Aviation News, Headlines & Alerts
 
Day: <span>April 13, 2014</span>

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Lancair Plane Crash Kills Two in Mexico

A small patrol naval aircraft based at the Mexican Naval Air Station in the Gulf coast port of Tampico crashed at 7 p.m. on April 10 in the northeastern border state of Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Mexico’s navy department said that the Lancair plane was on a reconnaissance mission. Two military personnel, including the pilot and an observer were killed in the accident. The plane sent distress signals but crashed a few minutes later. The naval authorities sent their condolences to the families of the dead.

The Tamaulipas area, which borders Texas, is currently facing clashes between rival criminal outfits. The area has seen dozens of violent deaths in the last few days.

1946 Single-Engine Ercoup Crashed in Cherokee County, Okla

Single engine planeTwo men got seriously injured in a plane crash in Cherokee County near Tenkiller Lake, about a mile north of Cookson Airfield, in the morning of April 12.

The Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said that the 1946 single-engine Ercoup experienced engine issues before it crashed. The plane was registered to Albert Demarco of Ozark, Ark.

The identities of the injured have not so far been confirmed.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials, both the passengers were shifted to a Tulsa hospital via Life Flight. They were listed in critical condition.


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AA Boeing 777-200 Makes Emergency Landing at Norfolk

American AirlinesThe American Airlines flight 950 en-route to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport from Sao Paulo, Brazil made an emergency landing in Norfolk, at 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, April 12.

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft had 242 passengers and 15 crew members on board. No one was injured.

A mechanical indicator light, signalling possible fire in the cargo area, prompted the pilot to seek an emergency landing at Norfolk International Airport. However, the airport fire crews did not find any indication of smoke or fire during their inspection after the plane landed.

THAI Flight TG 281 Makes Emergency Landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport

THAIA Thai Airways International (THAI) flight connecting Bangkok and the tourist resort Koh Samui, had to return and make an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi airport in the morning of April 13.

Suvarnabhumi director, Raweewan Netarakavesana, said that the pilot discovered problems in the landing gear. She further said that the THAI engineers were inspecting the gear.

The passengers were taken to their destination through another plane.


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FAA Proposes $547,500 Civil Penalty Against Hawaiian Airlines

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $547,500 Civil Penalty against Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. for operating a Boeing 767-300 that was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA alleges Hawaiian operated the aircraft thousands of times when it was not in compliance with a July 2000 Airworthiness Directive (AD) that required inspections of certain engine thrust reverser components. The purpose of the AD was to prevent a portion of the thrust reverser from coming off in flight, which could cause a rapid decompression of the aircraft.

The AD required initial and repetitive inspections of the components to detect damage and wear, and corrective actions if necessary. It required replacement of the components with new and improved parts within four years of the AD taking effect.

During a July 2012 inspection, the FAA discovered that some of Hawaiian’s records erroneously showed the AD did not apply to one of its Boeing 767 aircraft. The FAA alleges Hawaiian operated the aircraft more than 5,000 times – mostly on passenger carrying flights – between July 2004 and July 2012 when it was out of compliance with the AD. The FAA further alleges Hawaiian operated the aircraft on 14 passenger flights after the agency alerted the carrier that some of its records erroneously indicated that the AD did not apply to the aircraft.

Additionally, the FAA alleges Hawaiian failed to keep required records of the status of the AD for the aircraft in question.

Hawaiian has requested an informal conference with the FAA to discuss the matter.


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FAA Announces the Republic of the Philippines’ Aviation Safety Rating

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that the Republic of the Philippines complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and has been granted a Category 1 rating.

The country previously held a Category 1 rating until January 2008, when it was downgraded to a Category 2. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.

The return to Category 1 status is based on a March 2014 FAA review of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. With the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, the Republic of the Philippines’ air carriers can add flights and service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. carriers.

As part of the FAA’s IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that have applied to fly to the United States, currently conduct operations to the United States or participate in code sharing arrangements with U.S. partner airlines and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.

In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.


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Press Release: FAA Installs Equipment for NextGen Aircraft Tracking System


The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced the completion of a nationwide infrastructure upgrade that will enable air traffic controllers to track aircraft with greater accuracy and reliability, while giving pilots more information in the cockpit. This upgrade is a key improvement in the Next Generation Air Transportation System.

“This upgrade is an important step in laying the foundation for the NextGen system, which provides controllers a much more precise view of the airspace, gives pilots much more awareness and information, and as a result strengthens the safety and efficiency of our system,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This state-of-the-art satellite system is already providing controllers with visibility in places not previously covered by radar.”

The nationwide installation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) radio network supports a satellite-based surveillance system that tracks aircraft with the help of GPS. This provides more accurate aircraft location information than the current radar system.

NextGen refers to a set of initiatives being implemented by the FAA in collaboration with the aviation community to ensure that the United States has the safest, most efficient airspace possible for decades to come. In addition to ADS-B, NextGen improvements are already delivering benefits that include more efficient air traffic procedures that save time and fuel and reduce emissions.

“The installation of this radio network clears the way for air traffic controllers to begin using ADS-B to separate equipped aircraft nationwide,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. “It will also provide pilots flying aircraft equipped with the proper avionics with traffic information, weather data and other flight information.”

Of the 230 air traffic facilities across the country, 100 are currently using this system to separate traffic. It is expected to be connected and operating at all 230 facilities by 2019. All aircraft operating in controlled airspace must be equipped with ADS-B Out avionics that broadcast the plane’s location, by Jan. 1, 2020.

With the upgraded surveillance and broadcast system and aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out transponders, aircraft positions on controller screens update almost continuously, compared to every 4.7 seconds or longer with radar.
ADS-B also enables more accurate tracking of airplanes and airport vehicles on runways and taxiways, increasing safety and efficiency. The new system significantly improves surveillance capability in areas with geographic challenges like mountains or over water. Airplanes equipped with ADS-B In, which is not currently mandated, will give pilots information through cockpit displays about location in relation to other aircraft, bad weather and terrain, and temporary flight restrictions.

In addition to the operational benefits of ADS-B, each one of the 634 ground stations installed by Exelis of McLean, Va., is substantially smaller than a radar installation – resulting in less impact to the environment and less cost to maintain.

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