Airplane News: Embraer loses winglet, FAA revises eVTOLs, NTSB Recommends SMS, Passenger lands plane

This week in airplane news, an Embraer 175 lost a winglet in turbulence, the FAA revises eVTOL certification process, NTSB recommends SMS for AirTaxi, and a passenger lands a plane!

An Embraer E175 lost its right winglet in Turbulence on Tuesday

The American Airlines flight from Charleston (CHS) to Dallas (DFW) was forced to divert to Birmingham (BHM)

No word on what intensity of turbulence was encountered or other meteorological conditions

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/e175-loses-winglet-in-turbulence/

The FAA is revising its eVTOL certification criteria

Rather than be evaluated as small-aircraft under part 23, evtols will be evaluated as “Powered Lift” aircraft

This is the same category as tilt-rotor aircraft, such as the Leonardo AW609.

The FAA states this will NOT affect certification timelines… but…

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/after-dot-audit-faa-reverses-on-evtol-certification-criteria

The NTSB has placed substantial blame on the FAA for a fatal 2019 helicopter crash in Hawaii

In a statement released on Tuesday, the NTSB says ““The NTSB previously made 11 recommendations to the FAA to prevent accidents like this one, but our recommendations only work when they are implemented. It’s time for the FAA to act.” ““When the NTSB issues safety recommendations, they are data-driven, supported by factual evidence developed from investigations, and are carefully crafted to prevent accidents.”

The accident occurred after the chief pilot and check airman flew the helicopter with 6 passengers onboard into a mountainous region surrounded by log fog.

The NTSB expressed frustration with the FAA for not mandating Safety Management Systems (SMS) in air taxi and air tour operations.

“The NTSB initially recommended the FAA require air taxi and air tour operators to have safety management systems in 2016. Since the FAA refused to take such action, the board reiterated the recommendation for the sixth time.”

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/ntsb-lays-into-faa-for-inaction-on-safety-management-system-mandate

A passenger on a Cessna Caravan with no flying experience successfully landed at Palm Beach after the pilot suffered a medical emergency.

Nice job to the controller and to the passenger!

Listen to the audio: youtube.com/watch?v=8MDwzNtDMlA

https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/passenger-with-no-flying-experience-lands-plane-in-florida-after-pilot-becomes-incoherent/