News

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    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    Delta Air Lines regional subsidiary of Machinists at Comair have withdrawn from the ASAP program, a 2008 initiative between the machinists union, Comair and the FAA was designed to identify potential aircraft maintenance-related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    The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 142 today announced it has withdrawn from the maintenance Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at Delta Air Lines’ regional subsidiary Comair.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.
    :

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    Mexicana Airlines Suspension


    Since 2002, Compania Mexicana de Aviacion AKA Mexicana Airlines has been the only carrier offering direct service from Sacramento International Airport to Mexico, but now all Mexicana Airlines flights between Sacramento and Mexico will be suspended in August due to a company downsize. Flights in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose will also be affected.

    Fighting for its survival, the company faces even more possible layoffs and pay cuts. Pilots and fight attendants staged a labor demonstration in Mexico City on Sunday.

    The latest PR release said that Mexicana Airlines Presents Unions With Reorganization Plan with two alternatives:
    “The first is the option to enter into a new collective contract to secure the CMA’s long-term financial viability. This would imply accepting cuts of 41% and 39% in wages and fringe benefits for pilots and flight attendants, respectively. This alternative also calls for additional cost-cutting measures, including downsizing 40% of the airline’s pilots and flight attendants. On the upside, it incorporates a profit-sharing plan whereby the unions would get a percentage of any operating profits that exceed 5% of the company’s total revenues.

    As a second alternative, stockholders have offered to sell CMA to its unions for the token sum of $1 peso, proving them convinced of the vital role these labor organizations will play in the future of the company. As the only entities capable of turning the situation around, CMA’s management have stated that it would be willing to transfer control of the airline to its unions. “

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    Air Blue Black Box Recovered

    A six member committee will be investigating the crash of the Air Blue Airbus flight ED-202. 152 people on board the Airbus A321 aircraft were killed when it slammed into a hill on July 28. The black box and cockpit voice recorder which was in the tail of the plane was recovered in the wooded Margalla hills after a three day search by twenty rescuers who had been hampered by heavy rain and inaccessibility. Major accidents are investigated jointly by the international aviation community; and the box appears to be in adequate condition, soon to be decoded in either France or Germany.

    The box holds crucial details which will help determine the cause of the crash, and will be examined by international experts.

    Pilot Pervez Iqbal Chaudhry was 61 years old, and suffering from diabetes and hypertension, and possibly suffering fatigue if he had observed prayers of the holy day preceding the crash.

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    Mangalore Public Notification

    COURT OF INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT TO B737-800 AIRCRAFT VT-AXV ON 22.05.2010 AT MANGALORE AIRPORT

    An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-AXV met with an accident at Bajpe Airport, Mangalore on 22nd May 2010, while operating a scheduled flight IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore, resulting in tragic death of 152 passengers and 6 crew members.

    A Court of Inquiry has been ordered by the Government of India, vide Notification No AV.15013/02/2010-DG dated 3rd June, 2010. As per the notification, the Headquarters of the Court of Inquiry will be at New Delhi. The court is required to submit its report by 31st August, 2010.

    Constitution of the Court of Inquiry: –

    The court consists of the following: –

    (a) Air Marshal (Retd) BN Gokhale : Chairman
    (b) Capt Ron Nagar : Assessor
    (c) Shri SS Nat : Assessor
    (d) Shri Babu Peter : Assessor
    (e) Shri Gurcharan Bhatura : Assessor
    (f) Shri SN Dwivedi :Secretary to the Court

    A brief Bio-data of each member of the Court of Inquiry is given below: –

    Air Marshal BN Gokhale

    Air Marshal BN Gokhale PVSM AVSM VM (Retd) was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 1968. He has flown over 3500 hours on various fighter and trainer aircraft and has taken active part in 1971 operations. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader from the prestigious Tactics and Combat Development Establishment. During his illustrious career, he has held several operational and staff appointments, He has commanded a frontline
    fighter squadron during the Siachen Operations. He has been Chief Operations Officer of an operational base and has also commanded a premier air base. Air Marshal Gokhale has been an Instructor at the Defence Services Staff College and Inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspection. He has had assignments abroad which include Flying Instructor in Iraq and Indian Defence Advisor in Embassy of India, Cairo. Apart from being a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, he is an Alumnus of Air War College, USA and a Fellow of Aeronautical Society of India.

    He has served as Air Advisor to the Chief of Air Staff, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of IAF Training Command, Bengaluru, prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of Air Staff. On retirement as the VCAS in Dec 2007 he has been appointed as Scientific Consultant to the Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India. He is also appointed as Consultant to DRDO and National Security Council.

    Captain Ron Nagar

    Capt Ron Nagar is the Senior Vice President (Flight Operations and Training) with King Fisher Airlines Pvt. Ltd.

    He is an accomplished pilot with 37 years of experience in Flight Operations wherein he has been Executive Director (Safety) and Chief Executive (Training) at Indian Airlines. He has been a Training Captain for 30 years, a TRE (Examiner) on Boeing 737,Airbus A320 family and HS 748.

    He has participated in several international seminars and training courses, related Human Factors, Aviation Security, IOSA awareness, Aircraft accident prevention, Emergency Response and Crisis communication. He was also a Simulator instructor and has evaluated Simulators.
    Shri SS Nat

    Shri SS Nat, Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation, India (Retd) is a Type-rated Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence holder with rich experience in Civil Aviation. He has successfully completed DGCA approved Maintenance Training on Heavy Aircraft and Jet Engines.

    He has worked for about 30 years in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India in various capacities and retired as Deputy Director General in 2006. He was Head of Airworthiness Wing of DGCA from 1996 to 2004. He has been associated in the formation of various Civil Aviation Requirements during his tenure with DGCA.

    He has also carried out Audits, Surveillance inspections and Surprise Checks on Scheduled, Charter and General Aviation operators during his tenure with DGCA to ensure compliance of regulatory requirements.

    He was a member of the initial stage accident investigation Team for the crash of Alliance Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft at Patna on 17 July 2000.
    Shri Babu Peter

    He is a graduate of Electrical Engineering from Regional Engineering College Calicut, Kerala. He joined Air India as a Graduate Engineer in 1971, and has worked as a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance
    Engineer over 25 years. He holds valid licenses on several Boeing and Airbus aircraft and their Engines.

    He was the Director of Engineering Air India from 2002 to 2004 and the Director of Engine Overhaul in Air India from 2004 to 2005. He later moved over to Indian Airlines as Functional Director and Board Member and retired from Indian Airlines in 2006.

    He is presently working as Executive Vice President Engineering in GoAir. He is also a Fellow of Aeronautical Society of India and was the Chairman of Academic Committee in the year 2008-09. In the past he has also been Assessor to the Court of Inquiry in to two aircraft accidents in the past. Boeing 737 accident at Palam, in 1995 and Dornier 228 accident in Kochi.

    Shri Gurcharan Bhatura

    Shri Gurcharan Bhatura specializes in Air Traffic Management and Airport Operations. After completing the ab-initio programme for Air Traffic Controller, he started his career at Delhi airport and acquired all the possible ratings. Director General Civil Aviation appreciated his services when he saved a Boeing 747 aircraft from landing on a wrong runway at Delhi Airport. Subsequently he specialised in airport operations and held the position of Airport Director at Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai airports. He is also recognized for his analytical abilities and management skills. Prior to his retirement in 2005, he was Executive Director in AAI.

    A fellow of the Aeronautical Society of India and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, he is presently Director General of Foundation for Aviation and Sustainable Tourism – a think tank in Civil Aviation. With 42 year long association with Civil Aviation Industry, he has written several well-researched articles on related subjects.
    Shri SN Dwivedi

    Shri S N Dwivedi is Graduate in Electrical Engineering and Post Graduate in Management. Presently, he is working as Director of Airworthiness at DGCA Hqrs., New Delhi and has vast experience in Civil Aviation Department since 1986 till date. During his service in Civil Aviation Department, he has completed the various professional and technical courses covering Heavy Aircraft and Jet Engines including Boeing 737 and Airbus A – 320 aircraft.

    Shri S N Dwivedi has been involved in Court of Inquiries for investigation of the following aircraft accidents:

    ? Indian Airlines Boeing 737-200 Aircraft VT-ECS accident on 2nd December, 1995 at IGI Airport, Palam, New Delhi, headed by Air Marshal (Retd.) JK Seth, PVSM, AVSM, VM.

    ? Archana Airways LET – 410 Aircraft VTC accident on 11th July, 1996 at Kullu, headed by Air Marshal (Retd.) S Ramdas, PVSM, AVSM, VM.

    ? High level inquiry committee into escalator accident on 13th December, 1999 at IGI Airport, Palam, New Delhi, headed by Shri RC Jain, IAS (Retd.)

    ? Alliance Air Boeing 737-200 Aircraft VT-EGD accident on 17th July, 2000 at Patna Airport, headed by Air Marshal P Rajkumar, PVSM, AVSM, VM.

    Convening of the Court:

    On the very next day of the Government Notification, the court convened on 4th June, 2010. The Court took stock of the situation and available information. The Chairman along with all the members met the officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding some of the administrative arrangements.

    Investigation Process:

    In an accident of such a nature, the DGCA appoints an Inspector of Accident immediately. This is done to take stock of all the activities relating to accident till the Court of Inquiry is instituted by the Government of India. The Inspector of Accident is required to submit his reports giving his observations / findings to the Court of Inquiry constituted by the Government of India. Thereafter, the Court of Inquiry takes over the charge of accident investigation.

    Senior officers of DGCA reached Mangalore on 22nd May, 2010 itself for a first hand appraisal. The search for Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) known as ‘Black Box’ was initiated. CVR records the conversation of the flight crew among themselves and with ATC including any sound in the cockpit. DFDR records various parameters of the aircraft, engines and their systems. CVR and DFDR were recovered from the wreckage with the outer casing damaged due to heavy fire and impact during accident. However, the data storage module appeared to be intact. Since suitable facility to retrieve the data from partially damaged CVR and DFDR do not exist in our country, the Court of Inquiry decided to carry out decoding of these recorders at the facility of M/s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Washington DC, USA.

    Visit to the Accident Site:

    The members of the Court of Inquiry visited Mangalore airport and the accident site from 7th to 9th June, 2010. The members of the court observed two minutes silence to pray for the departed souls at the crash site.

    The members of the Court of Inquiry met with Emergency Response Team which took part in the post crash Search and Rescue (SAR) operation; and heard their observations of the fateful day. The court visited ATC Tower, Area Control, Fire Station, and Meteorological Office and met the personnel who were on duty on the day of the accident. The court also met and interacted with the officials of District
    Civil Administration, City Police, City Fire Service, District Health Administration and Air India Express personnel at the airport, who were involved in the post accident search and rescue operation.

    The Court also visited the city hospitals where two of the eight survivors are undergoing treatment. The Court interacted with the team of doctors treating them in the hospitals. The survivors narrated their experiences to the Court.

    Interaction with Key personnel of M/s Air India Express:

    The Court visited the facilities of M/s Air India Express at Mumbai and met its key officials in the evening of 9th June, 2010. The Air India Express officials made presentations regarding their Organisational Structure, Flight Operations, Maintenance and other facilities including Emergency Response Plans.

    Brief of Boeing 737-800 aircraft:

    Boeing 737-800 aircraft is an upgraded version of Boeing 737 aircraft family. The passenger seating capacity of this aircraft is 186 and is manned by 2 operating and 4 cabin crew. Its maximum take off weight is 77110 Kg. The aircraft is powered with two CFM-56 Jet Engines. The Manufacturer’s Serial Number (MSN) of the ill-fated aircraft is 36333, Line No. 2481 and it was manufactured during the year 2008. This Boeing 737-800 aircraft was delivered to Air India Express during January, 2008. This aircraft had accumulated 7189 Flight Hours and 2829 Landings, till the date of accident.

    Brief of the Crew-members:

    The Commander of the ill-fated aircraft was Capt Glusica Zlatko , of Serbian origin and British Nationality paired with First Officer HS Ahluwalia, an Indian National, as co-pilot. There were four cabin crew members namely Miss Sujata Survase, Miss Tejal Anil Kumar Kamulkar, Mr Yugantar Rana and Mr Mohammad Ali.

    Capt Glusica Zlatko had a total experience of about 10,200 Flying Hours, out of which, he had total Command Experience of about 7630 Flying Hours. He had flown about 2770 Flying Hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) on Boeing 737 aircraft. He was examined by the DGCA and issued with authorization called Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA) to operate Indian registered aircraft.

    First Officer HS Ahluwalia had a total flying experience of about 3650 hours. He had flown about 3350 hours as Co-pilot on Boeing 737 aircraft and operated 66 flights to Mangalore Airport.

    Synopsis of the accident:

    Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-AXV was operating scheduled Flight No IX-812 from Dubai to Mangalore on 22nd May, 2010 with 160 passengers and 6 crew members on board. This aircraft was given clearance to land on runway 24 by the Mangalore Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower. However, during landing, the aircraft departed the paved surface including the Runway End Safety Area (RESA). The right wing impacted the localizer structure at the end of the RESA. Thereafter, the aircraft hit the boundary fence, fell into the gorge and caught fire. Due to impact and fire, the aircraft was destroyed. In this tragic accident, 152 passengers and 6 crew members lost their lives. Seven passengers sustained serious injuries and one person escaped with minor bruises.

    Rescue Operations:

    The rescue operation was initiated by the officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI). AAI and Air India Express were assisted by the officials of District Administration. Local population was involved in the rescue operation In full force and their involvement was appreciated by all concerned. The survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Thereafter, Volunteers of Air India Emergency Response Team, commonly known as Air India Angels, worked tirelessly to provide succour to the injured and to the bereaved families.

    Analysis of CVR and DFDR:

    A team consisting of three members of the Court of Inquiry left for Washington DC, USA from 21st to 25th June, 2010 for analysis and decoding of the CVR and DFDR at the facilities of M/s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Government of United States of America. All the activities were carried out under strict supervision of the Court of Inquiry.

    The data recovered from these Recorders is being analysed by the Court along with other material evidence.

    Notification:

    A notification is being published in the News Papers inviting any information or evidence on this accident. Such information should reach the court by 20th July 2010 by Post, Fax or e-mail as per the details given below:

    Shri SN Dwivedi
    The Secretary to the Court of Inquiry – Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT- AXV accident at Mangalore
    Office of DGCA, Technical Centre,
    Opposite Safdarjung Airport,
    New Delhi 110003

    Tel. 011 24611357

    Fax. 011 24692374

    e-mail coi.voml@gmail.com
    coivoml.moca@nic.in
    sndwivedi@hotmail.com

    Public Hearing:

    The Court also plans to hold Public Hearings at Mangalore and Delhi for the convenience of those who wish to participate in the deliberations. Dates and Venue of these Public Hearings will be notified at a later date.

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    U.S. Aviation Safety Legislation at Hand

    Good news for Flyers: The FAA will not shut down Sunday due to lack of funds. Operating funds till the September 30th close of the 2010 fiscal year have been tacked on to a bill going through the Senate today.

    The main forse of the legislation stems from the Continental Connection Flight 3407 disaster, and as part of the FAA legislation goes before the Senate on July 30 2010. The bill attempts to raise the quality of pilot performance, a problem which was a contributing factor in the Continental Buffalo-Niagara crash, among others.

    These safety measures have been lobbied for almost a year and a half; and will require the FAA to limit pilot scheduling based on sleep/fatigue research; increase required minimum flight experience for pilots; strengthen pilot training; develop pilot mentoring programs; require disclosure of airlines at point of sale so passengers can see if the carrier is a major or regional carrier.

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    NASA SETS BRIEFING TO PREVIEW SPACE STATION SPACEWALK

    July 28, 2010
    MEDIA ADVISORY:

    HOUSTON — NASA managers will discuss an upcoming spacewalk at the
    International Space Station during a news briefing at 1 p.m. CDT on
    Tuesday, Aug. 3.

    Expedition 24 Flight Engineers Doug Wheelock and Tracy Caldwell Dyson
    are scheduled to perform a 6.5-hour spacewalk on Aug. 5. The two NASA
    astronauts will outfit the Russian Zarya module for future robotics
    work and prepare the station for the installation of a new U.S.
    permanent multipurpose module.

    The news briefing on the spacewalk will take place at NASA’s Johnson
    Space Center in Houston. It will air live on NASA Television and the
    agency’s website. Journalists may ask questions from participating
    NASA locations.

    The briefers are:
    – Dan Hartman, Integration and Mission Operations manager,
    International Space Station Program
    – Courtenay McMillan, Expedition 24 spacewalk flight director

    NASA TV coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 5 a.m. on Aug. 5.
    Wheelock and Caldwell Dyson are expected to begin the spacewalk from
    the Quest airlock at 5:55 a.m. It will be Wheelock’s fourth spacewalk
    and Caldwell Dyson’s first.

    For NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information,
    visit:

    http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

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    NTSB SENDING TEAM TO ASSIST GOVERNMENT OF SAUDI ARABIA WITH MD-11 FREIGHTER ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a team of investigators to assist the government of Saudi Arabia with its investigation of today’s cargo airplane accident in Riyadh.

    At about 11:38 a.m. local time today, a Lufthansa MD-11(D-ALCQ) freighter crashed while landing at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The two crewmembers on
    board survived the accident. Flight 8460 originated in Frankfurt.

    NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated Senior Air Safety Investigator Bill English as the U.S. Accredited Representative. The U.S. team will also include NTSB flight operations specialists, an NTSB aircraft systems specialist, and technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing.

    The investigation is being conducted by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation
    (http://www.gaca.gov.sa/GACA/Home.aspx?l=EN), which will release all information on the progress of the investigation.

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    Comair fined $275,000

    Violating regulations on bumping passengers from overbooked flights has landed Delta’s subsidiary Comair a $275,000 fine from the Department of Transportation.

    Federal rules require that overbooked flights seek volunteers to give up their seats for compensation, and if no volunteers are found, a written statement must be provided, along with financial compensation.

    Comair filed inaccurate reports regarding how many passengers were denied boarding.

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    Northwest Gets Out of Hot Water Without Cool Cash

    A federal investigation has published findings that Northwest Airlines violated FAA safety directives.

    The investigation by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel corroborates the allegations of a whistleblower who alleged the carrier had inadequate policies and procedures in 2008. The Office of Special Counsel indicated that FAA inspectors were going to work with Northwest to resolve deficiencies, and close cases with letters of correction rather than penal fines. However two Northwest managers may be disciplined.

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    Boeing, American Airlines Complete Order for 35 Next-Generation 737s

    SEATTLE, July 21 — Boeing and American Airlines, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corp., today announced the airline has exercised options for an additional 35 Next-Generation 737-800s.

    The order is part of American Airlines’ ongoing fleet renewal plan, replacing MD-80s with fuel-efficient Next-Generation 737s. The 737-800 is 35 percent more fuel efficient on a seat-mile basis than the MD-80s it will replace.

    “American Airlines is leveraging all the performance benefits of the Next-Generation 737 to enhance the airline’s competitive position, while providing an enhanced passenger travel experience,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “American’s investment in additional 737s demonstrates real confidence in the 737’s technology and economics. In addition, the new interiors on its existing 737 fleet and the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior on deliveries starting in 2011 will ensure American’s customers continue to enjoy an exceptional flying experience.”

    “The 737-800 provides additional amenities for our customers while helping to reduce our operating and fuel costs and lessen our impact on the environment,” said Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer for American Airlines. “The 737 is a product that benefits all of American’s stakeholders and is a good fit for our current fleet renewal plans.”

    Famous for its extremely efficient operation, high dispatch reliability and leading performance on coast-to-coast flights, the 737-800 remains the airplane of choice for airlines wanting to take advantage of new opportunities in the market.

    Today’s 35 new orders build on an order for 84 737s that began arriving in 2009. American currently expects to have a total of 195 737-800s in its single-aisle fleet by the end of 2012.

  • End of an Era: Fade to Black

    David Warren, a man whose father died in the Miss Hobart plane crash in Bass Strait in 1934, may be little known, but he is responsible for what may be the 20th century’s most important aviation safety innovation; and today we mourn his loss. David Warren, creator of the cockpit voice recorder, died on July 19.

    You can see his bio here at the Australian Department of Defence.

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    Michelin and Air France Sign Long Term Contract

    PARIS 21 July 2010 – MICHELIN andAIR FRANCE have signed a long term contract. Michelin has also signed a long term contract with the airline companiesKLM.

    The contract encompasses nearly 425 KLM /Air France planes, plus certain third party customers in maintenance contracts with the two companies, will be equipped with Michelin tires.

    Among these planes are 37 Boeing B777-300 ER, 66 Boeing B737-NG, 145 A318-319-320-321 Airbus and 3 A380 Airbus.

    These contracts are typed as “invoicing to the landing plane.” Michelin reputation rests on the quality of its products and its offers of innovative service, a decisive factor leading to the signature of this long-term agreement.

    To ensure its technological leadership, Michelin invests annually nearly 500 million euros in its Center of Technologies. Michelin dedication to Research and Development are without peer in its industry.

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    Press Release: FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Five Companies

    FAA Proposes Civil Penalties Against Five Companies

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing to assess civil penalties ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 against five companies for alleged violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations or Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations.

    $50,000 against Spirit Airlines, Inc., Miramar, Fla., for returning an aircraft to service, and then operating that aircraft on revenue passenger flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleged that Spirit failed to replace a faulty elevator aileron computer (ELAC) after the aircraft experienced an uncommanded pitch down of the nose while operating between Orlando, Fla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico on Aug. 21, 2009. Although Spirit’s maintenance program required replacement of the ELAC computer, the airline did not do so before flying the A321 on a revenue passenger flight the next day from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale, when the aircraft experienced another uncommanded pitch down.

    $63,525 against Friendship Airways Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., an air taxi operator, for operating two Cessna 402 aircraft on 77 commuter flights in violation of its air carrier certificate and operations specifications. The FAA alleged that the two aircraft were not authorized for use for the flights between June 21 and July 21, 2008 because they were not listed on the company’s operating specifications for commuter service.

    $50,000 against Fleet Aviation of White Plains, N.Y., an on-demand charter and air taxi company, for operating two of its aircraft on 251 flights between June 15, 2009 and March 19, 2010 when crews had not completed the emergency drills required by its training program.

    $54,000 against Englund Marine Supply Co. of Astoria, Ore., for offering a package containing flammable gasses and liquids to UPS for transportation by air from Astoria to Rio Vista, Calif., March 26, 2010. The package was discovered leaking at Portland before it was loaded on an aircraft.

    $70,000 against Coty, Inc., of New York, for offering a package containing perfume, a flammable liquid, to FedEx for transportation by air from Upland, Calif., to Covington, Wash., March 9, 2010. FedEx employees at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport discovered the shipment leaking.

    In all instances of alleged hazmat violations, the materials offered were not properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled and in proper condition for shipment under the hazardous materials regulations.

    Companies have 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s notice of proposed civil penalty to respond to the agency.

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    FAA Finalizes Recurrent Aircraft Registration Rule

    For Immediate Release
    July 19, 2010

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to create a more accurate aircraft registration database, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring re-registration of all civil aircraft over the next three years and renewal every three years after that.

    The rule establishes specific expiration dates over a three-year period for all aircraft registered before Oct. 1, 2010, and requires re-registration of those aircraft according to a specific schedule. All aircraft registration certificates issued on or after Oct. 1, 2010 will be good for three years with the expiration date clearly shown.

    “These improvements will give us more up-to-date registration data and better information about the state of the aviation industry,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    Current regulations require owners to report the sale of an aircraft, the scrapping or destruction of an aircraft, or a change in mailing address, but many owners have not complied with those requirements.

    Re-registration of all U.S. civil aircraft by Dec. 31, 2013 will enhance the database with current data derived from recent contact with aircraft owners. The new regulations also will ensure that aircraft owners give the FAA fresh information at least once every three years when they renew their registration. The FAA will cancel the N-numbers of aircraft that are not re-registered or renewed.

    Re-registration and registration expiration
    Certificate issued (Any year) Certificate expires Re-registration required
    March March 31, 2011 Nov. 1, 2010–Jan. 31, 2011
    April June 30, 2011 Feb. 1–April 30, 2011
    May Sept. 30, 2011 May 1– July 31, 2011
    June Dec. 31, 2011 Aug. 1– Oct. 31, 2011
    July March 31, 2012 Nov. 1, 2011–Jan. 31, 2012
    August June 30, 2012 Feb. 1– April 30, 2012
    September Sept. 30, 2012 May 1– July 31, 2012
    October Dec. 31, 2012 Aug. 1– Oct. 31, 2012
    November March 31, 2013 Nov. 1, 2012–Jan. 31, 2013
    December June 30, 2013 Feb. 1– April 30, 2013
    January Sept. 30, 2013 May 1– July 31, 2013
    February Dec. 31, 2013 Aug. 1– Oct. 31, 2013
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    Air India cataloguing yellow metal/gold of Mangalore crash victims

    July 15, 2010
    The Angels of Air India have handed over identified personal items of the victims to the families as provided by M/s. Kenyon International, the agency appointed by Air India to identify the personal effects recovered from the crash site.

    The unassociated / unidentified items including yellow metal/gold recovered from the crash site by the police have been handed over to Air India. The catalogue for the same is under preparation by M/s Kenyon International. Once the catalogue is ready, the families of the victims will be contacted and requested to provide the details of yellow metal/gold items so that they can be matched with the catalogue. After proper identification, the same will be handed over to the families concerned in the presence of the police and Custom authorities. Air India would also request members of the Mangalore Air Crash Victims Families Association to help in identification of the yellow metal/gold items.

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    Hopefully Hiring Pilots Who Can

    Aviation is looking alive in India, according to Bombay’s * Economic Times.

    The corporation running Air India, National Aviation Company of India (NACIL), is hiring experienced Boeing 737 commanders, and for its Budget division (Air India Express), they are looking for experienced and inexperienced co-pilots.

    In this depressed global economy, jobs are always good news. Let’s hope that NACIL’s hiring practices involve some efforts at due diligence (hiring with a certain standard of care) and result in aviation excellence, even in its budget airlines Air India Express.

    Hiring is good news…as long as cutting cost in tough times does not mean cutting safety. Even travelers with modest incomes deserve to make it to their destination in one piece.

    “Recruitment gathers pace in aviation sector.” Economic Times. July, 2010.

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    NTSB Release: Probable Cause of Denver Runway Accident Cited

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2010

    Lack of Rules Requiring Dissemination of Wind Condition Data and Pilot’s Insufficient Rudder Control Cited as Probablye Cause of 2008 Denver Runway Accident

    Washington, DC – The National Transportation Safety Board today determined that the probable cause of the 2008 Continental Airlines flight 1404 runway excursion accident was the captain’s cessation of rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the aircraft departed the runway, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain’s training and experience.

    Contributing to the accident was the air traffic control system that did not require or facilitate the dissemination of key available wind information to air traffic controllers and pilots, and inadequate cross wind training in the airline industry due to deficient simulator wind gust modeling.

    On December 20, 2008, Continental Airlines flight 1404 veered off the left side of runway 34R during a takeoff from Denver International Airport. As a result, the captain initiated a rejected takeoff and the airplane came to rest between runways 34R and 34L. There was a post-crash fire.
    All 110 passengers and 5 crewmembers evacuated the airplane immediately after it came to rest. The captain and five passengers were seriously injured.

    At the time of the accident, mountain wave and downsloping wind conditions existed in the Denver area and the strong localized winds associated with these conditions resulted in pulses of strong wind gusts at the surface that posed a threat to operations at Denver International Airport.

    “This aircraft happened to be in the direct path of a perfect storm of circumstances that resulted in an unexpected excursion in an airport with one of the most sophisticated wind sensing systems in the country,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It is critical that pilots receive training to operate aircraft when high wind conditions and significant gusts are present, and that sufficient airport-specific wind information be provided to ATC controllers and pilots as well.”

    As a result of this accident the NTSB issued 14 recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding mountain waves, wind dissemination to flightcrews, runway selection, pilot training for crosswind takeoffs, and crashworthiness.

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    Boeing Hosts Global Educators at Weeklong Space Camp

    CHICAGO, July 12, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] this week is sponsoring more than 100 teachers from around the world at the 19th Annual Boeing Educators to Space Camp program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
    The five-day Boeing Educators to Space Camp program uses space exploration initiatives to enhance teachers’ skills in presenting math, science and technology lessons in a way that will inspire students and help build a skilled work force for a globally competitive technology market.
    “Sponsoring educators to attend Space Camp each year is just one of the many ways Boeing is investing in the future,” said Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration. “The number of students pursuing math-, science-, and technology-related degrees is declining, particularly in the United States. It is important to work with educators, who have a direct influence on the students starting at a young age, to bring the excitement of these subjects into the classroom.”
    The teachers will be involved in hands-on workshops that include simulated space missions, astronaut training, and presentations by rocketry and space-exploration experts. The workshops help bring the excitement of real-world engineering challenges to levels suitable for students to achieve a better understanding of scientific and mathematic principles.
    “Space Camp provides a hands-on learning environment where the excitement of science, math and technology are explored and practiced through the mysteries and wonders of space,” said Ruth Oliver, director of Education at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
    Boeing worked with U.S. and international education institutions to select more than 100 applicants from 13 countries for the weeklong course, making this the largest, most diverse Boeing-sponsored group ever. Since 1992, more than 700 teachers have participated in Boeing’s annual program, reaching an estimated 30,000-plus students around the world.
    Boeing’s support of Space Camp aligns with the company’s community investment focus area in primary-secondary education, which promotes the professional development of teachers and provides them with the tools and resources they need to help improve student performance.
    “The teachers’ experiences at Space Camp will give them a unique perspective to share with their students,” added Stephens. “By sponsoring Educators to Space Camp, Boeing is helping the students of today become the citizens of the future and the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers.”
    After graduating from Space Camp on July 17, each teacher will return home with educational resources that can be easily implemented in the classroom to help their students meet national standards for science, math and technology. Boeing will follow their progress to accurately measure the program’s effectiveness.
    Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the space shuttle and International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries around the world and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales.
    # # #
    *Note to editors:
    Teachers from the following locations will attend this year’s camp: Alabama (5), Arizona (1), California (10), Florida (4), Hawaii (1), Illinois (12), Maryland (3), Missouri (10), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (10), Texas (19), Utah (6), Virginia (4), Washington (5), Australia (1), Canada (1), Greece (1), India (1), Italy (1), Japan (1), Korea (1), Poland (1), Singapore (1), Saudi Arabia (1), United Arab Emirates (1), United Kingdom (1).

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    Arik Air Undergoing Re-Certification

    Arik Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi Ikhide has announced that their airline is successfully going through the certification process. “Although the journey was long, tedious, hard and expensive, it was worth it.”

    Striving to meet the global standards of the ICAO and TSA, Arik Air has also been re-certified by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Six of eight US FAA criteria have been satisfied. Arik Air must satisfy a preliminary (mock) audit by the FAA prior to moving on to the final steps of certification.

  • India Not On Track with Mangalore Crash Investigation

    An Indian newspaper (Okay, it is the Times of India, you dragged it out of me) has revealed that “According to Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 5 (Air Safety), Series C, Part I issued on 13 October 2006, preliminary report by the inspector of accidents/inquiry officer should be finalized within 10 days of the accident.”

    Furthermore, the preliminary report should be in the format provided by International Civil Aviation Organization, and the deadline for submitting the preliminary investigation report for the May 22 Air India Express Mangalore aircrash was June 2.

    Here it is nearly halfway through July and no report.

    Of course, never mind that other countries take a year or more to finalize their reports. Silly of other countries. After all, other countries carefully keep the wreckage. Apparently the DGCA doesn’t think that’s necessary, because they are reported to have just thrown out the wreckage with the garbage–after having let it sit in the elements for more than a month.

    A court of inquiry has been formed to investigate the Mangalore air tragedy. The information uploaded on the ministry of civil aviation’s website under the title “initial investigation report” is not the preliminary investigation report but is “only put up to keep the public informed about the progress of the investigation.”

    So, if you’re wondering what happens in India when the DGCA (India’s aviation equivalent of US. FAA/NTSB) officials violate their own rules?

    Apparently nothing.

  • No Progress at EU Transport Ministers Meeting

    Date: 25 June 2010

    Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed frustration by the lack of progress on key aviation issues during yesterday’s meeting of EU Transport Ministers.

    “In April, Europe’s over-reaction to the Icelandic volcano cost the European economy EUR 5 billion. This embarrassment of global proportions was a wake-up call for two key areas. Europe needs to develop a system in line with international practices on dealing with volcanic ash. Second, it must review its compensation regulations for flight cancellations and delays which were applied in a way never intended by the original legislation. It is unacceptable that a month after the volcano went dormant, the EU transport ministers have lost the sense of urgency to address these issues. We are eager to work with the European leadership to develop the solutions needed. But yesterday’s meeting was a frustrating disappointment,” said Bisignani.

    Moreover, Bisignani criticized the failure of the EU Transport Ministers to address the costs of the mismanagement of the crisis. “The unnecessary closure of airspace cost airlines at least $1.8 billion in lost revenues as well as compensation to passengers. It is critical that the EU follow-up with guidance to its member states on compensating airlines for these losses,” said Bisignani.

    IATA is also asking Europe to address distortions to measurements of airline carbon emissions created by airspace closures. “As 2010 is a baseline year for determining allocations under Europe’s emissions trading scheme due to take effect in 2012, accuracy is critical. We continue to oppose regional ETS schemes like that which is being proposed by Europe. But if Europe’s transport ministers are determined to implement it in 2012, they must address this extra-ordinary distortion,” said Bisignani.

    Finally, Bisignani reiterated his call for a real European Single European Sky (SES). “We have been waiting decades for Europe to unite its skies. The volcano resulted in tiny promises of incremental progress on some elements of the SES. As the transport ministers are not able to take leadership on this issue, I call on heads of State to end the decades of embarrassment caused by this European failure and set a date for the Transport Ministers to deliver the EUR5 billion ($6.5 billion) savings that a real SES will bring,” said Bisignani.

  • India Moving into the 21st Century


    Motivated by the recent tragedy of the Air India Express crash at Mangalore India, the government of India is setting up an independent Civil Aviation Authority to investigate aviation accidents, above and beyond the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The new authority will be analogous to the FAA. Additionally, the DGCA will have 550 new technical positions legislating upon the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) ensuring incident reporting and sharing of global data.

    The horrible concern remains that the horrific Air India Express crash in Mangalore that killed 158 people could have possibly been averted if the pilot had followed his co-pilot’s advice.

    Transcripts show that co-pilot H S Ahluwalia repeatedly urged Captain Zlatko Glusica to go around.

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    Statement from the FAA

    Statement from the FAA in Response to the Associated Press Story about Temporary Flight Restrictions over the Gulf of Mexico
    For Immediate Release
    June 17, 2010

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today’s story by the Associated Press contains a number of inaccuracies with regard to the government’s oversight of flyovers in and around the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Since May 28th, the FAA has approved every request to fly over the area–more than 176 requests. While the temporary flight restriction requires pilots to stay above 3,000 feet, the FAA is working with news organizations and granting exceptions so that pilots can fly at lower altitudes throughout the day.

    The reason for these requirements is safety, pure and simple. So far, there have been a number of reported near misses over the Gulf due to heavy traffic and pilots flying above the oil spill to give their passengers a closer look.

    On Sunday, a helicopter carrying a member of the Associated Press violated the temporary flight restriction around the oil clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. The helicopter operator was not authorized to fly into the restricted area and was flying at various altitudes well below 3,000 feet. For over 30 minutes, the pilot was not in communication with the Border Patrol aircraft that is providing traffic advisories for all participating aircraft. Border Patrol was forced to divert other traffic in the area, creating a dangerous situation for everyone involved. When the pilot was finally reached he was told to leave the area.

    A pilot deviation (an action that results in the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation) is being filed against the helicopter pilot.

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    FAA UPDATE: NextGen Research Agreement Moves Forward

    June 18–The FAA and the European Commission concluded negotiations today on an agreement that will allow the U.S. and Europe to work together on research aimed at providing seamless air traffic services for aircraft flying between the two continents.

    “Harmonization is the key to the future of air travel over the North Atlantic,” said FAA Chief Operating Officer Hank Krakowski, who signed a Memorandum of Consultations with Daniel Calleja, European Commission Director for Air Transport in Madrid. “This agreement allows us to work together to give the airlines a seamless transition between our airspaces.”

    The goal of the agreement is to provide aircraft flying over the North Atlantic with consistent service in terms of avionics, communication protocols and procedures, and operational methods under NextGen and its European counterpart, the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR).

    The agreement calls for 22 specific areas of cooperation. These areas include research on Data Comm, which will improve safety and efficiency by replacing voice communications with data communications, and System Wide Information Management (SWIM), an information platform that will allow FAA systems to speak to one another. Research will also be conducted on systems used by other parts of the aviation community, including the European Commission, the airlines, the military and the Department of Homeland Security. Collaborative research will also be done on emerging technologies such as 4-D Trajectory-Based Operations, which introduce the fourth dimension of time to the existing dimensions of latitude, longitude and altitude in an aircraft’s flight profile, meaning pilots and air traffic controllers will know when an aircraft will be at specific points along its flight path.

    Today’s agreement, which was finalized in Madrid because Spain holds the current presidency of the European Union, replaces a Memorandum of Understanding reached between the FAA and the European Commission in 2007. That agreement allowed both sides to collaborate on basic strategies in the move toward NextGen and SESAR. This agreement calls for specific, joint research and development on NextGen/SESAR projects.

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    NTSB SENDING TEAM TO CANADA TO ASSIST WITH INVESTIGATION OF RUNWAY EXCURSION ACCIDENT

    The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a team of investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada with its investigation of today’s airplane accident in Ottawa.

    At about 2:30 p.m. EDT, a Trans States Airlines Embraer-145 regional jet operated as United Express flight 8050 (N847HK), overran runway 25 while landing at Ottawa International Airport. Preliminary reports indicate that there were several injuries among the 33 passengers and three crewmembers onboard. The flight originated from Washington Dulles International Airport.

    NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated Air Safety Investigator John Lovell as the U.S. Accredited Representative. The U.S. team will also include an NTSB flight operations specialist, an NTSB survival factors specialist, and technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration. The team will arrive in Ottawa on Thursday morning.

    The Transportation Safety Board of Canada
    (http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/contactez-contact/index.asp) will
    release all information on the progress of the
    investigation.