13 AUG 2008 _______________________________________ *Qantas grounds six 737s to check maintenance paperwork *Australian air safety authority extends Qantas review *FAA To Subsidize Some Electronic Flight Bag Installations *Deadline Looms For Controller Safety Credentials *Virgin jet forced to make high-speed landing *The Pilots' War At United *Honduran aviation official sought in scam *Florida Man Arrested for Shining Laser at Police Helicopter *New Report Examines the Fundamentals of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in Aviation *Crash: Kalitta B742 at Brussels on May 25th 2008 *Pilots name Logan 'Airport of the Year' *************************************** Qantas grounds six 737s to check maintenance paperwork Qantas is to temporarily ground six Boeing 737-400s while it checks maintenance paperwork relating to aircraft modifications carried out at one of its Australian facilities. General manager of Qantas Engineering David Cox says it is a procedural issue and does not have any safety implications. "Qantas discovered an irregularity with paperwork for these aircraft during an internal integrity check of maintenance records," he says. "In line with our prudent response to any maintenance issue, however minor, we have elected to suspend the operation of the six aircraft while we ensure all our records are 100% accurate and we have advised the Civil Aviation Safety Authority." He adds that Qantas regularly checks its records and detects a "record-keeping anomaly" about once a year. The carrier says grounding the aircraft has resulted in the cancellation of three services. It comes amid a review by the safety authority of standards at the airline, launched after three high-profile operational incidents in 10 days. But in launching the review CASA stressed it had no evidence to suggest safety standards at the airline had fallen. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ************** Australian air safety authority extends Qantas review Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has extended the scope of its review into Qantas to include how a maintenance procedure was missed on a number of its planes. The airline grounded six of its Boeing 737s last night and cancelled 11 flights after an internal check of records revealed the irregularity. The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers' Association says Qantas failed to install strengthening clips, that help prevent rapid decompression of the aircraft. But CASA spokesman Peter Gibson says safety was not an issue and the problem is being rectified. "It's true that one step in a very complex procedure that Qantas needed to do on the 737s does appear to have been missed but the procedure was there for the ongoing operational soundness of the aircraft it wasn't about immediate safety." http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200808/s2334438.htm?tab=austra lia *************** FAA To Subsidize Some Electronic Flight Bag Installations Five projects will equip airliners with runway safety systems The FAA is taking the unusual step of offering to subsidize the installation of electronic flight bags and aural alerting systems on airliners to help avoid runway incursions at key airports. The agency says the two systems targeted in this initiative provide the “best near-term opportunity for the U.S. to reduce the risk of runway incursions,” a leading safety hazard. Twenty-one airports were chosen after a study of where such technology is most likely to be helpful in avoiding incursions. The FAA has been under pressure from Congress and the NTSB to take more action (AW&ST Feb. 18, p. 62). The FAA’s Office of Runway Safety plans to select five projects that would equip 20 or more airplanes each for this program. Up to $15,000 per electronic flight bag and up to $4,000 for each aural alerting system will be offered. Honeywell makes the Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS), while there are several hardware suppliers of Class 2 and 3 EFBs that can be approved to work with airport moving-map software that displays an aircraft’s “own ship” position on a taxiway or runway. Honeywell’s RAAS gives pilots audio alerts, such as the number of the runway they’re taxiing onto and the distance remaining during an aborted takeoff. Jeppesen and Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (a Thales and L-3 company) make airport moving-map software. EFBs with airport moving-map displays that mark an aircraft’s location on a taxiway or runway have been viewed as a key tool in curbing runway incursions since 2003, when the government- industry Commercial Aviation Safety Team urged using the systems (AW&ST Apr. 21, 2003, p. 60). However, Class 3 EFBs are expensive and are being installed only on new production aircraft, while less expensive Class 2 EFBs are being retrofitted on older airliners. The FAA did not authorize airport moving maps to be presented on Class 2 EFBs until last year. Meanwhile, Jeppesen has become the first airport moving-map system provider to receive an FAA TSO (minimum performance standard) for a Class 2 EFB. Continental Airlines is deploying the system on its Boeing 757s, 767s and 737s. The carrier is spending about $40,000 per aircraft for the Class 2 systems, according to John Witala, senior director of engineering. Continental is using navAero t-BagC22 on the retrofits and is installing Boeing Class 3 EFBs on its new 777s. Air Canada also plans to equip its fleet of Embraer regional jets with EFBs and Jeppesen airport moving-map software. Jeppesen is providing airport moving-map software on a variety of electronic flight bags, including the navAero Class 2 system (above) in a Continental Airlines Boeing 757. This EFB and the one to the left show views of San Francisco International Airport.Credit: JEPPESEN Rick Ellerbrock, an enterprise strategist with Jeppesen, says his company had been talking with several airlines about retrofitting Class 2 EFBs on existing fleets, so the FAA initiative is stirring a lot of interest. He also expects foreign airlines to pay more attention to EFBs with airport moving maps. And some U.S. airlines that are very close to a decision may now go public with their plans, according to Ellerbrock. The FAA first talked about this project in April, and the fact that it became an approved program by July was remarkable, says Ken Crowhurst, executive vice president of navAero Inc. “I was surprised that [the initiative] moved forward so quickly.” By adding performance and weight-and-balance software to an EFB system, an airline can immediately begin to burn less fuel and save on engine wear, he adds. Meanwhile, Flight Deck Re­sources’ electronic flight bag business is likely to benefit from the FAA’s endorsement of EFBs with airport moving maps for enhanced situational awareness, asserts President/CEO Keith L. Lockwood. That’s because the move should help to jump-start airlines’ EFB installation plans, he says. http://www.aviationweek.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/publication/awst/lo ggedin/AvnowStoryDisplay.do?fromChannel=mro&pubKey=awst&issueDate=2008-08-11 &story=xml/awst_xml/2008/08/11/AW_08_11_2008_p51-71829.xml&headline=FAA+To+S ubsidize+Some+Electronic+Flight+Bag+Installations **************** Deadline Looms For Controller Safety Credentials FAA has set an Oct. 1 deadline for all of its controllers to hold a new safety credential, in order for them to perform ATC duties. The new credentialing program is overseen by FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight organization. The credential requirement was applied to ATC system technicians last year. The program will eventually include 25,000 FAA employees. http://www.aviationweek.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/publication/aviatio ndaily/loggedin/AvnowStoryDisplay.do?fromChannel=aviationdaily&pubKey=aviati ondaily&issueDate=2008-08-13§ion=Intelligence&headline=Looking+Ahead+In+ Commercial+Aviation *************** Virgin jet forced to make high-speed landing A VIRGIN Blue jet with 55 passengers on board was forced to make a high-speed landing at Melbourne airport in what air safety investigators are treating as a serious incident. The scare follows a host of safety issues with Australian planes that began three weeks ago when an explosion on a Qantas 747 blew a hole in the fuselage. The 78-seat Virgin Blue Embraer jet from Sydney was close to landing at 8.50pm on Sunday when the pilot experienced problems extending the flaps and the slats. Emergency services were immediately put on standby as the Brazilian-built plane approached, The Australian reports. The flaps, at the rear of the wing, and the slats, on the front, deploy to increase the wing's surface area and slow the plane when landing. A Virgin Blue spokesman said Sunday's problems involved a sensor controlling the slats. He said the pilot followed set guidelines with the flaps only partially extended and the slats not extended at all. "As a matter of practice, the flight crew notified air traffic control that alternate procedures were being adopted for landing," he said. "Then air traffic control, in turn, as a safety precaution put emergency services at the airport on standby." http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24171091-5006785,00.html *************** The Pilots' War At United The war between United Airlines (UAUA) and its pilots took a new turn today with the pilots renewing their call for the resignation of CEO Glenn Tilton. It’s not the first time the United branch of the Air Line Pilots Association has urged Tilton quit, but it is the first time since the airline sued ALPA and four pilots last month, alleging that a concerted action by pilots to call in sick was forcing flight cancellations. The company is seeking an injunction. The United ALPA branch, led by Capt. Steve Wallach, a 747 pilot, has grown increasingly vocal and active in its campaign to a) force United to open contract negotiations early and b) highlight the severe operational woes plaguing an airline that once had many fans. Wallach’s ALPA bio describes his style as “smart, thorough and militant.” On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported on a recent letter from Wallach to the Federal Aviation Administration, warning that four recent Boeing 737 power plant failures could have been the result of weak maintenance at the company. While it’s unlikely the FAA would conclude that United’s maintenance practices are lax – the agency is charged by Congress to closely monitor said work, after all – the range of ALPA’s recent assault is quite broad. The company, naturally, was outraged by the suggestion and tactic. The union is also enlisting passengers in its cause, through a site called Glenn Tilton Must Go. The site lists what the union calls the numerous failures besetting the company from the large (management working in their own self-interest) to the small (understaffing at United’s Orange County station). The site is collecting horror stories and has a link for people to write Tilton. In an e-mail, United spokeswoman Jean Medina called the effort “an obvious and predictable attempt to deflect attention from ALPA’s illegal activity cited in our lawsuit, which details the organized and concerted effort to harm our customers, our employees and our performance; and is part of the union’s ongoing two-year campaign to intimidate United into reopening a contract that runs through December 2009.” Now, of course, one could chalk much if not all of this rancor up to the dire financial straits the industry finds itself in and the resulting pain airline workers have endured in recent years. (United pilots, in fact, post on their Web site down to the day how long they have been working under their current “draconian” contract.) However, there are other observers, including BusinessWeek columnist Bob Reed, who have argued the same about Tilton (without organized labor’s specific interests in mind). To many people, it appears that United is not managed as an airline, but merely as a large company being prepped for the auction block. So, Continental alliance or no Continental alliance, maybe it would be better for all involved in this messy enterprise if UAL were to find a buyer. Like, asap. Anyone? Anyone? http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/travelers_check/archives/2008/08/the_w ar_at_unit.html **************** Honduran aviation official sought in scam TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Honduran authorities are searching for the country's civil aviation director, who allegedly issued illegal certifications for pilots and airplane mechanics without testing them, an official said Tuesday. Prosecutors' spokesman Melvin Duarte said a monthslong investigation revealed that government aviation director Guillermo Seamann illegally certified 38 pilots and mechanics from Venezuela, and one aviation employee from Peru whose exact occupation was not known. The applicants allegedly never set foot in Honduras and never passed the required tests for the certifications, which were valid for flying outside Honduras. Seamann is being sought on the charge of abuse of authority, which carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, Duarte said. An arrest warrant was issued for him, and he did not show up at his office on Tuesday. The government did not release the names of the pilots or the companies they work for. It was unclear whether they lacked sufficient training to pass the tests, or simply found it easier to apply for certification in Honduras. Seamann also is accused of having granted permits for U.S. charter companies to fly in Honduras without the required legal documents and insurance, Duarte said. He did not identify the companies. **************** Florida Man Arrested for Shining Laser at Police Helicopter WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A 22-year-old man was arrested for pointing a powerful laser at a Palm Beach County sheriff's helicopter hovering above his home at night. Authorities say Thomas Kiefer Jr. was arrested Aug. 8. He is charged with a felony for misusing the laser device. He is free on bond. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says authorities have received numerous reports of people shining lasers at their helicopter and at planes coming and going from the airport. He says the devices could temporarily blind a pilot and cause a crash. Kiefer says he didn't know it was illegal and denied intentionally shining the laser at the helicopter cockpit. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402481,00.html **************** New Report Examines the Fundamentals of Safety Management Systems in Aviation DUBLIN, Ireland, Aug 13, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5f3a0b/safety_management) has announced the addition of the "Safety Management Systems in Aviation" report to their offering. Although aviation is among the safest modes of transportation in the world today, accidents still happen. In order to further reduce accidents and improve safety, proactive approaches must be adopted by the aviation community. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has mandated that all of its member states implement Safety Management System (SMS) programs in their aviation industries. While some countries (Australia, Canada, members of the European Union, New Zealand) have been engaged in SMS for a few years, it's just now emerging in the United States, and is non-existent in most other countries. This timely and unique book covers the essential points of SMS. The knowledgeable authors go beyond merely defining it; they discuss the quality management underpinnings of SMS, the four pillars, risk management, reliability engineering, SMS implementation, and the scientific rigor that must be designed into proactive safety. This comprehensive work is designed as a textbook for the student of aviation safety, and is an invaluable reference tool for the SMS practitioner in any segment of aviation. The authors introduce a hypothetical airline-oriented safety scenario at the beginning of the book and conclude it at the end, engaging the reader and adding interest to the text. To enhance the practical application of the material, the book also features numerous SMS in Practice commentaries by some of the most respected names in aviation safety. Reviews of Safety Management Systems in Aviation: 'Managing safety in aviation has been elevated to the next level with the current emphasis on Safety Management Systems. Safety Management Systems in Aviation describes SMS as a proactive, preventive risk management process that includes hazard identification and mitigation, tools for gathering data, and methods of analysis. This book contributes significantly to the literature in the field of aviation safety and will be an invaluable source for all aviation safety professionals.' Gary J. Northam, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA 'Finally, the aviation industry has recognized that effective safety management systems are necessary in today's complex operating environments. Fortunately, a fascinating, yet comprehensive guide to the organization, management, and successful implementation of these processes is now available. In Safety Management Systems in Aviation, Stolzer, Halford and Goglia have produced the definitive SMS manual; richly detailed and loaded with relevant, real-world examples. This book should be required reading for every aviation safety student and professional!' Capt. Jim Walters, M.A.S., Former Director of Safety, TWA, FOQA and ASAP program manager Key Topics Covered: -- Foreword -- Preface -- Prologue - Quest Airlines -- Introduction to SNS -- History and evolution of safety -- Principles of quality management -- Hazards -- Risks -- Controls -- Taxonomies -- Process-based safety risk management/safety assurance -- Managing the SMS -- Tools and analysis methods -- Implementing an SMS -- Epilogue - Quest Airlines -- Appendices -- Bibliography -- Index For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5f3a0b/safety_management SOURCE: Research and Markets Ltd. **************** Crash: Kalitta B742 at Brussels on May 25th 2008, rejected takeoff Brussels. August 12. INTERFAX.RU - In Brussels airport serious incident occurred - transport plane during take-off to drive out beyond the runway and collapsed into two parts, on Tuesday reported a representative aeroporta.Po him, four out of five people on board crashed plane victim , Received minor injuries. Although aircraft fuel tanks were full, he did not fire. The reason for the disaster has not yet been determined. Reportedly, the victim aircraft - Boeing-747 "in the cargo version - belonged to the American freight company" Kalitta "and sent to Bahrain. The Belgium Accident Investigators of "Service public fédéral Mobilité et Transports" reported, that flight data and cockpit voice recorders have already been analysed by the NTSB. According to the data derived from the FDR, the airplane initially accelerated normally down runway 20 under a constant acceleration until a momentary loss of power by one engine, which was accompanied by an explosion witnessed both by the crew and air traffic controllers at the tower of Brussels. The loss of power and bang occured at around V1 speed (maximum speed, at which decision to reject takeoff can be safely taken). Two seconds after the bang all four engines were brought to idle and the airplane decelerated "vigorously", the slow down continuing until the final position 300 meters past the runway end. According to FDR thrust reversers were not used in the deceleration. All four engines were inspected. All engines were running at the time of full stop, no catastrophic damage had occured to either of the engines, no casings were punctured, all 4 engines remained attached to the wings. The outer engines (#1 and #4) turn freely, whereas the inner engines (#2 and #3) are blocked. All thrust reversers were found in the stowed position. Especially engines #3 and #4, the right hand engines, were inspected with an endoscope, though very incomplete at this stage. The inspections however failed to reveal any damage, all compressor and turbine blades are in position and show no damage in both low pressure and high pressure compressors and turbines. The engines will be torn down in an appropriate workshop for further examination at the table under the presence of the Belgian AAIU. The examination of the airframe and structures did not reveal any catastrophic damage prior to the final impact, when the airplane fell about 4 meters before coming to full stop just before the railway tracks. The airframe broke up in three parts upon that impact. The cargo pallets did not move significantly. The cargo will be weighed to determine exact takeoff and stopping distance. The investation team is also interviewing first responders like fire fighters and policemen. The Belgian AAIU expects, that the investigation will last 6 to 12 months before a final report will become available. The airport reopened the runway by June 13th, however initially without ILS. Several antennas of the instrument landing system for runway 20 as well as approach lighting for runway 02 have been destroyed by the impact of the Kalitta Boeing 747, the repairs are estimated to take eight to twelve weeks including calibration. One pilot reported in interviews with the Belgian Accident Investigators, that he heard a muffled noise followed by another muffled noise, then the airplane went off the runway. The crew managed to bring the airplane back onto the runway but could not stop the airplane before the end of the runway, Belgian news media report. The fuel has been pumped off the airplane on Tuesday, the site has been declared safe Wednesday. No damage on the surface of the runway was found, possible damages to runway and approach lightings as well as the ILS are yet to be evaluated. The runway is thought to be reopened within 5 to 8 days. The chief of Belgocontrol, responsible for Air Traffic Control at Brussels Airport, said, that one of the controllers on duty saw a flame out of a starboard (right hand) engine. The observation was immediately relayed to the crew and the fire brigades activated at the same time. A Kalitta Airways B747-200, registration N704CK performing freight flight K4-207 from Brussels to Bahrain with 5 crew, overran runway 20 at Brussels Zaventem Airport while rejecting takeoff. The fuselage broke up in three parts, but no fire erupted. 4 minor injuries are being reported. A witness ("plane spotter") reported to have heard some "slight knock" while the airplane attempted takeoff, then saw the plane coming towards him and started to run for cover. Runways 02/20 and 07R/25L were closed. The railway lines to and from the airport were shut down as a precaution as the airplane came to rest close, but before the railway lines with fuel spilling. Fire brigades stopped the fuel spillage in the meantime. As of Monday morning (May 26th) the train traffic is gradually resuming. Runway 07R/25L has been reopened while runway 02/20 is still closed. The Belgian TV reported in their Sunday evening news edition, that the airplane carried diplomatic cargo including a diplomatic car plus additional cargo, described by Belgian Authorities as not dangerous for environment or people. The airplane carried 77 tons of cargo, about half of which was the diplomatic cargo. Police has been deployed to protect the airplane and cargo. DHL have confirmed, that they had leased the airplane to carry DHL cargo from Brussels to Bahrain. A spokeswoman for DHL said, that they are not sure whether items to be delivered, which include post, will be affected. The National Transportation Safety Board of the USA (NTSB), led by NTSB investigator Joe Sedor, is going to join the Belgian Government for the investigation. The NTSB reports in the press release, that a loud bang was reported during the takeoff, continuing, that there were 4 people on board of the airplane with no injuries being reported. METAR: EBBR 251320Z 17003KT 130V270 9999 SCT033 21/13 Q1012 NOSIG Post Impact Video available at: http://www.deredactie.be/cm/de.redactie/mediatheek/1.311709 http://avherald.com/h?article=40738955/0032 *************** Pilots name Logan 'Airport of the Year' WASHINGTON — The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) selected Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) as the 2008 “Airport of the Year.” Pilots landed on BOS because of the airport’s extensive efforts to reduce runway incursions and excursions through enhanced markings and technologies, its new physical improvements that reduce congestion and delays, and its multi-faceted approach to emergency exercises. “Boston Logan leads the U.S. in several categories when it comes to improved aviation safety for the traveling public,” said Capt. Rory Kay, ALPA’s executive air safety chairman. “Pilots like it because they can see the improvements that the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has implemented over the years — from better runway signage, markings and new runway status lights to more taxiways, every project makes a difference.” Officials with Massport have actively sought out and addressed airline pilots’ concerns with safety plans and initiatives related to airfield improvements, adoption of new technologies, advances in airfield procedures and programs, and enhanced emergency planning. “Boston has even delivered several initiatives, like the enhanced runway marking and signage project, ahead of schedule and gone above and beyond the FAA regulations to make its airport safer,” said Capt. Robert Perkins, ALPA’s airport ground environment (AGE) group chairman. “It’s clear that their management and workers place a high premium on collaboration with all industry representatives to get the job done.” Perkins presented the pilot-friendly “Airport of the Year” Award during ALPA’s Air Safety & Security Forum, held in Washington, D.C. “Boston Logan is deeply honored to receive this award,’’ said Edward C. Freni, director of aviation for Massport. “This award not only signifies that the airport gets it when it comes to making pilots key players on our safety team, it also represents a strong vote of confidence about the work we do to improve safety.’’ ALPA’s AGE Group selects the Airport of the Year from nominations made by ALPA’s Regional Safety chairmen and Airport Liaison representatives, who represent pilots’ interests at more than 200 commercial airports in the U.S. and Canada. Nominations range from small regional airports to some of the busiest airports in the world, but all nominees share a common commitment to the highest safety standards. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union representing 55,000 members at 40 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.alpa.org http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/BIZ/808120 63 **************