Flight Safety Information - June 9, 2023 No. 111 In This Issue : Incident: Easyjet A320 near Split on Jun 8th 2023, crew member incapacitated : Incident: Algerie B738 near Marseille on Jun 8th 2023, loss of cabin pressure : Jefferies Estimates Pilot Shortage at 5,000 Already : Biden Names No. 2 Official at Transportation Department to Be F.A.A.’s Acting Leader : Loaded gun found in carry-on luggage at South Dakota airport is 4th such incident this year : Repair cost for Asiana plane forced open in mid-air estimated to be W640m: ministry : American Airlines To Upgrade Its Inflight WiFi Incident: Easyjet A320 near Split on Jun 8th 2023, crew member incapacitated An Easyjet Airbus A320-200, registration G-EZRX performing flight U2-2143 from Manchester,EN (UK) to Dalaman (Turkey), was enroute at FL350 about 60nm northeast of Split (Croatia) when the crew decided to divert to Split for a safe landing on runway 05 about 20 minutes later. A listener on frequency reported the crew declared Mayday reporting an incapacited crew member and requested to divert to Split, just when they had received the frequency to the next sector instead of acknowledging the frequency change. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 6.5 hours, then continued the flight and reached Dalaman with a delay of about 7 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=50a3e05f&opt=0 Incident: Algerie B738 near Marseille on Jun 8th 2023, loss of cabin pressure An Air Algerie Boeing 737-800, registration 7T-VJP performing flight AH-1009 from Paris Orly (France) to Algier (Algeria), was enroute at FL350 about 150nm northwest of Marseille (France) when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure, the passenger oxygen masks were deployed, and diverted to Marseille for a safe landing on runway 13L about 25 minutes after leaving FL350. A replacement Boeing 737-700 registration 7T-VKS reached Algiers with a delay of about 6:45 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Marseille about 24 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=50a3ddcc&opt=0 Jefferies Estimates Pilot Shortage at 5,000 Already While pilot certificates are increasing, the aviation industry is still estimated to be 5,000 pilots short, according to a recent analysis from Jefferies Research Services. Jefferies noted that student certificates increased 54 percent year-over-year in May and were 32 percent above 2019 levels. Meanwhile, private certificates jumped by 54 percent year-over-year in May and similarly are up by 57 percent from the same month in 2019. Commercial certificates were up 47 percent from May 2022 and 32 percent from 2019, while air transport certificates increased 6 percent year-over-year and by 62 percent from 2019. Through May, the FAA issued 49,500 certificates this year. This is 19 percent more than a year ago and 23 percent higher than 2021 levels. ATP certificates are 57 percent higher than in 2020, which Jefferies said implies a “relative near-term pilot supply coming to the market after two years of depressed certs.” But according to the analyst’s pilot supply and demand model, the industry is still undersupplied by 4 percent. Further, it forecasts this shortage will jump to 8 percent, or 12,000 pilots, in 2025 and by 9 percent, or 14,000 pilots, by 2030. This accounts for the fact that 16 percent of today’s pilots are between the ages of 60 to 64 and another 17 percent are between 55 and 59. Jefferies further is considering a fleet expansion that would require additional pilots, estimating a 1.4 percent compound annual growth through 2030 on this end. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-06-08/jefferies-estimates-pilot-shortage-5000-already Biden Names No. 2 Official at Transportation Department to Be F.A.A.’s Acting Leader President Biden has named Polly Trottenberg, the deputy transportation secretary, to lead the Federal Aviation Administration on an interim basis, the agency announced on Thursday. The appointment of Ms. Trottenberg, a former New York City transportation commissioner, is the latest attempt by the Biden administration to fill the leadership void atop the nation’s federal air safety regulator. ImagePolly Trottenberg, wearing glasses and a necklace, speaking in front of microphones. Polly Trottenberg succeeds Billy Nolen, who led the Federal Aviation Administration on an interim basis for over a year.Credit...Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Why It Matters: The F.A.A. lacks permanent leadership. The move comes after Mr. Biden’s nominee to lead the F.A.A., Phillip A. Washington, withdrew from consideration in March. Mr. Washington, the chief executive of Denver International Airport, had faced criticism from Republican senators and struggled to win support to be confirmed. The F.A.A. has been without permanent leadership since Stephen Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines executive and an appointee of President Donald J. Trump, stepped down in 2022. Ms. Trottenberg, 59, succeeds Billy Nolen, who led the F.A.A. on an interim basis for over a year and had previously been the agency’s top safety official. Mr. Nolen announced in April that he planned to step down. Ms. Trottenberg’s designation as acting administrator is effective immediately, the agency said. “I am grateful to Billy for his service during one of the most challenging and dynamic times in aviation, and I have full confidence in Polly’s steady hand during the search for a permanent administrator,” Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, said in a statement. Ms. Trottenberg is taking the helm of the F.A.A. during a tumultuous period for both the agency and the U.S. air travel system. During the past year, pilots have narrowly avoided collisions at U.S. airports on multiple occasions, and travelers have suffered through a raft of delays and cancellations. Southwest Airlines had an operational meltdown around Christmas, and in January, problems with a critical F.A.A. system forced flights to be grounded nationwide. This year is also an important one for the F.A.A. because Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to reauthorize the agency, giving lawmakers an opportunity to shape its programs and budget for the coming years. Background: Trottenberg is a transportation veteran. Ms. Trottenberg has been the Transportation Department’s No. 2 official for most of the Biden administration — a fractious time for the relationship between U.S. airlines and the federal government. Mr. Buttigieg has called on the airlines to provide better customer service, such as by eliminating extra fees for families to sit together on plane trips. At the same time, airlines have complained about air traffic controller shortages and unfair competition from certain Asian and Middle Eastern airlines on long-haul routes. Previously, Ms. Trottenberg served under Mayor Bill de Blasio as New York City’s transportation commissioner from 2014 to 2020. In that role, she oversaw the city’s Vision Zero program to reduce traffic fatalities, and she expanded bike and bus lanes. She was also a top transportation official in the Obama administration, serving as an assistant secretary at the Transportation Department and then as the department’s under secretary for policy. She has worked as a Senate aide as well. What’s Next: Biden needs a new nominee. It is unclear how long Ms. Trottenberg will serve as the F.A.A.’s acting administrator. Mr. Biden has not said when he intends to put forward a new nominee to lead the agency, and the White House did not immediately respond on Thursday to an inquiry about its plans. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/us/politics/polly-trottenberg-faa.html Loaded gun found in carry-on luggage at South Dakota airport is 4th such incident this year There were nine firearms found in passengers' bags at the same airport in 2022. Officials from the Transportation Security Administration in South Dakota stopped a passenger with a loaded handgun from getting onto a plane in the fourth such incident at the Sioux Falls Airport this year. During the routine screening of carry-on luggage this past Tuesday, a TSA officer at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport spotted a silhouette of a handgun on the X-ray screen, the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement detailing the event on Tuesday. Airport officials immediately alerted the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office who responded to the airport’s security screening area and discovered that the firearm was loaded. This is not the first time this has happened at Sioux Falls Regional Airport. In fact, it is the fourth time this year that it has happened. A total of nine firearms were confiscated by authorities at the same airport in 2022. Officials from the Transportation Security Administration in South Dakota stopped a passenger with a loaded handgun on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from getting onto a plane in the fourth such incident at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport this year. Transportation Security Administration “As summer travel picks up, these incidents present a danger to our dedicated workforce, and the traveling public,” Acting South Dakota TSA Federal Security Director David Durgan said. “We encourage all travelers to know the exact location of their firearm at all times and to pack their luggage starting with a completely empty bag to ensure no prohibited items are accidentally brought to the checkpoint.” The TSA recently announced that the penalty for bringing weapons to an airport has increased with the fine being as high as $14,950 for a single infraction of the law, depending on the circumstances in each case, the TSA said. “TSA will continue to revoke TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession,” officials said. “Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter.” The TSA reminded people after the incident that firearm possession laws vary by state and that travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from. Details on how to properly travel with a firearm are posted on the TSA’s website and officials said that travelers should also contact the airline they are flying with to see if there are any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. https://abcnews.go.com/US/loaded-gun-found-carry-luggage-south-dakota-airport/story?id=99956720 Repair cost for Asiana plane forced open in mid-air estimated to be W640m: ministry The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport estimates the repair cost of an Asiana Airlines aircraft that was forced open by a passenger mid-air, to be about 640 million won ($494,000), according to data released by a lawmaker Friday. In its interim probe, the ministry found the aircraft involved in the incident suffered damages to three areas, the emergency door and slides, according to data from the Transport Ministry received by office of Rep. Jang Chul-min of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, The incident occurred on May 26 at 12:37 p.m., as the plane was flying from Jeju Island to Daegu. A male passenger in his 30s illegally opened the emergency exit door while the aircraft was preparing for landing, just 200 meters above ground. The man attempted to unbuckle his seat belt and jump out, but was restrained by the flight attendants and other passengers, according to authorities. The man was seated close to the emergency exit and was able to open the door without unfastening his seat belt. Temporary repairs were carried out immediately at Daegu Airport shortly after the incident, and the aircraft has been relocated to Incheon Airport on May 30 for further repairs. After landing, the man reportedly confessed the crime to a member of Asiana Airlines' ground staff. Following the police investigation, the man was arrested and charged with violating aviation security laws and causing property damage, Friday. On how the door opened during the flight, an official from the ministry explained that the emergency exit can be opened with force when the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the aircraft is low. Unlike certain aircraft models like the B787, which have an automatic lock feature for emergency exits after takeoff, the A321 model involved in the incident does not have such a feature, the official added. The ministry said it has informed the United States Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency of the incident, and also filed a request to consider implementing a warning sound when the lever cover of an emergency exit is opened during flight. To prevent similar incidents in the future, the ministry said it also requested a review on the seat installation regulations, as passengers in close proximity to emergency exits can access the door even when their safety belts are fastened. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230609000513&np=1&mp=1 American Airlines To Upgrade Its Inflight WiFi American will become the first US carrier to offer video streaming on 100% of its mainline fleet. Earlier today, American Airlines announced that by next month 100% of its equipped regional and widebody aircraft would offer free WiFi for T-Mobile customers. Upgrading WiFi T-Mobile has invested significantly into its network and partnerships in recent years, going from a poorly-liked cell phone provider in the US to competing with giants AT&T and Verizon. Airline partnerships have been of particular interest to T-Mobile, which has already partnered with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines to offer its clients free WiFi on flights. Earlier today, American Airlines announced that by next month, 100% of its WiFi-equipped regional and narrowbody aircraft would provide the free package for T-Mobile customers. Even more exciting than its T-Mobile capability, American announced it would become the first US airline to offer internet capable of video streaming on 100% of its mainline fleet. The airline stated, "Customers traveling the globe to their dream international destinations should be able to enjoy faster Wi-Fi speeds and a more reliable service for all their connectivity needs thanks to increased bandwidth planned for American's widebody aircraft." Pricing for its WiFi packages was not mentioned in today's announcement, and as of late, American has some of the most expensive WiFi packages, especially on long-haul flights. Purchasing inflight WiFi on flights to South America can cost $35 for a full-flight package. Additionally, American has yet to roll out free messaging for its passengers, as promised years ago. Enhancing passenger experience through dining Today's announcement focused on how American is elevating the passenger experience this summer, and beyond WiFi, the carrier is making changes to its inflight dining experience. On transcontinental flights with American's Flagship services, passengers now have the option of a new entrée, a Plant-Based Bulgogi Noodle Bowl. Passengers flying in premium cabins on international flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport will enjoy dishes from Avli on the Park, a Chicago Greek restaurant that was a 2023 Michelin honoree. Dishes include Greek Beef Orzo Stew and a Kagiana Egg Scramble for breakfast. Domestically, American is adding a Fruit and Cheese Plate and Breakfast Bag, available on flights (1,300 miles or more) between 9:46 a.m. and 9 p.m. and between 5 and 9:45 a.m., respectively. Earlier this week, American Airlines announced a codeshare agreement with JetSMART. The airlines have been partners since July 2020, and American Airlines was a minority investor in the Chilean ultra-low-cost carrier. Now, the two will codeshare, with the American Airlines code extending to four of JetSMART's destinations in Chile, Santiago (SCL), Antofagasta (ANF), Concepción (CCP), and Puerto Montt (PMC). Losing LATAM as a partner a few years ago made it essential for American to find another South American partner other than GOL. American has the largest Latin American network of any American carrier and is expanding its presence in the region. Scott Laurence, American Airlines Senior Vice President of Alliance Strategy, said, "The alliance with JetSMART will enable American to expand its long-haul service between the United States and Latin America, giving access to our flights, our network, and our AAdvantage travel rewards program to more travelers in South America.” https://simpleflying.com/american-airlines-upgrade-inflight-wifi-summer-2023/ Curt Lewis