Flight Safety Information - September 27, 2024 No. 193 In This Issue : Incident: Arabia Maroc A320 at Murcia on Sep 26th 2024, hydraulic failure : NTSB issues ‘urgent’ safety warning for some Boeing 737s, including MAX, in latest blow to struggling planemaker : Swiss air traffic control upgrade slows tempo for safety reasons : American Celebrates Excellence in Aviation Maintenance With Top Mechanics : Embry Riddle Asia Campus Students Stand Out at Aviation Training Conference : Aviation startup seeks to bring air taxis to Los Angeles in time for Olympics : Textron Aviation Pulls Out of NBAA-BACE : Ahead of Storm, Embry Riddle Parking Garage Is Transformed Into Plane Hangar : Graduate Research Survey : This September, let's end childhood cancer. Together. : Calendar of Events Incident: Arabia Maroc A320 at Murcia on Sep 26th 2024, hydraulic failure An Air Arabia Maroc Airbus A320-200, registration CN-NML performing flight 3O-387 from Oujda (Morocco) to Murcia,SP (Spain), was on approach to Murcia when the crew reported the failure of their yellow hydraulic system. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Murcia's runway 05. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Murcia about 21 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=51e36725&opt=0 NTSB issues ‘urgent’ safety warning for some Boeing 737s, including MAX, in latest blow to struggling planemaker The National Transportation Safety Board is issuing “urgent safety recommendations” for some Boeing 737s—including the embattled 737 MAX line— warning that critical flight controls could jam. The independent investigative agency is issuing the warning that an actuator attached to the rudder on some 737 NG and 737 MAX airplanes could fail. The move comes after the NTSB investigated a February incident where the pilots of a United Airlines MAX 8 landing in Newark reported their rudder pedals “stuck” in the neutral position. The warning is the latest black eye for Boeing. The company has seen a string of ugly headlines this year, from a mid-air blowout of a door plug in January to a strike by 33,000 workers that started just this month. “Boeing’s 737 flight manual instructs pilots confronted with a jammed or restricted rudder to ‘overpower the jammed or restricted system (using) maximum force, including a combined effort of both pilots,’” the NTSB said in a news release. “The NTSB expressed concern that this amount of force applied during landing or rollout could result in a large input to the rudder pedals and a sudden, large, and undesired rudder deflection that could unintentionally cause loss of control or departure from a runway,” the statement said. The NTSB is recommending that Boeing come up with an alternative solution and warn pilots about the issue. In a statement, the FAA says it “monitoring the situation closely” and will “convene a corrective action review board based upon the NTSB’s interim recommendations and determine next steps” on Friday. CNN has reached out to Boeing for comment. The FAA says United Airlines is the only US airline with 737s that use the components in question and that they are no longer being used. A range of problems In the last five years, Boeing has suffered a myriad of problems, some tragic and many embarrassing. Most of them have proven financially devastating. Two fatal crashes of its 737 Max, one in October 2018 and the other in March 2019, killed 346 people and led to a 20-month grounding of Boeing’s best-selling plane and a halt in deliveries to fix a design flaw tied to the crashes. Boeing then faced a series of other questions about the quality and safety of its planes. That scrutiny grew after a door plug blew off a 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines shortly after takeoff on January 5. Although no one was killed or seriously injured, the incident sparked numerous federal investigations, one of which revealed the plane had left a Boeing factory without the four bolts needed to hold the door plug in place. Since then, Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges of deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration during the initial investigation of the Max. As part of its agreement with the US Justice Department, the company will have to operate under the supervision of a court-appointed monitor. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/ntsb-issues-urgent-safety-warning-231356914.html Swiss air traffic control upgrade slows tempo for safety reasons Skyguide slows pace of modernization after system failures The upgrade of Switzerland’s air traffic control system will take longer than anticipated following a series of malfunctions, the operator Skyguide has said. Skyguide’s Head of Technology, Klaus Meier, said on Thursday that the original pace of modernisation was making the system vulnerable. According to Meier, a “big bang”, i.e. modernisation in one step, would have been unrealistic for safety and cost reasons. The head of technology also attributed the numerous breakdowns that have occurred in recent months to the ongoing modernisation process. The project, which cost around CHF300 million and includes digitalisation and the virtual merger of the Geneva and Zurich air traffic control centres, was originally planned to run from 2014 to 2024. However, skyguide has now moved away from this schedule. “We underestimated the time horizon in this safety environment,” said Meier and assumes that this process will take another 10 years. He is still convinced that the path taken is the right one and that there is no turning back. https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/skyguide-slows-pace-of-modernization-after-system-failures/87624687?utm_source=multiple&utm_campaign=swi-rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=o American Celebrates Excellence in Aviation Maintenance With Top Mechanics American Airlines honored five exceptional aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) with the Ken MacTiernan Excellence in Aviation Maintenance Award. The award, established in 2019, recognizes AMTs who uphold high standards in aircraft maintenance and promote the profession. Kevin Brickner, Senior VP of Technical Operations, praised the honorees for their work in hangars, communities, and inspiring future AMTs. The award's namesake, Ken MacTiernan, is a 38-year AMT veteran who helped create National AMT Day (May 24). The 2024 recipients are: • Edmund Bossart (LAX) - 44 years of service • Joni Haddorff (LAS) - 24 years of service • Armen Hambartsounian (LAX) - 25 years of service • Dennis Lyle (TUL) - 35 years of service • John Wong (KIN) - 35 years of service These AMTs are recognized for their commitment to safety, reliability, and excellence in aviation maintenance. FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 26, 2024 / American Airlines recognized five of its top aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) for their exceptional work in their field as recipients of this year's Ken MacTiernan Excellence in Aviation Maintenance Award. Since 2019, the award has been honoring AMTs at American who exhibit the qualities of professional AMTs, strive to uphold the highest standards in aircraft maintenance and support and promote the profession. "Each year we gather to celebrate American's best and brightest AMTs," said Kevin Brickner, American's Senior Vice President of Technical Operations. "Not only are we honoring these mechanics for the work they do in the hangar to keep our customers and team members safe, but the work they do in their communities and with the future generation of AMTs. The honorees are an inspiration to their fellow team members and to the entire aviation maintenance industry." The award's namesake, San Diego-based Ken MacTiernan, has been an AMT with American for more than 38 years and is most notably known for being instrumental in creating National AMT Day. The nationally observed day (May 24) is designated to honor AMTs who are committed to maintaining safe and reliable aircraft. The 2024 honorees are: Edmund (Ed) Bossart Los Angeles (LAX) 44 years of AMT service Joni Haddorff Las Vegas (LAS) 24 years of AMT service Armen Hambartsounian Los Angeles (LAX) 25 years of AMT service Dennis Lyle Tulsa, Okla. (TUL) 35 years of AMT service John Wong Kingston, Jamaica (KIN) 35 years of AMT service https://www.stocktitan.net/news/AAL/american-celebrates-excellence-in-aviation-maintenance-with-top-yyb6r9i9nqqn.html Embry Riddle Asia Campus Students Stand Out at Aviation Training Conference The Embry-Riddle Asia Campus contingent gathers to celebrate a successful day at the recent Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium. Continuing what has become a tradition at the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Asia Campus, a group of students recently took part in a significant aviation training symposium that allowed them to network directly with key industry leaders and attend engaging and educational breakout presentations. More than 15 Embry Riddle students representing several degree programs participated in the 2024 Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS), the Asia Pacific region’s largest gathering of aviation trainers serving airlines, aircraft manufacturers, regulators, training providers and the overall training industry. Designed by and for aviation professionals, APATS 2024 happened Sept. 10-12 at the Sands Convention Centre, Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Bay Sands. It was broken into categories that offered additional focus on training tracks for pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians and women in aviation. A Chance to Open New Career Doors On day one, the Embry Riddle student team served as scribes for the Heads of Training meeting, and they also worked as greeters and ushers for the balance of the conference. The experience offered opportunities to make new connections and provided a front-row seat to discussions that focused on the future of aviation training. For example, the students saw Kim Chua, Instructor of the Practice and Director of Student Success at the Asia Campus, when she participated in a maintenance track panel discussion focused on attracting, recruiting and retaining women and young people in aviation and STEM fields. “Technology is a key leveler, and the industry is at the cusp of a major transformation driven by AI and automation, so we explored how we make these new roles available and attractive,” said Chua, who joined other panelists in sharing stories that celebrated how “passion triumphs” by dramatically changing perspectives. “There needs to be a shift of mindset at the leadership level, so talents are seen as assets with unique strengths, values, and aspirations and not merely as resources,” said Chua, summarizing some additional takeaways from the discussion. “We have to portray STEM and STEM practitioners as the solution to some of the world's problems and show women and young people how they can be part of the solution.” Man giving speech in front of a David Cirulli, Head of Flight Operations at the Asia Campus, presented “Next Steps in Aircraft Maintenance” at the APATS conference. (Photo: David Cirulli) The Embry Riddle students also had a chance to watch David Cirulli, Head of Flight Operations at the Asia Campus, as he was among three experts in a panel session called “Looking at the Future.” Cirulli’s presentation was entitled “Next Steps in Aircraft Maintenance” and was also part of the maintenance track at the event. “As aviation continues to reach new heights, it’s become increasingly apparent the need for community engagement,” said Cirulli. “Our real-world academic focus resonates with industry as did our presentation sharing latest business case methods for technology integration struck home with these Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional maintenance organizations.” The student presence at such a prestigious industry event is another in a series of opportunities to build professional networks and practical experience that only Embry Riddle’s Asia Campus can provide. "Attending the Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium provided me and my friends with an invaluable opportunity to immerse ourselves in the industry, connect with professionals, and gain firsthand insights into the latest advancements in aviation training,” said Sreenath Vijayakumar, a B.S. in Aeronautics major and President of the Student Government Association. “It’s experiences like these that truly set Embry Riddle Asia Campus apart, allowing us to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, preparing us to become the future leaders of aviation.” Ongoing Opportunities for Real-world Work The recent event follows on the heels of participation in June’s International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association 2024 conference, where Embry Riddle students and faculty staffed a booth that showcased the university’s programs, new research initiatives and dedication to helping train tomorrow’s aerospace industry workforce. “Working at our university's booth and engaging with industry professionals allowed me to gain valuable insights into the latest innovations in air traffic control technology,” said B.S. in Aeronautics major Ganesh Balashanmugam (’25). “This experience has broadened my understanding of the field and helped me build meaningful connections that I believe will be crucial for my future career in the aerospace industry.” In March, a student team from Embry Riddle was invited to the ICAO Innovation Fair in Montreal to showcase a digital navigation device they designed to help passengers navigate Singapore’s Changi airport. Having the chance to create an interactive system and having that idea presented in front of the world’s top airline executives is another example of the opportunities a globally respected university like Embry Riddle can offer undergraduate students. In November 2023, another group of students made a stellar showing at the Future Travel Experience APEX Asia event, a major aviation and aerospace industry trade show that focused on “Preparing for Tomorrow’s World.” Jointly hosted by Future Travel Experience (FTE) and the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), that conference highlighted growing travel demand across the Asia Pacific region. It offered strategies to make the aviation industry “more resilient, sustainable and efficient,” key themes that sparked some inventive and pioneering research topics for Embry Riddle’s students to pursue and present. https://news.erau.edu/headlines/embry-riddle-asia-campus-students-stand-out-at-aviation-training-conference Aviation startup seeks to bring air taxis to Los Angeles in time for Olympics Among storefronts and bustling customers at the Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles, a sleek black-and-white aircraft sat motionless on a podium. Shoppers turned their heads as they passed by to get a better look, some using their phones to take photos. The all-electric aircraft could revolutionize city transportation and offer an escape from L.A. traffic, according to Joby Aviation, the company behind the contraption. Joby is one player in a burgeoning industry that’s trying to make flying cars a reality by bringing electric aircraft into cities and integrating them into transportation systems such as Uber. The aircraft blend technology from airplanes and helicopters and are capable of taking off and landing vertically. Those working to bring the air taxis to market say they are significantly quieter than a traditional helicopter, offer more safety features and produce zero emissions. Joby says the technology will save customers significant travel time, especially in sprawling cities plagued by gridlock such as Los Angeles. “It’s a revolutionary type of aircraft that is both quiet and efficient and can solve the problem of how to make air travel at a small scale something you can do all the time,” Joby Chief Product Officer Eric Allison said. Joby’s all-day public event at the Grove gave community members a chance to see the aircraft, sit inside and ask questions about the technology, he said. Look! Up in the sky! It’s an air taxi. They’re coming to Los Angeles June 19, 2022 “The legroom is amazing, the technology seems impeccable and it will get me there quickly,” said Los Angeles resident Samantha McGarrity, who checked out the inside of the aircraft at the Grove on Thursday. “The last thing I want is to be stuck in traffic.” McGarrity, who works in tech, said she would without a doubt ride in Joby’s aircraft if they launched in Los Angeles the next day. “I want to get my work done and get to where I got to go in 20 minutes or less,” she said. Santa Cruz-based Joby was founded by Chief Executive JoeBen Bevirt in 2009, around the time Tesla released the Roadster, its first all-electric car. Archer Aviation entered the scene in 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif., and has plans to commercially launch its air taxis as soon as next year. Advertisement This month, the first all-electric airplane to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the Santa Monica airport, according to its builder, Eco-Aviation Foundation International. Joby’s air taxis, powered by six propellers and four battery packs, aren’t quite ready to start flying customers over congested freeways. While Joby is testing prototypes of its aircraft in California, the company has completed only three out of five stages of the FAA certification process. Joby will need approval from the FAA to operate commercially in Los Angeles or anywhere in the country. It hopes to launch the taxis in L.A. in time for the 2028 Olympics, Allison said. The taxis would be held to the same traffic and regulatory standards as other small aircraft. “We will have commercially rated pilots flying these aircraft and they will operate in the airspace under exactly the same rules that everyone else operates under,” Allison said in an interview. Joby is creating its own training curriculum for pilots to fly its aircraft, which can travel up to 200 miles an hour at an altitude of up to 10,000 feet. The aircraft holds four passengers and a pilot and has a simple design inside. The model aircraft at the Grove featured four tan seats with carlike seatbelts and plenty of legroom. Alison said the aircraft is particularly safe because it has built-in redundancies made possible by electric technology, including multiple motors, batteries and propellers. Joby’s goal is to make shorter-distance air travel accessible and convenient for everyday city dwellers, Allison said. The company expects to launch its air taxis at a price point similar to Uber Black, he said, but has the long-term goal of driving prices down to a level comparable to Uber X. An Uber Black ride from downtown Los Angeles to Los Angeles International Airport costs about $100, although prices vary depending on time of day and demand. An Uber X for the same trip costs around $60. Most trips in a Joby air taxi will require multiple legs, Allison said. After a customer uses an app such as Uber to schedule a ride through the skies, a car will come pick them up and take them to the nearest launching pad. At the end of the flight, another car will transport the customer from the landing site to the final destination. The air taxis can use existing helicopter infrastructure for takeoff and landing, Allison said, but at least some helipads will need to be enabled with electric charging to power the taxis. Joby is also working on building takeoff and landing infrastructure at American airports through a partnership with Delta Air Lines. Outside the U.S., Joby applied in September to become a certified electric air taxi operator in the United Arab Emirates. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-09-26/startup-seeks-to-bring-air-taxis-to-los-angeles Textron Aviation Pulls Out of NBAA-BACE Decision comes amidst a 5,000-worker strike Textron Aviation won't be on static display at Henderson Executive Airport, nor will it be on the convention floor. A third major business jet OEM—Textron Aviation—has opted against participating in NBAA-BACE next month in Las Vegas. Textron Aviation this morning released a statement saying it “continues its focus on designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers as we maintain our business operations during this time. With that, Textron Aviation and TRU Simulation, a Textron Aviation affiliated company, will not participate as exhibitors at the 2024 [NBAA-BACE].” The company added that it appreciates its longstanding involvement in industry events and looks “forward to future opportunities to showcase our industry-leading products.” While not elaborating further, the decision comes amid a strike at Textron Aviation that began on Monday involving 5,000 members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 774 District 70. The strike came despite the local bargaining committee’s recommendation that members accept the company’s offer. While Textron Aviation said it “has prepared for this scenario to ensure the business continues to operate for customers,” a Jefferies analyst estimated that the strike could disrupt 15 jet deliveries and reduce revenues by $300 million. The decision to pull out just weeks ahead of this year’s NBAA-BACE, which will be held from October 22 to 24, comes as a surprise. In fact, Textron Aviation hosted a pre-NBAA-BACE media briefing earlier this month in Wichita. After the decision, NBAA released a statement saying: "We at NBAA appreciate our partnership with Textron Aviation, as NBAA event exhibitors and key collaborators on the industry's highest priorities, including aviation safety, sustainability, and workforce development. We have been informed by company leadership that their focus on business operations will preclude their participation in NBAA-BACE this year. We respect their decision and look forward to welcoming their return to future NBAA events." For NBAA, however, the decision follows those of Gulfstream Aerospace and Dassault Falcon to bypass this year’s BACE. Gulfstream has emphasized that it is looking at smaller, more regional events to reach its customers, while Dassault is believed to be opting for an every-other-year mode. “I think that we have all been intrigued to see and hear about successes organizations are having hosting smaller, more intimate events with their business aviation customers, where the quality of the interaction (people, products, and services) is the focus,” noted Rolland Vincent, president of Rolland Vincent Associates. He suggested aircraft backlogs of 18 to 24 months may also play into the OEM’s evaluations of the events, particularly given the costs, and said, “I think time away from the office to attend these events has become an even more significant challenge than before.” In his submission to business aircraft marketplace AvBuyer’s September publication, aviation analyst Brian Foley underscored the importance of these decisions, pointing out that the revenue brought in by the association’s events has declined from 63% of all of its revenues in 2019, roughly equating to $34 million, to 56% of all its revenue in 2023, equating to $28 million. In his article, “Just When the Industry Needs Them Most,” Foley noted that NBAA has been creative in raising revenues through other sources. Pointing to emerging threats such as business aircraft audits and potential tax increases, he stressed, “The industry arguably needs NBAA advocacy more than ever but with rumors of even more anchor OEMs completely pulling out of NBAA-BACE, this is a time when NBAA needs continued industry support.” He added that business aviation advocacy groups around the world have faced similar challenges with fewer exhibitors, possibly undermining some of their abilities to put on a show. “While the associations have been gradually adapting to these challenges, they still need continued support from their constituents to effectively lobby on their behalf.” For NBAA, some of this may be cyclical. The OEMs over the years have continued to alter their footprints, opting at one show only to have a static display with a token customer support booth inside and then at the next show to have a full spread inside the convention floor. NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen earlier had acknowledged the constant need to evolve as the shows have evolved. “Everything in life is things change—how are we going to react and work to address that change,” he told AIN. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-09-25/textron-aviation-pulls-out-nbaa-bace Ahead of Storm, Embry Riddle Parking Garage Is Transformed Into Plane Hangar With Hurricane Helene expected to bring rain and high winds to Daytona Beach, Florida, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s flight department transported and secured 33 aircraft on the ground floor of a three-story parking garage. It was the first time that the garage on the Daytona Beach Campus had been used to secure a fleet of Cessna 172 single-engine planes — but it was not unanticipated. Its ground floor had undergone a redesign last year to allow for the safe storage of the aircraft during storms. Preparation for housing the planes involved several steps. Facility personnel secured previously installed hurricane screening. From the nearby flight line, the aircraft were taxied to an adjoining gate. Mechanics and dispatchers then pushed and pulled the aircraft into the garage. “We tested this operation last January,” said Dr. Ken Byrnes, chair of the Flight Department on the Daytona Beach Campus. “We implemented lessons learned from that test to ensure we could complete this operation with minimal disruption.” The facilities team took about four hours to install the screening. About an hour and a half later, the flight personnel had the planes positioned and tied down in the garage. “It went very well,” Byrnes said. “Thanks to a coordinated effort between campus safety, facilities and flight.” In addition to securing the planes in the garage, Embry Riddle sent aircraft to hangars at Daytona Beach and other local airfields in preparation for Hurricane Helene, which is expected to bring high winds and rain to the area. While securing aircraft is important, Embry Riddle’s top priority remains the safety of its students, staff and faculty. Embry Riddle officials have closed the Daytona Beach Campus today, and it is expected to reopen on Friday, Sept. 27. Tempest Tracks Hurricane Helene The garage was also outfitted on Wednesday with a TempestOne weather system, which includes sensors to measure and record wind speeds and other data in real-time. The data will be used to compare the winds inside and outside the garage. The innovative system, which employs site-specific weather data and AI-driven modeling to deliver more accurate weather information, is a product of Weatherflow-Tempest, Inc., a partnering company at Embry Riddle’s Research Park. TempestOne is a commercial suite of products and services that offers advanced capabilities and visualization tools for professionals in weather-sensitive industries. “When the University reached out yesterday, Tempest was ready to respond. Thanks to the swift installation process and the wireless capabilities of our TempestOne systems, we were able to rapidly deliver real-time weather data through our APIs and visualization tools," said David St. John, Tempest co-founder and chief technology officer. Along with commercial installations, Tempest has more than 80,000 systems deployed around the globe, many focused in and around coastal areas. As a public safety measure, the company provides open access to this data for named storms. Embry Riddle Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rodney Cruise said that Embry Riddle is pleased to partner with the team at WeatherFlow-Tempest “to employ this cutting-edge technology quickly during Hurricane Helene. The data we receive will give us valuable information during this storm and to prepare for future weather events.” https://news.erau.edu/headlines/ahead-of-storm-embry-riddle-parking-garage-is-transformed-into-plane-hangar 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 • 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