Flight Safety Information - April 25, 2024 No. 083 In This Issue : Incident: ANA B738 at Yonago on Apr 7th 2024, GPWS saves the day : Incident: ANA B788 at Sapporo on Apr 24th 2024, hydraulic leak after landing : Incident: Bonza B38M at Sunshine Coast on Apr 23rd 2024, fumes in cockpit : Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, tried to return to Fairbanks just before AK crash : Medical plane crashes in North Carolina, injuring pilot and doctor on board : American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues : Oklahoma man with ammo in Turks and Caicos airport faces 12 years in prison: 'Risk of losing everything' : NATA’s June Air Charter Summit: Educating Operators, Elevating Standards : PhD GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEYS Survey # 1 Survey # 2 : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: ANA B738 at Yonago on Apr 7th 2024, GPWS saves the day An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 737-800, registration JA69AN performing flight NH-389 from Tokyo Haneda to Yonago (Japan), was on a circling approach to Yonago's runway 07 when the GPWS activated prompting the crew to go around from about 400 feet AGL at about 21:20L (12:20Z). The aircraft positioned for another approach and landed safely on runway 07 about 15 minutes later. Japan's TSB reported they are investigating the occurrence after a ground proximity system activated on approach to the aerodrome, the aircraft performed the GPWS escape procedure and went around. https://avherald.com/h?article=517cfd56&opt=0 Incident: ANA B788 at Sapporo on Apr 24th 2024, hydraulic leak after landing An ANA All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-8, registration JA804A performing flight NH-71 from Tokyo Haneda to Sapporo Chitose (Japan) with 213 people on board, landed on Chitose's runway 19L when during roll out smoke appeared behind the aircraft. The aircraft stopped on the runway and shut the engines down and the smoke disappeared after the engines were shut down. Emergency services responded and detected a hydraulic leak. The airline reported after landing the crew received indication of loss of hydraulic pressure in one of the systems requiring the aircraft to be towed off the runway. https://avherald.com/h?article=517ce6d1&opt=0 Incident: Bonza B38M at Sunshine Coast on Apr 23rd 2024, fumes in cockpit A Bonza Airline Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration VH-UJK performing flight AB-570 from Avalon,VI to Sunshine Coast,QL (Australia), was on approach to Sunshine Coast when the crew donned their oxygen masks and reported an abnormal odour in the cockpit. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 13. Both pilots were taken to a hospital for precautionary checks and released. The airline reported they investigate an abnormal odour on the flight deck of flight AB-570, maintenance checked the aircraft and cleared it for service. The aircraft remained on the ground at Sunshine Coast for about 16 hours, then performed a test flight and resumed service about 18 hours after the occurrence landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=517cce49&opt=0 Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, tried to return to Fairbanks just before AK crash • A pilot reported a fire onboard a plane carrying fuel and tried to return to Fairbanks, Alaska before a crash, an official said. ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday. The pilot had made radio contact about the in-fight emergency shortly after taking off Tuesday, said Clint Johnson, head of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska regional office. They were attempting to return to Fairbanks International Airport when they lost contact, he said. The plane crashed about 7 miles outside Fairbanks, hitting a steep hill and sliding down an embankment to the bank of the Tanana River, bursting into flames. Alaska State Troopers say no survivors were found. Troopers said recovery efforts would resume Wednesday with the aid of dogs, but noted thin ice and open water on the river were making their efforts difficult. The pilots' names have not been released. "The remains that have been recovered will be sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for positive identification," troopers said in a statement. The plane departed Fairbanks just before 10 a.m., loaded with 3,200 gallons (12,100 litres) of heating oil for Kobuk, an Inupiat village of less than 200 people located about 300 miles (480 kilometers) northwest of Fairbanks. Johnson said there was also about 1,200 gallons of aviation fuel aboard the C54D-DC Skymaster plane, a World War II-era airplane that had been converted to a freighter. It is difficult and expensive to get fuel to rural Alaska villages, which are remote and difficult to reach because of the state's limited road system. The Northwest Arctic Borough said heating fuel in Kobuk was $15.45 a gallon in 2022. The Alaska Energy Authority said barges usually deliver fuel to coastal communities. But in villages where barges can't run or it's not economically feasible, air tankers will deliver fuel - but that is even limited by sea or river ice, water levels or ice road availability. The C54D-DC is a military version of the Douglas DC-4, which was a World War II-era airplane. The website www.airlines.net said standard passenger seating for a DC-4 was 44 during its heyday, but most have been converted to freighters. The NTSB has three investigators on the scene. The plane was registered to Alaska Air Fuel of Wasilla. Phone messages left for the company have not been returned. https://abc7chicago.com/alaska-news-pilot-reported-fire-onboard-plane-carrying-fuel-attempted-to-return-fairbanks-just-before-crash/14729111/ Medical plane crashes in North Carolina, injuring pilot and doctor on board A UNC Health plane crashed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) at around 10 a.m. Wednesday, Injuring Dr. Paul Chelminski and pilot Art Johnson A small medical plane crashed at a North Carolina airport on Wednesday, injuring the pilot and a doctor on board. The aircraft came to a complete stop in grass after crashing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) at around 10:10 a.m. ET. The doctor and the pilot were taken to a separate hospitals, according to UNC Health. The general aviation aircraft was arriving at the airport from Wilmington, North Carolina, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority said in a statement to USA TODAY. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop, halting planes from departing from the airport and diverting arriving flights to other airports. The stoppage was lifted around 11:30 a.m. There are conflicting reports about the plane type. The FAA told USA TODAY its aircraft registry lists the aircraft type as a single-engine Socata TBM-700 while the tail number records say it's a TBM-850. Physician identified as Dr. Paul Chelminski The physician on the plane has been identified as Dr. Paul Chelminski, who is in internal medicine at UNC Health. He was taken to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and has since been released, UNC Health news director Alan M. Wolf said. Chelminski, a professor of medicine and pharmacy, was returning from Wilmington after giving a lecture at the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. The pilot, identified as Art Johnson, was taken to Duke University Hospital in Durham and was in fair condition, Wolf added. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to investigate the accident. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/04/24/unc-plane-crash-raleigh-durham-airport/73442963007/ American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet Many of the concerns raised by the pilot's union involved incidents on the ground A new report from a major aviation industry group is shedding light on just how many problems have been identified in the skies. The Allied Pilots Association (APA), the union that represents American Airlines pilots, recently published a document revealing that they have been "tracking a significant spike in safety- and maintenance-related problems in our operation." The report, released April 13, noted that "while United Airlines is currently under public and government scrutiny, it could just as easily be American Airlines." It went on to detail specific instances of safety breakdowns and near-miss events, and urged employees not to "be pressured into doing something that doesn't pass the 'smell test.'" The APA's report comes as the aviation industry, particularly aircraft manufacturer Boeing, is facing heightened scrutiny over a series of safety malfunctions. But while these issues have been well-documented, the APA's report seems to reveal a problem that is far-reaching — and potentially deadly. What did the APA's report find? The report cited numerous close calls that could have led to mechanical problems, but also identified issues with employees allegedly being pressured to clear planes. This includes tools being left in wheel wells, an increasing number of collisions between aircraft being tugged or towed, the removal of certain overnight maintenance checks, an absence of certain flight permits, increasing intervals between routine aircraft inspections and an increasing number of items being left in hazardous areas near jet bridges. The APA, which represents about 15,000 American Airlines pilots, noted that "just because it's legal doesn't make it safe." It urged employees to "be mindful of the hazards while operating on the ramps and taxiways in congested airports staffed with inexperienced controllers and ground personnel." What was the response to the report? Days after the initial report, the APA's leadership said in a press release that it had "met with senior management earlier this month to discuss the operational hazards we have identified." The union had "secured management's commitment to involve the union earlier in the safety risk assessment (SRA) process, and we are likewise seeking a commitment that APA will have a seat at the table for the entire quality assurance process." Additionally, the "initial response to our request was encouraging," Dennis Tajer, a union spokesman, said to Bloomberg, adding that the APA "fully intend to do everything we can to assure that American maintains strong margins of safety." American Airlines itself shot back at the APA's report on its safety procedures. "Safety at any airline is a shared mission and it's especially true at American," the airline said in a statement, per NBC News. American's safety program is "guided by our industry-leading safety management system" and "includes a multitude of collaborative programs — and regular touchpoints — with the FAA and all our unions, including APA, to further bolster our strong safety record and enhance our ever-evolving safety culture." What does this mean for the wider aviation industry? While this report involved American, United Airlines is currently the one being looked at with a microscope. There have been "roughly a dozen incidents on United Airlines flights last month alone," said a report from CNN. This prompted United CEO Scott Kirby to issue a press release to customers about safety and led to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) increasing oversight of the airline. A United spokesperson said the FAA would "begin to review some of our work processes, manuals and facilities," and would temporarily pause certifications for the airline. It is unclear if similar measures will be undertaken by the FAA regarding American. However, the union warning comes as the entire industry faces a reckoning over safety. Not only are United and American now in the crosshairs, but Boeing "still faces high scrutiny as federal prosecutors widen their criminal probe into the January flight" that saw a door plug blow off a 737 Max 9 plane, the Houston Chronicle said. All of these factors combined could put more pressures on airlines and Boeing, the latter of which received further scrutiny during recent whistleblower testimony to Congress. Similar to the allegations against American, whistleblowers suggest that Boeing "had been overly focused on ramping up production while also cutting costs," Vox said. However, we "don't know yet what the results of the ongoing regulatory and criminal investigations into these recent safety scares will be." https://theweek.com/business/american-airlines-safety Oklahoma man with ammo in Turks and Caicos airport faces 12 years in prison: 'Risk of losing everything' A Turks and Caicos court confirmed that Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail on Tuesday for the ammunition possession charge An Oklahoma man is facing up to 12 years in prison for having ammunition in his carry-on bag at a Turks and Caicos airport, according to a GoFundMe page for his family. Ryan and Valerie Watson, the parents of two young children, were flying home from their island vacation, where they were celebrating a friend's 40th birthday, on April 12 when they were arrested at the airport. "They had their lives turned upside down when they tried to return home, as local airport security found four rounds of ammunition unknowingly left in a duff[le]bag from a deer hunting trip," a description on the family's GoFundMe page states. "It was not noticed by TSA when leaving America. Now, they are facing a legal system that is unfamiliar, daunting, and expensive that operates differently than the American Justice System." The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a travel alert in September 2023 telling Americans not to bring ammunition to the islands. Ryan and Valerie Watson were arrested in Turks and Caicos on April 12 after island airport officials found ammunition in Ryan's carry-on bag. Ryan faces up to 12 years in prison. (GoFundMe) "TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearms related laws," the alert states. "The penalty for traveling to TCI with a firearm, ammunition, or other weapon is a minimum custodial sentence of twelve (12) years." The embassy further stated that Americans should "carefully check" their luggage "for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing for TCI." But the Watsons insist they made a terrible mistake. Valerie Watson was released from jail in Turks and Caicos on Tuesday, but her husband remains in custody "with no current timetable for any possibility of bail or trial date." A Turks and Caicos court confirmed that Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail on Tuesday for the ammunition possession charge (Turks and Caicos police) "While we appreciate your support and willingness to help, please do not reach out directly to any of the TCI government officials during this time," the family wrote on their GoFundMe page. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on Wednesday confirmed Ryan Watson's arrest, saying the 40-year-old Oklahoma resident appeared in magistrate court Wednesday, when he was charged with one count of ammunition possession. He was also granted $15,000 bail under the condition that he does not travel outside the islands without the court's permission, he surrenders his passport, he reports to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides at a specific address. Ryan is due back in court for a "sufficiency" hearing on June 7, officials said. Ryan Watson was granted $15,000 bail under the condition that he does not travel outside the islands without the court's permission, he surrenders his passport, he reports to the Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he resides at a specific address. (Getty Images) The Wastson family's GoFundMe page says the couple faces "mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the overwhelming stress of their situation." "The emotional and financial toll is immense, and they are at risk of losing everything," the page reads. https://www.foxnews.com/us/oklahoma-man-ammo-turks-caicos-airport-faces-12-years-prison-risk-losing-everything PhD GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY My name is Michail Karyotakis. I am a Research student at Cranfield University in the UK. Currently, I am working on my Research project, which is focused on Developing a Dynamic Safety Management Framework for Advanced Air Mobility Operations. The following Questionnaires serve the main purpose of data collection since data on the Research field is limited. The surveys are not affiliated with any airline, training organisation, or any other. Participation in the surveys is voluntary and anonymous (if desired by the participant). Each survey will take about 10 minutes to be completed. Thank you in advance for your time and patience. Your participation is highly appreciated. Please click the link below to enter the survey: https://cranfielduniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1M8LnQdhnjnu0Jg (1) https://cranfielduniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmoQJRGyrp9PUEK (2) Student email: michail.k.karyotakis@cranfield.ac.uk CALENDAR OF EVENTS • Blazetech - Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course June 4 - 7, 2024 • (APTSC) Asia and Pacific Turboprop Safety Conference - June 26 - 27, 2024 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc. (APSCON 2024) - July 29 - August 3; Houston TX • Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium - APATS 2024, 0-11 September, 2024, Singapore • Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 17 & 18 September - London • 2024 Ground Handling Safety Symposium (GHSS) - September 17-18, 2024 - Fort Worth, TX • 2024 ISASI - Lisbon, Portugal - September 30 to October 4, 2024 • International Congress of Aerospace Medicine ICAM 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, 3 - 5 October 2024 • Aviation Health Conference back on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th October 2024 • 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition - Oct. 22-24 (Vegas) Curt Lewis