Flight Safety Information - August 10, 2023 No. 154 In This Issue : Incident: American A319 at Albany on Aug 5th 2023, loud bump on departure roll : Incident: West Atlantic B734 at Belfast on Aug 9th 2023, unsafe gear : Incident: Serbia A319 near Moscow on Aug 8th 2023, engine problem : FAA Reauthorization Bill: 5 Key Issues – and Where They Stand : Mexico's Navy To Take Control Of Mexico City International Airport In 60 Days : Cathay Group Commits To 32 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft : AviAssist Director Tom Kok Named As Recipient Of 68th Annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Incident: American A319 at Albany on Aug 5th 2023, loud bump on departure roll An American Airlines Airbus A319-100, registration N840AW performing flight AA-958 from Albany,NY to Charlotte,NC (USA) with 135 people on board, was climbing out of Albany's runway 01 when the crew reported they had heard a loud bump on their left side on departure just before rotation and queried tower whether tower had seen anything. Tower reported not seeing anything. The crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet and advised they were doing an precautionary return and needed to burn about 1000 lbs of fuel before landing. The crew subsequently declared emergency reporting they didn't know what that loud noise was about, could have been a bird strike or a blown tyre, yet everything appeared normal on the aircraft, the crew requested emergency services on stand by and checking them after landing, they would stop on the runway to have emergency services check them out before they vacate the runway. The aircraft positioned for a visual approach to runway 01. Tower advised that a runway inspection had just found feathers and debris on the runway, the crew concluded they did have a very large bird strike. The aircraft landed on runway 01 about 20 minutes after departure and stopped on the runway for an inspection, emergency services requested them to vacate the runway for a check on the taxiway, which the crew complied with. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 28.5 hours, then positioned to Charlotte,NC as flight AA-958P and is still on the ground in Charlotte about 69 hours after landing in Charlotte. https://avherald.com/h?article=50cd5329&opt=0 Incident: West Atlantic B734 at Belfast on Aug 9th 2023, unsafe gear A West Atlantic Boeing 737-400 freighter, registration G-NPTH performing flight NPT-007P from Edinburgh,SC to Belfast International,NI (UK), was on final approach to Belfast's runway 25 when the crew initiated a go around from about 500 feet reporting a gear problem. The crew entered a hold at 4000 feet, subsequently declared emergency and positioned for another approach to runway 25 and landed safely about 45 minutes after the go around. https://avherald.com/h?article=50cd6844&opt=0 Incident: Serbia A319 near Moscow on Aug 8th 2023, engine problem An Air Serbia Airbus A319-100, registration YU-APK performing flight JU-668 from Belgrade (Serbia) to Kazan (Russia), was enroute at FL370 about 140nm west of Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia) when the crew received indication of low oil pressure on the left hand engine (V2524) and decided to divert to Sheremetyevo for a safe landing on runway 24R about 30 minutes after leaving FL370. Russia's EMERCOM reported a sensor activated indicating the loss of oil pressure in the left hand engine. According to preliminary data the cause was a malfunction of the sensor. The remainder of the flight as well as the return flight JU-669 were cancelled. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Moscow about 19 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=50cd4220&opt=0 FAA Reauthorization Bill: 5 Key Issues – and Where They Stand A new FAA reauthorization bill is nearly across the finish line, but the Senate still has to finalize its own version when Congress returns from its annual recess in September. The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass its version of a crucial bill to reauthorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five more years. Next, the Senate needs to finalize its own version, and the two sides need to work out differences by September 30. Miss the deadline, and Congress would need to approve an extension. Beyond funding, the reauthorization is important because it will include several provisions about consumer protections and airline safety, some of which have proven controversial. Here are five important things to know about this year’s FAA reauthorization process, and what happens now. 1. New Consumer Protections A big part of the FAA reauthorization involves improving the travel experience for consumers. This effort takes center stage after widespread cancellations, operational meltdowns and staffing shortages have tested travelers’ patience. For now, the House bill is generally less specific when it lays out how airlines would have to handle consumer complaints than the Senate bill in progress. Both the White House and Senate Democrats have both been pushing back on so-called surprise “junk fees” that drive up the ultimate costs of airline tickets. Ahead of the House vote, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said it opposed provisions in that bill that “would reverse important gains made by this administration to combat junk fees in the airline industry and would eliminate long standing consumer protections.” The office urged the House to keep current rules about fare disclosures. Both bills would prohibit airlines from charging fees to sit families with children together, but have different language about several other protections. Some new consumer protection provisions in the House version of the bill include: • Requiring the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection to maintain a website to receive complaints from travelers, as well as making efforts to notify the public that it exists • Requiring the transportation secretary to periodically consider phone apps and other technologies to receive complaints • Allowing airlines to advertise base fares as long as they “clearly and separately” include taxes and fees and total cost Meanwhile, the Senate is pushing for airlines to: • Offer refunds for significantly delayed flights (three hours for domestic, six for international) within a week after the refund request when using a credit card, and within 20 days for other forms of payment • Display a link to a refund portal at the top of their website, as well as monitor a 24/7 chat line or text number to help travelers facing problems • Clearly display information about passenger rights, and provide links to government resources for refunds and consumer protections on flight itineraries • Disclose “critical ancillary fees” before booking, which would include charges for a carry-on and the first two checked bags, plus change and cancel fees • Establishing “dashboards” about family seating policies, seat size and delays or cancellations • Be held accountable for any “unrealistic or deceptive” scheduling • To enforce these new protections, the Senate bill would double the civil penalty for consumer violations to $50,000. The Senate also wants to confirm an assistant secretary for the aviation consumer protection office. 2. Training Time For Pilots While the House bill would include several measures aimed at improving airport safety and modernizing the national airspace system, one point in particular has delayed the bill in the past few months. A contentious proposal to change criteria for pilot training postponed a Senate committee markup scheduled in June, and still looks to be one of the key issues affecting how fast the chamber can work toward a final bill. The House had been considering a change to the way pilots would be able to complete the 1,500 hours of flight time they need to fly for a commercial airline. However, the change was not included in the final version of the bill. Currently, pilots can log 100 hours in a simulator as part of the 1,500 hour requirement. The scrapped proposal would have allowed an additional 150 hours in a simulator. The debate is whether allowing more simulator time would affect safety. This so-called “1,500 rule” came after a Colgan Air crash killed 50 people in 2009. Commercial pilots previously were only required to complete 250 hours of flight time. Proponents of the rule change say it could help with airline staffing issues. For example, Republic Airways unsuccessfully asked the FAA last year to waive the requirement in light of pilot shortages. Meanwhile, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union representing more than 74,000 pilots argues that proposed changes to training requirements would undermine safety. On the Senate side, Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington, said the pilot training issue must be resolved for that committee to move forward with the bill, Reuters reported. The proposal has come under fire from veteran helicopter pilot Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, who condemned a separate pilot training amendment. “A vote to reduce the 1,500 rule for pilot training will be blood on your hands when an inevitable accident occurs as a result of an inadequately trained flight crew,” Duckworth told her Senate colleagues on June 15. 3. Retirement Age For Pilots Lawmakers have also disagreed on a proposal to increase the maximum age for pilots from 65 to 67. Unlike the pilot training proposal, the House did keep this mandate in the bill it passed before the recess. The Regional Airline Association has applauded the change, while ALPA has called it an “ill-conceived proposal” that could exacerbate operational issues and even raise ticket prices. 4. Long-Distance Flights at Washington National Airport (DCA) The industry will be watching to see whether the Senate will give further consideration to the idea of adding more long-distance flights from the restricted Washington National Airport (DCA). The airport, connected to greater Washington, D.C.’s metro system, is by far the most convenient way to fly into the capital. The space-constrained airport limits nonstop flights to those within a 1,250-mile radius of the airport, except for the 40 daily flights exempt from the rule. The House did not include an amendment to add more long-distance flights in its version of the bill. A Senate committee previously reached a deal to add four long-distance flights from the airport, the Washington Post reported in mid-June. Among the senators pushing to relax the perimeter rule has been Republican Senator Ted Cruz, while Democratic Senator Joe Manchin issued a letter that said changing the perimeter rule would create “serious concern.” Airlines have mixed feelings about the issue. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines issued a joint statement denouncing changes to the perimeter rule, while Spirit Airlines and Delta Air Lines have proposed ways to add longer flights from the popular airport. 5. Conditions For Airport Service Workers Airport service workers are calling upon the Senate to include certain wage and benefit standards in their version of the bill after the House did not include them in its own version. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) claimed the House version of the bill “was written by and for corporations – not working people.” The SEIU is urging the Senate to consider an act that would block hub airports from federal funding unless they provide airport service workers benefits and a salary of $15 per hour or the local minimum wage — whichever is higher. https://skift.com/2023/08/10/faa-reauthorization-bill-5-key-issues-and-where-they-stand/ Mexico's Navy To Take Control Of Mexico City International Airport In 60 Days Five other airports will also fall in the hands of the Navy. SUMMARY • Mexico City International Airport (MEX) will now be operated by the Navy as part of President López Obrador's efforts to address security concerns and ensure efficient transportation hubs. • The management changes raise questions about potential impacts on operations and passenger experiences, but also reflect a substantial shift in addressing security issues within the aviation sector. Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is set to undergo a change in management, transitioning to the hands of the country's Navy. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has signed an agreement that will see the MEX, along with the Mexico City Airport Group (GACM) and Mexico City Airport Services, being operated by the Secretariat of the Navy. This move, attributed to concerns about security, is expected to take effect within the next 60 calendar days. The navy will take control of MEX In response to rising concerns over security and violence, President López Obrador initiated the deployment of military forces nationwide and appointed military personnel to prominent positions, even within the aviation sector. Following this trend, Mexico City International Airport and five other airports across the country will be administered by the Navy. Additionally, the management of airport projects such as the Felipe Ángeles and Tulum International Airports falls under the purview of the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena). On Tuesday, the government published in the Official Gazette of the Federation an agreement that states that MEX will officially be under the control of the Navy in 60 days. The transition will be complete in early October. As the Mexico City International Airport transitions into the hands of the Navy, this move underscores the government's commitment to address security concerns and ensure the efficient operation of vital transportation hubs. While leadership changes raise questions about the potential impact on operations and passenger experiences, it also highlights the administration's proactive stance in adapting to the evolving aviation landscape. In the past, Rogelio Jiménez Pons, Undersecretary of Transportation at the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), said, “It's important to consider that the armed forces are entering places where we have had serious security issues, so this is a substantial change.” Other examples of high-ranking military figures taking key positions across the Mexican civil aviation industry include the Civil Aviation Federal Agency (AFAC), responsible for overseeing aviation operations, which is now led by General Miguel Enrique Vallin Osuna. The role of the State Under President López Obrador's leadership, Mexico's aviation sector has undergone significant changes. One of the most noteworthy actions was the cancellation of the Texcoco International Airport project shortly after López Obrador assumed office in 2018. The project, designed to accommodate 125 million passengers annually with multiple terminals and runways, was halted, leading to a revised approach to airport development. The government adopted an alternative approach, focusing on utilizing existing infrastructure and repurposing a military base to create a new commercial airport system. Comprising the Mexico City International Airport, Toluca International Airport (TLC), and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), this system has the potential to accommodate about 120 million passengers per year once fully operational. However, the Felipe Ángeles airport faced challenges during its inaugural year, welcoming just over a million passengers, significantly below the government's initial estimate. The airport currently serves scheduled commercial flights operated by six airlines, Aeromexico, Arajet, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris. Additionally, the airport has become a hub for all-cargo flights previously departing from MEX, a transition that has been met with resistance from the airline industry. https://simpleflying.com/mexican-navy-take-over-mexico-city-international-airport-october-2023/ Cathay Group Commits To 32 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft Cathay Pacific and HK Express will receive more narrowbodies as the group exercises its purchase options. SUMMARY • Cathay Group announces a plan to purchase up to 32 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, supporting its fleet expansion and flight connectivity at Hong Kong International Airport hub. • The new aircraft will primarily serve destinations in the Chinese Mainland and other parts of Asia. • Cathay Pacific and HK Express are satisfied with their existing A321neo fleet and aim to enhance customer experience with the latest technological enhancements for quieter, more comfortable, and fuel-efficient journeys. • Close In its 2022 Global Market Forecast, Airbus said that airlines globally will need 31,620 new single-aisle jets between 2022 and 2041, with 14,560 destined for the Asia-Pacific region. Today, the Cathay Group announced the future of 32 of those 14,560 narrowbody aircraft. More planes for Cathay Pacific and HK Express The Cathay Group has announced plans to exercise options on up to 32 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The aircraft will join the fleets of Cathay Pacific and HK Express, with the group saying they will principally be serving destinations in the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia. The fact that the two airlines are keeping the new generation aircraft reasonably close to home is probably why there is no mention of the longer-range A321LR and A321XLR, although orders often change as time rolls on. Indeed, with the aircraft to be delivered by 2029, there is plenty of time to fine-tune capabilities and determine which variant best fits the group closer to delivery. In the announcement, the group explained that today's commitment is an investment in its fleet's continued expansion and modernization and supports its aim to grow flight connectivity at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) hub. This new commitment will bring the Group's new aircraft deliveries to more than 70 aircraft. Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam said it is committed to investing in the group's long-term future and the Hong Kong international aviation hub, which is expected to grow exponentially with the operation of the Three-Runway System. He went on to say: "These aircraft models have been serving Cathay Pacific and HK Express well, allowing us to strengthen the expansion of our Chinese Mainland and regional network for our customers. "As we strive towards achieving our vision of becoming one of the world's great service brands, we remain committed to continuously investing in our customer experience. These aircraft feature the latest technological enhancements to provide a quieter, more comfortable and more fuel-efficient journey for our customers." Cathay Group is happy with the new A321neo it is operating Cathay Group placed an order for 32 Airbus A321neos in 2017 and has already taken in thirteen of the jets, and today's commitment adds up to another 32 single-aisle Airbus aircraft to the Group's fleet. According to ch-aviation.com, Cathay Pacific has 12 A321neos in its fleet with four to be delivered, while HK Express has one A321neo with 15 on order. Apart from the 12 A321neos, Cathay Pacific's narrowbody fleet includes four A320-200s and three A321-200s. Its widebody passenger fleet has 51 A330-300s, 29 A350-900s, 18 A350-1000s, 17 Boeing 777-300s and 39 777-300ERs. With a base in one of the world's major trading centers it's unsurprising that Cathay has 20 freighters, including 14 747-8Fs and six 747-400ERFs, bringing its total fleet count to 193 aircraft. HK Express is the Group's low-cost carrier and operates an all-Airbus fleet of 28 aircraft, with the 15 A321neos to be delivered. The current fleet includes six A320-200s, 10 A320neos, 11 A321-200s and the one A321neo. It is a young fleet with an average age of just 5.9 years that it operates to destinations in China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. With production slots at Boeing and Airbus becoming ever more crowded, the Cathay Group is making decisions now that will pay off in the future. Adding more new-generation aircraft will also help it meet its net-zero and emission-reduction goals. https://simpleflying.com/cathay-commits-32-airbus-a320neo-family/ AviAssist Director Tom Kok Named As Recipient Of 68th Annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Alexandria, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is pleased to announce Tom Kok, director of the AviAssist Foundation, as the 2023 recipient of the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award. Kok, who has led AviAssist since 2008, earned the award for his dedication as the driving force behind the organization for a quarter of a century. The efforts have resulted in major aviation safety improvements across the African continent. AviAssist’s approach focuses on promoting aviation safety and making training available and affordable for every country based upon a common interest in safe air transportation across the continent. Kok’s passion for improving aviation through training and education led him to create a culture of safety that effectively bridges the differences between Africa’s diverse countries and their varying levels of aviation industry experience. Kok leveraged his network in East Africa to establish the AviAssist Safety Promotion Centre, hosted by the University of Rwanda, rapidly generating interest from other countries wanting similar safety training centers. His enduring vision is to help achieve the highest level of aviation safety for all of Africa. As he explores new paths to ensure his vision is fulfilled, Kok’s personal commitment paves the way. The official presentation of the 68th annual Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will take place during the upcoming 76th annual Flight Safety Foundation International Air Safety Summit, which takes place Nov. 6-8. 2023 in Paris, France. For more information on the event, see https://flightsafety.org/event/international-air-safetysummit-2023/ About the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Award On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Mrs. Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In 1956, her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Cliff, established the Award in her honor. For 68 years, this long distinguished award has recognized those responsible for crowning achievements in aviation safety worldwide. The Award was established through early association with the Flight Safety Foundation and from its founding has enjoyed a rich history of Award Board members, nominees and Award recipients. In 2013, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed from members of the Award Committee, the aviation community and the Barbour family. As the foundation plans to broaden the scope of its intent, with great purpose, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to spotlight those champions who pioneer breakthroughs in flight safety. For more information on the foundation, the award, and past winners, visit http://LTBAward.org http://LTBAward.org Curt Lewis