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Dutch Safety Board (DSB) Issues Accident Report on February 25, 2009 Accident of a Boeing 737-800 at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (EHAM)

The National Transportation Safety Board assisted in the investigation of the accident of Turkish Airlines flight 1951, a Boeing 737-800, registration TC-JGE, which occurred on February 25, 2009, while on approach to runway 18R at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (EHAM), Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13, the investigation was conducted under the authority of the Dutch Safety Board ( – DSB) as the State of Occurrence. The United States, as State of Manufacture and Design of the Boeing 737, appointed an accredited representative from the NTSB’s Major Investigations Division to participate in the investigation and lead the U.S. investigative team. The U.S. team included NTSB technical advisors in flight crew operations, systems, powerplants, flight recorders, and survival factors. In addition, technical advisors from the FAA, Boeing, Honeywell, and CFM International were part of the team.

The accredited representative and advisors participated throughout the investigation in the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. On December 16, 2009, the DSB provided a copy of the draft final report to the U.S. team for review and comment.

In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, the U.S. accredited representative provided the team’s comments to the DSB on February 13, 2010. The U.S. comments have been appended to the final version of the DSB report and consist of 1) a brief analysis of the factual data collected during the investigation; 2) detailed comments related to specific sections of the draft report; and 3) a summary of the findings from the engineering simulator testing conducted by the investigation.

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    IATA Seals Strategic Partnership with Ukraine – Cooperation and Reforms Needed

    Kiev – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) formalized a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine and the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine with the signing of a Memorandum of Intention (MoI).

    The MoI was signed in Kiev by IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani, and UkraineTransport Deputy Minister and Chairman of the State Aviation Administration Anatolii Kolisnyk. The MoI outlines seven specific areas of cooperation: safety, security, technology, airport infrastructure, air navigation, ground handling and training. While in Kiev, Bisignani also met with the CEOs of Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosvit Airlines.

    “An effective air transport sector is a critical element of a nation’s competitiveness. IATA’s global standards and technical expertise can contribute significantly to the development of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible aviation in Ukraine. This MoI gives us a strong framework to contribute to building an even more competitive Ukraine air transport sector, with the benefits being spread across the economy,” said Bisignani.

    Specific points addressed in Bisignani’s dialogue with Transport Minister Kostiantyn Efymenko and Deputy Minister Kolisnyk included:

    Improving safety: Ukraine has made progress to improve safety but many challenges remain. The country has been a Category 2 state for five years under the US Federal Aviation Administration International Safety Assessment Program. “The safety record has improved but more needs to be done. We must accelerate the work to bring safety oversight in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is already delivering significant benefits by improving safety. Both Aerosvit and Ukrainian International Airlines are on the IOSA registry. I look forward to exploring further ways to expand the use of all IATA’s auditing programs in Ukraine, including making IOSA a national requirement,” said Bisignani.
    Simplifying the Business: IATA’s Simplifying the Business program aims to improve service levels and reduce costs. “Ukraine International has led the implementation of new technologies for passenger handling in the country. Aerosvit has stepped up its work and is on track to reach the 100% bar-coded boarding pass year-end deadline,” said Bisignani.
    Infrastructure charges: Ukraine’s airport and air traffic control rates remain high and are not cost based. “Ukraine’s system is one of the most expensive in Europe and remains one of the least productive. This undermines the competitiveness of Ukraine. We need immediate reform. It is time to begin a new ere of consultation and transparency in line with ICAO guidelines. The government can no longer treat aviation—including air traffic management—as a cash cow,” Bisignani said.
    “Ukraine’s economy is growing again, which will lead to an improved aviation market. Our agreement and today’s meeting opens the door to even broader cooperation between Ukraine and IATA. It is our hope that the government can quickly address the challenges of safety and infrastructure. IATA brings global standards and expertise that will help ensure that aviation in Ukraine continues to develop and improve its competitiveness,” said Bisignani.

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  • DOT SUBSTANTIATES WHISTLEBLOWER’S SAFETY CONCERNS AT DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    WASHINGTON, DC/March 11, 2010 – Today, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) transmitted to the President and Congress the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) response to whistleblower allegations that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) compromised the safety of the flying public by operating an air traffic approach and departure configuration known as the “Southwest Flow” in an unsafe manner and in violation of FAA policy, and that FAA officials provided disingenuous information in response to a Congressional request.

    The whistleblower, Air Traffic Controller Vincent Sugent, also disclosed that management guidance to controllers for directing traffic on an airport taxiway was contradictory and unclear, and that procedures for segregating jet and propeller aircraft departures were unsafe.

    The June 2009 report and supplemental reports from DOT to OSC found that for a period of approximately six months, a critical segment of DTW’s “Southwest Flow” operation was often non-compliant with FAA Order 7110.65, which prescribes aircraft separation standards for intersecting runways, thus allowing a potentially unsafe condition to persist, in part as a result of DTW management’s failure to provide controllers with proper instruction on its safe operation. The report also determined that for two months during the same time period as referenced above, a DTW Operations Manager knowingly allowed the non-compliant operation to occur.

    The report also substantiated that DTW managers provided wording for FAA’s September 2007 response to an inquiry from Senator Carl Levin about the Southwest Flow that was, at a minimum, disingenuous. FAA sent a clarifying letter to Senator Levin in April 2008, only after OSC referred Mr. Sugent’s concerns for investigation. The report also found that the “hold short” lines on Taxiway Quebec, and as depicted on controller monitor screens, were insufficient for controllers to comply with DTW guidance for directing traffic on this taxiway. In addition, DTW’s guidance and Operating Manual contain contradictory language, which creates confusion for controllers. Finally, the report found that DTW management had not implemented necessary changes to written guidance provided to controllers for segregating jet and propeller aircraft departures.

    FAA pledged to take appropriate corrective and administrative action in response to the findings of the report. DTW has ceased operation of the Southwest Flow, the DTW managers have been counseled, and changes have been made to FAA and DTW guidance concerning Taxiway Quebec and jet and propeller departures. An audit of the corrective actions was completed by FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight Services in November 2009 and a report is expected soon.

    OSC determined that the agency’s reports contain all the information required by statute and the findings appear reasonable.

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    U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin Highlight M-TADS/PNVS Performance as Production Reaches 1,000 Systems

    ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 16, 2011 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) marked the delivery of the 1,000th Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system to the U.S. Army at ceremonies held today at Lockheed Martin facilities in Ocala and Orlando, FL. M-TADS/PNVS, also known as Arrowhead®, is the advanced targeting and pilotage system for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.

    “The M-TADS/PNVS is a game-changer on the battlefield and has ensured Longbow Apaches remain dominant in support of our ground soldiers,” said Col. Shane Openshaw, U.S. Army project manager for Apache Attack Helicopter. “This combat-tested system has shown, through over five years of continuous combat operations since the first unit was fielded, that an Apache equipped with M-TADS/PNVS is the most lethal and survivable attack helicopter in the world.”

    M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache pilots with the most advanced long-range, electro-optical precision engagement and pilotage capabilities to ensure mission success and flight safety in day, night and adverse weather missions. It employs state-of-the-art forward-looking infrared sensors to provide Apache pilots with enhanced image resolution, giving them the complementary benefits of significant standoff range and unrivaled targeting capabilities. M-TADS/PNVS improves performance and reliability over legacy TADS/PNVS systems by more than 150 percent, reduces maintenance actions by nearly 60 percent, and will save the U.S. Army nearly $1 billion in operation and support costs over its 20-year system life.

    “Teamwork has been the secret to the success of this program,” said David Belvin, director of Apache programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The U.S. Army, Lockheed Martin and its suppliers worked together as a team to achieve an unprecedented rapid development and production program to support the warfighter.”
    “U.S. Apaches are nearly completely equipped with this incredible system, and we will have retrofitted all of our Longbows in the field by the summer of 2011,” added Col. Openshaw. “In addition, many allied force Apaches around the world are M-TADS/PNVS-equipped, greatly enhancing their capability to conduct attack operations and to integrate with U.S. and NATO forces. This production milestone, the delivery of M-TADS/PNVS number 1,000, is another tremendous achievement for this outstanding program.”

    The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin the original M-TADS/PNVS contract in 2003. The first system was delivered to a U.S. Army Apache in theater in 2005. Previous milestones include the 250th system delivery in 2007 and the 500th delivery in 2008. During this period, M-TADS/PNVS was delivered at a rate of over 20 units per month. The 1,000th delivery ceremony signifies another important step in Lockheed Martin’s support of Army Aviation. Additional domestic and international deliveries will continue through 2014. Electronics assembly of M-TADS/PNVS is performed at the Lockheed Martin facility in Ocala, FL. Final assembly is performed at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Orlando, FL.

    Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 132,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

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    Press Release – FAA Revokes Phoenix Heliparts Certificate

    For Immediate Release
    September 9, 2010
    Contact: Ian Gregor
    Phone: (310) 725-3580

    LOS ANGELES — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revoked the air agency certificate of Phoenix Heliparts, Inc., (PHI) of Mesa, Ariz., for allegedly performing improper repairs and deliberately falsifying maintenance records. PHI must surrender its certificate to the FAA, as required under the terms of the emergency revocation.
    The FAA alleges that PHI mechanics failed to follow its repair station and/or quality control manuals when repairing aircraft, and used incorrect parts. The FAA also alleges that on at least four occasions, the company made intentionally false entries in the aircraft maintenance records.

    “Safety is not optional for aviation companies. Whether repairing airplanes or helicopters, repair stations are required to follow maintenance rules and procedures,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    Inspectors from the FAA’s Scottsdale Flight Service District Office inspected PHI Aug. 27, 2008, and found a variety of violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations. They included unauthorized use of an electronic recordkeeping system, failure to operate the maintenance shop according to its approved repair station and quality control manuals, and using unqualified people to perform the work.

    FAA inspectors reinspected PHI’s facility on Sept. 15 and 16, 2008, and discovered hundreds of additional discrepancies. These included identifying unserviceable parts as serviceable and retaining them for reuse; failure to document maintenance work and inspections; and failure to have and use approved data to guide major repairs and alterations.

    PHI performed major restoration work on a damaged Hughes 369 helicopter for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but the department retained another company to inspect the helicopter before it returned to service. That inspection turned up more than 30 airworthiness discrepancies. The FAA also alleges company employees deliberately falsified maintenance forms, including a return-to-service authorization, when more than 100 items had not been inspected according to the company’s quality control manual.

    The FAA offered PHI numerous opportunities to correct its problems after the Aug. 27, 2008 inspection, but PHI was unable to bring the company into compliance.
    PHI can appeal the emergency nature of the revocation to the National Transportation Safety Board.

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    Boeing to Continue Providing F/A-18 Engineering Services to Royal Australian Air Force


    WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales, Feb. 8, 2010 — Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has been awarded a $1.5 million contract for the provision of engineering support services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft.

    The 30-month contract, managed by the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office (TFSPO) at RAAF Base Williamtown, requires Boeing Defence Australia to deliver repair plans for faults uncovered during F/A-18A/B Hornet maintenance.

    “This contract maintains our F/A-18 engineering capability as it increases our overall business on the platform,” said Brad Hume, Boeing Defence Australia F/A-18 program manager.

    Boeing Defence Australia has delivered engineering support services to the TFSPO for the past six years. It also continues to perform Hornet Upgrade Phase 2.3, which involves upgrading the Electronic Warfare Self Protection Suite on 68 aircraft and modifying 76 wing pylons. Phase 2.3 is expected to be completed in 2012.

    “The RAAF’s decision to award this contract to us demonstrates their faith in Boeing’s ability to support the F/A-18 platform,” Hume said. “We will continue working closely with our customer to maintain the Hornet’s air combat capability.”

    Under the new contract, engineering services will now be delivered under Boeing Defence Australia’s Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) certificate.

    Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of nearly 2,000 employees at 13 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia.

    A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
    # # #
    Contact:
    Sarah Wills
    Boeing Defence Australia
    +61 7 3306 3132
    sarah.e.wills@boeing.com

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  • oneworld Voted Leading Airline Alliance for Eighth Year Running

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 8 2010 /PRNewswire/ — oneworld® has been named the World’s Leading Airline Alliance 2010 in the World’s Travel Awards – described by the Wall Street Journal as the “travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars”.

    It is the eighth year running that oneworld has won this honor, retaining the “best alliance” title since 2003.

    oneworld was also named World’s Best Airline Alliance in the 2010 World Airline Awards, presented by the Skytrax airline quality organisation in May. In addition, it has also won both the “best alliance for inflight wines” titles presented this year – in Global Traveler magazine’s Wines on the Wing awards in August and Business Traveller’s Cellars in the Sky in February. oneworld is also a three-time winner of the Best Airline Alliance title from Business Traveller magazine.

    oneworld member airlines also flew high in the World Travel Awards, with Cathay Pacific named World Leading Airline Economy Class, and American Airlines as North America’s Leading Airline.

    The 2010 World Travel Awards were presented at a ceremony in London last night, based on votes cast by more than 180,000 travel agents and other travel professionals worldwide.

    oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said: “oneworld’s focus has always been on the quality rather than the quantity of our members, so it is very heartening to retain our record of being the only alliance ever to win this World Travel Award since it was first presented. It is a tremendous vote of confidence once again from some of the most knowledgeable people in the travel industry worldwide in what has been a breakthrough year for oneworld.”

    The award is the latest landmark for oneworld in what is turning into a breakthrough year for the alliance. In other key milestones so far in 2010:

    S7 Airlines, Russia’s leading domestic carrier – and one of the biggest and best international airlines in the Commonwealth of Independent States – will join oneworld a week from today, on Nov. 15.
    India’s leading carrier Kingfisher Airlines became a oneworld member elect in June – followed by airberlin, Europe’s fifth biggest airline, in July.
    American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian in July received long-awaited final approval for their application for anti-trust immunity across the Atlantic, with American, BA and Iberia launching their trans-Atlantic joint business in October.

    Japan Airlines has been expanding its cooperation with its oneworld partners since reaffirming its membership of the alliance in February. In October it gained final approval from Japan’s authorities and tentative approval from the US regulators, to launch a joint business with American Airlines between Asia and North America from early next year. JAL has also substantially expanded codesharing with many other oneworld partners.
    British Airways and Iberia are on track to complete their merger by the end of the year.
    LAN Airlines celebrated its 10th anniversary as a oneworld member on June 1. Since joining, it has added to the grouping its affiliates in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.
    oneworld’s biggest airport co-location project in Asia was completed at the end of October, with British Airways moving alongside all the other on-line oneworld airlines in Terminal 2 at JAL’s Tokyo Narita international base. At the same time, oneworld positioned itself as the leading alliance at Tokyo Haneda, as it opened to scheduled international services, offering the airport’s widest international network and biggest domestic operation.

    About oneworld

    oneworld brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business – American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana, Qantas and Royal Jordanian, and around 20 affiliates including American Eagle, Dragonair, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru. Russia’s S7 Airlines will join the alliance on 15 November 2010 with airberlin and India’s Kingfisher Airlines both member elects. Between them, these airlines:

    Serve almost 900 airports in nearly 150 countries, with some 9,500 daily departures.
    Offer more than 550 airport lounges for premium customers.
    Carry 340 million passengers a year.
    Operate a combined fleet of almost 2,500 aircraft.
    Generate around US$90 billion annual revenues in total.

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