Airlines

Pilots of Boeing 737 fall asleep, miss landing.

An Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane’s two pilots both slept off during the approach to an Ethiopian airport. Read more

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An Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane’s two pilots both slept off during the approach to an Ethiopian airport, leading the plane to overfly the runway until the autopilot’s warning awoke them. According to a story from The Aviation Herald, the event occurred earlier this week while Ethiopian Airlines Flight 343, a Boeing 737-800, was traveling from Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

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The aircraft remained on the ground for about 2.5 hours before departing for its next flight. When the pilots of the Boeing 737 fell asleep in the cockpit, the aircraft was traveling at a height of 37,000 feet (11,277 meters), which caused it to approach Addis Ababa Boke International Airport without lowering.

INCIDENT: Ethiopian Airlines 737 pilots fall asleep on a flight between Khartoum and Addis Ababa, only to be woken up by the autopilot disconnecting as the aircraft overflew the runway. https://t.co/06AU4FYKk4 pic.twitter.com/twLoGfalIC

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 18, 2022

The crew was repeatedly unsuccessfully attempting to be contacted by air traffic control. The autopilot detached after passing over the runway at a height of 37,000 feet, activating an alarm that woke up the pilots. About 25 minutes later, the aircraft made a safe return trip to the airport.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.