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It is understood that the FAA will investigate an incident taking place on a Frontier Airlines Airbus A320neo a few days ago.

FAA To Investigate Stuck Brake on Frontier Airlines Airbus A320neo in Denver

by James Field July 31, 2024

written by James Field

It is understood that the FAA will investigate an incident taking place on a Frontier Airlines Airbus A320neo a few days ago in Denver.

Information has been released pertinent to the incident at hand, which we will detail in this article.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

Frontier Airlines Flight F9688 – Denver to Washington Reagan…

Frontier Airlines flight F9688 is a routine scheduled flight between Denver and Washington Reagan Airport.

Also, it is understood that the aircraft involved in the incident was N383FR.

As per data from Planespotters.net, N383FR is a 3.1 year old Airbus A320neo that was delivered to the airline in June 2021.

Of the A320neo variant, Frontier Airlines has 82 of them in their fleet.

Furthermore, of that 82, all of them are in active service, with an average fleet age of 5.0 years.

As well as the A320neo, F9 has the following aircraft in their fleet:

8 Airbus A320ceos.
21 Airbus A321ceos.
39 Airbus A321neos.

Frontier Airlines flight F9688, operated by the Airbus A320neo, departed Denver at 1954 local time and tracked east towards Washington Reagan.

Near the border to Wisconsin, the aircraft made a u-turn back to the airport with a problem onboard.

Furthermore, as reported by The Aviation Herald, it is understood that the aircraft suffered a stuck brake.

Following the discovery, the aircraft landed safely without further incident back into Denver following the incident.

FAA Will Investigate The Incident: Aircraft Re-Entered Service Same Day…

Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The FAA issued a statement on the incident involving Frontier Airlines flight F9688 Denver-Washington:

“Frontier Airlines Flight 688 returned safely to Denver International Airport around 4:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 28, after the crew reported a stuck brake.”

“The Airbus A320neo was originally scheduled to fly to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.”

“The FAA will investigate. “

Moreover, data from RadarBox highlights that the aircraft didn’t remain out of service for very long.

It re-entered service later on in the evening and proceeded to fly to Salt Lake City, where it night-stopped.

Furthermore, on July 29 and 30, the aircraft operated a series of commercial flights.

This would indicate that the issue at hand had been fixed, but it is still something the FAA will investigate.

As soon as we get more information on this, then we will update you accordingly.

Such updates will be placed at the bottom of the article if and when they come in.

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July 31, 2024 0 comment

Screenshot showing near miss at Syracuse NY between two commercial jets.

Incident

FAA Investigates ‘Near Miss’ Over NY Syracuse Airport

by Len Varley July 11, 2024

written by Len Varley

Video footage which captured what appeared to be a near miss between two commercial aircraft near Syracuse Hancock International Airport will now be investigated by the Federal aviation administration.

Dash cam footage from a North Syracuse Police Department unit captured the moment that the two jet aircraft appeared to pass very close to one another.

The video footage shows one aircraft on descent whilst converging aircraft is on climb, with their flight paths apparently converging.

From the ground perspective, the two aircraft appear as though they are passing very close to one another.

The incident which occurred on Monday 8 July has sparked a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation into a potential air traffic control error at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

Video via North Syracuse Police Department

Syracuse Incident

The incident involved a departing Delta Air Lines flight 5421, operated by Endeavor Air and an arriving PSA Airlines/American Eagle flight 5511.

Early reports indicate that air traffic control may have inadvertently cleared the Delta flight for takeoff from RWY 28, whilst the inbound flight was approaching to land.

Transcripts of communications between the aircraft and ATC show that the sequencing error appears to have been first picked up by the crew of the American Eagle flight.

Upon hearing the takeoff clearance issued to the departing aircraft, the American pilot asked “Wait, who’s cleared to take off on 28?”

Following his question, the departing American Eagle flight then received instructions from ATC to “take to the sky” and initiate a go-around maneuver.

In carrying out the go around instruction, the American flight was turning away at the time of the recorded incident and thus increasing the separation between the two aircraft.

Reported 725 Foot Separation

The FAA has confirmed they are investigating the incident. While the official report is not yet available, early information suggests the aircraft came within 725 feet of each other at their closest point.

This distance is significantly lower than the minimum safe separation standards mandated by the FAA.

An early FAA statement reads: “An air traffic controller instructed PSA Airlines 5511 to go around at Syracuse Hancock International Airport to keep it separated from an aircraft that was departing on the same runway.”

There were no injuries during the incident and both aircraft landed uneventfully.

The FAA’s investigation will focus on determining the cause of the near miss incident at Syracuse and implementing preventative measures to ensure similar situations are avoided in the future.

This may involve reviewing air traffic control procedures, enhancing communication protocols, or potentially implementing new technological safeguards.

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July 11, 2024 0 comment

A deployed Boeing 737 NG passenger oxygen mask.

Manufacturer

FAA Mandates Inspection of 2,600 737 Aircraft Over Oxygen Mask Issue

by Len Varley July 9, 2024

written by Len Varley

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated inspections for over 2,600 Boeing 737 airplanes due to concerns regarding potential malfunctions with passenger oxygen masks during emergencies.

This directive arose from reports of passenger service unit (PSU) oxygen generators shifting out of their designated positions.

A displaced generator could hinder the delivery of supplemental oxygen to passengers in the event of cabin depressurization.

737 Variants: Applicability of the Directive

The inspections apply to Boeing 737 MAX and NG variants. The FAA’s airworthiness directive mandated that airlines conduct comprehensive inspections of the affected Boeing 737s.

The timeframe for these inspections varied depending on the specific aircraft model, ranging from 120 to 150 days.

Airlines were also required to take corrective actions if necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the oxygen generators.

It has been revealed that Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will testify at a US Senate hearing on June 18.

Prior to the FAA directive, Boeing had already issued a Service Bulletin (SB) on 17 June advising airlines to perform visual inspections of the subject Boeing 737 oxygen generators.

This Service Bulletin stemmed from the discovery that a new adhesive introduced in August 2019 could, in some instances, cause the oxygen generator units to shift from their intended positions.

Consequently, Boeing reverted to using the original adhesive to address this potential safety hazard.

DemonDays64, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Understanding the 737 Oxygen Generator System

Multiple parts work together to form the passenger oxygen delivery system. Here’s a breakdown of the role played by the oxygen generator:

Chemical Reaction

Unlike the crew’s oxygen system, which utilizes high-pressure gas cylinders, the passenger oxygen system relies on chemical oxygen generators. These generators contain chemicals that react when triggered, producing oxygen for the passengers.

Passenger Service Unit (PSU)

These units house the oxygen generators and are strategically located throughout the passenger cabin, typically above the seats. When a depressurization event occurs, the PSU automatically activates the oxygen generators.

Deployment and Delivery

Upon activation, the chemical reaction within the generator creates oxygen that flows through a network of tubes to the passenger oxygen masks.

The activation triggers the flow of oxygen through the tubes, delivered directly to passengers through their donned masks, aiding in proper respiration during a decompression event.

It’s important to note that these generators provide a limited duration of oxygen supply. Their primary function is to sustain passengers until the aircraft descends to a breathable altitude where normal oxygen levels are restored.

A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on the taxiway

Public Reassurance and Transparency

The FAA mandated inspections for the subject Boeing 737 aircraft is to proactively identify and fix any problems that could prevent the oxygen generator system from functioning properly.

The system guarantees that passengers receive the necessary oxygen supply during an emergency.

Understandably, the FAA directive requiring inspections may cause some air travelers to be concerned.

However, it’s crucial to remember that these inspections are a proactive measure taken to address a potential safety issue with the oxygen masks.

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July 9, 2024 0 comment

Incident

FAA Investigates Southwest Flight Which Departed From Portland Closed Runway

by Len Varley July 1, 2024

written by Len Varley

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate an incident in Portland, Maine which saw a Southwest Airline flight depart from a temporarily closed runway on 25 June 2024.

Southwest Airlines flight WN4805, a Boeing 737-700 was operating from Portland International Jetport (PWM) to Baltimore (BWI).

Southwest WN4805 Portland-Baltimore

Flight track of Southwest Airlines flight WN4805 from Portland to Baltimore.

The flight was making a departure from RWY 29 after the operational hours for both the runway in question and PWN control tower.

The only runway active at the time of the flight’s departure was RWY 18/36.

Flight crew continued with the departure procedure on RWY 29 and carried out the scheduled WN4805 service to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

The flight then landed at the destination airport without further incident.

The FAA subsequently reported that an airport service vehicle had exited the deactivated departure runway at PWM just before the Southwest flight took off.

In a statement issued after the departure incident, the FAA said: “Southwest Airlines Flight 4805 departed from a temporarily closed runway at the Portland International Jetport on Tuesday, June 25.”

“An airport vehicle exited the runway before the plane began its takeoff roll. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the event, which occurred around 5:45 a.m. local time.”

Aircraft Details

The aircraft conducting the WN4805 service to Baltimore (BWI) was a Boeing 737-700, registered N7861J.

This is a 19.1 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the US carrier Southwest Airlines. It entered active service with the airline in October 2017.

Prior to its service with Southwest, the airframe was operated by China Eastern Airlines from its initial factory delivery in June 2005.

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July 1, 2024 0 comment

A Southwest Airlines 737-800 approaches to land.

Incident

FAA Probes Southwest Airlines Low Flight Over Oklahoma City

by Len Varley June 21, 2024

written by Len Varley

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident which saw a Southwest Airlines aircraft to send to unusually low level in the Oklahoma City area on 19 June.

A Southwest Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Oklahoma City made an unusual descent which was low enough to trigger an ATC automated low altitude warning.

Southwest WN4069 Las Vegas-Oklahoma City

Flight track of Southwest Airlines WN4069 showing low approach over Oklahoma City

Southwest Airlines flight WN4069, a Boeing 737-800 inbound from Las Vegas was approximately 9 miles from Will Rogers World Airport when the alert sounded.

According to flight data the aircraft descended following a clearance to make a visual approach to the airport.

The approaching aircraft apparently descended to approximately 500 feet as it overflew Yukon high school in a built-up area.

The flight then regained altitude and circled before making its final approach and landing to another runway. The unusually low altitude raised the concerns of local residents and school officials.

ATC Low Altitude Warning

The aircraft was low enough to trigger the air traffic control (ATC) warning, and the FAA is now investigating the circumstances and cause of the low approach.

Southwest Airlines has released a statement indicating they are following their established safety protocols to determine what transpired. There were no reported injuries on board the aircraft, and no reported anomalies with the aircraft.

The aircraft conducting the WN4069 domestic service from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport was a Boeing 737-800, registered N8555Z. This is a 6.60 narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Southwest Airlines.

It has been an operational service with the airline since its initial delivery in December 2017.

Passengers on the flight have not yet publicly commented on the incident. Yukon High School officials are reported to be cooperating with the FAA’s investigation.

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June 21, 2024 0 comment

A group of private air charter jets on the tarmac.

General Aviation

FAA Puts New Focus on Safe Public Charter Flights

by Len Varley June 18, 2024

written by Len Varley

The skies above the United States are becoming increasingly crowded with a new type of air traveler: the public charter flyer, or air charter customer.

Public charter flights offer a unique blend of convenience and affordability, often operating on fixed routes and schedules similar to traditional airlines.

These operations may be conducted with potentially less stringent safety regulations compared to regular public transport operations.

This growth has sparked concern from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This has led to a two-pronged approach aimed at ensuring safety while expanding access to air travel for all Americans.

Rise of Public Charters and Safety Concerns

Public charter flights have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. These flights typically cater to a specific group of passengers, pre-selling seats for a particular route or destination.

While some public charters operate like traditional airlines, offering frequent flights on established routes, they fall under different regulations categorized as Part 135 operations in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).

These regulations may have less rigorous pilot experience requirements and maintenance standards compared to Part 121 regulations governing major airlines.

This disparity in regulations has raised concerns about the safety of public charter flights, particularly as their frequency and complexity increase.

Passengers might not be aware of the difference in safety standards between public charters and traditional airlines, potentially leading to a false sense of security.

Strengthening Safety: Leveling the Playing Field

The FAA is taking action to address these safety concerns. Their first initiative involves revising the definitions of “scheduled,” “on-demand,” and “supplemental” operations within Part 110 of the FARs.

This revision aims to ensure that public charter flights operating with a scheduled nature adhere to the same safety standards as other non-public charter flights.

“The FAA prioritizes identifying potential risks early on,” stated FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “As public charter usage expands, we need to determine if these flights should be subject to the same safety regulations as scheduled airlines if their operations resemble them.”

The FAA plans to issue a proposed rulemaking that outlines the proposed changes. This document will solicit public comments and determine an effective implementation date, allowing the industry time to adjust to the new regulations.

This initiative follows a similar process conducted in August 2023, which received significant public engagement with over 60,000 responses.

Front view of a Tidal Jets charter aircraft. — Photo Credit: Tidal Jets

Expanding Access: Reaching Underserved Communities

Beyond safety, the FAA is committed to expanding access to air travel for underserved communities, particularly those in smaller and more remote areas.

Limited commercial airline service often leaves these communities with limited travel options. Public charter flights can potentially bridge this gap, offering more direct connections and potentially lower fares.

However, limitations exist. Aircraft size and certification requirements might not be suitable for smaller regional airports.

To address this, the FAA will explore ways to better align these regulations with the specific needs of these regions.

A Safety Risk Management Panel (SRMP) will be convened to assess the feasibility of establishing a new operating authority for scheduled Part 135 operations.

This new authority would focus on flights utilizing aircraft with 10-30 passenger capacities, potentially making them more suitable for regional airports and routes.

A private jet in flight. — Photo courtesy of NetJets.

Innovation and Security

The FAA is not alone in its efforts. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plays a vital role in ensuring the security of public charter flights.

The TSA has been reviewing security requirements for specific operators under the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP).

This review includes proposals for stricter passenger and baggage screening procedures on public charter flights, along with additional requirements for all TFSSP operators.

Open communication and collaboration are crucial between the FAA and TSA. While the FAA focuses on passenger safety during flight, the TSA prioritizes security measures on the ground.

Following established regulations, the TSA provided a comment period for impacted operators to voice their concerns regarding proposed security changes before finalizing them.

The Future of Public Charters: Balancing Priorities

The public charter flight market presents a unique challenge for the aviation industry. Balancing safety, access, and innovation requires a multi-faceted approach.

The FAA’s initiatives and its collaboration with the TSA demonstrate a commitment to addressing these challenges.

As public charter flights continue to evolve, ongoing dialogue with the industry, passengers, and safety experts will be crucial to ensure a safe and accessible air travel experience for all Americans, regardless of their location or budget.

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June 18, 2024 0 comment

Graphic of combined NASA and FAA wildfire airspace management system

Analysis

NASA and FAA Partner to Develop New Wildfire Technologies

by Len Varley May 27, 2024

written by Len Varley

The escalating frequency and intensity of wildfires across the United States pose a critical challenge for emergency responders. NASA and the FAA are responding to this threat.

Intensifying wildfires, erupting with greater ferocity and destroying landscapes at an alarming rate, are pushing traditional firefighting tactics to their limits.

To combat this growing threat, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have joined forces. The aim of the new collaboration is to develop ground-breaking wildland fire technologies.

This collaborative effort is spearheaded by NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project. It aims to revolutionize airspace management and unlock the potential of drones in wildfire response.

Overcoming In-Flight Visibility Problem

One of the main hurdles in traditional aerial firefighting is visibility. Smoke and low-light conditions often restrict manned aircraft operations, leaving critical firefighting windows dangerously narrow.

Precious time is lost as pilots wait for visibility to improve, jeopardizing lives and property. Drones, however, offer a promising solution.

An air tanker drops retardant on a wildfire in British Columbia, Canada. — Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

By leveraging their ability to operate remotely, these uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) could enable continuous monitoring. This would permit fire fighting throughout the night and during conditions of limited visibility due to heavy smoke.

Equipped with infrared cameras, they could pierce through the smoke, providing vital intelligence to fire fighters on the ground.

Imagine a scenario where fire fighters can pin point the hottest zones of the blaze or track the fire’s movement even during the dead of night. This is the enormous potential that drones hold.

UAVs and Airspace Management

However, using these drones safely and effectively requires advanced airspace management technologies.

The design of current air traffic control systems does not allow for the complex choreography of multiple drones operating in a dynamic and often chaotic environment.

Imagine a swarm of drones buzzing around a wildfire, each tasked with a specific mission. These include monitoring fire lines, dropping fire retardant, or relaying critical data.

Without a sophisticated system to manage their airspace and prevent collisions, this scenario could quickly turn disastrous.

This is where the Wildland Fire Airspace Operations research transition team comes in. Over the next four years, this collaborative effort will focus on developing these crucial technologies.

The team’s mission is to create and test new airspace access and traffic management systems. These will be specifically designed to support wildfire response.

These advancements will not only improve current fire fighting operations. This project also paves the way for a comprehensive future vision for wildland fire management, currently under development by NASA and other government agencies.

A key aspect of this initiative involves testing and proving drone technologies for use by both commercial entities and government agencies.

A Coulson Aviation helicopter fights a wildfire. — Photo Credit: Michael Nevin/Coulson Aviation

Equipping UAVs With Necessary Systems

Safety is paramount. The team is launching a rigorous evaluation of various drone platforms. They will scrutinize each platform to confirm it has all the necessary systems.

This includes reliable communication systems, fail-safe mechanisms, and weatherproofing capabilities.

This is necessary to withstand the harsh conditions often associated with wildfires. By ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these UAVs, the team paves the way for their seamless integration into future wildfire response efforts.

ACERO, led by NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, plays a pivotal role in this collaborative effort, drawing upon the agency’s expertise in aeronautics research.

They bring to the table a wealth of experience in developing cutting-edge aviation technologies, from guidance systems to autonomous flight control.

This expertise will be crucial in creating next-generation drones specifically tailored for the demands of wildfire response.

Summary

This joint effort by NASA and the FAA represents a significant step forward in the fight against wildfires.

By harnessing the power of drone technology and developing innovative airspace management solutions, they equip firefighters with the tools they need to combat these devastating blazes more effectively.

The potential benefits extend far beyond immediate fire suppression. Imagine drones being used for post-fire damage assessment, search and rescue operations, or even targeted reseeding efforts – the possibilities are vast.

As wildfires continue to pose a growing threat, this collaboration between NASA and the FAA offers a glimmer of hope, paving the way for a safer and more effective future in wildland fire management.

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May 27, 2024 0 comment

Airline

FAA Clears United Airlines to Add New Aircraft and Routes

by Len Varley May 16, 2024

written by Len Varley

There’s some positive news for United Airlines, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clearing the carrier to add new aircraft and routes to its network.

Today’s news follows a period of several weeks of regulatory scrutiny by the FAA. This was brought about by a spate of air safety incidents involving United Airlines aircraft earlier this year.

FAA Green Lights United Growth Restart

The US aviation regulator has now lifted the operational restriction on the carrier. The regulatory block has prevented the airline from adding new planes and routes to its network.

This means United can now restart the process of getting approval for new aircraft and destinations.

This marks a significant step forward for the airline, which has been working to address safety concerns raised by the FAA earlier this year.

The FAA had essentially paused the certification process for new United aircraft and routes. This allowed them time to review the airline’s overall operations and safety procedures.

United Airlines 767 Suffers Hydraulic Issue on Arrival to New York

According to news reports, the US airline confirmed it now had clearance to proceed in a note to employees on Wednesday.

“Today, we got some good news. After a careful review and discussion about the proactive safety steps United has taken to date, our FAA Certificate Management Office has allowed us to begin the process of restarting our certification activities, including new aircraft and routes, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the FAA.”

Scrutiny After Safety Incidents

The increased level of scrutiny and restriction followed a string of air safety incidents. Several incidents occurred in rapid succession through the earlier part of the year.

Notable among these was the detachment of a main wheel from a United Boeing 777. The wheel separation occurred during a departure from San Francisco in March.

Eight incidents involving United Airlines aircraft occurred over a 10-day period. In March 2024, AviationSource reported on the incidents involving United Airlines aircraft. A full list of these incidents is summarized here.

The airline responded at the time, adding additional pilot training and retooling training for its engineers and mechanics.

Busy Summer Season Anticipated

United Airlines welcomes the latest news, as the FAA restrictions had significantly hindered their ability to launch new routes planned for the peak summer travel season.

An estimated 271 million passengers are expected to take to the skies across the US peak season from June 1 to August 31.

This equates to a significant 6.3% increase compared to last year, which itself was a record-breaking season.

While the regulatory clearance is a positive development, it’s important to note that the FAA’s review of United is still ongoing. As such, the full impact of the review on United’s growth plans in the longer term remains to be seen.

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May 16, 2024 0 comment

Manufacturer

FAA Sets Conditions for Airbus A321XLR Novel Fuel Tank

by Len Varley May 7, 2024

written by Len Varley

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed special conditions for the Airbus A321XLR.

This has come about because the Extended Long Range (XLR) variant will have a novel or unusual design feature. The design incorporates an integral rear center tank (RCT).

The current airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the novel, ‘non-standard’ design.

Applicable regulations do not allow for fire-safety performance of the fuel-tank skin or structure in a post-crash external fuel-fed ground fire.

Accordingly, the proposed special conditions now set by the FAA contain the additional safety standards considered necessary to establish a suitable level of safety.

Background: Integral Fuel Tank Configuration

On September 16, 2019, Airbus applied for an amendment to an existing Type Certificate. This was to include the new Model A321neo XLR series airplane.

The proposed Airbus Model A321XLR series airplane incorporates an integral RCT. This tank is a “center” fuel tank, which if approved, would be located in the airplane fuselage rather than in its wings.

Essentially, it would be in an area of the lower section of the fuselage. It would partially replace the aft cargo compartment of the basic A321 airplane.

The top of the tank would be directly below the floor of the passenger cabin. The fuel tank would be ‘‘integral’’ to the airplane, in that its walls would be part of the airplane structure.

Concerns with the Integral Tank

The FAA expressed a concern with the location of the integral RCT. Essentially, it is installed in a location that may be exposed to the direct effects of post-crash ground fires.

The current airworthiness standards applicable to the Model A321XLR do not contain specific standards for post-crash fire-safety performance of fuel-tank skin or structure.

In short, an integral fuel tank was not envisaged when the FAA originally set out requirements. These requirements are laid out to ensure the protection of aircraft occupants in the event of fire.

Traditionally, main and auxiliary fuel tanks are located in the wing assemblies or within cargo holds.

Unlike the proposed integral RCT on the A321XLR, these ‘traditional’ fuel tanks are covered under existing regulations. They are not expected by the FAA or manufacturers to be exposed to the direct effects of post-crash ground fire.

Proposed FAA Conditions

The FAA will issue, after notice and comment, a set of special conditions. These conditions specifically address the novel or unusual aspect of the A321neo XLR’s integral RCT.

One such condition involves the assurance that relevant parts of the fuselage resist penetration from an external fuel fed fire.

Other concerns centre around post-crash fire occupant survivability in the event of a fuel tank breach or structural failure.

Thus, the proposed special conditions address standards for post-crash fire-safety performance of fuel-tank skin or structure. They propose a requirement to prevent the ignition of fuel vapor during an external fuel-fed ground fire.

The FAA intends for this requirement to suitably protect aircraft occupants in the event of such a fire.

Industry analysts have questioned whether the proposed changes set out by the FAA may restrict the range of the aircraft.

According to a Reuters report, Airbus have reiterated that there would be no significant impact from the proposed requirements.

The FAA’s decision, while incorporating fire safety measures, allows Airbus to progress with the A321XLR program.

With this hurdle cleared, the manufacturer can proceed with deliveries of the A321XLR. Airbus has previously delayed the delivery schedule until the second quarter of 2024.

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May 7, 2024 0 comment

Manufacturer

FAA Probes Falsified Boeing 787 Inspection Records

by Len Varley May 7, 2024

written by Len Varley

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a new investigation into Boeing to determine whether workers falsified 787 production records.

This follows the US manufacturers self-disclosure that some workers at its North Charleston, South Carolina facility had reportedly falsified inspection records on certain 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Focus on 787 Inspections

The falsified records pertained to essential inspections on the wing-to-body join, a critical area for structural integrity and electrical grounding.

These inspections ensure proper bonding, a process that verifies a secure connection between the fuselage and wings.

In the confirming statement the FAA advises that it has now opened an investigation into the matter.

FAA Investigation Actions Following Disclosure

The aviation regulator states that Boeing voluntarily provided a disclosure in April this year. In its communication, Boeing advised that it may not have completed the required inspections on certain 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

As a result the FAA will now investigate to determine the following:

whether Boeing completed the subject inspections, and
whether company employees may have falsified aircraft records.

At the same time Boeing will re-inspect all 787 Dreamliner aircraft still within the production system. It must also create a plan to address the current in-service fleet of aircraft.

A Boeing 787 parked at the factory. — Photo Credit: Boeing

Safety Concerns and Response

While Boeing maintains the issue did not pose an immediate safety risk, the FAA’s investigation aims to determine the extent of the falsification and ensure continued aircraft safety.

According to a report by AP News, Boeing’s engineers have made a determination that the alleged incidents do not raise “an immediate safety of flight issue”.

The potential misconduct was reportedly raised initially in an email to company employees in South Carolina by Scott Stocker, the lead of the 787 wide-body program.

Stocker had received advice to a concern by the worker advising of an “irregularity” in the mandatory testing of the wing to fuselage join.

Stocker advised of the matter in his email to employees. “After receiving the report, we quickly reviewed the matter and learned that several people had been violating Company policies by not performing a required test, but recording the work as having been completed.”

It is understood from disclosures that Boeing is pursuing corrective action with multiple employees as a result.

Conclusion

This incident adds another layer of scrutiny to Boeing, which has faced growing challenges in recent times. The manufacturer was still recovering from the grounding of the 737 MAX following two fatal crashes.

This year the manufacturer has seen regulatory scrutiny focus on both the 737 and 787 production lines. This follows a mid-air incident involving a 737 MAX 9, and subsequent revelations of concerns by whistleblowers.

As per their confirming statement, the FAA will now formulate a program of inspections to address the current operational fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The inspection of current aircraft on the Boeing production line may have a knock-on effect with delays in production and deliveries. The effect, and the outcome, of these subsequent inspections remains to be seen.

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May 7, 2024 0 comment

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