737 Max 8 jet involved in the Dutch roll incident is less than two years old. According to the FAA, a post-flight inspection revealed damage to a backup power control unit, known as a PCU. That system controls rudder movements on the plane's tail. The plane remained in Oakland until June 6th, when it flew to Everett, Wash., where one of Southwest’s maintenance vendors is based. Boeing has been working to rebuild the trust of federal regulators and the flying public since a pair of Boeing 737 Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. Earlier versions of the 737 were involved in several accidents and crashes during the 1990s that were ultimately blamed on problems with the tail rudder. It was not immediately clear what caused the loss of control during the Southwest flight. No other airlines have reported similar problems. Boeing referred questions about the incident to Southwest Airlines, which declined to comment. The FAA says it is working closely with Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate. “We will take appropriate action based on the findings,” the FAA said in a statement. https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2024-06-13/the-faa-is-investigating-a-new-incident-involving-a-boeing-737-max-8-jet-in-midair YOUR NEXT DESTINATION Now Hiring at Our Center in Columbus, Ohio FlightSafety is seeking experienced pilots to join the ranks of the best flight instructors in the industry at our Columbus Learning Center. Use your seasoned skills to make an impact on aviation in a profound way. COMPETITIVE INCENTIVES AVAILABLE · Schedule 60 Days in Advance · Sign on and Monthly Bonuses · Competitive Base Salary · Full Relocation Support · Be Home Every Night · Career Growth RSVP Today Click here to RSVP and/or submit your resume. Date: Friday, July 19, 2024 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET Location: 4010 Bridgeway Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219 Contact Kevin.Goeppner@flightsafety.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you. FAA sues San Antonio passenger who allegedly caused chaos on jet The federal government is suing a San Antonio woman who allegedly caused chaos on a passenger plane mid-flight three years ago and was then handcuffed and duct-taped to a seat. Images of the woman — wearing a purple blouse, her hair dyed green and her mouth covered with tape — went viral on social media in July 2021. Until now, she had not been identified by name. The suit, filed in San Antonio’s federal court by U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration, seeks to collect $81,950 in civil penalties from Heather E. Wells, 34. The FAA fined her that amount in 2022, a record penalty against an individual passenger. At the time, airlines and regulators were struggling with a surge of unruly passengers disrupting flights. American Airlines passenger was duct taped to her seat after she tried to open the plane door, then bit a flight attendant. According to the lawsuit, Wells was a business-class passenger aboard American Airlines flight 1774, en route late at night from Dallas to Charlotte, N.C., between July 6 and 7, 2021. “Over an hour into the flight, and after ordering a Jack Daniels (neat) during the beverage service, Defendant became increasingly agitated and ‘wanted out’ of the plane,” the suit said. “She left her seat and began moving and/or running toward the rear of the aircraft, before going to her knees in the aisle. She remained there shortly, talking incoherently to passengers, before crawling back toward the main cabin.” When a flight attendant tried to intervene, Wells told the flight attendant she would “hurt him” if he didn’t get out of her way, the suit said. She then pushed the flight attendant aside and moved to the front of the aircraft. There, she attempted to grab the handle of the front cabin door as she screamed and yelled profanities, the lawsuit said. Two flight attendants and a passenger physically restrained her. During the struggle, she struck a flight attendant in the head multiple times, the suit said. “Ultimately, the flight attendants and passenger were able to restrain Defendant with duct tape and flex cuffs and get her seated,” the suit said. “After she was seated, Defendant continued to kick and spit and attempted to bite and head-butt a flight attendant and passengers. This necessitated Defendant to be further restrained to her seat by tape, along with her mouth, but even this was ineffective to stop her from screaming and cursing throughout the remainder of the flight.” The pilots radioed Charlotte, directing airport personnel to notify the police. Law enforcement officers were waiting when the plane arrived in North Carolina. As the plane taxied to its gate, Wells worked her feet free and began kicking, the suit said. A flight attendant and passenger again restrained her, the suit said. Law officers boarded the plane and decided to unload the rest of the passengers first. “Defendant continued to violently kick and broke the seat in front of her,” the suit said. “Ultimately, Defendant had to be sedated to be removed from the aircraft by law enforcement and medical responders.” News reports at the time said she was taken to a hospital for examination but did not say if she was charged. The San Antonio Express-News was unable to find any criminal charges filed against Wells over the incident. Wells could not be reached for comment. She has been summoned to answer the lawsuit, which alleges she violated federal aviation rules by trying to access the flight cabin, interfered with the duties of the flight crew, threatened them and posed an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or individuals on the aircraft. Fort Worth-based American Airlines said at the time that she had been banned from its flights but did not say for how long. https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/faa-sues-san-antonio-passenger-allegedly-caused-19507993.php F.A.A. Investigating How Counterfeit Titanium Got Into Boeing and Airbus Jets The material, which was purchased from a little-known Chinese company, was sold with falsified documents and used in parts that went into jets from both manufacturers. Some recently manufactured Boeing and Airbus jets have components made from titanium that was sold using fake documentation verifying the material’s authenticity, according to a supplier for the plane makers, raising concerns about the structural integrity of those airliners. The falsified documents are being investigated by Spirit AeroSystems, which supplies fuselages for Boeing and wings for Airbus, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration. The investigation comes after a parts supplier found small holes in the material from corrosion. In a statement, the F.A.A. said it was investigating the scope of the problem and trying to determine the short- and long-term safety implications to planes that were made using the parts. It is unclear how many planes have parts made with the questionable material. “Boeing reported a voluntary disclosure to the F.A.A. regarding procurement of material through a distributor who may have falsified or provided incorrect records,” the statement said. “Boeing issued a bulletin outlining ways suppliers should remain alert to the potential of falsified records.” The revelation comes at a moment of intense scrutiny of Boeing and the broader aviation industry, which is reeling from a series of mishaps and safety issues. In January, a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet while it was in flight, prompting several federal investigations. In April, Boeing told the F.A.A. about a separate episode involving potentially falsified inspection records related to the wings of 787 Dreamliner planes. Boeing reported to the F.A.A. that it might have skipped required inspections involving the jet’s wings and that it would need to reinspect some of the Dreamliners still in production. On May 30, Boeing submitted a plan to the F.A.A. outlining safety improvements it planned to make and committed to weekly meetings with the agency. Dave Calhoun, the Boeing chief executive, is set to testify on Tuesday before a Senate panel on the company’s safety issues. The use of potentially fake titanium, which has not been previously reported, threatens to extend the industry’s problems beyond Boeing to Airbus, its European competitor. The planes that included components made with the material were built between 2019 and 2023, among them some Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner airliners as well as Airbus A220 jets, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. It is not clear how many of those planes are in service or which airlines own them. Spirit is trying to determine where the titanium came from, whether it meets proper standards despite its phony documentation, and whether the parts made from the material are structurally sound enough to hold up through the projected life spans of the jets, company officials said. Spirit said it was trying to determine the most efficient way to remove and replace the affected parts if that ended up being necessary. “This is about documents that have been falsified, forged and counterfeited,” said Joe Buccino, a Spirit spokesman. “Once we realized the counterfeit titanium made its way into the supply chain, we immediately contained all suspected parts to determine the scope of the issues.” The titanium in question has been used in a variety of aircraft parts, according to Spirit officials. For the 787 Dreamliner, that includes the passenger entry door, cargo doors and a component that connects the engines to the plane’s airframe. For the 737 Max and the A220, the affected parts include a heat shield that protects a component, which connects a jet’s engine to the frame, from extreme heat. Boeing and Airbus both said their tests of affected materials so far had shown no signs of problems. Boeing said it directly purchased most of the titanium used in its plane production, so most of its supply was unaffected. “This industrywide issue affects some shipments of titanium received by a limited set of suppliers, and tests performed to date have indicated that the correct titanium alloy was used,” Boeing said in a statement. “To ensure compliance, we are removing any affected parts on airplanes prior to delivery. Our analysis shows the in-service fleet can continue to fly safely.” Airbus likewise maintained that “the A220’s airworthiness remains intact.” “Numerous tests have been performed on parts coming from the same source of supply,” an Airbus spokeswoman said in a statement, adding, “The safety and quality of our aircraft are our most important priorities, and we are working in close collaboration with our supplier.” The European Union Aviation Safety Agency did not respond to a request for comment. Spirit has suffered from quality issues and financial troubles in recent years, and it came under new scrutiny this year after the episode in January involving the door panel of the 737 Max, whose fuselage it makes. The problem illustrates the complex global supply chain used in producing modern jetliners, and the story of what appears to have gone wrong involves companies in China, Italy, Turkey and the United States. The issue appears to date to 2019 when a Turkish material supplier, Turkish Aerospace Industries, purchased a batch of titanium from a supplier in China, according to the people familiar with the issue. The Turkish company then sold that titanium to several companies that make aircraft parts, and those parts made their way to Spirit, which used them in Boeing and Airbus planes. In December 2023, an Italian company that bought the titanium from Turkish Aerospace Industries noticed that the material looked different from what the company typically received. The company, Titanium International Group, also found that the certificates that came with the titanium seemed inauthentic. Turkish Aerospace Industries did not respond to a request for a comment. Spirit began investigating the matter, and the company notified Boeing and Airbus in January that it could not verify the source of the titanium used to make certain parts. Titanium International Group told Spirit that when it bought the material in 2019, it had no clue that the paperwork had been forged, according to Spirit officials. Francesca Conti, a general manager for Titanium International Group, said that the episode was under investigation and that she could not provide additional details. “We are cooperating with relevant authorities to address any issue eventually identified,” she said in an email. The documents in question are known as certificates of conformity. They serve somewhat as a birth certificate for the titanium, detailing its quality, how it was made and where it came from, Spirit officials said. People familiar with the situation said it appeared that an employee at the Chinese company that sold the titanium had forged the details on the certificates, writing that the material came from another Chinese company, Baoji Titanium Industry, a firm that often supplies verified titanium. Baoji Titanium later confirmed that it had not supplied the titanium. The origin of the titanium remains unclear. “Baoji Titanium doesn’t know about the company and has no business dealing with this company,” the firm said in a statement to The New York Times. Without knowing where the material came from or how it was handled, it is impossible to verify the airworthiness of the parts, said Gregg Brown, the senior vice president for global quality at Spirit. “Our quality management process relies on the traceability of the raw materials all the way from the mills,” Mr. Brown said. “There has been a loss of traceability in that process and a documentation challenge.” Spirit officials said they had started testing titanium parts to make sure aviation-grade material was used. The company is testing components that are still in stock and that are on undelivered fuselages. So far, Spirit’s testing has confirmed that the titanium is the appropriate grade for airplane manufacturers. But the company has been unable to confirm that the titanium was treated through the approved airplane manufacturing process. The material passed some of the materials testing performed on it but failed others. Mr. Buccino, the Spirit spokesman, said the company was working with customers to identify the affected planes. Aircraft that are already in service will be monitored by airlines and removed from service earlier than normal if warranted, he said. More likely, he said, the affected parts will be removed during routine maintenance checks regardless of whether the titanium checks out. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/14/us/politics/boeing-airbus-titanium-faa.html Boeing finds new flaws in 787 jets: sources Reuters sources say the issues this time concern its 787 widebody planes. They say the aerospace giant has found hundreds of incorrectly tightened fasteners on some undelivered aircraft. The sources say the problem was discovered at plant in South Carolina, with the fasteners found to have been tightened from the wrong end. There is no immediate concern about flight safety, but one source says Boeing is trying to understand how the problem arose - and how much work it must do to remedy the issue. The company confirmed the checks to Reuters, and said there would be no impact on deliveries. Even so, it’s another concern for investors after a series of quality control issues at the company. Some of its big-selling 737 MAX jets were grounded for a time earlier this year after a midair blowout on one of the planes. The Federal Aviation Administration has blocked a plan to raise output of the model, while Boeing takes steps to ensure manufacturing quality. Regulators said they were aware of the new concerns regarding the 787, and would work with the company to determine appropriate action. Boeing shares are down around 30% this year amid all the problems. https://finance.yahoo.com/video/boeing-finds-flaws-787-jets-070657505.html PILOT SENTENCED FOR LYING ON FAA MEDICAL APPLICATIONS Six months home confinement, $750K fines for three FAA charges A Louisiana pilot who admitted in a post-conviction plea deal to defrauding two federal agencies out of disability benefits over several years was sentenced June 11 to six months of home confinement and three years' probation, along with $850,000 in fines, $750,000 of which are specifically related to fraudulent FAA medical certificate applications submitted in 2018, 2020, and 2022. Edward L. Angel Sr., 71, of Shreveport, was convicted by a federal jury in February on three counts of making false statements to the FAA, though the jury deadlocked on additional charges related to veterans and Social Security disability benefits Angel received following fraudulent applications for those benefits. Angel pleaded guilty to one of those remaining charges related to fraudulently obtaining federal benefits in March, and the federal government recovered (prior to sentencing) $141,972 in restitution of disability benefits Angel received from the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs between 2017 and 2021. That restitution was recovered from the defendant's bank accounts soon thereafter, according to court documents. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss additional charges included in the original indictment as part of the plea agreement. Angel, who retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel, according to federal officials, was apparently among the 4,800 pilots whose medical certificate applications were investigated by the Department of Justice and other agencies after the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General uncovered discrepancies with information provided on those FAA applications that was inconsistent with information the VA had on record, including applications for VA disability benefits. AOPA has worked with many members since that investigation unfolded, and urged the FAA to follow the process and enforcement procedures previously implemented, including amnesty for those individuals who inadvertently or mistakenly omitted information on their medical certificate applications. AOPA President Mark Baker, in a March 30, 2023, letter to the FAA, noted the large number of affected pilots was evidence of a systemic problem. A federal jury found that Angel had made no such mistaken or inadvertent omission when it convicted him in February following a weeklong trial before Judge David C. Joseph. The jury deliberated for 15 hours before voting unanimously to convict Angel on three counts of making false statements to the FAA, specifically failing to disclose "his service-related disability of Primary Lateral Sclerosis," the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana announced in February. According to court records and statements from prosecutors, Angel applied in 2011 and 2012 for a VA program that allows veterans with service-related disabilities who own small businesses to receive federal contracting assistance in the form of set-aside contracts. Angel reported to the VA that he was the president of ELA Group Inc., and, later, Paradigm Engineers and Constructors. In 2013, Angel began receiving monthly VA disability benefits based on his reported inability to work, having represented to the VA that he had been unemployed since 2009, and subsequently collecting monthly payments totaling $93,819.29 to which he was not entitled. Angel also applied for Social Security disability benefits in 2011, failing to disclose he operated two companies. "As a result of these misrepresentations, he received $48,153.60 in disability payments he was not entitled to receive," the U.S. attorney noted in a press release, referring to the Social Security checks. Angel faced up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the charges related to his FAA medical certificate applications for which he was convicted at trial. He waived the right to challenge any sentence imposed by the court in the plea agreement that he signed in March, admitting his guilt to a single charge of defrauding the federal government, for which the judge imposed a fine of $100,000 and three years of supervised release, to run concurrently with the three-year supervised release imposed for the FAA-related convictions, including six months of home confinement. The court gave Angel six months to pay fines totaling $850,000, including $100,000 related to the charge of theft of government funds that he pleaded guilty to, with additional penalties payable if the deadline is not met. (The court also assessed additional penalties totaling $325 related to the charges, which the defendant has paid, according to court records.) The court imposed six conditions on Angel's supervised release, including required financial disclosure and oversight by the probation office. The sixth condition is that he shall not fly during his three-year probation: "Given the danger posed to the public by his failure to disclose his medical condition to the FAA, defendant cannot pilot or co-pilot any aircraft during his term of supervised probation." Angel filed an emergency motion on June 13 seeking the court's permission to visit the local YMCA to exercise daily. "As per the attached letter from Mr. Angel's doctor, Mr. Angel must exercise daily at the YMCA, where Mr. Angel uses equipment and resources (such as the swimming pool) that are not available to Mr. Angel in his home to prevent muscle atrophy due to his Primary Lateral Sclerosis," the motion states, noting that the prosecutor did not object. The court approved that request within hours. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/june/13/pilot-sentenced-for-lying-on-faa-medical-applications FAA, EASA vow to boost collaboration on new airplane certification WASHINGTON, June 13 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration and European Union Aviation Safety Agency said on Thursday they would boost collaboration on new airplane certification following a three-day joint meeting in Washington. Since two Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed a combined 346 people, aviation regulators around the world have tightened oversight of new airplanes. The FAA and EASA pledged to take a number of steps to work together more closely and deepen proactive collaboration on certification activities. "As we look to the next decade, establishing a unified strategic direction based on information sharing and collaboration with our international partners will meet the needs of our global aviation system of the future," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet said it was more important than ever for international aviation regulators to work together and to ensure that safety needs were always met. Guillermet told Reuters last week he would propose the FAA act as an observer on safety audits, including those of European planemaker Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab. The EASA and FAA also vowed to strengthen information exchanges on safety oversight and to encourage each agency's technical experts to "work together and rely on one another to reduce duplication of effort, taking a risk-based approach." The FAA is closely scrutinizing two new variants of the MAX awaiting certification, including the MAX 7, which is not expected to be certified until 2025 at the earliest after Boeing dropped a request in January for a key safety exemption. Boeing is also seeking certification of the 777X, a more fuel-efficient version of its popular 777 widebody. EASA has sought changes in flight controls of the 777X. The FAA in November adopted a new aircraft certification policy requiring key flight control design changes to be considered "major" like the anti-stall system involved in the two fatal MAX crashes. Boeing did not disclose key details to the FAA of the safety system called MCAS, which was linked to both fatal crashes and designed to help counter a tendency of the MAX to pitch up in certain flight conditions. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/faa-easa-vow-boost-collaboration-new-airplane-certification-2024-06-13/ The FAA is probing how to use AI for national airspace safety A new request for information shows the agency’s deliberate pace in its embrace of the technology. The Federal Aviation Administration continues to weigh how it can incorporate artificial intelligence in the national airspace system, the controlled and uncontrolled airspace that the agency is charged with overseeing. Earlier this week, the FAA shared a market survey, titled “Analytics for Safety of NAS,” seeking information on “existing capabilities for advanced analytics using modern Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities to improve aviation safety.” The posting is meant to help the agency improve its safety information systems and incorporate analytics from commercially available tools, according to the posting. “The FAA envisions a new safety analytics system that will vastly expand and accelerate insights from current and additional sources of data and provide a comprehensive understanding of causal factors of safety events to help predict high-risk operations and environments,” the agency said. “The end state will be built on commercially available analytics tools that are widely used by a substantial number of companies and organizations to make similar improvements to the safety of operations or to reduce mistakes in operations.” The FAA — which did not respond to a request for comment by publication time — is also interested in potential data sensitivity and data variety challenges. The posting comes as the agency has slowly explored artificial intelligence applications and has disclosed several use cases as part of the Department of Transportation’s AI use case inventory. Previous FedScoop reporting revealed myriad hurdles the FAA faces in trying to incorporate the technology, even as the Biden administration encourages an all-of-government effort to modernize systems using AI. “Because aviation is a safety critical industry and domain, in general, stakeholders involved in this industry are slower to adapt AI models and tools for decision-making and prediction tasks,” Syed A.M. Shihab, an assistant professor of aeronautics and engineering at Kent State University, told FedScoop in April. “It’s all good when the AI model is performing well, but all it takes is one missed prediction or one inaccurate classification, concerning the use cases, to compromise safety of flight operations.” https://fedscoop.com/the-faa-is-probing-how-to-use-ai-for-national-airspace-safety/ FAA was 'hands-off' with Boeing before door blowout, administrator says WASHINGTON (TND) — Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker admitted Thursday his agency had been too “hands-off” with aviation giant Boeing in the time leading up to a catastrophic door blowout on one of its planes. Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 returned to the ground in January without its door plug, a component which allows passengers to exit the plane in an emergency. The incident led the Federal Aviation Administration to demand mandatory grounding and inspection of all Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes. United Airlines later reported finding loose bolts on its planes. Testifying before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Whitaker regretted not being more involved in Boeing’s operations prior to the incident. The FAA should have had much better visibility into what was happening at Boeing before January 5,” Whitaker said. “FAA’s approach was too hands-off, too focused on paperwork audits, and not focused enough on inspections.” Whitaker further claimed to have rectified these issues, noting the agency has since tightened its grip on oversight of the manufacturer. “We have changed that approach over the last several months, and those changes are permanent,” he said. “We have now moved to a more active, comprehensive oversight model, the audit plus inspection model, which allows the FAA to have much better insight into Boeing’s operations.” In February, Whitaker gave Boeing 90 days to create a plan to improve its safety protocols. He attributed that plan to the beginning, not the end, of a process to reform Boeing. “This is a guide for a new way for Boeing to do business,” Whitaker said after a meeting with the company, noting “now they need to execute.” https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/faa-was-hands-off-with-boeing-before-door-blowout-administrator-says Aviation Industry Stakeholders, ASD, AIA, A4E and GAMA, Form Partnership The Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), Airlines for Europe (A4E) and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcome the call for even greater U.S.-EU coordination on aviation safety and innovation priorities made during the 2024 FAA-EASA International Aviation Safety Conference. The transatlantic partnership was signed upon by Jan Pie, secretary general of ASD; Eric Fanning, president and CEO of AIA; Ourania Georgoutsakou, managing director of A4E; and Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA. The company’s collective priorities include: Improving safety and industry efficiency Enhancing sustainability Supporting innovation Preparing the workforce for the future https://www.monitordaily.com/news-posts/aviation-industry-stakeholders-asd-aia-a4e-and-gama-form-partnership/ Air New Zealand Wants Aspiring ATR Pilots For Mangōpare Cadetships Air New Zealand announced this week its new fast-track pilot cadetship program, which will open the door for aspiring Kiwi pilots. SUMMARY • Air New Zealand's cadet pilot program is a game-changer for aspiring pilots looking to fast-track their career with the airline. • The program aims to address any potential pilot shortage by providing a unique pathway to becoming a commercial airline pilot. • This proactive initiative not only offers financial support for training but also focuses on creating future leaders for Air New Zealand. Timing is everything in aviation, and right now is a great time to be an aspiring airline pilot in New Zealand. As all pilots know, there are two big barriers to entry into the profession: the prohibitive cost and finding an opportunity to transition from a commercial pilot's license to a type-rated pilot with a seat in a commercial airliner. A proactive pilot program This week, Air New Zealand launched a new cadet pilot program that smashes through those barriers. The program would see 30 cadets start training in September and become ATR 72-600 pilots with the airline in around 14 months, with the majority of the costs, including training and living expenses, funded by the airline. This is a great and potentially life-changing opportunity that is designed to inspire more people to pursue a professional pilot career with one of the world's leading airlines while also building a pipeline of pilots for Air New Zealand. The Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship is an all-inclusive training program that accelerates the journey from novice to commercial pilot from the typical 24-36 months to around 14 months. The first group of 30 cadets will initially train overseas while Air New Zealand works to find a long-term domestic training provider, a process that also started this week with the airline calling for Expressions of Interest from training providers. The cadets will begin training in Arizona, learning to fly single and multi-engine planes, and then travel to Dubai to complete flight simulator sessions to gain a type rating on the ATR 72-600 turboprops operated by Air New Zealand. Once completed, the newly qualified cadets will have a pathway to employment as Air New Zealand pilots. The program not only opens the door for individuals from all backgrounds to consider a career as a pilot but also provides an expedited training pathway. A new pathway to airline pilot Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan said looking at both short and longer-term solutions to training pilots is crucial to ensuring the airline can meet future travel demand. That is why it is taking the proactive step of funding most of the training for the 30 cadets. "We also know that airlines around the world are already having to ground aircraft and cancel flights due to a lack of pilots. While these shortages have yet to impact Air New Zealand, we could see this change quickly if we aren't proactive now." The cadetship is designed to supplement the existing pilot recruitment program, and Air New Zealand will continue to recruit pilots who come to it through traditional pathways. Morgan said that while that has worked well, adaption is now needed to ensure New Zealand has the pilots it needs for a successful airline industry in the future. In calling for expressions of interest, the airline wants to find a training provider that can deliver "a fully immersive experience" for cadets that will fast-track their pilot training. In essence, the carrier wants a program to deliver cadets with the technical skills and knowledge needed to fly its turboprop aircraft and become the airline's future leaders. Morgan added: "The future success of the program will rely on the pilot training sector working together in a way that hasn't been done before to build and deliver a cadetship that means more pilots can be trained faster and ensure that we can meet the travel and export demands of Kiwis in the future." Applications for the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship, which is only open to New Zealand citizens, are open until July 8, 2024, and all the details, including eligibility requirements, assessment and selection process, and cadetship outline, can be found on the Air New Zealand website. https://simpleflying.com/air-new-zealand-aspiring-pilots-cadetships/ Atlantic Jet Partners Acquires Aerodyne Corp, Expanding Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Capabilities Atlantic Jet Partners proudly announces the acquisition of Aerodyne Corp. Pompano Beach, FL, June 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic Jet Partners, a leading aviation services company, proudly announces the acquisition of Aerodyne Corp., a premier jet engine repair and maintenance firm. This strategic acquisition improves Atlantic Jet Partners’ capabilities and market presence, reinforcing its commitment to delivering comprehensive aircraft solutions. Atlantic Jet Partners and its family of companies offer a wide range of aviation services, including aircraft management, sales, STC certification, avionics, aviation insurance, TBO extension, and aircraft maintenance. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, they provide top-notch services to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry. Atlantic Jet Partners is a diversified aviation company that owns and operates several subsidiaries, including Sky Aviation Holdings Aircraft Sales, Sky Aviation Insurance Services, TBO Extension, SkyVue Avionics, Sky Flight Air Fractional Aircraft Ownership, Aerospace Design & Compliance, and Aerodyne Corp. Atlantic Jet Partners Meanwhile, Aerodyne Corp, based in Stuart, FL, is a leader in aircraft turbine repair and maintenance. Specializing in maintaining and repairing private jet engines, such as the JT15 and PW500 series, it is recognized for its expertise and cutting-edge technology. The company is a trusted partner for various aviation projects, delivering high-quality solutions and exceptional customer service. The acquisition of Aerodyne Corp. is a significant milestone for Atlantic Jet Partners, expanding its aircraft engine maintenance and repair capabilities. This move supports Atlantic Jet Partners’ strategy to provide integrated aircraft solutions and strengthen its market position. “We are thrilled to welcome Aerodyne Corp. to the Atlantic Jet Partners family,” said Joe Rizzo, COO of Atlantic Jet Partners. “This acquisition represents a pivotal step in our growth strategy that allows us to offer a broader range of services and innovative solutions to our clients. Aerodyne's expertise in private jet engine maintenance and repair, particularly with the JT15 and PW500 series engines, will complement our existing capabilities, ensuring we continue to lead in the aviation industry.” Aerodyne Corp. has been at the forefront of private jet engine maintenance and repair for many years. Its proficiency with turbine engines has set industry benchmarks, earning it a reputation for reliability and technical excellence. The company’s skilled FAA-certified technicians and engineers use state-of-the-art facilities and methods to deliver unmatched service quality, ensuring peak performance and longevity of jet engines. With the integration of Aerodyne Corp., Atlantic Jet Partners is poised to offer enhanced services and solutions, driving growth and innovation in the aviation sector. The combined expertise of companies will create new opportunities and reinforce their commitment to excellence in the industry. Visit its website for more information: https://skyaviationholdings.com. About Atlantic Jet Partners Atlantic Jet Partners is a diversified aviation company that owns and operates several subsidiaries, including Sky Aviation Holdings Aircraft Sales, Sky Aviation Insurance Services, TBO Extension, SkyVue Avionics, Sky Flight Air Fractional Aircraft Ownership, Aerospace Design & Compliance, and Aerodyne Corp. The company provides a broad range of exceptional aviation services, leveraging its expertise and industry knowledge to deliver innovative solutions to its clients. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/14/2898741/0/en/Atlantic-Jet-Partners-Acquires-Aerodyne-Corp-Expanding-Aircraft-Maintenance-Repair-Capabilities.html 8-year-old girl dies from medical emergency on SkyWest Airlines flight to Chicago Sydney Weston, 8, died after suffering a medical emergency on the Chicago bound flight which landed in Peoria. When the plane landed she had no pulse. Officials in Illinois are investigating after an 8-year-old Missouri girl suffered a medical emergency on a commercial flight Thursday and died. The child, identified as Sydney Weston of Carl Junction, was traveling with her family on vacation when she "suddenly became ill and then unresponsive in flight", the Peoria County Coroner's Office released in a statement following the incident. The tragedy took place on a SkyWest Airlines flight that originated from Joplin, Missouri bound for Chicago, Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said. A SkyWest Airlines flight on the ground. An 8-year-old girl suffered an emergency on a SkyWest Airlines flight on June 13, 2024, and later died, the Peoria County Coroner's Office reported. According to the online site Flight Aware, which tracks flight paths, SkyWest Flight 5121 departed from the Joplin Regional Airport at 5:51 a.m. and, after 42 minutes in air, made an emergency landing at the Peoria International Airport in Illinois. "Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid," the coroner wrote. Planes carry medical kits:Here's why you may not rely on them in an emergency Girl had no pulse when plane landed Upon landing in Peoria, she was not breathing and had no pulse, the coroner reported. Watkins said about 7 a.m., deputies responded to the airport for a medical emergency and when the plane landed officials immediately began life-saving measures on the girl. The girl was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead at 8:05 a.m., the coroner reported. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/06/14/girl-dies-medical-emergency-chicago-flight-skywest/74095786007/ 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