Flight Safety Information - October 13, 2023 No. 199 In This Issue : Incident: Canada B773 near St. John's on Oct 2nd 2023, hydraulic system failure : Incident: United B752 near Gander on Oct 7th 2023, engine vibrations : Incident: CAA AT72 at Bunia on Oct 11th 2023, runway excursion on landing : 'Indian carriers have over 4,800 pilots trained to land in fog:' : 2nd gun arrest at Pittsburgh airport in 3 days : Loaded handgun found inside man's carry-on bag at Rochester airport : Airbus Helicopters Builds Aircraft with 3D-printed Parts : Addressing the Aircraft Mechanic Shortage: Amazon Boosts Tuition Aid - New Report Reveals the Lucrative : 'Take me out': Demand for private jet flights out of Israel surges : Father of American Airlines worker killed in accident sues, accuses airline of negligence : Israel to provide $6 billion war insurance cover for Israeli airlines : AAR elects Billy Nolen to its Board of Directors : U.S. citizens will have access to charter flights out of Israel beginning Friday Incident: Canada B773 near St. John's on Oct 2nd 2023, hydraulic system failure An Air Canada Boeing 777-300, registration C-FIVR performing flight AC-80 from Toronto,ON to Tel Aviv (Israel), was enroute at FL330 about 350nm west of St. John's,NL (Canada) when the crew decided to return to Toronto due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft descended to FL320 for the return and landed safely on Toronto's runway 23 about 2:!5 hours later. A replacement Boeing 777-200 registration C-FNND reached Tel Aviv with a delay of about 8 hours. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 50 hours before returning to service. The Canadian TSB reported maintenance found the left rudder PCU leaking. The PCU was replaced. https://avherald.com/h?article=50f9dc78&opt=0 Incident: United B752 near Gander on Oct 7th 2023, engine vibrations A United Boeing 757-200, registration N41140 performing flight UA-317 from Newark,NJ (USA) to Dublin (Ireland), was enroute at FL370 about 210nm westnorthwest of Gander,NL (Canada) when the crew declared PAN PAN reporting high engine (RB211) vibrations and decided to return to Newark. The aircraft descended to FL250 and landed safely back on Newark's runway 22L about 5 hours after departure and about 2:50 hours after leaving FL370. The rotation was cancelled. A listener on frequency reported: "a UAL flight declared a pan pan and diverted to EWR due to 'high engine vibration'". On Oct 12th 2023 the Canadian TSB reported: "While in cruise about 2 hours and 40 minutes into the flight (at 52°23' N, 055°01' W) the flight crew heard a bang and noted a momentary yaw of the aircraft. The flight crew noted the EICAS message for number 1 engine (Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4B) vibration, consulted the QRH, reduced left engine power until the vibration decreased below the amber range, and declared an emergency. The flight crew consulted with company maintenance control personnel and decided to return to KEWR. The diversion was coordinated with ATS, and the flight landed at KEWR without further incident. Company maintenance identified a crack at the 1 o'clock position on the number 1 engine exhaust nozzle and removed and replaced the engine." https://avherald.com/h?article=50f8f5d8&opt=0 Incident: CAA AT72 at Bunia on Oct 11th 2023, runway excursion on landing A CAA Compagnie Africaine Aviation Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration 9S-ACE performing flight BU-1844 from Isiro to Bunia (DR Congo), landed in Bunia but went off the runway and came to a stop with all gear on soft ground at around 17:45L (15:45Z). There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained minor damage if any damage. A local resident watching the scene reported the crew reported technical problems prior to landing. Bunia features an asphalt runway 10/28 of 1850 meters/6070 feet length at an elevation of 1233 meters/4045 feet. Satellite Images as well as comments from locals suggest that the runway surface is seriously deteriorated however and may have had a role in the occurrence. No weather data are available. https://avherald.com/h?article=50f97e10&opt=0 'Indian carriers have over 4,800 pilots trained to land in fog:' NEW DELHI: India currently has 4,804 pilots - 2,979 captains and 1,825 co-pilots - trained to land in fog. Six airports have category III (Cat III) instrument landing system (ILS) where compliant aircraft with low visibility operation-trained pilots can land in dense fog. "....CAT I (shallow fog ILS) capability will be enabled at eight airports while facilities will be upgraded from CAT I to CAT II in four airports," Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday informed the ministry's consultative committee while briefing about the fog preparedness of Indian aviation ecosystem this winter. The two months from December 10 and February 10 are usually considered as the fog period. "... During fog period, airlines are directed to change their flight schedules in order to eliminate non CAT II/CAT III compliant aircraft from operation. Airlines are also directed to ensure scheduling of CAT II/CAT III qualified crew suitably," the ministry said in a statement. This "pro-active approach led to significant decline in flight cancellations and flight diversions during the fog period," it added. This "has led to significant decline in flight cancellations and flight diversions during the fog period despite an increase of 22% in numbers of aircraft movements in the past two years. In 2021-22, 124 flights were cancelled out of 136374 total aircraft movements, which amounted to 0.09%, rate of cancellations. The figure declined to 86 cancellations for 166927 total aircraft movements in 2022-23, leading to 0.05% rate of cancellations. Similarly, in 2021-22, 58 flight diversions took place from the 8 main fog prone airports which declined to 14 in 2022-23," the statement said. recommended by "Every year DGCA undertakes an exercise to ensure that airlines and aerodrome operators take actions to prepare themselves for fog conditions well in advance so that disruptions and services in terms of flight cancellations and diversions are minimised. Towards this end, DGCA engages with all stake-holders to check on the readiness of the required support systems on ground and the operators in terms of aircraft availability and trained crew for operations in CAT II/III conditions," the statement quoted minister Scindia as saying. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-carriers-have-over-4800-pilots-trained-to-land-in-fog-scindia/articleshow/104401856.cms?from=mdr 2nd gun arrest at Pittsburgh airport in 3 days For the second time in three days, Allegheny County police arrested a passenger at Pittsburgh International Airport after a gun was found in his carry-on luggage. It was the 37th found at the airport this year. Jamal Pittman, 40, of Mississippi was accused of having a loaded 9 mm handgun at a security checkpoint when he tried to board a plane shortly after 1 p.m., county police said. Pittman was taken into custody and charged with a felony county of illegal possession of a firearm and misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm without permit. Pittman is the ninth person this year to face charges for bringing a firearm to an airport checkpoint. He is being detained in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of a $20,000 cash bond to await a preliminary hearing on Oct. 23 before District Judge Randy Martini, court records show. The FBI also was notified of the arrest, police said. On Tuesday county police arrested a Uniontown man after he was stopped with an illegal gun at the main security checkpoint at the airport. Tuesday’s incident set a new annual record for the number of guns found in carry-on bags, according to authorities. Passengers who bring a weapon into an airport security checkpoint can face federal civil fines from the Transportation Security Administration up to $10,000. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $13,910. https://triblive.com/local/morning-roundup-2nd-gun-arrest-at-pittsburgh-airport-in-3-days-closings-near-armstrong-tunnel/ Loaded handgun found inside man's carry-on bag at Rochester airport • A.380 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds was found inside an Ontario County man's luggage at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Rochester, N.Y. — A loaded gun was found at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport Thursday morning. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said a man from Ontario County had a .380 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds in his carry-on bag, which was detected at the security checkpoint. The man could face a penalty of up to $15,000, according to the TSA. It was the fourth handgun officials have detected at the airport's security checkpoint so far this year. https://13wham.com/news/local/loaded-handgun-found-inside-mans-carry-on-bag-at-rochester-airport Airbus Helicopters Builds Aircraft with 3D-printed Parts Airbus Helicopters SAS is expanding its additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities with a new 3D printing center in Donauwörth, Germany, the company announced. The metal 3D printers, provided by Trumpf, will be used to manufacture aircraft components for both Airbus Helicopters and its parent company, Airbus. "With innovative manufacturing processes, we are working on the helicopters of the future in Donauwörth. Among other things, 3D printing helps reduce the weight of components," says Helmut Färber, site manager of Airbus Helicopters in Donauwörth. According to the company, the lighter weight components will reduce fuel consumption, lower costs, and reduce CO2 emissions in flight. Airbus Helicopters will use the 3D printing process to produce components for the electric-powered CityAirbus, the experimental high-speed Racer helicopter, and the Airbus A350 and A320 passenger aircraft. "With its manufacturing know-how, Trumpf is a reliable partner to the aviation industry worldwide. Our 3D printing systems are a key technology on the path to sustainable flying and reduced dependency on long supply chains," says Richard Bannmueller, CEO of Trumpf Laser and System Technology. Trumpf says AM allows entire assemblies to be printed as one stable component while meeting the strict safety requirements of the aviation industry. The structural components are made of titanium and high-strength aluminum. "Additive manufacturing saves expensive raw material and can lower production costs in the aviation industry. 3D printers only use the material that designers actually need for their components and that ends up taking off in the aircraft," says Bannmueller. https://www.sme.org/technologies/articles/2023/october/airbus-helicopters-builds-aircraft-with-3d-printed-parts/ Addressing the Aircraft Mechanic Shortage: Amazon Boosts Tuition Aid - New Report Reveals the Lucrative Dublin, Oct. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the aviation sector grapples with a pronounced shortage of skilled mechanics, industry giant Amazon steps up to offer promising solutions. According to a recent article, the e-commerce titan is now furnishing tuition assistance for aspiring aircraft mechanics, a move highlighting the pressing need for skilled personnel in this sector. But what does this signify for the broader Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) industry? The newly unveiled research report “Top 20 Commercial Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Companies 2023” available on ResearchandMarkets.com, sheds insightful light on the matter, illustrating a future that brims with opportunity. Projected to exceed a revenue of US$86.1 billion in 2023, the MRO market is on track to witness substantial growth till 2033. The research meticulously uncovers the potential powerhouses in the sector, their capabilities, commercial prospects, and advancements, positioning businesses for optimal success. Such deep dives are critical for business entrepreneurs and managers aiming to decipher the intricacies of the industry. In a world where air travel demand escalates incessantly, efficient MRO services are paramount. The drive for economic growth, burgeoning tourism, and the need for enhanced connectivity are fanning the flames of this demand. Ensuring aircraft remain in prime operational condition is vital. More aircraft utilisation and rapid turnaround times elevate the call for MRO services that are swift yet unyielding on safety and quality standards. For airlines to accommodate the ever-increasing number of passengers, impeccable MRO services are non-negotiable. Yet, a significant challenge looms: the glaring shortage of skilled technicians, engineers, and mechanics. This research report delves deep into this complex issue, exploring facets like recruitment, training, and the fair compensation of these indispensable professionals. The shortfall in Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) – those entrusted with crucial maintenance, repairs, and safety checks – is a global predicament affecting regions from the US to Asia. For those considering the investment in a market research report, some critical questions arise: How is the MRO market evolving? What are the factors steering its trajectory? Which submarkets will witness significant growth by 2033? What role do leading companies play, and what does the future hold for them? The “Top 20 Commercial Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Companies 2023” report answers these pressing questions and more. With 217 pages replete with 65 tables and 42 charts/graphs, it provides an unparalleled vantage point. The report pinpoints lucrative industry segments, details successful trends, and outlines revenue trajectories set by competitors. Today, understanding how the MRO market will unfurl over the next decade, especially in light of the repercussions of COVID-19, is imperative. The study includes a comprehensive analysis, offering invaluable insights on how the pandemic will reshape the industry. Featuring forecasts to 2033, the latest results, growth rates, and market shares, the research report is a treasure trove of qualitative analyses. From understanding market dynamics and opportunities to recognising challenges and the implications of rising MRO prices, this comprehensive guide is an indispensable asset for those keen on staying ahead in the industry. For businesses seeking direction amidst the turbulent waters of the aviation sector, this research report serves as the compass, revealing the course to success in the dynamic world of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8p00ai https://finance.yahoo.com/news/addressing-aircraft-mechanic-shortage-amazon-141300823.html 'Take me out': Demand for private jet flights out of Israel surges GENEVA, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Demand for charter flights including private jets costing up to $50,000 a trip is mounting as people rush to get out of Israel, the CEO of Switzerland-based LunaJets told Reuters on Friday. Deadly attacks on Israel by Hamas militants have been followed by Israeli retaliatory bombardment on Gaza and a build-up of tanks around its border. Some governments such as the United States, France and Germany are evacuating citizens by charter flights but some planes are full and others have been cancelled as airlines wrestle with the risks. "They are all immediate requests. We need to go, we need to get out. It's not about, you know, I'm ready to fly at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. It's how soon can we go?" Eymeric Segard, CEO and founder of private jet broker LunaJets, told Reuters. Often passengers are not worried about any particular destination, saying only somewhere in central Europe. "They just say: ‘Take me out’," he said. In a typical week, the Geneva-based firm would operate one or possibly two Tel Aviv charter flights but it plans 10 this week carrying some 500 passengers, he said, including to destinations like Paris, Dubai and Geneva. The firm has also had flight requests out of Amman, Jordan, and Beirut, Lebanon. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/take-me-out-demand-private-jet-flights-out-israel-surges-2023-10-13/ Father of American Airlines worker killed in accident sues, accuses airline of negligence A Travis County medical examiner and Austin police ruled the death an accident. That was despite an American Airlines investigator's claim to authorities that the death could have been a suicide. The father of an American Airlines employee who was killed while operating a ground service vehicle at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport earlier this year has sued his son's former employer, claiming the Fort Worth-based airline's negligence led to the accidental death. On April 20, Michal Ingraham, 37, was fatally injured while driving a pushback — a type of vehicle used to move large aircraft — known by some airline staff to have “several mechanical issues,” according to Austin police reports obtained by the American-Statesman. Those issues, airport staff told investigators, included a reported brake failure, a collision 10 days before the fatal incident and a sticking accelerator. A Travis County medical examiner and investigators came to the same conclusion: The death was an accident. Their conclusion rebuffed assertions from an American Airlines corporate investigator who told police investigators the death could have been a suicide, according to the reports. A 14-ton ground service vehicle called a pushback was being driven by an American Airlines employee when it crashed into a jet bridge by Gate 24 at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas. A witness told Austin police the pushback “accelerated faster than normal and then veered to the right" before the crash. Michal Ingraham's father, David Ingraham, filed the wrongful death lawsuit July 23, two days after the Statesman published the story on the police's investigation. In the six-page petition, the Washington resident asked for a jury trial, compensation to cover medical expenses, funeral and burial costs and $1 million in monetary relief. In a six-page response filed last week, attorneys representing American Airlines denied that the airline had been negligent. Included in the filing is a general denial, a statement asking the court to require the plaintiff prove its case. David Ingraham nor his Houston-based attorneys, Noah Wexler and Jason Itkin, responded to inquiries this week. A spokesperson for American Airlines did not respond to inquiries Thursday. Attorneys for Ingraham said American Airlines was negligent in its upkeep of the pushback, failing to address the vehicle's "malfunctioning and mechanical deficiencies." The airline's inaction led to the fatal April 20 incident, according to the lawsuit. The degree to which American Airlines oversaw the upkeep of the pushback — which crash scene photos show bears an American Airlines logo on the side — is not clear. Investigators were told the maintenance of the pushback was handled by a different company: Menzies Airlines, a U.K.-based company with a Texas office in Grapevine. Menzies Airlines is not named or mentioned in the lawsuit or American Airline's response. Also not mentioned is an American Airlines investigator's assertion to Austin police that the death was a suicide. David Ingraham told police he had spoken with the airline investigator in the days after the accident, saying the idea of his son killing himself "would be a shock to him," according to the police reports. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an investigation into both American Airlines and Menzies Airlines after the incident. In a statement on Thursday, Juan Rodríguez, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, said both investigations were ongoing as of this week. According to police reports, OSHA investigators planned to have a specialist examine the pushback to determine whether any mechanical malfunctions had occurred. At the conclusion of its investigation, OSHA could levy fines against either company. The lawsuit landed in the 200th District Court in Travis County, where District Judge Jessica Mangrum presides. https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2023/10/13/lawsuit-says-american-airlines-was-negligent-i-killed-in-accident-sues-accuses-airline-of-negligence/71147960007/ Israel to provide $6 billion war insurance cover for Israeli airlines JERUSALEM, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Israel's parliamentary finance committee approved a plan to provide a state guarantee of $6 billion to cover insurance against war risks to Israeli airlines, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday. The guarantee framework will grant Israeli airlines insurance policies against war risks, thereby ensuring the continuity of air operations in Israel. Due to the outbreak of war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas last weekend, the insurance companies insuring flag carrier El Al Airlines (ELAL.TA), Israir (ISRG.TA) and Arkia have said that the terms of their policies indicated that in time of war, within seven days of notification, the insurers are entitled to cancel insurance policies. Advertisement · Scroll to continue As a result, the Finance Ministry sought state guarantees that needed to be approved by lawmakers. While many global airlines have cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Israel's three carriers are still flying, even adding flights to bring back Israelis who are stranded - many of whom are returning as reserves in the military. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israel-provide-6-billion-war-insurance-cover-israeli-airlines-2023-10-12/ AAR elects Billy Nolen to its Board of Directors Wood Dale, Illinois, Oct. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, announced today that Billy Nolen has been elected to AAR’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Nolen, 66, brings more than 30 years of aviation experience across safety, operations, and regulatory affairs. He recently served as acting FAA Administrator and is currently the Chief Safety Officer at Archer Aviation Inc., a leading air mobility company known for developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. While at the FAA, Mr. Nolen revamped certification requirements and airport-focused safety management systems and earlier served as the FAA’s Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. Mr. Nolen’s aviation experience began during his service in the U.S. Army, where he was an airplane and helicopter pilot and a safety officer. Following his military experience, Mr. Nolen moved into commercial aviation, becoming a pilot for American Airlines. There, Nolen transitioned to managing the company’s Operations Aviation Safety Action Partnership program before assuming a Senior Manager of Flight Safety position. He transitioned to Airlines for America, where he was the Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, and Operations, and to Qantas Group, where he was the Executive Manager of Group Safety and Health. Nolen later joined WestJet as Vice President of Safety, Security, and Quality. “Mr. Nolen brings a unique combination of commercial, government, and military expertise in aviation and a vison for the future of the industry. He will add to the breadth of experience we have on our Board and help guide the continued execution of our strategy,” said John M. Holmes, AAR’s Chairman, President and CEO. “AAR prioritizes the safety of flight in all that we do. We look forward to advancing our ‘Quality first. Safety always.’ culture by drawing from Mr. Nolen’s strong safety background.” “I admire AAR’s proactive approach to safety, including fidelity to its corporate safety management system program,” said Mr. Nolen. “Safety is paramount in aviation, and I’m honored to join a Board with values tied so closely to my own.” For more information on AAR, visit aarcorp.com. About AAR AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com. https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/news/aar-elects-billy-nolen-to-its-board-of-directors/article_c769f13f-4b06-588a-bb62-f09453c01243.html U.S. citizens will have access to charter flights out of Israel beginning Friday The U.S. government announced it will provide charter flights for American citizens and their immediate families looking to leave Israel. The flights, which are set to begin on Friday, will operate to locations in Europe where there is more commercial capacity across the Atlantic. U.S. citizens in Israel in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form at travel.state.gov. “We are all acutely aware of limited availability right now on commercial flights out of Israel and the demand signal of U.S. citizens who may want to depart. The president has asked his team to ensure we are assisting U.S. citizens who do want to leave Israel in providing them with a safe means of doing that,” John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council said during a White House press briefing Thursday. “We’re also exploring other options to expand the capacity of doing this including exploring whether it’s possible to help Americans leave by land and by sea.” Kirby said that the State Department is still finalizing details of the plan and did not make more specifics available. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/10/12/charter-flights-will-aid-americans-leaving-israel-white-house-says/71157081007/ Curt Lewis