Flight Safety Information - October 22, 2024 No. 210 In This Issue : Incident: Lufthansa A319 at Salzburg on Oct 19th 2024, bird strike causes unreliable airspeed : Incident: Shenzhen A20N at Shijiazhuang on Oct 18th 2024, smoke in cabin : Incident: Lufthansa A321 at Hamburg on Oct 21st 2024, rejected takeoff due to crossing aircraft : Incident: Wizz A21N at Bucharest on Oct 20th 2024, hydraulic failure : Argentina FAA Audit; Category 1 safety rating at risk : Embraer Reports 33% Jump in Aircraft Deliveries : AerFin acquires six A330-200 aircraft : Aviation industry to add 45,900 aircraft worth $3.3 trillion over the next 20 years : Mesa Air posts $20M loss but starts recall of furloughed pilots : EasyJet offering salaries up to 170k in pilot recruitment battle at Gatwick : Airbus and Toshiba design superconducting engine for H2 aircraft : Lighting on radio tower reportedly failed days before helicopter crashed into it, killing 4 people : Engine issue caused fire, stopped plane from taking off at Logan Airport : NTSB Blames Boeing 747 Engine Fire on Shoddy Maintenance Work : Calendar of Events Incident: Lufthansa A319 at Salzburg on Oct 19th 2024, bird strike causes unreliable airspeed A Lufthansa Airbus A319-100, registration D-AIBA performing flight LH-1108 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Salzburg (Austria), was on final ILS approach to Salzburg's runway 15 when a number of birds impacted the aircraft prompting the crew to abort the approach and declared Mayday reporting they had no reliable speed indication anymore. They initiated a missed approach towards the north and subsequently decided to divert to Munich. During the diversion the transponder of the aircraft no longer showed any altitude, when queried by ATC the crew reported they were doing their operating procedures and that was part of their procedures. They had no speed indications anymore, they were flying the aircraft manually and were at FL100. ATC reported Linz although clear of clouds was not an option as the aerodrome was already closed. In case the aircraft could not land in Munich Nuremberg would also be available as an alternate aerodrome, the controllers had already been advised. Runways 26 or 08 at Munich were available and clear for them. The aircraft landed safely on Munich's runway 26R with emergency services on standby. Passengers reported the crew announced there had been a bird strike on approach to Salzburg, that caused the loss of airspeed indications, later a complete failure of electrics on board. The passengers were instructed to brace for landing in Munich. The aircraft is still on the ground in Munich about 44 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=51f393f3&opt=0 Incident: Shenzhen A20N at Shijiazhuang on Oct 18th 2024, smoke in cabin A Shenzhen Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration B-30FP performing flight ZH-9138 from Shijiazhuang to Shenzhen (China), was climbing out of Shijiazhuang's runway 33 when the crew stopped the climb at 3600 meters (about 11800 feet) reporting smoke in the cabin and returned to Shijiazhuang for a safe landing on runway 33 about 35 minutes after departure. An emergency evacuation via slides was carried out. There were no injuries. The airline confirmed a mechanical failure. A replacecment Boeing 737-800 registration B-5379 reached Shenzhen with a delay of about 8:20 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Shijiazhuang standing Oct 21st 2024. https://avherald.com/h?article=51f38afb&opt=0 Incident: Lufthansa A321 at Hamburg on Oct 21st 2024, rejected takeoff due to crossing aircraft A Lufthansa Airbus A321-100, registration D-AIRY performing flight LH-2079 from Hamburg to Munich (Germany), was accelerating for takeoff from Hamburg's runway 23 when the crew rejected takeoff at low speed at 07:43L (05:43Z), vacated the runway onto runway 15 and returned to the holding point runway 23. The aircraft departed about 7 minutes after the rejected takeoff. A passenger reported the captain announced the takeoff was rejected due to a crossing aircraft on runway 15, ATC cancelled their takeoff clearane in last second. The passenger reported the crossing aircraft might have been flight EW-4500. ADS-B data indicate that flight EW-4500 (A319 reg. 9H-EXW from Graz (Austria)) landed at 07:47L (05:47Z). Flight U2-1181 (A320 HB-JXF from Basel (Switzerland)) however touched down on runway 15 at 07:42L (05:42Z) and rolled out past the intersection with runway 23 at 07:43L (05:43Z). https://avherald.com/h?article=51f38031&opt=0 Incident: Wizz A21N at Bucharest on Oct 20th 2024, hydraulic failure A Wizz Air Airbus A321-200N, registration HA-LVD performing flight W4-3212 from Billund (Denmark) to Bucharest Otopeni (Romania), was descending towards Bucharest when upon contacting approach the crew reported they had a hydraulic problem on their left hand side, needed the full runway length and declared Mayday Fuel once they were starting the approach, however, they were expecting a normal landing. The airport kept runway 08L sterile for the arrival of the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely on runway 08L about 18 minutes later and taxied to the apron. The aircraft is still on the ground in Bucharest about 28 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=51f37259&opt=0 Argentina FAA Audit; Category 1 safety rating at risk The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has arrived in Argentina to conduct the final stage of evaluating the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program. The goal is to determine whether the country can maintain Category 1, the highest operational safety rating awarded by the U.S. agency. Argentina has held Category 1 since 2005. However, its aviation system has faced significant challenges in recent years. An audit conducted in 2022 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) revealed that the country was only meeting 60.47% of international standards, below the regional average. The most affected areas were the Civil Aviation Organization, with a 41.67% compliance rate, and Operations, with 37.29%. These results led the FAA to request its inspection, which was initially postponed and finally conducted in April of this year. During this evaluation, 82 findings were identified that required correction, particularly in airworthiness, operations, and licensing. To address this situation, the government intervened in the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) in July 2024, appointing María Julia Cordero as administrator to address the operational issues detected. Since then, ANAC has implemented a corrective action plan with technical assistance from experts at ICAO’s South American Regional Office. This plan includes updating procedure manuals and training inspectors in airworthiness and certification of air operators, among other measures. To date, 85% of these actions have been implemented and will be presented to the FAA delegation during their visit. Nevertheless, the government has expressed concern about possibly losing Category 1. “Despite the current administration’s race against time to reverse this situation caused by years of mismanagement at the National Civil Aviation Administration, there remains the possibility of a category downgrade for the national aviation system,” a statement from the Ministry of Transportation reads. Consequences of a possible downgrade Losing Category 1 has significant implications for Argentina’s aviation sector. Argentine airlines could not add new destinations or increase flight frequencies to the United States. Additionally, they would be unable to replace aircraft models on those routes or establish new codeshare agreements with U.S. airlines, affecting collaboration between Argentine and American companies. Airlines would also be subject to greater scrutiny from U.S. authorities, increasing operational costs and potentially causing delays. “The consequences of the agency’s poor administration in past administrations would negatively impact the international reputation of Argentine civil aviation,” the official statement continues. Current operations between Argentina and the United States Despite the uncertainties, air operations between the two countries continue as usual. Current routes and frequencies are as follows: American Airlines: 7 weekly flights between New York/JFK and Buenos Aires/Ezeiza; 14 weekly flights between Miami and Buenos Aires/Ezeiza. Aerolíneas Argentinas: 13 weekly flights between Buenos Aires/Ezeiza and Miami. Delta Air Lines: 7 weekly flights between Atlanta and Buenos Aires/Ezeiza. United Airlines: 7 weekly flights between Houston/Intercontinental and Buenos Aires/Ezeiza. The road ahead The government will continue “working swiftly and professionally to address the poor legacy it inherited and strengthen the operational safety of Argentina’s aviation system.” The FAA’s final decision is eagerly awaited, as it will determine the immediate future of commercial aviation between Argentina and the United States. The International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program was established by the FAA in 1992 following the crash of Avianca Flight 52. It aims to evaluate countries’ adherence to safety standards and practices set by ICAO and other international bodies. The categorization directly influences airlines’ ability to operate and expand their services in U.S. territory. https://airinsight.com/argentina-faa-audit-category-1-safety-rating-at-risk/ Embraer Reports 33% Jump in Aircraft Deliveries 41 executive jets delivered in the third quarter Embraer returns to NBAA-BACE enjoying a strong sales year and continued growth, including a nearly 50% jump in third-quarter business jet deliveries in the third quarter. In the three months ending September 30, the company delivered 41 executive jets and 16 commercial jetliners, an overall increase of 33% year over year. This compares with 28 executive jets and 15 of its airliners a year ago. Praetor deliveries in the quarter were notably up, reaching 19. This compares with nine in the same period of 2023. Phenom deliveries improved to 22, compared with 19 a year ago. For the first nine months, the company has delivered 86 business jets and 42 airliners, up from 66 and 39, respectively a year ago. The backlog of Embraer's Executive Jets business unit reached $4.4 billion during the third quarter, a 3% increase from the same quarter last year but a 4% decrease from the second quarter of 2024. Embraer reported the results as it prepared to arrive at BACE this week, where it is showcasing its Phenom 100, Phenom 300E, and Praetor 600 business jets. The Brazilian airframer is also touting the expansion of its owned MRO service center network. As Embraer picks up the pace with business jet deliveries, the company remains focused on sustainability efforts. It flew to NBAA-BACE on sustainable aviation fuel and has committed to NBAA’s “Green Pledge,” which includes reducing printed materials and committing to “sustainable practices” at industry events. Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, was to participate at the NBAA-GAMA “Climbing Fast” media breakfast on Tuesday, discussing the industry’s mission to reach net zero aviation. Amalfitano recently spoke about the industry’s challenges in the post-Covid economy at the JetNet IQ Summit in New York last month. “The supply chain is fractured in many ways," he said. "That talent pool we lost takes time to recover." "You’ve got to go to the supplier. We have hundreds of people sitting with suppliers and addressing problems firsthand and resolving it in their space as partners so they can ramp up more quickly to deliver results," Amalfitano said. "You gotta do the work; it’s not just fairy dust." According to Amalfitano, younger people are beginning to take an interest in the industry. He noted that creating opportunities for advancement and fair compensation is key. "The issue is not about simply hiring. It’s about training and investing dollars in the people so they can become master craftsmen and -women," he said. "What happened during the pandemic is we lost the best talent in every aspect of aerospace. You have to hire the people and get them motivated, but you have to invest dollars to train them." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-10-21/embraer-reports-33-jump-aircraft-deliveries AerFin acquires six A330-200 aircraft AerFin, the aviation asset specialist, has announced the acquisition of six A330-200 aircraft powered by PW4168 engines, featuring enhanced landing gear. These aircraft were previously in operation within the Asia-Pacific region. The engines will contribute to AerFin's expanding portfolio of PW4000 engines, while components and major assets from the A330 airframes will bolster its wide-body market inventory. This acquisition will further supplement AerFin's A320 material base and provide a reliable, ongoing supply of high-quality parts to support its growing A330 customer base. Commenting on the acquisition, Auvinash Narayen, Chief Investment Officer, stated: “Our ability to work successfully as a trusted partner to the owner of these six A330s, their airline customer, and the many other project stakeholders is another clear demonstration of AerFin's technical and operational expertise. We continue to confidently execute more complex sub-fleet exit opportunities globally in a highly competitive origination environment.” This transaction coincides with the formal opening of AerFin's Singapore office. Paul Ashcroft, Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific region, added: “With over one thousand A330s still in service, many of which operate in Asia, it is fantastic to see AerFin leading the way in securing the materials our customers need to support their fleets safely, reliably, and economically as the global fleet ages. We consistently provide high-quality Used Service Material, and the traceability of components from these A330s, delivered by a well-established APAC operator, offers the confidence our APAC and global customers expect when assessing the quality of our product offerings.” https://avitrader.com/2024/10/22/aerfin-acquires-six-a330-200-aircraft/ Aviation industry to add 45,900 aircraft worth $3.3 trillion over the next 20 years Cirium’s Fleet Forecast predicts 45,900 new passenger, freighter, and turboprop aircraft will be delivered between 2024 and 2043 October 22, 2024 Cirium’s Fleet Forecast predicts 45,900 new passenger, freighter, and turboprop aircraft will be delivered between 2024 and 2043. The number of active aircraft globally now exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Short-term forecast to 2027 predicts a 5% drop in deliveries due to supply chain issues London, 22 October 2024: Cirium, the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics, has published its annual Fleet Forecast, revealing the future outlook of the global commercial passenger and freighter aircraft market. The independent forecast, now in its twelfth year, reveals that 45,900 aircraft are predicted to be delivered globally over the next 20 years, equating to a total value of $3.3 trillion USD, as airlines continue to invest in newer and more sustainable aircraft. This year’s forecast by Cirium Ascend Consultancy, comes as the aviation industry continues to face supply chain issues delaying aircraft deliveries, with the report projecting 5% fewer deliveries between 2024-2027 due to a shortage of components (compared to 2023 data). Data also reveals that during Q4 2024, a total of 26,100 aircraft are currently in service, which is up 5% on January 2020 when the pandemic first took hold, showing the industry’s strong growth trajectory and recovery. This rise has been driven by the delivery and operation of single-aisle aircraft (up 13%), with the number of twin-aisle aircraft sitting 3% below pre-pandemic levels. The number of active regional jets also remains 8% down on pre-pandemic levels, with turboprops having seen the largest drop of 13%. Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Cirium’s Fleet Forecast also reveals that of the 45,900 new aircraft set to be delivered between 2024 and 2043, some 98% will be passenger aircraft, as the firm predicts that capacity (ASKs) will grow at 4.4% per year*. Despite this, an estimated 3,500 freighters are expected to be delivered in the next 20 years, with the industry’s cargo fleet projected to grow 2.6% per year. This majority (70%) of these will be through passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions rather than new deliveries, as airlines look to make the most of the current spike in demand. Airbus and Boeing will remain the two largest commercial aircraft OEMs, delivering an estimated 84% of aircraft between them, with this figure projected to rise to 90% by value in 2043, while COMAC is forecast to take a 6% share of demand. There is some $180 billion of demand for other OEMs (ATR, Embraer, etc), in addition to potential new programmes within the next 20 years. Asia as a whole will continue to be the leading region for aircraft growth, taking some 45% of deliveries over the next 20 years, of which China will contribute some 20% on its own, almost reaching the North American total. This growth is also compounded by the rise of commercial aviation within India, which is forecast to see the country’s passenger aircraft numbers increase from 720 at the end of 2023, to more than 3,800 over the next 20 years. The country is covered separately in the report for the first time. Rob Morris, Head of Consultancy at Cirium Ascend Consultancy, said “As we continue to enter the next cycle of growth for the aviation industry, our new Fleet Forecast illustrates the continued demand for new aircraft, as airlines look to renew and expand their fleets. “However, it is clear that supply chain issues and other manufacturing will continue to cause delays for OEMs, leading to uncertain delivery schedules for many airlines, and this has been factored into our forecast. “With markets like India set for significant growth, it is clear that the next 20 years will be increasingly competitive for manufacturers, with airlines continuing to invest in their fleets. “The forecast also illustrates the challenge of sustainability and net-zero as fleet growth is balanced with new aircraft efficiency to drive reductions in unit emissions.” As part of the report, Cirium has also revealed that single-aisle are projected to lead the industry’s growth over the next 20 years, with a projected 3.9% annual growth rate, exceeding the 3.3% for twin-aisles, as long-haul traffic continues to see slower growth post-pandemic. Regional aircraft are predicted to rise more modestly at an overall rate of 0.8% per year. https://www.cirium.com/thoughtcloud/aviation-industry-to-add-45900-aircraft-worth-3-3-trillion-over-next-20-years/ Mesa Air posts $20M loss but starts recall of furloughed pilots Mesa Air Group Inc. – the Phoenix-based parent company of Mesa Airlines – is starting to recall its furloughed employees, claiming it will be flying more under a new contract with United Airlines. While Mesa Air executives expect its financials to improve, the company posted a nearly $20 million loss during its fiscal third quarter, which ended in June, according to documents filed Oct. 16 with the SEC. The latest update comes after the company reported a profitable fiscal second quarter — its first in 11 quarters — with $11.6 million of earnings in Q2. During fiscal Q3, Mesa Air said its revenue was down 4% to $110.8 million compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company posted a $19.9 million loss for the quarter, which is less than the $47.6 million loss the company had in the same quarter in 2023. https://www.abc15.com/news/business/mesa-air-posts-20m-loss-but-starts-recall-of-furloughed-pilots EasyJet offering salaries up to 170k in pilot recruitment battle at Gatwick Airlines, including British Airways, are offering competitive wages amid air travel staff shortages EasyJet and British Airways are both hiring pilots at Gatwick EasyJet and British Airways, the aviation hub’s largest operators, both fly versions of the Airbus A320 commercial aircraft with recruitment efforts aimed at pilots who have the same training. Pilot training programmes and hiring were largely frozen during Covid, and as passenger numbers recover, a lack of air staff to operate flights has been reported. EasyJet is currently offering captains an annual salary of up to £170k including variable pay, dependent on experience. Flag carrier airline BA returned to Gatwick in March 2022 with a new shorthaul EuroFlyer division after focusing on flights from Heathrow during Covid. An easyJet job advert on LinkedIn for “A320 rated” captains at London Gatwick in 2025 says the roles offer “fantastic development opportunities based on merit, not seniority”. Listed benefits include generous leave allowance, complimentary food and drink during flights, and staff travel discounts across the industry. According to the airline, recruitment efforts and competitive salaries are not a result of a pilot shortage. It says this is part of the normal hiring process. British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy recruitment programme announced a £21m investment in July to fund training for 200 prospective pilots. The airline is currently hiring pilots at London Gatwick for BA EuroFlyer with a starting salary of £61,648 plus allowances circa £14,000. Management consulting firm Oliver Wyman forecast in 2022 that the global aviation industry could be short nearly 80,000 pilots by 2032. A spokesperson for easyJet said: “EasyJet is growing and so this recruitment is part of our normal process to hire pilots ahead of the next summer season alongside our usual internal promotions.” In April, easyJet reopened applications for their 2024 Pilot Training Programme in a drive to recruit 1000 new captains by 2028. The two-year intensive course also aims to encourage more women to consider careers in aviation. Captain Kate West, pilot training manager at easyJet, said: “We are delighted to reopen applications for this year’s Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme as part of our drive to recruit 1,000 new pilots and encourage more people to join this fantastic profession. “The training to become a pilot focuses on skills such as communication and problem solving, so when working as a team in the flight deck, diversity is incredibly valuable.” Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, has been following events at Gatwick almost since he was born just south of the runway. He said: “British Airways has long had a problem maintaining a profitable business at Gatwick, which has always played second fiddle to the BA operation at Heathrow. “Post-Covid, the BA EuroFlyer subsidiary was set up to allow the airline to keep costs down and compete effectively with easyJet. But with pilots in short supply, attracting and retaining flight crew is tough. “What British Airways can offer that easyJet cannot is the prospect of moving to the longhaul network – as well as travel perks that reach around the world. “For the passenger, it’s crucial that easyJet faces strong competition at Gatwick. Ryanair is almost non-existent; Wizz Air has only a small presence; and so it’s down to BA to be the main rival for easyJet.” https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/gatwick-pilot-salary-recruitment-easyjet-british-airways-b2632641.html Airbus and Toshiba design superconducting engine for H2 aircraft Airbus and Toshiba are cooperating in the field of superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft. The partners want to jointly develop a superconducting engine with two megawatts of power. Electric aircraft The collaboration in the field of H2 aircraft is to unfold between two Group subsidiaries – namely Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned Airbus company, and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, the energy division of the Toshiba Group. The aim is to exchange and “mutualise experience on superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft,” according to an accompanying press release. The aim of ‘superconductivity’ is to ensure that electricity flows through an electrical conductor largely without resistance when it falls below a certain temperature. According to the cooperation partners, this approach can be transferred very well to H2 aircraft if they use liquid hydrogen at a temperature of -253°C not only as a fuel, but also for efficient cooling of the electric drive systems. “Cryogenic technology could allow for a nearly unimpaired power transmission within the electric systems of the aircraft, significantly improving their energy efficiency and performance,” they add. According to Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior Vice President and Head of Disruptive R&T, the partnership with Toshiba offers the opportunity to overcome the limitations of today’s partially superconducting and conventional electric motors. “Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors. 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.” Tsutomu Takeuchi, Corporate Officer of Toshiba, responsible for the Power Systems Division and Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, said that both partners are aware of the enormous potential of superconducting technologies in shaping the future of aircraft and decarbonising the aviation industry. “We are confident that our collaboration with Airbus will play a key role in advancing next-generation technologies for the aerospace sector.” The partners aim to jointly develop a superconducting motor with an output of two megawatts. Airbus states that it has been endeavouring to test superconducting technologies for ten years. The company has already developed a demonstrator for testing a superconducting electric drive system. Toshiba, for its part, has been researching and developing applications for superconducting technology for almost half a century and claims to have presented the prototype of a two-megawatt class superconducting motor for mobility applications in June 2022. https://www.electrive.com/2024/10/21/airbus-and-toshiba-design-superconducting-engine-for-h2-aircraft/ Lighting on radio tower reportedly failed days before helicopter crashed into it, killing 4 people Lighting on a Houston radio tower reportedly failed just days before it was hit by a helicopter on Sunday, killing four people in a fiery explosion that toppled the tower and left debris scattered through the neighborhood. Operating as an air tour flight, the helicopter was flying at an altitude of 600 feet when it slammed into the 1,000-foot-high tower just before 8 p.m. Sunday, according to open-source data and investigating officials. The tower’s lights were “unserviceable” until the end of the month, according to a Federal Aviation Administration notice to pilots published last Thursday. Towers higher than 200 feet above ground level “should normally be marked and/or lighted,” and any tower lighting outage “should be corrected as soon as possible,” according to FAA guidance published in 2020. Towers and guy wires pose a unique hazard to helicopters, which typically fly at low altitudes and can be especially difficult for pilots to spot at night. Video of the crash shows at least one flashing light at the very top of the tower but the rest of the tower does not appear to be illuminated. The crash ignited a large explosion near Engelke Street and North Ennis Street that could be heard at a fire station nearly half a mile from the site, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said during a late-night news conference. The crash killed all four people, including a child, on board the privately owned Robinson R44 helicopter, according to Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and federal officials. The pilot and three passengers were killed, according to the FAA. NTSB investigators are planning to assess and recover the helicopter at the crash site. Department While the cause of the crash remains unclear, National Transportation Safety Board officials are expected at the crash site Monday to examine and recover the aircraft, the agency told CNN. Law enforcement officials are looking for debris across the area and the Houston Police Department’s vehicular crimes division is making a three-dimensional scan over a 4-acre area to share with the NTSB and the FAA, Lt. Jonathan French said in a news conference Monday. Additional investigators from NTSB will arrive at the scene Monday evening, where they will continue to work for at least another day, said Brian Rutt, an air safety investigator with NTSB. The aircraft departed Ellington Airport, which is about 17 miles south of the crash site. Rutt said the helicopter did not have a flight data recorder, which is not required. The flight was categorized as “sight seeing” and the helicopter is registered to Porter Equipment Holdings LLC of Magnolia, Texas, according to the FAA. CNN is reaching out to the company for comment. Surveillance video from a nearby home obtained by CNN shows what appears to be the helicopter flying toward the tower, then exploding on collision, lighting up the sky. Witness video shows fire personnel urging onlookers to clear the area where a fire was burning and warning them of a nearby gas tank. “This is a tragic event tonight. It’s a tragic loss of life,” Diaz said. Officials advised residents who see human remains around the crash site to leave the area alone and report it to authorities. The mayor said the city is “fortunate” the explosion was not more severe because there is a gas tank in the area. Lawrence Gurule was watching a football game on Sunday night when he heard a noise that “sounded like a bomb.” “I ran outside and looked up and I could see smoke. The tower was gone,” he said. Manuel Arciniega was nearby when the crash occurred, he told CNN affiliate KPRC. “My buddy behind me told me to look up in the sky, and I just saw the cell tower crumbling down. They said a helicopter hit it.” “It will be a large investigation because of the expanse of the accident,” Diaz said. If residents find helicopter parts in the area, they should avoid touching them and notify fire or police officials, he added. https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/20/us/houston-helicopter-tower-crash/index.html Engine issue caused fire, stopped plane from taking off at Logan Airport EAST BOSTON, Mass. — Emergency responders were called to Logan Airport Monday night after a flight was delayed from taking off due to an issue with the plane's engine. United Airlines Flight 2136 was scheduled to depart from Boston to Washington Dulles Airport, when the crew reported an engine issue that forced the Boeing 737-800 to return to its departure gate. Massport said they became aware of the issue after spotting a small grass fire behind the plane as it was taxiing. Upon the plane's return to the gate, United said the 162 passengers were asked to exit the plane, while emergency responders and United's ground crew addressed the plane's engine issue. Residents living near the airport in Winthrop described their homes shaking and hearing loud noises coming from the airport. "It was like two loud bangs," Winthrop resident Joe Quigley said. "It was something that [made] you notice something happened at the airport." Massport said the fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. https://www.wcvb.com/article/logan-plane-engine-issue/62674806 NTSB Blames Boeing 747 Engine Fire on Shoddy Maintenance Work Agency has published its final report on a January engine fire incident. The National Transportation Safety Board said an improperly installed borescope plug led to a January engine fire on an Atlas Air Boeing 747. Maintenance on the aircraft had been performed just four days before the incident. On January 18, Atlas Air Flight 3885 was between Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, when the crew received a fire indication in the Boeing 747-8F’s No. 2 engine at approximately 3,000 feet. An emergency was declared and the aircraft returned to Miami with no injuries reported. No signs of an uncontained engine failure were found, the NTSB’s final report noted, though minor burn damage was reported on the GEnx engine’s thrust reverser fan duct. The aircraft returned to service nine days later on January 27. According to the agency’s report, a third-party maintenance contractor was tasked with performing a borescope inspection on the No. 2 engine, requiring the removal of a plug. Both the mechanic and inspector certified that the inspection had been completed in line with maintenance manual standards. The removed plug was found loose in the engine cowling, which resulted in the fire. https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/ntsb-blames-boeing-747-engine-fire-on-shoddy-maintenance-work/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 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 • The Gulf Flight Safety Association (GFSA) - 26/27 of November 2024; Manama, Bahrain • Sponsor the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference! March 4 & 5, 2025 (Orlando) • Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Conference Center | Denver Colorado, March 27-29, 2025 • AIA Conference: The Aviation Insurance Association's annual conference in Orlando, Florida from April 25–28, 2025 • Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore • The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 Curt Lewis