Flight Safety Information - March 29, 2024 No. 065 In This Issue : Incident: Algerie B738 at Oran on Mar 27th 2024, cracked window : Incident: Delta BCS3 at Seattle on Mar 27th 2024, brakes failure : Aircraft Cabin Air International Conference - 17 & 18 September - London : Runway closed at Sky Harbor after corporate jet goes off runway : Airplane Heading To Beirut Was Forced To Turn Back Due To GPS Jamming, Here’s What We Know : Delta planes clip wings on MSP taxiway : Why Airlines Tell You Not to Retrieve Your Phone if It Falls Between Seats : Dog named Moose found at RDU after Alaska Airlines lost the pet in transit : Texas attorney general opens investigation into Boeing supplier : Gabonese Firm Supplied $1.5 Bln in Aircraft Parts to Russia in 2023 : Japan Plans $26 Billion New Hydrogen-Powered Passenger Jet Program : Call for Nominations For 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award : CALENDAR OF EVENTS Incident: Algerie B738 at Oran on Mar 27th 2024, cracked window An Air Algerie Boeing 737-800, registration 7T-VJK performing flight AH-1084 from Oran (Algerie) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (France), was enroute at FL320 about 120nm north of Oran when the crew decided to return to Oran after the outer pane of a window cracked. The aircraft landed safely back in Oran about 50 minutes after departure. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration 7T-VKE reached Paris with a delay of about 4.5 hours. The occurrence aircraft returned to service about 17 hours after landing back. https://avherald.com/h?article=516b6a8e&opt=0 Incident: Delta BCS3 at Seattle on Mar 27th 2024, brakes failure A Delta Airlines Bombardies C-Series CS-300, registration N301DU performing flight DL-829 from Anchorage,AK to Seattle,WA (USA), was on final approach to Seattle's runway 16R when the crew initiated a missed approach and advised ATC they needed to do some troubleshooting on a maintenence issue. After climbing back to 4000 feet and working checklists the crew advised they wanted runway 16L due to a brakes failure on the right hand side. The aircraft landed safely on runway 16L about 25 minutes after the missed approach. A passenger reported the flight had been delayed by about 80 minutes due to multiple mechanical issues. After finally departing they experienced a right hand brake failure on approach and went around. The aircraft is still on the ground in Seattle about 16 hours after landing. https://avherald.com/h?article=516b65d3&opt=0 Runway closed at Sky Harbor after corporate jet goes off runway No injuries were reported, authorities say. PHOENIX — The south runway at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport was temporarily closed after a corporate jet went off the runway Tuesday afternoon, but has since reopened. Five people were on board the twin-engine IAI Astra SPX; it ran off the end of the runway while taking off around 2:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There are no injuries reported and flights are still operating on the north and center runways, officials said. The aircraft was seen on Sky12 with two fire trucks nearby and several people inspecting the plane. https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/sky-harbor-runway-closed-corporate-jet-goes-off-runway/75-a343e0f8-4b0b-4ff5-8b68-3698df21736d Airplane Heading To Beirut Was Forced To Turn Back Due To GPS Jamming, Here’s What We Know Recently, Israel has been accused of disrupting navigation systems and civil aviation in the vicinity of Beirut Airport, raising concerns about the safety of air travel. In a recent incident, passengers aboard a flight bound for Beirut via Istanbul experienced moments of panic as the pilot struggled to navigate Lebanese airspace for landing. Despite circling for forty minutes, the plane was forced to return to Antalya before eventually landing in Beirut following a period of uncertainty and panic caused by disruptions in Lebanon’s navigation system. Fadi El Hassan, Director-General of Civil Aviation, clarified to LBCI that the problem was particularly evident with two Turkish Airlines pilots. Despite a directive from the authority for all airlines to rely on ground-based equipment to circumvent inference, these pilots chose to continue using GPS navigation. This decision disregarded the heightened disturbance in the region, which has intensified due to conflicts like the Gaza war. In light of this concern, the European Aviation Safety Agency issued a warning, leading Lebanon to take necessary precautions in response. https://www.the961.com/airplane-heading-to-beirut-was-forced-to-turn-back/ Delta planes clip wings on MSP taxiway The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after the wings of two planes clipped each other on a taxiway late Thursday morning at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Authorities say the incident, which involved two Delta aircraft, happened at around 10:45 a.m. The FAA tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Delta Flight 1460 was taxiing when its wingtip hit another Delta aircraft, flight 1104, which was pushing back from its gate. According to Delta, both planes then returned to their gates so passengers could deplane. “It’s just a startling boom and most vibrant shake I’ve ever had on an airplane,” Troy Jackson, a passenger on one of the planes, said. “We’re taxiing and all of a sudden, [we heard] just a big, jarring bump on the runway.” Jackson was steps away from leaving the taxiway to see family in Tucson, Ariz. when his trip took an unexpected turn. “You could hear a pin drop right after it happened,” Jackson said. “I don’t think I ever felt like we were in danger. I think it just went through my mind that this is probably going to be a long day.” The airline, as well as the airport spokesman, say no one was injured during the incident, which Delta says involved two A320 aircraft scheduled to leave MSP — one for Tucson International Airport and the other for Palm Beach International Airport. Although field teams responded as a precaution, the airport spokesman says they didn’t need to take any action, and while nobody was hurt, the incident is one of many in recent months raising questions about safety. “You do wonder about is there enough personnel? Do they have enough folks to man the air traffic control? That’s so critical,” Jackson said. But he’s grateful that everyone on both planes walked away without a scratch. “We’re all safe, and hopefully, we’ll get where we need to go eventually,” Jackson said. “I’m grateful that it was taxiing and not in a more significant time like takeoff or landing when this happened.” A total of 287 customers were on the two aircraft, according to the airline. An MSP spokesman added passengers who were affected by the incident and need help with travel arrangements should reach out to Delta, which issued the following statement to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/no-injuries-reported-after-2-delta-flights-clip-wings-on-taxiway-at-msp/ Why Airlines Tell You Not to Retrieve Your Phone if It Falls Between Seats It’s frustrating when your phone falls into the cracks between airplane seats. But it could be dangerous if you try to fish it out yourself. You may have noticed in recent years that during the announcements before takeoff, flight attendants have started telling passengers that if their phone falls between the seats, they should alert a crew member. Many passengers might try to retrieve their phone by reaching blindly into the tight space between seats. But there are a couple of important reasons you should resist the urge to do so and instead notify a flight attendant immediately. Safety is paramount on any flight, and while it might seem like a minor inconvenience to lose your phone between the seats, attempting to retrieve it without assistance can pose risks to both yourself and the aircraft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, when smartphones fall between the seats and get caught in the mechanisms, they can be crushed if the seat is reclined or otherwise adjusted. That’s problematic because the lithium batteries that power the phones can overheat and burst into flames if they are damaged. (It’s the same reason you can’t put computers, e-cigarettes, or other electronic devices in your checked bag.) That’s exactly what happened halfway through one Qantas flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles in 2018. The crew extinguished the fire so the flight could finish without additional problems, but if it hadn’t, the plane would have needed to be diverted. FAA data shows at least 68 verified incidents between March 3, 2006, and February 15, 2024 in which lithium batteries in cell phones emitted smoke, caught on fire, or became extremely hot while on a plane. Those numbers have risen in recent years as more and more people get smartphones. Of those 68 incidents, 14 happened in 2023 alone. According to a representative from American Airlines, the reason it’s important to notify a crew member is because they know the seats and can access the device before it becomes a safety issue. “Seats can vary between aircraft, and as part of this training, flight attendants are informed of the various operational intricacies of each seat that customers may not be aware of, and can safely help our customers out should their phone fall between seats,” the American Airlines representative told AFAR. A representative from Delta echoed that sentiment, saying, “There are different seat modifications between cabins and planes, so flight attendants are going to be able to retrieve the phone more easily.” They added that if the phone is really stuck in there, flight attendants can call the destination airport, where someone will be dispatched to meet the plane and use tools, if necessary, to retrieve it. And if the phone gets too hot, starts to smoke, or becomes inflamed, it’s good for the in-flight team to know early so it can prepare fire-safety protocols. The Delta representative added that calling a flight attendant limits the chances of a passenger accidentally hurting themselves, saying, “Those seats are tight. We’d rather get your phone out for you rather than have you potentially jam your finger.” https://www.afar.com/magazine/why-you-shouldnt-retrieve-your-cell-phone-if-it-falls-between-the-airplane-seats Dog named Moose found at RDU after Alaska Airlines lost the pet in transit Alaska Airlines issues apology after dog is lost at RDU airport A dog that was accidentally left off of an Alaska Airlines flight from RDU to Seattle ran away from crews during the loading process. RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A dog that was accidentally left off of an Alaska Airlines flight from RDU to Seattle has now been found after running off Wednesday. The dog, whose name is Moose, was supposed to be on a flight with its owner Tuesday night, but due to a "misstep in the loading process," the dog did not make the trip, a spokesperson for Alaska Airlines told ABC11. The dog then stayed with staff at the airport overnight and ran away when crews attempted to load Moose into its crate for its new flight to Seattle. "We're utilizing our resources and working with the airport to locate the dog as fast as possible. We sincerely apologize to the owner for this stressful situation," the spokesperson said in a release. Moose's owner traveled back to Raleigh Wednesday to help with the search. A happy ending came Thursday morning when Moose was found and reunited with the owner after an extensive search. "Moose is safe and sound and had a good breakfast courtesy of an RDU K9 officer," an airport spokesperson said. https://abc11.com/alaska-airlines-moose-missing-dog-rdu-seattle/14580827/ Texas attorney general opens investigation into Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. signage on a Boeing 737 fuselage outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, US, on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. signage on a Boeing 737 fuselage outside the Boeing Co. manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington, in February. Photo: David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems on Thursday, citing "reoccurring issues with certain airplane parts" provided to the aircraft maker. Why it matters: Both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems have faced scrutiny in recent months over safety and quality issues. "On certain models of the 737, apparent manufacturing defects have led to numerous concerning or dangerous incidents, some of which occurred in-air," per a statement from the Texas attorney general's office. Context: The mid-air incident occurred in January, when an emergency exit door flew off an Alaska Airlines flight, causing the temporary grounding of all 737 MAX 9 planes in U.S. territory. Boeing reported last month that it had to undertake more work on some 50 undelivered 737 MAX jets after its supplier identified misdrilled holes on some fuselages. What they're saying: Paxton said in a statement Thursday the "potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans." Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson Joe Buccino said in an emailed statement Thursday night that while he wouldn't comment on any investigations, "we are wholly focused on providing our customers with the best quality product." A spokesperson for Boeing declined to comment on the matter. Zoom out: Boeing announced Monday that CEO Dave Calhoun will leave his position at the end of this year in the wake of safety issues. Boeing is in talks to acquire Spirit AeroSystems because it said earlier this month it believes that reintegrating manufacturing operations improve quality and "further strengthen aviation safety." https://www.axios.com/2024/03/29/boeing-supplier-spirit-aerosystems-texas-investigation Gabonese Firm Supplied $1.5 Bln in Aircraft Parts to Russia in 2023 A company based in the West African nation of Gabon imported nearly $1.5 billion worth of aircraft parts to Russia last year despite Western sanctions in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Moscow Times’ Russian service reported Thursday, citing customs data. Of the nearly $2 billion worth of aircraft parts exported to Russia in 2023, the Gabonese-registered company Ter Assala Parts accounted for $1.48 billion, making it the single largest supplier for that year. After Gabon, the top country exporters of aircraft parts to Russia were Thailand, with more than $200 million worth of exported parts, and the United Arab Emirates, with more than $160 million. An unnamed citizen from the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan is listed as the beneficiary of Ter Assala Parts, which is reportedly not listed in Gabon’s official trade registry. According to an import business owner with knowledge of registration procedures who spoke to MT Russian on condition of anonymity, Ter Assala Parts is likely a front company registered in another country that does business via Gabon. The neighborhood where Ter Assala Parts is said to be located.Moscow Times Russian service Economist Igor Lipsitz described the trade as a “complicated criminal scheme” that may involve high-level Russian and Gabonese officials. “Someone in the Gabonese administration is apparently covering it up. The [Russian] government is giving it carte blanche,” Lipsitz suggested. Aircraft parts exports from Gabon to Russia began in August 2023, the same month when military officers launched a coup against ex-president Ali Bongo Ondimba and fell out of favor with Western governments. Russia, which has sought closer ties with the global south amid its war against Ukraine, has a fleet of oil tankers sailing under Gabonese flags, some of which were targeted by U.S. sanctions last month. In addition to oxygen masks, used computers, ground collision warning and fuel level measurement systems, the exported goods from Gabon to Russia included 15 U.S.-made used engines for Boeing-737 and Airbus A320/A321 aircraft valued at more than $58 million. In May 2023, the United States arrested Russian nationals Oleg Patsulya and Vasily Besedin on charges of sending aircraft parts to Russian airlines in violation of export laws. None of the listed owners of the Russian firms that bought goods from Ter Assala Parts appear to have any connection to the aviation sector, MT Russian reported. Among the importers was the company Protektor, whose ex-owner, Yekaterina Provotorova, appears to be the wife of Pavel Provotorov, the former head of the global parts supplier Eftec Aero Limited and former co-owner of the U.S.-sanctioned customs clearance business Fastair International. Russia’s airline sector was among the most impacted by Western sanctions and the economic fallout from the invasion of Ukraine, which entered its third year in late February. Aviation expert Ilya Shatilin told MT Russian that arrangements like the flow of imports from Gabon mean “there is virtually no shortage of foreign aircraft parts in Russia.” “There are millions of schemes through which you could import spare parts,” he said. “Sanctions have not worked, do not work and will not work.” https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/03/28/gabonese-firm-supplied-15-bln-in-aircraft-parts-to-russia-in-2023-a84667 Japan Plans $26 Billion New Hydrogen-Powered Passenger Jet Program Airbus and Boeing could face fresh competition from Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced it plans to invest 4 trillion yen ($26.46 billion) in a public-private partnership to develop a next-generation hydrogen-powered passenger jet. As reported by AFP, the ministry said in a statement, “It is important for us to build next-generation aircraft based on technologies where Japan is competitive while also contributing to the decarbonization of air transport.” Japan expects the new sustainable aircraft development to be completed after 2035. Japan’s last commercial aircraft program was the YS-11 turboprop in 1962. It was developed to replace the discontinued Douglas DC-3 and performed well domestically. However, it faced challenges after a revaluation of the yen made it hard to sell abroad. YS-11 production ended in 1973, but the aircraft enjoyed a long service life after that. Its last commercial flight was in 2006. Japan’s most recent aircraft development program, the Mitsubishi SpaceJet, failed to take off after suffering complications in development and the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced it would terminate the much-anticipated program last year. However, Japan’s ministry believes the abandoned SpaceJet made the case for an aircraft program where risk is shared between the private and public sectors and relying on international cooperation. Aiming For Hydrogen Powered Flight Japan’s plans are ambitious. The new program would aim to develop a new-technology aircraft: hydrogen-powered planes. This aligns with Japan’s plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday. “In the new business fields of carbon-neutral technologies, including hydrogen, we aim to take a leading position,” Kazuchika Iwata, state minister for economy, trade, and industry said. Airbus has also announced plans to develop hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035 and to fly an A380 hydrogen testbed by 2026. Boeing has been more reserved, predicting that hydrogen-powered flights might not launch until 2050. Hydrogen fuel is an attractive option as the airline industry aims to reduce carbon emissions by 2050. Hydrogen does not any emit carbon dioxide when burned and could allow airlines to offer zero-carbon flights. Hydrogen is not the only sustainable option on the table for the program. The ministry has said it will conduct research into the most viable fuel option. An economy ministry official told AFP, “Nothing concrete has been decided yet, but possibilities include hybrid electrics, hydrogen combustion, hydrogen FC.” Hydrogen FC refers to hydrogen fuel cells. Japan’s announcement follows shortly after China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China took its C919 passenger jet and ARJ21 regional jet on a six-country tour of Southeast Asia which began with the Singapore Air Show last month. COMAC clearly sees an opportunity to attract new customers as Boeing and Airbus face production challenges. It is still unclear whether Japan can develop a competitive plane with new fuel technology in time to address airline needs. However, as state minister Iwata put it: “For the Japanese aircraft industry to achieve sustainable growth, we cannot stay satisfied with our position as a parts supplier.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2024/03/28/japan-plans-26-billion-new-hydrogen-powered-passenger-jet-program/?sh=3747924c64e8 Call for Nominations For 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, honoring a leader in global aviation safety. The Award will be presented during the 77th Annual International Air Safety Summit, taking place November 5 – 7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Presented annually since 1956, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award recognizes notable achievement in the field of civil or military aviation safety in method, design, invention, study, or other improvement. The Award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." Mechanics, engineers, and others outside of top administrative or research positions should be especially considered. The contribution need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition. Nominations that were not selected as past winners may be resubmitted for consideration in subsequent years. Please note that self-nominations will not be considered. The Award Committee, composed of leaders in the field of aviation, meets each year to conduct a final review of nominees and selection of the current year's recipient. Please help us identify and honor this year's most deserving recipient. Nominations, including a 1-to-2-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website at http://ltbaward.org/the-award/nomination-form/. Nominations will be accepted through June 2, 2024. For more information, including a complete history of Award recipients, see www.ltbaward.org. About the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Award The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award's story dates back almost 80 years. On April 14, 1945, after visiting family in Pittsburgh, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 when it crashed into the rugged terrain of Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, West Virginia. All passengers and crew were killed. In 1956 her husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour and son, Clifford E. Barbour, Jr., in close association with The Flight Safety Foundation, established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her honor. For the past 68 years, this distinguished award recognizing outstanding achievements in aviation safety worldwide has been presented at Flight Safety Foundation’s International Aviation Safety Summit. In 2013, The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed as an independent non-profit charitable organization composed of members of the Award Board, the aviation community, and the Barbour family. In addition to the annual presentation of the award, in 2019 the Foundation initiated a scholarship program that supports worthy students pursuing professional aviation studies. As the Foundation broadens its scope, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award will continue to recognize those who significantly contributed to aviation safety. For more information on the Foundation, the award, and past winners, visit http://LTBAward.org CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 2024 ACSF Safety Symposium – Air Charter Safety Foundation - April 1-3, 2024 • Blazetech - Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection, and Investigation Course June 4 - 7, 2024 • 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