Flight Safety Information - June 4, 2025 No. 111 In This Issue : Incident: Oman B38M at Muscat on May 31st 2025, flaps problem : Incident: Venezolana B732 at Caracas on May 31st 2025, hydraulic failure, runway excursion : Incident: Georgian B763 at Xian on May 28th 2025, approached wrong runway : Incident: Eurowings A320 at Nuremberg on Jun 2nd 2025, temperature indication : Embraer ERJ-145LR - Hydraulic Leak/Air Return (North Carolina) : US airlines seek 2-year delay for secondary cockpit barrier rule : EU bans all air carriers from Tanzania and Suriname over oversight shortcomings : Mass Staff Departures Aren't Making A $31 Billion Air Safety Overhaul Any Easier : Expanding missile threats and airspace closures are straining airlines : Goodyear Blimp Celebrates a Century in Flight : Chinese airlines considering ordering hundreds of Airbus jets, Bloomberg News reports : Airlines and planemakers warn that credit card legislation could end frequent-flier rewards : Report: More than 1,200 FAA Employees Expected to Leave Agency In Coming Months : Woman assaults flight attendant during overhead bag argument: Charges : GRADUATE RESEARCH REQUEST : Calendar of Events : TODAY'S PHOTO Incident: Oman B38M at Muscat on May 31st 2025, flaps problem An Oman Air Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration A4O-ML performing flight WY-815 from Muscat (Oman) to Bangkok (Thailand), was climbing out of Muscat's runway 26L when the crew maintained low speed (below 290 knots over ground) and stopped the climb at 12,000 feet due to problems with the flaps. The aircraft entered a hold to burn off fuel and returned to Muscat for a safe landing on runway 26R at a higher speed than normal (about 170 knots over ground) about 2:50 hours after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-8 MAX registration A4O-MH reached Bangkok with a delay of about 6 hours. The airline reported a technical issue immediately after takeoff. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Muscat about 82 hours (3 days 10 hours) after landing back. Oman's Civil Aviation Authority opened an investigation into the occurrence. https://avherald.com/h?article=52894d84&opt=0 Incident: Venezolana B732 at Caracas on May 31st 2025, hydraulic failure, runway excursion A Venezolana Boeing 737-200, registration YV3471 performing flight WW-225 from Caracas to Maracaibo (Venezuela) with 96 people on board, was climbing out of Caracas when the crew decided to return to Caracas due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft landed safely back on runway 10 and slowed to taxi speed. While attempting to turn off the runway onto taxiway E the aircraft lost directional control, the aircraft turned before the taxiway and came to a stop with all gear on soft ground. The passengers disembarked via stairs onto soft ground. https://avherald.com/h?article=52894b30&opt=0 Incident: Georgian B763 at Xian on May 28th 2025, approached wrong runway A Georgian Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration 4L-GMC performing flight GH-1180 (dep May 27th) from Tbilisi (Georgia) to Xian (China), was cleared to land on Xian's runway 23L at about 05:30L (21:30Z May 27th), but aligned with the runway under construction immediately to the left, which is under construction and is to become runway 24L. Tower instructed the aircraft to go around, the crew aborted the approach, repositioned for another approach and landed without further incident. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 15 hours before returning to Tbilisi. China's Authorities have opened an investigation. The airport reported a foreign aircraft approached the wrong runway and was instructed to go around. The runway, still under construction, is just undergoing preparation for becoming active, it had just been powered and lit up for debugging purposes. https://avherald.com/h?article=52893c7b&opt=0 Incident: Eurowings A320 at Nuremberg on Jun 2nd 2025, temperature indication A Eurowings Airbus A320-200, registration 9H-EUN performing flight EW-6817 from Nuremberg (Germany) to Palma Mallorca,SP (Spain) with 178 people on board, had departed Nuremberg's runway 28 and had just levelled off at FL310 when the crew decided to return to Nuremberg. The aircraft landed safely on runway 28 about 35 minutes after departure. Local police reported there had been a heat source in one of the passenger overhead compartments. The source of the heat is under investigation. The airline reported there was an abnormal temperature indication in the cargo area. Emergency services were requested on stand by as a precaution but did not need to intervene. The aircraft departed again after about two hours on the ground and reached Palma Mallorca with a delay of about 2.5 hours. https://avherald.com/h?article=5289336e&opt=0 Embraer ERJ-145LR - Hydraulic Leak/Air Return (North Carolina) Date: Tuesday 3 June 2025 Time: 20:02 LT Type: Embraer ERJ-145LR Owner/operator: American Eagle, opb Piedmont Airlines Registration: N693AE MSN: 14500868 Year of manufacture: 2004 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Unknown Category: Incident Location: near Whiteville, NC - United States of America Phase: Initial climb Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Jacksonville-Albert J Ellis Airport, NC (OAJ/KOAJ) Destination airport: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, NC (CLT/KCLT) Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources Narrative: American Eagle flight AA5702 departed Jacksonville, NC for a one-hour flight to Charlotte, NC operated by a 25-year-old Embraer ERJ 145LR registered N693AE. But after takeoff from runway 5 the pilots stopped the climb at 14,300 feet and declared a general emergency (squawk 7700) due to suspected hydraulic issue. The aircraft turned around and landed back at Jacksonville only 26 minutes after takeoff. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/516745 US airlines seek 2-year delay for secondary cockpit barrier rule (Reuters) -Major U.S. airlines want the Federal Aviation Administration to delay by two years the requirement set to take effect in Augustthat new passenger airplanes have a secondary barrier to the flight deck to prevent intrusions, the agency said on Tuesday. Airlines for America, the trade group representing American Airlines , United Airlines , Delta Air Lines and other major carriers, said in a petition that the FAA should delay the requirement finalized in 2023 because the agency has not yet approved a secondary cockpit barrier and no manuals, procedures or training programs have been authorized. The FAA said it was opening the airlines' request for public comment through June 23. After the hijacking of four U.S. airplanes on September 11, 2001, the FAA adopted standards for flight deck security to make them resistant to forcible intrusion and unauthorized entry. The airlines' petition said they expect the FAA to certify the barriers in June or July. The FAA did not immediately comment. The rule requires aircraft manufacturers to install a second physical barrier on planes used in commercial passenger service in the United States. The FAA said in 2023 the additional barrier will protect flight decks from intrusion when the flight deck door is open. Air Line Pilots Association President Jason Ambrosi criticized the industry request. "We urge the FAA to reject this latest stalling tactic and implement, without delay, the secondary barrier requirement as Congress mandated," he said. Unions in 2023 urged that the rule take effect one year after publication, while Boeing, Airbus and Airlines for America had called for three years. The FAA was supposed to have adopted rules by 2019 under a 2018 federal law, but the agency has said it was required to follow procedural rules before it could impose new regulations. The FAA is not requiring existing airplanes to be retrofitted. The FAA in 2007 set rules to address flight deck security when the cockpit door was opened, including requiring the door be locked when the airplane is in operation, unless necessary to open it to permit access by authorized persons. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/us-airlines-want-faa-delay-191550113.html EU bans all air carriers from Tanzania and Suriname over oversight shortcomings EU aviation safety list updated. Tzitzikostas: "We urge both countries to address these problems promptly." Brussels – The EU “closed its airspace” to aircraft registered in Tanzania and Suriname. The European Commission updated the EU aviation safety list, which lists airlines subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union because they do not meet international safety standards. Based on this revision, all air carriers certified in Suriname and Tanzania have been included in the list and can no longer operate within the EU. The reason, explains the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, is the “serious deficiencies in national aviation oversight” for the two states. “We urge both countries to address these problems promptly.” https://www.eunews.it/en/2025/06/03/eu-bans-all-air-carriers-from-tanzania-and-suriname-over-oversight-shortcomings/ Mass Staff Departures Aren't Making A $31 Billion Air Safety Overhaul Any Easier Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a plan last month to finally modernize the country's crumbling air traffic control infrastructure, which is estimated to cost $31 billion. While Duffy and other Trump administration officials are quick to claim that they inherited a broken system from President Joe Biden, they poured gasoline on the dumpster fire they walked into. The Federal Aviation Administration is assessing the impact of losing over 1,200 employees in Trump's deferred-resignation program, an initiative to reduce government spending by shrinking the federal workforce. An internal presentation to senior FAA management from early May, obtained by the Wall Street Journal, emphasized the loss of institutional knowledge and experience caused by the gutting of the agency's experts. This is an entirely different story from what the White House disseminated when the deferred-resignation program began in January. The program, in short, dangled a carrot of months-long paid leave for employees to resign or prematurely retire. The Trump administration downplayed the potential consequences because air traffic controllers, inspectors and other front-line safety personnel weren't eligible. Air traffic controllers aren't the only people who work at the FAA The White House's line of thought is that if they aren't reporting to an air traffic control tower, then their job isn't essential. Agency management is concerned that the mass departures could negatively impact work to improve runway safety and medical clearance processing for pilots and controllers. What is the point of allocating billions of dollars to modernizing systems at nearly 90 airports if there isn't anyone to implement it? The Trump administration's actions to address the decline in air safety have been scatter-brained at best. On one hand, President Trump wants to dish out a single massive contract to one company to complete all of the modernization work. However, the FAA is fast-tracking the training of air traffic control trainees to fill these revamped towers and other facilities. I want to believe this will be a genuine effort to improve air safety, but the recent past says otherwise. While the White House is fixated on reducing the federal budget, it continues to give massive deals to its allies, like the State Department giving Tesla a $400 million contract for armored electric vehicles. https://www.jalopnik.com/1873578/faa-staff-departures-effect-31-billion-safety-overhaul/ Expanding missile threats and airspace closures are straining airlines Airline companies face challenges due to increasing global conflicts. These conflicts impact flight routes and raise operational costs. Airlines reroute flights to avoid conflict zones. Recent events, like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, affect air travel. GPS jamming and airspace closures add to the difficulties. The industry prioritizes safety amid rising security concerns. Airlines submit their inputs on airspace closure impact to civil aviation ministryAgencies Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, executives say, as carriers grapple with missiles and drones, airspace closures, location spoofing and the shoot-down of another passenger flight. Airlines are racking up costs and losing market share from cancelled flights and expensive re-routings, often at short notice. The aviation industry, which prides itself on its safety performance, is investing more in data and security planning. "Flight planning in this kind of environment is extremely difficult ... The airline industry thrives on predictability, and the absence of this will always drive greater cost," said Guy Murray, who leads aviation security at European carrier TUI Airline. With increasing airspace closures around Russia and Ukraine, throughout the Middle East, between India and Pakistan and in parts of Africa, airlines are left with fewer route options. "Compared to five years ago, more than half of the countries being overflown on a typical Europe-Asia flight would now need to be carefully reviewed before each flight," said Mark Zee, founder of OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East since October 2023 led to commercial aviation sharing the skies with short-notice barrages of drones and missiles across major flight paths - some of which were reportedly close enough to be seen by pilots and passengers. Russian airports, including in Moscow, are now regularly shut down for brief periods due to drone activity, while interference with navigation systems, known as GPS spoofing or jamming, is surging around political fault lines worldwide. When hostilities broke out between India and Pakistan last month, the neighbours blocked each other's aircraft from their respective airspace. "Airspace should not be used as a retaliatory tool, but it is," Nick Careen, International Air Transport Association (IATA) senior vice president for operations, safety and security, told reporters at the airline body's annual meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Isidre Porqueras, chief operating officer at Indian carrier IndiGo, said the recent diversions were undoing efforts to reduce emissions and increase airline efficiencies. WORST-CASE SCENARIO Finances aside, civil aviation's worst-case scenario is a plane being hit, accidentally or intentionally, by weaponry. In December, an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. The plane was accidentally shot down by Russian air defences, according to Azerbaijan's president and Reuters sources. In October, a cargo plane was shot down in Sudan, killing five people. Six commercial aircraft have been shot down, with three near-misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions. Governments need to share information more effectively to keep civil aviation secure as conflict zones proliferate, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said this week. Safety statistics used by the commercial aviation industry show a steady decline in accidents over the past two decades, but these do not include security-related incidents such as being hit by weaponry. IATA said in February that accidents and incidents related to conflict zones were a top concern for aviation safety requiring urgent global coordination. TOUGH CHOICES Each airline decides where to travel based on a patchwork of government notices, security advisers, and information-sharing between carriers and states, leading to divergent policies. The closure of Russian airspace to most Western carriers since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022 put them at a cost disadvantage compared to airlines from places like China, India and the Middle East that continue to take shorter northern routes that need less fuel and fewer crew. Shifting risk calculations mean Singapore Airlines' flight SQ326 from Singapore to Amsterdam has used three different routes into Europe in just over a year, Flightradar24 tracking data shows. When reciprocal missile and drone attacks broke out between Iran and Israel in April 2024, it started crossing previously avoided Afghanistan instead of Iran. Last month, its route shifted again to avoid Pakistan's airspace as conflict escalated between India and Pakistan. Flight SQ326 now reaches Europe via the Persian Gulf and Iraq. Singapore Airlines did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Pilots and flight attendants are also worried about how the patchwork of shifting risk might impact their safety. "IATA says airlines should decide if it's safe to fly over conflict zones, not regulators. But history shows commercial pressures can cloud those decisions," said Paul Reuter, vice president of the European Cockpit Association, which represents pilots. Flight crew typically have the right to refuse a trip due to concerns about airspace, whether over weather or conflict zones, IATA security head Careen said. "Most airlines, in fact, I would say the vast majority of them, do not want crew on an aircraft if they don't feel comfortable flying," he said. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/expanding-missile-threats-and-airspace-closures-are-straining-airlines/articleshow/121612166.cms?from=mdr Goodyear Blimp Celebrates a Century in Flight AirVenture 2025 to host two of the company’s airships The Goodyear Blimp turned 100 today, marking a century since its first flight near Akron, Ohio, on June 3, 1925. To celebrate the milestone, Goodyear hosted a high-profile birthday party at its historic Wingfoot Lake hangar, featuring brand mascots from across the country and a tribute to the blimp’s cultural and technological legacy. Goodyear also announced that it will bring two of its airships to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July, the first time in more than 50 years of attendance that two Goodyear airships will participate. One will be stationed near the EAA Museum when not flying in the afternoon and night airshows. “There is no aviation event more ‘blimp-worthy’ than EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, v-p of communities and member programs for EAA. “To have two of Goodyear’s airships over the grounds will make this year unforgettable.” Michael Dougherty, chief pilot of Goodyear airship operations, added, “We can’t think of a better place than EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to celebrate our 100-year milestone with aviation enthusiasts from around the world.” The first branded Goodyear airship, Pilgrim, flew in 1925. It established a new era of non-rigid helium-filled airships, becoming the prototype for a long line of Goodyear blimps used for both public relations and military operations. During World War II, Goodyear produced more than 150 airships for the U.S. Navy, and its blimps escorted more than 89,000 vessels without a single loss to enemy submarines. Today's Goodyear fleet consists of four Zeppelin NT airships based in Ohio, California, Florida, and Germany. Each airship is 246 feet long and flies at a typical altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 feet agl. Though technically semi-rigid, the company retains the historic “blimp” moniker for its ships. Goodyear’s last true blimp, Spirit of Innovation, was retired in March 2017. The blimps continue to serve not only as aerial camera platforms for sporting events but also as tools for brand engagement, charity fundraising, and community outreach. In 2019, the Goodyear Blimp became the first non-athlete to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Goodyear estimates that interest in blimp rides, which are by invitation only in the U.S., has helped raise more than $500,000 for charitable organizations in 2023 alone through auctioned ride certificates. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2025-06-03/goodyear-blimp-celebrating-century-flight Chinese airlines considering ordering hundreds of Airbus jets, Bloomberg News reports (Reuters) -Chinese airlines are considering ordering up to 300 narrowbody and widebody Airbus SE aircraft as soon as next month when European leaders visit Beijing, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The order could rise to as many as 500 aircraft, one of the people told Bloomberg. Reuters first reported in April that China has been in on-off negotiations to place an order for up to 500 Airbus jets. Industry sources told Reuters that the talks are an extension of discussions over a major order that surfaced In April last year ahead of a visit to France by Chinese President Xi Jinping. China has frequently signalled large jet orders timed to coincide with state visits, but industry sources caution negotiations frequently go down to the wire and are not guaranteed to result in a deal amid volatility over trade. However, analysts have said that China has a deficit of aircraft after holding back on major orders for more than five years. Airbus declined to comment. Reuters couldn't immediately verify the Bloomberg report. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/chinese-airlines-considering-ordering-hundreds-055453738.html Airlines and planemakers warn that credit card legislation could end frequent-flier rewards Several airlines and planemakers have written to senators opposing credit-card legislation. They say a proposed amendment could mean they stop offering rewards credit cards. And the subsequent lost revenue would mean "a contraction in airline activity and jobs." Airlines, labor unions, and manufacturers have written to senators warning that a bill about credit cards being proposed by senators could damage the aviation industry by weakening airline loyalty programs. United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Airbus, and Boeing are among the signatories of Monday's letter. The campaign, led by the trade group Airlines for America, takes aim at legislation proposed by Senators Roger Marshall and Dick Durbin. Their amendment to the crypto-focused GENIUS Act hopes to expand competition for credit card providers and lower swipe fees. It's been supported by retailers, including the National Retail Federation, but has faced backlash from financial institutions. Credit cards also play a significant role for airlines. "A lot of people call airlines credit card companies with wings," TJ Dunn, a points guru and editor in chief at the Prince of Travel, previously told Business Insider. Co-branded credit cards are a cash cow for many airlines, allowing customers to build up frequent-flier points or miles. Monday's letter cites research from Airlines for America that says over 31 million Americans have airline travel reward cards, generating around $25 billion in economic activity in 2023. It adds that 57% of all frequent flyer miles or points issued in 2023 were generated by airline credit card use. "Americans value and enjoy credit card rewards programs because they reward consumers for dollars that they would be spending no matter what," the letter says. "Many may be unpleasantly surprised if Congress disrupts those programs." It warns that the Durbin-Marshall amendment could see airlines stop offering rewards credit cards. Unions, including those representing pilots, flight attendants, and Boeing workers, have signed the letter, too. That's because it says the effect on loyalty programs would result in fewer flights and therefore "a contraction in airline activity and jobs." It adds that lost revenue means airlines would struggle to meet existing commitments to their workers, and "certainly complicate existing or future collective bargaining negotiations." The letter also says airlines would have less money to spend on buying new planes. Durbin has said that the legislation would save merchants and consumers an estimated $15 billion each year, while businesses pay more than $100 billion in swipe fees annually. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/airlines-planemakers-warn-credit-card-161140112.html Report: More than 1,200 FAA Employees Expected to Leave Agency In Coming Months Wall Street Journal report says Federal Aviation Administration could see an exodus amid influx of flight delays, accidents and technical issues. More than 1,200 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration reportedly might vacate their positions with the agency in the coming months, amid continuing reports of flight delays, aviation accidents, and technical issues. “Employees are departing the agency in mass quantities across all skill levels,” read a May 7 internal presentation about the effects of a Trump administration deferred-resignation program, obtained by The Wall Street Journal. https://www.aviationpros.com/airport-business/airside-operations-area/news/55294641/report-more-than-1200-faa-employees-expected-to-leave-agency-in-coming-months Woman assaults flight attendant during overhead bag argument: Charges The Brief • Priya Swaminathan, 45, of San Jose, California, faces several charges stemming from an incident that occurred at the MSP airport. • Authorities say Swaminathan was part of an altercation with a Delta flight attendant over the storage of her luggage. • She was eventually escorted to a squad vehicle and transported to Hennepin County Jail. A woman hoping to board a flight at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is now facing several charges after an argument about an overhead bid with a flight attendant. Flight attendant attack charges What we know: Priya Swaminathan, 45, of San Jose, California, faces charges of fifth-degree assault, disorderly conduct, obstruction of the legal process and interference with flight operations for an incident that occurred around 9:45 p.m. on June 1. Overheard compartment argument Dig deeper: According to Hennepin County court documents, authorities initially responded to the report of a woman causing a disturbance and yelling at passengers, who had allegedly already assaulted a Delta crew member onboard Delta Airlines flight DL 2089 at Gate C14 of Terminal 1 within MSP. Charges say that authorities at the scene were told by Delta employees that Swaminathan was informed she needed to put her bags in an overhead compartment, but she refused to do so. The employees said that when it came time to close the aircraft doors, and there was no longer any room for her bags, she was told she would need to check them. Employees say at that point she became angry, and started "yelling while pacing up and down the aisle screaming at other passengers," according to charges. When one airline attendant tried to speak with her, she "charged at her and pushed her with both hands in the chest." Airline assault and arrest What happened next: Authorities who responded say in charges that Swaminathan then refused to leave the aircraft, and was found standing in the aisle and leaning up against a seat between the first and second rows. She then refused to put her hands behind her back. Officers reported that she had a strong smell of alcohol and refused to walk – instead flailing her body in an attempt to flee from officers’ grasps. Authorities report she was eventually escorted to a squad vehicle and transported to Hennepin County Jail. En route, officers say they saw Swaminathan had removed her left hand from the handcuffs and unbuckled her seatbelt. She refused to comply with commands until she was ultimately booked and processed, according to charges. https://www.fox9.com/news/woman-assaults-flight-attendant-overhead-bag-argument-charges-may-2025 GRADUATE RESEARCH REQUEST Calling all U.S. airplane pilots! I am a doctoral student at FIU. My research focuses on pilot decision making and digital twins. I will greatly appreciate your help sharing the link to my survey with your network: https://fiu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rPGG1cVfuOWiyO Thank you! AI generated with the prompt: pilot midair 😂 -- Respectfully, Garrett Feldman, MBA (786)286-9170 CALENDAR OF EVENTS · Flight Safety Foundation - Aviation Safety Forum June 5-6, 2025 - Brussels . 2025 EASA-FAA International Aviation Safety Conference, 10 Jun 2025 to 12 Jun 2025, Cologne, Germany · The 9th Shanghai International Aerospace Technology and Equipment Exposition 2025; June 11 to 13, 2025 . South Texas Business Aviation Association June 20th at the Galaxy FBO at Conroe Airport, Texas. . NTSB set hearing date in Boeing 737-9 plug door incident investigation - June 24, 2025 . Gulf Flight Safety Association (GFSA) Conference, June 25 & 26 2025 Riyadh Air Headquarters . Airborne Public Safety Association -APSCON / APSCON Unmanned 2025 in Phoenix, AZ | July 14-18, 2025 . 3rd annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS), July 15-17, 2025, Singapore, organized by Flight Safety Foundation and CAAS. . Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 2025; 10-11 September 2025; Manila, Philippines · ISASI ANNUAL SEMINAR 2025'September 29, 2025 – October 3, 2025, DENVER, COLORADO . Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC™) - 2025 – October 27-29th (Omaha, Nebraska) . 29th annual Bombardier Safety Standdown, November 11-13, 2025; Wichita, Kansas · CHC Safety & Quality Summit, 11th – 13th November 2025, Vancouver, BC Canada Curt Lewis