Aviation

Airbus A320 comes within 6 ft of crashing while on approach to Paris

According to a report by French authorities, an aeroplane carrying 172 passengers came within 6 feet (1.8 metres) of crashing while making its approach to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). On May 23, 2022, at at 11:40 UTC, the Airbus A320, with the registration 9H-EMU and operated by wet lease expert Air hub, was coming in to land at CDG on a trip from Stockholm Arlanda when the near-collision occurred because of an improper altimeter setting.

The approach was flown 280 feet lower than it should have been because the controller repeatedly gave the crew the wrong QNH setting, 1011 instead of 1001, and the crew failed to notice the error. The Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) was triggered on both approaches during this serious incident, and the controllers failed to use the prescribed MSAW phraseology. The report noted that the crew was not provided the QNH or any instructions to verify their altitude.

For Air hub, the BEA recommends that crews are made aware of the importance of the correct QNH setting for such RNP approaches and implement a procedure to cross-check QNH information with another source.

First approach – Horizontal flight path

The flight, which was being flown on behalf of Norwegian Air Shuttle, was making an LNAV/VNAV minimum RNP approach to runway 27 at CDG. Because the aircraft will get its altitude information from the barometric altitude systems, this style of approach depends on pilots using the proper QNH setting.

According to the preliminary report from the BEA, air traffic controllers received a ground Minimum Safe Altitude Warning at 11:41:32, when the aircraft was at an indicated altitude of 617 ft on the correct QNH of 1001, or 200 feet above the ground according to the radio altimeter, at 1.53 nautical miles from the runway threshold. With a QNH setting of 1011, the crew would have seen an indicated altitude of 891 ft. CDG is 392 ft above sea level.

At 1.2 nautical miles from the runway, nine seconds later, the crew passed the decision altitude of 802 feet in accordance with the inaccurate 1011 QNH setting. The crew decided to turn around since they could not see the runway. However, the aircraft was 122 feet above the ground when the QNH was adjusted to the proper altitude of 1001, which was 537 feet.

The autopilot was removed and the captain pitched the aircraft up at 11:41:47, 15 seconds after ATC received the alert and during the controller’s call to the aircraft. The aircraft’s lowest point above the earth, measured by the radio altimeter at just 6 ft, was reached three seconds later and when it was still 0.8 miles from the runway.

Second approach

On the second approach for landing, the faulty QNH setting was not corrected, and the aircraft was again 280 ft lower than it should have been. Another MSAW was generated when the aircraft was 3.1 nm from the runway at an indicated altitude of 1,403 ft on QNH 1011 (but 1,131 ft QNH 1001, 842 ft per the radio altimeter).

When called by the controller, the crew said they did not understand why the message had been received but that they were visual with the runway. However, runway PAPI lights indicated to the crew that they were lower than they should be, so they corrected the approach and landed safely.

Courtesy : BEA

Airlines

US DOT says Airlines must now pay automatic refunds for cancelled flights

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a final regulation requiring airlines to quickly reimburse passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed, according to a statement made by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Under the new regulation, passengers will find it easier to get refunds when airlines dramatically alter or cancel flights, cause severe delays for checked baggage, or don’t supply the additional services they paid for.

According to a statement from the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a final rule mandating airlines to promptly compensate customers with automatic cash refunds when they are eligible. The new rule would make it simpler for customers to receive refunds from airlines in cases when they drastically change or cancel flights, cause significant delays for checked luggage, or fail to provide the extra services they charged for.

Under the latest rule from the USDOT, passengers are guaranteed refunds in several scenarios:

Canceled or Significantly Changed Flights: Passengers are entitled to refunds if their flight is canceled or significantly altered, including changes in departure or arrival times exceeding 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally, departures or arrivals from different airports, increased connections, downgrades in service class, or changes less accommodating to passengers with disabilities.
Delayed Baggage Return: Passengers filing mishandled baggage reports can claim a refund for checked bag fees if their luggage is not returned within specific timeframes after flight arrival.
Unprovided Extra Services: If airlines fail to deliver paid extra services like Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment, passengers can request refunds for those fees.

The final rule streamlines the refund process, ensuring it is:

Automatic: Refunds are issued automatically without requiring passengers to request them.
Prompt: Airlines must refund credit card purchases within seven business days and other payment methods within 20 calendar days.
In Original Form of Payment: Refunds are provided in the original payment method used for purchase.
Full Amount: Passengers receive full refunds minus the value of any portion of transportation already used, including government and airline fees.

Suggest banning family seating junk fees and ensuring that parents can travel with their kids at no additional cost. No airline promised to ensure fee-free family seating prior to efforts from President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg last year. Family seating is now guaranteed free of charge on four airlines, and the Department is working on a plan to eliminate family seating junk fees.

Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.

Airlines

The Nine Freedoms of the Air – Jetline Marvel

Most of us travel from one city to another city via road we need to get permission to that specific city if it is in another country like a visa or Road access permission to use its property for revenue purposes to carry passengers and Cargo. Similarly, In the airline Industry, it is also important that the Company have permission to fly and access that country whether it’s for stoppage flying above them, or Operating the passengers within that country This is called Freedom of the Air.

Some countries together they agree with certain conditions to access their Aerospace for to access for the airline to travel above their nation. If the bilateral is done for Their own countries’ airlines or other countries’ airlines. In this chapter, we understand how this thing is carried out. What all the condition has to look into that.

The Freedoms of the Air are international commercial aviation agreements (traffic rights) that grant a country’s airline(s) the privilege to enter and land in another country’s airspace. They were formulated in 1944 at an international gathering held in Chicago (known as the Chicago Convention) to establish uniformity in world air commerce. There are generally considered to be nine freedoms of the air.

Most nations of the world exchange first and second freedoms through the International Air Services Transit Agreement. The other freedoms,chase freedom airline miles when available, are usually established between countries in bilateral or multilateral air services agreements. The third and fourth freedoms are always granted together. The eighth and ninth freedoms (cabotage) have been exchanged only in limited instances

First Freedom:

The basic permission granted to an airline from one country (A) to fly through the airspace of another country (B)

Second Freedom:

The permission for a commercial airplane from country (A) to land and refuel (often called a technical stop) in another country (B).

Third Freedom :

The privilege for an airline to transport paying (Revenue) passengers from its home country (A) to another country (B).

Fourth Freedom

The rights for an airline to transport paying (Revenue )passengers from another country (B) to the airline’s home country (A).

Fifth Freedom

Fifth Freedom (also known as beyond rights): The rights for an airline to transport passengers from its home country (A) to a destination (B), then pick up and carry passengers to other international destinations (C).

Sixth Freedom:

Sixth Freedom (Combination of Third & Fourth Freedoms) The right for an airline to carry passengers or cargo between two foreign countries (B and C), provided the aircraft touches down in the airline’s home country (A).

Seventh Freedom:

The authorization for an airline to operate flights that start in a foreign country (B), skip its home country (A), and transport passengers to another international destination (C).

Eighth Freedom Air

The rights for an airline to transport passengers from one location within a country’s territory (B) to another point within the same country on a flight originating in the airline’s home country (A). This right is commonly referred to as cabotage and is notably scarce outside of Europe.

Ninth Freedom Air

The entitlement for an airline from a specific country (A) to begin a flight in a foreign country (B) and transport passengers from one location to another within that foreign country. This concept, also referred to as stand-alone cabotage, distinguishes itself from the traditional aviation definition of cabotage by not directly involving the airline’s home country.

Aviation

Air India’s B747 Makes Its Final Journey, Waving Farewell to Fans

In a poignant moment marking the end of an era in aviation history, Air India’s iconic Boeing 747 aircraft, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of the Skies,’ embarked on its ultimate journey from Mumbai’s international airport.

The departure, bound for Plainfield, USA, where it will undergo dismantling and part-stripping under the ownership of American AerSale, signals the closure of a storied chapter for the airline.

Today, we wave goodbye to the first of our last 'Queen of the Skies', the B747, departing Mumbai.

Thank you for an era of majestic flights. We’ll miss your iconic presence.

Credits – @CSMIA_Official #AirIndia #b747 #QueenOfTheSkies pic.twitter.com/W3M15eo5Nx— Air India (@airindia) April 22, 2024

Once revered for transporting dignitaries ranging from prime ministers to presidents, the Boeing 747 has etched itself into aviation lore. Yet, as airlines worldwide pivot towards more contemporary and cost-effective aircraft, Air India’s decision to bid farewell to its remaining Boeing 747s reflects the pragmatic realities of today’s aviation landscape.

The sale of these majestic planes to AerSale represents a strategic move by Tata Group, Air India’s new custodian, towards optimizing operational efficiency and embracing modern industry standards. Out of the four aircraft sold, two will be repurposed into freighters, while the remaining pair will be meticulously disassembled to salvage valuable components.

The final flight from Mumbai witnessed a touching tribute as pilots performed a traditional ‘Wing Wave,’ symbolizing the conclusion of the Boeing 747‘s distinguished service with Air India. This poignant gesture encapsulates the deep sentiment attached to the aircraft’s departure and its significant contribution to the airline’s legacy.

As the Boeing 747 embarks on its journey to Plainfield, USA, nostalgia permeates the air, evoking memories of its maiden flight on March 22, 1971. Over five decades, Air India operated a total of 25 Boeing 747s, each leaving an indelible mark on the annals of aviation history.