Flight Safety Information - January 28, 2022 No. 020 In This Issue : Incident: Westjet Encore DH8D at Vancouver on Jan 21st 2022, gear problem on departure : Incident: ANZ B789 near Hong Kong on Jan 27th 2022, cracked windshield : Incident: American A320 at Pittsburgh on Jan 26th 2022, flock of birds : Incident: Corsair A339 over Atlantic on Jan 18th 2022, captain incapacitated : Race to salvage US F-35C fighter jet that crashed in hostile South China Sea : FAA Clears 62% of U.S. Fleet to Operate at Airports With 5G : AirAsia changes name to Capital A as it grows beyond an airline : Air India takeover: Tatas saddled with older aircraft, poor cabin products : SpaceX planning to launch up to 52 missions in 2022 : Position Available - Senior Vice President, Consulting : ERAU Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation - Course - May 9 – 13, 2022 - Prescott AZ ERAU Campus Incident: Westjet Encore DH8D at Vancouver on Jan 21st 2022, gear problem on departure A Westjet Encore de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration C-FENO performing flight WS-3202 from Vancouver,BC to Fort Saint John,BC (Canada) with 17 passengers and 4 crew, was climbing out of Vancouver when the crew selected the gear up but received a red indication for the left main gear as well as an amber left gear door indication. The crew worked the related checklists, performed an alternate gear extension and returned to Vancouver for a safe landing. The Canadian TSB reported: "Maintenance found the left retract actuator was bypassing internally and replaced the retract actuator. The inspection also found the right main landing gear alternate extension cam mechanism assembly and the alternate extension up-lock release cable were broken. Those were replaced and, after a rigging check, the airplane was returned to service." http://avherald.com/h?article=4f3c36d3&opt=0 Incident: ANZ B789 near Hong Kong on Jan 27th 2022, cracked windshield An ANZ Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9, registration ZK-NZH performing flight NZ-1082 (dep Jan 26th) from Christchurch (New Zealand) to Guangzhou (China), was enroute at FL360 about 130nm south of Hong Kong (China) when the crew decided to divert to Hong Kong due to a cracked windshield. The aircraft landed safely on Hong Kong's runway 07R about 55 minutes after leaving FL360. The aircraft is still on the ground in Hong Kong about 25 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4f3c35a8&opt=0 Incident: American A320 at Pittsburgh on Jan 26th 2022, flock of birds An American Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration N123UW performing flight AA-2738 from Charlotte,NC to Pittsburgh,PA (USA), was on final approach to Pittsburgh's runway 28C descending through about 500 feet right on the center line when the aircraft flew through a flock of birds. The aircraft continued for a safe landing, vacated the runway and taxied to the apron. The FAA reported: "AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FLOCK OF BIRDS AND POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED DAMAGE TO THE LANDING LIGHTS AND ENGINE, PITTSBURGH, PA." (engine CFM56), reported "UNKNOWN" damage and rated the occurrence an incident. A replacement aircraft performed the return flight with a delay of 2 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Pittsburgh about 16 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4f3c2b83&opt=0 Incident: Corsair A339 over Atlantic on Jan 18th 2022, captain incapacitated A Corsair Airbus A330-900, registration F-HHUG performing flight SS-925 (dep Jan 17th) from Fort de France (Martinique) to Paris Orly (France), was enroute at FL370 over the Atlantic Ocean about 150nm westsouthwest of Lajes Azores Islands (Portugal) when the captain became incapacitated. The first officer took control of the aircraft, declared Mayday and diverted to Lajes for a safe landing on runway 15 about 30 minutes later. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 13 hours, then continued the flight and reached Paris with a delay of about 13.5 hours. The French BEA rated the occurrence a serious incident and opened an investigation. http://avherald.com/h?article=4f3c2619&opt=0 Race to salvage US F-35C fighter jet that crashed in hostile South China Sea Fears that subs from China, which claims the area, could be first to reach wreckage that plunged from deck of aircraft carrier The US navy is racing to salvage an F-35C fighter jet from the bottom of the South China Sea after it crashed on an aircraft carrier and plunged overboard – taking with it highly classified technology that would be a coup if China retrieved it first. The F-35C crashed-landed on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson during routine operations on Monday, the navy said, injuring six sailors and the pilot, who ejected from the plane before it fell into the sea. The most advanced US fighter, a stealth plane costing over $100m, is packed with highly classified technology and if found would represent an intelligence boon for China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea as its own territory. The Vinson was on a patrol intended to challenge that territorial claim and defend international freedom of navigation. The F-35C is a version of the plane specially designed to operate from aircraft carriers. Maritime experts have said it could take a US salvage ship more than 10 days to reach the site of the crash, potentially giving Chinese submarines the opportunity to find it first. “We’re certainly mindful of the value of an F-35 in every respect of what value means,” said John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman. “And as we continue to attempt recovery of the aircraft we’re going to do it obviously with safety foremost in mind, but clearly our own national security interests. And I think I will just leave it at that.” In Beijing the foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said the Chinese government had no ambitions to find the crashed plane. “I noted relevant reports. This is not the first time that the US has an accident in the South China Sea,” he said. “We have no interest in their aircraft. We urge the country concerned to do things that are conducive to regional peace and stability, rather than flex muscles in the region.” In 2001, a heavily damaged American EP-3 surveillance plane made a daredevil emergency landing on China’s Hainan island after a collision with a pursuing Chinese fighter plane. The fighter crashed and its pilot was killed. The 24 crew of the EP-3, who had been lucky to survive the collision, were detained and interrogated by Chinese authorities before their release 10 days later. Meanwhile, the Chinese military stripped and examined the EP-3’s highly classified equipment and intelligence materials over several months – eventually giving back the plane in pieces. It is the third time an F-35 has crashed into the sea and had to be salvaged. In November a British F-35B, the short takeoff and vertical landing version, crashed as it lost power taking off from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean. The pilot ejected and the plane was recovered from the seabed a few weeks later. In April 2019 a Japanese F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing version, crashed at over 1,000km/h into the Pacific, leaving the pilot dead and only debris to be recovered. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/28/f-35c-crash-leaves-us-fighter-jet-sunken-in-hostile-south-china-sea AirAsia changes name to Capital A as it grows beyond an airline Jan 28 (Reuters) - Malaysia's AirAsia Group Bhd (AIRA.KL) said on Friday it had changed its name to Capital A Bhd to reflect its growing portfolio of businesses beyond the core budget airline. The airline business has been hard-hit during the pandemic due to strict travel rules in Asia, leading Malaysia's stock exchange to this month classify the firm as financially distressed though it has been raising funds to bolster its balance sheet. read more The group proposed changing its name on Jan. 3. Capital A has been investing heavily in payments business BigPay, logistics arm Teleport and its mobile Super App to gain other sources of revenue, though they remain in growth phases and were loss-making in the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2021. "Over the past two years we have spent the downturn in flying building a solid foundation for a viable and successful future, which is not solely reliant on airfares alone," Capital A Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said in a statement. The airline business will retain the AirAsia brand, which is well known in Asia, he added. Fernandes told reporters at a launch event in Kuala Lumpur the carrier, which has five affiliate airlines including long-haul operator AirAsia X, planned to introduce two more to its stable. He declined, however, to give further details. The group is also seeking to raise about 1 billion ringgit this year, as it continues efforts to regularise its finances, Fernandes said. "The group has more than enough liquidity... we're very focused on growing and adding value," he said. The carrier on Thursday reported it filled 80% of seats on offer in the fourth quarter of 2021 and had the highest number of passengers since the start of the pandemic as travel rules began to ease. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airasia-changes-name-capital-it-grows-beyond-an-airline-2022-01-28/ Air India takeover: Tatas saddled with older aircraft, poor cabin products SAir India takeover: Tatas saddled with older aircraft, poor cabin productsBy Mihir Mishra & Anirban Chowdhury, ET BureauLast Updated: Jan 28, 2022, 11:15 AM IST Air India is the largest among Indian carriers in the international skies. However, foreign airlines have a larger market share and carried more passengers than Air India till regular international flights were allowed before COVID. Air India's new journey to return to its lost glory under the Tata Group will be fraught with issues such as older aircraft, inferior cabin products and human resources issues, but experts and its global competitors do see the airline becoming a challenger in the international space. Currently, Air India is the largest among Indian carriers in the international skies. However, foreign airlines have a larger market share and carried more passengers than Air India till regular international flights were allowed before Covid-19. "If the Tatas are able to rebuild the airline to its past glory, which is going to be a herculean task, there is a huge opportunity for Air India in terms of international traffic that is currently carried by various global carriers," said Suresh Nair, an aviation veteran working with various domestic and foreign airlines for over two decades. "Air India's success on the India-US routes is a clear indicator that there is a demand for direct flights on Indian airlines provided it meets the expectations of the flying public." https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-takeover-tatas-saddled-with-older-aircraft-poor-cabin-products/articleshow/89168801.cms SpaceX planning to launch up to 52 missions in 2022 Will they make it? Commercial space company SpaceX plans to launch a whopping 52 flights in 2022, a NASA safety panel revealed today during a meeting. If successful, it would be the most launches the company has ever conducted in a single year, with its previous record last year at 31 launches. The impressive figure was given during a virtual meeting of NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, or ASAP, which gives guidance to the space agency on how to maintain safety within its biggest programs. “NASA and SpaceX will have to be watchful during 2022 that they’re not victims of their success,” Sandy Magnus, a former NASA astronaut and member of the panel, said during the meeting. “There’s an ambitious 52-launch manifest for SpaceX over the course of the year. And that’s an incredible pace.” “THAT’S AN INCREDIBLE PACE” SpaceX is a major partner for NASA on human spaceflight. The company is responsible for ferrying NASA’s astronauts and cargo to and from the International Space Station with its Crew Dragon spacecraft, and SpaceX is currently developing a next-generation rocket system, called Starship, to land people on the surface of the Moon for NASA’s Artemis program. However, SpaceX has plenty of customers outside of NASA, as well. It periodically launches satellites for other companies, international customers, and the Department of Defense. But a good chunk of SpaceX’s launches for the year will be for SpaceX itself. The company is currently in the midst of building out a massive satellite constellation called Starlink, which entails launching thousands of spacecraft into low- to medium-Earth orbit to provide broadband Internet access to the entire globe. Every couple of weeks, SpaceX has been launching these satellites in batches of roughly 50 to 60 vehicles. Spaceflight schedules are always subject to change, so there’s no guarantee that SpaceX will meet the 52-launch figure. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company was striving to hit 48 launches in 2021 but only made it to 31. So far this year, SpaceX has already launched three missions, and it has another one scheduled for this afternoon. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While meeting the number would certainly be admirable, NASA’s ASAP panel also warned about the downsides of having such a packed manifest. “Both NASA and SpaceX will have to ensure the appropriate attention and priority are focused on NASA missions,” Magnus said, “and that the right resources are brought to bear to maintain that pace at a safe measure.” https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/27/22905029/spacex-nasa-52-launches-record-2022 ARGUS International, Inc. is Growing Senior Vice President, Consulting Position Available ARGUS International, Inc.: Founded in 1995, ARGUS is the worldwide leader in specialized aviation services that allow organizations around the globe to improve their operational and business decision making. Our mission is to exceptionally deliver relevant and valuable information solutions to the Business Aviation, Air Carrier, Rotary Wing, UAS, and the overall Aerospace marketplace. PRISM (Professional Resources In System Management) LLC: PRISM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARGUS International, providing consulting and training services in the disciplines of regulatory certification/compliance, aviation safety, quality, security, and environment. PRISM is currently seeking an Senior Vice President, Consulting to join our team. This position will work at our Greenwood Village, CO location. Responsible for the leadership and direction of PRISM, this person provides revenue management, strategic leadership, supervision, and direction of the PRISM team including vice presidents and supporting staff. Responsible for managing a cadre of part-time associates who support development and delivery of customized products and services. Responsible for overall growth of PRISM having the ability to leverage associated sales team and business development team members to achieve targeted growth goals. Active member of ARGUS International executive and leadership team. Individual responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following: Administration and Leadership (40%) · Develops and manages an annual PRISM financial budget · Manages costs during delivery of products and services to maximize net income · Works with sales to assure margins are met and contracts executed as agreed · Works across departments to maximize company talent to meet customer needs · Provides annual performance and developmental reviews of division staff members · Provides mentoring and career development of division staff members Business Development (40%) · Anticipates industry needs in terms of products and services to ensure a consistent and competitive revenue stream · Partners with ARGUS President, Marketing & Sales to identify new lines of business (products & services) with emphasis on long term contracts to stabilize revenue stream · Partners with ARGUS President, Marketing, Sales, and PRISM division heads on client contact and sales meetings Program Management (20%) · Provide leadership and oversight for: 1. Developing safety, quality, security, and environmental systems for large commercial air carriers, regional airlines, helicopter operators, corporate operators, UAS operators, and charter enterprises to meet applicable regulatory and organizational requirements. 2. Develop a suite of technical training programs that equip aviation specialists with knowledge, tools, and skills to manage internal safety, quality, security and environmental systems. 3. Consulting services for certification services for FAA Part 121/135/139/145 applicants. 4. Provides clients with technical support to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements of ICAO and State Civil Aviation Authorities. · Establishes internal systems and processes to maintain FAA approval as a Recognized Certification Consultant Minimum requirements: · 4-year college degree, or equivalent work experience · 15 years of Aviation Industry experience consisting of Airline and Business Aviation to include operational management experience · Experience in mentoring / coaching mid-level and senior organizational management teams · Knowledge of organizational management systems to include SMS, QMS, and SeMS · Knowledge of operational and enterprise risk management systems, concepts and processes · Thorough understanding of aviation industry CFR Part 121, 135, and 145 regulations · Knowledge of aviation industry best operations practices for commercial air carrier, helicopter, business aviation, and unmanned market segments · Good working knowledge of all Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher · Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Visio, and Project Management programs · Good working knowledge of internet and email usage · Excellent phone and organizational skills Why Chose ARGUS? Full time benefits will include: 401K Match, Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, Voluntary Coverages, Paid Short Term Disability, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Flexible Schedules, Wellness Initiatives, Gym Reimbursement, Competitive Salary with a Friendly Casual Atmosphere. The salary range for this position will be 170-200K per year based on skillset and years of experience with bonus opportunity. ARGUS is an equal opportunity employer. Please register to submit your cover letter and resume at: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=3363cb93-dd75-4c54-b4a1-8f276f42c007&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=423847&source=CC2&lang=en_US Curt Lewis