Flight Safety Information - June 7, 2023 No. 109 In This Issue : Incident: Western Global MD11 at Fort Myers on May 27th 2023, unreliable airspeed : Incident: India B772 near Magadan on Jun 6th 2023, engine problem : U.S.-bound passengers stranded in Russia after Air India flight makes emergency landing : FAA sees no immediate safety issue for Boeing 787s in service : Mexico president to meet with U.S. transport chief to discuss air safety rating : FAA Proposes Pilot Training Requirements and Operational Rules for Powered-Lift Aircraft : Woman who got on runway at Bush IAH and caused delays went under fence, source says : Five Game-Changing Engines That Revolutionized The World Of Aviation Incident: Western Global MD11 at Fort Myers on May 27th 2023, unreliable airspeed A Western Global Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-11, registration N545JN performing flight KD-8356 from Fort Myers,FL to Fairfield,CA (USA) with 4 crew, was climbing out of Fort Myers' runway 24 when the crew requested to stop the climb at 5000 feet reporting they had problems with their airspeed. A short time later the crew advised they wanted to continue the climb, they might have solved the issue, but subsequently stopped the climb again at about 7000 feet and decided to return to Fort Myers. The crew reported they had unreliable airspeed which was coming on and off, no fuel burn/dump was needed, the aircraft returned to Fort Myers for a safe landing on runway 24 about 20 minutes after departure. The aircraft remained on the ground in Fort Myers until Jun 5th 2023, departed for Hawaii but needed to return again stopping the climb at 3000 feet. The aircraft is still on the ground in Fort Myers about 28 hours after landing back the second time. https://avherald.com/h?article=50a21da8&opt=0 Incident: India B772 near Magadan on Jun 6th 2023, engine problem An Air India Boeing 777-200, registration VT-ALH performing flight AI-173 from Delhi (India) to San Francisco,CA (USA) with 216 passengers and 16 crew, was enroute at FL350 about 650nm north of Magadan (Russia) when the crew decided to turn around reporting problems with the right hand engine (GE90). The aircraft maintained FL350 on the way back, but about 140nm north of Magadan the crew decided to divert to Magadan and initiated the descent towards Magadan. The aircraft landed safely on Magadan's runway 10 about 100 minutes after turning around and about 30 minutes after leaving FL350. The airline reported first the aircraft diverted due to unavoidable reasons and later stated there were technical problems with one of the engines. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Magadan about 8 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=50a21913&opt=0 U.S.-bound passengers stranded in Russia after Air India flight makes emergency landing Air India dispatched a replacement plane to pick up the passengers, who were headed for San Hundreds of U.S.-bound passengers have been left stranded in Russia after their flight was forced to make an emergency landing in the country's far east. Air India dispatched a plane Wednesday to pick up the passengers, who found themselves diverted into the middle of geopolitical tensions over Russian airspace fueled by the war in Ukraine. The decision to land in the country despite those complications sparked criticism on social media. Flight AI173 departed from Delhi to San Francisco on Tuesday with 216 passengers and 16 crew onboard when it developed a technical issue with one of its engines, Air India said in a statement. The flight was diverted to the Siberian port town of Magadan, where it was able to land safely, the airline said. Air India said local authorities at the airport extended "all cooperation and support upon the flight's arrival." The airline said it made "sincere attempts to accommodate passengers in hotels locally with the help of local government authorities. But it said passengers were "eventually moved to a makeshift accommodation." "As we do not have any Air India staff based in the remote town of Magadan or in Russia, all ground support being provided to the passengers is the best possible in this unusual circumstance," Air India said. On Wednesday, the airline said a replacement ferry flight, AI195, was on its way to Magadan and was expected to arrive at around 6:30 a.m. Thursday local time (3:30 p.m. ET Wednesday). Sharing video of the replacement flight taking off, the airline said a team was onboard the flight to "provide any support that the passengers and staff at GDX may require." "The ferry flight is carrying essentials in addition to sufficient amount of food to cater to all passengers on the onward flight scheduled from GDX to San Francisco," it said, adding that the aircraft would transport all passengers and crew onward to San Francisco on Thursday. In a State Department briefing on Tuesday, principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said the department was "aware of a U.S. bound flight that had to make an emergency landing in Russia." He said he wasn't able to confirm how many U.S. citizens were aboard the flight, but said it was "likely" that there were Americans involved as the flight was bound for the U.S. One stranded passenger told Indian broadcaster NDTV there were many U.S. citizens on the flight who were worried, given the tension between Russia and the United States. “There are a lot a nervous people here,” said the passenger, according to Reuters, which named them only as Gagan. Air routes have been disrupted since Russia issued a ban on some foreign carriers using its airspace in retaliation for Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine. While U.S., European and Japanese carriers have stopped flying over Russia, Air India and other airlines have continued to do so. As Air India faced mounting criticism on social media, the airline apologized in a tweet "for all the inconvenience caused" by making the emergency landing in Russia. Video shared on social media is purported to show passengers sleeping on thin mattresses on the floor with blankets in what appears to be a classroom. Responding to a tweet sharing the video, the airline said: “We understand the situation,” adding that its replacement plane was on the way. NBC News has not verified the video. "My relatives are in that flight and they are still struggling to take care of themselves," one person wrote. NBC News was not immediately able to verify their account. "We understand how frustrating and concerning this must be for you and your loved ones," Air India said, responding to the tweet. "Please know that we take these situations very seriously and will do our utmost to ensure that all passengers are taken care of and able to continue their travels safely," the airline said. Air India did not immediately respond to a request for more information from NBC News. Girvaan Singh Kahma, 16, was traveling on the flight with his uncle and brother. He told the Associated Press they were barred from leaving the hostel where they were staying in Magadan and couldn’t use their credit cards to buy things because of sanctions over Russia’s war on Ukraine. “The first day and a half was really hard for all of us,” he said. “The weather went to 3 to 4 degrees (Celsius, or 37 to 39 Fahrenheit) in the morning, and in the night it was bitter cold,” he said, according to the news agency, adding that it was getting better with food and a place to sleep. “The Russian soldiers, the Russian police, the authorities, everyone working in the hostel has been treating us extremely well,” he reportedly said. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/passengers-stranded-russia-air-india-flight-emergency-landing-rcna88093 FAA sees no immediate safety issue for Boeing 787s in service WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Tuesday it agrees with Boeing's assessment that a new production issue on the 787 Dreamliner does not pose an immediate safety issue for aircraft already in service. Boeing Co said it discovered improper shimming bracket on the horizontal stabilizer of the 787. The FAA said it "will ensure that Boeing takes the appropriate steps to address the situation. The agency will issue no new airworthiness certificates for the 787 until the matter is addressed to its satisfaction." https://finance.yahoo.com/news/faa-sees-no-immediate-safety-191339545.html Mexico president to meet with U.S. transport chief to discuss air safety rating MEXICO CITY, June 7 (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday he would meet later in the day with the U.S. Transportation Secretary, appearing to refer to Pete Buttigieg, and discuss the country's efforts to recover a top air safety rating. More than two years ago, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Mexico to Category 2, restricting the ability of Mexican airlines to open new routes to the U.S. The FAA wrapped up an audit into Mexico last week. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-president-meet-with-us-transport-chief-discuss-air-safety-rating-2023-06-07/ FAA Proposes Pilot Training Requirements and Operational Rules for Powered-Lift Aircraft WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration took another key step toward safely enabling advanced air mobility by proposing a comprehensive rule for training and certifying pilots. “These proposed rules of the sky will safely usher in this new era of aviation and provide the certainty the industry needs to develop,” said Acting Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety David Boulter. New rules are necessary because many of the proposed aircraft take off and land like a helicopter but fly enroute like an airplane. The powered-lift proposed rule is designed to provide certainty to pilots and the industry on what the requirements and expectations will be to operate these aircraft once it is finalized. Under the proposed rule: • A clear pathway is proposed for pilots to earn powered-lift ratings specific to each type of aircraft they fly. • Pilots who work for powered-lift aircraft manufacturers could serve as the initial cadre of flight instructors, who could then train instructors at flight schools, training centers and air carriers. • To safely accelerate pilot certification, alternate eligibility criteria would enable certain pilots to meet flight-time experience requirements faster. This would apply to pilots who already hold a commercial pilot certificate and are instrument rated. • Powered-lift aircraft would follow the same set of operating rules as traditional aircraft that are used in private and commercial flights and air tours. • The proposal would conform to International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, enabling U.S. pilots to operate in other countries. Individuals can comment on the proposed rule for 60 days after it publishes in the Federal Register. The proposed rule closely follows another integration milestone. Last month, the FAA released an updated blueprint for airspace and procedure changes to accommodate future air taxis. For more information, visit our Advanced Air Mobility website. https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-proposes-pilot-training-requirements-and-operational-rules-powered-lift-aircraft Woman who got on runway at Bush IAH and caused delays went under fence, source says This is the second time in two weeks that someone on foot has gotten onto airport property and been able to reach the tarmac. HOUSTON — A woman was arrested Tuesday after she was found on a runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, according to officials. The woman went under a fence at Bush IAH to get on the tarmac, a source told KHOU 11 News. This is the second time in two weeks that someone on foot has gotten onto airport property and been able to reach the tarmac. Airport officials said it happened around 8:30 p.m. Air traffic control audio provides a glimpse into what transpired on the tarmac Tuesday night. Here is the moment air traffic control reported a person inching closer and closer onto the runways at Bush. “He's coming onto runway here. The whiskey vector on runway. About 50 feet…you copy that whiskey vector about 55 feet.” Then the woman made it to the tarmac. “He is on the runway! 15 left,” the controller said. She was caught and arrested. It's unclear what charges she is facing. Runways 15 left and 15 right were closed for about 15 minutes. They reopened around 8:45 p.m., however, several passengers said their flights were delayed by as much as an hour. Authorities said they're investigating and working to figure out how the woman made her way onto the runway. TSA has regulatory oversight of the airport perimeter security, but a source says they're deferring to Houston law enforcement to investigate, saying this is an airport issue. However, TSA inspectors are following up on the incident. This incident comes just days after the airport said it was upping security after a 26-year-old man was arrested for jumping a fence and trying to stow away on a flight. He was arrested and later identified as Jehffrey Gutirres. Court records show Gutierres is a repeat offender having been caught trespassing at Bush three times in the last several months. https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/woman-runway-iah-houston/285-84061296-4c97-49cb-a375-7e395409e3bc Five Game-Changing Engines That Revolutionized The World Of Aviation The top five engine families of the 20th century. From piston engines to turbojets and high bypass turbofans, aircraft engines have come a long way in pushing the limits of propulsive efficiency. Among many state-of-the-art engines, here is a list of the top five engines that revolutionized the world of aviation. Rolls-Royce Dart First introduced in 1948, the Rolls-Royce Dart is a turboprop engine that combines the power of jet propulsion with the efficiency of propellers. The engine was widely used in the first generation of turboprop-powered aircraft, including the Dutch Fokker F-27 and British Vickers Viscount. With a two-stage centrifugal compressor, seven straight-flow combustion chambers, and a three-stage axial turbine, the engine produced 1,354 kW of power, rotating at approximately 15,000 RPM. The Dart enabled much lower operating costs than its predecessors with greater speed and comfort. The engine remained in production for nearly forty years until the last Fokker F27 Friendships and Hawker Siddeley HS 748s were produced in 1987. Pratt & Whitney JT3 The PW JT3 entered commercial service with the Boeing 707 jetliner in 1958. The commercial variant of the US Air Force’s J53 engine, the JT3 revolutionized the jet age of commercial aircraft. The engine featured a 9-stage low-pressure (LP) compressor, a 7-stage high-pressure (HP) compressor, and a cannular-type combustor. The all-axial turbine featured a single HP turbine and a two-stage LP turbine. The engine was modified into a low bypass turbofan engine, the JT3D, in the early 1960s. The first three compressor stages were replaced with two fan stages, which extended beyond the compressor casing to act like propellers. The resulting increase in airflow lowered fuel consumption, noise, and emissions. JT3Ds became widely used, especially on long-range Boeing 707-300s and Douglas DC-8s. General Electric CF6 The General Electric CF6 is a family of high-bypass turbofan engines powering a wide variety of commercial airliners. First used on the Douglas DC-10s, the initial CF6 featured a single-stage fan with one core booster stage, driven by a 5-stage LP turbine. Within the HP system, a 16-stage HP axial compressor was driven by a two-stage HP turbine. The engine had a theoretical bypass ratio of 6, hence the name CF6. Generating an airflow of 1,300 lbs/second through the fan, the resulting relative bypass ratio was 5.72. The CF6 provided a static thrust of 41,500 lb (185.05 kN). The high bypass of the GE engine represented a historic breakthrough in fuel efficiency. From the Airbus A300 to Boeing's 767, 747, and the Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy, CF6 applications are diverse. By 2018, GE has delivered more than 8,300 CF6 engines (-6s, -50s, -80Cs, -80Es, and LM6000 industrial gas turbines). CFM International CFM56 The CFM International (a joint venture between General Electric and Safran Aircraft Engines) CFM56 series is a family of high-bypass turbofan engines with a thrust range of 18,500 to 34,000 lbf. GE produces the HP compressor, combustor, and HP turbine, while Safran manufactures the fan, gearbox, exhaust, and LP turbine. CFM56 engines are the most used turbofan aircraft engines in the world. In recent times, CFM56 variants power two of the most modern narrowbody jets, the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 (Classics and NGs). Nearly 33,000 engines were built between 1974 and 2018; hence the family being the world's most successful. Rolls-Royce Trent The Rolls-Royce Trent is a family of high-bypass turbofan engines with unique three-spool architecture and thrust ranging from 61,900 to 97,000 lbf (275 to 431 kN). The first variant, Trent 700, was introduced to the market in 1995 with the Airbus A330 widebody aircraft. Many other variants followed, such as the following: Trent 800 (Boeing 777) Trent 500 (Airbus A340) Trent 900 (Airbus A380) Trent 1000 (Boeing 787) Trent 7000 (Airbus A330neo) Trent XWB (Airbus A350) https://simpleflying.com/game-changing-aviation-engines-history/#pratt-amp-whitney-jt3 Curt Lewis