Flight Safety Information - June 27, 2024 No. 128 In This Issue : Incident: PIA A320 at Islamabad on Jun 25th 2024, engine problems : Accident: ANA B738 at Nagoya on Jun 22nd 2024, loss of cabin pressure : NTSB sanctions Boeing over release of 737 MAX investigation details, flags to DOJ : Whistleblower warned Boeing of flaws in 787 planes that could have ‘devastating consequences’ : ALPA Critical Of Airbus Plan To Cut Number Of Pilots In The Flight Deck : FAA Seeks AirVenture Pilot Volunteers For Cognitive Testing : At the factory that builds the 737 Max, Boeing rethinks how it trains new hires : Aspen Takeoff Overrun Followed Instantaneous Wind Call : NTSB castigates Boeing for sharing non-public info to media on door plug probe : Textron Aviation Preparing for 25-hour CVR Rules : Etihad begins huge recruitment drive to find its future pilot workforce : Japan’s Jet Fuel Crunch Hits Narita, One of Its Biggest Airports : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: PIA A320 at Islamabad on Jun 25th 2024, engine problems A PIA Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration AP-BMY performing flight PK-261 from Islamabad (Pakistan) to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Islamabad's runway 28L when the crew stopped the climb at about 5000 feet due to problems with one of the engines (CFM56). The aircraft returned to Islamabad for a safe landing on runway 28R about 20 minutes after departure. A ground observer reported there were sparks from one of the engines. The aircraft was able to depart about 9 hours later and reached Abu Dhabi with a delay of about 9.5 hours. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51a60f33&opt=0 Accident: ANA B738 at Nagoya on Jun 22nd 2024, loss of cabin pressure An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 737-800, registration JA88AN performing flight NH-372 from Nagasaki to Nagoya (Japan) with 104 people on board, was descending towards Nagoya when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 18 about 25 minutes later. Japan's Ministry of Transport reported on Jun 26th 2024, that seven passengers and four cabin crew complained about ear pain and hearing difficulties after the aircraft encountered loss of cabin pressure at about FL250. The passenger oxygen masks were manually released. The Ministry rated the occurrence a serious incident. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51a60d52&opt=0 NTSB sanctions Boeing over release of 737 MAX investigation details, flags to DOJ WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The National Transportation Safety Board said early on Thursday it was sanctioning Boeing for disclosing non-public details of the ongoing investigation into a 737 MAX mid-air emergency and referring its conduct to the Justice Department. The NTSB said Boeing had "blatantly violated" the agency's investigative regulations by providing "non-public investigative information to the media" and speculating about possible causes of the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines door plug blowout. The move by Boeing has further deepened the strain between the crisis-hit planemaker and government agencies at a time when it is trying to avoid criminal charges being brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ahead of a July 7 deadline. The NTSB said Boeing would retain its status as a party to the investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident, but it would no longer have access to the information the agency produces during its probe. The planemaker will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants at an investigative hearing on August 6-7, whereas other participants at the hearing will be allowed to do so. "As a party to many NTSB investigations over the past decades, few entities know the rules better than Boeing," the NTSB said. The NTSB said Boeing had violated an agreement with the agency during a media briefing about quality improvements at its commercial airplanes division on Tuesday in Washington state. "A Boeing executive provided investigative information and gave an analysis of factual information previously released," the agency said. "Both of these actions are prohibited by the party agreement that Boeing signed." The NTSB, which will subpoena Boeing to appear at the investigative hearing in August, also said it would refer Boeing's recent conduct to the DOJ. Boeing did not respond immediately to a request for comment outside normal business hours. DOJ SCRUTINY In May, the DOJ said Boeing had violated a 2021 settlement agreement with prosecutors that shielded it from criminal prosecution over its interactions with the Federal Aviation Authority prior to fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. Even before the NTSB sanctions, U.S. prosecutors were recommending criminal charges be brought against Boeing after finding it violated the deferred prosecution agreement that required it to overhaul its compliance practices, Reuters reported on Sunday. "Given that Boeing is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to its Deferred Prosecution Agreement ...the NTSB will be coordinating with the DOJ Fraud Division to provide details about Boeing's recent unauthorized investigative information releases in the 737 MAX 9 door plug investigation," the agency said. The DOJ has a separate criminal probe into the MAX 9 door plug emergency. In February, the NTSB said the door panel was missing four key bolts. The NTSB said on Thursday that after it had learned of the unauthorized release of information, Boeing provided the agency with a transcript of the media briefing. "The transcript revealed that Boeing provided non-public investigative information to the news media that NTSB had not verified or authorized for release," the NTSB said. "Boeing offered opinions and analysis on factors it suggested were causal to the accident," it added. It is the latest strain between Boeing and the NTSB. In March, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a U.S. Senate hearing that Boeing had failed to provide the names of employees on its 737 MAX door team for two months, drawing criticism from lawmakers. Boeing then quickly provided the names. The NTSB said on Thursday that Boeing had portrayed its investigation to media as a search to locate the individual responsible for the door plug work. "The NTSB is instead focused on the probable cause of the accident, not placing blame on any individual or assessing liability," the agency said. The criticism of Boeing came after Homendy said on Tuesday that railroad operator Norfolk Southern threatened the board, sought to manufacture evidence and failed to provide documents during its investigation of a 2023 Ohio derailment. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/ntsb-sanctions-boeing-over-release-060427297.html Whistleblower warned Boeing of flaws in 787 planes that could have ‘devastating consequences’ A whistleblower has come forward Wednesday alleging parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes were built in an unsafe manner – potentially leading to “devastating consequences.” Richard Cuevas, a mechanic at Strom, a contractor for Boeing manufacturing partner Spirit Aerosystems, claims that he witnessed holes that were improperly drilled into the forward pressure bulkheads of 787 planes at Spirit’s Wichita, Kansas, facility in 2023. The bulkhead is one of the primary parts of an airplane’s body and crucial for keeping the structure of the plane intact while it’s in the air. Cuevas claims that he filed a complaint in October 2023 to Boeing and Spirit about “substandard manufacturing and maintenance processes” he witnessed, and was fired just a few months later, according to the complaints filed by his attorneys and obtained by CNN. Boeing said it had previously investigated Cuevas’ allegations and they did not pose a safety problem. “A subcontractor’s employee previously reported concerns to us that we thoroughly investigated as we take seriously any safety-related matter,” the company said in a statement. “Engineering analysis determined that the issues raised did not present a safety concern and were addressed.” The company said it is reviewing the documents Cuevas’ attorneys made public Wednesday and will investigate any new claims. Spirit Aerosystems and Strom did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that they “strongly encourage anyone with safety concerns to report them and we thoroughly investigate every report.” The FAA said it has revieved 126 Boeing whistleblower reports this year and 11 last year. Cuevas said the gaps he observed in the plane’s forward pressure bulkheads appeared in two aircraft that he helped build and could potentially lead to “catastrophe.” Cuevas claims the workers were drilling holes slightly larger than Boeing’s specifications to “clear excess paint from the holes and speed up a slow process,” which, he believes, could compromise power and air pressure on the planes, creating serious safety risk for the passengers on board. Cuevas said he filed a complaint with Boeing’s ethics hotline, reporting to management that he believed Spirit was hiding the issues from Boeing. He also alleges that Boeing opened an investigation into Cuevas’ concerns in October 2023, alerting Spirit management to the complaints. During that time, Cuevas says his colleague remarked, “we’ve got a snitch among us,” and in March, Spirit suddenly fired Cuevas, according to the complaints. The complaints say Cuevas witnessed these problems with three planes he worked on and believes these issues may affect at least 10 to 12 planes either in production or already released to Boeing. A growing list of problems for Boeing The claims aren’t new: A previous whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer, said he found and reported similar gaps in 787 and 777 aircraft. For nearly two years starting in 2021, the FAA and Boeing halted deliveries of the new Dreamliners while it looked into the gaps. Boeing said it made changes in its manufacturing process, and deliveries ultimately resumed. More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years, and the number has grown substantially since a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane in January just after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side the plane. Last week, for example, a current Boeing employee claimed that the company tried to shield broken or out-of-specification 737 Max plane parts from regulators and lost track of them – and he feared they may have been installed on planes that are carrying passengers. The FAA has opened multiple investigations into Boeing and the US Department of Justice said it may file criminal charges against the company because of its ongoing quality and safety failures. The FAA has said a six-week audit of Boeing’s facilities conducted in the late winter found multiple problems with Boeing’s production practices. A separate report found “gaps” in Boeing’s safety culture, including a disconnect between management and employees, and fears among employees about retaliation for reporting safety concerns. Boeing’s CEO Dave Calhoun last week apologized for Boeing’s recent safety failures in testimony delivered to a Senate committee but pushed back on claims that the company retaliated against those who brought safety issues to light. Calhoun said Boeing is “far from perfect,” and he acknowledged that the company will not easily regain the public’s trust. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/whistleblower-warned-boeing-flaws-787-202730317.html ALPA Critical Of Airbus Plan To Cut Number Of Pilots In The Flight Deck ALPA, the pilot union comprised of pilots in Canada and the United States, has once again reiterated its critical position of reduced-crew operations. SUMMARY • The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) has once again reiterated its critical position on reduced-crew operations (RCO). • The union and its president blasted Airbus and the state of design of the European aircraft manufacturer, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), was pushing RCOs. • However, EASA has been studying the potential issues and safety hazards of RCOs, issuing a tender in the early 2020s. The President of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) has presented the union’s whitepaper, which criticized the extended minimum crew operations (eMCO), a concept that Airbus has introduced to reduce the number of pilots during certain stages of flight in a cockpit. Irreplaceable pilots In a speech in front of the International Aviation Club of Washington, Jason Ambrosi, the President of ALPA, which unites more than 78,000 pilots at 41 airlines in Canada and the United States, the union’s executive presented ALPA’s whitepaper about reduced-crew operations. The paper included criticism of Airbus’ eMCO, which would, according to ALPA, optimize flight crew efficiency and increase airlines’ profitability due to reduced costs. Nevertheless, the main accent of the whitepaper was that advances in technology could not replace pilots, with the union pointing out that it was a well-established fact and that there are many benefits of having two pilots inside the cockpit. According to Ambrosi, some aircraft manufacturers and airlines outside North America are working to design cockpits that would replace the very safety features that have averted recent disasters, aiming to replace pilots with automation. “I have thousands of hours over the North Atlantic and can tell you with no uncertainty that in the middle of the night in cruise, having only one pilot is a significant degradation in safety.” ALPA also pointed out that passengers have voiced their opposition against reduced-crew operations (RCO), with the union polling an unidentified number of passengers. 79% of the respondents said that they would feel less safe on remotely operated aircraft, while 73% said that they would never feel comfortable flying without two pilots inside the cockpit. “In practice, reduced-crew and single-pilot operation schemes, like Airbus’s so-called extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), are a gamble with safety—and a gamble with people’s lives.” Ambrosi continued by saying that Airbus itself has acknowledged the fact that its plan to operate an aircraft with a single pilot was “inherently flawed.” Furthermore, RCOs not only suffer the safety risks of higher workloads for the remaining pilot or in the event of incapacitation but also reduce the safety and security of commercial air travel to “an unacceptable level.” A Case For Maintaining Two Pilots In Commercial Aircraft Cockpits ALPA President Jason Ambrosi discussed issues around pilot supply and pilot safety in the United States. Pushed by EASA The union alleged that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the state of design of Airbus, except for the A220, has been working with the European plane maker to develop the criteria of various RCOs. Their goal, according to ALPA, was to eliminate two-pilot flight decks, while the union’s goal was to maintain at least two pilots inside the cockpit. “Rather, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency is exploring a rulemaking that would allow Airbus to remove pilots from the flight deck before completing a study on the safety implications of such a move.” According to EASA, it has contracted the Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR) to study eMCO-Single Pilot Operations (SiPO) and the associated safety risks. The European regulator outlined the two goals of the two-year study, which should be concluded in August, per EASA's website. One, the study must asses any issues and the feasibility of the implementation of EMCOs in the EU regulatory framework by developing a risk-assessment framework, investigating a series of safety hazards and mitigation. Secondly, the study must do the same with SiPOs through a preliminary analysis of the related main safety hazards. https://simpleflying.com/alpa-critical-airbus-plan-cut-pilots-flight-deck/ FAA Seeks AirVenture Pilot Volunteers For Cognitive Testing Pilots attending EAA AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, could offset some of their expenses by participating in a paid FAA research study. The agency is offering prepaid gift cards valued at between $300 and $500, depending on current medical privileges at the time of the study. Participants must have logged flight or simulator time within the previous six months. This year, the FAA is looking for 160 pilots with Class III medical certificates who are at least 25 years old. Fourteen pilots with Class II or Class I certificates who are 60+ years old are also required. The FAA Institutional Review Board-approved testing will take about four hours. It involves two computerized cognitive tests for working memory, attention, mental rotation, and multitasking performance. According to the FAA, “The purpose of this study is to obtain pilot normative data for these computerized tests. The FAA uses these tests to help recertify pilots for flying following a medical event [e.g., stroke, head injury, certain medication]. The results of this study will help ensure that aeromedical decision-making is based on the most current scientific data and will contribute to the safety of the national airspace system.” If interested, Click here for more information and to schedule. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-seeks-airventure-pilot-volunteers-for-cognitive-testing/ At the factory that builds the 737 Max, Boeing rethinks how it trains new hires RENTON, Wash. — Boeing assembles the 737 in a massive factory here that can hold more than a dozen unfinished planes, with their shiny green fuselages lined up nose to tail. But before Boeing’s new hires get to work on these jets, they spend a few months next door at Boeing’s training center, learning the basics. “Everything has a name, everything has a measurement, everything has a place. And it's just mind-blowing, the details,” said Derrick Farmer, who is about two months into his training at Boeing. Boeing promises big changes as the plane maker looks to rebuild trust and quality Farmer worked as an aviation mechanic in the Army, helping to keep Boeing helicopters in the air, for nine years. Now that he’s learning how to build the planes, Farmer says the level of detail is a lot to take in — even for him. “Every bolt, every washer, every rivet,” he said. “It all matters.” Boeing has been on a hiring spree, adding thousands of new workers to make up for the experienced employees who left in droves during the COVID pandemic. Now Boeing is changing the way it trains new recruits at the factory where it assembles the 737 Max, part of a broader effort to improve quality control after a door plug panel blew off a relatively new plane in midair. This week the company gave reporters a rare glimpse inside its 737 factory near Seattle — the same factory where a Boeing worker or workers failed to reinstall four key bolts that were supposed to hold that door plug in place. “I am extremely confident that the actions that we took have ensured that every airplane leaving this factory is safe,” said Elizabeth Lund, Boeing’s senior vice president for quality. “I feel very confident that it will not happen again.” Lund says Boeing has made a lot of changes since the door plug incident. The company has added new steps to make sure work is performed in the right sequence, and that it is documented correctly. And Lund says Boeing is rethinking how the company trains new hires. “It worked before when we didn’t have the high quantity of new people coming in,” she told reporters this week. But with so many new people coming on board, Lund says they weren’t getting as much on the job training from experienced employees. “Having that person who is there with them, helping them do their job. That relationship wasn't as strong as it had previously been,” she said. Boeing has responded by creating a formal mentoring program, Lund said. It’s added several additional weeks of foundational training, from a maximum of 12 weeks before to 14 now. And the company is revising its training materials to make them more hands-on. “We have definitely incorporated more repetition, a lot more hands-on repetition,” said Kayla Abusham, a trainer in the electrical department. “It's a lot more complex,” Abusham said, forcing the trainees to focus on the details of how they log the work as they go, “just like how they would do on the floor.” Why problems at a key Boeing supplier may help explain the company's 737 Max 9 mess At another station in the training center, Zach Jackson shows reporters the proper way to drill holes in sheet metal. Jackson started working at Boeing in 1978. He left during the 1990s. And then decided to come back a few years ago, to help train the next generation. “I love this place. That’s why I’m still here. I’m here to help,” Jackson said. “My son works here now. He never did want to work for Boeing, but I convinced him.” How did Jackson persuade him? “I showed him my paycheck,” he says with a laugh. Boeing is not the only company in the aviation industry that’s lost a lot of experience on the shop floor. So has Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier that builds the fuselage for the 737 in Wichita, Kan. Boeing is in talks to buy most of Spirit, reacquiring the factory it sold off almost 20 years ago. The two companies have already made some changes to cut down on the number of production errors before the fuselages arrive at Boeing’s factory. Ringgold points to a piece of tape marking one single rivet on the fuselage of a plane in production that’s sticking out too far from the skin. But overall, Ringgold says problems with new fuselages have dropped in recent months. “So while still not perfect, we've seen a significant reduction in the defects found here that were caused by our supplier,” Ringgold said. Federal regulators have limited Boeing’s production of the 737 to 38 jets per month, and Ringgold says the company is making even fewer than that. “My focus is not rate. My focus is stabilizing this factory with the safety and quality changes that are paramount,” she said. Eventually Boeing will have to speed up production if it’s going to satisfy the airlines that are eager for new planes, not to mention investors and analysts on Wall Street. But for now the company’s leaders say their focus is on getting every bolt and rivet right. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/27/nx-s1-5017576/boeing-training-new-hires-737-max Aspen Takeoff Overrun Followed Instantaneous Wind Call The NTSB final report was inconclusive about why the jet was unable to rotate Gusty tailwinds reportedly proved too strong to allow the pilots attempting to take off in a Hawker 800XP to lift the nose at rotation speed on Feb. 21, 2022, at Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said. No one was injured after the crew aborted the takeoff and the jet went off the runway and into the snow, although the Hawker was substantially damaged. According to the NTSB final report, the probable cause of the accident was “the flight crew’s decision to take off in tailwind conditions that were consistently above the airplane’s tailwind limitation, which resulted in a runway overrun following an aborted takeoff. Contributing was the flight crew’s use of the instantaneous wind report for the decision to attempt the takeoff.” Like many business jets, the Hawker’s tailwind takeoff limitation is 10 knots. When the Hawker was cleared to taxi to Runway 33, the wind was reported at 170 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 30 knots. After a delay due to arriving traffic, the tower controller cleared the Hawker for takeoff and, according to the NTSB, “reported the wind was from 160 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots, and the ‘instantaneous wind’ was from 180 degrees at 10 knots.” The tower controllers must use the two-minute average wind as the official wind report, based on the standalone weather sensor (SAWS) readings, according to the Aspen tower standard operating procedures (SOPs). Further, “If a pilot requests, the instantaneous wind may be issued after the SAWS two-minute average wind has been given.” The ATIS broadcast is also supposed to include a warning if the wind is above a 10-knot sustained tailwind or gusting above a 15-knot tailwind between headings of 100 to 200 degrees for Runway 33. However, according to the NTSB, there appears to be no actual definition of “instantaneous wind” and no guidance on whether pilots should use it to try to take off at a moment when the gusts appear to die down enough to avoid exceeding a tailwind limitation. The FAA previously told AIN that “instantaneous wind” gives the pilot a three-second snapshot of current wind conditions. “‘Instantaneous wind’ is a term used by ASE [Aspen control tower] that is not defined in any FAA publication of record,” the NTSB report noted. “After the accident, the ASE ATM [air traffic manager] was asked why ASE ATC chose to use the phrase ‘instantaneous wind’ when reporting the standalone weather, the manager stated he was not sure where that [term] had originated. He reported that a few operators routinely request the instantaneous wind reports because of their familiarity with ASE operations, but other operators and general aviation pilots may not be aware of instantaneous wind reports or the definition of the term. In addition, as specified in the ASE SOPs, the instantaneous wind report is only supposed to be provided when requested.” The Flight Safety Foundation offered some additional insight on this topic: “If an instantaneous wind reading is desired and is requested from ATC, the phraseology ‘instant wind’ should be used in the request. (ATC may provide instant-wind information without request under shifting/gusting wind conditions.)” When asked about the use of instantaneous wind, an FAA spokeswoman told AIN, “We provide the information so that pilots can make the best decisions for the aircraft.” In this particular case, it appears the pilots did not request the instantaneous or instant wind from the tower controller. According to the report, “The flight crew, using a weight of 23,916 pounds and flaps 15 degrees, calculated the airplane’s V1 and VR airspeeds to be 111 knots and 121 knots." The pilot-in-command and pilot flying from the left seat submitted this report to the NTSB: “We were cleared for takeoff and ATC reported constant winds of 180/10 knots. For takeoff, used all available runway and performed a static takeoff. FO made all callouts, airspeed alive, 80 knots, V1, and rotate. At rotation speed I pulled back on the yoke and there was no slightest indication of nose wheel coming off the ground or airplane becoming airborne. Moreover, the yoke did not have any air resistance or any pressure on it as we experience normally in Hawkers (the weight and pressure on the yoke felt the same as though…the airplane was stationary on ground). I did not [have] any elevator authority as I was pulling back on the yoke during the rotation. The airplane kept accelerating down the runway without any sign of lift off. I continued pulling the yoke for few seconds and when I was absolutely certain the airplane wasn’t responding to my inputs. I immediately decided and called for an abort before the airplane could gain further speed, which would [have] caused more serious issues. Performed the abort with power to idle, all available braking, [thrust reversers], and air brakes. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough runway available for stopping on the runway and the airplane went off the end of the runway into approximately 6 inches of snow. As the aircraft departed the runway, I did not [have] any directional control of the aircraft at that point. The airplane came to an abrupt stop approximately 150 to 200 yards from the end of the runway.” “At VR, the airplane’s pitch control authority should have been sufficient to raise the airplane’s nose and begin liftoff,” the NTSB report noted. “However, the flight crew reported that the airplane did not rotate. This could imply that when the pilot pulled back on the yoke, that the airplane’s airspeed was insufficient to induce rotation." “Therefore, for a reported VR of 121 knots, the airplane should have lifted off after reaching an airspeed of 110 knots. A 35-knot wind would not reduce the maximum achieved ground speed of 165 knots sufficiently to prevent the airplane from flying, and thus after achieving V1 (111 knots), the flight crew should have had sufficient air load to rotate the airplane." “This was not consistent with the flight crew account that the yoke did not have any air resistance when the yoke was pulled back, considering that the wreckage examination revealed no discrepancies with flight control continuity to the elevator system. Even if a tailwind increased to more than the maximum reported gusting of 25 knots after VR or if the flight crew call to rotate was made before VR was achieved, the airplane’s airspeed should have resulted in noticeable air resistance when the yoke was pulled back. These discrepancies could not be resolved with the available evidence.” According to the NTSB, "Following the accident, the operator informed its flight crews to no longer consider 'instantaneous wind' reports in their decision-making process." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-06-26/aspen-takeoff-overrun-followed-instantaneous-wind-call NTSB castigates Boeing for sharing non-public info to media on door plug probe The National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has castigated Boeing after discovering officials disclosed non-public information regarding the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plug door investigation to members of the media. According to a statement by the NTSB on June 27, 2024, Boeing “blatantly violated” investigative regulations and an agreement signed by the planemaker not to share information privy to the probe or speculate about causes of the 737-9 door plug blowout on January 5, 2024. The NTSB said that on June 25, 2024, Boeing held a media briefing at its facility in Renton to talk about quality improvements but during the event a company executive “provided investigative information” and gave an “analysis of factual information already previously released”. “Both of these actions are prohibited by the party agreement that Boeing signed when it was offered party status by the NTSB at the start of the investigation. As a party to many NTSB investigations over the past decades, few entities know the rules better than Boeing,” the NTSB wrote in a scathing statement. The NTSB added that during the media briefing Boeing portrayed the NTSB investigation as a “search to locate the individual responsible for the door plug work”. ‘Few entities know the rules better than Boeing’ The NTSB has been at pains to ensure employees at Boeing know that it is not a witch-hunt and that it is only focused on the “probable cause” of the accident without placing blame on any individual. After the NTSB learned of the violation, Boeing provided a transcript of the media briefing which revealed that the executive had shared information that the safety board had not “verified or authorized for release”. “Boeing offered opinions and analysis on factors it suggested were casual to the accident,” the NTSB said in its statement. Following the disclosure, the NTSB announced several restrictions and sanctions against Boeing. The NTSB said that Boeing will retain its party status but will “no longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident”. “The NTSB will also subpoena the company to appear at an investigative hearing into the case scheduled for Aug 6 and 7 in Washington, DC. Unlike the other parties in the hearing, Boeing will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants,” the NTSB said. The NTSB confirmed that it will advise the Department of Justice (DOJ) about the unauthorized disclosure. “Given that Boeing is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to its Deferred Prosecution Agreement stemming from Boeing’s interactions with the FAA prior to the Boeing 737 MAX fatalities, the NTSB will be coordinating with the DOJ Fraud Division to provide details about Boeing’s recent unauthorized investigative information releases in the 737 MAX 9 door plug investigation,” the safety board said. Boeing is waiting to hear what punishment it will face from the DOJ for violating its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement put in place following the 737 MAX fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/ntsb-boeing-sanction-door-plug-investigation Textron Aviation Preparing for 25-hour CVR Rules The Longitude, Latitude, Ascend, and CJ4 Gen 2 will be equipped with Kapture recorders Universal Avionics and Textron Aviation have signed a contract for the avionics manufacturer to supply 25-hour cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) for the Cessna Citation Longitude, Latitude, Ascend, and CJ4 Gen 2. The FAA has proposed rulemaking to increase the CVR recording time from the existing two hours to 25 hours, which the NTSB has long recommended. The contract calls for Universal Avionics to supply its Kapture cockpit voice recorder/flight data recorder (CVR/FDR), which in addition to recording flight crew communications for 25 hours can also capture more than 100 hours of flight data. The data is available for later analysis as part of flight data monitoring programs. Kapture CVR/FDRs are fitted with 90-day underwater locator beacons with non-lithium batteries. They can record more than 25 hours of non-audio content such as rotor speed and datalink messages, as well as 90 hours of Arinc 717 data and at least 25 hours of Arinc 429 data. “This contract showcases the trust aircraft owners and manufacturers place in Kapture to meet evolving regulatory requirements and enhance data collection,” said Universal Avionics CEO Dror Yahav. “The Kapture system's compliance with the latest mandates combined with its robust features and data analysis capabilities make it a compelling choice for discerning operators.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-06-25/textron-aviation-preparing-25-hour-cvr-rules Etihad begins huge recruitment drive to find its future pilot workforce The national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of the leading airlines in the world, Etihad Airways is embarking on a huge recruitment drive that should see hundreds of new pilots join the premium carrier over the coming years. With a current mixed fleet of narrow-bodied and wide-bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380, and plans to significantly grow its fleet over the next five-plus years, Etihad offers extensive opportunities for a flying career. There’s also the additional benefit of being based in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s premier global destinations for lifestyle, leisure and family-based activities. About Etihad Since its first flight in 2003, Etihad has forged a strong position both within the Middle East market and globally. Now serving over 70 destinations, the airline is currently engaged in significant planning for future expansion and fleet optimization. A key part of that plan is the launch of an extensive recruitment drive aiming to attract talented pilots to the company. This comes during an exciting period of growth, which will see both new aircraft types and new destinations being added to the airline’s operation. Etihad Etihad’s diverse fleet currently includes the Airbus A320, A321, A350, and the A380, the latter of which will be in service until at least 2032. Etihad also operates an extensive fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, plus 787-9s and 787-10s Dreamliners, with more aircraft joining the fleet soon. Etihad pilot recruitment To fill both present and future pilot vacancies, Etihad has embarked on the largest recruitment drive in its 21-year history. The carrier is seeking applications from qualified First Officers and Captains who are keen to progress their careers as part of a forward-thinking, ambitious and progressive international airline. As such, Etihad is keen to hear from anyone who meets the prescribed criteria for the following positions and the requirements for the right to live and work in Abu Dhabi. Captain positions – A320, A350, A380 First Officer positions – A320, A350, A380, 777/787 (rated), 777/787 (non-rated) For full details of these open positions, please click on this link. A major aspect of the recruitment campaign is that potential applicants will have the opportunity to find out more about the company, its culture, and ambitions, along with more specific details on the above opportunities, at a series of recruitment roadshows being hosted by Etihad in various cities over the coming weeks. At these events, attendees will get the chance to speak with members of the recruitment team regarding specific openings, as well as discussing the lifestyle aspects of being an Etihad pilot with those who know best – current flight crew and management pilots with the company. Etihad It should be noted that Etihad’s recruitment drive is not only seeking to find new pilots for the present time but rather for the next few years, as the process is planned to be ongoing. The invitation to the roadshows is extended to those who may not be ready to make the switch at present but might consider Etihad as part of their own professional development plan at some point in the future. As a key corporate value of Etihad, family inclusion is paramount. Therefore, spouses and partners of potential applicants are also actively encouraged to attend the roadshows to see first-hand what life in Abu Dhabi can offer families of Etihad employees. For a full list of upcoming roadshow dates, see below. Working for Etihad Flying for Etihad brings with it benefits that few other international airlines can match. Just as the company aspires to create meaningful experiences for its passengers, it is as equally committed to delivering a remarkably thoughtful employee experience through its culture, creativity and innovation, plus the opportunity to enjoy a varied flying career unlike that with other carriers. Etihad has rosters that allow for flexibility and ample downtime, a modern and diverse fleet that offers an equally diverse range of flying activities and offers the chance to transfer between fleets and operate different types. It also has clear and defined career progression plans that provide a pathway to personal development and fulfilment. Etihad Additionally, the range of non-flying benefits Etihad offers to pilots is industry leading. These include competitive tax-free salaries, concessionary air travel and numerous other travel industry discounts, health insurance, and gym membership. Plus, there’s the chance to build a life for yourself and your family in the eclectic and cosmopolitan city of Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s most vibrant modern metropolises. Combined, these benefits make flying for Etihad a highly attractive proposition for suitably qualified applicants. Becoming an Etihad pilot can be seen as less of a career choice are more of a lifestyle decision that pilots and their families can enjoy, embrace and thrive by being part of. Abu Dhabi – simply the place to be Ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, Abu Dhabi has something for everyone. It is a friendly and lively environment, with a pace that can be dictated by personal preference. Slowing down with lazy beach days or dining and socializing the evening away are both possible within the vibrant city and its desert surroundings. The city boasts one of the highest living standards globally, while the local culture is focused on family-friendly environments, thriving communities with excellent facilities, exceptionally low crime rates and a stable government. A huge range of high-quality accommodation is available across Abu Dhabi for those who join Etihad. There are plenty of flexible renting options, from serviced apartments to shared housing, apartments and villas. The districts of Al Reef, Al Muneera, Khalifa City A, Al Zeina, and Yas Island are all just a short drive away from Etihad’s headquarters and the newly opened state-of-the-art terminal at Zayed International Airport – Etihad’s home base. Etihad In terms of education, Abu Dhabi boasts a range of government and private schools, catering to all nationalities and ability levels. Additionally, the airline offers an allowance for schools within Abu Dhabi, so long as children have an Etihad-sponsored visa. For new employees and their families, Abu Dhabi offers the highest quality of medical professionals, as well as hospitals and health clinics, while Etihad provides unrivaled healthcare insurance coverage for pilots and their relatives. From the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race to its award-winning theme parks, Abu Dhabi is guaranteed to satisfy all those who seek adventure. Additionally, the needs of high-adrenaline seekers are catered to by Ferrari World and desert-based adventures, while those who seek something more sedate may appreciate the art collection at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Dates for roadshows Initially, the upcoming roadshows hosted by the Etihad pilot recruitment team will visit eight cities across Europe, with further cities to be added over the months ahead. Each roadshow listed below is split into two sessions, with the first session lasting from 09:30 to 11:30 and the second session from 12:00 to 14:00. All times are local for each event location. June 29, 2024 – Larnaca, Cyprus July 1, 2024 – Sofia, Bulgaria July 3, 2024 – Tirana, Albania July 5, 2024 – Bucharest, Romania July 7, 2024 – Cluj, Romania July 9, 2024 – Budapest, Hungary July 11, 2024 – Warsaw, Poland July 13, 2024 – Vilnius, Lithuania July 14, 2024 – Online pilot roadshow Individuals interested in attending any of the upcoming roadshows (with or without their spouses and partners) are requested to register in advance by clicking on this link. Etihad’s pilot recruitment team is looking forward to meeting as many potential applicants as possible at these roadshows. They’re hoping to ensure that the airline’s future fleet and global operation remain in the capable hands of talented, conscientious and ambitious pilots, seeking a varied, engaging and rewarding career and lifestyle. Etihad Should you decide that Etihad might be the airline to fulfil your personal career aspirations, you are warmly invited to attend one of the roadshows where the Etihad recruitment team will be waiting to meet you. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/etihad-pilot-recruitment-drive-2024 Japan’s Jet Fuel Crunch Hits Narita, One of Its Biggest Airports (Bloomberg) -- A jet fuel shortage in Japan that’s been impacting the nation’s domestic airports has now expanded to one of its largest aerodromes. Narita airport in Tokyo said the fuel crunch was affecting operations of six Asian carriers and the plans of some 57 flights a week currently. It didn’t name the six airlines. “We need to increase fuel suppliers and have requested the government and distributors to directly receive fuel from overseas as well,” Akihiko Tamura, the chief executive officer of Narita International Airport Corp., said. Narita airport has “requested domestic distributors ensure a stable supply” but at present they “haven’t been able to increase volumes sufficiently,” Tamura added. A boom in international travel is boosting global jet fuel consumption with flights from Asia forecast to climb by 23% in 2024 from last year, according to BloombergNEF. Due to a weak yen, Japan is witnessing a sharp uptick in inbound travel and the government is aiming to attract around 60 million international tourists annually by 2030. The country’s biggest oil refiner Eneos Holdings Inc. has been fielding calls from carriers and is working with the government to ease the problem, Bloomberg reported eariler this month. Factors such as labor shortages at airports and logistical bottlenecks all contribute to the fuel not reaching destinations, Eneos said. Some 3.3 million people traveled through Narita airport in May, up 27% from the same period last year, the airport said Thursday. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-jet-fuel-crunch-hits-084310027.html CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 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 • Safeskies Australia Conference, Canberra Australia - 16th and 17th of October 2024 - www.safeskiesaustralia.org • 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