Flight Safety Information - June 20, 2025 No. 123 In This Issue : Accident: Southwest B737 at Panama City on Jun 14th 2025, turbulence injures passenger : Incident: Carpat A319 at Athens on Jun 19th 2025, smoke in cockpit : Boeing 737-924ER (WL) - Turbulence Injuries (Florida) : Air India warned for flying Airbus planes with unchecked escape slides : Urgent Safety Warning Issued On Boeing Planes : FAA air traffic overtime costs soar as hiring lags, report says : Schiphol asks court to demolish solar panels blinding landing pilots : Aviation Safety Management Systems Market is expected to reach USD 5.8 billion by 2034 | Exactitude Consultancy : Rolls-Royce secure deals for 142 aircraft engines : China’s C929 widebody passenger jet to make maiden commercial flight by 2035: source : Graduate Research Request : Calendar of Events Accident: Southwest B737 at Panama City on Jun 14th 2025, turbulence injures passenger A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration N969WN performing flight WN-3508 from Dallas Love,TX to Panama City,FL (USA) with 142 passengers and 5 crew, was descending towards Panama City when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to one passenger. The crew decided to divert to Jacksonville and landed on runway 26 without further incident. The NTSB reported a passenger received serious injuries and opened a class 4 investigation into the accident. https://avherald.com/h?article=52944f99&opt=0 Incident: Carpat A319 at Athens on Jun 19th 2025, smoke in cockpit A Carpatair Airbus A319-100 on behalf of Air Baltic, registration YR-ABB performing flight BT-612 from Athens (Greece) to Riga (Latvia), was climbing out of Athens' runway 03R when the crew stopped the climb at 6000 feet reporting smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft returned to Athens for a safe landing on runway 03R about 20 minutes after departure. The aircraft taxied to the apron with emergency services in trail. The aircraft is still on the ground in Athens about 11 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=52944496&opt=0 Boeing 737-924ER (WL) - Turbulence Injuries (Florida) Date: Sunday 15 June 2025 Time: Type: Boeing 737-924ER (WL) Owner/operator: United Airlines Registration: N28478 MSN: 31649/4546 Year of manufacture: 2013 Engine model: CFMI CFM56-7B Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 78 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: None Category: Accident Location: near Fort Lauderdale, FL - United States of America Phase: Approach Nature: Passenger - Scheduled Departure airport: Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport, TX (IAH/KIAH) Destination airport: Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL/KFLL) Investigating agency: NTSB Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities Narrative: United Airlines flight UA2857, a Boeing 737-900ER, encountered turbulence. One cabin crew member sustained serious injuries. One cabin crew member had minor injuries. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/520753 Air India warned for flying Airbus planes with unchecked escape slides NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's aviation regulator has warned Air India for breaching safety rules after three of its Airbus planes flew despite being overdue checks on emergency equipment, and for being slow to address the issue, government documents show. The warning notices and an investigation report - both reviewed by Reuters - were not in any way related to last week's crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard, and were sent days before that incident. In the report, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said spot checks in May on three Air India Airbus planes found that they were operated despite mandatory inspections being overdue on the "critical emergency equipment" of escape slides. In one case, the watchdog found that the inspection of an Airbus A320 jet was delayed by more than a month before being carried out on May 15. AirNav Radar data shows that during the delay the plane flew to international destinations such as Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. Another case, involving an Airbus A319 used on domestic routes, showed checks were over three months late, while a third showed an inspection was two days late. "The above cases indicate that aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements," the DGCA report said. Air India "failed to submit timely compliance responses" to deficiencies raised by the DGCA, "further evidencing weak procedural control and oversight," it added. Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022 from the government, said in statement that it was "accelerating" verification of all maintenance records, including dates of the escape slides, and would complete the process in the coming days. In one of the cases, Air India said, the issue came to light when an engineer from AI Engineering Services "inadvertently deployed an escape slide during maintenance". The DGCA and Airbus did not respond to Reuters queries. Checks on escape slides are "a very serious issue. In case of accident, if they don't open, it can lead to serious injuries," said Vibhuti Singh, a former legal expert at the government's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The DGCA said in its report that the certificates of airworthiness for aircraft that miss mandatory checks were "deemed suspended". The warning notices and the report were sent by Animesh Garg, a deputy director of airworthiness in the Indian government, to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson as well as the airline's continuing airworthiness manager, quality manager and head of planning, the documents showed. An Indian aviation lawyer said such breaches typically attract monetary and civil penalties on both individual executives and the airline. Wilson told Reuters last year that global parts shortages were affecting most airlines, but the problem was "more acute" for Air India as its "product is obviously a lot more dated", with many planes not refreshed since they were delivered in 2010-2011. 'SYSTEMIC CONTROL FAILURE' The Indian regulator, like many abroad, often fines airlines for compliance lapses. India's junior aviation minister in February told parliament that authorities had warned or fined airlines in 23 instances for safety violations last year. Around half of them - 12 - involved Air India and Air India Express, including in one case for "unauthorised entry into cockpit". The biggest fine was $127,000 on Air India for "insufficient oxygen on board" during a flight to San Francisco. Last week's crash, the causes of which are still being investigated, will further challenge Air India's attempts to rebuild its image, after years of criticism from travellers for poor service. Air India's Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on Monday told staff the crash should be a catalyst to build a safer airline, urging employees to stay resolute amid any criticism. In its report, the DGCA also said several Air India aircraft checked by officials had outdated registration paperwork. Air India told Reuters all but one aircraft complied with such requirements and this "poses no impact" to safety. The DGCA investigation report pulled up the airline for what it described as "inadequate internal oversight." "Despite prior notifications and identified deficiencies, the organization’s internal quality and planning departments failed to implement effective corrective action, indicating systemic control failure," it said. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/exclusive-air-india-warned-flying-113353848.html Urgent Safety Warning Issued On Boeing Planes The Boeing 737 Max airplanes have been hit with another safety warning. Two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023, which happened in Cuba and New Orleans, prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to take action. Now, safety experts from the NTSB released a statement urging recommended modifications for aircraft using the CFM International LEAP-1B engines, which can be found on the Boeing 737 Max. "The National Transportation Safety Board issued an urgent safety recommendation Wednesday to address the possibility of smoke entering the cockpit or cabin of airplanes equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines and issued additional recommendations to evaluate the potential for the same issue with LEAP-1A and -1C engines. CFM LEAP engines are used on variants of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max narrow-body passenger jets," the statement read. The NTSB also says that they are “concerned that flight crews operating these airplanes may not be fully aware of the potential hazard." The problem at hand can create smoke from hot oil to enter the ventilation system, which can eventually bleed into the cockpit or even the cabin in a dangerous outcome. In light of the recommendation, Boeing gave a response, per CNN: “CFM International and Boeing have been working on a software design update. We support the NTSB’s recommendation.” The NTSB released an 11-page report on the matter. https://www.yahoo.com/news/urgent-safety-warning-issued-boeing-014305113.html FAA air traffic overtime costs soar as hiring lags, report says WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration's overtime costs for air traffic controllers have jumped by more than 300% since 2013 as the agency faces hiring constraints and a misallocated workforce, a report from the National Academies of Sciences released Wednesday said. The FAA air traffic control workforce in 2024 logged 2.2 million hours of overtime costing $200 million, according to the report, which added that "widespread overtime use may be partly due to inefficient scheduling of the controllers available at facilities." Annual overtime is up 308% per air traffic controller, or 126 hours per year since 2013, to 167 hours on average. The report also said the time controllers spend on position managing air traffic has declined despite a 4% increase in traffic. A 2024 report from an independent FAA panel assessing the risks of controller fatigue called for mandatory rest periods after raising "serious concerns." From 2013 to 2023, the FAA hired only two-thirds of the air traffic controllers called for by its staffing models as staffing fell by 13%, the report said, adding the agency has also been unable to implement a robust shift scheduling software package it acquired in 2012 that may be making the issue worse, the report said. Controllers in many locations must often work six-day workweeks and mandatory overtime. The FAA said it will analyze the study and its recommendations and noted it is on track to hire at least 2,000 controllers this year. The Trump administration wants at least $20 billion to modernize air traffic control, including new airport equipment to prevent near-miss incidents and new incentives to boost air traffic controller hiring and retention, which is 3,500 short of targeted staffing. By 2024, nearly a third of air traffic control facilities had fallen 10% below staffing targets and about 22% had fallen 15% below, citing hiring constraints in part from two government shutdowns and the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Academies report said the FAA should "critically evaluate its models and improve them where possible, and return to its practice of adjusting individual staffing targets as needed to reflect facility-specific factors." https://www.yahoo.com/news/faa-air-traffic-overtime-costs-174944021.html Schiphol asks court to demolish solar panels blinding landing pilots Schiphol is filing a lawsuit against an owner of nearby solar panels that are reflecting sunlight in such a way that it is blinding pilots. With a summary proceeding, the airport is attempting to force the owner to remove the solar panels. According to Schiphol, they pose an "unacceptable safety risk." In March, Schiphol closed the Polderbaan runway for planes that needed to land between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for weeks due to the issue. The airport expects the disruption caused by the solar park to reoccur in August, as the sun will be lower then. “Removing the solar panels takes several weeks to months. That is why Schiphol feels forced into filing a lawsuit,” a spokesperson said in response to a report from De Telegraaf. Schiphol, the Dutch air traffic control, and the airlines do not want to have to close another runway due to the solar panels. They feel the consequences for the air traffic is too significant. In addition, certain groups of nearby residents could experience more nuisance if a runway is closed because it would then become busier at other landing areas. De Telegraaf reported that removing the solar panels will cost millions of euros. The municipality of Haarlemmermeer were warned of the risks that the solar park would have to planes years ago when it gave permission for the park. The glass used in the solar panels is not the same as the ones recommended by the safety platform IMS. It was said that this glass was no longer available, hence why they used a different type of glas. However, insiders have said that the glass is available, but it is more expensive. According to Schiphol, there is no other solution for this problem. The airport held discussions for a while with the owner of the solar park, called the Groene Energie Corridor, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. https://nltimes.nl/2025/06/20/schiphol-asks-court-demolish-solar-panels-blinding-landing-pilots Aviation Safety Management Systems Market is expected to reach USD 5.8 billion by 2034 | Exactitude Consultancy Exactitude Consultancy Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) Market Overview 2025-2034 Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) market is estimated to be worth approximately USD 3.5 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 5.8 billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. This growth is driven by an evolving landscape in the aviation sector that emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management. Download PDF Brochure: https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/request-sample/66731 Organizations across the aviation ecosystem are increasingly focused on establishing a robust safety culture, responding to regulatory mandates, and managing operational hazards proactively. These priorities are leading to a surge in demand for advanced SMS frameworks that can enhance real-time decision-making and risk assessment processes. Market Dynamics and Growth Drivers A central driver of the Aviation SMS market is the heightened focus on regulatory compliance. Governmental and international bodies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), have introduced stringent mandates requiring the implementation of safety management frameworks. These initiatives aim to mitigate operational risks and ensure passenger safety, thereby stimulating investment in SMS platforms. The increasing integration of advanced technologies is also reshaping the market. Aviation companies are adopting artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), predictive analytics, and data visualization tools to strengthen their SMS capabilities. These technologies offer predictive insights, streamline safety reporting, and enhance real-time monitoring, which collectively contribute to improved operational safety and performance. Another significant growth factor is the steady increase in global air traffic. As the post-pandemic recovery accelerates, air travel demand is rebounding. This resurgence compels airlines and other aviation stakeholders to invest in scalable SMS solutions that can support large and complex operations while ensuring compliance and safety across multiple operational nodes. Market Challenges and Restraints Despite the positive outlook, the Aviation SMS market faces several challenges. One of the primary restraints is the high cost associated with the deployment and maintenance of comprehensive safety management frameworks. Many organizations, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), struggle with budgetary constraints, limiting their ability to adopt advanced technologies or hire specialized personnel for safety implementation and training. Furthermore, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instabilities present external challenges. These factors can delay the acquisition of SMS technologies or interfere with system updates, thus hampering ongoing safety operations. Regulatory complexity also remains a barrier; frequent changes and regional variations in aviation regulations require constant monitoring and system adaptation, which can strain resources and complicate implementation. Pricing pressures from growing competition among technology vendors further exacerbate these challenges. Organizations may be compelled to prioritize cost-saving measures, which can lead to underinvestment in safety systems or reliance on outdated frameworks, compromising the effectiveness of their safety management practices. Component Analysis: Software and Services Software Segment Software solutions form the backbone of the Aviation SMS market, accounting for 60–70% of the total market share. These systems are vital for automating safety procedures, managing operational data, and generating compliance reports. With the incorporation of AI and cloud capabilities, SMS software platforms are becoming more intuitive and efficient, offering real-time alerts and predictive analytics that enhance safety decision-making. Services Segment The services segment, which includes consulting, training, implementation, and maintenance, makes up around 30–40% of the market. As aviation regulations evolve, the need for ongoing support services grows. These services ensure that aviation organizations remain compliant, well-trained, and equipped to manage both current and emerging safety challenges. Browse full Report - https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/66731/aviation-safety-management-systems-sms-market https://finance.yahoo.com/news/aviation-safety-management-systems-market-140600747.html Rolls-Royce secure deals for 142 aircraft engines • Rolls-Royce says it secured multiple deals at the International Paris Air Show • Rolls-Royce has secured multiple contracts to supply more than 140 aircraft engines. The Derby-based firm's civil aerospace division will build 90 Trent XWB-97 engines, 40 Trent 7000 engines and 12 Trent XWB-84 engines for companies across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Taiwan and Vietnam. Rolls-Royce said the deals followed a £1bn investment to the Trent engine family aimed at improving their durability and efficiency. Speaking at the 2025 International Paris Air Show, Ewen McDonald, chief customer officer for the firm's civil aerospace division, said the contracts would help to safeguard jobs in Derby. Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engine on an Airbus A350 planeRolls-Royce Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB-84 powers planes such as the Airbus A350 "The opportunity at the moment in the market is very buoyant," said Mr McDonald. "It's always nice to see Rolls-Royce being successful and that we're filling the factory up with these engines for many years to come. "It's lots of work for many years and a lot of these orders go out into the 2030s." Mr McDonald added there were still some orders placed at the Paris Air Show that were yet to be announced. The new contracts • AviLease, based in Saudi Arabia, placed an order for 20 Trent XWB-97 engines to power 10 Airbus A350F freighter aircraft • Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's newest national carrier, placed an order of 50 Trent XWB-97 engines that will power 25 Airbus A350-1000s • Taiwanese based Starlux Airlines placed an order for 20 Trent XWB-97 engines that will power 10 Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft • EygptAir has ordered an additional 12 Trent XWB-84 engines that will power six Airbus A350-900s, which takes the airline's total order of Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines to 32 • Vietnam's Vietjet Air has placed an order for 40 Trent 7000 engines, that will power 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93kp2z2288o China’s C929 widebody passenger jet to make maiden commercial flight by 2035: source Comac manager tells partners at Paris Air Show that plane is expected to be certified domestically by 2032 The company developing China’s first home-grown widebody passenger jet – the C929 – is aiming to see it make its maiden commercial flight by 2035, foreign partners have been told at this week’s Paris Air Show, according to a person familiar with the discussion. The time frame, although longer than previous estimates, was in line with the “long-haul” one that Boeing and Airbus used when developing their first widebodies and reflected Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (Comac) “prudence” and emphasis on safety, the person, who requested anonymity, added. Comac told its partners this week that it expects the C929 – which is likely to resemble the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 series – to be certified in China by 2032. “Currently we plan to achieve TC (type certificate) in 2032,” a senior Comac manager said during a presentation at the air show. “The C929 has entered the detailed design phase ... this is our future. We would like to offer a new twin-aisle aircraft to our customers.” The C919, Comac’s first mainline narrowbody jet, went into commercial operation in China in May 2023, less than a year after it was certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in September 2022. The widebody C929 will carry up to 440 people and have a maximum range of 12,000km – roughly the distance from Shanghai to New York. Prototypes are under development and domestic suppliers are reportedly due to start shipping some large components, including the first fuselage middle section, in 2027. Comac had not previously announced any time frame for the C929’s maiden flight. Comac is also making headway in securing supplies from mainstream Western firms. Earlier this week in Paris, it struck deals with French aerospace company Safran, a long-time partner, as well as with American firm Crane Aerospace and Electronics. The deals cover the supply of brake controls, ice detection systems, tyre pressure indicators and cabin door sensors for the C929. Comac has yet to announce its engine choice for the C929, a key decision that is becoming increasingly urgent given the turbulent international geopolitical context and complex industrial supply chain issues. The C919 uses the LEAP-1C engine developed by CFM International, a joint venture between US-based General Electric and Safran. The administration of US President Donald Trump reportedly suspended the export of some aero engine technologies to China last month. Meanwhile, China’s home-grown CJ-1000 engine, envisioned as an alternative to the LEAP-1C, is still being developed. An executive from Aero Engine Corporation of China said at an aviation forum in March that it would be unrealistic to swap out all LEAP engines for domestically produced alternatives. The source said a stretched variant of the C919, featuring an extended range and higher passenger and cargo capacities, would enter commercial operation by 2030. The Comac manager said a C919 plateau version, tailor-made for high-altitude airports, is set to have its first flight next year and achieve domestic certification in 2027. The C919’s standard version, despite two years of smooth and growing operations in China, is still being assessed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which has yet to grant the certification that is a critical prerequisite for any overseas orders. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3315051/chinas-c929-widebody-passenger-jet-make-maiden-commercial-flight-2035-source Graduate Research Request - 1 My name is Mohammed Muazu, a Doctoral Researcher (Doctor of Aviation (Av.D Candidate) at the College of Aeronautics, Florida Institute of Technology. I am conducting a cross-national research study on aviation professionalism among stakeholders in the United States and Nigeria. I warmly invite all aviation professionals, students, safety practitioners, aircraft engineers/technicians , air traffic controllers, crew members, and others across the aviation industry to participate in a brief, anonymous online survey. The goal is to better understand professionalism in aviation and contribute to global safety and professional standards. I kindly seek your support in sharing the survey link and attached poster with your members or networks. Your input will be invaluable: https://fit.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eWplkvmjbSZ7Kjs. Thank you for your time and support. Mohammed Muazu Doctoral Candidate (Doctor of Aviation (Av.D) Programme) College of Aeronautics Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne USA mmuazu2020@my.fit.edu CALENDAR OF EVENTS . 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 . 2025 PROS IOSA SUMMIT - SEPT 10-11 - Denver, CO · 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