Flight Safety Information - July 8, 2024 No. 134 In This Issue : Incident: PAL B773 at Manila on Jul 5th 2024, rejected takeoff due to engine failure : Incident: TAP A20N near Bilbao on Jul 7th 2024, loss of cabin pressure : Incident: ANZ B789 over Coral Sea on Jul 4th 2024, engine anti-ice failure : Incident: France B789 over Atlantic on Jul 3rd 2024, burning odour on board : United Airlines plane returns to Japan airport for emergency landing : Boeing to plead guilty to fraud over 737 Max crashes : Spirit Airlines Pilots Union Questions 200 Furloughs Amid Executive Suite Raises : Mesa Airlines CEO Expects Pilots On Furlough Will Be Called Back “By The End Of The Year” : Dark History: How Did Air Canada Flight 797 Change Aviation Safety Practices? : SWISS Expects To Ground 6 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft This Summer Amid Pratt & Whitney Engine Woes : Airbus delivers 700th China-assembled A320 family aircraft : Here's How Dangerous Frost Really Is to a Plane, According to a Former Pilot : US airlines cancel over 1,300 flights due to Hurricane Beryl : American Airlines announces order for 100 H2-electric engines from ZeroAvia : Mass brawl breaks out 30,000 feet in the sky on Ryanair, prompting emergency landing: ‘flight from hell’ : Calendar of Events Incident: PAL B773 at Manila on Jul 5th 2024, rejected takeoff due to engine failure A PAL Philippine Airlines Boeing 777-300, registration RP-C7777 performing flight PR-102 from Manila (Philippines) to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 361 people on board, was accelerating for takeoff from Manila's runway 24 when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 160 knots over ground) due to the failure of the left hand engine (GE90). The aircraft slowed safely, vacated the runway and became disabled on the parallel taxiway due to a good number of main tyres deflating. The passengers disembarked onto the taxiway and were bussed to the terminal. The rotation was cancelled. The passengers were rebooked onto special flight PR-5102 departing Manila the following day (B772 registration RP-C7772) and reaching Los Angeles with a delay of about 17 hours. The aircraft is still on the ground in Manila about 67 hours (2 days 19 hours) after the rejected takeoff. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ade4e2&opt=0 Incident: TAP A20N near Bilbao on Jul 7th 2024, loss of cabin pressure A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A320-200N, registration CS-TVB performing flight TP-752 from Lisbon (Portugal) to Copenhagen (Denmark), was enroute at FL340 about 70nm west of Bilbao,SP (Spain) when the crew initiated an emergency descent (average rate of descent about 4800 fpm) due to the loss of cabin pressure, the passenger oxygen masks were released. The aircraft levelled off at FL100 and returned to Lisbon for a safe landing about 2:20 hours after departure. The aircraft had suffered a similiar incident on Jun 30th 2024, see Incident: TAP A20N near Porto on Jun 30th 2024, loss of cabin pressure. The airline reported the aircraft returned due to technical issues. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ad6e8e&opt=0 Incident: ANZ B789 over Coral Sea on Jul 4th 2024, engine anti-ice failure An ANZ Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9, registration ZK-NZI performing flight NZ-81 from Auckland (New Zealand) to Hong Kong (China), was enroute at FL340 over the Coral Sea about 970nm northwest of Auckland when the crew decided to return to Auckland due to a failed engine (Trent 1000) anti-ice system. The aircraft landed safely back in Auckland about 6 hours after departure. The rotation was cancelled. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 18.5 hours after landing back. The airline reported a fault code pointing to an issue with an engine appeared. https://avherald.com/h?article=51aca2f9&opt=0 Incident: France B789 over Atlantic on Jul 3rd 2024, burning odour on board An Air France Boeing 787-9, registration F-HRBF performing flight AF-471 (dep Jul 2nd) from Buenos Aires Ezeiza,BA (Argentina) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) with 235 people on board, was enroute at FL390 over the Atlantic Ocean when the crew reported a burning odour on board and diverted the aircraft to Tenerife South,CI (Spain) for a safe landing on runway 07 about 75 minutes later. The aircraft is still on the ground in Tenerife about 30 hours after landing. The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Tenerife due to the possible presence of smoke on board of the aircraft as result of a possible technical issue. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ab79cd&opt=0 United Airlines plane returns to Japan airport for emergency landing A United Airlines plane bound for Guam on Sunday returned to Chubu airport in Aichi Prefecture for an emergency landing after detecting a system malfunction during the flight, the transport ministry said. Flight 136, a Boeing 737 aircraft, made the return landing at around 11:35 a.m. There were no injuries among the 44 passengers and six crew members on board, according to the ministry. The flight was canceled, and the runway at Chubu airport was temporarily closed, the ministry said, adding that no damage to the aircraft had been confirmed. Japanese regional airline Airdo Co., meanwhile, said later in the day that its flight 73, a Boeing 737 aircraft bound for Kushiro in Hokkaido from Tokyo's Haneda airport, experienced hydraulic system trouble at about 5:45 p.m. Airdo said the plane was redirected to Memanbetsu airport in Hokkaido due to poor visibility caused by fog at Kushiro airport, adding that none of the 148 passengers and crew members was injured. After the plane landed at Memanbetsu airport around 6:15 p.m., the runway was closed, and total of eight flights scheduled for departure or arrival were canceled or diverted. Airdo said it is investigating the cause of the trouble. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/07/78242e4469da-united-airlines-plane-returns-to-japan-airport-for-emergency-landing.html Boeing to plead guilty to fraud over 737 Max crashes Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge in connection with two fatal 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, per a Department of Justice court filing late Sunday. The big picture: As part of the agreement to plead guilty in the U.S. District Court in Texas, Boeing would pay $487.2 million in penalties and at least $455 million over three years on bolstering its compliance and safety programs. Paul Cassell, an attorney for families in the case that stems from a 2018 crash in Indonesia and another the following year in Ethiopia that killed 346 people in total, responded soon after by filing an objection, the Washington Post notes. The families "intend to argue that the plea deal with Boeing unfairly makes concessions to Boeing that other criminal defendants would never receive and fails to hold Boeing accountable" for those who died in the crashes, per the New York Times. What they're saying: "This sweetheart deal fails to recognize that because of Boeing's conspiracy, 346 people died," Cassell said, according to the NYT. "Through crafty lawyering between Boeing and D.O.J., the deadly consequences of Boeing's crime are being hidden." Representatives for the DOJ did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. The other side: "We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle on terms of a resolution with the Justice Department, subject to the memorialization and approval of specific terms," per a Boeing statement early Monday. Context: Following the Ethiopian Airlines crash in 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded Boeing's 737 MAX series aircraft for some 20 months. Boeing paid more than $2.5 billion in 2021 to settle criminal charges related to a conspiracy to defraud the FAA in connection with its investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. However, the DOJ alleged in May this year that Boeing had breached the terms of the 2021 agreement that allowed the aircraft maker to avoid criminal prosecution. Zoom out: Boeing has faced further federal investigations this year after a mid-air blowout with one of its 737 MAX 9 jets during an Alaska Airlines flight in January reignited safety concerns. https://www.axios.com/2024/07/08/boeing-guilty-plea-737-max-crashes Spirit Airlines Pilots Union Questions 200 Furloughs Amid Executive Suite Raises SUMMARY • Spirit Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) announced that its pilots received furlough notices. • At the same time, the airline's executives received annual pay raises, which was disclosed in an SEC filing on July 1. • The airline has made moves to improve its liqudity, including deferring Airbus A320neo family aircraft deliveries. • Spirit Airlines pilots, represented by the Spirit Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), have questioned the airline’s move to issue furlough notices to 200 pilots while at the same time, the low-cost carrier raised the compensation of four chief executives, including its chief executive officer (CEO). Furloughing 200 pilots According to the Spirit Airlines MEC, while Spirit Airlines executives received raises, 200 pilots were given furlough notices, which was a plan that the airline had initially announced in April. Then, the airline said that it was reducing its network-wide capacity due to the groundings of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft fleet because of the Pratt & Whitney engine accelerated inspections and removals, as well as because it had deferred new aircraft deliveries from Airbus. At the time, Spirit Airlines detailed that it had planned to furlough around 260 pilots effective September 1. The delivery deferrals and the compensation given to Spirit Airlines by Pratt & Whitney due to the groundings of its A320neo family aircraft fleet could improve the company’s liquidity by as much as $540 million. Spirit Airlines continues shoring up its liquidity, with the agreement signed shortly after its deal with Pratt & Whitney. Compensation for grounded A320/A321neo aircraft The sum was split between the aircraft delivery deferrals, which should save Spirit Airlines up to $340 million in the next two years, with the agreement with Pratt & Whitney adding an additional $150 million to $200 million in 2024. Potentially, the compensation from the engine maker could grow further if Spirit Airlines’ aircraft continue to be grounded due to the accelerated inspections and removals of the PW1100G engine in 2025. According to ch-aviation data, Spirit Airlines has 104 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, namely 91 A320neo and 13 A321neos. Out of the 91 A320neos, 18 are currently grounded, while all 13 A321neo aircraft are currently marked as active by the airline intelligence and data site. Meanwhile, data from the aviation analytics company Cirium showed that in July, the airline has scheduled 6,162 weekly flights, amounting to 1.1 million weekly seats and 1.8 billion available seat kilometers (ASK). During the same month in 2023, Spirit Airlines had scheduled 5,574 weekly flights, resulting in 1 million weekly seats and 1.7 billion weekly ASKs. However, while flights with the A321neo have increased massively – due to the airline only having 24 weekly departures with the A321neo in July 2023 – weekly flights with the A320neo are scheduled to only grow by 3.9%, compared to 14.6% and 13.3% growth with the A320ceo and A321ceo, respectively. Executive compensation On July 1, Spirit Airlines filed a document with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which announced the appointment of Frederick Cromer as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) effective July 8. Cromer has replaced Scott Haralson, who left the company on June 14. The same filing detailed that four executives, including Ted Christie, the president and CEO, John Bendoraitis, the executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO), Matthew Klein, the executive vice president and chief commercial officer (CCO), and Rocky Wiggins, the senior vice president and chief information officer (CIO) had received salary increases effective July 1. Christie, Bendoraitis, Klein, and Wiggins will now earn a base annual salary of $950,000, $650,000, $525,000, and $500,000, respectively, with the three latter executives also receiving long-term initiative (LTI) or short-term initiative (STI) bonuses. Cromer’s annual salary was announced to be $610,00. In comparison, Christie, Bendoraitis, Klein, Wiggins, and Haralson, who Cromer will now succeed, earned an annual salary of $750,000, $440,000, $400,000, $375,000, and $400,000, respectively, in 2023, according to the airline’s 2024 proxy statement released on April 25. https://simpleflying.com/spirit-airlines-pilots-union-questions-200-furloughs-amid-executive-suite-raises/ Mesa Airlines CEO Expects Pilots On Furlough Will Be Called Back “By The End Of The Year” SUMMARY • Mesa Airlines will furlough 12 pilots and defer the training for 41 pilots to save on operating costs. • The pilot shortage and attrition rate have been significant challenges for the carrier. • The airline's CEO expects the furloughs will improve its Embraer E175 block hours with United Airlines. • Mesa Airlines will soon furlough several pilots as it works to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in operating costs. The move comes after the Phoenix-based airline has dealt with attrition for the last two years due to an industry-wide pilot shortage, and has embraced other changes. Last year, after the discontinuation of its contract with American Airlines, Mesa consolidated its passenger operations to its sole contract with United Airlines. As a result, the carrier parked some of its Embraer E175s, allowing pilots to continue operating Bombardier CRJ900s, which are being phased out of its fleet. 12 pilots, 41 trainees Mesa officially announced the pilot furlough on Tuesday, although Simple Flying reported the measure last week. Beginning July 12th, 12 pilots will be furloughed, while 41 pilot trainees will have their upcoming training deferred, according to the airline. The furlough is the “result of significantly reduced attrition” among the carrier’s pilot workforce. Mesa’s excess of pilots dramatically differs from just three years ago when air travel demand bounced back as pandemic restrictions eased. The airline struggled to hire and retain pilots because major carriers were also hiring for mainline operations. In a statement, Jonathan Ornstein, Mesa’s CEO, said that the airline has been experiencing attrition for several months, prompting it to develop its own pilot development program. “Over the last two years, attrition at Mesa often exceeded 25 pilots per month due to the pilot shortage created by the FAA’s implementation of the ‘1,500-hour rule.’ As a result, we undertook significant efforts to increase our pilot hiring, including our Mesa Pilot Development (MPD) program." It's almost been 365 days since the regional jets were pulled from operating American Eagle-branded flights. The “1,500-hour rule” Ornstein is referring to is a federal law requiring new commercial pilots to have 1,500 flight hours before being eligible for commercial flying. According to the Phoenix Business Journal, the CEO argued at a US Senate hearing that the ruling was not scientifically based and only prevented people from becoming pilots. “Attrition has fallen more precipitously than expected at Mesa in the past few months, in part due to the slowdown or cessation of hiring across most airlines,” Ornstein stated. Improving the hiring pipeline However, the executive pointed out that pilot hiring across the industry is expected to improve since candidates who have been denied have had time to obtain the hours prerequisite. “We believe the industry-wide pipeline will continue to improve as pilots previously denied the opportunity to fly commercially due to the lack of 1,500 hours finally achieve requisite flight time,” he stated. Mesa currently operates the E175 and CRJ900 under the United Express brand. In 2023, the airline was forced to transfer its CRJ900s to United after formerly operating exclusively under the American Eagle brand out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Now, the jets are based out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. According to ch-aviation, Mesa has 13 CRJ900s in operation, while its E175 fleet is much larger, with 46 active examples. The carrier expects the furloughs will result in operating savings of approximately $750,000, while Ornstein said it will enable the airline to increase its E175 block hours with United. Get all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying Calling back pilots The affected pilots are expected to be called back from furlough later this year, but the pilot trainees may have to wait longer, as their training will be based on attrition anticipation. “...We deeply regret these actions [...]. Based on our current outlook, we anticipate starting to recall pilots by the end of the year. Additionally, once our pilot pipeline has recalibrated, we will resume hiring pilot trainees based on anticipated attrition levels.” https://simpleflying.com/mesa-airlines-ceo-pilot-furlough-end-of-year/ Dark History: How Did Air Canada Flight 797 Change Aviation Safety Practices? SUMMARY • Smoke detected in the lavatory led to delayed response and underestimated fire severity. • Emergency landings were hampered by smoke and heat; 23 passengers perished. • Changes in aviation safety included smoke detectors, fire-resistant materials, crew training, and emergency system improvements. On June 2, 1983, Air Canada Flight 797, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, was en route from Dallas to Toronto with a scheduled stop in Montreal. This routine flight became a tragic incident that profoundly impacted worldwide aviation safety protocols. The flight began uneventfully, with 41 passengers and five crew members onboard. However, as the aircraft cruised at 33,000 feet, passengers and crew detected an unusual odor originating from the rear lavatory, which quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation. At approximately 18:51 EDT, a passenger alerted a flight attendant to the smell of smoke from the lavatory. The flight attendant, equipped with a portable CO₂ fire extinguisher, opened the lavatory door to find light gray smoke but no visible flames. After an unsuccessful attempt to extinguish the source, the door was closed, and the flight attendants informed the captain, who was initially told the fire was under control. However, the fire's severity was underestimated, leading to delayed decisive action. • A timeline of events • Smoke was detected in the rear lavatory. • An emergency descent was initiated by the captain. • The evacuation was hampered; 23 passengers perished • The fire spread due to inadequate detection. • Safety regulations were updated post-incident. According to the FAA investigation, the situation rapidly deteriorated as smoke began to fill the cabin, making breathing and visibility increasingly tricky. By 19:08, Captain Donald Cameron declared an emergency, initiating an emergency descent toward Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The descent was challenging due to the smoke in the cockpit and the loss of several vital instruments, which impaired the crew's ability to navigate and communicate effectively. The cockpit and cabin quickly became overwhelmed with dense smoke, further complicating the emergency procedures. Despite these difficulties, the crew managed to land the aircraft at 19:20. However, the rapid spread of the fire and smoke hindered the evacuation process. The front doors were opened, and inflatable slides were deployed, but the influx of fresh air caused the fire to intensify. Tragically, 23 passengers were unable to escape and succumbed to smoke inhalation and burns as the aircraft was engulfed in flames within 90 seconds of landing. The intense heat and toxic smoke made survival nearly impossible for those trapped inside. The aftermath of Flight 797 The immediate aftermath of the accident was harrowing. The survivors included 18 passengers and all five crew members, who managed to escape before the fire consumed the aircraft. The fire's intensity was such that it left the fuselage charred, and identifying some of the victims required dental records and other means due to the extent of the burns. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed several critical safety deficiencies. The primary cause of the accident was traced to an in-flight fire originating in the rear lavatory, but the exact ignition source remained undetermined. The investigation highlighted a severe lack of effective smoke detection and fire suppression systems onboard, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire. Changes in aviation safety The tragedy of Air Canada Flight 797 led to significant regulatory changes in aviation safety. One of the immediate outcomes was the mandatory installation of smoke detectors in all commercial aircraft lavatories. This measure aimed to ensure early detection of any fire, allowing the crew to respond more effectively before it could spread. Moreover, the accident underscored the importance of fire-resistant materials in aircraft interiors. Regulations were updated to mandate using materials that could withstand higher temperatures and delay the spread of fire. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other aviation authorities worldwide also implemented stricter guidelines for certifying such materials. Another critical change was enhancing crew training programs, mainly focusing on fire-fighting techniques and emergency evacuation procedures. The crew of Flight 797 had followed the guidelines available at the time, but the severity of the situation highlighted gaps in training and preparedness. Updated training protocols now emphasize more realistic scenarios and comprehensive drills to prepare crews for various emergencies. The incident also brought attention to the design of aircraft emergency systems. The evacuation on Flight 797 was hampered by the rapid influx of smoke and the intense heat, which delayed the passengers' ability to reach the exits. New standards were introduced to improve the accessibility and usability of emergency exits, ensuring they could be opened quickly, even under adverse conditions. The FAA also required floor lighting and improved exit signage to guide passengers during an evacuation. Furthermore, communication systems received a critical update. The failure of the public address system on Flight 797 hampered the crew's ability to communicate effectively with the passengers during the crisis. Modern aircraft are now equipped with more robust and redundant communication systems to ensure continuous operation during emergencies. Other incidents involving the DC-9 Date April 4, 1977 Southern Airways Flight 242 New Hope, Georgia, USA Encountered severe thunderstorm, dual engine failure due to hail ingestion, emergency landing attempt on highway, 72 fatalities. June 2, 1983 Air Canada Flight 797 Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, USA Fire in rear lavatory, emergency descent and landing, aircraft engulfed in flames post-landing, 23 fatalities out of 46 occupants. August 2, 1985 Delta Air Lines Flight 191 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA Encountered microburst during approach, crashed short of runway, 137 fatalities out of 163 occupants. August 16, 1987 Northwest Airlines Flight 255 Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Michigan, USA Crashed shortly after takeoff due to improper flap and slat settings, 154 fatalities out of 155 onboard and 2 on the ground. May 11, 1996 ValuJet Flight 592 Everglades, Florida, USA Fire in cargo hold due to improperly stored hazardous materials, loss of control, crashed into Everglades, all 110 on board people killed. The legacy The legacy of Air Canada Flight 797 is a testament to the aviation industry's commitment to learning from past tragedies to enhance passenger safety. The changes prompted by this incident have undoubtedly saved countless lives by ensuring that aircraft are better equipped to detect and combat fires and that crews are better prepared to handle such emergencies. While the 23 lives lost on that fateful day cannot be undone, their memory has inspired a safer and more resilient aviation industry. The advancements in fire detection, material safety, crew training, and emergency protocols stand as a lasting tribute to the lives lost and a reminder of the ongoing importance of vigilance and improvement in aviation safety. https://simpleflying.com/air-canada-flight-797-safety-legacy/ SWISS Expects To Ground 6 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft This Summer Amid Pratt & Whitney Engine Woes SUMMARY • SWISS grounds six Airbus A320neo planes due to engine issues. • Problematic Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines have defective components, affecting A320neo and A321neo aircraft. • Groundings may increase to 14 in 2024 and continue into 2026, with A220-100s and A220-300s unaffected. SWISS International Air Lines, better known as SWISS, expects to ground six of its Airbus A320neo aircraft during the busy summer season due to the ongoing fault with certain batches of the Pratt & Whiney PW1000G next-generation engine. Not operating at full capacity The summer holiday season is one of the busiest travel periods for airlines. As a result, they want to be at full operational capacity to maximize profits. However, this will not be possible for SWISS. The airline operates an almost exclusively all-Airbus fleet, save for a few Boeing 777-300ERs. It also invested in the next-generation A320neo and A321neo aircraft, where the problem originates. According to ch-aviation, the airline currently has four A320neos and two A321neos inactive. This is because the planes are equipped with a problematic batch of PW1000G engines. The engines from this batch have defective metallic components resulting from contamination in the powered metal used to manufacture these parts, which results in early cracking and reduced lifespans. Pratt & Whitney recalled 1,200 of the 3,000 engines it manufactured in June 2023. SWISS’ Head of Operations, Oliver Buchofer, told ch-aviation that the number of grounded aircraft could increase to 14 in 2024. The airline said in a statement, “We are currently examining whether we will have to temporarily withdraw a small number of aircraft from service again in autumn.” It is also expecting the groundings to continue into 2026 and is planning around the issue to minimize the disruption to operations. Simple Flying has reached out for a comment from the airline. The good news is that the airline doesn’t expect the A220-100s and A220-300s in service to be affected. These aircraft are powered by PW1500G engines, which have issues with excessive corrosion on the high-pressure compressor front hubs—the accelerated corrosion results in a shorter lifespan and higher maintenance. Pratt & Whitney power While many of the issues caused by the PW1000G reliability issues have been caught on the ground, a few have resulted in flight failures. With four incidents involving the PW1500G-powered A220s, SWISS especially seemed unlucky. These are the details of those incidents: October 13th, 2018 - A SWISS A220-100 had to shut down an engine inflight due to the failure of a faulty O-ring seal in the engine’s fuel oil cooler. July 29th, 2019 - The low-pressure compressor (LPC) of a SWISS A220 disintegrated during a climb to cruise altitude, which resulted in an engine failure and a subsequent diversion to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). September 16th, 2019 - Another low-pressure compressor broke up in flight during a climb to cruising altitude. According to the incident, the rotor in the LPC separated and made a hole in the compressor casing. The crew diverted to Geneva. The incident prompted the FAA to issue an airworthiness directive that required borescope inspections on the PW1500G. October 15th, 2019 - The same issue arose during another flight, with the LPC separating from the hub and blowing a hole in the casing. The stage one rotor was missing in this incident. This incident prompted SWISS to ground its entire A220 fleet until inspections could be conducted. https://simpleflying.com/swiss-grounds-six-airbus-a320neo-family-aircraft-pratt-whitney-woes/ Airbus delivers 700th China-assembled A320 family aircraft TIANJIN, July 8 (Xinhua) -- European aircraft manufacturer Airbus on Monday delivered its 700th A320 family aircraft assembled at its A320 Family Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in north China's Tianjin Municipality. "This figure highlights the long-standing and in-depth cooperation between Airbus and the Chinese aviation industry," said George Xu, Airbus executive vice president and Airbus China CEO. "Airbus remains dedicated to strengthening strategic collaboration with China and fulfilling our long-term commitment to this thriving market," Xu added. The aircraft, an A320neo, featuring 180 comfortable economy class seats, was handed over to Chengdu Airlines. Chengdu Airlines has 50 Airbus aircraft now, according to its CEO, Wang Shushi. Inaugurated in 2008, the FALA in Tianjin is the first Airbus production line established outside Europe. The FALA has been operating for over 15 years and has become a model of successful China-Europe cooperation. The Airbus Tianjin expansion project, which broke ground in September 2023, is expected to contribute to the company's overall A320 family ramp-up plan, supported by its global production network of 10 final assembly lines. The production network will include two final assembly lines in Tianjin (one under construction), two in Toulouse, France, two in Mobile, the United States (one under construction) and four in Hamburg, Germany. ■ https://english.news.cn/20240708/5a8544181dfa4eeab100da58e40dcfa5/c.html Here's How Dangerous Frost Really Is to a Plane, According to a Former Pilot Spoiler: Don't be too worried. The pros are on it. For some, flying can be a stress-inducing experience. After all, approximately 40 percent of the general population reports having some sort of fear of flying. Much of that apprehension comes down to not understanding how airplanes operate, especially in less-than-desirable weather conditions, including rain, wind, and, worst of all, cold temperatures that can add a layer of frost to an aircraft. But just how hazardous is frost to a flight? "Frost, snow, and ice adhering to an aircraft, especially the wings and tail surfaces, carry significant risk," David Cohen, the dean of the College of Aeronautics at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and also a retired Air Force colonel and command pilot, shared with Travel + Leisure. As he noted, the reason is twofold. "First, the shape of the wings and tail surfaces, while seemingly simple, is a result of complex calculations that aircraft manufacturers spend years developing. The wing length, curve, distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and the angle at which the wing is attached to the aircraft are designed for maximum efficiency for lift, reduced drag, and optimum fuel economy. The wing achieves this by having the air that passes over the top and bottom create different pressures and forces, which create lift." As Cohen explained, any changes to that very specific shape and size of the surface can reduce lift and increase drag, making it difficult to take off and fly. Why Planes Are Among the Safest Modes of Transportation, According to Aviation Experts "This is most notable by 'contaminants' on the wing such as frost, snow, or ice. In fact, NASA studies have shown that frost as small as 80-grit sandpaper can reduce lift by 30 percent. This is because the air is no longer moving in the engineered manner over the wing, and therefore doesn’t create the lift for which the wing was designed." Cohen also added that the water in frost, snow, and ice carries some weight. "If only an inch of frost or snow was present on the wing of a Boeing 787 airliner, that would increase the weight by about 5,000 pounds," he said. "While most airliners are rarely operated at their maximum capabilities, carrying an additional 5,000 pounds of frost or snow can hinder flight. The aircraft’s performance under these conditions may not meet the expectations of engineers and flight crews." So, once you combine that reduced lift and extra weight, "it’s clear why the FAA prohibits takeoffs with these contaminants on any aircraft unless approved deicing/anti-icing procedures are accomplished prior to takeoff." The good news is, pilots have plenty of ways to combat these issues. Cohen noted that before takeoff, pilots physically inspect the aircraft, walking around the plane to visually examine it, looking at its general integrity, and during inclement weather, checking for ice and snow, and walking the cabin to inspect the wing surface through the window. "Based on these observations, along with air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and the weather forecast over the next couple of hours, conditions may dictate that the aircraft go through a deicing/anti-icing process prior to takeoff," said Cohen. "The decision is also influenced by pilot judgment, airline policy, and FAA requirements." That deicing process is likely familiar to frequent fliers who've sat on the tarmac as the heated glycol-based solution is sprayed over the aircraft surface, giving the air a distinct scent. "The heat helps melt whatever contamination may already be on the aircraft, and the glycol inhibits the moisture from freezing," said Cohen. "Passengers may see this process through the cabin windows as a viscous orange liquid coating the aircraft and windows." But this needs to be done quickly, as Cohen noted, as the heated glycol may only be useful on the aircraft for 30 minutes. If the aircraft has not departed within that time frame, it may have to go back and be sprayed again. "It is not unheard of for an aircraft to be sprayed multiple times prior to departure as the pilots, ground crews, and air traffic controllers work the intricate ballet of treating aircraft and then getting them airborne in the face of reduced visibility, low clouds, and freezing precipitation," he added. 8 Worst Flying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, According to Flight Attendants All this said, should passengers be worried about frost? "There is a tongue-in-cheek saying about air travel: 'Time to spare? Go by air!' In 2023, U.S. airlines scheduled more than 600,000 flights. Less than 1.5 percent were canceled, and more than 78 percent of the flights that flew arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. "That’s pretty remarkable when you think about the volume of equipment, people, technology, and uncontrollable weather involved," said Cohen. "This isn’t to say there isn’t room for improvement, but my point is that passengers should worry less about frost or winter conditions. Instead, they should prepare to exercise patience and understanding, knowing the airline, aircrew, and everyone supporting their journey would never put them in harm's way. Missing a family event due to a canceled or delayed flight may certainly cause frustration and anxiety for a passenger, but they should be comforted by the fact that their safety will never be compromised for a schedule or the bottom line by the professionals entrusted to get them to their destination." https://www.travelandleisure.com/is-frost-dangerous-to-a-plane-8672555 US airlines cancel over 1,300 flights due to Hurricane Beryl (Reuters) – Airlines in the United States canceled more than 1,300 flights on Monday as Hurricane Beryl intensified and made landfall in Texas. A total of 1,331 flights were canceled and 505 flights were delayed as of 6.06 a.m. ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. United Airlines led the list with 406 flights, followed by Southwest Airlines at 268. Both United and Southwest issued travel advisories citing Hurricane Beryl impacting flights in airports including Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen and Houston among others in the region. Beryl, which left a trail of destruction this week in the Caribbean, killing at least 11 people, was now a category 1 hurricane and may strengthen into a category 2 by landfall on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The largest ports in Texas also closed operations and vessel traffic on Sunday after Beryl intensified. The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned of thunderstorms impacting travel across the country. https://wmbdradio.com/2024/07/08/us-airlines-cancel-over-1300-flights-due-to-hurricane-beryl-2/ American Airlines announces order for 100 H2-electric engines from ZeroAvia American Airlines announced it will purchase 100 hydrogen-electric engines to power its regional jet fleet while ensuring zero inflight emissions. The conditional order, placed last week with ZeroAvia, a company developing hydrogen-electric (fuel cell-powered) engines for commercial aircraft, follows the Memorandum of Understanding that both companies signed in 2022. ZeroAvia is flight-testing a prototype for a 20-seat aeroplane while also designing an engine that can power larger aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ700, which American Airlines operates on some of its regional routes. American Airlines also announced it would increase its investment in ZeroAvia. The airline, which first made its investment in 2022, has also participated in the company's Series C financing round. In its release, American noted that the investment and conditional commitment "contribute to American's aggressive goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050". Robert Isom, CEO, American Airlines, noted: "Advancing the transition of commercial aviation to a low-carbon future requires investments in promising technologies, including alternate forms of propulsion," adding, "This announcement will help accelerate the development of technologies needed to power our industry." Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO, ZeroAvia said on the deal: "The solutions that can serve the largest airlines are within reach, and the clean future of flight is coming." The aviation sector, which accounts for 2-3 percent of the world's carbon emissions, is under pressure to seek out sustainable alternatives to jet fuel, known as ATF. Around the world, airlines are evaluating small capacity e-aircraft and switching to Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF. American Airlines, among the world's largest, has made multiple investments in sustainability. It has finalized an offtake agreement with Infinium, a company that produces next-generation low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel, and become the first customer of Graphyte, a company offering an innovative and permanent carbon removal process. Hydrogen for sustainable aviation: Where are we now? - Hydrogen is emerging as a game-changing contender for innovation towards meaningful reduction in aircraft emissions. Real-life validation of its potentialities over the next few years will decide the fate of hydrogen in the upcoming era of sustainable aviation. https://etn.news/buzz/hydrogen-aviation-technology-analysis-sustainable-fuel Mass brawl breaks out 30,000 feet in the sky on Ryanair, prompting emergency landing: ‘flight from hell’ A “mass brawl” between passengers onboard a Ryanair “flight from hell” caused the pilot to make an emergency landing after taking off in a seemingly never-ending chaotic scene ignited by a man asking to switch his seat. The London Stansted Airport-bound flight departed from Agadir, Morocco, on Wednesday when the chaos erupted at 30,000 feet in the air, the Sun reported. Startling video obtained by the outlet shows passengers screaming at each other from across the plane as panic-stricken airline staff try their best to calm the unhinged travelers. The chaos unfolded on Ryanair about half an hour after takeoff when the plane was 30,000 feet in the sky. Tensions began festering before takeoff when a man in his late 20s reportedly asked a woman sitting with her daughter if he could take her seat to be with his wife and kids. The woman allegedly refused to make the switch, which prompted the unhinged man to start threatening her, the Sun reported. Unaware of the tensions simmering in the cabin, Ryanair pilots took off as scheduled. Once the plane reached its cruising altitude and the seat belt sign was turned off, the husband of the female passenger asked to move — a man in his 30s — reportedly came to his wife’s defense, triggering the mayhem. “They were trying to punch each other,” an anonymous 36-year-old passenger told the outlet. “One of the families was part of a larger group, so other passengers started to join in. Then a lady in the row behind started to have a panic attack because of everything going on. She was screaming and there were kids crying. It was like a snowball effect.” Tensions began festering before takeoff when a man in his late 20s reportedly asked a woman sitting with her daughter if he could take her seat to be with his wife and kids. Tensions began festering before takeoff when a man in his late 20s reportedly asked a woman sitting with her daughter if he could take her seat to be with his wife and kids. The flight was only in the air for “36 minutes” when the plane was forced to make the “unexpected landing,” said the unnamed passenger, described only as a finance worker from Hertfordshire, UK. “It was so stressful. It was like the flight from hell. And it all escalated from that one passenger wanting to change seats,” he said. Things became so chaotic that a male passenger allegedly fell ill during the madness, and the cabin crew had to administer him oxygen before landing, according to the Sun. The Ryanair flight landed in Marrakech, Morocco, where police boarded the aircraft, detained nine passengers involved in the fight and removed them. The flight was only in the air for “36 minutes” when the plane was forced to make the “unexpected landing,” the unnamed passenger, described only as a finance worker from Hertfordshire, UK, shared. The flight was only in the air for “36 minutes” when the plane was forced to make the “unexpected landing,” said the unnamed passenger, described only as a finance worker from Hertfordshire, UK. The male passenger who fell ill was treated by medics, who deemed him unfit to fly. But he refused to disembark the plane and began losing his cool — allegedly becoming abusive toward the cabin crew. “They think I’m a terrorist. That’s why they’re bringing the whole army here to take me down,” the man can be heard shouting in a clip obtained by the Sun. “Give me my f–king bag. I will whack your jaw, bruv.” Passengers were heard pleading with the man to get off the plane, but he refused to listen. Police again had to board the aircraft to remove the crazed passenger. The male passenger who fell ill was deemed unfit to fly, but he refused to disembark the plane and began losing his cool. It took over two hours for the chaos to subside. Unfortunately for the 200 remaining passengers, the Ryanair crew had reached their maximum flying hours because of the ordeal. The passengers were bused to a local hotel for the night and booked onto a flight the following morning. However, the morning flight was also canceled, and the passengers did not arrive at Stansted Airport until Thursday evening, the outlet reported. Upon their arrival, the passengers were filmed booing Ryanair’s cabin crew, a video shared by the Sun shows. Unfortunately for the 200 remaining passengers, the Ryanair crew had reached their maximum flying hours because of the ordeal. A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed to the Sun that the “flight from Agadir to London Stansted diverted to Marrakesh after a small group of passengers became disruptive, and during which time another passenger became ill onboard.” “Crew called ahead for both medical and police assistance, which met the aircraft upon arrival at Marrakesh. The small group of disruptive passengers were then removed from the aircraft by airport gendarmerie,” they added. “The passenger who became ill was provided with oxygen onboard before being treated by airport medics, who determined that they were not fit to fly. This passenger refused to disembark and became abusive towards crew, and was removed from the aircraft by airport gendarmerie.” The airline spokesperson confirmed that the “disruptive passengers” caused the over two-hour delay, during which the “crew reached their permitted flying hours” and that overnight accommodation and transport were provided to passengers before they took off the following day. https://nypost.com/2024/07/08/world-news/ryanair-passengers-erupt-into-brawl-at-30000-feet-in-the-air-during-flight-from-morocco-to-london/ 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