Flight Safety Information - December 15, 2021 No. 249 In This Issue : Incident: Indigo A20N at Mumbai and Abu Dhabi on Dec 12th 2021, involuntary stowaway : Incident: Indigo A20N at Mumbai and Abu Dhabi on Dec 12th 2021, involuntary stowaway : Incident: Horizon DH8D at Portland on Dec 9th 2021, engine shut down in flight : TSA has confiscated record number of guns at airports in 2021 : Former Boeing pilot says FAA official called him 'scapegoat' for crashes : Baggage Handler Falls Asleep In Airplane Cargo Hold, Wakes Up Inflight : American Airlines eyes 18,000 new hires : NASA craft 'touches' sun for 1st time, dives into atmosphere : ISASI 2022 Seminar - Survey : mba is currently seeking USA-based IOSA Flight Auditors! : Position Available - Internal Evaluation Program Evaluator I : Director of Safety – Bloomington, MN : PhD Research Survey Request Incident: Indigo A20N at Mumbai and Abu Dhabi on Dec 12th 2021, involuntary stowaway An Indigo Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-IIJ performing flight 6E-1835 from Mumbai (India) to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), was preparing for departure, when a cargo handler entered the cargo bay and fell asleep. The aircraft continued departure and took off Mumbai's runway 27 when the cargo handler woke up. The aircraft continued to Abu Dhabi for a safe landing on Abu Dhabi's runway 31L about 2:50 hours later. Only then the cargo handler was discovered and underwent medical checks, which showed he was entirely okay. The worker returned to Mumbai on the same aircraft performing the return flight, this time however in the cabin as passenger. The airline confirmed the incident. India's DGCA have opened an investigation. http://avherald.com/h?article=4f1a6bad&opt=0 Incident: Indigo A20N at Mumbai and Abu Dhabi on Dec 12th 2021, involuntary stowaway An Indigo Airbus A320-200N, registration VT-IIJ performing flight 6E-1835 from Mumbai (India) to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), was preparing for departure, when a cargo handler entered the cargo bay and fell asleep. The aircraft continued departure and took off Mumbai's runway 27 when the cargo handler woke up. The aircraft continued to Abu Dhabi for a safe landing on Abu Dhabi's runway 31L about 2:50 hours later. Only then the cargo handler was discovered and underwent medical checks, which showed he was entirely okay. The worker returned to Mumbai on the same aircraft performing the return flight, this time however in the cabin as passenger. The airline confirmed the incident. India's DGCA have opened an investigation. http://avherald.com/h?article=4f1a6bad&opt=0 Incident: Horizon DH8D at Portland on Dec 9th 2021, engine shut down in flight A Horizon Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 on behalf of Alaska Airlines, registration N450QX performing flight AS-2232 from Portland,OR to Spokane,WA (USA) with 78 people on board, was climbing out of Portland when the crew stopped the climb at about 15,000 feet reporting oil pressure fluctuations on the #1 engine (left hand, PW150A) and decided to proceed to shut the engine down. The aircraft returned to Portland for a safe landing on runway 28L about 30 minutes after departure. The aircraft is still on the ground in Portland 89 hours after landing (standing Dec 13th 21:45Z). http://avherald.com/h?article=4f19bc6b&opt=0 TSA has confiscated record number of guns at airports in 2021 The Transportation Security Administration in 2021 has confiscated the most guns ever in a single year — some 5,700, most of which were loaded. The report comes at a time when the TSA also is reporting travel numbers nearing those of 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of travelers peaked in November, ahead of Thanksgiving, reaching their highest level since the start of the pandemic, TSA data shows. "The reason, I think, is just that there's more firearms carriers in the country," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said at a press conference on Monday. "Generally, what we see in our checkpoints, in terms of what people carry, that reflects what's going on in the country." Currently, passengers are not permitted to carry firearms or ammunition in carry-on luggage through security checkpoints, but TSA regulations do allow passengers to transport unloaded firearms in checked baggage. Travelers must comply with state possession laws and are required to declare their firearms to airline personnel when checking in. The TSA turns over all confiscated weapons to local law enforcement, passengers found to be flouting the rules can be fined or face civil penalties. In one recent case of unauthorized firearm possession at a security checkpoint, a gun was accidentally discharged at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, terrifying travelers and leading to the arrest of the person responsible. And the rate of detection has doubled, from five firearms per 1 million passengers in 2019 to 11 firearms per million passengers in 2021. The previous record for confiscated firearms in a single year was 4,432 in 2019. https://www.yahoo.com/gma/tsa-confiscated-record-number-guns-172800336.html Former Boeing pilot says FAA official called him 'scapegoat' for crashes WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A former chief technical pilot for Boeing Co charged with fraud for deceiving federal regulators evaluating the company's 737 MAX jet says a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official called him a "scapegoat" for two fatal crashes. Lawyers for Mark Forkner said the FAA official with personal knowledge of the 737-MAX contacted the government and said Forkner "is a 'scapegoat' and should 'not be charged.'" The court filing on Monday did not disclose the official's name. Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. The FAA did not immediately comment. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Northern Texas, where the case is being heard, declined to comment. The filing also included parts of a PowerPoint from an unnamed FAA employee that defense lawyers said contain new disclosures about a key system known as MCAS that should have been disclosed by Boeing’s engineering team. The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) is a software feature designed to automatically push the airplane’s nose down in certain conditions. It was tied to two crashes of the 737 MAX in Indonesia and Ethiopia over a five-month period in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and led to the FAA's grounding the plane for 20 months, an action lifted in November 2020. The filing said Boeing engineers did not disclose key details of MCAS to Forkner or the FAA - including that MCAS could activate when it was not intended after a single faulty sensor. The PowerPoint said the 737 MAX crashes "were caused by a failure of the engineering processes" and argued the focus on training and the Forkner criminal charges "is not only incorrect and misguided, it is detracting from the real lessons." Excerpts of the presentation made public said it was to address a "potential miscarriage of justice." Lawyers asked a U.S. judge to allow current or former FAA officials permission to talk with Forkner's defense team ahead of a trial set to begin in February. A redacted filing appears to show Forkner's team wants to talk to two current officials and a former FAA employee. Forkner was indicted in October on six counts of scheming to defraud Boeing's U.S.-based airline customers to obtain tens of millions of dollars for Boeing. His lawyers said they have not been allowed to speak to the PowerPoint author. According to the indictment, Forkner, largely in the run-up to the FAA's decision to approve the 737 MAX in 2017, provided the FAA Aircraft Evaluation Group with "materially false, inaccurate, and incomplete information" about MCAS. He has pleaded not guilty. In January, Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department over the MAX crashes, which cost Boeing more than $20 billion. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/former-boeing-pilot-says-faa-201749596.html Baggage Handler Falls Asleep In Airplane Cargo Hold, Wakes Up Inflight I’m not sure whether to be surprised that this happened, or be surprised that this doesn’t happen more often… Sunday’s IndiGo flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) carried one more passenger than expected. According to reports, one of the baggage handlers fell asleep in the cargo compartment while bags were being loaded. I guess none of his colleagues realized he was missing, because the plane was sent on its way with him in the hold, and he only woke up after the flight had taken off. He was discovered upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. At that point the unintentional traveler was subjected to a medical examination. After he was found to be in good health, he was sent on the next flight back to Mumbai as a passenger. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is conducting an investigation into the incident, and those involved in the incident have been put on leave pending the investigation (I’m not sure if this just includes the person who inadvertently ended up on the flight to Abu Dhabi, or also his colleagues). What’s the process in place to prevent this? I’m sure I’m not the only one who is curious about this, and collectively OMAAT readers know just about everything, so… On the one hand, I would think there’s no need to have a procedure in place to make sure no one falls asleep in a cargo hold, since that doesn’t exactly seem like the most relaxing place to take a nap. Then again, that probably just reflects my own challenges sleeping in anything other than a bed in a dark room with the right temperature. Some people can conk out anywhere, and I’m kind of jealous. This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen the door closed on a ramper inside the cargo hold, so does anyone have an understanding of what processes are in place to prevent this? Is there some sort of a “roll call” when a flight’s cargo hold finishes being loaded, to ensure everyone involved is also off the plane? Is someone supposed to go into the cargo hold and look around to be sure no one is left behind? Or do they just hope for the best, and assume that no one could possibly fall asleep and not wake up until after the door closes? Bottom line On Sunday an airport baggage handler ended up falling asleep inside the cargo hold of an IndiGo plane bound for Abu Dhabi. He only ended up waking up after the plane took off (or at a minimum after the door was closed and there was no way to get in touch with anyone), so he flew all the way to UAE. Upon arriving there he had a health check, and he was fortunately in good condition, so he was put on the next flight back to Mumbai. An investigation is now being conducted into the incident. https://onemileatatime.com/news/baggage-handler-falls-asleep-airplane-cargo-hold/ American Airlines eyes 18,000 new hires American Airlines is looking to hire 18,000 new employees as the travel industry continues to rebound from the pandemic. CEO Doug Parker stated the plan to make the new hires in written testimony ahead of a hearing he has with lawmakers on Wednesday regarding flight disruptions, CNBC reported. "We believe this positive momentum will continue into next year, as we've set a target of hiring an additional 18,000 team members in 2022," Parker said in the testimony. "Each time we add to our ranks, it's like a dividend payment on the investment made in our team through the [payroll support program]; instead of building back from collapse, we're growing to provide more promising careers in good-paying jobs to hard-working individuals who are the lifeblood of our nation's economy," Parker added. Airlines have been adding employees back in 2021 after mass layoffs occurred in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. American Airlines has hired more than 16,000 employees this year, Parker said, and currently staffs around 130,000 individuals total. Parker, along with the CEOs of other major U.S. airlines, will testify before The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday regarding flight disruptions the companies have said are the result of staffing shortages and weather conditions, according to CNBC. In one such instance, American Airlines canceled more than 1,500 flights over Halloween weekend amid inclement weather around its Dallas-Fort Worth hub. https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-airlines-eyes-18-000-212219396.html NASA craft 'touches' sun for 1st time, dives into atmosphere CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft has officially “touched” the sun, plunging through the unexplored solar atmosphere known as the corona. Scientists announced the news Tuesday during a meeting of the American Geophysical Union. The Parker Solar Probe actually flew through the corona in April during the spacecraft’s eighth close approach to the sun. Scientists said it took a few months to get the data back and then several more months to confirm. "Fascinatingly exciting,” said project scientist Nour Raouafi of Johns Hopkins University. Launched in 2018, Parker was 8 million miles (13 million kilometers) from the center of the sun when it first crossed the jagged, uneven boundary between the solar atmosphere and outgoing solar wind. The spacecraft dipped in and out of the corona at least three times, each a smooth transition, according to scientists. “The first and most dramatic time we were below for about five hours ... Now you might think five hours, that doesn't sound big," the University of Michigan's Justin Kasper told reporters. But he noted that Parker was moving so fast it covered a vast distance during that time, tearing along at more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) per second. The corona appeared dustier than expected, according to Raouafi. Future coronal excursions will help scientist better understand the origin of the solar wind, he said, and how it is heated and accelerated out into space. Because the sun lacks a solid surface, the corona is where the action is; exploring this magnetically intense region up close can help scientists better understand solar outbursts that can interfere with life here on Earth. Preliminary data suggest Parker also dipped into the corona during its ninth close approach in August, but scientists said more analyses are needed. It made its 10th close approach last month. Parker will keep drawing ever closer to the sun and diving deeper into the corona until its grand finale orbit in 2025. https://www.yahoo.com/news/nasa-craft-touches-sun-1st-202306871.html Apply Now! mba is currently seeking USA-based IOSA Flight Auditors! Do you have over 5 years of aviation experience, 2 years’ experience in Flight Operations, and have completed Auditor Training? Then submit your resume to mba@mba.aero for an opportunity to join our IOSA Audit Team! *IOSA is a registered trademark of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Internal Evaluation Program Evaluator I LAS VEGAS, NV /SAFETY & SECURITY – COMPLIANCE /FULL-TIME Summary Perform evaluations in accordance with department schedule and special evaluations as directed by the Director of Internal Evaluations. Visa Sponsorship Available: No Minimum Requirements A combination of Education and Experience will be considered. Must be authorized to work in the US as defined by the Immigration Act of 1986. Must pass a Criminal Background Check. Education: High School Diploma/GED Years of Experience: Minimum one (1) year of working knowledge of SMS, DOD principles, and the FAA SAS DCTs. Preferred Requirements • Bachelor's degree in a related field. • FAA Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, Airframe & Powerplant Certificate, or Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate. • One (1) year of auditing experience. • Working knowledge of IOSA standards and recommended practices. • Work experience in 14 CFR 121 air carrier operations; stations, training, quality control, maintenance, operations, safety, or a combination thereof. • Previous experience maintaining and enhancing corporate safety standards and safe operational practices. Job Duties • Performs scheduled and special evaluations, including identifying and defining issues, reviewing and analyzing evidence, and documenting findings and concerns. • Collects objective evidence necessary to substantiate findings or concerns. • Prepares evaluation reports. • Recommends solutions to findings or concerns. • Monitors the development and implementation of corrective action plans. • Maintains and updates internal evaluation files. • Verifies the implementation of solutions and corrective action plans. • Other duties as assigned. Physical Requirements The Physical Demands and Work Environment described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. Office - While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, see, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, printer, and phone. May be required to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 20 lbs. May be required to work various shifts/days in a 24-hour situation. Regular attendance is a requirement of the role. Exposure to moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones, printers, and foot traffic), temperature and light fluctuations. Ability to work in a confined area as well as the ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time. Some travel may be a requirement of the role. COVID-19 Vaccination National Mandate Allegiant requires all team members to complete a record in Allegiant’s Vaccination Tracking Tool. Team Members may opt to provide records documenting their fully vaccinated status or agree to comply with weekly COVID-19 testing and reporting. Requests for medical and religious exemptions for those who cannot be vaccinated will be considered with substantiating documentation. Essential Services Provider Allegiant as a national air carrier is deemed an essential service provider during declared national and state emergencies. Team Members will be required to report to their assigned trip or work location during national and state emergencies unless prohibited by local, state or federal order. EEO Statement Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran For more information, see https://allegiantair.jobs People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. APPLY HERE Director of Safety – Bloomington, MN Who Are We: Life Link III is a premier, nationally recognized air medical transport company, known for our clinical excellence, superior aviation program, and reliable response in providing care to critically ill or injured patients. Our priority is to do everything possible to give every patient their best chance for the best possible outcome – demonstrated by our unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of care to our patients while on-board safe, state-of-the-art aircraft. We continually focus on innovation and work to put cutting edge technology and education in the hands of our flight medical crew, pilots, mechanics, operational control specialists and communication specialists so we can provide uncompromising care to the communities we serve. We do this work while living out our core values of safety, customer focus, excellence, integrity, innovation, and collaboration. Position Summary: At Life Link III, we believe that safety is interwoven in everything we do. We look at our leaders as agents of change, investing their talents to push the boundaries of the status quo and strive for excellence in air medical transport. The Director of Safety is a key leadership position and ideal for an experienced visionary, looking to utilize their experience and skill set in safety and apply to an industry-leading air medical program. This position engages directly with Life Link III’s CEO, Board of Directors, consortium members, while also serving as a trusted resource and safety advocate for all employees. The primary focus of the Director of Safety is the promotion of a strong safety culture and prevention of harm to people, property, and the environment. The Director of Safety will be expected to lead in areas of Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. To accomplish this, the Director of Safety will provide technical assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards in a variety of contexts throughout the organization. The Director of Safety is responsible for the continuous development & implementation of the Life Link III Safety Management System (SMS) and administration of Life Link III Safety Management Programs (SMPs). The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader who embodies the mission and values of Life Link III. Position Highlights: · Under the direction outlined by the SMS – assist in implementation, management, modification, and additions to SMP · SMP implementation, oversight, management, and training, including day-to-day management of the following components: · Hazard Recognition - identify conditions or actions that may cause injury, illness, or property damage · Inspections/Audits - assess safety and health risks associated with equipment, materials, processes, facilities, or abilities · Fire Protection - reduce fire hazards by inspection, layout of facilities and processes, and design of fire detection and suppression systems · Regulatory Compliance - ensure that mandatory safety and health standards are satisfied · Maintain knowledge and awareness of all safety components of the FAA, OSHA (MN, WI, and Federal), EPA, airport authority, CAMTS, EMSRB, WI DHS, and others as applicable · Serves as the safety liaison for regulatory and accreditation site surveys · Health Hazard Control - control hazards such as noise, chemical exposures, radiation, or biological hazards that can create harm · Ergonomics - improve the workplace based on an understanding of human physiological and psychological characteristics, abilities, and limitations · Hazardous Materials Management - ensure that dangerous chemicals and other products are procured, stored, and disposed of in ways that prevent fires, exposure to or harm from these substances. · Environment - control hazards that can lead to undesirable releases of harmful materials into the air, water, or soil · Accident and Incident Investigations - determine the facts related to an accident or incident based on witness interviews, site inspections and collection of other evidence · Record keeping - maintain safety and health information to meet government requirements, as well as to provide data for problem solving and decision making · Review incident reports of a safety nature · Track, trend, and analyze data to identify concerns · Appropriately triage risk of concerns identified and proposes actionable plans for correction · Assist in development and regularly review site emergency plans for all Life Link III locations, including, but not limited to hangars, crew quarters, administrative offices, supply rooms · Emergency Response-Manage, administer, and facilitate the exercise of Life Link III’s Emergency Response plan. · Collaborates and engages across all departments and with external stakeholders for plan accuracy and plan updates. · Facilitates across departments for drill planning, drill execution, and evaluation. · Manage, administer, and provide training for the emergency notification software platform. · Security - identify and implement design features and procedures to protect facilities and businesses from threats that introduce hazards · Identify opportunities, gap analysis, and facilitate cross departmental collaboration about SMP · Training - provide employees and managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize hazards and perform their jobs safely and effectively · Provide content for annual safety training for all Life Link III locations including, but not limited to, hangars, crew quarters, administrative offices, supply rooms. Document and provide senior leaders updates about annual training · Attend new employee orientations and provide an overview and expectations of safety at Life Link III · Participate in safety education to external stakeholders such as hospitals, law enforcement, and EMS agencies · Collaborate with Marketing and Outreach to coordinate consistent messaging of a safety nature to external stakeholders · Coordinate with Clinical Services, Operations, Human Resources, or others as needed to assure that action plans are carried out when appropriate · Create, maintain, and updates policies as appropriate · Outline and update procedures appropriately to reflect current practices · Coordinate and lead safety sub-committee meetings · Coordinate the enterprise safety meeting · Ensure accountability and consistency of area and base representatives and/or designees · Lead the selection of base safety representatives, provide work direction and feedback · Maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders · Provide safety related education and/or materials as requested or needed · Promote a culture of safety through collaboration and partnerships that maximize the success of the program · Serve as a liaison on a wide range of safety related issues, and partner with content experts to ensure quality in the guidance given. What We Are Looking For: · Bachelor's degree in safety, industrial engineering, quality or emergency management, aeronautics, registered nursing or similar · 7+ years of experience in coordinating safety and loss prevention activities in a setting translatable to the services provided by Life Link III · Professional or equivalent safety certification (i.e. ASP or CSP) · Proven success collaborating across an organization to implement change · Experience leading collaborative teams, committees, or other working groups with internal and external stakeholders · 5+ years demonstrated leadership progression in enterprise-wide safety role(s) · Ability to adjust tasks quickly as circumstances dictate · Ability to communicate clearly and effectively · Ability to travel on short notice within the Life Link III system · Ability to respond to emergency events with limited notice Preferred Qualifications: · Master’s Degree preferred · Experience with rotor and/or fixed wing operations · Emergency Medical Services experience · Certification(s) in CPPS and ARM What We Offer: · We are committed to developing your talents through engaging work and access to an annual Professional Development Fund · Opportunity to grow · Competitive salary · Competitive Health Benefits · Employer Matching HSA on qualified plans · Employer Matching Retirement Plan with no vesting schedule · Competitive Paid Time Off to foster a work/life balance · To Apply Please Go to https://www.lifelinkiii.com/careers/job-openings/ Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: To maintain the health and well-being of our fellow co-workers and the patients we serve; all Life Link III employees are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to their first day of employment. Compliance/HIPAA: Must perform work in the manner prescribed by documented work process in order to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations, accreditation standards and laws that apply, PhD Research Survey Request This survey aims to understand whether a gap exists between the regulatory authorities' expectation of Crew Resource Management training curriculum (FAA outlines this in AC 120-51E) and the current training offerings across all facets of the industry. If a gap does exist, the study aims to understand which topics are under or inaccurately trained, measure the baseline level of understanding of these topics, and the perception of relevance-to-safety by industry pilots. To make it easy, I’ve created a posting that you’re welcome to modify and personalize or completely ignore and make your own. :) ----------------- Calling all pilots: A pilot and Ph.D. student is conducting cognitive science research on Crew Resource Management. Would you please help them by taking this survey? https://forms.gle/pkXH3cH1BYbvSoGz5 It’s 34-questions of mostly multiple-choice and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. Your input is anonymous and very much appreciated! Participation in this survey aids in the ongoing research on aviation human performance, human factors, and safety culture. -------------- Thank you, in advance, for your support. Kimberly Perkins Captain I Researcher I Writer Ph.D. Student University of Washington Doctoral Research: The Impact of Cognitive Biases on Aviation Safety Curt Lewis