Flight Safety Information - September 17, 2024 No. 185 In This Issue : Accident: Delta B739 at Salt Lake City on Sep 15th 2024, cabin did not pressurize : Incident: RAM E190 at Madrid on Sep 14th 2024, bird strike : Textron Aviation Earns FAA Approval for Safety Management System in Aircraft Design and Manufacturing : uAvionix Accelerates FAA Surface Awareness Initiative : Boeing forecasts Africa’s commercial airplane fleet to more than double by 2043 : Air India to refit legacy aircraft with new seats, modern cabins, new livery for $400 mn : Deutsche Aircraft to showcase D328eco at RAA Leaders Conference : Personnel shortages may force US Air Force pilots to fly non-fighters : Graduate Research Survey : Calendar of Events Accident: Delta B739 at Salt Lake City on Sep 15th 2024, cabin did not pressurize A Delta Airlines Boeing 737-900, registration N916DU performing flight DL-1203 from Salt Lake City,UT to Portland,OR (USA) with 140 people on board, was climbing out of Salt Lake City's runway 16L when the crew stopped the climb at 9000 feet due to a cabin pressure warning. The aircraft landed safely back on runway 16R about 16 minutes after departure. A passenger reported: "I noticed my ears were popping much more than normal upon takeoff. A few minutes after departure, there was a rapid level off and possible descent. ... We landed no more than 10 minutes later, obviously overweight with a hard landing and heavy braking. My ears were popping the entire time and some children behind me were screaming in pain. After a few minutes ... we taxied back to a gate where paramedics came on board where they attended to multiple people with apparent ear pain. I heard that multiple people were taken to the hospital. A replacement plane was provided with the same crew a few hours later." Another passenger reported a collegue had blood coming out of the ears, which turned out to be ruptured eardrums. About 10-15 passengers were taken to a hospital. The airline reported the aircraft was unable to pressurize the cabin, the passenger oxygen masks did not deploy. A number of passengers were met by paramedics after landing. A replacement Boeing 737-900 registration N807DN reached Portland with a delay of about 5.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=51dc28f5&opt=0 Incident: RAM E190 at Madrid on Sep 14th 2024, bird strike A RAM Royal Air Maroc Embraer ERJ-190, registration CN-RGO performing flight AT-972 from Casablanca (Morocco) to Madrid,SP (Spain), was on final approach to Madrid's runway 32L when a bird impacted the nose of the aircraft. The aircraft continued for a safe landing. The aircraft was unable to continue its schedule and is still on the ground in Madrid about 28 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=51db9b65&opt=0 Textron Aviation Earns FAA Approval for Safety Management System in Aircraft Design and Manufacturing WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Textron Aviation Inc. , a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the company has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of the company’s new Safety Management System (SMS) implementation plan to support the design and manufacturing of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft. This approval builds on the company’s previously FAA-accepted and approved SMS program supporting the maintenance and support of iconic Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft, and underscores the company’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of product quality at every level of operations. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of the company’s new Safety Management System (SMS) implementation plan to support the design and manufacturing of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft. “With a longstanding commitment to safety and quality in manufacturing, Textron Aviation has been designing and manufacturing industry-leading Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft for more than 95 years,” said Todd McKee, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain. “This FAA approval is a testament to our commitment to product safety at every level of operation. Together, we are setting new standards in the aviation industry, ensuring that safety and quality are at the forefront of everything we do.” A Safety Management System is a systematic approach to managing product safety, encompassing organizational structures, accountabilities, policies and procedures. Textron Aviation’s new SMS program includes a voluntary reporting tool that allows employees, customers or suppliers to anonymously report aircraft quality risks or hazards directly to the company’s SMS Committee. This committee evaluates the risk based on the information provided, investigates the causes and plans a response. Based on the findings and solutions, processes and tools are updated, ensuring continuous improvement in safety and quality standards. “By integrating the insights and expertise of our employees, customers and suppliers into our SMS, we not only enhance our ability to identify and mitigate risks but also strengthen the collaborative continuous improvement of our products and services,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering. “This collaborative approach is in line with our mission to empower our collective talent to design and deliver the best aviation experience for customers.” Textron Aviation recognizes the importance of leveraging the diverse perspectives and expertise of its employees and stakeholders to effectively address potential challenges and enhance overall safety and operational performance. By fostering a culture of open communication and teamwork, Textron Aviation encourages all parties to participate actively in identifying risks or hazards and to work together to develop innovative solutions. To learn more about Cessna and Beechcraft products, visit txtav.com . About Textron Aviation We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com . About Textron Inc. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipstrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com . Source: Textron Aviation Inc. Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of the company’s new Safety Management System (SMS) implementation plan to support the design and manufacturing of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft. https://investor.textron.com/news/news-releases/press-release-details/2024/Textron-Aviation-Earns-FAA-Approval-for-Safety-Management-System-in-Aircraft-Design-and-Manufacturing/default.aspx uAvionix Accelerates FAA Surface Awareness Initiative Company awarded contracts to equip six additional major U.S. airports ahead of Thanksgiving travel season uAvionix, a leading provider of aviation safety solutions, announces its significant role in advancing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Surface Awareness Initiative. After successfully delivering its FlightLine capability to the first two airports this past summer in under 90 days, uAvionix and its partner Capital Sciences have been awarded contracts to equip six more major U.S. airports with the innovative FlightLine surface situational awareness system. The FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative aims to enhance safety and efficiency on airport surfaces by deploying advanced situational awareness tools. uAvionix’s swift deployment to the initial airports showcased the company’s commitment to aviation safety and its ability to meet stringent timelines with minimal disruption to air traffic control tower operations. Based on this performance, the FAA awarded uAvionix additional contracts in August to install the FlightLine capability at six more airports out of a total of 14. The airports slated for the upgrades are: Tampa International Airport Jacksonville International Airport Orlando Sanford International Airport Daytona Beach International Airport Miami Executive Airport Palm Beach International Airport All new installations are scheduled to be live before the Thanksgiving holiday, ensuring enhanced safety measures are in place for the busy travel season. “We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with the FAA to enhance surface awareness at key airports in Florida and across the nation,” said Christian Ramsey, Chief Commercial Officer at uAvionix. “The rapid deployment of our FlightLine capability at Indianapolis and Austin this past summer and its proven ability to support air traffic controllers set the stage for our efforts this Fall, and we are pleased to bring greater awareness to major airports ahead of the busy Holiday flying season.” The FlightLine system by uAvionix provides real-time aircraft and surface movement data, allowing for improved monitoring of aircraft and vehicle movements on airport surfaces and runway approaches. This technology significantly reduces the risk of runway incursions and enhances overall operational efficiency. The system is being prominently displayed this week in Las Vegas at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NACTA) annual Communicating for Safety (CFS) conference. https://www.airtrafficmanagement.net/article/uavionix-accelerates-faa-surface-awareness-initiative Boeing forecasts Africa’s commercial airplane fleet to more than double by 2043 Boeing predicts that Africa's commercial fleet will more than double driven by single-aisle jet demand through 2043 © Boeing Boeing's 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) predicts that Africa's commercial airplane fleet will more than double by 2043, driven by a growing, youthful population seeking increased travel opportunities. The region is expected to see deliveries of over 800 new single-aisle jets, contributing significantly to this expansion. According to Boeing, African passenger air traffic will grow by 6.4% annually, tripling by 2043, making Africa the third-fastest-growing aviation market globally. “As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single-aisle airplanes to efficiently serve many routes in the continent's largest aviation markets, including Europe, the Middle East and within Africa,” said Shahab Matin, Boeing's Managing Director of Commercial Marketing for the Middle East and Africa. Other key forecasts include: 82% of deliveries will be for fleet growth, the highest of any region globally. Africa's freighter fleet is expected to triple to meet growing e-commerce and export demands. Aviation services will grow by 5.7% annually as the fleet expands. 76,000 new pilots, technicians, and cabin crew will be required, tripling the current workforce. New deliveries between 2024 and 2043 are expected to include 65 regional, 830 single-aisle, 260 wide-body, and 15 freighter aircraft. https://avitrader.com/2024/09/17/boeing-forecasts-africas-commercial-airplane-fleet-to-more-than-double-by-2043/ Air India to refit legacy aircraft with new seats, modern cabins, new livery for $400 mn 27 Airbus A320neos and 40 widebody Boeing planes to be refurbished in a phased manner, says Air India Air India, country's leading airline, on September 17 announced the commencement of its over $400 million refit programme for a phased revamp of 67 legacy aircraft in its fleet. This refit will lead to a refresh of the product to the new Air India experience — with modern three-cabin configuration, new seats, new carpets, curtains and upholstery. The refit programme will start with the 27 narrowbody Airbus A320neo aircraft, followed by the 40 widebody Boeing aircraft. The first narrowbody aircraft to commence the refit program is VT-EXN, a single-aisle A320neo that went into the hangar on Monday. After prototyping and necessary regulatory approvals, VT-EXN is expected to re-enter commercial service in December 2024, joining the eight recently-delivered and operational Air India A320neo aircraft that already feature the upgraded cabin interiors and configuration, the airline said. Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The commencement of interior refit of the narrowbody fleet is an important step in our journey of enhancing the flying experience of our customers. Over time, all the legacy widebody aircraft will also be refitted. This comprehensive upgradation of Air India’s physical product is an important component of Air India transforming into a world-class airline.” The refitted A320neo aircraft will feature 8 luxurious seats in Business, 24 extra legroom seats in Premium Economy and 132 comfortable seats in Economy, offering wider choice to its guests. Subtle cabin lighting, spacious legroom and wider pitch, and modern features, like portable electronic device (PED) holders and USB ports with type A and C options to charge mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets, among others, will contribute significantly to offer guests an inflight experience catering to the needs of today’s discerning flyers. Carpets, curtains, upholstery, cabin panels will be refreshed with new tones and design motifs reinforcing the brand livery, the airline added. The Business cabins will offer 40-inch ergonomic seats with 7-inch recline, an adjustable armrest, footrest and backrest, a tray table deployed at the push of a button that includes a (personal Electronic Device (PED) holder with multiple charging ports. The Premium Economy cabins provide larger seats with superior upholstery, four-way adjustable headrest, 32-inch pitch with a 4-inch recline, with a PED holder and USB ports. Economy seats are ergonomically designed with comfortable upholstery, 28-29-inch seat pitch, 4-inch recline and legroom with amenities like PED holder and USB ports. The refit project will be coordinated by Air India’s Engineering team with global OEMs such as Collins, Astronics and Thales among others. The exercise will see the installation of over 15,000 next-generation seats across Premium Economy, Business and Economy Class. "In parallel to the narrowbody retrofit program, final preparations continue for the full interior upgradation of 40 legacy widebody Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. Market-leading seats and inflight entertainment systems have been selected, interior designs are complete and the airline is working closely with seat manufacturers to finalise regulatory certification and expedite production. Subject to supply chains, the retrofit of the first widebody aircraft will commence in early 2025," said Air India. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/air-india-to-refit-legacy-aircraft-with-new-seats-livery-modern-cabins-for-400-mn-12823639.html Deutsche Aircraft to showcase D328eco at RAA Leaders Conference German OEM Deutsche Aircraft is set to participate in the 2024 Regional Airline Association (RAA) Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. on September 23-25. The aircraft manufacturer will showcase its D328eco, a 40-seat turboprop, and the next-generation version of the D328®, currently used by regional airlines and multi-role operators worldwide. With around 60 certified regional airlines in the US and many sub-50-seat aircraft aging, the D328eco presents a strong opportunity for growth in North America’s regional passenger and freight networks. The D328eco offers a spacious and quiet cabin, designed for passenger comfort, and is equipped with advanced Garmin® avionics that provide an intuitive user experience and enhanced situational awareness for better decision-making. The aircraft also features a propulsion system compatible with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and fuel-efficient engines, underscoring its role in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint. Airlines are increasingly recognising the advantages of smaller, efficient aircraft in regional markets. The D328eco stands out by offering low trip costs and optimal seat-mile efficiency, helping airlines reduce commercial risks on regional routes. This enables carriers to open new routes and connect remote communities with larger hubs, while also benefiting from the aircraft’s superior operating economics. Nils Heuer, sales director at Deutsche Aircraft, says the team invites attendees to visit their booth at the event and explore the future of regional aviation with the D328eco. https://www.aviationbusinessnews.com/low-cost/regional-news/deutsche-aircraft-d328eco-raa-conference/ Personnel shortages may force US Air Force pilots to fly non-fighters U.S. Air Force pilots graduating from training courses with the T-38 Talon may be required to fly non-fighter or bomber aircraft as a result of pilot shortages, according to a new Air Force policy. The challenges in pilot inventory were outlined in an August service memo reviewed by Defense News and confirmed by an Air Force official. Described in the document as a “significant but necessary policy change,” the move shifts the traditional assignment flow for T-38 pilots, who now may be matched to fly non-fighters or bombers. “We are 1,848 pilots short, with 1,142 of those being fighter pilots,” the memo states. “While we would prefer to send every qualified T-38 graduate to a fighter [Formal Training Unit], circumstances dictate that we utilize available capacity to maximize pilot production. In the near term, in addition to traditional fighter/bomber assignments, T-38 graduates will be matched to additional T-6 [First Assignment Instructor Pilot] assignments and opted for non-fighter/bomber aircraft.” Due to personnel challenges, some breaks between pilot training and assignment to a formal training unit have exceeded one year, the memo adds. Brig. Gen. Travolis Simmons, the director of training and readiness and deputy chief of staff for operations with Headquarters Air Force, told Military Times that the delayed starts at the fighter FTUs are “due to a combination of sustainment and manpower challenges.” Despite recruitment challenges for the service last fiscal year, the Air Force is working to rebound through attracting new talent. For now, the document describes how T-38 students will prioritize all aircraft, not just fighters and bombers, on their “dream sheets” to ensure an accommodation of preferences. It also outlines that the students may volunteer for non-fighter and bomber opportunities. “The Air Force has always assigned aircraft based on Air Force needs, platform availability, student preference and student class ranking,” Simmons said. “Even with the recent policy shift, those core tenets remain the same.” He added that while the policy change is meant to optimize available resources, as capacity and needs evolve, pilots affected by the policy change may have the option to “voluntarily crossflow to fighter/bomber aircraft.” The Air Force memo also notes the service intends to return to a regular assignment flow as quickly as possible. The final pilot production numbers for fiscal year 2024 will not be available for release until later in the calendar year, Simmons said. https://www.defensenews.com/smr/air-warfare/2024/09/16/personnel-shortages-may-force-us-air-force-pilots-to-fly-non-fighters/ Graduate Research Survey I am a former United States Air Force aviator with over 30 years of flying experience, now pursuing a Ph.D. in Aviation at Saint Louis University. My research focuses on Human Factors, particularly sleep and fatigue. My journey in aviation has been defined by a commitment to excellence, service before self, and integrity towards a greater good. For my dissertation, I am studying pilots' likelihood to report sleep disorders in Part 121 commercial aviation operations—a critical issue affecting both pilot health and aviation safety. My Research This anonymous survey is designed to be completed in 10-12 minutes and aims to build a predictive model to better understand situational factors influencing pilots' reporting behaviors. Your participation could contribute to long-term safety improvements in the aviation industry, including enhanced fatigue countermeasures and better sleep disorder screening. The survey is entirely confidential, with no way to trace responses back to individuals, and has been approved by the Saint Louis University Institutional Review Board (IRB). Thank you for considering taking part in this important research. Survey Link: https://slu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agHdxCbY0E1D3Ho CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 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