Flight Safety Information - June 23, 2022 No.120 In This Issue : Incident: American B738 near Indianapolis on Jun 21st 2022, cracked windshield : Incident: LATAM Brasil A319 at Brasilia on Jun 19th 2022, rejected takeoff due to vehicles on runway : Incident: Nomad A320 at Lahore on Jun 21st 2022, approach to wrong runway : 6 dead in West Virginia helicopter crash: Report : S. Korea Successfully Deploys Precision Navigation Satellite to Boost GPS Accuracy, Flight Safety : Flight Safety Foundation award highlights ICAO’s pandemic response and leadership : PSA Airlines reaches historic contract with pilots, boosting pay : Autonomous flight: When will pilotless aircraft be cleared for takeoff? : Position Available: Operational Specialist, FAA Command Center : POSITION AVAILABLE: Aviation Law and Security Attorney/Sr. Attorney : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Incident: American B738 near Indianapolis on Jun 21st 2022, cracked windshield An American Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N819NN performing flight AA-1984 from Chicago O'Hare,IL to Charlotte,NC (USA), was enroute at FL350 about 60nm southeast of Indianapolis,IN (USA) when the left hand windshield cracked prompting the crew to turn around and divert to Indianapolis for a safe landing on runway 23R about 20 minutes later. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N879NN reached Charlotte with a delay of 6:20 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Indianapolis about 25 hours after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4faa6787&opt=0 Incident: LATAM Brasil A319 at Brasilia on Jun 19th 2022, rejected takeoff due to vehicles on runway A LATAM Brasil Airbus A319-100, registration PR-MBN performing flight JJ-3814 from Brasilia,DF to Sinop,MT (Brazil) with 142 passengers and 5 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Brasilia's runway 29R when tower instructed the crew to abort takeoff. The crew complied at about 52 knots over ground. The aircraft departed about 10 minutes later. Brazil's CENIPA reported the crew was instructed to reject takeoff due to the presence of vehicles. The occurrence was rated an incident, no investigation was opened. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4faa6429&opt=0 Incident: Nomad A320 at Lahore on Jun 21st 2022, approach to wrong runway An Aero Nomad Airbus A320-200, registration EX-32009 performing flight KA-4541 from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) to Lahore (Pakistan) with 171 passengers and 8 crew, was on approach to Lahore's runway 36L due to the closure of the main runway 36R, however lined up with runway 36R. The crew went around from about 1000 feet AGL, positioned for another approach and landed safely on runway 36L about 15 minutes after the go around. The aircraft departed for the return flight about one hour after landing. https://www.avherald.com/h?article=4faa61ae&opt=0 Learjet 55C - Fatal Accident (Venezuela) Date: Wednesday 22 June 2022 Time: c. 19:37 Type: Learjet 55C Operator: private Registration: YV3304 MSN: 55-145 First flight: 1990 Engines: 2 Garrett TFE731 Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Total: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: 7 km (4.4 mls) SSE of Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga Airport ( Venezuela) Phase: Approach (APR) Nature: Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Puerto Cabello Airport (PBL/SVPC), Venezuela Destination airport: Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga Airport (SVCS), Venezuela Narrative: A Learjet 55C, registration YV3304, was destroyed when it crashed while on approach to Charallave-Óscar Machado Zuloaga Airport (SVCS), Venezuela. The two pilots and four passengers were fatally injured. The flight crew had declared an emergency just prior to the accident, stating issues with the reversers. Flightradar24 flight tracking data suggests that the aircraft aborted the landing on runway 10. The aircraft then flew a pattern to position for a new approach to runway 10. When turning right from base leg to final approach, the aircraft continued the descending turn and began tracking 110° before turning right again on a southerly heading until it impacted a forested hillside. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20220622-1 6 dead in West Virginia helicopter crash: Report Six people reportedly died in a helicopter crash in West Virginia on Wednesday. The Bell UH-1B helicopter crashed by Route 17 in Logan County around 5 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which also said six people were on board. Emergency service personnel responded to the scene. The six people were killed, Logan County Office of Emergency Management Deputy Director Sonya Porter told ABC News affiliate WCHS. At least 3 plane passengers injured in fiery crash landing in Miami It’s unclear what caused the crash, but there was a severe thunderstorm watch for Logan County at the time of the incident, according to the county's office of emergency management. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the incident. https://www.yahoo.com/gma/6-dead-west-virginia-helicopter-020534977.html S. Korea Successfully Deploys Precision Navigation Satellite to Boost GPS Accuracy, Flight Safety SEOUL, June 23 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea successfully launched a precision aviation satellite Thursday to improve the accuracy and reliability of global positioning system (GPS) signals and better ensure flight safety, the government said. The satellite for the Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS), the country’s first precision GPS location augmentation system, lifted off from Guiana Space Center in Kourou in French Guiana, at 6:50 a.m. Thursday (Seoul time), according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The satellite was successfully separated from the rocket at around 7:18 a.m. after the fairing and first stage rocket separations. For KASS, South Korea leased Malaysia’s MEASAT-3d communication satellite for 15 years. The system can improve the GPS position error to 1.0 to 1.6 meters from the current 15-33 meter level in real time to ensure information reliability throughout the country. The government plans to begin a pilot service around December before its full-fledged operation next year, according to the ministry. South Korea is the seventh country to have a geosynchronous satellite system officially registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), after the United States, the European Union, India, Japan, Russia and China. The country has been developing KASS since 2014 to meet international standards and suit the country’s topography and environment, according to the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Researchers said they plan to develop aviation satellites with the country’s own technologies by 2035, pointing to current heavy dependence on foreign technologies. http://koreabizwire.com/s-korea-successfully-deploys-precision-navigation-satellite-to-boost-gps-accuracy-flight-safety/221967 Flight Safety Foundation award highlights ICAO’s pandemic response and leadership In recognition of the leadership and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic realized by the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART), the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) conferred its inaugural Richard Teller Crane Founder’s Award upon the Organization at a special ceremony in Washington last night. “From the outset of the pandemic, ICAO recognized that a successful recovery and restart would be best supported by a well-coordinated international approach and by the Council establishing a task force,” remarked FSF President and CEO Hassan Shahidi. “As the pandemic continued and virus variants emerged, the ICAO task force updated its recommendations and guidance and worked to mitigate the devastation of the pandemic.” The award was received by the President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano, on behalf of the Organization and the many other international experts from States and across the air transport industry who contributed so tirelessly to the global aviation response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the ICAO CART, which was established in April 2020, ICAO has forged partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders to address pandemic-related challenges in aviation, providing coordinated international guidance to regulators towards ensuring the continued provision of essential services, and accelerating and optimizing the safe, secure and sustainable restart of all air transport operations. “All of the major industry trade bodies were instrumental in assuring the speed and effectiveness of its recommendations, and the dedication and solidarity of our global community was clearly apparent throughout the three distinct Phases of global guidance issued by the CART during the pandemic period,” President Sciacchitano remarked. “With our efforts much more focused now on managing the safe and rapid recovery of global air traffic, the closer coordination we established between civilian and commercial stakeholders during the pandemic will now be deeply relied upon as we build this sector back better for a post-pandemic world.” The Richard Teller Crane Founder’s Award is named in honour of an FSF founder and entrepreneur who played a critical leadership role in the early days of the Flight Safety Foundation. The award recognizes an organization for sustained corporate leadership through lasting contributions to civil aviation. The CART’s critical role has also been recognized by ICAO’s Member States. The Ministerial Declaration resulting from the ICAO High-level Conference on COVID-19, which was adopted in October 2021 in the presence of over 50 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, is of particular note. This Declaration places the implementation of the CART recommendations and guidelines at the heart of the global vision for aviation recovery, resilience and sustainability. https://skiesmag.com/press-releases/flight-safety-foundation-award-highlights-icaos-pandemic-response-and-leadership/ PSA Airlines reaches historic contract with pilots, boosting pay Dayton’s only local based airline announces a historic contract with its pilots, boosting pay significantly. PSA Airlines, regional carrier for American Airlines announced the agreement with the Airline Pilots Association. The new agreement is all about working to attract and retain pilots and an airline based in Dayton is at the forefront of this new development. The air travel industry is bouncing back from COVID faster than anyone anticipating, including the airlines. But it’s led to large shortages of working, including flight crews. Jay Ratliff, an aviation expert, said, “Because of the pilot shortage that s gripping the planet right now, a lot of regional carriers, they’re losing qualified pilots.” Ratliff said the large carriers poach the small carrier and everyone is trying to find the crews to keep the planes in the air. He said Dayton-based PSA Airlines took a huge step in the last week with a contract that increases pilot pay as much as 57% in some instances. The airline told News Center 7 it is pleased with the deal. PSA Airlines issued the following statement: “PSA is investing in our future by greatly enhancing our pilots’ pay structure and long-term career trajectory. This timely investment proves that PSA is the absolute best path for commercial pilots and secures a solid foundation for years to come. As we work to recover from one of the most trying times this industry has ever seen, we continue to work as a team and do what we do best – take care of our customers and one another, and deliver the safest, most reliable airline.” Gil Turner, Dayton Airport Director, is also excited about the new agreement. He sees it as an investment not just for pilots of PSA about also for PSA’s future in Dayton. “PSA making this move, being the first one, that’s going to go a long way, especially here in Dayton,” Turner said. Industry experts said pilots have a tremendous amount of pressure and responsibility. Their skills and training time, especially at regional carriers, weren’t always compensated appropriately. “Some people pay $200,000 to learn to fly and get the required 1,500 required training hours, so I can go to work for $35?” Ratliff said. PSA Airlines is not only headquartered in Dayton but on the airport grounds they built a large aircraft maintenance facility as well. The new agreement is not only good news for Dayton and the airport here but hopefully for air travelers as well. https://www.yahoo.com/news/psa-airlines-reaches-historic-contract-204242234.html Autonomous flight: When will pilotless aircraft be cleared for takeoff? Airlines are keen to start using autonomous commercial aircraft to reduce flight crew costs and address pilot shortages The most likely initial market for autonomous aircraft will be short-haul cargo flights, with FedEx, UPS, DHL and Amazon all watching developments. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Airlines worldwide have been throttling their schedules and cancelling flights, many at the last minute, despite the surge in demand from the public to fly, and the summer season peak in the western hemisphere. Why is this happening? Before the pandemic hit, commercial aviation was already coming under pressure over labour shortages, particularly for pilots. Both Boeing and Airbus had substantial order backlogs, and one industry assessment predicted that a further 34,000 pilots worldwide would be required by 2025. The cohort of senior pilots were nearing retirement age, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had raised the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 to ease the transition for the industry. In the United States, republican senator Lindsey Graham is reputedly drafting a Bill to raise the mandatory retirement age in the US to 67. When the pandemic hit, uncertainty about its duration led many airlines to furlough or even lay off staff, including pilots. Former airline employees had little option but to search for employment elsewhere. Many apparently have done so, and now have not only interesting new jobs with reasonable pay but also a better work-life balance: more time to see family and friends, less time in remote hotel rooms, and less stress from incessant travel and time zone changes. Unlike the September 11th crisis across the industry in 2001, interest in flying did not wane during the pandemic. Rather, quarantine requirements and mandatory lockdowns temporarily imposed restrictions. As the pandemic eased, the pent-up demand predictably surged. However, airlines have met considerable resistance in trying to re-hire staff whom they laid off during the pandemic. Some have left the industry behind. Meanwhile, most flying schools reduced their cadet intake during the pandemic. Some start-ups are exploiting the systemic issue, and Airbus and Boeing are also innovating. If the car industry is moving towards autonomous vehicles, and the space industry has already done so (SpaceX’s manned vehicles are fully autonomous), can commercial aircraft become autonomous? Companies such as Xwing and Reliable Robotics in the Bay Area in California, and Merlin Labs in Boston, believe so. Meanwhile, Airbus has demonstrated a system for an Airbus 350 airliner, which can taxi, take off and land autonomously. Boeing has autonomous military systems (such as its Loyal Wingman fighter programme) but has yet to announce a fully autonomous civilian system. While various start-ups are experimenting with autonomous operations for brand new designs for electric and taxi aircraft, Xwing, Reliable Robotics and Merlin Labs observe that regulatory requirements make it more prudent to start with a proven aircraft type, and convert it to autonomous operation. XWing and Reliable Robotics are using Cessna Caravans while Merlin Labs is focusing on the Beechcraft King Air, both types being workhorses of light aviation. All three have demonstrated autonomous operation from taxi, take-off, flight and landing, albeit with a pilot on board ready to take over should the system fail. In the case of Xwing and Reliable Robotics, communications with air traffic control are carried out by an operator on the ground. The operator does not fly the aircraft directly, and thus does not handle the “stick” or the throttles or other controls. Rather the operator relays instructions to the autonomous aircraft using a simple graphic interface, instructing the aircraft where to position itself. The operator does not need to know how to actually fly an aircraft, take off or land. In principle, the operator thus does not need to be a fully-trained pilot but only familiar with air traffic control procedures. In the case of Merlin Labs, the team are experimenting with voice recognition and generation, to allow the autonomous system to directly interact with air traffic control. The main initial market for the three start-ups is short-haul cargo flights. FedEx, UPS, DHL and Amazon are observing or becoming directly involved. The major airlines’ demand for pilots is contracting the pool of cargo pilots. Furthermore, since a pilot is typically certified for just a single aircraft type at a time, autonomous operations would offer much more flexibility since different aircraft types can be used on a day-to-day basis as cargo traffic demands. When will autonomous operations replace the pilots in the cockpit? Boeing lost reputation when its poorly designed automation caused two crashes of its new flagship B737 MAX type, and appears to be proceeding cautiously. Autonomous operations would require resilient aircraft communications worldwide — the mysterious disappearance of Air Malaysia flight MH370 in 2014 illustrates the current gap in coverage. Could an autonomous aircraft land safely in a river after a multiple engine failure immediately after take-off, as Capt Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger managed to do in 2009 when he ditched his stricken US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson? Conceivably, in fact, yes — for not only this but also other emergencies. Autonomous commercial aircraft are coming and will be commercially attractive, reducing flight crew costs, addressing pilot shortages and adding flexibility. Paradoxically, the current research and development work places even more stress on the industry’s shortage of pilots: will school leavers really consider becoming a pilot, knowing that autonomous operations will almost certainly happen at some point during their career? https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/2022/06/23/autonomous-flight-when-will-pilotless-aircraft-be-cleared-for-takeoff/ Position Available: Operational Specialist, FAA Command Center Warrenton, United States of America req1214 Employment Type: Permanent Contract Duration: N/A About the team you are joining Reporting to the Head of the IATA / FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Liaison Desk, the successful candidate will participate in the coordination of the daily operations of this organization. This position liaises with airline flight control offices, airport authority representatives, and the FAA Command Center (ATCSCC); working directly with FAA management and staff along with other FAA ATO lines of business representing IATA and the interests of its members. What your day would be like Participate in advance traffic flow management (ATFM) activities and subsequent decision making. Partake in the identification of operational disruptions to member airlines and in the coordination with airlines AOCC developing mitigation strategies for such disruptions. Assist member airlines with priority handling on resource-limited flights and with special requests. Convey members’ needs and business plan priorities to FAA management to provide improved operational results. Provide timely alerts on operational impacts and disruptions to member airlines. Requirements Have genuine interest in expanding your aviation career goals and enhance your air transportation skills. Possess 2-4 years of airline operational control experience along with processes and procedures knowledge. Hold a certificate in domestic and international airline dispatch, though this will be desirable. Have practical knowledge of air traffic control procedures and traffic flow management in the National Airspace System. Bring at least 2-3 years of practical experience Part 129 Airline/ATC operations. Have a college degree in relevant field of study. Can offer proficiency interpreting and understanding TAFs, METARs, NOTAMs and a working knowledge of meteorological impacts to aviation. Have developed the ability to facilitate communications and advocate positions of behalf of IATA members. Demonstrated ATC experience both in civil and military environments will be a plus. U.S. Citizenship is required. A successful U.S. Federal Security and background check is also required. This is not a remote position. The successful candidate will be expected to live in or relocate to the Warrenton VA area upon acceptance of the offer. This position does require proof of COVID vaccination per FAA/DOT requirements. Travel Required: N Diversity and Inclusion are one of our key priorities and we want to role model it. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills in which you can contribute at your best and be who you are. The more inclusive we are, the better we will be able to thrive to represent, lead and service the airline industry. If there is anything we can do to create a more comfortable interview experience for you, please let us know. APPLY NOW Learn more about IATA’s role in the industry, our benefits, and the team at iata/careers/. We are looking forward to hearing from you! https://iata.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1214?c=iata POSITION AVAILABLE: Aviation Law and Security Attorney/Sr. Attorney The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 64,000 pilots at 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an Attorney for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. This Attorney/Sr. Attorney will serve as an integral member of the legal team providing legal representation and advice to ALPA, its officers, committees, governing bodies, and members. Reporting to the Sr. Managing Attorney of the Legal Department, the successful candidate will represent the Association in federal and state court litigation at the trial and appellate levels, at administrative agencies, and in arbitration with a particular focus on U.S. and international aviation law, including aviation security law and regulation. The position requires a significant degree of competence in the substantive and procedural aspects of such litigation. This attorney will provide legal advice and counsel to pilot leaders at all levels of the Association including National Officers, Master Executive Councils (MECs), Local Executive Councils (LECs), ALPA Committees, and Governing Bodies. This advice includes a wide range of legal matters in various areas of legal expertise including U.S. and international aviation statutes and regulations, including aviation security law and regulation; labor law, especially the Railway Labor Act; and various employment discrimination laws. The attorney also may be called on to provide advice on questions of Association policy. Local, national, and international travel: 20 - 40%. ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace. We prohibit discrimination, harassment and harmful behavior of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics as outlined in federal or provincial laws. We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Minimum Requirements: · Juris Doctor (JD) from an approved school of law required. A record of excellent academic achievement reflected in law review or equivalent recognition strongly preferred. · Member in good standing of the Bar. · Seven (7) years of related experience in labor relations practice and/or aviation law practice and litigation required, fifteen (15) or more years strongly preferred. At management discretion, significant and in-depth, directly applicable, labor, litigation or other relevant experience may be substituted for some of the above requirements. · Judicial clerkship or other relevant government experience strongly preferred. · Excellent, demonstrated analytical and oral advocacy skills required. · Comprehensive knowledge of labor law and/or aviation law required. · Current knowledge and experience in federal and state court litigation and arbitration/mediation required. · Knowledge of U.S. and international aviation statutes and regulations, aviation security law and regulations, and administrative proceedings strongly preferred. · Labor law expertise including, especially the Railway Labor Act preferred. · Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate long-term endeavors. · Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, external contacts, and pilots. · Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment to formulate decisions and/or solve problems, under time pressure and urgent conditions. · Experience using online legal research, Westlaw or the equivalent, preferred. · Software: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint preferred. Physical Demands: Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below. Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet. Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally). Also includes occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases. Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.). While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs. (Assistance may not always be available.) Please apply online at https://jobs-alpa.icims.com/jobs/1402/attorney-sr.-attorney/job ALPA offers competitive salaries with terrific benefits, including: · 401k Plan with Non-Elective Employer Contribution of 13% after 180 days of employment. No employee contribution required! The plan includes a Roth option and 4-year vesting schedule. · Generous health care benefits on day one – PPO, Kaiser (where available), and a High Deductible Health Plan which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for employee, spouse, and/or dependent children; · 27 days paid vacation and holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year; · Generous sick and bereavement leave; · Competitive parental leave; · Company-paid premiums for disability and life insurance; · Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts; · Retiree health plan; · Education Assistance Program; and, · Optional benefits including pet insurance, excess life insurance, legal plan, and qualified transportation fringe benefits, where available. Relocation not provided. GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 1 Dear Participant, When you know that, during a conference on cybersecurity organized by the US Air Force, hackers succeeded, at the invitation of the Pentagon, in infiltrating the control system of an F-15, you understand the importance of cybersecurity issues, particularly in the aviation industry. As today's world becomes more and more digital, the contemporary aircraft is equipped with semi-autonomous computer systems which make aviation one of the first sectors potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks. You are being asked to participate in a research study on cybersecurity threats in aviation. This study is expected to take approximately 10 minutes of your time. In order to complete this study, you must be at least a student pilot and at least 18 years old. You may choose to opt-out of the study at any time. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below. We appreciate your time in completing the study. Link : https://forms.gle/VpADSAhXuoeY6hNP7 GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY - 2 Dear Participant, I am a B777 Captain for FedEx involved with ALPA-FDX Safety for several years and as the ALPA-FDX Accident Investigation Chairman since 2018. As part of my current Masters in Aviation Safety with FIT, I am doing a study on fatigue. The survey as you see will take less than 5 minutes. https://questionpro.com/t/AVsbXZtJoT Thanks for your help, and please let me know if I can be of any help in the future. Best regards Ian Carrero Curt Lewis