Airlines

Alabama airline worker sucked into engine with ‘bang,’ plane filled with passengers shook violently

What are the most interesting things that have happened on an airplane?

According to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into a New Year’s Eve event in which a ground crew member died at a Montgomery, Alabama airport after being sucked into an airplane’s engine, the plane “shook violently” as it shut off with a “boom.”

The NTSB reported that an Embraer 170 aircraft operated by Envoy Air landed at Montgomery Regional Airport with 63 passengers on board shortly after the ramp agent’s death occurred. Courtney Edwards, a 34-year-old mother of three, has recently been revealed as the ramp agent.

According to reports, the engine of an American Airlines Embraer 175 sucked in a luggage handler.(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the preliminary investigation, the airplane’s auxiliary power unit was malfunctioning when it arrived from Dallas, and the captain signalled for it to be linked to ground power instead of choosing to “keep both engines running for the required two-minute engine cool down period.”

The report states that the first officer opened his cockpit window to let the ramp agent know that the engines were still running while the captain was turning off the plane’s right engine. At that time, the captain had received a communication that the front cargo door had opened.

Just ten minutes before the jet landed at the gate, the other crew members working the trip told the NTSB that they attended a joint safety briefing. Then, just prior to the arrival of the plane, they held another safety “huddle” during which they addressed the continuation of the engines’ operation and the need for no one to approach the aircraft.

United Airlines Pilot Gives Forever Home To Puppy Abandoned At Airport(Opens in a new browser tab)

This briefing contained a warning that ground personnel should wait until the engines have been turned off before approaching the aircraft with safety cones. The dead employee appeared to be seen walking to the back of the aircraft with a safety cone on the surveillance footage.

The upper and lower aircraft beacon lights were blinking in the moments before the fatal incident, which is an important sign that the engines are working.

The incident did not injure any of the 59 passengers or four crew members. The aircraft returned to service on January 8 after being grounded for several days and continues to fly for American Eagle. The NTSB did not say when the final report will be released.

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Airlines

Singapore Airlines Ordered to Pay $3,580 to Couple over Faulty Seats

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Following a dispute over defective seats during their voyage from India to Australia last year, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been compelled to pay a sum exceeding S$3,500 to an Indian couple.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad ruled in favour of Ravi and Anjali Gupta, who on May 23, 2023, had problems with their business class seats that were meant to automatically recline on their flight from Hyderabad to Australia via Singapore.

Reports from media outlets in India highlighted the discomfort experienced by the couple, who were compelled to endure the entire journey without the benefit of reclining seats, despite having paid a significant amount which cost around 66,750 rupees (S$1,090) for each ticket, lodged a complaint during the flight, expressing their dissatisfaction with the situation.

Singapore Airlines initially offered compensation in the form of 10,000 KrisFlyer miles per person, which was declined by the passengers. As reported by CNA, Singapore Airlines apologised for any difficulty the technical failure may have caused and acknowledged the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Hyderabad’s ruling.

SIA clarified that while the automatic recline feature on Mr. and Mrs. Gupta’s seats experienced a glitch, the manual recline function remained operational during the flight from Hyderabad to Singapore.

Regrettably, due to a fully occupied flight, SIA staff were unable to arrange alternative seating within the business class cabin. However, the airline asserts that its crew diligently monitored the couple’s comfort throughout the journey, offering to manually adjust the seats as needed.

Airlines

Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery

In an innovative move towards sustainability, renowned Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has recently floated an unconventional idea to its business class customers.

Bringing their own cutlery sets onboard. This initiative, revealed through a member survey circulated within the airline’s “Cathay Lab” community – a platform comprising frequent business class travelers – has stirred a wave of curiosity within the aviation industry.

With sustainability becoming an increasing concern in aviation, Cathay Pacific’s survey aimed to gauge passengers‘ willingness to partake in various eco-friendly practices during their journeys.

Among the initiatives presented, including refilling reusable water bottles and recycling plastic, the prospect of bringing personal cutlery garnered significant attention. Some members expressed practical concerns, questioning the feasibility of carrying cutlery through airport security and the potential inconvenience for passengers unaware of regulations.

Others suggested that Cathay Pacific should simply provide reusable cutlery onboard instead. Furthermore, there were suspicions among some respondents that the BYO cutlery proposal might be a precursor to introducing additional charges, with one user humorously envisioning a scenario where the airline lends cutlery sets for a fee.

Despite the skepticism surrounding the proposal, Cathay Pacific’s exploration of innovative sustainability measures reflects a broader industry trend towards environmental consciousness.

Airlines

Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft

In a bold move that underscores their confidence in India’s burgeoning aviation sector, Air India and IndiGo have revealed ambitious plans to acquire a combined total of up to 170 wide-body aircraft.

This strategic investment marks a significant shift in the country’s aviation landscape, as it brings European aircraft manufacturer Airbus into a domain traditionally dominated by American giant Boeing.

With India positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for such expansion endeavors. The aim is clear: to elevate India’s status as a global aviation hub by enhancing connectivity through direct flights between Indian cities and international destinations.

Currently, a substantial portion of India’s international air traffic relies on overseas hubs, particularly in the Gulf region. IndiGo’s announcement of firm orders for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with an option for an additional 70, signals its commitment to capturing a larger share of the long-haul market.

Meanwhile, Air India’s comprehensive order, unveiled last year, encompasses 70 wide-body planes, including a mix of A350 and Boeing 787 models.

Recognizing the potential for disruption in the long and ultra-long haul segments, aviation consultancy CAPA India has emphasized the pivotal role Indian carriers can play in driving innovation and transformation.

With the current combined fleet size of Indian airlines exceeding 700 aircraft, the stage is set for Air India and IndiGo to spearhead a new era of growth and connectivity in the Indian aviation sector.