aviation safety

DHL, SF Airlines most impacted by 757 freighter crack risk

DHL Express and China-based SF Airlines are most impacted by the discovery of fatigue cracking in Boeing 757-200 aircraft that were converted from passenger to cargo configuration during the past 19 years, according to a FreightWaves analysis.

The Federal Aviation Administration last month issued an airworthiness directive requiring inspections within three months and repair and replacement, where necessary, to the lavatory service panel located on the fuselage bottom of freighters modified by...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dhl-sf-airlines-most-impacted-by-757-freighter-crack-risk

Kalitta Air faces $400,000 penalty for FAA violation

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a civil penalty of $400,000 against cargo airline Kalitta Air for allegedly operating flights in a prohibited region when certain aircraft have a faulty multimode receiver.

The agency announced Friday that Kalitta Air, based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, used prohibited procedures on 44 flights between late December 2022 and Jan. 26, 2023. The Boeing 777 freighter did not have the required software needed to correct a fault in the navigation equipment....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/kalitta-air-faces-400000-penalty-for-faa-violation

NTSB to deliver findings on FedEx-Southwest near miss

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday it will hold a board meeting next month to vote on proposed findings and safety recommendations resulting from its investigation into the near-collision of a FedEx Express with a commercial passenger jet in Texas last year. 

The announcement came shortly after the agency sent a team of experts to Istanbul, Turkey to investigate an emergency landing Wednesday by a FedEx (NYSE: FDX) Boeing 767-300 freighter when its front landing gear failed...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-to-deliver-findings-on-fedex-southwest-near-miss

Global Crossing Airlines one of few to make Israel cargo flights

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Two freighter aircraft operated by Global Crossing Airlines, a startup charter airline based in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/global-crossing-airlines-one-of-few-to-make-israel-cargo-flights

House Republicans say Buttigieg neglecting aviation and rail safety

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg isn’t doing enough to address rail and aviation safety,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/house-republicans-say-buttigieg-neglecting-aviation-and-rail-safety

Brisbane Airport winning war on wasps

Close up of a wasp flying with mud in its legs.

Brisbane Airport in Australia is reporting success containing a wasp population that poses a danger to aircraft operations by nesting in flight instruments critical for safe flight. 

The news comes as Australian aviation authorities investigate an incident in which a large Airbus jetliner nearly took off before intake covers designed to protect against wasp infiltration were removed, which could have prevented the crew from maintaining a sufficient airspeed.

Brisbane International Airport for...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/brisbane-airport-winning-war-on-wasps

How is AI improving aircraft inspections after hard landings?

A propeller plane viewed from behind with wheels out and still in the air above runway.

Hard landings can be difficult on passengers, cargo and the aircraft itself. Aviation safety practices require airlines need to check the landing gear before the plane returns to service. ATR, the Airbus-Leonardo joint venture that manufactures turboprop aircraft, says it has developed AI that can significantly speed up the inspection process and save airlines money.

Bumpy landings typically happen when an aircraft descends at a faster rate than the optimal 2 or 3 feet per second. The idea is to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-is-ai-improving-aircraft-inspections-after-hard-landings

Aviation sector says resolving 5G safety conflicts will take years

Close up a cell tower with 5G repeaters.

Resolving the safety challenges posed by 5G wireless broadband service to the aviation sector will take years despite progress in recent weeks that prevented major disruptions for the flying public and cargo shippers, airline, manufacturing and union representatives told lawmakers on Thursday.

Developing permanent standards that go beyond the current “Band-Aid” risk mitigation is needed to allow for the safe and efficient functioning of commercial and general aviation aircraft, and retrofitting...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/aviation-sector-says-resolving-5g-safety-conflicts-will-take-years

FedEx, UPS operate large Boeing freighters FAA says vulnerable to 5G

A UPS jumbo jet takes off with mountains in the background.

A new Federal Aviation Administration regulation prohibiting Boeing 747-8 freighters and all 777 widebody aircraft from landing at airports where 5G towers might interfere with onboard safety equipment could have a disproportionate impact on major cargo airlines like UPS, FedEx and Atlas Air.

The airworthiness directive issued Tuesday said the FAA has identified an additional hazard from interference with radio altimeters beyond creating a landing danger in low-visibility conditions....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-ups-operate-large-boeing-freighters-faa-says-vulnerable-to-5g

Major cargo airlines warn 5G could disrupt over 10K flights

Close up of a cell phone at an airport passenger terminal, with planes visible in background through the window.

Air cargo carriers say customers will face significant shipping delays and costs if big telecommunications companies rollout new 5G wireless service without taking steps to mitigate potential interference with safety instruments on aircraft. 

On Tuesday, AT&T and Verizon, under pressure from the White House, announced they will delay deployment of 5G service at towers near some airports. The developments followed an airline industry warning the day prior that turning on cellular towers near...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/major-cargo-airlines-warn-5g-could-disrupt-over-10k-flights

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