|

NTSB PRESS RELEASE: NTSB CITES LACK OF BIRD STRIKE RESISTANT WINDSHIELD REQUIREMENTS IN FATAL CRASH OF HELICOPTER IN LOUISIANA

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 24, 2010
SB-10-45

The National Transportation Safety Board today released a
final report on a fatal crash involving a transport-category
helicopter caused by a bird strike. The Board said the lack
of requirements for bird strike-resistant windshields
contributed to the crash, and called on the FAA to develop
such requirements.

On January 4, 2009, a dual-engine Sikorsky S-76C++
helicopter (N748P), registered to and operated by PHI, Inc.,
crashed into marshy terrain near Morgan City, Louisiana
approximately 7 minutes after takeoff from Amelie,
Louisiana, on a charter flight to an oil rig in the Gulf of
Mexico. Both pilots and 6 of the 7 passengers were killed
in the crash.

The aircraft had reached level cruise flight at 850 feet
mean sea level and 135 knots when the cockpit voice recorder
recorded a loud bang, followed by sounds consistent with
rushing wind and a power reduction on both engines. The
aircraft crashed several seconds later. Feathers and other
bird debris were collected from the canopy and windshield of
the aircraft. Laboratory analysis identified the remains as
coming from a female red-tailed hawk; the average weight of
such a bird is 2.4 pounds.

The investigation revealed that the impact of the bird on
the canopy just above the windshield near the engine control
quadrant likely jarred the fire extinguisher T-handles out
of their detents and moved them aft, pushing both engine
control levers into or near the flight idle position,
reducing fuel to both engines. The pilots were probably
disoriented from the broken windshield and rushing air and
were unable to react in time to maintain control of the
helicopter.

The helicopter was originally equipped with laminated glass
windshields that complied with European bird-strike
resistance standards. PHI replaced the windshields with
lighter-weight, aftermarket cast acrylic windshields that
did not have any bird-strike resistance standards.

The NTSB determined that the helicopter crashed because of
the sudden loss of power to both engines following the bird
strike and the subsequent disorientation of the crewmembers.
Contributing to the accident, the Board said, were the lack
of FAA regulations and guidance requiring helicopter
windshields to be resistant to bird strikes, the lack of
protections that would prevent the T-handles from
inadvertently dislodging out of their detents, and the lack
of a master warning light and audible system to alert the
flight crew of a low-rotor speed condition.

Recommendations were issued to the FAA dealing with, among
other things, the design of S-76C++ fire extinguisher T-
handles and engine control quadrants, and similar designs of
other helicopters, and of audible low-rotor alarm systems;
certification standards for helicopter windshields; and
simultaneous dual-engine power loss training for helicopter
pilots.

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Boeing Statement on Death of Senator Ted Stevens

    CHICAGO, August 10, 2010 — Boeing extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of former Senator Ted Stevens and others who lost their lives in the August 9 crash of a single-engine plane in Alaska. We wish the survivors of the accident a full recovery.

    We remember Sen. Stevens as a patriot who dedicated himself to public service and who made a real difference to the U.S. military and the lives of countless people. He was a great friend to the men and women of the armed forces, and he used his power in the Senate to fight tirelessly for them. Over the course of his six-decade career in U.S. government, Sen. Stevens was a strong advocate for his constituents and put the good of his nation above politics.

    Our thoughts are with Sen. Stevens’ loved ones, with the families of the others who perished, and with the survivors of Monday’s tragic accident.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • NTSB To Meet

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    April 26, 2010

    NTSB TO MEET ON US AIRWAYS 1549 HUDSON RIVER ACCIDENT

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on May 4 on its investigation into the accident in which a US Airways jetliner came to rest in the Hudson River near New York City after a low-altitude encounter with a flock of birds.

    The purpose of the meeting will be to determine the probable cause of the accident and to consider proposed safety recommendations to reduce the likelihood of future such mishaps.

    On January 15, 2009, at 3:27 p.m. EDT, US Airways flight 1549, an Airbus A320, lost engine power after striking a flock of Canada geese shortly after departing New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The captain brought the plane down into the Hudson River after determining that landing at an airport was not feasible. The plane, destined for Charlotte, N.C., carried 150 passengers and a crew of five. Four passengers and one flight attendant received serious injuries.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Airline Teamsters Outreach

    United Airlines (UA) mechanics represented by the Teamsters Union are joining Teamster organizers and American Airlines (AA) mechanics in Tulsa today for an outreach program in support of a campaign by AA mechanics to change their current union representation.

    Dozens of mechanics and related employees from both airlines gathered at a local hotel this morning near Tulsa International Airport where American Airlines has its largest maintenance facility. The workers are meeting with Teamster representatives in preparation for an afternoon of door-to-door outreach to AA mechanics throughout the Tulsa area.

    “This is part of a major push by AA mechanics and related workers who are unhappy with their current union representation and want to reach out to their coworkers to build support for a new union,” said Chris Moore, a representative of the Teamsters Airline Division. “With all the difficulties that American is going through right now, we believe these workers want the strong representative that the Teamsters provide to thousands of other aviation mechanics throughout the industry.”

    Teamster organizers conducting house visits with AA workers will be accompanied by UA mechanics who organized with the Teamsters back in 2008 and ratified a strong contract last year.

    “Becoming Teamsters was the best choice we made at United and I think we have a lot to share with AA mechanics,” said Rich Petrovsky, a UA mechanic in San Francisco, Calif. and a business agent with Teamsters Local 986. “American Airlines is threatening mass layoffs and outsourcing maintenance work so it can get out of bankruptcy and, as we saw first hand at United, the Teamsters are the only union with a proven record when it comes to fighting outsourcing.”

    Read more at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Strengthening the Foundations of Brazilian Aviation

    IATA Press Release
    20 August 2009

    Sao Paulo – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) set out an agenda for the Brazilian civil aviation sector, leveraging positive actions by the Government of Brazil to improve competitiveness and deliver broad economic benefits.

    “The new Civil Aviation National Policy is a great opportunity. Air transport supports 2.6% of Brazil’s economy. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of business depend on its success. Brazil must use the national policy to build a more competitive industry by overcoming major fiscal and infrastructure handicaps,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. Bisignani made his comments in a speech to industry and government leaders at the British Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

    Bisignani held positive meetings with ANAC, the Ministry of Defense and the Minister of Institutional Relations and noted many recent encouraging developments in Brazilian aviation. These include the elimination of the PIS/COFINS tax on jet fuel which collected US$100 million annually, the adoption of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) by the Brazilian government, and the staged liberalization of air fares. “As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, we look forward to working even more closely with the government to further improve the competitiveness of Brazilian aviation and achieve cost-efficient infrastructure improvements,” said Bisignani.

    Bisignani offered to work with the Brazilian government in two key areas:

    Airport Concessions: Brazil is contemplating airport concessions to help speed infrastructure improvements. “Private investment with the right conditions can help improve infrastructure but concessionaires must be governed by robust economic regulation. Our common goal is to ensure that the airport is run efficiently, serves and consults with its customers and drives economic development. This is a natural role for ANAC. IATA is happy to bring its global expertise to ensure that ANAC has the independence to carry its mission effectively,” said Bisignani.
    Congestion at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport: Bisignani offered support for early implementation of IATA’s Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos airport. “Congestion pricing is not a solution. IATA’s Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines are helping airports around the world manage congestion. As we evaluate longer term solutions, we look forward to working with INFRAERO to make the most of existing terminals and infrastructure and to a robust consultation process on future developments,” said Bisignani.
    Bisignani also noted the need to improve the competitiveness of the Brazilian aviation sector by working together to addressing two specific issues:

    Petrobras’ import parity pricing policy: “This adds 30 cents to every gallon of jet fuel sold in Brazil. This US$450 million annual competitive disadvantage makes no sense for a country that supplies 80% of its fuel needs domestically. The result is that 32% of the cost structure of Brazil’s airlines goes to fuel, compared to a global average of 23%. We must find a policy that brings prices in line with market realities,” said Bisignani.
    ATAERO Tax: Airport charges paid to INFRAERO, Brazil’s airport operator, do not equally recover costs for each individual airport. Airlines pay a 50% surcharge (US$370 million annually) known as ATAERO to cover the gaps. “INFRAERO must be funded on a cost recovery basis, with charges that are transparent, agreed with users and in line with international standards,” said Bisignani.
    Finally, Bisignani urged Brazil’s government to be a strong voice driving aviation forward on two key priorities: environment and liberalization.

    Environment: IATA is leading industry efforts on aviation and the environment with three sequential targets: a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, carbon neutral growth by 2020 and a 50% absolute cut in emissions by 2050 (compared to 2005). “Brazil is critical to these goals. As a leader in biofuels, I hope that the Brazilian government will provide the fiscal and legal framework to encourage investments in sustainable biofuels which can significantly reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. Brazil is a major player in the UNFCCC process and at ICAO which is tasked with handling aviation’s international emissions. It has a leadership responsibility to ensure that ICAO can bring to the UNFCCC a position that supports a global sectoral approach to aviation emissions and reflects the industry’s globally harmonized approach to controlling emissions,” said Bisignani.

    Liberalization: Brazil was one of 15 governments participating in IATA’s Agenda for Freedom. An IATA study showed that market and ownership liberalization in Brazil had the potential to generate up to 400,000 new jobs and up to 24 billion Reais. “CONAC’s proposal to increase foreign ownership possibilities to 49% and a recent liberal bilateral agreement with Chile are steps in the right direction. As the region’s largest economy, I hope that Brazil can take leadership to promote liberalization in Latin America and globally,” said Bisignani.

    View Giovanni Bisignani’s full speech

    Notes for Editors:

    IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
    For more information, please contact:

    Anthony Concil
    Director Corporate Communications
    Tel: +41 22 770 2967

    PORTUGUESE

    Reforçando os Fundamentos da Aviação Brasileira

    20 de agosto de 2009 (São Paulo) A Associação Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA)
    definiu uma agenda para o setor da aviação civil brasileira, destacando ações positivas do
    governo brasileiro para melhorar a competitividade e proporcionar amplos benefícios
    econômicos.

    “A nova Política Nacional de Aviação Civil é uma grande oportunidade. O transporte aéreo
    sustenta 2,6% da economia brasileira. Milhares de empregos e bilhões de dólares em negócios
    dependem de seu sucesso. O Brasil deve usar a política nacional para construir uma indústria
    mais competitiva, abordando importantes descompassos fiscais e de infraestrutura “, disse
    Giovanni Bisignani, Diretor Geral e CEO da IATA. Bisignani fez seus comentários em um
    discurso para líderes da indústria e do governo na Câmara Britânica de Comércio em São Paulo,
    Brasil.

    Bisignani teve positivas reuniões com a ANAC, o Ministério da Defesa e com o Ministro das
    Relações Institucionais e constatou recentes desenvolvimentos encorajadores para a aviação
    brasileira. Estes incluem a eliminação do PIS/COFINS sobre a querosene de aviação, que
    representam US$100 milhões anualmente, a adoção do IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)
    pelo governo brasileiro e a progressiva liberalização das tarifas aéreas. “Com a preparação do
    Brasil para sediar a Copa do Mundo 2014, estamos dispostos a trabalhar ainda mais
    estreitamente com o governo para aprimorar a competitividade da aviação brasileira e alcançar
    maiores eficiências de custo de infraestrutura”, disse Bisignani.

    Bisignani se ofereceu para trabalhar com o governo brasileiro em duas áreas fundamentais:
    • Concessões de Aeroportos: O Brasil está considerando a concessões de aeroportos
    para acelerar melhorias na infraestrutura. “O investimento privado, nas condições
    adequadas, pode ajudar a melhorar a infraestrutura, mas os concessionários devem ser
    objeto de uma regulação econômica robusta. O nosso objetivo comum é assegurar que
    o aeroporto funcione de forma eficiente, sirva e interaja com seus clientes e impulsione o
    desenvolvimento econômico. Esta é uma função da ANAC. A IATA tem prazer em dividir
    sua experiência global para possibilitar que a ANAC tenha a independência para
    desempenhar sua missão de maneira eficaz”, disse Bisignani.
    • Congestionamento no Aeroporto de Guarulhos/São Paulo: Bisignani ofereceu apoio
    para a pronta implementação dos Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines no aeroporto de
    Guarulhos, em São Paulo. “A tarifa de congestionamento não é uma solução. Os
    Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines estão ajudando aeroportos ao redor do mundo a
    gerenciar congestionamentos. Enquanto avaliamos soluções de longo prazo,
    trabalharemos com a INFRAERO para tirar máximo proveito da infraestrutura e dos
    terminais existentes, além de um processo consistente de planejamento conjunto sobre
    futuros projetos “, disse Bisignani.

    Bisignani observou também a necessidade de melhorar a competitividade do setor de aviação
    brasileiro, trabalhando em conjunto para abordar duas questões específicas:
    Política da paridade de preços de importação da Petrobras: “Isto adiciona 30
    centavos para cada galão de querosene de aviação vendido no Brasil. Essa
    desvantagem competitiva de US$450 milhões anuais não faz sentido para um país que
    produz internamente 80% de seu consumo de combustível. O resultado disto é que a
    participação dos combustíveis nos custos das empresas brasileiras representa 32% do
    total, contra 23% da média global. Precisamos encontrar uma política de preços alinhada
    com as realidades do mercado”, disse Bisignani.

    ATAERO: As tarifas de aeroporto pagas para a INFRAERO, a operadora brasileira de
    aeroportos, não cobrem por completo os custos para cada aeroporto individualmente. As
    empresas aéreas pagam uma sobretaxa de 50% (US$ 370 milhões ao ano) conhecida
    como ATAERO para cobrir necessidades. “A INFRAERO deve ser remunerada em base
    de recuperação de custos, com tarifas que sejam transparentes, acordadas com os
    usuários e alinhadas com padrões internacionais”, disse Bisignani.
    Por fim Bisignani instigou o governo brasileiro a ser um líder no setor de aviação com relação à
    dois temas prioritários: meio ambiente e liberalização.

    Meio ambiente: a IATA está liderando os esforços da aviação civil com relação ao meio
    ambiente, com três metas sequenciais: 1,5% de melhoria anual na eficiência de combustível até
    2020, crescimento neutro de carbono até 2020 e redução absoluta de 50% nas emissões até
    2050 (em comparação à 2005). “O Brasil é chave para estas metas. Com um líder em
    biocombustíveis, espero que o governo brasileiro desenvolva um modelo fiscal e legal para
    encorajar investimentos em biocombustíveis sustentáveis, que podem reduzir significativamente
    nossa pegada de carbono. O Brasil é um ator importante no UNFCCC e na ICAO, que foi
    incumbida de gerenciar as emissões da aviação internacional. O Brasil possui uma
    responsabilidade de liderança para garantir que a ICAO consiga levar para o UNFCCC uma
    posição que represente a abordagem da indústria da aviação e reflita o objetivo de
    harmonização global para o controle das emissões”, disse Bisignani.

    Liberalização: O Brasil foi um dos 15 governos que participou da reunião Agenda for Freedom,
    da IATA. Um estudo da IATA indicou que a liberalização do acesso ao mercado e à propriedade
    tem o potencial de gerar até 400.000 novos empregos e até R$ 24 bilhões de incremento no PIB
    do país. “A proposta do CONAC de aumentar as possibilidades de propriedade estrangeira para
    49% e um recente acordo bilateral liberal com o Chile são passos na direção correta. Como a
    maior economia da região, espero que o Brasil assuma a liderança para promover a liberalização
    na América Latina e globalmente”, disse Bisignani.

    O texto complete do discurso de Bisignani está disponível em www.iata.org

    Contato:
    Anthony Concil
    Diretor de Comunicação Corporativa
    + 41 22 770 2967
    Email: corpcomms@iata.org

    Nota para os editores:

    • IATA (International Air Transport Association) representa 230 empresas aéreas,
    compreendendo 93% do tráfego aéreo internacional regular.

    Spanish
    Se refuerzan los cimientos de la aviación brasileña

    20 de agosto de 2009 (Sao Paulo) – La International Air Transport Association (IATA) ha
    dibujado una agenda para el sector brasileño de aviación civil, aprovechando las acciones
    positivas del Gobierno brasileño para mejorar la competitividad y obtener beneficios económicos
    más amplios.

    “La nueva Política Nacional de Aviación Civil es una gran oportunidad. El transporte aéreo
    supone el 2,6% de la economía brasileña. Miles de puestos de trabajo y miles de millones de
    dólares de penden de su éxito. Brasil debe usar la política nacional para construir una industria
    más competitiva dando respuesta a los principales retos en materia fiscal y de infraestructura”,
    dijo Giovanni Bisignani, Director General y CEO de IATA. Bisignani hizo estos comentarios en un
    discurso ante líderes de la industria y el gobierno en la Cámara de Comercio Británica en Sao
    Paulo, Brasil.

    Bisignani sostuvo encuentros positivos con el ANAC, el Ministerio de Defensa y el Ministerio de
    Relaciones institucionales, y se hizo eco de varios desarrollos positivos recientes en la aviación
    brasileña. Estos incluyen la eliminación del impuesto PIS/COFINS sobre el combustible de
    aviación, que obtenía 100 millones de dólares anualmente, la adopción de la Auditoría de
    Seguridad Operacional de IATA (IOSA), por parte del Gobierno brasileño, y la liberalización
    escalonada de las tarifas aéreas. “A medida que Brasil se prepara para ser la anfitriona de la
    Copa del Mundo de la FIFA en 2014, esperamos trabajar cada vez más estrechamente con el
    Gobierno para mejorar aun más la competitividad de la aviación brasileña y lograr mejoras en la
    eficiencia de los costes de las infraestructuras”, dijo Bisignani.

    Bisignani ofreció trabajar con el Gobierno brasileño en dos áreas clave:

    • Concesiones aeroportuarias: Brasil está estudiando concesiones aeroportuarias para
    ayudar a agilizar las mejoras en infraestructura. “Las inversiones privadas con las
    condiciones adecuadas pueden ayudar a mejorar la infraestructura, pero los
    concesionarios deben ser gobernados por regulaciones económicas sólidas. Nuestro
    objetivo común es asegurar que los aeropuertos funcionan de forma eficiente, dan
    servicio y se comunican con sus clientes y ayudan al desarrollo económico. Esta es una
    tarea natural para ANAC. IATA está muy satisfecha en aportar su experiencia global
    para asegurar que ANAC tiene la independencia para llevar a cabo su misión de forma
    eficiente”, dijo Bisignani.

    • Congestión en el Aeropuerto Guarulhos de Sao Paulo: Bisignani ofreció el apoyo
    para la implementación de la Guía de Programación Mundial de IATA en el Aeropuerto
    Guarulhos de Sao Paulo. “Cobrar para evitar la congestión no es la solución. La Guía de
    Programación Mundial de IATA está ayudando a los aeropuertos de todo el mundo a
    gestionar la congestión. Mientras evaluamos soluciones a largo plazo, esperamos
    trabajar con INFRAERO para conseguir lo máximo de las terminales e infraestructuras
    existentes y llegar a un sólido proceso de consultas sobre los desarrollos futuros”, dijo
    Bisignani.

    Bisignani también hizo notar la necesidad de mejorar la competitividad del sector brasileño de
    aviación trabajando juntos para dar respuesta a dos problemas específicos:

    • La política de paridad de importación en los precios de Petrobras: “Esto añade 30
    centavos a cada galón de combustible de aviación vendido en Brasil. Esta desventaja
    competitiva de 450 millones de dólares anuales, no tiene sentido para un país que
    suministra domésticamente el 80% de sus necesidad de combustible. El resultado es
    que el 32% de la estructura de costes de las líneas aéreas brasileñas es el combustible,
    en comparación con la media mundial del 23 %. Debemos encontrar una política que
    coloque a los precios en línea con la realidad del mercado”, dijo Bisignani.

    • El impuesto ATAERO: Las tasas aeroportuarias que se pagan a INFRAERO, el
    operador brasileño de aeropuertos, no recuperan costes de forma similar en cada
    aeropuerto individual. Las líneas aéreas pagan una sobretasa del 50% (370 millones de
    dólares anuales), conocida como ATAERO para cubrir los agujeros. “ATAERO debe
    financiarse sobre una base de recuperación de costes, con tasas transparentes, de
    acuerdo con los utilizadores, y en línea con las normas internacionales”, dijo Bisignani.
    Finalmente, Bisignani urgió al Gobierno brasileño para que apoyase el futuro de la aviación
    basándose en dos prioridades clave: medio ambiente y liberalización.
    Medio Ambiente: IATA está liderando los esfuerzos de la industria sobre el medio ambiente con
    tres objetivos esenciales: Una media del 1,5% anual de mejora en la eficiencia del consumo de
    combustible hasta 2020, crecimiento neutral en carbono para 2020 y una reducción absoluta del
    50% en las emisiones en 2050 (en comparación con 2005). “Brasil es crítico para lograr estos
    objetivos. Como líder en biocombustibles, espero que el Gobierno brasileño ofrezca el marco
    fiscal y legal para ayudar a las inversiones en biocombustibles sostenibles que pueden reducir de
    forma significativa la huella de carbono de la aviación. Brasil es uno de los principales actores en
    el proceso de UNFCCC y en OACI, que tiene la responsabilidad de gestionar las emisiones
    internacionales de la aviación. Tiene la responsabilidad de líder para asegurar que OACI pueda
    dar a UNFCCC una propuesta que apoye una filosofía sectorial global y refleje la filosofía
    armonizada globalmente del sector para controlar sus emisiones”, dijo Bisignani.

    Liberalización: Brasil fue uno de los 15 países cuyo Gobierno participó en la “Agenda for
    Freedom” de IATA. Un estudio de IATA mostro que la liberalización de mercado y de la
    propiedad en Brasil tenía el potencial de generar hasta 400.000 nuevos empleos y 24.000
    millones de Reais. “La propuesta de CONAC de incrementar la propiedad extranjera hasta el
    49% y un reciente acuerdo bilateral liberal con Chile son pasos en la dirección correcta. Como la
    mayor economía de la región, espero que Brasil tenga el liderazgo para promover la
    liberalización en América Latina y globalmente”, dijo Bisignani.

    El texto complete del discurso de Bsisgnani está disponible en www.iata.org.

    – IATA –
    Contacto:
    Anthony Concil
    Director Corporate Communications
    + 41 22 770 2967
    Email: corpcomms@iata.org
    Nota para los editors:
    • IATA (International Air Transport Association) representa a unas 230 líneas aéreas, que
    suponen el 93% del tráfico aéreo internacional regular.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Air Transport Association Congratulates Senate on FAA Bill Passage That Furthers NextGen and Creates Thousands of U.S. Jobs

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today congratulated Chairman Jay Rockefeller, Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison and the Senate for passage of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act (S.223), which will help create jobs and modernize the air traffic control system. A modernized air traffic management system will improve operational efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and lower airline operating costs.

    “This bill moves the United States toward our goal of enabling a safe, sustainable and profitable airline industry that provides good value to customers and promotes global competitiveness,” said ATA President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “We applaud the leadership and significant work to pass a bill that reflects a continued commitment to safety and modernization of the air traffic control system by requiring that FAA establish and track performance metrics.”

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | | |

    Comair Machinists withdraw from FAA’s ASAP

    Delta Air Lines regional subsidiary of Machinists at Comair have withdrawn from the ASAP program, a 2008 initiative between the machinists union, Comair and the FAA was designed to identify potential aircraft maintenance-related safety issues and develop corrective action.

    However, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) describe the ambitious program as dysfuntional, as Comair’s anti-collaborative procedure is to take action against union members who submitted voluntary reports.

    The official press release is below:

    Machinists Withdraw From Comair ASAP Program

    Mon. August 02, 2010
    The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142 today announced it has withdrawn from the maintenance Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at Delta Air Lines’ regional subsidiary Comair.

    “We have discussed the problems with this dysfunctional program with both Comair and the FAA for months.” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. “We no longer have any faith that this program will ever be managed according to the regulations.”

    The ASAP program, a joint initiative between the Machinists Union, Comair and the FAA in place since 2008, was designed to identify potential aircraft maintenance-related safety issues and develop corrective actions to improve air transportation safety. The program is dependant upon technicians submitting reports which are then reviewed by an Event Review Committee (ERC) comprised of FAA, Comair and Machinists Union representatives. The ERC then identifies any problems or systemic issues and develop corrective solutions to prevent a future reoccurrence.

    The ASAP program is designed to take place without the reporting technician having to fear any punitive or disciplinary actions. Comair has taken actions against Machinist Union members who have submitted voluntary reports, contrary to the letter and spirit of the FAA’s ASAP program. Additionally, Comair has failed to provide a collaborative environment needed for an effective program to work.

    “We should not have to wait for an accident to occur before addressing safety issues,” said Higginbotham. “We are disappointed that Comair failed to take this program, which is effective and runs well at over 35 other carriers, seriously.”

    IAM District 142 represents 530 Comair Mechanic and Related employees in Cincinnati, OH; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham, NC and Detroit, MI. More information about the IAM at Comair is available at www.iamdl142.org.
    :

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.