Flight Safety Information December 30, 2019 - No. 268 In This Issue Rename Boeing's 737 MAX? Airlines Already Aren't Using 'MAX' Prominently Boeing Is One of Just Two Commercial Jet Makes. Its 737 Max Woes Won't Change That Incident: Azul E195 near Chapeco on Dec 27th 2019, smoke in cabin Incident: American B738 near McAllen on Dec 26th 2019, suspected fuel leak and smoke in cabin Incident: Delta A319 at Austin on Dec 28th 2019, apparent bird strike Let L-410UVP-E10 - Runway Excursion (Democratic Republic) A survivor of the Kazakhstan plane crash that killed at least 12 said the aircraft was crushed 'like a tin can" Bek Air tried to cancel IOSA certificate requirement using lobbyists - Vice PM ATR 72 tail-strike inquiry cites pilot-shortage pressure NTSB Returns To Full Board with Graham, Chapman BA passenger, 30, 'was handcuffed on board after becoming aggressive while demanding alcohol NTSB arrives on Kauai to investigate fatal tour chopper crash A DECADE OF AVIATION BRINGS SOME SURPRISING CHANGES Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 free plane tickets Christina Koch Sets A New Record For Women Astronauts Flight Safety Officer Course from SCSI Laura Taber Barbour Aviation Scholarship Fund Call for Papers - ISASI 2020 Rename Boeing's 737 MAX? Airlines Already Aren't Using 'MAX' Prominently A 737 MAX was seen last week with the identification markings on its nose saying only "737-8" with no mention of "MAX," prompting brief speculation if Boeing, having fired CEO Dennis Muilenburg, would next catch up with public opinion by doing away with the MAX name associated with two crashes that killed 346 people, prompted the jet's worldwide grounding, and set off a corporate crisis for Boeing. Even President Trump has weighed in on the MAX name: "If I were Boeing, I would FIX the Boeing 737 MAX, add some additional great features, & REBRAND the plane with a new name," he Tweeted in April. Boeing's then-CFO and now interim CEO Greg Smith said in June Boeing did not have plans to rename the MAX but was open-minded. Yet the recent speculation was unfounded. The aircraft in question was from Xiamen Airlines, which has not applied "MAX" markings since taking delivery of its inaugural MAX in May 2018, a half year before the first MAX crash. Of the 54 airlines that have 737 MAXs identifiably painted, only 11 airlines consistently write "MAX" on the aircraft's nose, likely the most obvious physical indicator to passengers if their 737 is a MAX. A further 26 airlines put "MAX" only at the aircraft's rear while 13 airlines have no markings mentioning the aircraft type at all. Three airlines say 737-8 without mentioning MAX, while Ryanair has inconsistent practices. There is no standard for how to mark aircraft. US airlines sometimes indicate "MAX" on the nose landing gear door along with other identification information, but they do not have prominent "MAX" markings on the forward or rear fuselage. This includes Southwest, which with 310 MAX orders is the second-largest airline customer after Lion Air. The third-largest customer, flydubai from the United Arab Emirates, also does not have any markings. Air Canada writes "Boeing 737 MAX 8" on the rear while compatriot WestJet writes only "737-8". All took delivery of their first MAX before the initial crash. In the case of Xiamen, while it says "737-8" on the nose, its majority owner China Southern Airlines uses no markings on the nose, instead writing near the tail "Boeing 737-8" without mentioning "MAX". The first MAX to Panama's Copa Airlines has a large "MAX 9" on the rear of the aircraft. Boeing 737 MAX 8 Like most operators, Shanghai Airlines does not feature the aircraft type on the forward part of the aircraft Boeing does not show signs of changing the MAX name. When it rolled out the -10 variant in late November, "MAX" was still adorned on the nose. Boeing extensively used the MAX name in a presentation this month to airlines about how to re-build confidence in the aircraft type, as first reported by the New York Times. One presentation slide writes "the MAX" over a dozen times with only one citation of "737 MAX," which was in reference to a new Boeing website, 737MAXupdates.com. For those looking if airlines will drop the "MAX" name, there is the curious case of Ryanair, whose MAX 8 200 variants have been seen with "737 MAX," "737-8200," as well as no markings. So with most airlines never having "MAX" in a clearly visible part of the aircraft to begin with, does the name matter? There are arguments the name could be visible elsewhere, like the safety card. Southwest Airlines inadvertently confused some passengers early in the MAX's grounding because Southwest's safety card for its 737-800s also mentioned it was applicable to the MAX since the two variants share features. The MAX name could also be visible in the booking process. While Southwest and United Airlines plan to make aircraft type clear to passengers during the booking process, will customers of Ryanair, Europe's largest MAX customer, know their aircraft type in advance? "The answer is that you won't," CEO Michael O'Leary told Flightglobal. "We do our aircraft allocations on a nightly basis. You're booking your ticket six, eight weeks in advance." Besides being told during booking or by aircraft livery if the 737 is a MAX, there are physical differences, such as the MAX's engine cowlings having chevrons, unlike earlier 737s. But such differences could be harder for the general public to distinguish. O'Leary expects passenger confidence in the MAX to quickly return once the aircraft is flying. He draws a comparison to the 2013 grounding of the 787 due to battery problems, although they were non-fatal. "While they replaced the batteries, there was concern about customer sentiment. Customers got over it about a week after the plane was back flying," he said. Boeing changing the "MAX" name could backfire since a rebranding would draw more attention to the MAX's history and imply Boeing needs the public to forget the MAX's history. Instead, Boeing's return to service plan appears focused on instilling confidence by communicating what it has changed on the MAX since the two crashes. "I feel a very large commitment to the flying public to ensure that we prevent accidents like this from ever happening again," Boeing chief pilot Craig Bomben said in a video testimonial. "We're going to figure out how to make not only our products but the industry safer going forward." https://www.forbes.com/sites/willhorton1/2020/12/29/rename-boeings-737-max-airlines-already-arent-using-max-prominently/#2537178b240e Back to Top Boeing Is One of Just Two Commercial Jet Makes. Its 737 Max Woes Won't Change That. Comac C919 Photograph by Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images Boeing's stock resilience through the 737 MAX crisis, grounded since mid-March following the deadly second crash of the jet in the matter of months, has surprised many investors. Shares, while battered and down about 20% since the second deadly MAX crash in March, are still up year to date and up 7% over the past year. Through the grounding, investors have come to realize the power of industry structure. There are only two large commercial aircraft producers: Boeing (ticker: BA) and Airbus (AIR.France). And commercial aerospace is a long lead time business with small volumes of highly technical, heavily regulated products ordered years in advance. But do Boeing's woes open up the door for another aerospace start up to break the Boeing-Airbus duopoly? Probably not. Some have tried (and failed). It takes tens of billions of dollars and 10 years to design, build and approve a single jet. Consider the case of Tesla (TSLA), which has tried to do something similar in the auto industry. Enigmatic CEO Elon Musk built a multibillion-dollar car company from scratch. Tesla "only" needed a couple of billion of dollars and a few years to achieve billions in sales. Some Wall Street analysts may chafe at Tesla's stock market valuation-it's the third most valuable car company on the planet-but they also acknowledge his feat is impressive. It is still billions of dollars and many years short of a single plane design. What's more, Tesla makes three models with three more cars to launch in the near future: the new Roadster, Cybertruck and Model Y. Commercial aerospace is a different scale. Some have tried to break into Boeing's business without much success. Canadian private and regional jet maker Bombardier (BBD.Canada) designed its C-Series jet to compete with an A320NEO or a Boeing 737 model jet. It started marketing the C-Series in 2005, almost 15 years ago. Bombardier has spent almost $15 billion over the past 15 years on plant and equipment. Not all of it was for C-Series development-Bombardier said it doesn't disclose capital spending by plane program-but a lot of it was. It was a tremendous burden for a company with a market value, including debt, of about $12 billion. In fact, the company received government loan guarantees-a form of bailout-in 2017. The C-Series didn't work out as Bombardier envisioned to say the least. (Bombardier wasn't immediately available to comment on total program life to date C-Series spending.) Bombardier shareholders aren't happy either. Over the past 15 years, Bombardier shares have dropped, very roughly, from $3 to $2, trailing so far behind the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average the precise calculation isn't helpful. Now the C-Series is called the Airbus A220 jet, being marketed by the European commercial aerospace giant. A joint venture between Airbus, Bombardier and entities in the Quebec Canadian provincial government went into effect in January 2018. Airbus is the majority owner of the partnership. China's COMAC, short for Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, is building its C919, another 737-size jet. The plane can already fly. The C919 completed a flight test earlier in December. But, it's taken 10 year for China to get to this point. And total spending isn't known. COMAC, doesn't publish financial statements. Still, it has the backing of the government of the world's second largest economy. Perhaps COMAC is a legitimate competitor. "New market entrants have almost not chance," Teal Group aerospace consultant Richard Aboulafia wrote in a blog post reviewing the importance of the Chinese market. China, of course, matters. Passenger traffic in the middle kingdom has grown about tenfold over the past decade. What's more, Boeing delivered about 192 jets in China in 2018 out of a total of 806 jets. (Last year is a better picture of the market because of 2019 MAX problems.) Boeing knows China matters too. It announced a new manufacturing facility for China in 2015. Then, in 2018, the 737 finishing facility opened in Shanghai, providing jobs and capital in China. Boeing doesn't want to cede the market to a technically less advanced plane made in China. Still not convinced COMAC isn't a major threat? The C919 has only about 300 firm orders, according to industry data provider FlightGlobal. Boeing and Airbus have more than 10,000 firm orders for similar sized aircraft. And commercial deliveries of the C919 are slated for 2021, about five years behind schedule. COMAC just won't be a factor for the next generation. Jet building is hard. Don't forget true, jet powered commercial flights have only been around since after World War II. Boeing got its start delivering aircraft for mail delivery and then products for the military. And Boeing bought out competitor McDonnell-Douglas in 1996. Airbus, also with roots in defense, is an agglomeration of European aerospace businesses around for decades. Plane start ups don't pop-up like, say, electric vehicle start ups. Investors may not have to deal with existential risks for Boeing or consider major new competition. But Boeing isn't out of the woods. Investors have to wrestle with questions about long term market share and profitability. Those questions arising from Boeing's 737 MAX problems. https://www.barrons.com/articles/boeings-737-max-woes-wont-open-the-door-to-a-new-competitor-51577667299 Back to Top Incident: Azul E195 near Chapeco on Dec 27th 2019, smoke in cabin An Azul Linhas Aereas Embraer ERJ-195, registration PR-AXH performing flight AD-5179 from Iguasso Falls,PR to Porto Alegre,RS (Brazil) with 82 people on board, was climbing through FL280 out of Iguasso Falls when the crew reported smoke in the cabin and decided to divert to Chapeco,SC (Brazil). During the approach the smoke subsided. The aircraft landed safely in Chapeco. Following an inspection the aircraft departed again and reached Porto Alegre with a delay of 3:15 hours. The airline reported the aircraft made a technical landing in Chapeco for inspection of the aircraft. After evaluation by Azul's maintenance team the aircraft was return to service. A passenger reported the crew announced a faulty air conditioning system. http://avherald.com/h?article=4d1462f9&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: American B738 near McAllen on Dec 26th 2019, suspected fuel leak and smoke in cabin An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N359PX performing flight AA-2350 from Dallas Ft. Worth,TX (USA) to Mexico City (Mexico) with 160 passengers and 6 crew, had been enroute at FL340, then descended to FL310 and further to FL290. Enroute at FL290 the crew declared emergency reporting they had smoke in the cabin and suspected a fuel leak. The crew decided to divert to McAllen,TX where the aircraft landed safely about 35 minutes after the decision to turn around and divert to McAllen. The airport reported passengers and crew disembarked, two passengers were assessed by paramedics but did not need any treatment. No fuel leak was found. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N978NN was dispatched to McAllen, resumed the flight and reached Mexico City with a delay of 7:15 hours. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL2350/history/20191226/2044Z/KDFW/MMMX http://avherald.com/h?article=4d12fed2&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top Incident: Delta A319 at Austin on Dec 28th 2019, apparent bird strike A Delta Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N324NB performing flight DL-1281 from Austin,TX to Salt Lake City,UT (USA) with 126 passengers and 5 crew, was climbing through about 2000 feet out of Austin's runway 17L when the crew declared emergency reporting an apparent bird strike. The aircraft stopped the climb at 3000 feet and returned to Austin for a safe landing on runway 17R about 15 minutes after departure. The aircraft taxied to the apron. Austin airport reported the nature of the problem is still under investigation, it might have been a bird or drone strike. Delta Airlines reported the aircraft suffered a mechanical issue. A replacement A319-100 registration N346NB reached Salt Lake City with a delay of 9.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Austin about 25 hours after landing back. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL1281/history/20191228/2024Z/KAUS/KSLC http://avherald.com/h?article=4d145e69&opt=0 Back to Top Let L-410UVP-E10 - Runway Excursion (Democratic Republic) Date: Saturday 28 December 2019 Time: 14:34 Type: Let L-410UVP-E10 Operator: Air Fast Congo Registration: 9S-GDX C/n / msn: First flight: 1987 Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 16 Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 18 Aircraft damage: Substantial Location: Kamina Airport (KMN) ( Congo (Democratic Republic)) Phase: Landing (LDG) Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Lubumbashi International Airport (FBM/FZQA), Congo (Democratic Republic) Destination airport: Kamina Airport (KMN/FZSA), Congo (Democratic Republic) Narrative: A Let L-410 suffered a runway excursion while landing on the wet gravel airstrip of Kamina Airport in D.R. Congo. The aircraft swung to the right and went off the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft sustained damage to the nose section, left main landing gear and left hand wing tip tank. The passengers, provincial deputies, were not injured in the accident. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20191228-0 Back to Top A survivor of the Kazakhstan plane crash that killed at least 12 said the aircraft was crushed 'like a tin can' Emergency and security personnel are seen at the site of the plane crash near Almaty, Kazakhstan, December 27, 2019. A survivor of Friday's plane crash in Almaty, Kazakhstan, which killed 12 and injured dozens, described the incident to Sky News. Aslan Nazaraliyev said that the aircraft was crushed in front of him "as if someone started squeezing a tin can." He said that the aircraft started "swaying" and "vibrating" seconds after taking off for the capital, Nur-Sultan. The Bek Air plane had 95 passengers and five crew members on board when it "lost altitude during takeoff and broke through a concrete fence" before hitting a two-storey building, Kazakhstan's Civil Aviation Committee said in a statement. A passenger onboard the Bek Air flight that crashed into a building in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Friday, killing 12 and injuring dozens, has described the horrifying incident. Aslan Nazaraliyev, who had been sitting in the 15th row, told Sky News that the aircraft was crushed in front of him "as if someone started squeezing a tin can." Nazaraliyev said that the aircraft started "swaying" and "vibrating" seconds after taking off for the capital, Nur-Sultan. "I started immediately tightening my seat belt because I thought it was something [that] went wrong," he told Sky News. "After maybe 15, 20 seconds, it started escalating. Then it got so bad that it started at some point going downwards. "So at that time I realized that we will 100% hit the ground." Emergency and security personnel are seen at the site of a plane crash near Almaty, Kazakhstan, December 27, 2019. Nazaraliyev also described seeing the man in the row in front of him being crushed by the ceiling, "smashing him with all that power." The Bek Air plane had 95 passengers and five crew members on board when it "lost altitude during takeoff and broke through a concrete fence" before hitting a two-storey building, Kazakhstan's Civil Aviation Committee said in a statement. At least 12 people were killed, and 66 have been hospitalized, 22 in a grave condition, the Almaty mayor's office said. Al Jazeera reported that the plane's black box was recovered from the crash site, and that a commission had been set up to investigate the incident. "Those responsible will face tough punishment in accordance with the law," Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev tweeted. https://news.yahoo.com/survivor-kazakhstan-plane-crash-killed-092432555.html?hl=1&noRedirect=1 Back to Top Bek Air tried to cancel IOSA certificate requirement using lobbyists - Vice PM AKIPRESS.COM - Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar said Bek Air using lobbyists of different levels tried to cancel IATA Operational Safety Audit certificate to operate international flights, Tengrinews.kz reports. "All our air carriers who operate international transportation obtained IOSA certificate. It was necessary to obtain such certificate for domestic flights as well. However, in 2016 there was a powerful campaign in media. Some journalists and MPs supported it. Probably, they were right. There is no need to meet additional requirements for domestic routes. When the Civil Aviation Committee said IOSA certificate should be obtained for domestic routes, it was a kind of unnecessary measure. But we realize well there is nothing extra in aviation safety. Yet, the Committee for Natural Monopoly Regulation then said it is violation of rules of entrepreneurs and this requirement was canceled for domestic flights," Sklyar said following the government meeting. "Bek Air tried to cancel IOSA certificate using lobbyists of different levels for all these years so that they would be able to operate international flights. But the Ministry of Industry disagreed despite all pressure," the Deputy Prime Minister added. On December 27, the Bek Air plane en route from Almaty to Nur-Sultan lost altitude shortly after take-off and hit into a wall and 2-storey building near the runway. The operation of the Bek Air was suspended after the plane crash. https://tinyurl.com/vy5mlux Back to Top ATR 72 tail-strike inquiry cites pilot-shortage pressure Portuguese investigators have indicated that a shortage of pilots might have pressured carrier White Airways to release a trainee ATR first officer for flight without a safety pilot, the day before a damaging tail-strike at Fez. The ATR 72-600 had been operating Lisbon-Fez, on behalf of TAP Express, on 6 July last year with the trainee first officer as the flying pilot. Investigation authority GPIAA says the aircraft's approach path destabilised after the autopilot was disengaged at 1,300ft, some 4.3nm from the runway 27. The aircraft, operating in visual conditions, began to dip below the ILS glideslope and its airspeed declined from the calculated 109kt approach speed. Its pitch was increased and the aircraft levelled at 700ft. But this caused it to pass above the glideslope, where it remained until a nose-down input at 350ft increased its descent rate to 800ft/min and its airspeed to 116kt. At 200ft the ATR flew below the angle of the precision approach path indicator lights, maintaining its 800ft/min descent rate until 80ft. Despite the destabilised approach the crew did not call for a go-around. As the first officer flared the aircraft, the captain also took the control column at 20ft and made a nose-up input. But the aircraft, travelling at 103kt with a descent rate of 740ft/min, landed hard at 3g and its pitch of 6.4° was sufficient to allow its aft fuselage to strike the runway and scrape it for a distance of 350m. The ATR bounced twice, with a second contact of 1.4g and a third at 1.2g, before it settled on the runway. It sustained abrasion and deformation damage to its aft fuselage underside. GPIAA says the first officer had logged less than 48h on type, out of a total flight time of 269h. Although she was experiencing difficulties in maintaining runway alignment and approach speed, she had been signed off to fly without a safety pilot - by the operator's safety manager - on the day before the accident. The inquiry points out that White Airways' ATR operation is "demanding and intense" in terms of hours and cycles. At the time the carrier had 41 captains and 28 first officers, plus five trainee first officers, for eight aircraft. Although it had a planned ratio of five crews per aircraft, the ratio for first officers was only 3.5. GPIAA says the carrier had problems in recruiting and selecting new crews, given its size and type of operation. "At the time of the event, operators found it difficult to maintain their pilot workforce due to market conditions," says the inquiry. "The lack of pilots in the operator - in particular first officers - may have conditioned the trainee first officer's release for flight without a safety pilot, even though she revealed aircraft handling difficulties during the landing phase." GPIAA says the operator's policy for trainees' line flying under supervision required 40 sectors to be flown, with the first four at least involving supervision by a captain and a safety pilot. Remarks during the first officer's training at this stage included several comments regarding aircraft handling during the approach, short final and landing. Flight without the safety pilot was authorised on 5 July, on sector 26 of the line flying under supervision phase, says the inquiry. The captain of the aircraft involved in the Fez accident was aware of the first officer's weaknesses and had access to training records, as well as a special not requiring the trainee to improve landing handling. https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/atr-72-tail-strike-inquiry-cites-pilot-shortage-pressure/135952.article Back to Top NTSB Returns To Full Board with Graham, Chapman The National Transportation Safety Board is set to return to its full complement of board members with the recent confirmation of two new members, both of whom have had strong ties to business and general aviation. Michael Graham, who had been director, flight operations safety, security, and standardization for Textron Aviation, was confirmed for terms extending through 2025. Graham has a deep background in business aviation safety, formerly chairing the Air Charter Safety Foundation and leading the NBAA Safety Committee's Pilot Safety Working Group, as well as volunteering on the FAA's Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program's General Aviation Issues Analysis Team. Joining him on the board is Tom Chapman, who was confirmed for a term extending through the end of 2023. Chapman most recently was minority counsel for the Senate aviation subcommittee and has also held government affairs positions for US Airways and Southwest Airlines. He also was known in general aviation circles for his time as senior v-p for government and technical affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The Senate confirmed both on December 19. They join Robert Sumwalt, the current chair who also has airline and corporate aviation experience; Jennifer Homendy, who also has a Capitol Hill background with expertise in transportation and pipeline issues; and Bruce Landsberg, who came to the Board with general aviation safety experience as the former president of the AOPA Foundation and Air Safety Institute. "NBAA welcomes the return of a full five-member board at the NTSB," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "Given that safety is a core value for business aviation, we are pleased to see the confirmation of Michael Graham, and we look forward to working with him and Thomas Chapman in their new roles at the NTSB." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-12-27/ntsb-returns-full-board-graham-chapman Back to Top BA passenger, 30, 'was handcuffed on board after becoming aggressive while demanding alcohol only to break free and try to headbutt a cabin crew member' • William Clegg from London is charged with assaulting five flight attendants • Other charges include being drunk and smoking on an aircraft • Clegg entered not guilty pleas to all the charges before Uxbridge Magistrates' A BA passenger handcuffed after running amok on a transatlantic flight allegedly tried to headbutt cabin crew after managing to break free from his restraint, a court has heard. William Clegg, 30, of Notting Hill, west London, is charged with assaulting five flight attendants, smoking on the aircraft, climbing over sleeping travellers, and trying to tear a cushion from a seat while flying from Texas to London Heathrow. Earlier magistrates heard allegations that he had put a T-shirt over a female cabin crew member's head before pulling another member of staff to the ground. At one point Clegg was restrained with handcuffs but managed to escape before continuing his 'bizarre' spree, the court heard. William Clegg, 30, of Notting Hill, west London, is charged with assaulting five flight attendants, smoking on the aircraft, climbing over sleeping travellers, and trying to tear a cushion from a seat while flying from Texas to London Heathrow. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him Clegg stood before Uxbridge Magistrates' Court wearing a blue suit and entered not guilty pleas to five charges of assault, being drunk on an aircraft and smoking on an aircraft. He also pleaded not guilty to behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of aircraft crew. Monique Duncan, prosecuting, said: 'It's a lengthy incident on August 25 this year. Mr Clegg was a passenger travelling on the BA flight to London Heathrow. 'He was described as being extremely disruptive during the flight. He was served a glass of wine by one of the cabin crew, but continued to ask for more alcohol. 'He became increasingly aggressive. At one point he has lunged towards a member of staff and placed a t-shirt over her head. He is then seen to be walking around and climbing over sleeping passengers. 'He has grabbed one of the members of cabin crew by the forearm and pulled him to the floor which has caused the other crew members to retrain him and place him in handcuffs. 'He managed to free himself from the restraint and kicked out at the seat in front of him and tried to rip the cushion off one off the seats on the plane. 'At one point he attempted to head-butt one of the members of staff. His behaviour was extremely disruptive and aggressive while in drink.' Ben Summers, defending Clegg, told the court his client was out of control due to a cocktail of sleeping medication. He said: 'The amount of alcohol was very limited, it was three glasses. 'The issue here is of non-insane automatism. He was on a combination of medication for sleep deprivation. 'This had put him in a state described by witnesses as bizarre.' Clegg, of Notting Hill, west London, was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Isleworth Crown Court in January. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7834677/BA-passenger-accused-assaulting-five-flight-attendants-smoking-drunk-aircraft.html Back to Top NTSB arrives on Kauai to investigate fatal tour chopper crash KOKEE, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - An NTSB team arrived on Sunday to launch their investigation of what caused the tour helicopter crash on Kauai's Na Pali Coast that left no survivors. The NTSB will look at several factors of the crash: The pilot, the helicopter, and the environment. "They'll try to look for any electronic devices that will sort of paint a portrait of what happened," said NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss. "They'll look at tree strikes and other terrain issues to see what direction the flight was coming from." Weiss said the investigator in charge is from their Alaska bureau and has extensive experience with rugged outdoor terrain. He added the location of the wreckage is going to be an obstacle. "In general, we try to recover the wreckage. We actually move it to a secure location, so that investigators can come back during the course of the investigation to look at a particular component," Weiss said. "I don't know if that's going to be possible in this case." The investigation could take anywhere between 18 to 24 months. The crash killed six passengers - all visitors to the islands - and the 69-year-old pilot. Eleele resident Lawrence Yadao Sr. said he after he heard about the crash, he realized he'd seen the helicopter hovering low overhead while he picked maile on Nualolo Trail on Thursday afternoon. He said when he arrived at the trail, the weather was nice enough for him to wear shorts. But then he says the weather took a turn, and that's when he noticed a helicopter hovering low above him. "Was kind of bad the weather with the fog and the rain and I could hear the chopper," said Yadao. "Then all of a sudden, that noise just disappeared. It was just kind of strange." Yadao said he had a gut feeling something was wrong the entire way home. He told his wife about what happened on his hike, then she told him the news. "She told me there's a helicopter missing. I ran to my phone and called KPD and gave them the best information that I could. (The next day) they got it right on the nose. They found the wreckage," he said. Yadao, who hunts in the area often, said he's been having sleepless nights with the sound of the chopper replaying in his head. "Knowing that maybe I could've helped somebody. I have a lot of grandchildren, and it's kind of crazy knowing that children and people just passed away from something like that," he said. Anyone who may have saw or heard something on the day of the crash is asked to email the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/12/30/ntsb-arrives-kauai-investigate-fatal-tour-chopper-crash/ Back to Top A DECADE OF AVIATION BRINGS SOME SURPRISING CHANGES The last 10 years have seen major changes in aviation as fuel-efficient, twin-engine aircraft sounded the death knell for jumbo jets, the Asia-Pacific became the world's biggest aviation market and airlines squeezed more seats into aircraft. Passengers benefited as fares remained at surprisingly affordable lows, business class seats hit new levels of comfort, WiFi became airborne and inflight entertainment offered ever more options. The average return airfare (before surcharges and taxes) in 2020 is tipped to be $US293, or 64 percent below 1998 levels after adjusting for inflation. As a result of the continued cheap fares, air travel has continued to grow and the number of city pairs is expected to top 23,000 in 2020 as passenger numbers hit 4.72 billion, almost double the 2010 numbers. Offsetting this was the rise of annoying ancillary fees for previously included items such as checked baggage, the decline of economy class catering and the reduction in cattle class legroom to knee-crunching levels. It was the decade that saw the low-cost sector consolidate its position and one in which the global airline industry moved into the black and remained there after years of losses. Allegiances became more fluid as airlines moved beyond the major global alliances to make strategic deals and some names faded away. Those who failed to make it through the decade included Thomas Cook, airberlin, NIKI, Germanwings, Transaero and Mexicana. Photo: airberlin Although weaker than first anticipated, the air transport industry's expected 2019 global net profit of $US25.9 billion will be its 10th consecutive year in the black and it is forecast to stay there with an improved result of $US29.3 billion in 2020. Airlines have also become more efficient with carbon emissions per passenger declining more than 50 percent since 1990. Much of that improvement occurred in the last decade as the industry achieved an annual fuel efficiency improvement of 2.3 percent since 2009, or about 0.8 percentage points ahead of target. Airlines have invested about $US1 trillion in new aircraft since 2009 and have been working in areas such as sustainable aviation fuels, more efficient flying and better ground operations. Many are also reducing landfill and cutting back on single-use plastics. The industry is confident it will cap net emissions from 2020 and plans to cut emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050. A global carbon offsetting scheme known as CORSIA aims to ensure carbon-neutral growth on international flights from 2020 and raise about $US40 billion in climate financing. Research into new technology continued during the decade with resurging interest in supersonic aircraft as well as electric or hybrid planes and new forms of transport such as aerial taxis. The phenomenal growth of drones opened up new possibilities but also raised serious issues in terms of airport security and airspace safety. Along with the wider global developments, however, there have also been a number of less obvious trends that the sharp-eyed information detectives at aviation data experts OAG have spotted. India's Indigo is nominated as the fastest-growing airline over the last decade with the number of seats operated soaring from 10.4 million to 88.8 million over the last decade. South American airline group LATAM was ranked second as consolidation delivered 87 million seats in 2019, followed by Azul Airlines and then Vietnam Airlines, which grew from less than 700,000 seats to 28.5 million over 10 years. US carriers remain the global heavyweights in terms of scheduled seats with American Airlines in 2019 replacing 2010's top dog, Delta Air Lines. The 2010 top five pecking-order of Delta, Southwest, American, United and US Airways became American, Delta, Southwest, United and Ryanair in 2019. The addition of Ryanair to the top five also underscores the growth of low-cost carriers in the last decade, with their global capacity share rising from 20 percent to 31 percent. Notable growth in the Asia-pacific saw the LCC share rise from 13 percent to 29 percent, while it grew in Latin America from 24 percent to 37 percent. The single biggest regional market for LCC's in 2019 was the Asia-pacific with some 2.2 billion seats, according to OAG. It noted China has yet to fully embrace the trend. Another airline trend has been the emergence of new ultra-long-haul routes, with eight new city pairs joining the top 10 list. New York-Singapore tops both the 2010 and 2019 lists but new entrants include Auckland-Doha, London-Perth, Auckland-Dubai, Los Angelese-Singapore and Houston Sydney. OAG noted new aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 787 have allowed smaller, thinner markets to be served in this category. Ultra-long-haul routes and how they've changed. Source: OAG Most people would nominate China as the fastest growing market in the past decade but not when it comes to average annual growth rate. Turkey is the surprising winner in that category thanks to the rapid emergence of low-cost carriers and an expanding national carrier. Other growth areas include Vietnam, Peru, Ethiopia and Cambodia. In terms of busy airport pairs, Hanoi-Ho chi Minh has soared from 465th to fourth over the past decade to beat Melbourne-Sydney on OAG's 2019 league table. Jeju-Gimpo in Korea remains the busiest airport pair followed by 2010's number one, Chitose-Haneda, and Fukuoka-Haneda. Busiest airport pairs in terms of seats. Source: OAG "Perhaps just as interestingly no European or North American airport pair features in the global top ten which is dominated by services in Asia; confirming precisely where future market growth comes from in the next decade,'' OAG noted. In terms of scheduled seats, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport finished the decade as it began it as the world's busiest airport but with 63.3 million scheduled seats in 2019 compared to 54.4 million in 2010. Beijing capital was a close second with 62.7 million seats (Up from 47.4m) but OAG noted its growth will likely be crimped by the opening of Daxing. Tokyo Haneda ranked third followed by Dubai, Los Angeles and Chicago O'Hare. The OAG data sleuths noted that Tokyo Haneda will see a further 39,000 slots operating from April 2020 "which will potentially place the airport ahead of Atlanta". Dubai would continue to be the busiest international airport with the combined Emirates and Fly Dubai hubs continuing to develop, they added. The types of planes we fly have also changed over the decade. The OAG analysis of scheduled flights showed the A320 family in the decade had overtaken the Boeing 737 variants as the most heavily flown commercial aircraft. It was the same situation when hours flown were considered, although the Boeing 777 passenger jet came in third and both the B787 and A350 featuring in the top 10. https://www.airlineratings.com/news/decade-aviation-brings-surprising-changes/ Back to Top Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 free plane tickets TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 21: A Japan Airlines Co. (JAL) aircraft takes off at Haneda Airport ahead of Golden Week, on April 21, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese people will enjoy a rare 10 consecutive days off beginning on April 27 in Golden Week this year, as the new Emperor is planned to ascend the throne. The nation's travel industry expects an increase in travel bookings. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images) (CNN) - Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 free round-trip domestic air tickets to international tourists next summer -- but there's a catch. The giveaway aims to encourage tourists to see less visited parts of Japan, and perhaps take some of the strain off Tokyo between July 1 and September 30 next year as the capital hosts the Olympic Summer Games. However to win free tickets, travelers must be registered outside of Japan with the flag carrier's Mileage Bank frequent flyer program. And you won't know where you are going until a few days after you apply. The airline will recommend four local destinations to choose from, flying out of Haneda airport in Tokyo, or Osaka's Itami and Kansai airports. Family and friends traveling together can apply as a group of up to four people, and applicants will receive the result within three days of applying. The Games will be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020, and the subsequent Paralympics finish on September 6. Japan's government expects the "Olympics effect" will bring approximately an extra 10 million visitors to the country in 2020. Annual foreign visitor arrivals to Japan trebled in the years from 2013 to 2018 to more than 31 million, with about 10 million stopping in Tokyo. More details about JAL's giveaway will be released in early January, and applications open in late February. Applications will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Final preparations are underway for the Olympics, with the new National Stadium in Tokyo -- the main venue for the Games -- officially inaugurated on December 21 in a star-studded ceremony including Jamaican sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/jal-free-tickets-summer-2020-intl-hnk-scli/ Back to Top Christina Koch Sets A New Record For Women Astronauts Astronaut Christina Koch already made history in October as one of the astronauts to conduct the first all-women space walk. Less than three months later, she passed another milestone: Koch broke the record for the longest single spaceflight made by a woman. In 2017, former NASA chief astronaut Peggy Whitson set the record of 288 days in space. Koch, also an electrical engineer, surpassed the 288-day mark on Saturday. With two months left in her mission, Koch is slated to spend a total of 328 days in space, reports ABC News. In an interview with CNN, Koch called Whitson her "mentor" and said that she looks forward to returning to Earth - and, to pay it forward, assisting future women astronauts. "My biggest hope for the record is that it's exceeded as soon as possible again," Koch said. Currently, the U.S. record for the longest flight is held by astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent 340 days in space in 2015 and 2016. Koch previously said in a NASA interview broadcast that, to prepare for her flight, she read Kelly's 2017 autobiography, Endurance. Koch started her flight in April, and was supposed to partake in an all-women spacewalk in March; it was cancelled when the astronauts learned NASA only had one medium-sized spacesuit on hand. Finally, in October, Koch and fellow astronaut Jessica Meir completed the walk. "I think it's important because of the historical nature of what we're doing and that, in the past, women haven't always been at the table," Koch said at the time, according to CNN. "It's wonderful to be contributing to human spaceflight at a time when all contributions are being accepted, when everyone has a role. That can lead, in turn, to increased chance for success." https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/12/9109611/christina-koch-longest-spaceflight-woman-record-nasa Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Call for Papers - ISASI 2020 Montreal Sheraton, Montreal PQ September 1 - 3, 2020 With "20/20 Vision for the Future" as our theme, the ISASI 2020 Committee is inviting interested individuals to submit abstracts for papers that address the future of aircraft accident investigation. Presentation topics that support the theme may include, but are not limited to: • Recent accident/incident investigations of interest. • Novel investigation techniques for aircraft, helicopter, and drone accidents. • Data investigation methods, techniques and future developments. • Airport investigation methods and techniques • Future investigator selection criteria and training needs. • Future of aircraft data capture and retrieval and protection of safety information. • Future developments in underwater wreckage recovery. • Future evolution of Family Assistance. We are also interested in papers that address the challenges surrounding the recent 737 Max accidents. While it is not our intent to discuss the accidents themselves, we are hoping to generate thought and discussion on the impact the accidents have had on to the industry as a whole and how it has affected the travelling public. Presentations must be in English and should be 25 minutes long. There will be an additional 5 minutes for questions at the end of each presentation. Abstracts should include the author's current CV [1 page only please] and be sent to isasi2020papers@shaw.ca Important dates: March 20th, 2020 - Last date for receipt of abstracts. May 8th, 2020 - Presenters informed of acceptance and provided with additional instructions. May 22nd, 2020 - Draft program for the 2019 Seminar Technical Program will be published. July 10th, 2020 - Last date for receipt of completed paper and PowerPoint presentation. Any papers not received by this date will be removed from the program and replaced by another speaker. If you have questions related to the paper topics or any other inquiries about the program, please contact the ISASI 2020 Program Chair at avsafe@shaw.ca Curt Lewis