When you read about an on board medical emergency such as the Continental Airlines medical emergency, it does make one think about the potential for on board emergency rooms. Not only is the technology (two-way air-to-ground RDT equipment) available, it is becoming cost effective, especially considering the expense of a 525-passenger Airbus A380 making an emergency landing can cost up to $200,000. Imagine if an online emergency room could care for a critically ill individual until the flight actually reached it’s destination. Or even if the equipment were only used DURING an emergency landing–it would result in a greater survival rate when a medical emergency occurs. It bears thinking about.
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Update on Boeing 787 Dreamliner ZA002 Incident
EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — During approach to Laredo, Texas, yesterday, airplane ZA002 lost primary electrical power as a result of an onboard electrical fire. Backup systems, including the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), functioned as expected and allowed the crew to complete a safe landing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Boeing.
The pilots executed a safe landing and at all times had positive control of the airplane and all of the information necessary to perform that safe landing.
Initial inspection appears to indicate that a power control panel in the aft electronics bay will need to be replaced on ZA002. We are inspecting the power panel and surrounding area near that panel to determine if other repairs will be necessary.
We have retrieved flight data from the airplane and are analyzing it in Seattle. This process will take several days. We are committed to finding the cause quickly but will not rush the technical team in its efforts.
The team was conducting monitoring of the Nitrogen Generation System at the time of the incident but there is no reason to suspect that the monitoring or earlier testing of that system had anything to do with the incident.
Consistent with our internal processes, until we better understand the cause of the incident on ZA002, we have decided to postpone flight test activities on other airplanes. Ground test activities will be conducted until flight test resumes.
Likewise, we cannot determine the impact of this event on the overall program schedule until we have worked our way through the data. Teams have been working through the night and will continue to work until analysis is complete and a path forward is determined.
NTSB INVESTIGATING NEAR MIDAIR COLLISION
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
September 23, 2010
NTSB INVESTIGATING NEAR MIDAIR COLLISION OVER MINNEAPOLISINVOLVING COMMERCIAL JETLINER AND SMALL CARGO AIRCRAFT
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a near midair collision between a commercial jetliner and a small cargo aircraft that came within an estimated 50 to 100 feet of colliding near the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP).
On September 16, 2010, about 6:49 a.m. CDT, US Airways flight 1848 (AWE 1848), an Airbus 320, was cleared for takeoff on runway 30R en route to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, carrying five crewmembers and 90 passengers. At the same time, Bemidji Aviation Services flight 46 (BMJ46), a Beech 99 cargo flight with only the pilot aboard, was cleared for takeoff on runway 30L en route to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Weather conditions at the time were reported as a 900-foot ceiling and 10 miles visibility below the clouds.
Immediately after departure, the tower instructed the US Airways crew to turn left and head west, causing the flight to cross paths with the cargo aircraft approximately one- half mile past the end of runway 30L. Neither pilot saw the
other aircraft because they were in the clouds, although the captain of the US Airways flight reported hearing the Beech 99 pass nearby. Estimates based on recorded radar data indicate that the two aircraft had 50 to 100 feet of vertical separation as they passed each other approximately 1500 feet above the ground.
The US Airways aircraft was equipped with a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) that issued climb instructions to the crew to avert collision. The Beech 99 was not equipped with TCAS and the pilot was unaware of the proximity of the Airbus. There were no reports of damage or injuries as a result of the incident.
NTSB and FAA investigators conducted a preliminary investigation at the Minneapolis airport traffic control tower on September 18th and 19th and are continuing to review the circumstances of this incident.
Fuss over Nothing Desensitizes: Bomb cries wolf
What: Air Mauritius A340 en route from Melbourne to Perth
Where: Melbourne
When: May 22, 2012, 2.55pm
Who: 181 passengers, 13 crew
Why: While flying north of Millicent, a soft drink can with a spelling similar to BOMB was found on a drink tray. Initially police said the can was wrapped with paper apparently scribed with the word “bomb” and taped with masking tape; but later it was revealed the mixup concerned foreign lettering directly on the can.
Pilots returned to Melbourne and made an emergency landing. Passengers were questioned about the can, then were provided overnight accommodations in Melbourne.
At 11.30am after the aircraft was cleared, the passengers were able to board the plane and continue their flight.
In George’s Point of View
My concern here is that a rash of fake bomb scares could precede an event. Paranoia vs Vigilance. Foolish or not?
FAA Press Release: What Pilots Need to Know About Winter Flying
October 2009 – In the November/December 2009 issue of FAA Aviation News, the focus is on winter flying safety, including icing avoidance strategies, safe operations on icy runways, snow/frost contamination, and more.
In “On Thin Ice,” Aerospace Engineer Paul Pellicano writes about ice contamination, the differing vulnerability of different airplanes, and the havoc ice can play with lift, weight, and drag. Contributing writer and flight instructor Meredith Saini explains “known icing conditions,” provides resources for finding ice, and then outlines strategies to avoid it. In “A Long Winter’s Nap,” Airworthiness Safety Inspector Suzanne Mejia writes about what to consider in storing your aircraft for the winter.
Other articles address safety on icy or slushy runways, the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning during winter, and stress the importance of position reporting on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).
To read the issue, and to see previous issues for more safety information, go to: www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news.
Pilot Suffers Stroke During Flight
What: Airbus 320 en route from Manila to and Bacolod City
Where: Philippines
When: the flight landed safely at 5:37 p.m. local time
Who: Philippine Airlines pilot Alex Carvajal, 79 passengers
Why:Pilot suffered a stroke yesterday afternoon while he was at the controls. Co-pilot Donato Cabigo took over the helm and landed without incident. At the time, the pilot felt pain in his neck. The hospital termed it “a cerebrovascular accident” or a stroke
Air Safety | Airbus | Diversion | TAM
Congonhas Radio Interference
What: TAM Linhas Aereas Airbus A320-200 en route from Victoria to Sao Paulo Congonhas
Where: Campinas
When: May 27th 2009
Who: 100 passengers
Why: On approach to Congonhas, the plane’s communication with air traffic control was interrupted. Because of the interference, the plane diverted to Campinas where it made a safe landing.
Brazil has a history of problems with reception in areas of the Amazon; but in this case, in Sao Paulo, the radio problems caused several flights to be diverted.