Flight Safety Information - April 11, 2022 No.071 In This Issue : Accident: TAP A320 at Copenhagen on Apr 8th 2022, possible wing tip strike on landing, overflew buildings at very low height on go around : Incident: Southwest B738 at Austin on Apr 9th 2022, engine shut down in flight : Incident: Malaysia B738 near Kuala Lumpur on Apr 3rd 2022, pitot static system failure causes upset : Incident: Spirit A320N near Daytona on Apr 7th 2022, smoke in the cockpit : U.S. FAA names new aircraft certification director : Lirio Liu Replaces Earl Lawrence At FAA Certification : United pushes back the return of dozens of Boeing 777 jets until at least May 13 : DWI suspect crashes into two private jets at Dallas Love Field, police say : Aviation safety: 21 Russian airlines added to EU Air Safety List, the so-called blacklist : 2 airplane passengers accused of biting and hitting could pay record federal fines : Flexjet Plans to Hire 350 Pilots : Call for Nominations For 2022 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award : Safeskies Australia - 2022: Call for papers : Accident: TAP A320 at Copenhagen on Apr 8th 2022, possible wing tip strike on landing, overflew buildings at very low height on go around A TAP Air Portugal Airbus A320-200, registration CS-TNV performing flight TP-754 from Lisbon (Portugal) to Copenhagen (Denmark) with 102 passengers and 7 crew, was landing on Copenhagen's runway 30 at about 12:05L (10:05Z), when according to ADS-B data transmitted by the aircraft the aircraft veered to the left, the speed over ground reduced sharply from about 133 to about 120 knots, the crew initiated a go around, the aircraft however did not climb but also did not build up speed. With the airport perimeter and houses of the Maglebylille community in the way the aircraft began to slowly climb and crossed the first houses at around 300 feet AGL, the speed over ground further reduced to 101 knots. Once the aircraft had climbed to about 900 feet AGL (1700 feet MSL according to standard pressure 1013 hPa, deduct 800 feet from all transponder altitude readings to get to AGL according to QNH 986 hPa) airspeed began to build up again. The aircraft levelled off at 3000 feet MSL and thereafter accelerated to normal speeds. The aircraft subsequently positioned for another approach to runway 22L and landed without further incident about 20 minutes after the go around. The aircraft is still on the ground in Copenhagen about 57 hours after landing. Ground witnesses reported the aircraft struck its left wing onto the runway, it even appeared the left hand engine (CFM56) made contact with the runway, turned to the left, nearly collided with an antenna (editorial note: appears to be the glideslope antenna runway 12) and buildings before the aircraft finally managed to climb out to safety. Sources at the airport report the left hand engine's reverser was damaged. On Apr 11th 2022 Denmark's Havarikommissionen (HCL, Danish Accident Investigation Board) reported they rated the occurrence a serious incident and opened an investigation. Preliminary results suggest there was no abnormal ground contact like wing or engine pod strike, and the aircraft remained undamaged. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f73f634&opt=0 Incident: Southwest B738 at Austin on Apr 9th 2022, engine shut down in flight A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N8600F performing flight WN-539 from Austin,TX to Phoenix,AZ (USA) with 117 people on board, was climbing out of Austin's runway 36L when the crew stopped the climb at about 9000 feet declaring emergency due to the failure of the right hand engine (CFM56). The aircraft returned to Austin for a safe landing on runway 18R about 30 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 29 hours after landing back. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f73fafd&opt=0 Incident: Malaysia B738 near Kuala Lumpur on Apr 3rd 2022, pitot static system failure causes upset A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration 9M-MLS performing flight MH-2664 from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau (Malaysia), was enroute at FL300 about 110nm east of Kuala Lumpur already over the coast of Malaysia to the South China Sea when the aircraft pitched up with the autopilot disconnecting due to a wrong airspeed indication, the crew counteracted to maintain control of the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently performed a controlled descent to FL130 levelling off at FL130 15 minutes after leaving FL300 (average rate of descent 1130 fpm) and returned to Kuala Lumpur for a safe landing about 2 hours after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration 9M-MSB reached Tawau with a delay of about 4.5 hours. Passengers told Malaysian media initially, that the aircraft had been in turbulence at FL310 when it suddenly, within seconds, lost 7000 feet to FL240 causing them to float out of their seats and to fear for their lives. That narrative was clearly disproven by radar data (the aircraft had never been at FL310 and had never maintained FL240, no drop of 7000 feet within seconds was recorded), while the air return indicated there had indeed been some sort of a problem. Neither Malaysia Airlines nor the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia responded to inquiries by The Aviation Herald however. Malaysia Airlines initially announced the aircraft had suffered a "technical problem compounded by bad weather en route". In a media statement on Apr 10th 2022 the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia reported that CVR and FDR of the occurrence aircraft had been secured and had been analysed. Based on the FDR data a malfunction of the pitot static system was discovered that caused erratic speed indications prompting the autopilot to disconnect and the aircraft to substantially pitch up. The crew reacted correctly pitching the aircraft down, an abrupt input from the flight crew was seen on the FDR. These maneouvers correspond with the pilot post flight reports as well as some of the passenger experiences. These maneouvers were compounded by bad weather which caused passenger discomfort in the cabin. The initial actions taken by the crew as well as the execution of the abnormal recovery checklist as per standard operating procedures were sufficient based on the initial investigation results. Malaysia Airlines completed a review of the pitot static systems including pitot heating on their fleet, the occurrence aircraft remains currently grounded pending a review by Boeing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f73aeb4&opt=0 Incident: Spirit A320N near Daytona on Apr 7th 2022, smoke in the cockpit A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-200N, registration N915NK performing flight NK-1005 from Philadelphia,PA to Fort Lauderdale,FL (USA) with 180 people on board, was enroute at FL340 about 70nm north of Daytona Beach,FL (USA) when the crew donned their oxygen masks reporting smoke in the cockpit and decided to divert to Daytona Beach. The aircraft landed safely on Daytona Beach's runway 25R about 20 minutes after leaving FL340. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 7 hours, then continued the flight and reached Fort Lauderdale with a delay of about 8 hours. The airline reported the crew suspected a mechanical problem and diverted to Daytona Beach. The aircraft taxied to the terminal where passengers disembarked normally. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4f7321f2&opt=0 U.S. FAA names new aircraft certification director WASHINGTON, April 8 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Friday it is naming a new head of its aircraft certification service as the agency works to implement significant reforms Congress ordered in December 2020. The FAA said effective on May 8 Lirio Liu, who directs the FAA's International Affairs office, will become the new executive director of its Aircraft Certification Service replacing Earl Lawrence, who is moving to a new role at the FAA. The move comes days after FAA Administrator Steve Dickson stepped down and Billy Nolen, the FAA’s aviation safety chief, was named acting administrator effective April 1. There have been a number of other personnel changes recently at the FAA. On Wednesday, the National Business Aviation Administration said it was naming the FAA's acting aviation safety chief Chris Rocheleau as its new chief operating officer. Rocheleau had been named acting aviation safety chief on April 1. Congress approved dramatic reforms to how the FAA certifies new airplanes after two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes in five months killed 346 people and led to the plane's 20-month-grounding. Dickson told Congress last year the FAA is delegating fewer responsibilities to Boeing for aircraft certification and the FAA is reviewing a number of issues involving Boeing. The legislation requires disclosure of critical safety information and providing new whistleblower protections. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell said the FAA reform law "was a clear course correction. It said that we needed to have stronger FAA oversight, the people in place to do that job, and to hold manufacturers accountable." The FAA has warned Boeing that it may not be able to win certification for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 variant by December. House Transportation Committee chair Peter DeFazio on Wednesday noted the MAX 10 does "not have an advanced flight crew alerting system" that became an industry standard in 1982 and is on every current Airbus and Boeing model in production except for the 737s. DeFazio noted the "aircraft certification bill gave the FAA a two-year grace period to certify aircraft without the advanced flight crew alerting system, but that grace period should not be extended." Boeing said it continues to work with the FAA "to provide the information they need and remain committed to meeting their expectations regarding 737-10 certification." https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-u-faa-names-aircraft-195817843.html Lirio Liu Replaces Earl Lawrence At FAA Certification The FAA has replaced Earl Lawrence as the head of aircraft certification with Lirio Liu, who now runs the agency’s international affairs office. Lawrence has run aircraft certification for three years. Liu is an aerospace engineer and has been with the FAA since 1991. Much of that experience has been in aircraft certification and safety roles. She also headed up the Office of Rulemaking for aviation safety for seven years. She assumed her present duties in October of 2020 and will take over from Lawrence on May 8. He’s being given another role at the FAA but it has not been disclosed. Lawrence went to the FAA in 2010 as manager of the Small Airplane Directorate. Prior to that he had been EAA’s VP of Industry and Regulatory Affairs. He worked his way up through the FAA executive branch, taking over as Director UAS Integration Branch from 2015 until 2018 when he took over aircraft certification. https://tinyurl.com/ywebesp4 United pushes back the return of dozens of Boeing 777 jets until at least May 13 KEY POINTS • United Airlines doesn’t expect to fly dozens of Boeing 777 jets, grounded more than a year ago after one suffered an engine failure, until at least mid-May. • The airline had most recently planned for at least some of the planes to return to service this month. • United’s Pratt & Whitney-powered 777s were taken out of service after an engine failure shortly after takeoff from Denver in early 2021. United Airlines doesn’t expect to fly dozens of Boeing 777 jets, grounded more than a year ago after one suffered an engine failure, until at least mid-May. The airline had most recently planned for at least some of the planes to return to service this month. The further delay in the planes’ return is a challenge for United as it seeks to fly as many travelers as possible during what airline executives expect to be a bustling spring travel season, including a resurgence international travel. The jets are among the largest in United’s fleet. “Due to the delay in the return of our PW777 aircraft to active service, the May flight schedule is being reconfigured to account for the lack of these aircraft,” United said in a note sent to pilots on Friday and viewed by CNBC. In February 2021, one of United’s 777-200s bound for Honolulu from Denver suffered an engine failure, dropping debris in a residential area before returning to Denver’s main airport. No injuries were reported. United has 52 Boeing 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000 engines. They are “being removed from the schedule through May 12 and removed from international/Hawaii routes through May 25,” United said in the note. The Federal Aviation Administration last month issued safety directives to increase inspections of fan blades on those engines. Those directives go into effect April 15. “We continue to work conscientiously with Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and the FAA to safely return these aircraft to service soon, and our current plan will allow them to return in the second half of May,” United said in a statement. Boeing and Raytheon Technologies, parent company of Pratt & Whitney, didn’t immediately comment. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/08/united-pushes-back-the-return-of-dozens-of-boeing-777-jets-until-at-least-may-13.html DWI suspect crashes into two private jets at Dallas Love Field, police say • Police said the DWI suspect crashed through a gate on the east side of the airport near Lemmon Avenue and Lovers Lane. DALLAS — A man has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after police said he crashed through a side gate at Dallas Love Field and hit two private planes early Saturday. Dallas police said they responded around 3 a.m. to a call about someone who drove a pickup truck into a gate on the east side of the airport near Lemmon Avenue and Lovers Lane. The 21-year-old suspect drove into a private hangar space and hit the front bumper of a fuel truck and the wings of two private jets, police said. According to police, the man was arrested for DWI and faces other charges as well. He has not yet been identified. In a statement, the City of Dallas said the gate had been secured. The city also added that the incident did not impact flight operations at Love Field. Mark Duebner, director of aviation for the City of Dallas, which owns and operates the airport, called the incident “relatively rare.” “We will be reviewing this incident, speaking with all of our tenants, making sure that their perimeter security is as good as it can be,” Duebner said. Aviation lawyer Ladd Sanger told WFAA that even minor damage on an airplane's wings can total an aircraft. Sanger said the damage from the incident could lead to a multi-million dollar loss. However, what's most concerning to him is that the suspect had direct access to a major runway. “If there’s something that’s concerning to me, it’s that this security vulnerability allowed someone seconds from the active runway,” Sanger said. The airport had a similar incident back in 2010, when a pickup truck crashed through a fence and drove onto the tarmac. Duebner told WFAA that since the 2010 incident, the city spent between $4-5 million on improving the airport’s security. “We’ve spent several million dollars in improving our fence line, the airport owned-and-controlled gates and making them crash-proof,” Duebner said. The gate from the overnight incident, however, is not crash-proof. Duebner said that’s because it’s a private hangar leased by TAC AIR, which is responsible for the gate. WFAA reached out to TAC AIR for a statement on the incident but did not receive a response. Duebner said TAC AIR’s gate meets TSA standards. “There currently is no requirement for our tenants to install crash proof gates. We will probably be reviewing that,” Duebner said. Sanger said the gate involved in the crash is strong but should be crash-proof. “This airport serves airlines, high profile politicians, so it is a concern. This is now a security vulnerability that will need to be fixed,” Sanger said. On Saturday, the wrecked gate was chained and padlocked. Sanger told WFAA that the suspect could additionally end up facing federal charges. https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/man-arrested-dwi-crashing-dallas-love-field-gate-hitting-two-private-jets/287-b42ce03a-76c2-402c-8dec-c5bf81b27243 Aviation safety: 21 Russian airlines added to EU Air Safety List, the so-called blacklist The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, which is the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, because they do not meet international safety standards. Following the update, 21 airlines certified in Russia are now included on the EU Air Safety List. This reflects serious safety concerns due to Russia’s forced re-registration of foreign-owned aircraft, knowingly allowing their operation without valid certificates of airworthiness. This is in breach of international aviation safety standards. Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency has allowed Russian airlines to operate hundreds of foreign-owned aircraft without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. The Russian airlines concerned have knowingly done so in breach of relevant international safety standards. This is not only a clear breach of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention), but it also poses an immediate safety threat. We are living in the context of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. However, I want to make it crystal clear that this decision is not another sanction against Russia; it has been taken solely on the basis of technical and safety grounds. We do not mix safety with politics.” Following the update, a total of 117 airlines are banned from EU skies: 90 airlines certified in 15 different States[1], due to inadequate safety oversight by the aviation authorities from these States; 21 airlines certified in Russia, as well as 6 individual airlines from other States, based on serious safety deficiencies identified: Avior Airlines (Venezuela), Blue Wing Airlines (Suriname), Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Iraqi Airways (Iraq), Med-View Airlines (Nigeria) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe). Two additional airlines are subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types: Iran Air (Iran) and Air Koryo (North Korea). Background The update to the EU Air Safety List is based on the unanimous opinion of Member State aviation safety experts, who met on 5 April 2022 under the auspices of the EU Air Safety Committee, via videoconference. This committee is chaired by the Commission with support from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The update has the support of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee. Decisions under the EU Air Safety List are based on international safety standards, and notably those of the International Civil Aviation Organization. [1] Afghanistan, Angola (with the exception of 2 airlines), Armenia, Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone and Sudan. https://www.aviation24.be/organisations/easa-european-aviation-safety-agency/aviation-safety-21-russian-airlines-added-to-eu-air-safety-list-the-so-called-blacklist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aviation-safety-21-russian-airlines-added-to-eu-air-safety-list-the-so-called-blacklist 2 airplane passengers accused of biting and hitting could pay record federal fines (CNN) — Two airplane passengers accused of hitting and biting crew and other passengers are facing a total of nearly $160,000 in fines, US officials announced Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration said the $81,950 and $77,272 fines are the two largest it has ever brought against an individual passenger for acting out on an aircraft. The passenger facing the nearly $82,000 fine is accused of repeatedly hitting a flight attendant on the head aboard an American Airlines flight last July. The flight attendant was responding to threats and the passenger's attempt to open an aircraft door, the FAA said. "After the passenger was restrained in flex cuffs, she spit at, headbutted, bit and tried to kick the crew and other passengers," the FAA said. "Law enforcement apprehended her in Charlotte." American said in July that it banned the passenger from flying on the airline. "We applaud our crew for their professionalism and quick effort to protect those on board," the statement said. The union representing American's flight attendants said Friday that penalties for outbursts will make other passengers feel safer onboard. "We are thrilled that the FAA and Dept of Transportation are making fines match the crime," said spokesman Paul Hartshorn of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "We have to have accountability for people who are doing this." The passenger facing the $77,000 fine is accused of trying "to hug and kiss the passenger seated next to her; walked to the front of the aircraft to try to exit during flight; refused to return to her seat; and bit another passenger multiple times." The FAA said that passenger, from a Delta Air Lines flight last July, also had to be physically restrained by the flight crew. FAA's zero tolerance policy The incidents are two of nearly 6,000 instances of violent and disruptive passengers reported to the Federal Aviation Administration last year. Crews reported more than 1,000 more in the first few months of 2022, according to FAA data. The FAA has now announced around $3.6 million in fines since launching a zero-tolerance campaign in 2021. "If you're on an airplane, don't be a jerk. ... Also, if you're not on an airplane, don't be (a jerk)," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an appearance on "The View" talk show shortly before the announcement. "The bottom line is if you do it on an airplane and you endanger flight crews and fellow passengers, you will be fined by the FAA and you may be referred for criminal prosecution." Legislation on no-fly list Several Democratic members of Congress this week introduced legislation that would lead to a no-fly list for "violent offenders convicted of assaulting flight crew -- including flight attendants, pilots, and crew members." Unions representing flight attendants have voiced support for the legislation. Buttigieg said his department continues to look at the possibility of creating such a list. Many of the outbursts reported to federal officials involve the requirement to wear a face mask while traveling. That mandate is set to expire April 18. Officials have not said whether it will be extended or allowed to expire. The FAA says it has referred 80 passengers to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/airplane-passengers-biting-hitting-record-fines/index.html Flexjet Plans to Hire 350 Pilots The company needs talent to fly the 50 new jets it will add to its fleet this year. The company said this growth is a response to the demand for private jet travel that began earlier in the pandemic. [Courtesy: Flexjet] Fractional aircraft ownership company and private jet travel provider Flexjet plans to hire 350 pilots to fly the 50 new jets it will add to its fleet this year. The company said this growth is a response to the demand for private jet travel that began earlier in the pandemic and hasn’t waned since. According to the most recent TSA checkpoint travel numbers reported on April 7, the number of screened passengers is 89 percent of what it was in 2019. At the same time, demand for business jet travel in the U.S. (reflected in the number of bizjet departures) has grown by 30 percent compared to March 2019, and is 28 percent greater than March of last year, according to aviation data company WingX. With this trend in mind, Flexjet is investing in people and aircraft, primarily to support the three- to five-year contracts its clients have committed to. “We want Flexjet to be a career destination for pilots not only for the long-term earning potential but also for schedule, quality of life, and modern equipment,” Flexjet COO Megan Wolf said. To support its recruitment efforts, Flexjet plans to offer first-year pilots $128,000 as starting total compensation, productivity-based bonuses, and other benefits, such as guaranteed upgrades to captain, which the company said is possible within just over a year. Pilots might also find Flexjet’s home-based crewing attractive, with the option to pick from 100 domiciles (10 times more than most commercial airline carriers), and the chance to move their domicile as often as they choose. More than 800 pilots currently fly for Flexjet across 200 aircraft, including the Embraer Phenom 300, Legacy 450 and Praetor 500, the Bombardier Challenger 350, and the Gulfstream G450 and G650. “No other company can match the innovation of our Domestic Red Label and International Large Cabin programs, which uniquely empower pilots to select the right program. We think of the pilot as an individual, not a number,” Wolf said. In 2015, Flexjet introduced Red Label by Flexjet, which features the youngest fleet in the industry with an average age of six years, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft, and the LXi Cabin Collection interiors. There are more than 40 different interior designs across its fleet. Beyond technical qualifications, the company—which is known for its TV commercials that celebrate its pilots—said it wants pilots who are the right fit. “When we are looking for candidates that best fit into our company, we look for characteristics that align with the two other principles: Making decisions with a long-term approach to relationships and having a fanatical attention to detail,” said Bob Sullivan, chief administrative officer of Flexjet parent company OneSky. Interested pilots can visit the company’s website for more details. Flexjet’s recruitment team will also be traveling the country to interview prospects at various industry trade shows and events. https://www.flyingmag.com/flexjet-plans-to-hire-350-pilots/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | March 28, 2022 CONTACT: Philip Barbour, 205-939-1700, 205-617-9007 Call for Nominations For 2022 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. The Award is scheduled to be presented during Flight Safety Foundation’s annual International Air Safety Summit this fall. Presented annually since 1956, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study, or other improvement. The Award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." Mechanics, engineers, and others outside of top administrative or research positions should be especially considered. The contribution need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition. Nominations that were not selected as past winners may be resubmitted for consideration in subsequent years. Please note that self-nominations will not be considered. The Award Committee, composed of leaders in the field of aviation, meets each year to conduct a final review of nominees and selection of the current year's recipient. Please help us identify and honor this year's most deserving recipient. Nominations, including a 1-to-2-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website at http://ltbaward.org/the-award/nomination-form/. Nominations will be accepted through June 3, 2022. For more information, including a complete history of Award recipients, see www.ltbaward.org. About the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Award The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award's story dates back more than 75 years. On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In 1956 her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., in close association with The Flight Safety Foundation, established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her honor. For the past 65 years, this distinguished award recognizing outstanding achievements in aviation safety worldwide has been presented at Flight Safety Foundation’s International Aviation Safety Seminar. In 2013, The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed as an independent non-profit charitable organization composed of members of the Award Board, the aviation community, and the Barbour family. In addition to the annual presentation of the award, in 2019 the Foundation initiated a scholarship program that supports worthy students pursuing professional aviation studies. As the Foundation broadens its scope, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to recognize those who significantly contributed to aviation safety. For more information on the Foundation, the award, and past winners, visit http://LTBAward.org Curt Lewis