Flight Safety Information - July 5, 2022 No.128 In This Issue : Incident: Qatar B773 at Sao Paulo on Jul 3rd 2022, hot air balloon on final approach : Incident: ANZ B789 over Pacific on Jul 1st 2022, windshield damage : Incident: Kargo Express B738 at Macau on Jul 4th 2022, cabin did not pressurize : Incident: Etihad B789 near Abu Dhabi on Jul 4th 2022, unusual smell on board : Incident: British Airways A320 near Frankfurt on Jul 2nd 2022, engine shut down in flight : Learjet 35A - Fatal Accident (Argentina) : HAI collaborates with AEA to add maintenance SMS program to safety tool chest : Scandinavian airline SAS files for bankruptcy as pilots strike : 'Karen' Passenger Kicked Off Plane For Refusing To Sit Next To A Baby : How Much Of An Airline's Expenses Are Jet Fuel? Incident: Qatar B773 at Sao Paulo on Jul 3rd 2022, hot air balloon on final approach A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300, registration A7-BEV performing flight QR-779 from Doha (Qatar) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP (Brazil), was on final approach to Guarulhos' runway 09R when a hot air ballon was crossing the extended runway center line at about the glideslope angle. A number of aircraft including the Qatari B773 made a deviation around the balloon before returning onto the extended center line and continuing their landing safely. A passenger took a photo of the balloon next to the aircraft's left wing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fb392d0&opt=0 Incident: ANZ B789 over Pacific on Jul 1st 2022, windshield damage An ANZ Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9, registration ZK-NZG performing flight NZ-287 from Christchurch (New Zealand) to Shanghai (China) with crew and just cargo on board, was enroute at FL380 over the Pacific Ocean about 2730nm northnorthwest of Auckland when the crew decided to return and divert to Auckland due to a problem with a windshield. The aircraft landed safely in Auckland about 13.5 hours after departure. The airline reported the crew decided to return due to a minor abrasion of the windshield. Due to the strict Corona Policy of China it would have been impossible to wait for spare parts in China, it was thus decided to return to Auckland where maintenance was easily available. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fb39140&opt=0 Incident: Kargo Express B738 at Macau on Jul 4th 2022, cabin did not pressurize A Kargo Express Boeing 737-800, registration 9M-KXP performing flight WW-816 from Macau (Macau) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), was climbing out of Macau's runway 16 when the crew stopped the climb at 10,000 feet due to the cabin not pressurizing properly. The aircraft entered a hold while the crew attempted to trouble shoot the issue and subsequently diverted to Hong Kong (China) for a safe landing on runway 25C about 2:20 hours after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 14 hours, then departed for Kuala Lumpur again. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fb38d5c&opt=0 Incident: Etihad B789 near Abu Dhabi on Jul 4th 2022, unusual smell on board An Etihad Boeing 787-9, registration A6-BLQ performing flight EY-65 from Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia), was enroute at FL340 about 230nm northnortheast of Abu Dhabi already in Iranian Airspace when the crew decided to turn around and return to Abu Dhabi reporting an unusual smell on board. The aircraft landed safely on Abu Dhabi's runway 13R about an hour after the decision to return. A replacement Boeing 787-10 registration A6-BMD reached Moscow with a delay of about 6 hours. The airline reported the aircraft returned to Abu Dhabi due to an unusual smell in the cabin. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fb388eb&opt=0 Incident: British Airways A320 near Frankfurt on Jul 2nd 2022, engine shut down in flight A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUUK performing flight BA-670 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Bodrum (Turkey), was enroute at FL350 about 40nm southsouthwest of Frankfurt/Main (Germany) when the left hand engine (V2527) failed. The crew shut the engine down and diverted to Frankfurt for a safe landing on runway 07C about 35 minutes later. Passengers reported the flight was already delayed when the first aircraft assigned to the flight had to be replaced before departure. Enroute on the second aircraft the left hand engine failed prompting them to divert to Frankfurt. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Frankfurt for about 21 hours, then continued the flight and reached Bodrum with a total delay of about 23 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fb2cb35&opt=0 Learjet 35A - Fatal Accident (Argentina) Date: Friday 1 July 2022 Time: 14:36 Type: Learjet 35A Operator: Flying America SA Registration: LV-BPA MSN: 35-143 First flight: 1978 Engines: 2 Garrett TFE731-2-2B Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Total: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Río Grande-Gobernador Ramón Trejo Noel International Airport, TF (RGA) ( Argentina) Phase: Takeoff (TOF) Nature: Ambulance Departure airport: Río Grande-Gobernador Ramón Trejo Noel International Airport, TF (RGA/SAWE), Argentina Destination airport: San Fernando Airport, BA (FDO/SADF), Argentina Narrative: The Learjet 35A, LV-BPA, crashed on takeoff from Río Grande Airport, Argentina. Both pilots and two medical personnel were killed. The aircraft had departed San Fernando Airport, BA (FDO) in the morning on a medical transportation flight to Comodoro Rivadavia Airport, CB (CRD) and Río Grande Airport, TF (RGA). The accident occurred when the aircraft was returning to base. Video footage from the accident shows the aircraft rolling left and descending before it hit the ground. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20220701-0 HAI collaborates with AEA to add maintenance SMS program to safety tool chest Helicopter Association International (HAI) has added another safety program to its VTOL safety tool chest, working with the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) to provide their safety management system (SMS) for aircraft maintenance at no additional cost to HAI members Since introducing HAI’s SMS program to members last year, HAI has expanded this tool chest of safety products to include a scalable SMS program for helicopter operators, an aviation safety action program (ASAP), a flight risk assessment tool (FRAT), and now the SMS program for aviation maintenance. “We couldn’t be happier working with AEA in providing their proven, standardized SMS maintenance program to the teams that turn the wrenches,” said James Viola, President and CEO of HAI. “AEA is an established, reputable organization, and we recognize that they also have the same goal we do – to reduce aviation accidents. We are proud to collaborate with them in offering their program to our members.” Developing robust safety programs Last fall, HAI announced a partnership with Air Charter Safety Foundation to make their ASAP program available to HAI members. HAI then introduced a software-based SMS program to its members through WYVERN, Air Charter Safety Foundation, and Baldwin Safety and Compliance. During HAI HELI-EXPO, HAI announced the partnership with Swiss-based NGFT Solutions to offer the all-new FRAT module to HAI members. “Our members requested assistance in developing more robust safety programs,” said Viola. “In less than a year, our team has developed relationships with some of the finest, most respected names in aviation safety. Combined, this tool chest offers some of the most needed tools available for improving safety programs at any size business.” https://www.airmedandrescue.com/latest/news/hai-collaborates-aea-add-maintenance-sms-program-safety-tool-chest Scandinavian airline SAS files for bankruptcy as pilots strike SAS said that talks with union officials had failed to reach an agreement, prompting 900 pilots to strike. Stockholm Scandinavian airline SAS has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States to help accelerate restructuring plans, it said on Tuesday, warning strike action by pilots had impacted its financial position and liquidity. Wage talks between SAS (SASDF) and its pilots collapsed on Monday, triggering a strike that adds to travel chaos across Europe as the peak summer vacation period begins. That accelerated the airline's decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, the airline's Chief Executive Anko van der Werff said at a press conference on Tuesday. The company said in a statement it would continue to serve its customers throughout the bankruptcy process, although the pilot strike is impacting its flight schedule. It said the purpose of the filing with a US federal court was to accelerate a restructuring plan announced in February. "Through this process, SAS aims to reach agreements with key stakeholders, restructure the company's debt obligations, reconfigure its aircraft fleet, and emerge with a significant capital injection," SAS said in a statement. It expects to complete the Chapter 11 process in nine to 12 months, it added. SAS shares fell as much as 6% after the filing was announced, and were trading 2% lower at 0728 GMT (0228 a.m. ET) During the pandemic, other non-US airlines including Avianca (AVH), Aeromexico and Philippine Airlines have used the Chapter 11 process to renegotiate contracts with key suppliers like aircraft lessors while continuing to operate. Rival Norwegian Air emerged from bankruptcy protection involving courts in Dublin and Oslo last year. "It doesn't mean anything for the normal operations. They are trying to repair the motor while driving," Sydbank analyst Jacob Pedersen told Reuters of the SAS filing. "This is happening because SAS hasn't been able to accomplish the changes through negotiations." SAS needs to attract new investors and has said that in order to do that it must slash costs across the company, including for staff and for leased planes that stand idle because of closed Russian airspace and a slow recovery in Asia. The airline said on Tuesday its assessment was that its cash balance of 7.8 billion Swedish crowns ($756 million) was sufficient to meet its business obligations in the near term. SAS said discussions with lenders regarding another $700 million of financing to support its operations during the restructuring were "well advanced." It added however that the strike "has a negative impact on the liquidity and financial position of the company and, if prolonged, such impact could become material." Nordnet analyst Per Hansen said the application showed SAS needs a fresh start and that it thinks the strike will drag on. "Chapter 11 protection comes early," he said. "Management and the board want to make it absolutely clear for all stakeholders that the situation is very serious." https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/05/business/sas-scandinavian bankruptcy/index.html 'Karen' Passenger Kicked Off Plane For Refusing To Sit Next To A Baby An unruly female passenger has been kicked off a plane for refusing to sit next to a baby. The incident occurred in February 2018. The plane was about to take off from JFK Airport in New York. Everything was caught on video, shared and uploaded on June 1 by @lockedinout. The video has gone viral, reaching over 20 million views so far. The footage shows the woman saying she would not sit next to the infant while the mother replied that her child would be quiet the entire duration of the flight. The situation made other passengers uncomfortable, mainly because the female passenger was screaming at the mother. A flight attendant then intervened and offered to put the woman on the next flight. The angry female passenger refused the offer, arguing that she was traveling for work, threatening her and demanding the Delta employee tell her name “I want your name. You may not have a job tomorrow,” the woman said. At this point, the airline staffer begins the process to have the woman kicked off the plane, saying: “I want this lady off the plane. When she realised what is happening, the passenger says, “I’ll be quiet now. I’m sorry. I was really stressed out. I’m not screaming,” the woman said. “I’ll be quiet now. Please, OK, I’m sorry, I was really stressed out.” The person who shared it on TikTok claimed on the video that the woman, who worked for her local council in New York, lost her job after the incident went viral on the internet. The footage received hundreds of thousands of comments: One Tiktok user said: “Dear Tabitha, thank you” Another wrote:”‘ I didn’t hear the baby, I heard her crying'” Another commented: “ She literally threatened her job and thought she was gonna stay on ??? LMAOOO” “People are so cruel to mothers who travel with their children,” another Titok user said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/karen-passenger-kicked-off-plane-124500625.html How Much Of An Airline's Expenses Are Jet Fuel? With fuel prices in the spotlight again, we take a look at how much these increases hurt airlines. As jet fuel prices climb dramatically in 2022, their impact on airlines and passengers has become important once again. Here's a look at how much airlines spend on fuel every year and how it impacts you. Huge cost Fuel prices vary in every country, so to best study the impact we'll look at three major carriers: United Airlines, IndiGo, and Singapore Airlines. Notably, some airlines even segregate costs by fuel and non-fuel to make clear the impact of prices. In 2019, United spent $8.9 billion on aircraft fuel, approximately 23% of its $38.9 billion in expenses that year. The only cost greater for United was salaries for its 96,000-strong workforce, which was $12 billion (30%). Fast forward to calendar Q1 2022 and United has spent $2.2 billion on fuel, 10% more than the same time in 2019. However, revenue recovery only stands at 79% of the same period, raising concerns that airlines could enter another loss-making period. United Airlines has confirmed that staff shortages at the airline are not the reason for the cuts. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying Since March, fuel prices have risen consistently, leading to airline officials sounding the alarm bells that fares must go up. Jet fuel price is up 125% year-on-year and will fuel accounting for 25% of its expenses, fares will rise quickly to offset the prices. However, this distribution is never uniform, and busy routes will be the ones first to feel increasing prices, as some passengers may have already noticed. Changes by country Taking a look at IndiGo's balance sheets and the impacts of fuel prices are even more pronounced. In Q1 2022 (January-March, Q4 fiscal), IndiGo spent ₹3.2 billion ($40.5m) on fuel charges alone. This made up 33% of all costs and marked a 68.2% rise compared to the same time in 2021, which also had comparable traffic. India faces high government taxes on jet fuel (also known as ATF - aviation turbine fuel), further burdening airline finances in the razor-thin margin market. With some of the highest taxes in the world, carriers have long sought relief from ATF taxes, but to no avail. Therefore, the impact of rising costs has been even more pronounced in India than in other markets. Singapore Airlines saw fuel make up a similar part of its bill. In the second half of 2021, the carrier spent SG$1.38 billion ($987m) on fuel. This makes up around 28.8% of the expenditure for the half-year, a sharp rise from the rest of the year but comparable to other examples on this list. Notably, Singapore Airlines' costs were also affected by fuel hedging, a process by which airlines buy fuel at a fixed price to protect from fluctuations. This has seen several carriers temporarily avoid the worst of the recent rise. Coming for all travelers If you look closely, airlines already levy 'fuel surcharges' on some tickets to pass on the price to customers. The coming months will see this number increase further as carriers attempt to recover from COVID but strive to avoid losing travelers to surging ticket prices. This is a delicate balancing act and may not work for all passengers. https://simpleflying.com/how-much-of-an-airlines-expenses-are-jet-fuel/ Curt Lewis