Flight Safety Committee

Referring to the incident involving Cargolux aircraft LX-NCL, which diverted to Shannon airport (SNN) this morning following a main deck fire warning, we would like to inform our members that the ALPL Flight Safety Committee was contacted by captain of the flight shortly after the incident occurred. 

The ALPL Flight Safety Committee remains available to provide support to the crew members involved.

We would like to take this incident as an opportunity to remind you of the ALPL’s Emergency Hotline, which is available 24/7. We highly recommend that any member who would become involved directly or indirectly in an incident or accident contact this hotline as soon as possible after the occurrence to provide support in such critical incidents.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin concerning communication interference by military warships in the Pacific Region.

IFALPA has been made aware of some airlines and military aircraft being called over 121.50 or 123.45 by military warships in the Pacific region, notably South China Sea, Philippe Sea, East of Indian Ocean. In some cases, the flights were provided vectors to avoid the airspace over the warship. 

We encourage you to read the full Safety Bulletin especially if you operate in this region.

We encourage you to file an Air Safety Report with your operator if you encounter such communication interference.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin concerning navigational errors on the North Atlantic.

This IFALPA Safety Bulletin is based on an Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin (OESB) issued by the ICAO North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT SPG), concerning deviations observed on the North Atlantic Tracks. 

Background

ICAO North Atlantic Working Groups composed of industry; ATC and state regulators have noted repetitive oceanic errors. These include gross navigation errors (25 NM or more), large height deviations (300 feet or more) and erosion of longitudinal separation. Operators are reminded that the safety of the airspace is constantly monitored, and its performance is reviewed. 

Repeated errors present a recurring hazard and pose a threat not only to overall flight safety but also planned reductions in separation. It is important that operators have a continuous analysis process to evaluate oceanic errors to meet the ICAO Safety Management System (SMS) standards. 

This bulletin will provide recommendations to reduce oceanic errors that should be addressed in initial and recurrent ground training. 

We encourage you to read the full Safety Bulletin.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin concerning incorrect QNH selection.

Background

On 6 June 2020 a Boeing 787-10, performing the RNP-Y approach for runway 31L at Abu Dhabi (OMAA), using standard QNH 1013 instead of actual QNH 999, descended below the approach vertical profile. The aircraft descended to 210 feet AGL, 1.3 NM from the runway threshold, approximately 350 feet below the correct altitude, according to the approach profile, when the flight crew acquired the PAPI, indicating 4 red, and initiated a go-around. 

The aircraft was cleared to climb to 4,000 ft and leveled off at 3,700 ft (indicating 4,000 ft to the flight crew, due to the incorrect QNH). When ATC queried the altitude, the error was resolved, and the aircraft positioned for an ILS approach without further incident. 

On 23 May 2022 an A320 performed two consecutive RNP approaches with VNAV minima to runway 27R at Paris Charles De Gaulle (LFPG) on the wrong QNH setting. During the first descent, the approach controller provided a wrong QNH (1011 instead of 1001), which was not recognized by the crew. The approach was therefore performed below the glide path and eventually triggered a Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW) at the air traffic controller’s workstation, who then queried the crew. 

In response, a go-around was initiated at 405 ft AGL (indicating 6 ft RA) without having acquired visual contact with the ground and the flight positioned for another approach. The second approach was also performed below the glideslope. The crew, however, acquired visual contact, corrected their trajectory, and landed without further incident.

We encourage you to read the full Safety Bulletin. In any case specific procedures of your operator will prevail.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin concerning Winter Conditions at Northern Finland Airports. 

Safe winter operations normally require special procedures by airline maintenance, engineering, ground crew, and de-icing personnel. In Finland, FINAVIA and TRAFICOM publish an annual Safety Bulletin on winter conditions.

The attached bulletin focuses on operations in northern Finland but the content is relevant to other locations subject to similar weather. It provides excellent guidance for both flight crews and operators. In any case specific procedures of your operator will prevail.

We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin. 

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin regarding the uncontrolled re-entry of a rocket Long March 5B into the earth’s atmosphere.

We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin regarding the uncontrolled re-entry of a rocket booster into the earth’s atmosphere.

We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin regarding the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH) which became operationally recently.

In particular this Safety Bulletin highlights some important points regarding the ILS approach to the new northerly runway 07L/25R.

We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin regarding operations at Mexico City International Airport (MMMX).

In the past month IFALPA has been made aware of several incidents involving aircraft arriving at MMMX with low fuel states due to unplanned holding, diversions for excessive delays, and significant GPWS alerts.

We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin.

IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin regarding  Space Weather Advisories.

 ICAO Annex 3, Chapter 9 provides detailed Standards and Recommended Practices for Meteorological information to be supplied to operators and flight crew members for preflight planning, inflight replanning, use by flight crew members before departure, and aircraft in flight. 

It has recently been discovered that some providers of the flight briefing packages do not include the ICAO – standard Space Weather Advisories as provided for in ICAO Annex 3 Chapter 9, 9.1.3 k. This means that many pilots do not receive the advisories. 

We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin.