FAA Proposes $170,000 Civil Penalty For Pemco World Air Services

FAAST Blast — August 10, 2010
Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update

FAA Issues Cessna SAIB and Piper AD

On July 30, 2010, FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) CE-10-40R1 regarding a safety concern with water contamination in the fuel systems of Cessna 100-, 200-, and 300- series airplanes. FAA recommends you check all fuel drain locations every time before you fly. Take at least one sampler cup of fuel from each drain and check for water, proper clarity, odor, and/or contaminants. If you discover contaminants, take repeated samples until clear. Do not fly the aircraft if any contaminants cannot be cleared. Instead, contact maintenance personnel to drain and purge the fuel tank. FAA also recommends regularly checking all external entry sites, e.g., caps and access panels, for evidence of water entering the fuel system. To view the SAIB, go to www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB/.

FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 series airplanes. The AD, which results from field reports of incorrectly assembled control-wheel shafts, requires these shafts to be inspected, and if necessary, replaced. A faulty control wheel shaft may lead to a loss of pitch-and-roll control if left uncorrected. The AD, which is effective August 31, 2010, affects nearly 42,000 airplanes. For more details, go to www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/airworthiness_directives/ and search AD 2010-15-10.

Westfield Air Show Promises Plenty of Aviation “Star” Power

On August 21 and 22, visitors to the 2010 Westfield International Air Show are in for a special treat. The two-day event at Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield, MA, will host more than 60 aircraft displays and flight demonstrations, ranging from the legendary U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to such aerobatic greats as Mike Goulian and Greg Poe.

Also on hand will be members of the FAASTeam to help answer questions and provide airmen with information on the updated www.FAASafety.gov Web site and WINGS Program. “We’re excited to help spread the word about safety at such an important celebration of aviation,” said FAASTeam Manager James Adams. If you’re at the show, be sure to stop by the FAA booth to meet Adams and FAASTeam Manager Al Schnur. Visit www.westfieldairshow.net/ for more information.

Do’s and Don’ts for Datalink Weather

Datalink is an industry term used to describe a wide range of equipment and services that all do one basic thing—get data into the cockpit so pilots can use it to make decisions. This is especially the case with weather data, which can now be received, processed, and displayed in a myriad of panel-mounted displays and hand-held devices. In the July/August 2010 FAA Safety Briefing article, “Do’s and Don’ts for Datalink Weather,” author Meredith Saini warns pilots of some of the pitfalls of these high-tech devices. “Pilots must understand the limitations of any datalink weather product before using it to make strategic inflight decisions,” writes Saini. In addition to processing delays, NEXRAD data from ground stations can be affected by interference from buildings or terrain. “No matter how many full-color displays you have working for you, it’s still your responsibility to obtain a standard briefing before any flight.” See that article and more in the July/August issue for strategies to cope with Mother Nature.

Produced by the editors, FAA Safety Briefing, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/

FAA released Airworthiness Directive AD-2011-03-14 requiring all Boeing 737-100, -200, -300, -400 and -500 types to install two additional warning lights, one for takeoff configuration and one for cabin altitude warning, and introduce updated documentation within 36 months following March 14th 2011.

“SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires installing two warning level indicator lights on the P2-2 center instrument panel in the flight compartment for certain airplanes. For a certain other airplane, this AD requires activating the cabin altitude warning and takeoff configuration warning lights. For all airplanes, this AD also requires revising the airplane flight manual to remove certain requirements included by previous AD actions, requires new pressure altitude limitations for certain airplanes, and advises the flightcrew of the following changes: revised emergency procedures to use when a cabin altitude warning or rapid depressurization occurs, and revised cabin pressurization procedures for normal operations. This AD was prompted by a design change in the cabin altitude warning system that would address the identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the flightcrew to recognize and react properly to a valid cabin altitude warning horn, which could result in incapacitation of the flightcrew due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in body), and consequent loss of control of the airplane.”

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library

One-third of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 46,000 employees are on furlough but eight hundred are being recalled this week allowing plane certification, 600 who oversee airline operations, and 25 doctors who oversee drug and alcohol testing.

However, aviation registration can not be performed, and the lack has stopped aviation deliveries.

The manpower shortage may lead to maintenance problems and consequential safety issues.