Articles tagged “air safety”

U.S. Safety Board Investigates Delta Jet-Engine Failure

U.S. Safety Board Investigates Delta Jet-Engine Failure

Mary Schlangenstein and Alan Levin, Bloomberg

Thankfully, there were no injuries and the Boeing 757 landed safely. But after the deadly Southwest engine failure in April, this kind of incident is getting extra public attention.

2 weeks ago

Federal Auditor to Investigate FAA’s Safety Oversight of Southwest Airlines

Federal Auditor to Investigate FAA’s Safety Oversight of Southwest Airlines

Brian Sumers, Skift

The Department of Transportation's inspector general has several ongoing audits trying to measure the effectiveness of the Federal Aviation Administration. That's probably a nuisance to the FAA, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. Oversight is important.

3 months ago

Investigation Concludes FAA Inspectors Let Unsafe Aircraft Fly

Investigation Concludes FAA Inspectors Let Unsafe Aircraft Fly

Alan Levin, Bloomberg

The fact that these oversights affected planes bearing fewer seats, used by smaller carriers, is surely of little comfort to some frequent flyers.

3 months ago

FAA Wants Airlines to Speed Inspection of Some Jet Engines

FAA Wants Airlines to Speed Inspection of Some Jet Engines

Richard Clough, Mary Schlangenstein and Alan Levin, Bloomberg

Southwest has finished its inspections without finding any more fan blade cracks like the one that led to a fatal engine failure in April. Now authorities want other airlines to speed up their inspections of older engines with the highest risk of failure. Passengers would appreciate that too.

4 months ago

Southwest Flight Social Feeds Remind Airlines Tragedies Are Public in Real Time Now

Southwest Flight Social Feeds Remind Airlines Tragedies Are Public in Real Time Now

Micheline Maynard, Skift

The Southwest accident shows how bold passengers have become in using social media. For now, the FAA isn’t taking steps to curb their activities.

5 months ago

Weakness in Jet Engine Metal Can Stay Hidden Despite Inspections

Weakness in Jet Engine Metal Can Stay Hidden Despite Inspections

Alan Levin, Bloomberg

Experts say it's hard to fully identify potential weaknesses in jet engine metal. With so much attention focused on the issue following the Southwest engine explosion, new and better techniques should be developed.

5 months ago

Southwest Airlines Passenger Death Ends Nine Years Without a Fatality

Southwest Airlines Passenger Death Ends Nine Years Without a Fatality

Alan Levin, Bloomberg

Air travel in the U.S. has had a remarkable safety record in recent years. But there is clearly room for improvement. While the type of engine failure that killed a Southwest passenger is rare, a thorough investigation — followed by action — is essential to prevent it from happening again.

5 months ago

Southwest Engine Blowout Causes First U.S. Passenger Airline Fatality in 9 Years

Southwest Engine Blowout Causes First U.S. Passenger Airline Fatality in 9 Years

Alan Levin and Thomas Black, Bloomberg

This story was getting widespread attention even before confirmation that a passenger had died. It's every air traveler's nightmare. While nine years without a fatality is still a reassuring track record, Southwest — and all airlines — must learn from the investigation to better prevent such a catastrophe in the future.

5 months ago

How Damaging Will a 60 Minutes Report Be to Allegiant Air?

How Damaging Will a 60 Minutes Report Be to Allegiant Air?

Brian Sumers, Skift

The 60 Minutes report on Sunday about Allegiant Air was solid, serious journalism. But it wasn't much of a surprise to industry insiders, who have known about the carrier's issues for awhile. Will executives have to deal with a wider fallout now?

5 months ago

U.S. Aviation Sector Was Penetrated by Russian Hackers in 2017

U.S. Aviation Sector Was Penetrated by Russian Hackers in 2017

Alan Levin, Bloomberg

The specifics on which parts of the U.S. aviation sector were hacked are sparse, although the intrusion doesn't seem to have involved airlines directly. Still, the vulnerabilities are not good news.

6 months ago

Vietnam Seeks Higher Air Safety Rating to Fly to Los Angeles

Vietnam Seeks Higher Air Safety Rating to Fly to Los Angeles

Dong Lyu and Kyunghee Park, Bloomberg

Vietnam already committed to increasing inbound travel from Europe, thanks to Air France. But long-haul outbound travel will be much more difficult if Vietnam can't meet these safety standards.

8 months ago