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On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Marathon Airlines E195 operating for Air Serbia strikes the ILS array on departure, rogue ATC on the radio over Somalia, Air Canada fire its chatbot, and updates from this year’s Singapore Airshow. Marathon Airlines E195 hits ILS antennas on departure A Marathon Airlines E195 operating for AirSerbia struck the ILS array for runway 12R while departing Belgrade’s runway 30L. The aircraft returned safely to Belgrade shortly after departure. Somaliland pirate radio Flights passing through Somali airspace have been subject to rogue ATC instructions, with fake controllers issuing climb and descent clearances. Air Canada liable for chatbot who made up policies A tribunal ruled Air Canada is liable for a refund based on a policy invented by the airline’s customer service chatbot. Updates from the Singapore Airshow Thai Airways finally places its order for additional 787s, COMAC gets its first orders for the “plateau” version of the C919 from Tibet Airlines, and Starlux is starting a dedicated cargo division with the A350F. Boeing fires head of 737 MAX program Ed Clark is out after 18 years at Boeing, including the last three as head of the 737 MAX program in Renton. Katie Ringgold will take over. American Airlines says no more hang gliders In addition to raising the prices for checked bags and changing how and when customers can earn loyalty points on their bookings, the airline will also stop accepting javelin, pole vault, and hang gliders onboard. United flight diverts to Denver with damage to slats A United 757 en route from San Francisco to Boston suffered damage to the leading edge slats on the right wing and safely diverted to Denver. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.  

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, United Airlines’ fleet of A321neos is temporarily grounded for the dumbest of reasons. Plus the NTSB comes out swinging at the FAA demanding new rules requiring 25 hour cockpit voice recorders apply to existing aircraft as well. And the preliminary report on the Atlas Air 747 engine fire points to a missing plug (no, not a door plug) and fire coming out the wrong hole. You must comply with all lighted signs and placards The small fleet of five United Airlines A321neos spent some extra time on the ground this week because of a paperwork snafu of the dumbest kind. We wade into 14 CFR § 25.791(a), 14 CFR § 121.371(a) and more as we untangle a morass of red tape. Boeing building 737s more slowly than it says Boeing is committed to a rate of building 38 737s per month, but an analysis of their production finds that only 20-25 are coming out of the factory each month. This could have implications for how soon Boeing can increase its production rates and how quickly customers can take delivery of their aircraft. Public comments come in on the FAA’s 25 hour cockpit voice recorder rules The NTSB is among those weighing in on the FAA’s proposed 25 hour cockpit voice recorder rules. The safety agency says the 25 hour rule should apply to all aircraft, not just new aircraft. And manufacturers of smaller aircraft say they have concerns. Improperly installed plug leads to fire through the wrong hole The preliminary NTSB report on the Atlas Air 747 engine fire in Miami points to a missing borescope inspection port plug as the cause for the flames where they shouldn’t have been. PW geared turbofan supply chain slowing fixes Pratt and Whitney says the supply chain continues to be the limiting factor in getting engines back on the wing, with time off the wing for affected engines averaging 300 days. Venezuelan 747-300 seized in Argentina flown to US A former Mahan Air 747-300 acquired by Venezuelan airline EMTRASUR was seized in Buenos Aires in 2022 after the US alleged it was transferred in violation on sanctions. This week it was flown to the US, reportedly to be used as a fire trainer. Nolinor bringing back the 737-200 for gravel runways Airlines usually make a big deal about their new aircraft. Nolinor is proudly calling attention to one of its oldest. The airline is reintroducing the 737-200 for gravel runway operations in far-northern Canada. Flamingos in flight When their incubator broke on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant jumped in to keep six Chilean flamingo eggs nice and toasty. The flight attendant recently caught up with the now-hatched flamingos at their new home at the Woodland Park Zoo. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.  

On this episode of AvTalk, we review the NTSB’s preliminary report on Alaska Airlines flight 1282, fresh quality issues affecting some 737 MAX, and Finnair gets out the scales to weigh some of its passengers. AS1282 preliminary report The NTSB released its preliminary report on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 this week. Plain and simple, the evidence indicates that the bolts that supposed to hold the exit door plug in place just weren’t there. Download the report here to follow along with our discussion. The rest of the show Elsewhere, EgyptAir is returning its entire A220 fleet, Avion Express goes off roading, and Finnair is breaking out the scales to weigh its passengers. Plus, Southwest’s big cabin refresh will add power to most of the fleet. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode.

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back The Air Current’s founder and editor Jon Ostrower to pull back from Boeing’s immediate crisis and take stock of the state of the company. We look at the challenges facing Boeing, including regaining the trust of its regulator, certifying and delivering a slate of long-delayed aircraft, and eventually needing to design and build a brand new aircraft. It’s also fitting that Ostrower joins the show this week, because we borrow his phrase, “there’s always an aviation angle,” to discuss the much anticipated flight of Taylor Swift from Tokyo to watch the Super Bowl the night after her concert. But fret not, there’s actually some interesting aviation content here that surprised Ian. The NTSB this week opened the docket for its investigation into the runway incursion by an American Airlines 777 as a Delta Air Lines 737 was beginning its departure roll last January. While the final report is still some time away, the docket contains an incredible amount of insightful investigative material. And one animal-loving air traffic controller. And we bid a fond farewell to Ingenuity, the small helicopter on Mars that surpassed everyone’s expectations. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a bit of a different kind of episode to start. And then its onto more Boeing 737 inspections, angry airlines, and a perfectly executed emergency landing. This episode of AvTalk was recorded on Tuesday, 23 January 2024. More inspections and angry airlines The FAA expands inspection recommendations to include the 737-900ER. This affects Alaska, Delta, and United for the most part. And for its part, United Airlines is not happy with Boeing in the least. United CEO Scott Kirby said earlier this week that the 737-9 MAX grounding is the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Spirit and JetBlue appeal merger ruling Spirit and JetBlue are appealing a judges ruling against their proposed merger, not because they seem keen to fight, but because they’re contractually obligated. Southern Airways Express Cessna 208 makes emergency landing just after take off A Southern Airways Express Cessna 208 made an emergency landing moments after take off from Dulles Airport last week. The two pilots and five passengers landed on the Loudoun County Parkway just off airport property. Atlas Air 747 suffers engine issue in Miami An Atlas Air 747-8F experienced a failure of its left, inboard engine shortly after departure from Miami. According to witness video, flames could be seen trailing the engine. The aircraft safely returned to Miami. The FAA says a softball sized hole was found in the top of the engine upon inspection. Cargojet says thanks, but no thanks to 777 freighters Cargojet says the softening market means they don’t need the large 777 freighters they recently ordered. Storm Isha causes some unfortunate diversions Storm Isha made life difficult for thousands of passengers on more than 100 flights last week, but there were a few diversions that were far and away worse than the rest. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.   Click here to download a transcript of this episode.

On this episode of AvTalk, we take a deep look at the actions by the FAA, airlines, and Boeing in the wake of the accident involving Alaska Airlines flight 1282. Working through the time line of statements, regulatory actions, and investigations we build a picture of what’s happened so far and what the next steps will be. We also discuss the ruling this week by a federal judge preventing the merger of JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines. From Les Misérables quotes to an almost poetic invocation to Sprit’s customers, we break down the judges decision and how JetBlue and Spirit might move forward. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this episode.

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason are joined by Nomadic Aviation Group’s Steve Giordano to discuss the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 accident. We break down what we know so far about the explosive departure from the aircraft of the mid-cabin exit door plug, how the 737-9 MAX fleet has been affected, and we close with a discussion about where Boeing goes from here. Click here for a transcript of this episode Associated reading Below are a collection of links that are helpful to have available when listening to this episode: * Alaska Airlines flight 1282 ADS-B Data and 737-9 MAX grounding timeline * 737-9 MAX fleet list—which aircraft have an exit door plug and their grounding locations * Reporting from The Air Current on the relationship between Spirit Aerosystems and Boeing * 737-9 MAX flight deck and location of the crew oxygen mask (bottom left of image) * Boeing 737 Technical Guide video explaining mid-cabin exit door plug mechanism   The mid-cabin exit door plug   Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.

On this episode of AvTalk, we explore what we know so far about the collision between Japan Airlines flight JL516 and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft in Tokyo on 2 January. We spend time laying out the facts we know so far and then work through some of the areas of focus for investigators as the begin the task of understanding what happened and why. Companion reading for this episode * Flightradar24 data and other information regarding the crash * Aviation Week article with a good discussion on carbon fibre and fire resistance Also on this week’s episode Investigators release their final report on the Yeti Airlines ATR crash in Pokhara, a man uses an emergency exit door to run onto the ramp and is then found dead inside the engine of an aircraft parked on the deicing pad in Salt Lake City, and 737 MAX operators need to check for loose nuts. Plus much more aviation news from the past few weeks while we’ve been on break. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

As we close out the year we look back on our a few of our favorite AvTalk conversations from 2023. There were many great ones to choose from, so visit our archive to hear them all. We’ve picked out a pair that were crowd favorites. First up we have our conversation with former National Transportation Safety Board Chair Robert Sumwalt. We spoke with Sumwalt on episode 216 as he prepared to participate in the FAA’s Independent Safety Review Team over the summer. The review team’s report came out just a few weeks ago and you can read the full report here. And we close the year with the conversation that topped nearly everyone’s list. We had more listener emails about this episode than any other, by far. In November, Norse Atlantic Airways became the first airline to bring a 787 to Antarctica. The aircraft landed on the blue ice runway at Troll Airfield carrying researchers and equipment to the Troll Research Station operated by the Norwegian Polar Institute. A few weeks after the flight we sat down with Norse fleet chief pilot and captain of that flight, Olov Lindström, to learn how the airline and crew prepared for the historic flight. Thank you all so very much for listening! Have a safe and happy new year and happy tracking!

On this episode of AvTalk, we scratch our heads trying to figure out the story of a stowaway who managed to make it from Copenhagen to Los Angeles aboard an SAS flight. Stopped by a US customs officer, the man had Russian and Israeli identity documents, but no passport. And he could not tell the officers how he ended up on the airplane from Copenhagen. You can read the full indictment here. Also this week, Southwest Airlines is fined more than any other airline in history—but the actual money paid will be far lower than the top line figure. And Turkish Airlines finally, finally places its long awaited massive aircraft order, acquiring 220 Airbus aircraft. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this episode of AvTalk, Jason is still alive, Ian makes his way home from Sweden, passengers on a Delta flight are waylaid in Goose Bay, and Boeing picks a Pope. Ian and Jason are back in action this week with all the week’s aviation news and some insights into 2023 and a brief look ahead to the coming year. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Gabriel Leigh joins Ian in Stockholm to discuss his travels for the Flightradar24 YouTube channel, including a very exciting trip coming up in January. And we speak with Ned Russell, airlines editor at Skift about Alaska Airlines’ proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. We dig in to the structure of the deal, why it makes sense, and what the US government might have to say about the merger. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Check back soon for a transcript of this episode.