Flight Safety Information - September 22, 2022 No.183 In This Issue : Incident: United B773 near London on Sep 20th 2022, engine fire detection problem : Accident: Equa B190 at Pointe Noire on Sep 19th 2022, gear collapse on landing : Video shows passenger punching flight attendant on Mexico-to-L.A. flight : FAA Reauthorization: Integrating New Entrants into the National Airspace System : Nepal's removal from EU air safety list likely : Malaysia, US aviation authorities to discuss country's air safety rating, says Dr Wee : Improperly assembled oil filter caused Snowbirds crash, says report : Portuguese airplane, passengers stranded in Fargo (ND) after medical emergency : Mesa Airlines Offers Accelerated Path to 1,500 Hours : GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Incident: United B773 near London on Sep 20th 2022, engine fire detection problem A United Boeing 777-300, registration N2135U performing flight UA-927 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to San Francisco,CA (USA), was enroute at FL320 over the North Sea about 240nm northeast of London,EN (UK) when the crew entered a hold at FL320 due to a problem with an engine's (GE90) fire detection loops. The crew subsequently decided to divert to London Heathrow,EN (UK), dumped fuel and landed safely on Heathrow's runway 27R about 70 minutes later. The remainder of the flight was cancelled, the passengers were rebooked onto other flights. The aircraft is still on the ground in Heathrow about 26 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fe97b63&opt=0 Accident: Equa B190 at Pointe Noire on Sep 19th 2022, gear collapse on landing An Equaflight Service Beech 1900C, registration TN-AIQ performing flight E7-512 from Brazzaville to Pointe Noire (Congo) with 15 people on board, landed on Pointe Noire's runway 17 after sunset (about 18:30L/17:30Z) when the right hand main gear collapsed causing the aircraft to veer right before coming to a stop. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage however. The aircraft had been chartered by an oil company to bring the body of an employee, who had died in Morocco, and the family home. Pointe Noire's runway 17 features an ILS, runway 35 a RNAV or VOR/DME approach. https://avherald.com/h?article=4fe955ea&opt=0 Video shows passenger punching flight attendant on Mexico-to-L.A. flight A passenger who allegedly punched a flight attendant in the back of the head during an American Airlines flight from Mexico to Los Angeles was taken into custody after the plane landed Wednesday, CBS Los Angeles reports. The carrier said in a statement that the incident happened on Flight 377 from San José del Cabo to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The FBI, which is handling the investigation since the alleged assault happened in-flight, said the man was detained on suspicion of interfering with a flight crew, a federal offense. Video taken by a passenger, Barrie Livingstone, shows the flight attendant standing in the aisle, facing the back of the plane, asking a passenger, "Are you threatening me. Are you threatening me?" He then turns around and starts heading for the front of the plane. At that point, a passenger is seen rushing up to him and punching him, hard, before returning to his seat. A producer for CBS San Diego affiliate KFMB-TV, Malik Earnest, who was on board, cited "witnesses" who said fellow passengers "helped restrain" the suspect until the flight landed. He was led off the plane by Los Angeles Airport Police. His identity wasn't immediately released. American Airlines issued a statement saying the passenger "physically assaulted a flight attendant" and "will never be allowed to travel with us in the future." https://www.yahoo.com/news/passenger-allegedly-punches-flight-attendant-064100266.html FAA Reauthorization: Integrating New Entrants into the National Airspace System September 28, 2022 02:15 PM U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation, will convene a subcommittee hearing titled “FAA Reauthorization: Integrating New Entrants into the National Airspace System” on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 2:15 p.m. EDT. This hearing marks the first in a series of discussions regarding the 2023 reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration and will examine issues relating to the integration into the National Airspace System (NAS) of new entrants, such as advanced air mobility (AAM) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators. Topics such as the certification of emerging aircraft technologies, airspace management, workforce, and infrastructure needed to support the deployment of AAM and UAS into the NAS will be considered. Witnesses: Lisa Ellman, Executive Director, Commercial Drone Alliance Gregory Davis, President and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Eviation Colonel (Ret.) Stephen P. “Lux” Luxion, Executive Director, FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ASSURE) Stéphane Fymat, Vice President and General Manager, Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems, Honeywell Edward M. Bolen, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Business Aviation Association Hearing Details: Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation Wednesday, September 28, 2022 2:15 p.m. EDT Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253 WATCH LIVE STREAM: www.commerce.senate.gov Due to current limited access to the Capitol complex, the general public is encouraged to view this hearing via the live stream. https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2022/9/faa-reauthorization-integrating-new-entrants-into-the-national-airspace-system Nepal's removal from EU air safety list likely "EU has no moral ground to keep Nepal in its safety listing" Kathmandu, September 21With representatives of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency set to arrive at an air safety audit next month, government officials are optimistic about Nepal's removal from its aviation safety list. "Since the International Civil Aviation Organisation has already given a good score to Nepali airlines, we believe that the EASA will remove Nepal from its air safety list, thereby allowing Nepali airlines to once again fly to European destinations," Jagannath Niroula, spokesperson for Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) told The Himalayan Times. In the latest air safety audit by ICAO, Nepal had made significant progress with a score of 70.1 per cent, which was above the global average of 67.2 per cent. Regarding the EASA's audit, Niroula said the team would arrive between October and November for a four-day air safety audit. The team will prepare the report in eight sectors, including legislation, institutionalisation, airworthiness, personal licensing, air operations, air navigation services, aerodrome and ground aids, and accident investigations.All Nepali airlines have been banned from flying into the 27-nation bloc of the European Union owing to their weak safety standards since 5 December 2013 immediately after the ICAO raised significant safety concerns. While the ICAO removed Nepal's aviation from its blacklist in July 2017, the regional body has not followed suit, demanding revision of civil aviation policies, splitting CAAN into operational and regulating bodies.The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bill and the Air Service Authority of Nepal Bill were unanimously passed in the National Assembly on 2 August 2021.However, the House of Representatives ended its five-year term on September 18 without passing the two aviation bills. Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha, however, expressed belief that EASA will nevertheless remove Nepal from the air safety list. "Reformation of the CAAN is no longer a priority for EASA. So, the audit report will be positive and the ban on Nepali airlines will be lifted during my tenure."Shrestha said that following the audit, Nepali airlines are planning to operate direct flights to the United States and European countries. "We're set to ink agreements with American and Swiss airlines for direct flights, while we've held series of dialogues with other European countries also."A former director general of CAAN, seeking anonymity, said it's senseless to keep Nepal in the EU's air safety list after ICAO report showed Nepal had made significant improvements."The EU states that its assessment is made against international safety standards, and notably, the standards promulgated by the ICAO. But contrary to EU's claim, in Nepal's case those norms have been totally ignored." "So now EU has no moral ground to keep Nepal in its safety listing," the former DG said."Some experts opined that ICAO audit report has still carried on CAAN's deficiency in organisational separation. The current result was due to the bill on the organisational separation of CAAN being in the final stage, which had already been passed by the Upper House. Moreover, some experts believe that organisational separation is not essential.Functional separation within the organisation is more than enough. However, that has to be backed within the legislative framework. "Meanwhile, Nepali airline operators are optimistic about better days ahead if the ban is lifted.According to Archana Khadka, spokesperson for Nepal Airlines Corporation, the tourism industry will get a major boost as a significant number of European tourists visit Nepal even now. A total of 326,667 foreigners had visited Nepal till August 2022, as per the Nepal Tourism Board. The country welcomed a total of 41,304 by air in August, with European tourists constituting 19.1 cent of total visitors. https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/nepals-removal-from-eu-air-safety-list-likely Malaysia, US aviation authorities to discuss country's air safety rating, says Dr Wee PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be having a discussion on Malaysia’s air safety rating next week, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Information pertaining to the meeting was relayed by US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian David McFeeters who made a courtesy call on Dr Wee at his office on Wednesday (Sept 21). “We had a fruitful meeting to discuss several transport-related issues, ahead of the 41st International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) General Assembly which will be held in Montreal next week. “Ambassador McFeeters had conveyed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is keen to meet with Malaysia on the sidelines of the ICAO general assembly to discuss Malaysia’s air safety rating. “We look forward to a progressive meeting with the FAA,” he said on Facebook. Dr Wee said Malaysia would be making all efforts to be re-elected to the ICAO Council Part III for the coming term. “McFeeters and I share the same views that the compliance to ICAO conventions must be upheld,” he added. Dr Wee said they also discussed other issues pertaining to electric vehicles, East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects, ports development and cabotage policy. “I am happy to receive feedback from the US Embassy in Malaysia that it had not received any complaints regarding our maritime cabotage policy,” he said. Also present during the courtesy call were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Economic Counsellor of the US Embassy Dave Williams and Economic Officer of the US Embassy Isaac Jenkins. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/21/malaysia-us-aviation-authorities-to-discuss-country039s-air-safety-rating-says-dr-wee Improperly assembled oil filter caused Snowbirds crash, says report According to a preliminary report, engine failure due to an improperly assembled oil filter caused a Snowbirds crash in Fort St. John, B.C., on Aug. 2. The Directorate of Flight Safety’s preliminary “From the Investigator” report says the plane was one of nine CT-114 Tutor jets at the Fort St. John Airport in support of the Fort St. John International Air Show on July 30 and 31. The aircraft was taking off from Fort St. John back to Moose Jaw when the accident occurred. Shortly after takeoff, according to the report, the pilot heard a loud noise and the engine failed when they put the landing gear up. The pilot put the landing gear back down and elected to land the aircraft straight ahead. The report says the jet touched down with about 500 feet of runway left. The unlocked landing gear collapsed under the weight of the aircraft and it travelled about 1,000 feet before hitting a perimeter fence and coming to a stop. The aircraft was severely damaged but the pilot escaped without injuries. The report says the investigation is now looking at the human factors that may have contributed to the accident. You can read the entire report here. https://www.cjme.com/2022/09/21/improperly-assembled-oil-filter-caused-snowbirds-crash-says-report/ Portuguese airplane, passengers stranded in Fargo (ND) after medical emergency FARGO (KFGO) – About 270 passengers and crew on a flight en route from Lisbon, Portugal to San Francisco spent an unexpected night in Fargo after a passenger on board had a medical emergency somewhere over South Dakota. Fargo Airport Authority executive director Shawn Dobberstein said the airport’s Fire Department and F-M Ambulance met the Air Portugal flight to tend to the passenger when the AirBus 300 900 Series landed at 2:45pm Tuesday. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection was contacted and they responded as well, thinking this was just going to be a quick fuel and depart, but as time went on – with an engine issue and then the crew timed out – the aircraft had to stay overnight here,” Dobberstein said. U.S. citizens on board were then cleared through customs at the airport and the foreign passengers were bussed to the customs offices at the airport’s north general aviation area with the assistance of the Air National Guard. The Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau helped secure lodging for the passengers. Dobberstein said that while it took about six hours to get all the passengers processed and on their way to hotels, the process of assisting foreign airlines in scenarios like this is one the airport is prepared for. “We’re not immune to diversions. Whether they are destined for airports on the west coast or even Chicago as they come from other directions, there’s a number of foreign carriers that identify us – and have for many, many years – as a primary alternate airport for medical emergencies, weather diversions, or any other situation that develops,” he said. The plane is expected to depart for San Francisco at 5:45pm Wednesday. https://kfgo.com/2022/09/21/660582/ Mesa Airlines Offers Accelerated Path to 1,500 Hours Airline Orders up to 104 Pipistrel Aircraft to Build 'Mesa Pilot Development' to Combat Pilot Shortage PHOENIX, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mesa Airlines announced today that it has purchased 29 state-of-the-art Pipistrel Alpha Trainer 2 aircraft, with the option to buy an additional 75 over the next year. The new fleet will be the backbone of the Mesa Pilot Development Program (MPD), a major initiative to close the pilot shortage gap that has been affecting the industry over the last several years. As part of the program, pilots will be provided with the opportunity to accumulate up to 1,500 flight hours required to fly a commercial aircraft at Mesa Airlines. The company is investing in the new program to alleviate the pilot shortage while giving new pilots a direct route to a long-term career. Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and CEO of Mesa said, "The pilot shortage could become a permanent feature of the airline industry if we don't get more aviators into the system," said Ornstein. "It is basic math. If there aren't enough trained pilots, customers suffer from loss of service and high-ticket prices." The aircraft will go into operation in Inverness, Florida starting in October 2022, with expansion to Arizona over the next year. At full strength, the fleet will have capacity for up to 2,000 daily hours of flying time and is expected to accommodate more than 1,000 pilots per year. Ornstein continued, "We believe there is no faster way for a new aviator to enter commercial aviation and ultimately be employed at a major airline." In April of 2022, Textron eAviation acquired Pipistrel Aircraft, an award-winning pioneer and global leader in training, utility, and recreational aircraft. Pipistrel was also the first manufacturer to certify a fully electric aircraft. There are more than 2,700 Pipistrel aircraft operating in the US and other countries throughout the world. Qualified pilots who join the program will be offered up to 40 hours of flight time each week. In addition, MPD pilots will begin building company longevity, receive flight benefits, and priority status for employment as a First Officer at Mesa Airlines. Flight costs of $25 per hour, per pilot, will be fully financed by Mesa with zero interest, providing no upfront out-of-pocket expense for flight time while the candidate is accruing the required hours to earn their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. As part of their commitment, flight costs will be repaid over three years during the term of employment at Mesa Airlines. Mesa first year pay rate of $100/hour is currently the highest in the regional industry. In addition, all Mesa pilots can join United's Aviate program which offers a direct flow to United Airlines. "Our program will be the most cost effective and one of the fastest routes to a long-term career as a professional pilot" said John Hornibrook, SVP Flight Operations. "We want to make it as easy as possible for a whole new field of candidates to join Mesa, including and especially people who might not have traditionally considered aviation." The 1,500-hour federal mandate has made it particularly difficult for minority and other disadvantaged communities to become commercial pilots due to the high costs and training time needed. This program helps mitigate this significant barrier to entry. According to federal statistics, the airline and commercial industry needs approximately 14,500 new pilots annually; however, average annual production of new pilots only meets approximately 44 percent of the need. The US produces an average of 6,335 newly certified pilots each year that are eligible for hire by the airlines. This leaves a gap of 8,165 jobs unfilled across the aviation industry. This is despite many airlines dramatically raising pilot pay. The shortage has forced airlines to reduce routes to many destinations and increase ticket prices, adding to overall inflation. "In some cases, routes that get cut as a result of the pilot shortage are the only commercial air services to those communities," said Ornstein. "Without action now, the U.S. air travel system may be snarled for the next decade. The stakes are high for both passengers and the U.S. economy." Fewer pilots coming out of the training pipeline is largely influenced by the 2013 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation that increased the number of flight hours prospective pilots need for an ATP certificate from 250 to 1,500. After graduating from flight school, newly licensed pilots may have to pay up to $250,000 to accumulate enough flight hours to qualify to fly for a commercial carrier—and the process often takes two to three years. "Mesa's Pilot Development program is an example of the private sector working to solve the challenges created by new regulations. No other country in the world has adopted the 1,500-hour rule. This creates a situation where many foreign licensed pilots can fly over this country and into some of the world's busiest airports even though they would not be considered experienced enough to fly a commercial aircraft by the FAA," said Ornstein . The Alpha Trainer 2 is a two seat, high wing, modern carbon fiber aircraft designed to be the ultimate training and time building aircraft. The design is configured by Right Rudder Aviation and built by Pipistrel Aircraft, a new addition to the Textron eAviation portfolio. Since 1989, Pipistrel has produced innovative aircraft that are in use by the US and foreign militaries, and leading flight training providers worldwide, with more than 2,700 in operation. The FAA approved aircraft provide a modern, comfortable cockpit with computerized touch screen instrumentation, and digital autopilot--improving safety through technology. The Kevlar reinforced cabin and full airframe ballistic parachute contribute to the focus on safety. Pilots interested in the program can learn more online at https://www.mesa-air.com/mesa-pilot-development. About Mesa Air Group, Inc. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa Air Group, Inc. is the holding company of Mesa Airlines, a regional air carrier providing scheduled passenger service to 121 cities in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, and Mexico as well as cargo services out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. As of June 30, 2022, Mesa operated a fleet of 168 aircraft with approximately 360 daily departures and 2,600 employees. Mesa operates all its flights as either American Eagle, United Express, or DHL Express flights pursuant to the terms of capacity purchase agreements entered into with American Airlines, Inc., United Airlines, Inc., and flight service agreement with DHL. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mesa-airlines-offers-accelerated-path-to-1-500-hours-301630561.html GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Dear Pilots and Flight Attendants, Did you know that the difference between a 14-hour flight time and an 18-hour flight time is 28%, which means 28% more exposure by occupants to the cabin environment and other aircraft influences. Keeping this in mind, I am working on a new research study that aims to review current Health & Safety International and National Regulations and best practices for operating Ultra-Long-Range Routes (ULR). ULR operations refer to "An operation involving any sector between a specific city pair (A-B-A) in which the planned flight time exceeds 16 hours, taking into account mean wind conditions and seasonal changes. The scope of this study is to identify different health-related factors affecting Aircrew (Pilots & Flight Attendants) who operate these routes. Based on this review, a gap analysis will be conducted, and recommendations will be presented to mitigate health and safety-related impact factors on Aircrew. As a part of this study, a survey is designed for Aircrew (Pilots and Flight Attendants) who operate on ULR flights. This survey aims to learn about their experience and the different health and safety impact factors that Aircrew experience while operating these routes. Aircrew sought to participate in this study needs to meet the following criteria: - Employed (in the last 24 months) by an air carrier operating scheduled ULR flights (>16hrs); - Qualified as an aircrew member to operate ULR flights. During this study, you will be asked to complete a brief online survey about your opinions concerning health-related issues while operating ULR routes. You will answer several questions about different health-related factors and how it affects your lifestyle, including any prominent experiences you have encountered. The completion of the survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes. If you meet the criteria and are interested in helping, sign up for the study by clicking the link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SV2D9KT You can also sign up by scanning the QR code below. Please let me know if you have any questions I can answer. Thank you for your participation Kind Regards, Aditya Rathi ISASI Robertson Fellow M.S. Safety Science '22 (Aviation Safety) Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott rathia@my.erau.edu | (928)-632-2707 Curt Lewis