Flight Safety Information - November 4, 2024 No. 219 In This Issue : Incident: Commut E145 at Washington on Oct 30th 2024, interior panel fell on passenger : Incident: France B773 enroute on Nov 2nd 2024, MCP speed selector failed : Incident: Envoy E175 at Dallas on Nov 1st 2024, loss of nose gear steering : Incident: Starlux A21N at Taipei on Oct 31st 2024, wing tip strike on bounced landing : Incident: Piedmont E145 at Philadelphia on Oct 31st 2024, engine shut down in flight : Japan has grounded its V-22 Osprey fleet again after flight incident : The British pilots pushing for the right to fly after turning 65 : Etihad to launch flight service from Abu Dhabi to Al Alamein, Egypt by July 2025 : Calendar of Events Incident: Commut E145 at Washington on Oct 30th 2024, interior panel fell on passenger A Commutair Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of United, registration N14148 performing flight UA-4305 from Washington Dulles,DC to Huntsville,AL (USA), was climbing out of Washington's runway 19L when about 3 minutes into the flight an interior panel fell from above an emergency exit and hit the passenger sitting there onto his head. The aircraft continued to Huntsville for a safe landing on runway 18L about 90 minutes after departure. Passenger Christian Cooper tweeted: "Exit row ln on @united yes this panel is held up with Band-aids. Yes this panel came undone 3 minutes after takeoff. Yes it hit me in the head. Yes it stayed like this for the rest of the flight. No this can’t be @FAANews approved, do better. #ua4305" The airline confirmed a plastic interior panel came loose during flight UA-4305 on Oct 30th 2024. The flight landed normally, the panel was repaired. The aircraft returned to service about 14 hours after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fc4bda&opt=0 Incident: France B773 enroute on Nov 2nd 2024, MCP speed selector failed An Air France Boeing 777-300, registration F-GSQX performing flight AF-470 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Mauritius (Mauritius) with 193 people on board, was enroute at FL310 over Croatia about 60nm east of Rijeka (Croatia) when the crew decided to return to Paris due to the failure of the control wheel for the airspeed on the Mode Control Panel (MCP). The aircraft landed safely back on Paris' runway 08L about 3.5 hours after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground in Paris for about 2 hours, then departed again and reached Mauritius with a delay of about 5:45 hours. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fc46a9&opt=0 Incident: Envoy E175 at Dallas on Nov 1st 2024, loss of nose gear steering An Envoy Embraer ERJ-175 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N282NN performing flight AA-4174 from Little Rock,AR to Dallas Ft. Worth,TX (USA), was on approach to Dallas when the crew declared emergency. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 36L and stopped on the runway, the crew reported they had no nose wheel steering. About two minutes later the crew advised they were now having nose gear steering and taxied to the apron. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 24 hours before returning to service. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fbc2f3&opt=0 Incident: Starlux A21N at Taipei on Oct 31st 2024, wing tip strike on bounced landi A Starlux Airbus A321-200N, registration B-58206 performing flight JX-871 from Okinawa (Japan) to Taipei (Taiwan), had entered a hold due to weather and subsequently positioned for an approach to Taipei's runway 05R. The aircraft touched down at 17:34L (09:34Z) but bounced and touched down a second time, the left wingtip contacted the ground before the aircraft became airborne again and went around. The aircraft positioned for another approach and landed on runway 05R without further incident about 30 minutes later. The aircraft is still on the ground about 36 hours later. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fa73a9&opt= Incident: Piedmont E145 at Philadelphia on Oct 31st 2024, engine shut down in flight A Piedmont Embraer ERJ-145 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N650AE performing flight AA-5928 from Philadelphia,PA to Cincinnati,KY (USA) with 45 people on board, was climbing out of Philadelphia's runway 27R when the crew declared Mayday reporting the failure of the #1 engine (Ae3007, left hand). The aircraft levelled off at 5000 feet and returned to Philadelphia for a safe landing on runway 27L about 15 minutes after departure. The FAA reported: "Piedmont Airlines Flight 5928 returned safely to Philadelphia International Airport around 11 a.m. local time on Thursday, Oct. 31, after the crew reported an engine issue shortly after takeoff. The Embraer E145 was headed to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The FAA will investigate." A replacement ERJ-145 registration N683AE reached Cincinnati with a delay of about 2:10 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 26 hours after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=51fb13f5&opt=0 Japan has grounded its V-22 Osprey fleet again after flight incident WASHINGTON (AP) — Japan has grounded its fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft again after an incident last Sunday where one of the hybrid helicopter-aircraft tilted unexpectedly and hit the ground while trying to take off. The V-22 was taking part in the joint U.S. military exercise Keen Sword and carrying 16 passengers, including three U.S. service members. During takeoff it “became unstable as it swayed from side to side, and the left wing, the lower part of the aircraft came into contact with the ground and part of the aircraft was damaged, so the flight was aborted," Japan's Ground Self Defense Forces said in a statement. It was the first major incident involving Japan's V-22 fleet since a U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Osprey crash last November off the coast of Japan killed eight service members and led to a monthslong grounding of the entire fleet for both Japan and the U.S. The aircraft resumed flight operations earlier this year, but the Osprey’s use remains controversial particularly in Okinawa, where residents have questioned its safety record. The Osprey in last Sunday's incident was able to land and no one was injured, however Japan will keep its fleet of more than a dozen V-22s grounded while it investigates the incident, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters last week. “We believe there is no safety problem with Ospreys, although ensuring flight safety is a prerequisite for aircraft operations,” Nakatani said. The Pentagon's V-22 joint program office is supporting Japan's investigation into the incident, spokesman Neil Lobeda said Saturday. The V-22 was operating on the Japanese island of Yonaguni during the joint exercise Keen Sword. Yonaguni is only 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Taiwan. https://www.yahoo.com/news/japan-grounded-v-22-osprey-024526853.html The British pilots pushing for the right to fly after turning 65 British pilots are forced to retire on their 65th birthday, but a growing number are lobbying for this to change In February 2026, Brian Smith will celebrate his 65th birthday. But the celebrations will be bittersweet, for as he reaches this milestone he will be forced to retire from his job. Once upon a time, British pilots were forced to hang up their hats at the age of 60, but in 1994 the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) raised the retirement age to 65. Thirty years on, Smith says this should be reviewed once again. “I think you could push the retirement age up to 68 right now, which would release a huge amount of the talent pool to do another few years and to pass on their experience,” says Smith, who currently flies for a British cargo airline and has previously flown with Ryanair, Emirates and Air2000 (later, First Choice). Smith points out that there is a major incentive for raising the retirement age: a UK-wide pilot shortage. “Since Brexit it’s no longer easy to employ pilots who are non-nationals on British-registered aircraft. It does happen, but there are a lot of hoops you have to jump through, which didn’t used to be the case,” says Smith, who adds that the pilot shortage has also been exacerbated by the Boeing strike and delays in delivering its new aircraft. “There’s a case to alleviate the pilot shortage and to make use of skills that are otherwise cast adrift, and to retain experience which is good for younger pilots,” he says. Former Ryanair pilot Brian Smith Former Ryanair pilot Brian Smith believes the retirement age should be raised to 68 Smith isn’t alone in making this call. He showed The Telegraph a Facebook post from a friend, also a pilot, with the caption: “Bye bye, my queen. Yesterday I could, today I’m too old to fly commercially. When will we start reviewing ridiculous regulations?” The post received 291 likes and 50 comments from people sympathising with his situation. One of the biggest concerns about allowing pilots to fly into their late sixties is that people, and particularly men, are more likely to suffer sudden incapacitation such as a stroke or heart attack at this age. One study, using data supplied by the FAA, shows that the risk of a sudden heart attack leading to in-flight incapacitation events rises significantly after the age of 60. However, of the 43 pilots in the sample, only 9 (21 per cent) held an FAA Class I or Class II medical certificate. Meaning many were hobbyists, rather than commercial pilots who are subject to frequent medicals. A study of commercial pilots, published by the EU’s Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), points out that in-flight incapacitation is very rare (around 0.45 times per 1,000,000 flight hours) but they did find “moderate evidence” that the risk of incapacitation increases with age. “Although cardiovascular conditions are considered as the principal risk factor for total incapacitation, syncope, late-onset seizures, and acute psychosis are also possible age-dependent causes of sudden incapacitation,” the report found. With this in mind, will passengers be nervous knowing that their pilot might be pushing 70? Smith accepts that this is a consideration. “I can see where they’re coming from. But there are men younger than 60 who suddenly collapse as well. I’m not sure in terms of statistical probability there should be too big a worry about that,” he argues, adding that the medical checks are rigorous, particularly for older pilots. “When you get to 60 you have to have a medical twice a year, not just once a year. But you’d be surprised how many things you could have and still fly. You have people flying with hearing aids, people flying who have had heart attacks and bypass surgery. So long as you can pass a medical after corrective surgery, you can still fly.” Smith says his eyesight started deteriorating 12 years ago meaning he now wears reading glasses, and his hearing isn’t what it used to be. But he says these factors don’t affect his performance as a pilot or his ability to pass the required medical tests. “The young guys are definitely sharper. They are on the ball, but they do lack the experience, so quite often their decision making can be a bit funny. They are prone to being guided entirely by process, and that’s what the airlines want. “What they make up for in being quick-witted and having good eyesight, [younger pilots] just don’t have the depth of experience. It’s nice to have a balance in the cockpit, and it just seems a shame to waste somebody just because they get to 65,” says Smith. The Civil Aviation Authority said: “This is an important issue for the pilot community. That is why we are working to test the challenges and opportunities of changing age restrictions. “We are signed up to internationally agreed standards on age limits and are working with other international regulators to make sure the current rules are fit for purpose and recognise recent advances in science and medicine.” The age limits on pilots are ultimately set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is currently reviewing its age limits using evidence published in the aforementioned EASA study into the performance of older pilots. For now, Smith’s hands are tied, and his days as a pilot are numbered. After his 65th birthday, he and his wife plan to spend a portion of their time in the south of Spain. He also has a training qualification, meaning he can work as a contractor to train up pilots on Boeing planes. But the work pays considerably less than his pilot’s salary: around £400 for four hours’ work, whereas captains at major airlines can expect to earn in excess of £100,000 per year. Above all else, it is the principle that rankles Smith: “On the discrimination side of things, it’s just not fair. There aren’t many other jobs that will make you retire at 65.” https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/british-pilots-right-to-fly-65/ Etihad to launch flight service from Abu Dhabi to Al Alamein, Egypt by July 2025 Etihad Airways announced that it will launch flight services from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to El Alamein International Airport (DBB) in Egypt. The inaugural flight is set to take place in July 2025, with services scheduled to operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays using one of the airline’s A320 family aircraft. The flight will offer eight seats in business class and 150 in economy. “We are excited to be adding Al Alamein to our ever-growing list of destinations,” Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways said in a statement. “Al Alamein is the entry point to Egypt’s hidden gem, offering a mix of natural beauty and cultural history, and we are sure it will become a popular choice for guests seeking relaxation and adventure. This new route further underlines our commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences and expanding access to exciting new markets,” Neves added. Al Alamein is located in Egypt’s Al Sahel region, which is known for its beaches, clear waters, and rich historical significance. Due to its location along Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline, the area has plenty of luxury resort developments and is fast becoming a popular choice for leisure travelers. El Alamein International Airport was the site for the first Egypt International Airshow, which took place on September 3-5, 2024. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/etihad-to-launch-flight-service-from-abu-dhabi-to-al-alamein-egypt-by-july-2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS • INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT - November 5 - 7, 2024 (Rio De Janeiro) • NATA’s Aviation Business Conference (ABC) - November 12-13,2024, Nashville, TN • Elevate Your Organization's Safety Practices with ERAU’s SMS Course in Daytona Beach Nov. 19-21 • 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 • Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Safety Symposium April 7-9, 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