Flight Safety Information - August 30, 2024 No. 174 In This Issue : Incident: Ceiba B738 at Malabo on Aug 29th 2024, overran runway on landing : Accident: United B739 near Memphis on Aug 28th 2024, severe turbulence causes injuries : Accident: DHL B763 at Milan on Aug 27th 2024, tail strike on landing : Incident: Wisconsin CRJ2 at Chicago on Aug 28th 2024, gear disagree : Small jet without landing gear down skids to a stop at Sunriver Airport; pilot, passenger and dog uninjured : Pilot declared emergency before plane crash that killed 3 members of The Nelons: NTSB : FAA say Arizona has consistently high laser strikes on pilots : Pilots Report Over 300 Laser Strikes in Indiana This Year : JetBlue Reportedly About to Offer Pilots Early Outs As Struggling Airline Shrinks Network to Return to Profitability : Lawsuit seeks $6 million from an airplane’s insurer after a crash destroyed a radio station’s tower : India's aviation watchdog puts SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance : Calendar of Events Incident: Ceiba B738 at Malabo on Aug 29th 2024, overran runway on landing A Ceiba Intercontinental Boeing 737-800, registration ET-AWR performing flight C2-205 from Bata to Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), landed on Malabo's runway 04 in poor weather conditions at about 18:30L (17:30Z) but overran the end of the runway and came to a stop with all gear on soft ground. The nose gear sunk into the soft ground. The passengers were evacuated via slides. There were no injuries. The damage to the aircraft is being assessed. Equatorial Guinea's Ministry reported this occurrence was caused by meteorological issues, although the aircraft managed to land in poor visibility and with rainwater on the runway, the aircraft slid off the runway into an unsuitable area. There were no injuries. No Metars were initially available. The local weather station reported light rain starting at 15:00L, winds from westsouthwest at 10 mph, 29.83 Altimeter, 77 deg F temperature and dew point (100% humidity). https://avherald.com/h?article=51d088ca&opt=0 Accident: United B739 near Memphis on Aug 28th 2024, severe turbulence causes injuries A United Boeing 737-900, registration N66814 performing flight UA-1196 from Cancun (Mexico) to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA) with 172 passengers and 7 crew, was enroute at FL340 passing over New Orleans,LA (USA) about 80 minutes into the flight when the aircraft encountered severe turbulence causing injuries to 7 people on board. The aircraft diverted to Memphis,TN (USA) for a safe landing about 50 minutes later. Emergency services as well as the airline reported one person was taken to hospital with non-critical injuries, six others received injuries but declined treatment. The airline added, that the fasten seat belt signs were illuminated at the time of the occurrence. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE INJURYING A FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND PASSENGERS, MEMPHIS, TN." and stated, one flight attendant and 5 passengers received minor injuries. https://avherald.com/h?article=51d043e9&opt=0 Accident: DHL B763 at Milan on Aug 27th 2024, tail strike on landing A DHL International Aviation Boeing 767-300 freighter, registration A9C-DHAA performing flight ES-752 from Bahrain (Bahrain) to Milan Malpensa (Italy), landed on Malpensa's runway 35R at 20:54L (18:54Z) but struck its tail onto the runway surface. The aircraft rolled out without further incident and taxied to the apron. Italy's ANSV rated the occurrence an accident reporting the aircraft suffered structural damage to the lower fuselage and tail. The ANSV have opened an investigation. https://avherald.com/h?article=51d05074&opt=0 Incident: Wisconsin CRJ2 at Chicago on Aug 28th 2024, gear disagree An Air Wisconsin Canadair CRJ-200 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N455AW performing flight AA-6175 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Kalamazoo,MI (USA) with 51 people on board, was climbing out of Chicago's runway 10L when the crew declared emergency reporting a gear disagree indication. The aircraft levelled off at 6000 feet and positioned for a return to O'Hare's runway 09C, where the aircraft landed without further incident about 30 minutes after departure. The aircraft is still on the ground in Chicago about 14 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=51d04ec7&opt=0 Small jet without landing gear down skids to a stop at Sunriver Airport; pilot, passenger and dog uninjured Cessna jet skidded on its belly to a stop on Sunriver Airport runway Thursday afternoon. SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) – A pilot, his passenger and dog escaped injuries Thursday when their small jet on a flight from Hillsboro landed at Sunriver Airport without its landing gear down and skidded to a stop on the runway, police said. Sunriver police officers and firefighters responded shortly after 12:30 p.m. to the reported aircraft emergency at the resort community’s airport, police spokeswoman Katie Warren said. A witness reported seeing flames and smoke when the 2007 Cessna Citation Mustang landed without the gear down and skidded to a stop on the runway. Police and fire first responders found no flames or smoke coming from the plane, Warren said. “The plane did not have its landing gear deployed prior to landing on the runway, causing the plane to land on its belly,” Warren said. “The pilot shut off the fuel to the engine to prevent a fuel leak or fire.” Sunriver Airport Runway 18/36 was still closed as of 3 p.m. while the pilot and airport employees worked to get the plane removed. Sunriver Police notified the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration, which will investigate the incident. FAA records showed the Cessna 510 was built in 2007 and owned by a Beaverton business, Shikari Equipment LLC. Warren said Sunriver Police wanted to thank the Sunriver Fire Department, Sunriver Airport and their employees for their assistance. https://ktvz.com/news/accidents-crashes/2024/08/29/small-jet-without-landing-gear-down-skids-to-a-stop-at-sunriver-airport-pilot-passenger-and-dog-uninjured/ Pilot declared emergency before plane crash that killed 3 members of The Nelons: NTSB A witness said they saw the plane 'barrel roll' while the engine roared loudly before crashing into terrain. The pilot of the plane (Pilatus PC-12/47E) that crashed in July and resulted in the deaths of three members of an Atlanta gospel group The Nelons said he lost autopilot and declared an emergency before the crash, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board. On July 26, all seven people aboard, including the pilot, members of the gospel group, and three others, were killed when the plane was destroyed in a crash near Recluse, Wyoming, stated the report. The group was on its way to a Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska, according to a statement from Gaither Music Management Group. In the last portion of the flight, the pilot reported losing autopilot to the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center controller and declared a state of emergency. When the controller asked the pilot how he would land, he did not receive a response initially. But the pilot later told him he was trying to regain control of the plane. The controller then said that should the pilot need further assistance, to let them know and advised the pilot of the minimum instrument flight rules, to which the pilot did not respond. What happened after contact was lost? Once contact with the plane was lost, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an Alert Notice, and local law enforcement later found the plane 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming. There was a “'loud whining noise,' that diminished and then increased followed shortly thereafter by smoke emanating from the area of the accident site," stated a witness, according to the report. Another witness said they saw the plane do a "barrel roll" while its engine roared loudly. Shortly after, the witness heard the plane crash into terrain and saw smoke in the area. Fragments of the plane were found scattered in a 300 ft radius, according to the report. The left wing of the plane was found broken in two pieces along the debris path 0.8 miles from the wreckage. "The airplane wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination," stated the report. Who was killed in the crash? Those killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges. The pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa, were also among those who lost their lives, the statement said. "As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday," Autumn Nelon Streetman, the daughter of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, said in a statement at the time of the crash. "Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days." Larry Haynie was also the chairman of the Georgia Department of Corrections Board, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed in a statement in July. Kemp said in the statement posted to social media that Haynie's "impact on our state will not be forgotten." https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/08/29/nelons-plane-crash-ntsb-pilot-declared-emergency/74993125007/ FAA say Arizona has consistently high laser strikes on pilots • The FAA says laser strikes on airplanes and helicopters in Arizona are on pace to break a record. PHOENIX (AZFamily) — People pointing lasers at pilots flying an aircraft is a felony, but thousands of people continue to do so. The FAA says laser attacks in Arizona continue to be consistently high. There were 429 laser strikes over Arizona reported in fiscal year 2023. During the first part of fiscal year 2024, the FAA has already counted 337 strikes. Arizona is on pace to have 578 incidents this year, which would be the most on record. “A few times had to leave the area because they were so consistent with doing it,” pilot Tim Brennan said. “It almost looks like fireworks going off in your vision and it doesn’t go away for a little bit so that’s the dangerous part.” Brennan has flown helicopters for the past 13 years with the military and other parts of the Valley. He now pilots search and rescue calls with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office out of Deer Valley Airport. Brennan says there have been at least 10 times he was hit in the face with a laser while flying in the cockpit. “That’s really what makes you upset is that you are in the middle of flying an aircraft, other people on board you are responsible for and it really impacts the safety. Stop and think about what you are about to do put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a minute,” he said. Brennan says lasers are becoming more advanced and even the ones you can buy from a store can shine from miles away. It’s a felony to shine a laser at an aircraft. The FAA asks anyone who witnesses someone pointing a laser at a plane or helicopter to file a report. https://www.azfamily.com/2024/08/30/faa-say-arizona-has-consistently-high-laser-strikes-pilots/ Pilots Report Over 300 Laser Strikes in Indiana This Year The Federal Aviation Administration has released a report that says pilots say more than 300 laser strikes have happened so far in Indiana in 2024. The report says over 13-thousand pilots reported the strikes worldwide. The FAA is warning people of the danger of pointing a laser at airplanes and says it is a “serious safety hazard that puts everyone on the plane and on the ground below at risk.” Most of Indiana’s laser strike reports are from Indianapolis. https://www.wwbl.com/2024/08/30/pilots-report-over-300-laser-strikes-in-indiana-this-year/ JetBlue Reportedly About to Offer Pilots Early Outs As Struggling Airline Shrinks Network to Return to Profitability JetBlue is reportedly about to offer pilots early outs as the struggling airline shrinks its network in an attempt to return to profitability, according to insider sources cited by trusted aviation source xJonNYC. The New York-based carrier recently embarked on a transformation project which is has dubbed its ‘JetForward’ strategy. The airline plans to make ‘significant’ network changes, and with such a major drawback in many markets, JetBlue will soon require a lot fewer pilots to operate its aircraft. I'm hearing credible rumors that while previously JetBlue said "no early outs needed for pilots" (to accommodate the reductions both announced and coming,)– that that situation has changed and that offering B6 pilots early outs will soon be one of the ways of dealing with the… — JonNYC (@xJonNYC) August 29, 2024 On Thursday, aviation insider xJonNYC shared the news on X that he had heard from ‘credible sources’ that JetBlue would soon start paying pilots to retire early as it tries to rightsize its workforce for what it will be a considerably smaller airline. Interestingly, sources had initially suggested that early outs would not be required but that the situation has dramatically shifted in the last few weeks. So far, JetBlue has yet to confirm these reports, either internally or publicly, but the writing now appears to be on the wall, and an official announcement is expected soon. The JetForward strategy has already seen the airline withdraw completely from 15 cities, while the airline is also cutting back some transatlantic flying and has deferred delivery of 44 new airplanes which were meant to drive an ambitious expansion. Last month, JetBlue offered flight attendants up to six months of unpaid leave in an attempt to both cut costs over the winter season and to ensure that it didn’t have too many crew members for the amount of work that would be available. The news was shared by JetBlue’s flight attendant union, which warned that flight schedules would soon be ‘significantly reduced’ and that crew members could find themselves spending a lot more time on reserve if they’re weren’t enough flight attendants willing to take an unpaid leave of absence. In June, it also emerged that JetBlue had disabled the personal privacy doors in its Mint Business Class on some planes because it could then operate these aircraft with less flight attendants on duty. In the first six months of 2024, JetBlue reported an operating loss of $663 million, but new airline president Marty St. George says he is confident that the carrier can return to profitability. To do so, St. George recently shared that expansion plans were on hold and that JetBlue would focus on “driving value from our existing asset base”. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/08/30/jetblue-reportedly-about-to-offer-pilots-early-outs-as-struggling-airline-shrinks-network-to-return-to-profitability/ Lawsuit seeks $6 million from an airplane’s insurer after a crash destroyed a radio station’s tower The insurance company for Mackem Aviation, LLC, the aircraft’s operator, asserts that it is not liable under its policy for the damages resulting from the crash that brought down an 1,800-foot tower in Louisiana. Agape Broadcasters, Inc., a Christian radio station operator, has taken legal action against American National Property and Casualty Company (ANPAC) to enforce a $6 million judgment against the estate of Marcus Todd Sampson, whose aircraft crash in 2018 destroyed the 1,800-foot KATC TV 3 tower in Kaplan, Louisiana where Agape was the sole tenant. Although the seasoned pilot’s FAA sectional chart identified that there was an 1,800-foot tower in his flight path, he crashed into it at about the 1,600-foot level in daylight. The day before the crash he was informed that there was a warrant out for his arrest. The tower was critical for broadcasting Agape’s KAJN Radio’s signal across Southwest Louisiana and East Texas. On August 31, 2018, shortly after taking off from Chris Crusta Memorial Airport, Marcus Todd Sampson’s aircraft collided with the tower at about the 1,600-foot level, instantly killing Sampson and his six-year-old daughter. The crash destroyed the tower, KAJN’s microwave dish, 1,500 feet of transmission line, and antenna. This resulted in an 11-hour scramble by Agape Broadcasters to find an alternative broadcasting solution. KAJN, which had been broadcasting at 100,000 watts, saw its reach reduced to just 2,000-3,000 watts temporarily after the crash. The station, known for its Christian programming and music, had its broadcast range drastically limited, affecting nearly one and a half million listeners. Despite securing a temporary backup antenna and eventually moving its broadcast to a new tower, KAJN’s broadcasting power remains only a fraction of its pre-crash capability. Agape’s lawsuit claims that ANPAC, which insured Mackem Aviation, LLC, the operator of the aircraft, is liable under its insurance policy for the damages resulting from the crash. The original lawsuit filed in Louisiana awarded Agape over $6 million in damages, which Agape is now seeking to enforce in Texas under the Texas Uniform Enforcement of Judgments Act. ANPAC has moved the case to federal court, arguing that the estate of Sampson was improperly joined in the Texas lawsuit and that the case falls under federal jurisdiction due to diversity of citizenship. ANPAC disputes the claims and seeks to have the case dismissed or ruled in its favor, asserting that its insurance policy does not cover the damages sought by Agape. https://wirelessestimator.com/articles/2024/lawsuit-seeks-6-million-from-an-airplanes-insurer-after-a-crash-destroyed-a-radio-stations-tower/ India's aviation watchdog puts SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, Aug 29 (Reuters) - India's aviation watchdog said it has placed budget airline SpiceJet (SPJT.BO), opens new tab under enhanced surveillance with immediate effect after a recent audit revealed "certain deficiencies". Thursday's move came three weeks after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducted a special audit following reports of flight cancellations and financial troubles. "This would entail increase in number of spot checks/ night surveillance with a view to ensure safety of operations," the DGCA said in a statement, citing the airline's past record and the special audit. The watchdog did not disclose the exact issues it found. The DGCA had conducted a special drive of spot checks on the carrier in 2022 and put it under enhanced surveillance again in 2023. A SpiceJet spokesperson sought more time to comment on the latest action. The Hindu daily reported earlier in the day that SpiceJet had to operate empty flights from Dubai as passengers were not allowed to check in because of the airline's unpaid airport dues, marking at least the second such disruption this month. The current disruption is the latest in a long list of troubles for SpiceJet, which has struggled to fully restore operations despite multiple fundraises over the last year. A SpiceJet spokesperson said the cancellations were "due to operational issues" and affected passengers were accommodated on subsequent SpiceJet flights, on other airlines or provided with a full refund. All scheduled flights from Dubai were now operating as planned, according to the spokesperson. Dubai Airports declined a Reuters request for comment. Some of SpiceJet's lessors took it to court to settle unpaid dues and also requested that India's aviation regulator de-register its planes. This led to the airline's aircraft being grounded and has weighed on its results, including in the first quarter. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/dubai-airport-stops-indias-spicejet-passengers-checking-over-airline-dues-hindu-2024-08-29/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS • Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium - APATS 2024, 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 • Safety is not a Secret - September 27-28, 2024 - Seminar, JUNGLE AVIATION AND RELAY SERVICE • 2024 ISASI - Lisbon, Portugal - September 30 to October 4, 2024 • DEFENCE AVIATION SAFETY 2024 - 2 OCTOBER - 3 OCTOBER 2024 - LONDON • 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