Flight Safety Information - March 11, 2025 No. 050 In This Issue : Incident: Tarom AT72 at Satu Mare on Mar 10th 2025, bird strike on roll out : Incident: Qantas B738 near Sydney on Mar 10th 2025, captain partially incapacitated : Accident: Indigo A21N at Chennai on Mar 8th 2025, tail strike on landing : Eurocopter EC135 P2+ - Fatal Accident (Mississippi) : US transportation chief to meet with Boeing CEO on safety efforts : United CEO's 3-point plan to reduce delays and fix the air traffic control mess : EasyJet Airbus A320 Flight Avoids Crash, Pilot Suspended : Delta Airlines slashes revenue, earnings outlook amid lower demand in economic 'uncertainty' : Mysterious Spacecraft Lands at Space Force Base : Eric Schmidt named CEO of a rocket startup. It could put him in competition with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. : Air Charter Service joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation : FBI Arrest American Airlines Passenger on Washington DC Flight : Calendar of Events Incident: Tarom AT72 at Satu Mare on Mar 10th 2025, bird strike on roll out A Tarom Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration YR-ATI performing flight RO-637 from Bucharest Otopeni to Satu Mare (Romania) with 32 passengers and 4 crew, landed on Satu Mare's runway 01 when after touchdown a pheasant impacted the left hand propeller. The aircraft rolled out without further incident. One blade of the left hand propeller received damage, the aircraft was thus unable to perform the return flight. Flight RO-638 was cancelled. The airline reported a pheasant collided with the propeller. https://avherald.com/h?article=5251203d&opt=0 Incident: Qantas B738 near Sydney on Mar 10th 2025, captain partially incapacitated A Qantas Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VXI performing flight QF-505 from Brisbane,QL to Sydney,NS (Australia) with 127 passengers and 6 crew, was approaching Sydney and needed to enter a hold at FL240. Just exiting the hold the captain began to suffer from chest pain and requested cabin crew to prepare the defibrilator for him. The first officer took control of the aircraft while cabin crew prepared the pads of the defi on the captain. The aircraft landed safely on runway 34R about 25 minutes after exiting the hold. Cabin crew did not need to operate the defi, the captain was even able to taxi the aircraft to the apron. Paramedics met the aircraft and transported the captain to a hospital. The airline reported the pilot experienced chest pains during the flight, the other pilot landed the aircraft into Sydney as normal. The pilot was treated by paramedics and taken to a hospital. https://avherald.com/h?article=52511bab&opt=0 Accident: Indigo A21N at Chennai on Mar 8th 2025, tail strike on landing An Indigo Airbus A321-200N, registration VT-IBI performing flight 6E-5325 from Mumbai to Chennai (India) with 186 people on board, landed on Chennai's runway 25 but struck its tail onto the runway surface. The aircraft rolled out without further incident and taxied to the apron. The aircraft is still on the ground in Chennai about 56 hours after landing. India's DGCA opened an investigation into the occurrence. https://avherald.com/h?article=52510843&opt=0 Eurocopter EC135 P2+ - Fatal Accident (Mississippi) Date: Monday 10 March 2025 Time: c. 12:30 LT Type: Eurocopter EC135 P2+ Owner/operator: Med-Trans Corp opb AirCare Registration: N835CS MSN: 1091 Year of manufacture: 2012 Fatalities: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Category: Accident Location: near Tupelo, MS - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Ambulance Departure airport: University of Mississippi Medical Center Heliport, MS (4MS6) Destination airport: Columbus-Golden Triangle Regional Airport, MS (GTR/KGTR) Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: The helicopter crashed in a heavily wooded area, killing the pilot and two medical crew. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/484255 US transportation chief to meet with Boeing CEO on safety efforts WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he plans to visit a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington, on Thursday to ensure the U.S. planemaker is maintaining the highest level of safety, six years after a deadly 737 MAX crash in Ethiopia. Duffy will travel to Seattle with acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau as the Trump administration has vowed stringent oversight of Boeing, also following a January 2024 mid-air panel blowout on a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX. The pair are expected to meet with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who will testify on April 2 before the Senate Commerce Committee on the planemaker's efforts to improve its safety culture and quality. They will also visit the 737 factory and meet with FAA inspectors. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Duffy announced the factory visit on the sixth anniversary of the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 that killed all 157 people on board, including eight U.S. citizens, and led to changes in the 737 MAX's design and pilot training. "I met with several families of the passengers of flight 302 on February 25th," Duffy said on X. "My door and this department are always open to them for answers and to help them navigate their grief." The FAA said the visit to the planemaker's factory was "part of this administration's commitment to ensure Boeing fixes its systemic quality control issues." Duffy said in January that Boeing needed "tough love." President Donald Trump has yet to nominate a candidate for permanent FAA administrator. In January 2024, former President Joe Biden's FAA chief Mike Whitaker imposed a 38 planes per month production cap after a door panel missing four key bolts flew off the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX. Whitaker said in January the tougher oversight of Boeing would continue indefinitely with the agency last year boosting inspectors at the factory. Whitaker acknowledged last year that prior oversight "was too hands off" and said fixing Boeing's safety culture could take five years. The FAA announced a new audit of Boeing in October. In May 2022, the FAA approved a three-year renewal of a program that delegates some aircraft certification tasks to the planemaker, rather than the five-year renewal Boeing had requested. The approval will expire in two months. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-transportation-chief-meet-boeing-001940126.html United CEO's 3-point plan to reduce delays and fix the air traffic control mess The CEO of United Airlines took to LinkedIn to suggest ways to improve air traffic control. He called for more funding for staffing, technology, and facilities. His post followed tensions between Elon Musk and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. United Airlines' CEO has suggested three ways to fix the air traffic control system — and cut delays for passengers. In a 750-word LinkedIn post on Monday, Scott Kirby said that improving the Federal Aviation Administration is "the most important change the government can make for the American traveling public." He added that air traffic control restrictions were responsible for 68% of delays at United, the world's biggest airline. Kirby said air travel could be "dramatically" improved by investing in staffing, technology, and facilities. He pointed to statistics that more than three-quarters of critical air traffic control facilities are understaffed — and called on the FAA to increase capacity at its academy plus expand the option of training at private colleges and universities. Air traffic control safety has been in the spotlight in recent months, following a string of major incidents, most notably a crash between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane in Washington, DC in January, which killed more than 60 people. Kirby's post came three days after The New York Times reported on an argument between Elon Musk and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about ATC staffing. Musk denied Duffy's claim that the Department of Government Efficiency had asked him to fire air traffic controllers, the Times reported. In Monday's post, Kirby praised Duffy's plan to "supercharge" hiring air traffic controllers by accelerating the process and boosting pay. Modern tech and long-term thinking The United chief executive also suggested that ATC systems need to be upgraded with new technology. He referenced a 2024 report that said some systems can't be maintained because their parts are no longer manufactured or key technicians have retired. "Canada started using electronic flight strips 25 years ago, while we have been unsuccessfully trying to replace our antiquated paper strips at towers since 1983," Kirby wrote. Lastly, he said that the FAA spends over 90% of its facilities and equipment budget on repairs — calling for that proportion to instead be spent on upgrades and modernization. Kirby said it "makes no sense" that FAA funding is designated year-to-year. He wants its facilities-and-equipment account to instead be designated as mandatory spending to provide long-term stability. "To be clear, our ATC system is safe," he concluded. "But now is the time to give the greatest country in the world what its citizens deserve — the best air traffic control system in the world." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/united-ceos-3-point-plan-161616790.html EasyJet Airbus A320 Flight Avoids Crash, Pilot Suspended LUTON- An EasyJet (U2) Airbus A320 flight narrowly avoided disaster when it flew dangerously close to a mountain while descending toward Hurghada (HRG). The pilot was suspended following the incident, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause. An EasyJet (U2) Airbus A320 flight narrowly avoided disaster when it flew dangerously close to a mountain while descending toward Hurghada (HRG). EasyJet Flight Avoids Crash During the flight from Manchester (MAN) to Hurghada (HRG) on February 2, the EasyJet (U2) Airbus A320 descended to just 3,100ft, coming within 771ft of a mountain peak at 2,329ft. The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) triggered an urgent “pull up” alert, prompting the pilot to execute a rapid maneuver that averted a crash. Standard procedure requires planes to clear the mountainous area at around 6,000ft, yet this flight had been descending at an unsafe rate of 4,928ft per minute before corrective action was taken. Experts have called this descent speed dangerously excessive. Captain Paul Elsworth, the pilot in command, reported the incident the following day before preparing to fly back to Manchester (MAN). EasyJet (U2) officials quickly escalated the matter, suspending Capt. Elsworth and assigning a replacement crew to fly the return journey. An investigation is ongoing, with Capt. Elsworth’s account and the First Officer’s input expected to provide key details. The cockpit voice recorder data was overwritten during the return flight, adding complexity to the inquiry. EasyJet (U2) emphasized their strict safety protocols, stating: “Safety is the number one priority for all our pilots, they are trained to the highest industry standards, subject to rigorous testing and monitored closely. The flight landed normally and as we have an ongoing investigation, the pilot remains stood down from duty in line with procedures.” An EasyJet (U2) Airbus A320 flight narrowly avoided disaster when it flew dangerously close to a mountain while descending toward Hurghada (HRG). EasyJet Pilot’s Background Capt. Elsworth, a veteran pilot with 32 years of experience, is known for his aviation achievements, including his son Luke becoming EasyJet’s (U2) youngest professional pilot at 19. Luke now flies for British Airways (BA), following in his father’s footsteps. While suspended, Capt. Elsworth declined to comment on the matter. The Civil Aviation Authority is awaiting EasyJet’s (U2) internal investigation report to assess the airline’s risk management practices. Similar Incident On October 16, 2024, an American Airlines (AA) Boeing 737 and a Cessna 182 came dangerously close to colliding near Austin’s airport (AUS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into this previously unreported incident. The American Airlines flight, arriving from Chicago (ORD) with 122 passengers and 6 crew members, was descending into foggy conditions when air traffic control warned the pilots of nearby traffic. Despite limited visibility, the Cessna 182, with registration N738PG, unexpectedly entered the Boeing 737’s flight path. This triggered a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alert in the cockpit, prompting the American Airlines crew to take evasive action. In air traffic control audio, a controller asked if the American Airlines pilots had visual contact with the Cessna. A pilot responded, confirming they saw the aircraft and said, “It flashed us and flew right into us.” Preliminary data from Flightradar24.com shows the two aircraft came within approximately 350 feet vertically and less than 800 feet horizontally. The Cessna later landed safely in Gonzales, Texas, roughly 65 miles south of Austin’s airport. The FAA stated that the Cessna “unexpectedly entered the flight path of American Airlines Flight 2587,” prompting the alert and emergency maneuver. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/11/easyjet-a320-flight-avoids-crash-pilot-suspended/#google_vignette Delta Airlines slashes revenue, earnings outlook amid lower demand in economic 'uncertainty' March 10 (UPI) -- Delta Air Lines on Monday slashed its first-quarter revenue and earnings outlooks, citing weaker domestic demand in economic "uncertainty." Expected revenue in the quarter ending March 31 will rise no more than 5% from last year, down from a forecast in January of 6% to 8% growth, the airline said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The adjusted profit forecast was slashed 30 cents to 50 cents per share from a previous guidance of 70 cents to $1 a share. "The outlook has been impacted by the recent reduction in consumer and corporate confidence caused by increased macro uncertainty, driving softness in domestic demand," Delta said in a securities filing. Delta's filing came after the stock market closed on Monday, with indexes slumping on investors' fears of economic problems, including a possible recession. Delta shares declined 5.5% on the New York Stock Exchange. In after-hours trading, Delta's shares slumped 13%. In 2024, adjusted operating revenue was a record $61.6 billion with $6 billion operating income. "As we move into 2025, we expect strong demand for travel to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking the premium products and experiences that Delta provides," the company said in a news release on Jan. 10. Demand for premium travel, international travel and loyalty revenue growth still are in line with its expectations, Delta said. On Monday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC's Closing Bell that "consumer confidence is coming down a little bit, as we all know. That's why the market is in the challenge that it is. And as a result of that, we saw companies start to pull back in terms of corporate spending -- started to stall." Bastian said he doesn't believe the nation is headed toward a recession. "I don't feel it. ... I think there's a lot of uncertainty, but I still think there's cautious optimism that as the uncertainty starts to clear, then businesses are going to be ready and poised to start to grow." He noted oil prices are also down by $10 a barrel. With upside, he said "which is why we're not changing our full year forecast." that he does not expect a recession leisure and business customers have pulled back on bookings. He said concerns about safety "somewhat exacerbated the impact on us" after a Delta plane crash-landed and overturned in Toronto but no one died on Feb. 17. It wads operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta. Delta Air Lines later announced plans to offer $30,000 to each of the passengers on the flight with "no strings attached." And 67 people died in January in a midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday at a JPMorgan airline industry conference in New York, CEOs are expected to update investors on current demand trends. The conference will include leaders from American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Delta, with its main hub in Atlanta, has the largest market share in the United States at 17.8%, ahead of American Airlines at 17.5% and United Airlines at 16.0%. Delta served more than 200 million customers in 2024 with 5,000 daily flights to more than 290 destinations on more than 720 aircraft. The company, which is the oldest airline in the United States founded in 1925, has 100,000 employees. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/delta-airlines-slashes-revenue-earnings-001409268.html Mysterious Spacecraft Lands at Space Force Base The Space Force's top-secret X-37B spaceplane has landed after spending well over a year orbiting the Earth. The enigmatic space plane launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in December 2023. What exactly it did while circling the planet without a crew on board for the next 434 days, its seventh flight to date, remains mostly a mystery. In a vaguely-worded statement, the Space Force revealed that "Mission 7 accomplished a range of test and experimentation objectives intended to demonstrate the X-37B’s robust maneuver capability while helping characterize the space domain through the testing of space domain awareness technology experiments." Last month, the Space Force published a photo showing the side of the spacecraft with a distant Earth looming in the background, demonstrating its highly elliptical orbit. In October, the military branch announced X-37B would be performing a series of "aerobraking" maneuvers to slow itself down while clipping through the upper reaches of the atmosphere. Apart from saving fuel, the Space Force said it also managed to use the technique to descend to a low-Earth orbit. Put simply, the space plane appears to have successfully "belly flopped" through the upper reaches of the atmosphere to slow itself down. "The successful execution of the aerobraking maneuver underscores the US Space Force’s commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operations in a safe and responsible manner," said chief of space operations Chance Saltzman in a statement. X-37B program director Blaine Stewart called the conclusion of the plane's latest flight an "exciting new chapter in the X-37B program." "Considered together, they mark a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the US Space Force’s dynamic mission capability," he added. According to the military branch, the "space domain awareness technology experiments" the plane conducted during its most recent flight were meant to address the issue of an "increasingly congested and contested environment of space." In other words, it's possible the plane was scanning the space around it for errant pieces of space junk and other objects to avoid a collision. Apart from slowing itself down using the Earth's atmosphere, the X-37B has previously tested beaming solar power from space and thermal protection systems, as Space.com reported last month. While 434 days is a considerable amount of time, the X-37B spent more than twice that during its sixth flight between May 2020 and November 2022. https://www.yahoo.com/news/mysterious-spacecraft-lands-space-force-135353027.html Eric Schmidt named CEO of a rocket startup. It could put him in competition with Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Eric Schmidt was the CEO of Google from 2001 until 2011. Now he's the CEO of rocket startup Relativity Space, which, like Elon Musk's SpaceX, has ambitions to build on Mars.John Lamparski/Getty Images The startup aims to build reusable rockets and an industrial base on Mars. Some of the company's ambitions parallel those of Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Another billionaire has entered the rocket race. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has provided "substantial financial backing" and has become the CEO of rocket startup Relativity Space, its outgoing leader Tim Ellis said Monday. The company, which was the first to send 3D printed rockets into space, is building reusable flight hardware and has a long-term goal of building an industrial base on Mars. Schmidt, who led Google from 2001 until 2011 and was Alphabet's executive chairman until 2017, joins as the company aims to launch its Terran R launch vehicle in the next couple of years. The company said in a YouTube video posted Monday the vehicle is now in the design process. It launched its Terran 1 rocket in 2023, but it failed to reach orbit. Relativity Space declined to comment further when reached by Business Insider. "I know there's no one more tenacious or passionate to propel this dream forward," Ellis, also the cofounder of the company, said in an X post on Monday, adding that he'll transition to the company's board. Some of the company's eventual ambitions run parallel to those of Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Under Schmidt's leadership, Relativity Space's rockets could compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy and Blue Origin's New Glenn and New Shepherd rockets, as Relativity Space aims to create reusable rockets. The company, which was founded about a decade ago, is also known for using 3D printing to produce its rockets. In 2023, Relativity Space made history by sending the first rocket that was mostly 3D printed into space, though it did not reach orbit. The company has since expanded its focus beyond 3D printing and is also incorporating more traditional methods to produce its rockets. Relativity Space was valued at more than $4 billion in 2021, with investors that included BlackRock, Fidelity, and Mark Cuban. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/eric-schmidt-named-ceo-rocket-021929787.html Air Charter Service joins the Air Charter Safety Foundation Leading aircraft charter broker, Air Charter Service, has been admitted to the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), the Washington, DC-based organisation that is dedicated to promoting and enhancing safety within the private aviation sector. Joel Fenn, ACS’s Private Jets Director, North America, commented: “We have an in-house global compliance team, and we have always prided ourselves on helping select the right aircraft and crew for our clients’ trips. But we are now delighted to be joining ACSF, a well-respected organisation and a fantastic source of information since its inception 17 years ago.” ACSF president Bryan Burns added: “We are delighted to welcome Air Charter Service to the foundation. ACSF’s mission is to lead and support the advancement of the highest aviation safety standards by providing information, resources, and tools, to empower the charter industry and business aviation to achieve the safest operations worldwide.” Air Charter Service’s membership started in February. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/press-release/55273579/air-charter-service-joins-the-air-charter-safety-foundation FBI Arrest American Airlines Passenger on Washington DC Flight Justice Department records reveal the disturbance on American Eagle flight 5574 erupted just before 9 p.m. WASHINGTON- Federal authorities arrested a Texas man accused of violent behavior aboard an American Airlines (AA) flight from Wichita (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) on March 5, 2025. The incident occurred exactly five weeks after a crash involving an American Airlines aircraft on the same route. According to an FBI affidavit reviewed by CBS News, Asterius Rulamka allegedly rose from his seat in the 14th row as the aircraft approached landing and threatened a flight attendant with physical harm upon arrival. The confrontation prompted several passengers to begin recording the incident on their phones. Charging documents state Rulamka then attacked a passenger who was filming, grabbing his arms and making verbal threats. During this altercation, Rulamka reportedly struck the passenger near his left eye, causing bruising and bloodshot injury. The FBI affidavit further details that after repeatedly striking the first passenger, Rulamka attempted to assault a second passenger. Though this individual managed to avoid the direct blow, he sustained a cut finger and broken fingernail while evading the attack. Authorities noted that during his post-flight FBI interview, Rulamka made references to President Trump. Official Remarks Justice Department records reveal the disturbance on American Eagle flight 5574 erupted just before 9 p.m., coinciding almost exactly with the time of a crash that occurred on another American Airlines flight from Wichita to Reagan National Airport five weeks earlier. An American Airlines spokesperson addressed the incident in a statement to CBS News, saying, “We do not tolerate violence, and thank our team members for their professionalism.” Court documents further allege Rulamka “started running up and down the cabin” during the incident. Three passengers and flight attendants ultimately restrained Rulamka in a seat near his original position before the aircraft landed. The FBI affidavit notes Rulamka made several statements upon arrival, including claiming he had come to Washington D.C. to speak with President Trump. When investigators questioned his motives, Rulamka reportedly stated he was “mad.” Court records indicate Rulamka faced an investigation for an immigration violation in 2014, with those proceedings still pending according to the affidavit. Rulamka currently remains in custody facing a federal assault charge. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia on Thursday, where a judge will determine whether he should remain detained pending trial. The court docket for Rulamka’s case does not show he has entered a plea, and his defense attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CBS News. The FBI declined to comment on the case. Each FBI field office maintains airport liaison agents who assist with investigations of crimes aboard commercial aircraft, including assault cases. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/11/fbi-arrest-american-airlines-passenger-on-washington-dc-flight/#google_vignette CALENDAR OF EVENTS · "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 . 70th annual Business Aviation Safey Summit (BASS), May 6-7, 2025, Charlotte, N.C., organized by Flight Safety Foundation in partnership with NBAA and NATA. · Sixth Edition of International Accident Investigation Forum, 21 to 23 May 2025, Singapore · Flight Safety Foundation - Aviation Safety Forum June 5-6, 2025 - Brussels . 2025 EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference, 10 Jun 2025 to 12 Jun 2025, Cologne, Germany · The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis