Flight Safety Information - January 23, 2025 No. 017 In This Issue : Incident: Mont Gabaon B735 at Kinshasa on Jan 19th 2025, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Republic E175 near Pittsburgh on Jan 20th 2025, smell on board : Accident: Kasai AN26 at Kongolo on Jan 21st 2025, runway excursion on landing : South Korea will remove concrete structure at Muan airport, the scene of deadly plane crash : South Korea's Deadly Plane Crash Has Created More Questions Than Answers : GPS interference causes Ryanair flight diversion after Russia tampering claims : New TSA Rules Could Impact Flights From Private Jet Terminals : NTSB: Pilot error, communication issues led to fatal North Las Vegas plane crash : White House Orders Major FAA Hiring Policy Shift : The SWISS Airbus A220 Airplane That Filled With Smoke Resulting in the Death of a Flight Attendant Has Returned to Service : South Korea Tells Budget Airlines to Tighten Safety After Crash : Hard Landing by United Airlines Boeing 767: NTSB Points to Pilot Error : Southwest Airlines reduces pilots in Atlanta and Denver due to operational adjustments : Southwest Airlines adjusts its fleet: Impact on pilots and passengers : Calendar of Events Incident: Mont Gabaon B735 at Kinshasa on Jan 19th 2025, engine shut down in flight A Mont Gabaon Airlines Boeing 737-500, registration 9S-AMP performing a flight from Kinshasa N'djili (DR Congo) to an unknown destination, was climbing through FL200 out of Kinshasa's runway 24 when the crew stopped the climb and shut one of the engines (CFM56) down. The aircraft returned to N'djili for a safe landing on runway 24 about 30 minutes after departure. On Jan 22nd 2025 DR Congo's BPEA (Accident Investigation) reported they still have not received a report from the airline. https://avherald.com/h?article=5232657e&opt=0 Incident: Republic E175 near Pittsburgh on Jan 20th 2025, smell on board A Republic Airways Embraer ERJ-175 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N424YX performing flight AA-4565 from New York La Guardia,NY to Indianapolis,IN (USA), was enroute at FL320 about 110nm east of Pittsburgh,PA (USA) when the crew reported an unusual odour on board and initiated a rapid descent to 10,000 feet. The crew requested medical assistance for their flight attendant be available at the runway. Later ATC advised an ambulance was at the gate, the crew requested the ambulance again at the runway to check their flight attendant. The aircraft landed safely on Pittsburgh's runway 28L, vacated the runway and stopped clear of the runway. The crew told attending emergency services, they did have smell on board, performed a rapid descent, the smell went away below 10,000 feet and requested emergency services to check for any smoke visible from the aircraft, emergency services advised they could not see any smoke. A replacement ERJ-175 registration N425YX reached Indianapolis with a delay of about 2:15 hours. The FAA reported: "Republic Airlines Flight 4565 landed safely around 10:55 a.m. local time on Monday, January 20 after diverting to Pittsburgh International Airport after the flight crew reported a mechanical issue. The Embraer E175 departed New York - LaGuardia and was headed to Indianapolis, IN. The FAA will investigate." The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 5.5 hours, then returned to service. https://avherald.com/h?article=52325375&opt=0 Accident: Kasai AN26 at Kongolo on Jan 21st 2025, runway excursion on landing An Air Kasai Antonov-AN-26B, registration 9S-AYN performing a flight from Goma to Kongolo (DR Congo), landed at Kongolo Airstrip but suffered the collapse of the right hand main gear followed by a runway excursion. The aircraft came to a stop on soft ground, the right hand engine (AI24VT) caught fire. There are no reports of injuries. https://avherald.com/h?article=5231a38a&opt=0 South Korea will remove concrete structure at Muan airport, the scene of deadly plane crash SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea will remove a concrete structure at an airport runway that may have been involved in a devastating plane crash that killed all but two of the 181 people on board last month. Some experts and observers have said Muan International Airport’s localizer — a concrete fence at the end of the runway that houses a set of antennas designed to guide aircraft safely during landings — likely made the crash of the Jeju Air plane worse, though the incident is still under investigation. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the airport's runaway on Dec. 29 after its landing gear failed to deploy, slamming into the concrete structure and bursting into flames. Many observers said the structure should have been made with lighter materials that could break more easily upon impact. The Transport Ministry said Wednesday it will remove the structure at Muan airport and install a new one made of easily breakable materials. It said it will push to remove or make adjustments at similar facilities at six airports across South Korea. The black boxes of the Boeing jetliner stopped recording about four minutes before the accident, South Korean officials said, possibly complicating investigations into the cause of the disaster. Investigators have said that air traffic controllers warned the pilot about possible bird strikes two minutes before the aircraft issued a distress signal confirming that a bird strike had occurred, after which the pilot attempted an emergency landing. https://www.yahoo.com/news/south-korea-remove-concrete-barriers-092037364.html South Korea's Deadly Plane Crash Has Created More Questions Than Answers The crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 killed 179 people on December 29 when the aircraft slid down the runway at the Muan International Airport and slammed into a concrete embankment. There were only two survivors, the flight attendants seated in the rear galley. The ongoing investigation has raised even more questions about why the crash landing happened, and the tragic events have rattled South Korean society to its core. The embankment, intended to shield the antenna array at the end of the runway, has been under scrutiny since the crash. The South Korean Transport Ministry announced on Wednesday that the concrete feature would be removed from Muan International Airport, according to Reuters. Most other international airports simply mount similar arrays on breakaway posts to allow planes to overrun the pavement across flat ground. If this change was in place, it’s likely that no one would have died during the late December crash. The government announcement came after the airport’s former president was found dead on Tuesday in his home after an apparent suicide. Son Chang-wan led the Korea Airports Corporation, the state-owned entity that operates Muan International, Seoul–Gimpo International and 12 other airports across South Korea. Son held the post when Muan underwent renovations in 2020. Son wasn’t a subject of the crash investigation, according to the New York Times. Investigators are still piecing together exactly how Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 slid down the runway. The task is made more difficult because the black box failed to record the flight’s last four minutes, the BBC reports. The scope of the inquiry is now expanding to find out why Boeing 737’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders lost power. Without the data, the investigators note that the plane suffered a double bird strike after finding bird feathers and blood inside both engines. Only time will tell what else is uncovered. https://www.yahoo.com/autos/south-koreas-deadly-plane-crash-173000924.html GPS interference causes Ryanair flight diversion after Russia tampering claims A Ryanair flight descending into Vilnius airport on Thursday was diverted to Warsaw due to GPS interference, Lithuania’s air navigation authority has reported. The Boeing 737 Max 8-200 departed London Luton on Thursday and was on approach to the runway at Vilnius airport in Lithuania, lowering to an altitude of 850 feet (259 meters), when it lifted off again. The flight then headed to Warsaw, around 249 miles away, reports say. A spokesperson of Lithuania’s air navigation authority said on Friday that “the plane experienced GPS signal interference,” adding that the pilot took the decision to divert the flight. "All other planes were landing at the airport as usual," the spokesperson said. The country’s defence minister said that it is investigating the incident. Pilots landing at Vilnius airport have reported over 800 instances of GPS interference over the last three months of last year. In the same period in 2023, there were only 124 reports, Lithuanian air navigation said, Reuters reported. In April 2024, Finnair said it would be cancelling all its flights to Tartu airport in Estonia until June due to “GPS interference in the area”. “The approach methods currently used at Tartu Airport are based on a GPS signal and GPS interference in the area affects the usability of this method,” the Finnish airline said last year. Finnair says GPS interference has increased significantly since 2022, with the airline’s pilots reporting interference near Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave between Lithuania and Poland. Russia has been suspected of jamming or spoofing GPS signals close to its borders, but the country has denied interfering with communication and satellite networks. An RAF aircraft carrying former UK defence secretary Grant Shapps in March 2024 had its GPS signal jammed for around half an hour. The GPS signal of the plane was said to have been interfered with for half an hour while it passed the Russian territory of Kaliningrad. The attack did not threaten the safety of the aircraft but left phones unable to connect to the plane’s wifi. The plane was forced to use other navigation systems available to the pilots. It was reported last year that thousands of flights to and from UK airports had been targeted by Russian jamming systems. Flights affected in the eight months to the end of March 2024 included 2,309 Ryanair, 1,368 Wizz Air, 82 British Airways and four easyJet, based on analysis of flight logs with GPSJAM.org. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said last year that GPS jamming does not directly affect the navigation of an aircraft and “while it is a known issue, this does not mean an aircraft has been jammed deliberately”. The CAA added that GPS forms only part of an aircraft’s navigation system, saying that jamming and spoofing near conflict zones is often a by-product of military activity rather than deliberate actions. https://www.yahoo.com/news/gps-interference-causes-ryanair-flight-113850943.html New TSA Rules Could Impact Flights From Private Jet Terminals Flyers seeking to avoid the havoc of large and crowded airport terminals without having to pay to charter an entire private jet could be subjected to more scrutiny due to new rules issued last week by the Transportation Security Agency. The new rules, first reported by jet card and fractional program buyer’s guide Private Jet Card Comparisons and trade publication Aviation International News, came to light via an alert to members by a business aviation trade group, the National Air Transportation Association. A NATA spokesperson declined to comment on the email. The exact details of what the new rules entail are not known. They are classified as sensitive security information. However, there is a general understanding of which type of flights will be impacted. One wild card is that the rules, which should take effect six months from issuance, could be moot based on one of the numerous executive orders signed by President Donald J. Trump on Monday evening. "NBAA is carefully analyzing the TSA's changes to public charter security," said National Business Aviation Association Senior Vice President, Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Operations Doug Carr in a written statement. He added, "Because of the classified nature of the (rules), we cannot comment on the details of our internal review, but we look forward to working with TSA to ensure the new program requirements are workable for the diverse operational profile of our sector, and that operators clearly understand the new mandates." Private Jet Card Comparisons reports that the TSA edict is not related to the Federal Aviation Administration's 2023 announcement that it was reassessing rules covering public charter flights operating under 14 CFR Part 380 and FAR Part 135. Part 380 includes JSX, Aero and Vista Global's XO, which all sell individual seats on scheduled flights that depart and arrive from FBOs and private terminals. It also includes many crowdsourcing flights and flights shared between jet card members, offered by XO and Delta Air Lines-backed Wheels Up. For both Vista Global and Wheels Up, the shared flights are believed to be a small part of their business. However, the main target of the TSA rules appears to be JSX, which was launched by former Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue executive Alex Wilcox. Using refurbished regional jets with fewer seats and more legroom—just 30 seats—and backing from JetBlue and Qatar Airways, it has built a route network that now extends from coast to coast. A major focus city is Dallas, Texas, near where both American and Southwest have their headquarters and a major operating presence. In addition to free checked luggage, adult beverages and Starlink WiFi, passengers can check in for domestic flights as little as 20 minutes before departure. The new rules only impact aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of over 12,500 pounds, as understood. That includes most private jets and the type of regional jets used by the likes of Aero and JSX. It is also believed the new procedures will only apply to scheduled Part 380 flights, which could exclude some of the jet-sharing that some jet card sellers enable between members. The new procedures would likely increase the expense for the impacted by-the-seat operators, including hiring and training personnel and buying new equipment. Expenses could also include construction at the private terminals, which could take time with permits. In some cases, the terminals may not have space. It could also mean less agility, with more expenses to enter a new market, making expansion more expensive and riskier. Over their brief histories, Aero, JSX and XO have started and stopped routes. JSX was launched in 2016. XO’s scheduled flights are a legacy of JetSmarter, which parent Vista Global purchased in 2019. Aero, backed by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp, started in 2019, started with flights between Ibiza and Mykonos The services quickly became popular with flyers, and fares range from hundreds of dollars to the low thousands, in both cases far less than the price to charter a private jet, which averages over $11,000 per hour, according to Private Jet Card Comparisons. JSX prices from Dallas to Las Vegas start at $449. Los Angeles to Napa flights on Aero start at $725. XO flights between South Florida and New York are priced from around $1,500 each way. Last year, JSX was voted the No. 1 Domestic Airline by Travel + Leisure readers. Tradewind Aviation, which operates similar by-the-seat schedules using private terminals but isn't impacted as it uses smaller turboprops and flies under different rules, was ranked the fourth-best U.S. airline by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 2024. "Aero is a fantastic way to fly. The service is top-notch and it can save you a ton of time," The Points Guy wrote in a flight review. One service that could also fall within the target of the new rules is K9 Jets, which enables pet owners to buy seats on scheduled private jet flights along with their best friends. So far, the providers have been mum, with only JSX issuing a statement. Commenting on the new rules, a spokesperson says, "JSX fully supports and cooperates with TSA in implementing security measures applicable to public charter flights. JSX is proud of its outstanding security record, and has modeled an industry-leading approach to aviation security for nearly eight years, having voluntarily invested millions of dollars into its comprehensive security program since inception." On the About page of its website, JSX boasts, "Flying. We Fixed It." Flyers will hope that the TSA doesn’t break it again. https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2025/01/22/new-tsa-rules-could-impact-flights-from-private-jet-terminals/ NTSB: Pilot error, communication issues led to fatal North Las Vegas plane crash North Las Vegas police confirmed on Sunday afternoon that there has been a plane crash at North Las Vegas Airport. Jeremy Chen reports. NORTH LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Two and a half years after two planes crashed above the skies over the North Las Vegas airport, we're learning how the crash happened. The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report, detailing what led up to the incident on July 17, 2022, which left four people dead. A Piper PA-46, with Donald Goldberg and Carol Ann Scanlon, was approaching the airport after completing a flight. At the same time, a flight instructor and student pilot, later identified as Anthony Chiaramonti and Zachary Rainey, were conducting takeoffs and landings in a single-engine Cessna 172 at the airport. The report states air traffic control confirmed the landing path for the Piper and as it began descending to the airport, it collided with the Cessna on the final approach. A visibility study conducted by the NTSB determined that it would have been difficult for the pilots of each plane to see and avoid one another due to the size of their windscreens. According to the NTSB, the crash was caused because of the Piper pilot's "failure to ensure that the airplane was aligned with the correct runway". They also stated that the air traffic controller failed to provide timely and adequate traffic information to either airplane and failed to "recognize the developing conflict and to act in a timely manner." "The controller did not issue traffic advisory information to either of the airplanes involved in the collision at any time during their respective approaches for landing, even though the low-wing airplane crossed about 500 feet over the high-wing airplane as it descended over the airport," the report states in part. The agency also stated that a contributing factor to the incident was the Federal Aviation Administration's insufficient staffing of the facility, which required excessive overtime that "did not allow for proper controller training or adequate recovery time between shifts." The report states that on average, controllers clock between 400 to 500 hours of overtime. Because of this, the air traffic manager told the agency that "everyone on the team was exhausted and that work/life balance was non-existent." I reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration to see if any changes have been made at the North Las Vegas Airport since the accident, including additional staffing for air traffic control. An agency spokesperson said that since there is ongoing litigation regarding the crash, the FAA is unable to comment on the matter. https://www.ktnv.com/news/ntsb-pilot-error-communication-issues-led-to-fatal-north-las-vegas-plane-crash White House Orders Major FAA Hiring Policy Shift DALLAS — On January 21, 2025, the White House issued a memorandum on “Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation,” directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US' foremost aviation safety body, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to immediately end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in favor of merit-based hiring. The order requires reviewing all employees in critical safety positions and replacing underperforming staff with "high-capability individuals." The administration cited concerns about the FAA's previous hiring practices, claiming they prioritized diversity over safety and competency. The White House memo mentions that “...the FAA Diversity and Inclusion website revealed that the prior administration sought to specifically recruit and hire individuals with serious infirmities that could impact the execution of their essential life-saving duties.” Aviation analyst Gary Leff notes that while the FAA's hiring practices have been scrutinized—including a class action lawsuit that revealed controversial screening methods like biographical questionnaires—these issues may not be the root cause of the agency's operational challenges. Regardless, the lawsuit uncovered that minority candidates received guidance on resume keywords and questionnaire answers, though candidates still underwent competency screening afterward. The FAA oversees approximately 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers daily. The memorandum emphasizes the critical nature of FAA employees' duties and the need for maintaining "the highest possible standard of excellence" in aviation safety. This directive marks a significant shift in federal aviation employment policy, though its practical impact on air traffic safety and operations remains to be seen. FAA, DOT Leadership Gap Mike Whitaker, former head of the FAA, announced on December 12, 2024, that he would be stepping down at the end of President Biden’s term. Whitaker’s resignation came after just over a year in a role that was originally designed to span five years, ensuring, as the New York Times put it, leadership continuity and reducing political influence over the FAA. Had Whitaker served his full term, it would have extended into President Donald J. Trump second term. Whitaker’s departure coincided with the resignation of Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson, creating an unexpected leadership gap within an agency that has faced difficulty securing a leader willing to complete a full five-year appointment. Sean Duffy, Trump's Transportation Secretary nominee and former Fox Business host, awaits Senate confirmation to oversee critical aviation challenges. The nominee will manage Boeing safety oversight, air traffic control modernization, controller staffing shortages, airline labor issues, and sustainable aviation initiatives if confirmed. The Senate Commerce Committee heard Duffy's testimony last Wednesday, responding positively to the representative's nomination. In a related news, The Air Current reports that former National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) COO Rocheleau was sworn in as the new Deputy Administrator of the FAA, replacing Mark House, who was the acting Deputy Administrator. Meanwhile, according to CNN, the head of the Transport Security Administration (TSA) David Pekoske has informed staff that the person who picked him for the post in 2017, President Trump, told him to step down with immediate effect. https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/white-house-faa-hiring-policy-shift The SWISS Airbus A220 Airplane That Filled With Smoke Resulting in the Death of a Flight Attendant Has Returned to Service Swiss International Airlines has returned to passenger service an Airbus A220 airplane that filled with smoke during a flight from Bucharest to Zurich just before Christmas, which resulted in the tragic death of a young flight attendant who had rushed to help passengers. The seven-year-old aircraft had been grounded in Graz, Austria, where the plane made an emergency landing on December 23, 2024, for several weeks, but on January 9, it was ferried back to Zurich in preparation for its return to commercial operation. On January 16, the plane (registration: HB-JCD) completed a two-hour test flight, and on Monday, the airline pressed the aircraft back into service with a short flight from Zurich to Hannover, Germany. Since Monday, the plane has already flown to a slew of European and North African destinations, including Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, and Marrakesh, as well as Berlin and Geneva. In the next couple of days, the aircraft is also expected to fly to Copenhagen as the airline starts to get its money’s worth out of the multi-million-dollar machine. Explaining why now was the right time to return the aircraft to service, a spokesperson for SWISS said that technicians had “carefully checked and extensively tested the aircraft” before it was cleared to return to the skies. Accident investigators currently believe that a previously undiscovered issue with one of the two Pratt & Whitney engines fitted to the plane was the cause of the smoke that quickly filled the plane during flight LX1885 on December 23. The engine involved in the incident has been replaced and thoroughly tested. Perhaps an indication of just how much smoke was involved in the incident, a spokesperson for SWISS said the airline also replaced the carpet and all the seat covers before the plane was allowed to fly with passengers onboard. A 23-year-old flight attendant who was working on flight LX1885 fell unconscious before the plane landed in Graz and had to be airlifted to hospital where he remained on life support for more than a week before he tragically died. The public prosecutor’s office in Graz confirmed that the preliminary cause of death of the unnamed victim was hypoxic brain damage and cerebral edema, although detailed toxicology reports are still to be returned. Investigators are attempting to work out whether breathing in the smoke may have contributed to the crew member’s death. There is also the possibility that a special ‘smoke heard’ that was meant to protect the flight attendant and allow him to work in the smoke-filled cabin could have contributed to his death. In 2023, SWISS announced that it was urgently replacing more than 1,000 smoke hoods after discovering that some had ‘partially limited’ functionality and did not work as expected. Although the airline has declined to confirm whether there was any link between those issues and the death of the flight attendant, the crew member collapsed shortly after putting on the hood – often known as ‘protective breathing equipment.’ Distraught colleagues of the victim have been told that they do not have to work on the plane involved in his death, while the airline says that it will make any adjustments necessary if or when accident investigators or its own technicians highlight an issue. https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/01/23/the-swiss-airbus-a220-airplane-that-filled-with-smoke-resulting-in-the-death-of-a-flight-attendant-has-returned-to-service/ South Korea Tells Budget Airlines to Tighten Safety After Crash Following the deadly Jeju Air accident, the government ordered low cost carriers to reduce flight times, boost pilot training and expand maintenance crews. South Korea has told its low-cost carriers to prioritize safety over profit after the deadly crash of a Jeju Air plane in South Korea last month, in an effort to shore up confidence in the country’s aviation industry. In a meeting with South Korea’s nine budget airlines on Thursday, the nation’s transportation ministry demanded that they take measures to reduce flight hours, improve pilot training and increase the number of maintenance workers. The ministry stopped short of issuing formal targets, instead leaving it for airlines to develop their own proposals. Jeju Air said it would reduce the average daily flight time of its planes to 12.8 hours from 14 per day, according to the ministry. The carrier will also add 41 maintenance workers to increase the total number to 350, it said. The crash, in which a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 smashed into a concrete wall at Muan International Airport, killing 179 people, was the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. And it was the deadliest worldwide since that of Lion Air Flight 610 in 2018, when all 189 people onboard died. Travel agencies say that people have canceled their trips in the weeks since, according to local media. While there is no evidence indicating that poor maintenance or pilot error was a factor in the crash, investigators will look at all aspects of the flight. That includes the plane’s repair history and whether a bird strike knocked out its engines and electrical systems. Airlines that ignore safety will be shunned by travelers and disappear, the ministry said in a statement. It said it would suspend flight certificates for carriers that do not adhere to safety standards. Low-cost carriers have grown rapidly in the past two decades despite a setback when travel collapsed during the pandemic. But they face cost pressure as they compete to cut ticket prices. Some of the government’s proposed safety measures may have a limited impact on safety, but could help in ways such as reducing the workloads of pilots and other workers to decrease the risk of fatigue leading to human error, aviation experts said. “There’s not that much you can do in an hour other than basic safety checks,” said Kwon Bo Hun, a professor of aviation safety management at Far East University, referring to Jeju Air’s decision to cut flight hours. Officials have said that the airplane that crashed was around 15 years old and had no history of accidents. Older planes are considered safe, but often require more maintenance. The government’s demands could also raise costs for airlines that compete to offer cut-price travel. Increasing the size of maintenance crews, for instance, would increase operation costs for airlines that operate on a model of a no-frills service, leading to more expensive tickets, experts said. On Wednesday, the government announced plans to overhaul runway infrastructure that included extending safety zones and building localizers, the antenna arrays that help pilots land, with more flexible steel instead of concrete. One particular subject of investigations into the crash is the concrete wall at the Muan Airport that contained its antenna array. Flight 7C2216 skidded into a concrete wall at high speed and exploded, killing all but two of the plane’s passenger and crew. A safety inspection by the transportation ministry several weeks ago found that seven South Korean airports and several of the nation’s airlines were breaching existing safety standards. Violations included failure to conduct safety checks within the required time frame after takeoff and inadequately replacing filters on a plane’s hydraulic systems after they overheated. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/world/asia/south-korea-air-crash-safety.html Hard Landing by United Airlines Boeing 767: NTSB Points to Pilot Error The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that a hard landing by a United Airlines Boeing 767-300 in Houston was caused by improper control inputs by the first officer. The incident, which occurred on July 29, 2023, resulted in significant fuselage damage to the aircraft A final report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the cause of a hard landing that occurred on July 29, 2023. The incident involved a United Airlines Boeing 767-300 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and was attributed to improper control inputs by the first officer. United Flight 702, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport en route to Houston, proceeded without issues until the final approach. However, during landing, the aircraft encountered problems due to an incorrect configuration of the spoilers, which failed to deploy properly upon the first runway contact. According to reports from our associated outlet Aeroin, the first officer claimed to have maintained back pressure on the control column during the initial landing. However, flight data revealed forward inputs were also made, resulting in an initial impact with a force of 1.4G. Subsequently, when the thrust reversers were activated, the spoilers deployed automatically, but the aircraft experienced a second bounce with an even greater force of 1.6G, causing significant structural damage to the fuselage. Background of the First Officer The pilot had been hired in February 2023 and had logged 3,001 flight hours, but only 129 hours on the 767 model. Additionally, their performance in prior evaluations had been unsatisfactory, leading to additional supervision under a “short cycle” program requiring a new evaluation within 90 days instead of the standard nine-month period. The NTSB noted that the pilot's actions during the landing did not comply with United Airlines’ operational procedures or training standards. https://www.aviacionline.com/hard-landing-by-united-airlines-boeing-767-ntsb-points-to-pilot-error Southwest Airlines reduces pilots in Atlanta and Denver due to operational adjustments Southwest Airlines announces strategic changes in its operations, redistributing pilots among key bases such as Atlanta and Denver, in response to challenges like delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries. These measures aim to optimize fleet capacity without impacting revenue generation Southwest Airlines implemented an adjustment to its operational structure that includes the reduction of pilots in certain key bases. This move aims to optimize fleet utilization and align operational capacity with current market needs. According to information shared internally, Atlanta and Denver will be the most affected bases, with a reduction of 115 and 90 pilots respectively, between March and May. Additionally, minor adjustments will be made in other locations, such as Dallas Love Field, Orlando International, and Oakland International, where operational staff reductions will also occur. Despite these changes, Southwest Airlines assured that there will be no layoffs, as pilots will have the option to transfer to other bases that are experiencing an increase in staffing levels. For example, Baltimore will gain 100 new pilots, Nashville will add 95, and Chicago Midway will increase by 45. This strategic redesign responds to delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries. The airline has faced challenges with the reception of 737 MAX 8 models and the pending certification of the 737 MAX 7, which are part of a key order for its expansion. The measure prioritizes more profitable routes without compromising flight offerings in other cities, as part of an adaptive approach to current market conditions. https://www.aviacionline.com/southwest-airlines-reduces-pilots-in-atlanta-and-denver-due-to-operational-adjustments Southwest Airlines adjusts its fleet: Impact on pilots and passengers Southwest Airlines, one of the world's largest low-cost carriers, is facing a restructuring. The airline plans to reduce its base at some airports and expand it at others. These changes will have a direct impact on staff and the route network. As a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to Simple Flying, the bases in Atlanta and Denver in particular are to be downsized. This is part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing aircraft utilization and thus increasing profitability. The affected pilots are to be transferred to other bases; there are no plans to cut jobs. Reasons for the restructuring The reasons for these changes include: • Delivery delays at Boeing: The lengthy certification processes for the Boeing 737 MAX have led to overstaffing at Southwest Airlines. • Optimization of the route network: The introduction of night flights and the adjustment of flight schedules are intended to make more efficient use of aircraft. • Expansion at other locations: While some bases are being downsized, others, such as Baltimore and Nashville, are being expanded. • Impact on Passengers The restructuring at Southwest Airlines will also have an impact on passengers. The airline will offer fewer flights in Atlanta and Denver. Travelers can therefore expect fewer flight options and possibly higher prices. On the positive side, however, the offerings at other airports will be expanded. The adjustments at Southwest Airlines are proof of how dynamic the aviation industry is. The airline reacts to changes in demand and adjusts its offerings accordingly. For the employees affected, this means uncertainty, but also new opportunities. For passengers, it creates new possibilities, but also restrictions. https://aviation.direct/en/Southwest-Airlines-adjusts-its-fleet---impact-on-pilots-and-passengers#google_vignette CALENDAR OF EVENTS • · Sponsor the 2025 Fuzion Safety Conference! March 4 & 5, 2025 (Orlando) • · "Automation in Transportation: Lessons for Safe Implementation," on March 11-12, 2025, in Washington, DC. • · 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 • CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis