Flight Safety Information - October 16, 2024 No. 206 In This Issue : Accident: Brussels A320 at Brussels on Sep 24th 2024, tail strike on bounced landing/go around : Incident: Mahan RJ1H at Grozny on Oct 14th 2024, landed on runway under construction : Incident: Iberia A332 at Madrid on Oct 13th 2024, bird strike : Incident: Jetblue A320 at Boston on Oct 13th 2024, gear indication issue : Singapore scrambles fighters as bomb threat targets Air India jet : FAA opens audit into runway incursion risks at 45 busiest US airports : Vape pen causes fire inside airplane traveling to Traverse City : Airbus, Toshiba to explore superconducting for hydrogen-powered aircraft : No evidence that nut allergens are transmitted in aircraft cabin air : Emirates invests US$48 million in pilot and cabin crew training : US judge orders Boeing, DOJ to detail diversity policy before deciding on plea : Boeing is raising $10 billion from 4 major banks — and could sell another $25 billion in securities : Boeing announces intention to raise up to $25 bn : TSA intercepts gun at Pittsburgh International Airport, marks 35th of 2024 : Register Now for the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference! : FlightSafety International - Pilot Instructor hiring event in Wilmington, DE : Calendar of Events Accident: Brussels A320 at Brussels on Sep 24th 2024, tail strike on bounced landing/go around A Brussels Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration OO-SNF performing flight SN-3778 from Ibiza,SP (Spain) to Brussels (Belgium), was on approach to Brussels' runway 25R at 18:13L (16:13Z) when the aircraft touched down and bounced prompting the crew to initiate a go around, however, the tail of the aircraft contacted the runway surface. The aircraft climbed out to safety, positioned for another approach to runway 25R and landed without further incident about 13 minutes later. The aircraft is still on the ground in Brussels 3 weeks later. https://avherald.com/h?article=51efacc0&opt=0 Incident: Mahan RJ1H at Grozny on Oct 14th 2024, landed on runway under construction A Mahan Air Avro RJ-100, registration EP-MON performing flight W5-5116 from Tehran Imam Khomeini (Iran) to Grozny (Russia), was on approach to Grozny's runway 08, but when turning onto finals veered left and aligned with a new runway under construction parallel to runway 08. The aircraft landed on that runway under construction without further incident. The aircraft currently is still in Grozny about 36 hours after landing. Neither current Aerodrome Charts nor NOTAMs show the runway under construction just north of the existing operational runway. The airport features an ILS approach to runway 26, now withdrawn via the NOTAMs, and NDB approaches to runway 08 and 26. https://avherald.com/h?article=51efaa7f&opt=0 Incident: Iberia A332 at Madrid on Oct 13th 2024, bird strike An Iberia Airbus A330-200, registration EC-MOU performing flight IB-6621 from Madrid,SP (Spain) to Havana (Cuba), departed Madrid's runway 36L and climbed to FL330. Enroute over the Atlantic Ocean about 200nm west of Lisbon (Portugal) when the crew decided to return to Madrid indicating an engine (CF6) issue. The aircraft descended to FL280 and landed safely back on runway 18R about 2.5 hours after departure. A passenger reported the crew announced a bird strike. The aircraft returned to Madrid for a normal landing and taxied to the gate without stop. They were rebooked onto flight IB-6623 and reached Havana with a delay of about 5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Madrid about 49 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=51ef9398&opt=0 Incident: Jetblue A320 at Boston on Oct 13th 2024, gear indication issue A Jetblue Airbus A320-200, registration N506JB performing flight B6-811 from Boston,MA to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA), was climbing out of Boston's runway 09 when the crew requested to maintain 4000 feet while working on a problem subsequently advising they had a gear indication, likely to be an indication problem however preventing them from flying at cruise speed. The crew decided to return to Boston for a safe landing on runway 04R about 20 minutes after departure. The aircraft was able to depart again about 100 minutes after landing and reached Chicago with a delay of about 2:45 hours. The FAA reported: "JetBlue Flight 811 returned safely to Boston Logan International Airport around 6:05 p.m. local time on Sunday, Oct. 13, after the crew reported a possible gear issue. The Airbus A320 was headed to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The FAA will investigate." https://avherald.com/h?article=51ef8b86&opt=0 Singapore scrambles fighters as bomb threat targets Air India jet Indian airlines have suffered a spate of bomb hoaxes in recent days. Singapore scrambled fighter planes as an approaching Air India Express passenger plane received a bomb threat. The city-state’s air force dispatched two F-15SG military aircraft to escort Air India flight AXB684 away from populated areas, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post late on Tuesday. The Indian airline had received an email claiming a bomb was on board its plane. The Air India aircraft landed safely at Changi Airport at 10:04pm (1404 GMT), Ng said. Singapore’s ground-based air defence systems and explosive disposal team were activated during the incident. Once it had safely landed, the plane was handed to the airport police, who reported that security checks revealed no threatening items on board. Indian airlines have faced “a number of threats in recent days,” via email or social media, all of which have been found to be hoaxes, Air India said in a statement. Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian flag carrier was forced to divert a flight headed to Chicago to land in Canada. The previous day, a flight from Mumbai to New York was diverted to Delhi due to a bomb hoax. IndiGo was forced to delay flights to Oman and Saudi Arabia while SpiceJet received a bomb threat to a flight to Mumbai from the northern city of Darbhanga. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/16/singapore-scrambles-fighters-as-bomb-threat-targets-air-india-jet FAA opens audit into runway incursion risks at 45 busiest US airports WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it is opening an audit into runway incursion risks at the 45 busiest U.S. airports after a series of troubling near miss incidents. Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board said air-traffic controllers cleared an Alaska Airlines jet last month to take off at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport on the same runway where a Southwest Airlines plane had been cleared to cross. The runway incursion audit will include a risk profile for each airport, along with identifying potential gaps in procedures, equipment, and processes, and recommendations to improve safety and is expected to be concluded in early 2025. The FAA Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service is conducting the review and the agency added it "is committed to identifying and mitigating risk at every level." Over the last two years, a series of near-miss incidents have raised concerns about U.S. aviation safety and the strain on understaffed air-traffic-control operations. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said last month the number of serious runway-incursion incidents had fallen by over 50%. The FAA said in April it would install new surface-awareness technology at four airports including Nashville's by July. The FAA previously declined to comment on whether the technology was operating. The runway study responds in part to recommendations made in November 2023 by an independent U.S. aviation review team that called for "urgent action" to boost safety after a series of close calls involving passenger jets, the FAA said. President Joe Biden wants funding to hire 2,000 new controllers and several reports have warned of the safety impacts of shortages. In June, the FAA again extended cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2025, citing air traffic controller staffing shortages. In June, the NTSB found that incorrect assumptions by an air traffic controller led to a February 2023 near-collision between a FedEx plane and a Southwest aircraft in Austin, Texas. A government watchdog report said in June 2023 critical air traffic facilities face significant staffing challenges, posing risks to air traffic operations. At many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to cover shortages. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/faa-opens-audit-runway-incursion-191928393.html Vape pen causes fire inside airplane traveling to Traverse City TRAVERSE CITY — Cherry Capital Airport officials said a vape pen caused a fire on board a plane headed to Traverse City on Friday. On Friday around 10:10 p.m., the airport was notified that United Flight 1531 - a Boeing 737-700 traveling from Chicago to Traverse City - was experiencing an inflight fire inside the passenger cabin. Central dispatch notified all mutual aid partners to respond per the Airport Emergency Plan, officials said. The flight crew reported that the fire was extinguish by a flight attendant prior to landing, officials said. The source of the fire was a vape pen. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate at 10:28 p.m. The aircraft was meet by firefighters and airport operations personnel. No reported injuries from the 133 people on board, officials said. https://www.9and10news.com/2024/10/15/vape-pen-causes-fire-inside-airplane-traveling-to-traverse-city/ Airbus, Toshiba to explore superconducting for hydrogen-powered aircraft Airbus is teaming up with Japan’s Toshiba to cooperate on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. Airbus unit Airbus UpNext and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions agreed to “cooperate and mutualise” with superconducting at the Japan Aerospace show in Tokyo. Airbus and Toshiba team up in Tokyo “Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors,” says Airbus vice president Grzegorz Ombach, head of disruptive research & technology at the airframer. “Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus’ future hydrogen-powered aircraft. This partnership represents a natural and essential step in advancing superconducting motor technology to meet the needs of the aerospace industry.” In a media briefing at the show, Ombach and counterparts from Toshiba outlined a vision where an aircraft’s liquid hydrogen fuel stored at -253°C is used to cool electric propulsion systems, allowing vastly improving power transmission within an aircraft’s electric system, thereby improving efficiency. “If this technology is put into practical use, it will revolutionize not only the aviation industry, but also the larger mobility industry,” says Tsutomu Takeuchi, who heads Toshiba’s Power Systems business. Cooling is critical for superconducting materials to work efficiently. Toshiba, for its part, has long experience with superconducting technology including the production of superconducting magnets used by the semiconductor industry. It also has expertise in motor drive and rotating machinery technology. Ultimately, the two partners hope to develop a 2MW superconducting motor. In May, Airbus said it wanted to advance the use of superconducting technology for propulsion in a future hydrogen-powered aircraft through a new demonstrator. The Cryoprop demonstrator will feature a superconducting 2MW electric propulsion system cooled by liquid hydrogen using recirculation of helium. Airbus has already been exploring superconducting technology with its 500kW ASCEND powertrain demonstrator, which achieved power-on in November last year. Ombach adds that Airbus sees great potential for Japanese technology, noting that the company formed the Airbus Tech Hub Japan in May 2024. The initiative is aimed at exploring Japanese technologies for the next generation of aircraft. “We are grateful that Airbus chose us as their first partner since launching Tech Hub Japan, and we would like to strive contribute to the realization of a circular economy in the aviation industry,” adds Takeuchi. https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/airbus-toshiba-to-explore-superconducting-for-hydrogen-powered-aircraft/160315.article No evidence that nut allergens are transmitted in aircraft cabin air Surface residues pose the main risk, possibly heightened by fast turnarounds There is no evidence for the commonly held belief that nut allergens can be spread through aircraft ventilation systems, say allergy and aviation medicine specialists in an evidence review published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. In a new systematic review of all the evidence relating to flying with allergies, the research team found that allergic reactions to foods are in fact 10 to 100 times less common during flights than they are ‘on the ground’ – although they note that this could be due to passengers with food allergies taking more precautions when flying. Instead, allergen residues on surfaces, such as tray tables, and seat-back video screens, were found to pose the main risk. Paul Turner, Clinical Professor in Anaphylaxis and Allergy at Imperial College London, who led the study, said: “The message is that people shouldn't be worried about what food is being transmitted in the air when they fly. We didn’t find any evidence that nut particles could travel through the cabin ventilation system on airplanes and cause reactions. On top of that, the vast majority of people with food allergies don’t react to aerosolised food particles, even if they are allergic to very small amounts.” However, the authors did find evidence that there is risk from passengers touching contaminated surfaces on the aircraft, and then transferring allergens to their mouths. This probably explains why some people think they do react to airborne allergens. They recommend a simple solution. Dr Turner explained: “The one thing people must do to protect themselves is to clean their seat area. Allergenic food is really sticky, and can be found on seat surfaces, tabletops, and seat-back entertainment screens. If food-allergic people have time to clean their seat area with something like a baby wipe or antibacterial wipe, they are much less likely to have these type of reactions.” The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) commissioned the authors to investigate and report on the risks of flying with allergies, in a response to concerns about the issue from passengers. The published study is a summary of the full report and its findings are also referenced on the CAA’s passenger health information. Around 2–3% of children and 1–2% of adults in the UK have a food allergy, with similar rates observed in medium to high income countries. Food allergy is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. The researchers undertook a systematic review of all the published evidence dating back to 1980. They found that, with the notable exceptions of vapours from fish/seafood and exposure to occupational wheat flour, allergic reactions to aerosolised foods are rare. While peanut allergens can be detected at very low levels in the air when deshelling nuts, the dust settles quickly and can only be detected in very close proximity to the nuts, implying that very little dust circulates in the air. What’s more, aircraft cabin ventilation systems are designed to circulate air across the aircraft, rather than along the cabin, so minimising the potential for spreading passenger-generated contaminants through the cabin. Air is completely exchanged every 3–4 minutes during a flight. In modern large commercial aircraft, around half of the air intake is recirculated air that has passed through particulate air filters which effectively remove dust, vapours, microbes, and capture aerosolised food particles at the same time. The other half comes from outside. Since cleaning surfaces is important, allowing food-allergic passengers to board the plane in advance can be helpful in this respect, say the authors, who note that the US Department of Transportation already requires airlines to allow passengers with nut allergies to do this. The researchers say that public announcements requesting passengers not to consume nuts during the flight are unlikely to reduce the risk of in-flight reactions, and might provide false reassurance. But they do recommend that passengers at risk of food anaphylaxis should carry adrenaline [epinephrine] auto-injectors, such as an EpiPen, in their hand luggage. Dr Turner says the next stage is to inform and influence airline policy. He explains: “We’re having discussions with a number of major airlines, as well as patient groups and anaphylaxis charities, to see if we can get some consistent changes in airline policy across airlines operating out of the UK and internationally. That will help to reflect what the evidence is and really make a difference to food-allergic passengers.” Simon Williams, Chief Executive of Anaphylaxis UK, also commented on the findings, saying: "A key take-home message is the importance of passengers cleaning their seat area, including the tray table and the seat-back entertainment system." https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/257074/no-evidence-that-allergens-transmitted-aircraft/ Emirates invests US$48 million in pilot and cabin crew training In preparation for the arrival of its much-anticipated Airbus A350 aircraft, Emirates has invested approximately US$48 million in cutting-edge training equipment and systems for both its pilots and cabin crew. This significant investment underscores the airline's commitment to achieving the highest standards of excellence in crew training. The new training suites include three full-flight simulators integrated with innovative Pilot Support Systems (PSS), a fixed-base training device, a cabin emergency evacuation trainer and a door trainer. This comprehensive set of tools is designed to optimise the training experience and ensure that both pilots and cabin crew are equipped with the skills required for safe and efficient operations. A key feature of this investment is the PSS, an industry first, which was entirely developed in-house by Emirates. The PSS enhances the pre-flight briefing phase by enabling trainees to engage in an interactive flight deck set-up, allowing them to build flight plans in a fully immersive environment. Once in the simulator, the set-up is recalled to resume the training seamlessly. The PSS also includes a debriefing function that allows instructors to replay recorded sessions to review crew performance. Emirates' first A350 full-flight simulator has achieved a level D qualification, the highest standard for this type of simulator, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The qualification was achieved with zero findings, an impressive accomplishment in the simulation industry. This advanced technology not only increases the efficiency of training but also empowers pilots to confidently master the skills required for smooth A350 operations. Emirates has ordered three full-flight simulators for its A350 fleet. The second simulator is currently in the acceptance phase and is expected to receive EASA approval by November. Additionally, the A350 fixed-base training device replicates the flight deck environment with the use of visual and audio systems, making training sessions as realistic as possible. This advanced training infrastructure will support the airline's growth as it prepares for the arrival of 65 A350s and a mix of 205 Boeing 777Xs, which will enhance its flexibility to launch new routes and improve service on existing ones. Later this year, Emirates will open its state-of-the-art pilot training facility, covering 63,318 ft² and capable of housing six full-flight simulator bays for the A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft. Across its training facilities, Emirates will offer 17 full-flight simulators, providing more than 130,000 training hours annually, allowing its pilots to continually sharpen their flying skills. https://avitrader.com/2024/10/15/emirates-invests-us48-million-in-pilot-and-cabin-crew-training/ US judge orders Boeing, DOJ to detail diversity policy before deciding on plea (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday ordered Boeing and the U.S. Justice Department to detail the impact of diversity and inclusion policies on the selection of an independent monitor before he decides whether to accept the planemaker's plea deal. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor held a hearing Friday as he considers whether to approve Boeing's agreement to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud regulators. The deal would include oversight for three years by an independent monitor. The order is the latest hurdle Boeing faces to avoid a potentially embarrassing trial and plead guilty to misleading the Federal Aviation Administration and violating a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. O'Connor on Tuesday told DOJ and Boeing to answer questions by Oct. 25 about the DOJ policy of selecting a monitor in keeping with the government's commitment to diversity and inclusion. A DOJ spokesperson said the government "will comply with the judge’s order and respond before the court’s deadline." Boeing did not immediately comment. While ordering DOJ and Boeing to respond to a series of questions about the diversity and inclusion policy and how it might affect the selection of an independent monitor, he also pointed out that it was not a disputed facet of the plea agreement. "Critically, Boeing did not voice any objection to this provision," the judge said in his order. O'Connor also wants the planemaker to detail how its existing diversity, equity and inclusion policies "are used in its current compliance and ethics efforts." The planemaker agreed to pay up to a $487.2 million fine and spend at least $455 million on improving safety and compliance practices over three years of court-supervised probation as part of the plea deal. O'Connor Friday pressed the Justice Department to justify the terms of Boeing's agreement to plead guilty to fraud in the wake of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019 that killed 346 people. Attorneys for Boeing and DOJ argued Judge O'Connor should accept the plea deal, while lawyers for relatives of the crash victims urged him to reject it. Boeing agreed in July to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud regulators. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/us-judge-orders-boeing-doj-223318703.html Boeing is raising $10 billion from 4 major banks — and could sell another $25 billion in securities Boeing is raising $10 billion from 4 major banks — and could sell another $25 billion in securities Boeing has entered a $10 billion credit agreement with four banks, it said in a filing Tuesday. In a separate filing, the planemaker said it may also sell up to $25 billion in securities. Boeing has faced numerous challenges in 2024, including a monthlong strike and planned layoffs. Boeing plans to raise up to $35 billion to help steady its finances as a machinists strike enters its fifth week. In a Tuesday regulatory filing, the planemaker said it had entered a $10 billion credit agreement with Bank of America, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase. Boeing also filed a prospectus saying that it may sell up to $25 billion in securities, including bonds, new shares, and stock options. "These are two prudent steps to support the company's access to liquidity," Boeing said in a statement, adding that the fundraising would help it "navigate through a challenging environment." The storied planemaker has seen its share price fall 40% since the start of the year as it battles several challenges. Credit-ratings agencies have said that its bonds may be downgraded to junk status. Some 33,000 workers have been on strike since mid-September, demanding increased pay and the restoration of a traditional pension plan. Ron Epstein, a Bank of America analyst, estimated the strike was costing Boeing $50 million a day. In an analysis shared with CNN, Anderson Economic Group estimated the strike had cost the planemaker $5 billion over the past month. Labor Secretary Julie Su flew to Seattle to mediate after tensions heated up. Each side accused the other of bargaining in bad faith as Boeing withdrew its offer to the union. On Friday, Boeing announced plans to lay off 17,000 workers — as well as a further delay to its much-anticipated 777X jet, now expected to launch in 2026. Boeing expected a charge of $2.6 billion as a result. Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, the largest 777X customer, said the airline would have "a serious conversation" with Boeing. The planemaker's punishing year began with a door plug coming off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max midflight. Amid customers' frustrations in the aftermath, then-CEO Dave Calhoun left the company. His replacement, Kelly Ortberg, joined Boeing in August. Boeing's space business also faltered when problems with its Starliner spacecraft led to two astronauts spending months longer than planned on board the International Space Station. NASA decided Starliner would return to Earth uncrewed and that SpaceX would bring the astronauts back home in February instead. https://www.yahoo.com/news/boeing-raising-10-billion-deals-111252259.html Boeing announces intention to raise up to $25 bn US aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Tuesday unveiled measures meant to replenish its cash flow, including its intention to raise up to $25 billion, as it navigates recurrent production problems and a major US strike. The company said it could raise the money via securities such as shares or bonds, according to a regulatory document. It also earlier announced that it was in an agreement to obtain $10 billion in credit from multiple banks. The moves come amid a worker strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, who walked off the job on September 13 after overwhelmingly rejecting a contract offer. The direct financial impact of the first month of the strike cost Boeing more than $3 billion, according to Anderson Economic Group. Last week the company said it planned to cut 10 percent of its workforce as it projected a large third-quarter loss, in the wake of the strike by some 33,000 workers in the Seattle region. The work stoppage has only added to the company's litany of problems. Boeing sank into further turmoil in January when a window blew out mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines plane, necessitating an emergency landing on a 737 MAX, the aircraft involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. That led to the Federal Aviation Administration tightening oversight of Boeing's production processes, capping the company's output. Production on the MAX is now halted due to the IAM strike. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-announces-intention-raise-25-125105500.html TSA intercepts gun at Pittsburgh International Airport, marks 35th of 2024 PITTSBURGH — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted the 35th gun of 2024. The Pittsburgh International Airport said in a statement Monday that a .38-caliber loaded handgun was removed from the carry-on bag of a man from Washington, Pennsylvania. “If you must travel with your firearm, the proper way to do it is to make sure it’s unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case and taken to the airline check-in counter," said Donald Weston, TSA acting federal security director for Pittsburgh International. "The airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the aircraft.” The TSA said you can find details on how to properly travel with a firearm on its website. Last year, TSA said 44 guns were intercepted at Pittsburgh International Airport, the highest detected since 2017. https://www.wtae.com/article/tsa-35th-2024-gun-pittsburgh-international/62615737 YOUR NEXT DESTINATION Now Hiring at Our Center in Wilmington, Delaware FlightSafety is seeking experienced pilots to join the ranks of the best flight instructors in the industry at our Wilmington Learning Center. Use your seasoned skills to make an impact on aviation in a profound way. Competitive Incentives Available · Schedule 60 Days in Advance · Sign on and Monthly Bonuses · Competitive Base Salaries · Full Relocation Support · Be Home Every Night · Career Growth RSVP Today Interested in attending? RSVP and submit your application. REGISTER NOW Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST Location: 155 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720-3121 Contact Donna.Quattro@flightsafety.com for more information We look forward to seeing you. CALENDAR OF EVENTS • Safeskies Australia Conference, Canberra Australia - 16th and 17th of October 2024 - www.safeskiesaustralia.org • 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition - Oct. 22-24 (Vegas) • INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT - November 5 - 7, 2024 (Rio De Janeiro) • NATA’s Aviation Business Conference (ABC) - November 12-13,2024, Nashville, TN • Sponsor the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference! March 4 & 5, 2025 (Orlando) • Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore Curt Lewis