Flight Safety Information - December 11, 2024 No. 246 In This Issue : Incident: United B739 at San Francisco on Dec 7th 2024, engine problem : Incident: Easyjet A20N enroute on Dec 8th 2024, engine problem : Incident: Qantas E190 near Brisbane on Dec 10th 2024, brakes engaged indication in flight : Two Drunk Japan Airlines Pilots Delays Flight from Australia : Navy orders video recorders data storage systems for U.S. and Australian F/A-18 jet fighter-bomber avionics : Boeing jet deliveries fall to 13 in November after strike ends : Middle East conflicts stir safety fears for Europe’s airline pilots : Five escape death as cargo aircraft skids off Abuja airport runaway 11th December 2024 : United Airlines Passenger Stripped Off His Shirt Before Pinning Flight Attendant Against Door And Chasing Her Down Airplane Aisle : More Than Six Months After Fatal Accident, Singapore Airlines Joins Innovative Data Sharing Program To Reduce Turbulence Risk : United Airlines flight from Christchurch to San Francisco diverted to Honolulu for crew change : FAA and EASA deepen partnership on aviation safety : Calendar of Events Incident: United B739 at San Francisco on Dec 7th 2024, engine problem A United Boeing 737-900, registration N37420 performing flight UA-1898 from San Francisco,CA to Denver,CO (USA) with 187 people on board, was climbing out of San Francisco's runway 01L when the crew stopped the climb at 3000 feet reporting a surge of the left hand engine (CFM56) and decided to return to San Francisco. The aircraft landed on runway 28R about 10 minutes after departure, tower reported seeing the left hand engine on fire, emergency services responded, shortly afterwards tower reported the engine appeared normal again. The crew shut the left engine down. The FAA reported: "United Airlines Flight 1898 safely returned to San Francisco International Airport around 1:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 7, after the crew reported a possible engine issue. The Boeing 737-900 was headed to Denver International Airport. The FAA will investigate." A replacement Airbus A321-200N registration N14512 reached Denver with a delay of about 8 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in San Francisco about 72 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=5216468f&opt=0 Incident: Easyjet A20N enroute on Dec 8th 2024, engine problem An Easyjet Airbus A320-200N, registration G-UZLS performing flight U2-2215 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Faro (Portugal), was enroute at FL360 when an engine (Leap) problem occurred. The aircraft was able to continue the flight, later climbed to FL390 and landed safely in Faro about 3:35 hours after departure. A passenger reported the aircraft "from MAN to FAO had an engine fault, which cleared itself according to the Captain, it landed safety and is still grounded at FAO." A replacement A319-100 registration G-EZBW performed the return flight reaching Manchester with a delay of about 7.5 hours. The aircraft is still on the ground in Faro about 58 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=521640be&opt=0 Incident: Qantas E190 near Brisbane on Dec 10th 2024, brakes engaged indication in flight A Qantas Embraer ERJ-190, registration VH-XVS performing flight QF-1929 from Brisbane,QL to Adelaide,SA (Australia), was enroute at FL360 about 180nm southwest of Brisbane when the crew decided to return to Brisbane reporting problems with their brakes, the brakes indicated engaged in flight. The passengers were briefed for an emergency landing and instructed to brace for landing. The aircraft landed safey on runway 01R about 40 minutes later. The airline reported an issue with the landing gear brakes. The aircraft landed normally. A replacement ERJ-190 registration VH-UYW reached Adelaide with a delay of about 5 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 5 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52163f6b&opt=0 Two Drunk Japan Airlines Pilots Delays Flight from Australia An internal investigation on December 3rd confirmed that Captains A and B violated company alcohol regulations. TOKYO- Japanese flag carrier, Japan Airlines (JL) or JAL confirmed two pilots tested above the alcohol limit before Flight JL774 from Melbourne (MEL) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) on December 1st, 2024, causing a significant departure delay. The incident involved two experienced male captains: Captain A (59, 15,632 flight hours) and Captain B (56, 13,310 flight hours). Both conducted self-administered breath tests at their hotel around 5 AM local time, revealing alcohol levels exceeding company standards. Japan Airlines (JL) or JAL confirmed two pilots tested above the alcohol limit before Flight JL774 from Melbourne (MEL) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) on December 1st, 2024, causing a significant departure delay. Drunk Japan Airlines Pilots Captain A initially requested a shift delay due to illness, while Captain B proceeded to the airport. Additional airport testing confirmed Captain B’s elevated alcohol levels, requiring multiple tests until a safe reading was obtained at 8:15 AM. Captain A, after re-testing at the hotel and clearing the limit, arrived at the airport around 6 AM. Flight JL744 ultimately departed Melbourne at 10:31 AM, 3 hours and 11 minutes behind the original schedule. The flight arrived in Tokyo/Narita at 5:57 PM, landing 2 hours and 42 minutes late. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft (registration: JA840J) carried 103 passengers and was staffed by 11 crew members, including two captains, one co-pilot, and eight cabin attendants. Japan Airlines (JL) or JAL confirmed two pilots tested above the alcohol limit before Flight JL774 from Melbourne (MEL) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) on December 1st, 2024, causing a significant departure delay. Pilots Suspended An internal investigation on December 3rd confirmed that Captains A and B violated company alcohol regulations. The pilots consumed two glasses of sparkling wine and two bottles of wine between 2 PM and 4 PM on November 30th, the day before their scheduled flight. Japan Airlines (JAL) maintains strict alcohol guidelines requiring pilots to have a residual alcohol concentration equivalent to four drinks or less 12 hours before their shift. Any breath test showing alcohol concentration above 0.00 milligrams per liter results in immediate work suspension. JAL reported the December 1st incident to the ministry on December 6th. A company representative stated, “We recognize the severity of this situation, especially considering our previous warning. We are conducting comprehensive interviews with the involved crew members to prevent future occurrences.” This incident is not isolated. On April 24th, 2024, a male captain scheduled for flight JL11 from Dallas/Fort Worth to Tokyo/Haneda was found intoxicated at the hotel, causing flight cancellation. Following such incidents, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism issued a stern warning to JAL on May 27th, compelling the airline to submit preventive measures on June 11th. In March 2024, Delta Air Lines (DL) pilot Lawrence Russell, 63, pleaded guilty after airport security discovered open alcohol bottles in his luggage before a scheduled flight from Edinburgh to New York. In June of the previous year, Scottish airport security searched Russell and found two Jägermeister bottles in his luggage, one half-full. Russell admitted to reporting for duty while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The incident occurred on June 16 at Edinburgh Airport during a standard luggage check around 8 am. Russell, wearing his Delta Air Lines pilot uniform, was immediately interrogated by police after alcohol was detected in his bag. A subsequent breathalyzer test revealed Russell’s blood alcohol concentration significantly exceeded the legal limit for aviation personnel. He was arrested and held in custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where he admitted to the charges. Russell, from Georgia where Delta is headquartered, was scheduled to pilot a Boeing 767 carrying passengers from Edinburgh to New York before his detention. United Pilot Arrest Similarly, in July 2023, a 63-year-old United Airlines (UA) pilot faced legal consequences in Paris after being caught with excessive alcohol levels before a scheduled flight to Washington. Gendarmes at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport observed clear signs of intoxication on July 23rd. The pilot, identified as Henry W, displayed obvious drunkenness, including staggering, glassy eyes, and a visibly impaired demeanor. A breathalyzer test confirmed the pilot’s alcohol level exceeded the legal limit for aviation personnel in Europe. Police arrested and detained him overnight at the Bobigny court cells. During court proceedings, the pilot claimed to have consumed only two glasses of wine the previous evening. However, the court rejected his explanation and emphasized the potentially catastrophic consequences of his actions. The Bobigny court handed down a six-month suspended prison sentence, accompanied by a €4,500 fine and a one-year pilot license suspension. The court critically noted that the pilot’s behavior could have risked the lives of 267 passengers on the flight. Such cases are not restricted to pilots, Last month, two Delta Air Lines flight attendants failed breathalyzer tests moments before a flight from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to New York (JFK). The incident occurred on November 29, 2024, when two flight attendants—one male and one female—were discovered to be intoxicated during their Thanksgiving layover in Amsterdam https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/12/11/two-drunk-japan-airlines-pilots-delays-flight/ Navy orders video recorders data storage systems for U.S. and Australian F/A-18 jet fighter-bomber avionics 40-Watt, 11-pound design offers seamless on-the-fly rerouting and data translation of input to and from the recorder irrespective of interfaces. The Mercury HDVR avionics high-definition video recorder is for high-speed data and video recording of flight incidents and mission data. PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy combat aircraft avionics experts needed high-definition video recorders for F/A-18C-F jet fighter-bomber. They found their solution from Mercury Systems Inc. in Torrance, Calif. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced a $14 million order to Mercury late last month for high-definition video recorders for the F/A-18C-F jet fighter-bombers and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare (EW) aircraft. Avionics video recorders Mercury Mission Systems (formerly Physical Optics Corp.) will provide 121 high-definition video recorders -- 109 for the Navy and 12 for Australia -- for F/A-18C-F and EA-18G aircraft retrofits. The Mercury HDVR avionics high-definition video recorder is for high-speed data and video recording of flight incidents and mission data with 4 terabytes of memory, 550-megabit-per-second transfer speeds, 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports, and channels for high-speed digital video (HSDV). The data recorder has a typical 25-year lifespan and protects critical aircraft data with FIPS 140-2 and advanced encryption and information security options. Mercury predecessor Physical Optics developed an Automatic Real-Time, Reconfigurable interface Generalization Hardware (ARRGH) multiprotocol data recorder and data storage system as part of the Automatic Real-Time, Reconfigurable Interface Generalization Hardware Multiprotocol Data Recorder project. Mercury acquired Physical Optics in late 2020. Removable memory unit The phase-one ARRGH design is based on integrating hybrid transcoding hardware, RAID-based mass storage, and intelligent transcoding heuristic software, Navy officials say. This 40-Watt, 11-pound design offers seamless on-the-fly rerouting and data translation of input signals to and from the data recorder irrespective of interfaces involved. A plug-and-play self-sealing environmentally protected removable memory unit (RMU) enables rapid upgrades to avert obsolescence by capitalizing on commercial solid-state memories. The prototype includes shell adapters to ensure form-factor compliance with a variety of current data recorders, including the RM-6000f on F/A-18. Related: Navy chooses data transfer units and video recorders for F/A-18 combat jet avionics technology insertion The ARRGH provides one terabyte of removable memory, sustained write speeds of 550 megabits per second (2700 megabits per second burst) and has a built-in self-test. The second phase of the ARRGH project produced a ground-tested prototype and a flight-test-ready prototype, as well as defined a platform integration roadmap, got started on device certification. On this order, Mercury will do the work in Torrance, Calif., and should be finished by July 2027. For more information contact Mercury Systems online at www.mrcy.com/products/data-storage-and-transfer, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil. https://www.militaryaerospace.com/computers/article/55248747/mercury-systems-pentek-avionics-video-recorders-data-storage-for-navy-combat-jets Boeing jet deliveries fall to 13 in November after strike ends Summary • Boeing restarts 737 MAX production, confirming Reuters report • Planemaker to resume output of 767, 777 and 777X jets in days ahead • Boeing booked 49 gross orders and 14 cancellations in Nov • SEATTLE, Dec 10 - Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab delivered 13 commercial jets in November, less than a quarter of the 56 jetliners it handed over to customers 12 months earlier, the U.S. planemaker reported on Tuesday. • Deliveries were down from 14 in October, when most of the company's aircraft production was still shut down during a seven-week strike by 33,000 factory workers that ended Nov. 5. Boeing stock closed 4.5% higher on Tuesday. The planemaker said it restarted 737 MAX production, loading fresh fuselages into its Seattle-area Renton factory, after weeks of methodical preparation. News that Boeing restarted production of its best-selling 737 MAX last week was first reported by Reuters on Monday. The planemaker is trying to increase 737 production to a rate of 38 a month to generate much-needed revenue after it burned billions of dollars in cash during the first three quarters. However, it has been under heightened oversight by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration since a door plug blew out of a nearly new Alaska Airlines (ALK.N), opens new tab 737 MAX 9 during a January flight. The company plans to resume production of its 767, 777 and 777X in Everett "in the days ahead," Boeing said in a statement. While Boeing 787 production in South Carolina was not affected by the strike, the planemaker delivered just two of the widebody jets, as it wrestles with supply chain snags. Boeing has said that it is taking a cautious approach to restarting production and has prioritized quality, safety and worker training. That approach is reflected in the month's lower delivery numbers, the company said. November's deliveries included nine 737s, two 777 freighters and two 787-9s, according to the company. U.S. carrier United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab took delivery of two 737 MAX jets and one 787. By comparison, after Boeing's last strike ended in November 2008, it delivered four aircraft that month. The company booked 49 gross orders during the month, including 34 737s, and reported 14 cancellations. Germany-based TUI (TUI1n.DE), opens new tab canceled orders for 14 MAX jets and will instead lease the planes from BOC Aviation (2588.HK), opens new tab, resulting in a net addition of 20 new 737 MAX orders. Year to date, Boeing has booked 427 gross orders and 370 net orders after cancellations and conversions. After also adjusting for accounting standards, Boeing booked 191 net orders. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-jet-deliveries-fall-13-november-after-strike-ends-2024-12-10/ Middle East conflicts stir safety fears for Europe’s airline pilots The ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran and the abrupt ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Syrian rebels at the weekend have raised further concerns for airline safety. In late September, an experienced pilot at low-cost European airline Wizz Air felt anxious after learning his plane would fly over Iraq at night amid mounting tensions between nearby Iran and Israel. He decided to query the decision since just a week earlier the airline had deemed the route unsafe. In response, Wizz Air's flight operations team told him the airway was now considered secure and he had to fly it, without giving further explanation, the pilot said. "I wasn't really happy with it," the pilot, who requested anonymity from fear he could lose his job, told Reuters. Days later, Iraq closed its airspace when Iran fired missiles on 1 October at Israel. "It confirmed my suspicion that it wasn't safe." In response to Reuters' queries, Wizz Air said safety is its top priority and it had carried out detailed risk assessments before resuming flights over Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. Reuters spoke to four pilots, three cabin crew members, three flight security experts and two airline executives about growing safety concerns in the European air industry due to escalating tensions in the Middle East following Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, that prompted the war in Gaza. The Middle East is a key air corridor for planes heading to India, South-East Asia and Australia and last year was criss-crossed daily by 1,400 flights to and from Europe, Eurocontrol data show. The safety debate about flying over the region is playing out in Europe largely because pilots there are protected by unions, unlike other parts of the world. Reuters reviewed nine unpublished letters from four European unions representing pilots and crews that expressed worries about air safety over Middle Eastern countries. The letters were sent to Wizz Air, Ryanair, airBaltic, the European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) between June and August. "No one should be forced to work in such a hazardous environment and no commercial interests should outweigh the safety and well-being of those on board," read a letter, addressed to EASA and the European Commission from Romanian flight crew union FPU Romania, dated 26 August. In other letters, staff called on airlines to be more transparent about their decisions on routes and demanded the right to refuse to fly a dangerous route. There have been no fatalities or accidents impacting commercial aviation tied to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East since the war in Gaza erupted last year. Air France opened an internal investigation after one of its commercial planes flew over Iraq on 1 October during Tehran's missile attack on Israel. On that occasion, airlines scrambled to divert dozens of planes heading towards the affected areas in the Middle East. The ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran and the abrupt ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Syrian rebels at the weekend have raised concerns of further insecurity in the region. The use of missiles in the region has revived memories of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 en route from Tehran in 2020. Being accidentally shot-down in the chaos of war is the top worry, three pilots and two aviation safety experts told Reuters, along with the risk of an emergency landing. While airlines including Lufthansa and KLM no longer fly over Iran, carriers including Etihad, flydubai, Aeroflot and Wizz Air were still crossing the country's airspace as recently as 2 December, data from tracking service FlightRadar24 show. Some European airlines including Lufthansa and KLM allow crew to opt-out of routes they don't feel are safe, but others such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and airBaltic don't. AirBaltic CEO Martin Gauss said his airline meets an international safety standard that doesn't need to be adjusted. Ryanair, which intermittently flew to Jordan and Israel until September, said it makes security decisions based on EASA guidance. Congested skies Last month, 165 missiles were launched in Middle Eastern conflict zones versus just 33 in November 2023, according to the latest available data from Osprey Flight Solutions. But airspace can only be enforcably restricted if a country chooses to shut it down, as in the case of Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Several airlines have opted to briefly suspend flights to places like Israel when tension rises. Lufthansa and British Airways did so after Iran bombarded Israel on 13 April. But this limits the airspace in use in the already congested Middle Eastern skies. Choosing to fly over Central Asia or Egypt and Saudi Arabia to avoid Middle Eastern hot spots is also more costly as planes burn more fuel and some countries charge higher overflight fees. Flying a commercial plane from Singapore to London-Heathrow through Afghanistan and Central Asia, for instance, cost an airline $4,760 in overflight fees, about 50% more than a route through the Middle East, according to two 31 August flight plans reviewed by Reuters. EASA, regarded by industry experts as the strictest regional safety regulator, issues public bulletins on how to fly safely over conflict zones. But these aren't mandatory and every airline decides where to travel based on a patchwork of government notices, third-party security advisors, in-house security teams and information sharing between carriers, leading to divergent policies. Passenger rights groups are also asking for travellers to receive more information. "If passengers decline to take flights over conflict zones, airlines would be disinclined to continue such flights," said Paul Hudson, the head of U.S.-based passenger group Flyers Rights. "And passengers who take such flights would do so informed of the risks." https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/middle-east-conflicts-stir-safety-fears-for-europes-airline-pilots/ Five escape death as cargo aircraft skids off Abuja airport runaway 11th December 2024 An Allied Air Cargo aircraft (Boeing 737-4Y0 (SF)) with registration number 5N-JRT suffered a tyre burst causing it to skid the Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Wednesday. As a result, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria has temporarily shut down the runway following the incident. The plane, arriving in Abuja, was involved in the incident upon landing while all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. The incident was said to have caused significant disruptions, with several departures delayed as authorities work to clear the affected runway. However, there were no injuries nor death records even as emergency officials immediately took over the site. A press statement signed on Wednesday, by FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, confirmed the incident. Orah stated, “At 10:05 am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five souls on board with no reported injury. They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAN clinic for further checks. “The Airport Emergency response team is on the scene along with accident investigators. The runway is being cleared and is expected to reopen for operations as soon as possible.” FAAN however appreciated the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience. https://punchng.com/five-escape-death-as-cargo-aircraft-skids-off-abuja-airport-runaway/ ****************** Date:Wednesday 11 December 2024 Time:10:05Type: Boeing 737-4Y0 (SF)Owner/operator:Allied AirRegistration:5N-JRTMSN:26081/2442Year of manufacture:1993Engine model:CFMI CFM56-3Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6Other fatalities:0Aircraft damage:SubstantialLocation:Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV/DNAA) - NigeriaPhase:LandingNature:CargoDeparture airport:Destination airport:Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV/DNAA)Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: An Allied Air Boeing 737-400 (SF) suffered a runway excursion after landing on runway 22 at Abuja International Airport (ABV), Nigeria. The aircraft came to a rest in a grassy area. Two of the six crew members onboard recieved medical treatments. The airport's operations were halted after the incident. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/465503 United Airlines Passenger Stripped Off His Shirt Before Pinning Flight Attendant Against Door And Chasing Her Down Airplane Aisle Apassenger on a United Airlines flight from Houston to Newark has been charged with allegedly stripping off his shirt in front of a flight attendant before pinning her against the door and chasing her down the aisle in a violent and unprovoked outburst. Kedus Yacob Damtew was arrested on Monday on suspicion of interfering with the duties of flight crew. If found guilty, Damtew faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment plus a fine of up to $250,000. According to a criminal complaint filed in a New Jersey district court on Tuesday, prosecutors allege that Damtew started to act aggressively shortly before United Airlines flight UA2732 was due to land at Newark Liberty Airport on June 12, 2024. Damtew went into the galley at the front of the Boeing 737MAX airplane and struck up a conversation with the flight attendant working there before he suddenly stripped off his shirt in front of her. He then allegedly pushed his bare chest into the crew member’s chest and in doing so, pinned her against the exit door of the airplane and shouting epithets and threats of violence in her face. With her face covered in saliva from where Damtew had been screaming at her, the flight attendant managed to escape and went to see help at the back of the plane. Damtew gave chase, but not before punching an aircraft oven. Once he caught up with the victim, Damtew allegedly continued to shout threats and then threw a cup of water at her. A flight attendant working in the rear cabin was so concerned about what was happening that they shouted for help over the plane’s PA system, alerting a third crew member and several passengers who came running to help. The flight attendants and good Samaritans managed to get Damtew in flex cuffs, but he continued to resist during the final approach and landing in Newark. This meant that the flight attendants could not properly secure the cabin or galley and had to leave one of the emergency exits unattended. For the month of June, 200 unruly passenger incidents were reported by US airlines to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Although still significantly higher than before the pandemic, the number of unruly passenger incidents has shown a dramatic fall from its peak in March 2021 when more than 700 incidents were reported to the FAA. Along with a criminal conviction, the FAA also has the power to slap unruly passengers with civil penalties of up to $37,000 per violation. Many unruly passenger incidents result in several violations, meaning that the total civil penalty could be much higher. In response to a dramatic rise in disruptive behavior during the pandemic, the FAA launched a zero-tolerance campaign that has resulted in an 80% drop in reported incidents, although the FAA warns that unruly passenger reports remain too high. Since late 2021, the FAA has referred more than 300 of the most serious cases to the FBI for potential criminal prosecution. The most recent set of referrals took place in August when the FAA asked the FBI to investigate 43 more unruly passenger cases. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/12/10/united-airlines-passenger-stripped-off-his-shirt-before-pinning-flight-attendant-against-door-and-chasing-her-down-airplane-aisle/ More Than Six Months After Fatal Accident, Singapore Airlines Joins Innovative Data Sharing Program To Reduce Turbulence Risk More than six months after severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London Heathrow left one passenger dead and dozens of other customers and crew members seriously injured, the carrier has joined an innovative data-sharing program designed to reduce the risk of a repeat incident. The program has existed since 2018, but the events that unfolded on Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on May 21 have led to a slew of new airlines deciding to join the so-called ‘Turbulence Aware’ platform. Thirty passengers on an Air Europa flight from Madrid to Uruguay were injured after their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was rocked by severe turbulence as it was flying at around 36,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean in July. Designed and managed by the industry trade body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the platform records live anonymized turbulence data from participating member airlines and then sends this information to pilots and airline control rooms in real-time. For years, pilots have relied on sophisticated weather maps, radar, and live reports from other planes flying ahead of them to manage the risk of turbulence, but these methods have proven only to be partially effective – especially considering the risk of clear air turbulence that might not show up on a weather map or radar. “Making use of accurate and up to date data in Turbulence Aware helps flight crews’ efforts to avoid or at least mitigate the effects of turbulence,” explained IATA director general Willie Walsh on Tuesday. “The quality of this data improves with each new airline contributing to the platform. So the strong take up of Turbulence Aware by airlines is important.” Qatar Airways flight QR1499 from Doha to Kilimanjaro was hit by severe turbulence in May, sending meal trays flying into the air. The airline said the seatbelt signs were switched on at the time. In 2024, six more airlines have decided to make the investment in Turbulence Aware – no doubt spurred on by several serious turbulence incidents in the last 12 months, including the Singapore Airlines accident. Most recently, Britsh Airways, Asiana, and Singapore’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot also signed up for Turbulence Aware. Long-time supporters of the platform include Qatar Airways and Lufthansa, as well as major US airlines like Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines. As of December 2024, there are 25 airlines sharing turbulence data through 2,600 equipped aircraft. Airlines can choose to receive Turbulence Aware reports as an independent product or have it integrated into existing flight planning systems. Earlier this year, for example, Emirates built the product into a mobile navigation solution from Lufthansa Systems called Lido mPilot. In May, Emirates had equipped just over half of its aircraft with the required software to automatically share turbulence data with IATA’s platform. The latest Airbus A350 aircraft to join the Emirates fleet had the software pre-installed before it was delivered to the airline. Since its inception, Emirates claims that Turbulence Aware has ensured a safer flight for as many as 700 million passengers – a number that is expected to rapidly increase as more airlines join the program. Turbulence remains a leading cause of passenger and crew injuries and is increasingly becoming a key challenge for airlines to manage. Earlier this year, Emirates’ president, Sir Tim Clark, admitted that the industry had to do more to protect passengers and crew. In response to the SQ321 incident, Singapore Airlines has adjusted its turbulence procedures to ensure that flight attendants strap themselves into their jumpseats whenever the seatbelt signs are switched on. Until May’s fatal accident, the airline allowed flight attendants to continue serving meals and drinks, with the exception of hot drinks, in light and moderate turbulence. Other airlines are also amending onboard service protocols, including preparing the cabin for arrival earlier than in the past. This is based on data that shows that the majority of turbulence injuries affect cabin crew members who are still working in the galleys and aisles during descent. Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines said flight attendants must secure the cabin for landing and strap themselves into their jumpseats at 18,000 feet – significantly higher than the previous altitude of 10,000 feet. The airline hopes the measure will reduce overall flight attendant injuries by as much as 20%. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2024/12/11/more-than-six-months-after-fatal-accident-singapore-airlines-joins-innovative-data-sharing-program-to-reduce-turbulence-risk/ United Airlines flight from Christchurch to San Francisco diverted to Honolulu for crew change A United Airlines flight from Christchurch, New Zealand, to San Francisco was diverted to Honolulu due to a crew change. A United Airlines flight en route from Christchurch, New Zealand, to San Francisco was diverted to Honolulu on Tuesday after experiencing a delay, requiring a crew change. Flight UA731, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed Christchurch International Airport at 7:16 p.m. local time for its long-haul journey. Originally scheduled to take approximately 13 hours and 10 minutes, the flight was mid-route when it was diverted to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu for a new crew. The aircraft, registered N20904, landed in Honolulu at 5:11 a.m. local time. United Airlines confirmed that the flight’s final leg from Honolulu to San Francisco was canceled due to the crew change, and passengers were rebooked on a new flight, United 3024, scheduled to depart later today with 203 customers and 13 crew members onboard. The incident comes just days after United resumed its direct service between Christchurch and San Francisco, a route restarted on Friday that provides the only direct flight between New Zealand’s South Island and the United States. At the time, Justin Watson, manager of Christchurch Airport, praised the new service, calling it a game changer for the region. “It’s a stepping stone into the U.S. and beyond, supports our exporters, and reinforces our role as a hub for Antarctic operations,” he said. “We are delighted to see this partnership thrive.” https://www.sfchronicle.com/travel/article/united-flight-diverted-honolulu-19971504.php FAA and EASA deepen partnership on aviation safety The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed a Declaration of Intent to deepen their collaboration in supporting safe and secure civil aviation activities worldwide. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed a Declaration of Intent to deepen their collaboration in supporting safe and secure civil aviation activities worldwide. The announcement was made during the celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Chicago Convention, hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Chicago Convention, signed in 1944, laid the foundation for modern international civil aviation and remains a cornerstone of global aviation safety and governance. The FAA and EASA said they will work together to provide technical assistance to other regions, helping to enhance aviation safety standards globally. This renewed partnership builds on a long history of collaboration between the two agencies. As key regulators for the world’s largest aviation markets, the FAA and EASA play a critical role in shaping global aviation policy and ensuring the safety and efficiency of international air travel. The commitment also reflects the aviation sector’s focus on addressing modern challenges, such as sustainability and cyber threats, while fostering innovation in line with increasing demand for air travel. For the UK, the partnership reinforces the importance of aligned aviation standards, particularly as the nation navigates its own regulatory path following Brexit. “Aviation safety and modernisation is a joint effort that requires collaboration with our international partners,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “Emerging technologies are transforming the global aviation system and require constant collaboration to reevaluate and adapt our strategic direction as new challenges and opportunities present themselves.” “Building on the EU-US Agreement on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety, this Declaration of Intent will generate a new momentum in our EASA-FAA relationship, and allow for better alignment on the priorities voiced by the global aeronautical industry,” said Florian Guillermet, executive director of EASA. https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/faa-and-easa-deepen-partnership-on-aviation-safety/ CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 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 • 59th Annual SMU Air Law Symposium is scheduled March 31 - April 2, 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