ARFF Daily News
Published on:
Thursday the 3rd of April, 2025
Of note, three days in a row of cuts that seriously affect the U.S Fire Service. First, the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program got cut, then the National Firefighter Cancer Registry has been shut down, and yesterday, Dr. John Howard, NIOSH Administrator including leading the World Trade Center Health Program—along with hundreds of NIOSH staff who perform critical health and safety missions got cut. These cuts kill the program’s ability to adequately monitor and provide care to survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as people newly diagnosed with illnesses such as cancers and respiratory illnesses.
Be safe out there!
Tom
Smoke in cabin forces emergency evacuation of American Airlines flight in Georgia
By Aaron Cooper, CNN
Passengers evacuated an American Airlines regional jet on the runway Tuesday in Augusta, Georgia, after smelling something burning and seeing light smoke in the cabin.
American Flight 5406, operated by PSA Airlines landed in Augusta after a 36-minute flight from Charlotte, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
“The cabin was filled with smoke, and we climbed out on the wing,” passenger Sean O’Conor narrated as he recorded video of the evacuation. “It looks like everybody is safe.”
The CRJ-900 aircraft experienced “a maintenance issue after landing safely in Augusta,” the airline told CNN. “All passengers deplaned and were escorted to the airport terminal. The safety of our customers is our top priority, and we apologize for the inconvenience.”
The return flight to Charlotte on the plane was canceled, but that aircraft was back in service Wednesday, according to FlightAware.
On Wednesday, a different plane flying the same route from Charlotte to Augusta also experienced a mechanical issue, American Airlines told CNN. That aircraft, a CRJ-700, circled and returned to Charlotte after about 20 minutes in the air, according to FlightAware. Three hours later, it took off again and made it safely to Augusta.
https://www.koat.com/article/passengers-evacuated-american-airlines-augusta/64374550
With 158 passengers on board: Tunisian Airlines plane makes an emergency landing in Ajaccio due to technical malfunction
By R
An Airbus plane belonging to Tunisian Airlines, which was operating the flight between Tunis and Paris-Orly Airport, had to make an emergency landing this Wednesday morning on the runway of Napoleon Bonaparte Airport in Ajaccio, Corsica, due to a technical malfunction that occurred during the flight.
Incident Details
According to available information, the plane took off from Tunis-Carthage Airport at 7:50 AM with 158 passengers on board. While en route to Paris, the pilot reported a “start of an electrical malfunction, prompting an immediate change in the flight path to the nearest airport.
Safe Landing and Successful Evacuation
The pilot managed to execute a safe landing without any issues, and all passengers were evacuated safely once the plane came to a stop on the runway. The passengers were then gathered in the waiting area while awaiting further information concerning the continuation of their journey.
According to passenger testimonies, Tunisian Airlines provided sandwiches to the passengers while they awaited an alternative solution.
Passenger Transport via Air Corsica
To guarantee the passengers reached their final destination in Paris, the regional airline Air Corsica was called into action. A new Airbus plane was scheduled to depart for Paris-Orly Airport at 5 PM, as announced by Ajaccio Airport.
Meanwhile, the Tunisian Airlines plane remains at the airport for in-depth technical inspections.
Security Procedures Ensure Passenger Safety
This incident underscores the importance of strict safety procedures in civil aviation. Despite the inconvenience, the prompt response of the crew and coordination with local authorities contributed to ensuring the safety of all passengers without any injuries.
https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/with-158-passengers-on-board-tunisian-airlines-plane-makes-an-emergency-landing-in-ajaccio-due-to-technical-malfunction/
ANOTHER COLLAPSE: 9/11 HEALTH LEADER ALSO TERMINATED (The Secret List)
All,
As you'll remember, in February, the administration restored their cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program's budget, but new staff cuts threaten the program....once again.
Cut was Dr. John Howard, NIOSH Administrator including leading the World Trade Center Health Program—along with hundreds of NIOSH staff who perform critical health and safety missions.
(Related: NIOSH DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY)
https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/niosh-dies-in-the-line-of-duty/
Dr. Howard, a President Trump appointee (reappointed to his 4th six-year term as Director of NIOSH by former HHS Secretary Azar in 2021) was terminated effective yesterday as part of Secretary Kennedy’s dismissal of hundreds of employees of NIOSH, effectively shutting down the critical worker safety mission of NIOSH and crippling the WTC program.
The cuts kill the program’s ability to adequately monitor and provide care to survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as people newly diagnosed with illnesses such as cancers and respiratory illnesses.
READ THE STATEMENT:
From The Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act:
SOME HOPE?
In what seems like "shoot, ready, aim"...there are claims that the White House has begun working to reverse the firing of Dr Howard and specialists who worked on the WTC program, Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino said earlier today.
Those key figures for the WTC Health Program, which provides services for 137,000 ailing 9/11 first responders and survivors, were among 10,000 employees who are being let go.
News of the firing of Dr. John Howard, the NIOSH & WTC Health Program director, and other NIOSH staff who worked with the program prompted a justifiably angry reaction from backers of it.
Garbarino said White House staff had a meeting with officials of the Health and Human Services Department. "I believe they’re having a meeting, I think, today, with HHS to try to fix it," he said. "This is at the top of the list of issues that have to get rectified."
Ben Chevat, executive director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, who has worked to create and maintain the World Trade Center Health Program, said, "We applaud Congressman Garbarino’s continuing efforts on behalf of 9/11 responders and survivors to get the White House to fix this, again. But you have to ask, why does it keep breaking?"
Chevat said since President Trump took office, he and his administration have dealt three setbacks to the WTC Health Program that its supporters have demanded to be addressed.
In February, the administration fired 11 WTC Health Program staff members who were on probation only to reverse course when met by strong protests from the New York delegation and other lawmakers in Congress.
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass it On.
BillyG
The Secret List 4/2/2025-2214 Hours
GRIM DIAGNOSIS: National Firefighter Cancer Registry Shut Down (The Secret List)
All,
As of this morning, the ability for Firefighters to register on the National Firefighter Registry has been shut down. While the site itself remains open, Firefighters can no longer register.
The system was funded by Congress under the previous administration (HR 3821). The bill passed the House on March 6, 2024, by a vote of 413-7 and was passed into law.
Here is more: National Firefighter Registry for Cancer goes offline following NIOSH layoffs
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.
BillyG
The Secret List 4-2-2025-1022 hours
NIOSH Dies In The Line of Duty, Smoke Recognition, 3 Little Kids Killed (The Secret List*)
All,
As DOGE continues to take action against what they perceive as waste or unnecessary programs, the fire service feels another measurable cut. It appears the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (and other firefighter programs, discussed below) has died in the line of duty.
As of 0500 hours this morning, hundreds of employees have been terminated (or told to expect it), including Firefighter LODD investigations (the Cincinnati office which handles medical LODDs, the Morgantown WV Office which handles traumatic LODDs, and the Pittsburgh office which houses the PPE section), WTC health, and National Firefighter Registry Cancer programs. The union employees get 90 days pay plus severance-non union troops 60 days plus severance.
Created by Congress in 1970 to protect workers, NIOSH studies how to keep workplaces safe. NIOSH is part of the CDC and oversees several firefighter health and safety programs, including the registry to track cancer in firefighters and a health program for people affected by the 9/11 terror attacks.
We thought that the WTC 9/11 health program was re-funded and stable but it appears it may not be. While all of these cuts are measurably impactful, the WTC one is especially upsetting as so many continue to suffer the impacts of America being attacked in 2001.
There is a long history of the fire service strongly supporting the voluntary LODD investigation program and a long history of us fighting to get it properly staffed and funded. NIOSH was created to protect workers.
Watch for more information from your national fire service organizations as all the leadership is certainly aware of today's actions.
MOST RECENT NIOSH LODD REPORTS RELEASED:
https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/final-niosh-firefighter-lodd-reports-released/
NTSB Prelim: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA40
DPE Took Control Of The Airplane, And He Selected An Area Of Dirt-Covered Terrain As A Forced Landing Site
Location: Kapolei, HI Accident Number: ANC24LA005
Date & Time: December 4, 2023, 12:50 Local Registration: N691YW
Aircraft: Diamond Aircraft Ind Inc DA40 Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
On December 4, 2023, about 1250 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Diamond DA-40 airplane, N691YW sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in Kapolei, Hawaii. The two pilots sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 pilot evaluation flight test.
According to the pilot that was being evaluated, who was seated in the left seat, the purpose of the flight was to obtain an instrument proficiency check flight from a Federal Aviation Administration designated pilot examiner (DPE) who was seated in the right seat. The pilot said that before departing, a predeparture engine run-up was completed with no anomalies.
They then departed from the Danial K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL) Honolulu, Hawaii at about 1235. After departure, they leveled off at 1,500 ft MSL and proceeded to the practice area to begin the pilot’s instrument evaluation.
The pilot said he configured the airplane for the first maneuver, but as he moved the throttle control lever forward, he heard a “pop” sound come from the engine, followed by a rumbling noise and vibration. He stated that he reduced the throttle to its original position, and the rumbling and vibrations subsided. He then turned the airplane in anticipation for a straight-in emergency landing for runway 11 at the Kalaeloa Airport (PHJR). Both pilots scanned the
ignition, control levers, fuel selector, and multi-function display. The pilot confirmed that the mixture control lever was full forward, the propeller control lever was full-forward, and the throttle control lever was in a position that was about 3/4 of the way to being full forward. The ignition was positioned on "BOTH", the fuel selector was positioned directly over the right tank, and the multi-function display showed no discrepancies in engine instrument readings that would indicate a need for immediate corrective action.
As engine power began to decay and the airplane started to descend, the pilot increased the throttle lever to the full forward position, but it continued to run rough and lose power. Realizing that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to reach the airport, the DPE took control of the airplane, and he selected an area of dirt-covered terrain as a forced landing site.
During the forced landing, the airplane struck a 10-foot-high dirt embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A post-accident examination of the engine and propeller is pending.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
64 Years ago today: On 3 April 1961 A Douglas DC-3C passenger plane, operated by LAN Chile, was destroyed when it impacted a mountainside near Linares, Chile.
Date: Monday 3 April 1961
Time: 19:45
Type: Douglas DC-3C
Owner/operator: LAN Chile
Registration: CC-CLDP
MSN: 9716
Year of manufacture: 1943
Total airframe hrs: 18299 hours
Engine model: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Fatalities: Fatalities: 24 / Occupants: 24
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off
Category: Accident
Location: 44 km ESE of Linares - Chile
Phase: En route
Nature: Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport: Temuco Maquehue Airport (PZS/SCTC)
Destination airport: Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport (ULC/SCTI)
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
A Douglas DC-3C passenger plane, operated by LAN Chile, was destroyed when it impacted a mountainside near Linares, Chile.
LAN Flight 621 was a domestic passenger flight from Castro to Santiago with en route stops at Puerto Montt, Osorno and Temuco.
On board the flight were members of the Green Cross football team.
The DC-3 took off from Temuco at 18:30 hours local time for the last leg of the flight, following Airway 45 and 40 at an altitude of 8500 feet. Estimated flying time was 2 hours and 30 minutes. While en route the flight was instructed to climb to 9500 feet because of other traffic at 8500 feet. At 19:10 the crew requested a descent to 9000 feet because of ice formation on the wings.
The controller didn't authorize the descent because of conflicting traffic (LAN flight 205) on Airway 4. The controller later cleared the flight to turn back on Airway 45 and then descend to 6500 feet on the same Airway, pass over Curico and to continue on Airway 40 to the Santo Domingo beacon. There was no more radio contact with the flight.
After seven days of search operations, the wreckage was found on April 10. The airplane had impacted Cerro La Gotera, a mountain located in a sector of Sierra de las Ánimas, and east-northeast of a hill named Lástimas del Pejerrey. The aircraft was flying in a south-westerly direction, impacting 50 m below the summit of the mountain, at an elevation of about 3500 m (11480 feet). The wreckage slid down about 14 meters before coming to rest.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The aircraft crashed on La Gotera Hill in the Lastima-Pejerrey Range. From the wreckage's position it was determined that the flight was on a south-west heading, although owing to the aircraft's being entirely destroyed and burnt out it was not possible to state its speed or altitude, or whether the left engine had failed. At impact it appeared that the right engine was functioning normally. It was not possible to determine the cause of the accident from the navigation instruments or the wreckage."
