07 APR 2009 _______________________________________ *Aircraft hit birds 62% more since '90s *FAA: Stolen Cessna from Canada tracked toward Iowa *Man nabbed after plane taken from Canada to Mo. *FAA Aims For Kinder, Gentler Airline Oversight *Garuda Pilot Jailed In 2007 Accident *Fokker F-27 Struck Hanger on Landing (Indonesia) *Fla.-bound jet returns to Long Island airport *US provides over $1b for RI airline upgrades *Nigeria: De-Politicizing Aviation Appointments *Allegiant Air MD83 aircraft bound for LVIA strikes eagle in Florida *FAA Requests Comments On Standards For Airport Sign Systems *Senior exec Borghetti leaving Qantas *FAA proposes rulemaking to prevent wear on portions of CRJ flaps *AirTran Boeing 717 in repair after engine emergency *EU-African pact aims to improve air transport safety **************************************** Aircraft hit birds 62% more since '90s By Alan Levin, USA TODAY WASHINGTON - Dangerous collisions between aircraft and large birds - like the one that forced a commercial airliner to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River in January - have risen dramatically, according to government data obtained by USA TODAY. The Federal Aviation Administration's database tracking bird strikes shows reports of collisions with geese and other large birds increased from an average of 323 a year in the 1990s to 524 per year from 2000 to 2007, a 62% surge. These birds are big enough to potentially cripple a large jet. The most serious reported cases in which large birds damaged aircraft also were up. Large birds damaged at least one engine on aircraft an average of 10 times a year in the 1990s. Since the year 2000, that number climbed to more than 12 per year. The data, complete through 2007, come from records that the FAA has refused to release since a flock of Canada geese ruined the engines on a US Airways jet on Jan. 15. Last month, the aviation agency proposed permanently barring the data's release, maintaining that the records could be misleading and could prompt airports and others not to report bird incidents. However, the agency acknowledged Monday that it had previously released the data to several individuals who had made requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Spokeswoman Laura Brown said that the agency had not denied a request for access to the data in the past. Brown confirmed that the data show an increase in aircraft strikes involving large birds but said the risks to planes remains very low. "Significant strikes are still a very small part of the total bird strike numbers," she said. Out of 58 million flights in 2007, there were 550 instances of aircraft hitting large birds and only 190 of the strikes caused damage. Even fewer, 15, caused damage to an aircraft's engine. Two airline jets have been downed by birds since November, including the dramatic Hudson landing. In the second incident, a Ryanair jet in Rome struck a massive flock of starlings as it attempted to land on Nov. 10. No one died in the accidents. The findings on large birds are a concern because their populations are increasing, said Richard Dolbeer, a retired Department of Agriculture wildlife biologist who created the FAA database in 1990. "In most cases it's going to be these large birds that are going to cause a catastrophe or a significant strike event," Dolbeer said. Most jet engines are not required to withstand an impact from a bird weighing more than 4 pounds, according to federal standards. Wildlife experts such as Dolbeer have been raising concern about the surge in populations of geese, cormorants, pelicans and other large bird species in recent decades. The database contains thousands of records a year. Most are relatively minor incidents, such as when planes hit tiny birds that pose little risk. But the data also contain hundreds of incidents in which serious damage to large jets was reported. On Oct. 12, 2007, a Skywest Airlines CRJ-700 regional leaving from Denver International Airport struck a flock of as many as 100 sandhill cranes, large birds that weigh an average of 13 pounds. After flying for about 20 miles, they hit the birds and the pilots felt several thuds. One of the engines began running rough and a pilot declared an emergency in a radio call to controllers. The pilot said "he didn't think he was going to be able to make it back to the airport," the FAA report said. The jet returned to Denver and no one was injured. On Nov. 11, 2007, a Jetblue Airways Embraer EMB-190 jet flying at 4,000 feet as it headed toward John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York struck a large flock of Canada geese, the same type of bird that brought down the US Airways jet into the Hudson in January. One of the jet's two engines was severely damaged, requiring a two-week repair, according to the database. "Plane looked bloody," the report said. "Cabin had horrible burning smell." The FAA has estimated that only about 20% of the incidents involving birds are contained in the database because reporting bird strikes is voluntary. As a result, it's difficult to know the full extent of the risks that birds create. The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates accidents, urged the FAA in 1999 to require airports, airlines and others to report bird strikes. But the FAA has declined. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-04-06-birds_N.htm **************** FAA: Stolen Cessna from Canada tracked toward Iowa WASHINGTON (CNN) - A small Cessna 172 aircraft reported stolen from a Canadian flight school and flown into U.S. airspace has been intercepted by U.S. military aircraft, authorities said Monday afternoon. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown confirmed the plane was reportedly stolen from a flight school in Thunder Bay, Canada, and - after it had been aloft for nearly three and a half hours - was headed in the direction of Iowa. Brown said the pilot of the aircraft, identified as a student at the flight school, was not communicating with air traffic controllers. The pilot was conscious and showed no sign of hostile intent, Brown said, and authorities planned to continue tracking the plane. A U.S. defense official told CNN that two U.S. Air Force F-16 jets were dispatched after Canadian authorities requested that U.S. aircraft tail the plane in U.S. airspace. The official would not say which base the F-16 jets came from. Brown said there was only one person on the plane, which left the Canadian flight school about 3 p.m. ET, and the pilot had made several changes in direction. ************** Man nabbed after plane taken from Canada to Mo. WAUSAU, Wis. - The suspected pilot of a plane stolen from Canada and flown into the U.S. trailed by fighter jets was captured Monday night near the rural stretch of road in Missouri where he landed. The single-engine, four-seat Cessna was intercepted by U.S. fighter jets over Wisconsin, where it prompted the evacuation of the state capitol, but kept flying south after the pilot failed to respond to radio calls and other signals. Mike Kucharek, spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado, said the Cessna 172 was stolen from Thunder Bay, Ontario, about 2:30 p.m. Monday. The pilot was flying erratically and didn't communicate with the fighter pilots from the Wisconsin Air National Guard who intercepted the plane at the Michigan-Wisconsin border, he said. The pilot had acknowledged seeing the F-16s but he didn't obey their nonverbal commands to follow them, Kucharek said. The pilot finally landed the plane on a road at Ellsinore near Poplar Bluff in far southeastern Missouri, said Laura Brown, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. A man named Adam Dylan Leon, 31, was taken into custody about 9:30 p.m. in the same area, said Sgt. Marty Elmore, a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol. Brown said the plane came from the Confederation College Flight School at Thunder Bay International Airport. The plane landed about six hours after the reported theft, and had enough fuel for about eight hours of flight, NAADC officials said. "We tailed it all the way," Maj. Brian Markin said. "Once it landed our aircraft returned to base." In Madison, Department of Justice spokesman Bill Cosh said the state Capitol was evacuated shortly after 5 p.m. as a precaution because of the airplane. Many workers had already left for the day. Gov. Jim Doyle was not in the building. He had been in Chicago Monday. Capitol police ordered everyone out of the building and told them to go at least a block away. Police cars with sirens on drove on the sidewalks by the doors of the Capitol. Others drove on the streets of the Capitol square, telling people to move away. People were allowed back in the building about an hour later. **************** FAA Aims For Kinder, Gentler Airline Oversight But Carriers Still Wary Of Agency's Motives The recent voluntary grounding of regional jets by Atlantic Southeast Airlines evoked memories of last year's harsh actions against Southwest and American Airlines over maintenance and documentation issues. So... will we see another spring travel season marred by the strandings of tens-of-thousands of passengers due to FAA action? The Dallas Morning News reports the FAA is trying to avoid such a recurrence. The paper notes American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, recently discovered its mechanics had incorrectly reassembled pieces of a thrust reverser. But instead of again shutting down hundreds of flights, the airline and the agency agreed on a process which avoided disrupting the public's travel plans. John Allen, FAA director of flight standards service, says the agency has learned a lot. "We all have learned a lot since that time, and the winner is the American public," said Allen. "They get to not have aircraft grounded and impact their flying schedule, as occurred last spring." It was feared by some that claims the FAA had become too cozy with the airlines it is charged with regulating would result in more aggressive action this year, threatening the reliability of airlines. Allen says the FAA is preparing a report that will provide guidance to inspectors in judging the seriousness of a violation. "It's going to provide a flow chart, if you will, and a process to help our inspectors not be black and white, but be more understanding of the nuances and who to reach out to," he said. Tim Wagner, spokesman for American, said his airline and others are still watching their backs after the sudden FAA crackdown last year. In the past, he says, technicians "used to be trusted to do work that met the safety requirements of an airworthiness directive, even if it didn't match the extreme letter of the law," he said. "But now the FAA is administering to the letter of the law, and we are adjusting to that change in how the FAA operates." Wagner also notes the FAA has stepped up the number of investigations it conducts after last year's flap. FMI: www.faa.gov, www.aa.com aero-news.net *************** Garuda Pilot Jailed In 2007 Accident Komar Says He Will Appeal Verdict Former Garuda Indonesia pilot Marwoto Komar says he will appeal a guilty verdict handed down by an Indonesian court Monday, on charges of criminal negligence in the case of a notorious crash landing at Yogyakarta in March 2007. Agence-France Presse reports Komar received a two-year sentence, far more lenient than the life sentence prosecutors had wanted. Komar was the captain of a Boeing 737-400 that overshot the runway on landing at Yogyakarta airport in central Java, and slid into a rice field. The aircraft burst into flames, killing 21 people, while 119 others were able to escape through the exits of the burning jet in the March 7, 2007 accident. Investigators later disclosed Komar ignored repeated warnings -- both from cockpit alarms, and the flight's co-pilot -- that the jet was coming in for landing much too fast. Cockpit recordings indicated the co-pilot had repeatedly called for the captain to abort the landing, and go-around. Police arrested Komar in February 2008... but he was later released, pending formal charges. In its final report on the crash, released in October 2007, Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) found the pilot was "singing" during the approach, below 10,000 feet and prior to reaching 4,000 feet, which was "not in accordance with the Garuda Basic Operations Manual policy for a sterile cockpit below 10,000 feet While it's easy to scapegoat Komar in this matter, there appear to be lots of potential targets for outrage. It came to light during the investigation that Garuda pilots were paid bonuses for saving fuel, a possible factor in the decision by Komar not to go around. The airport also came under heavy criticism for taking an hour to reach the burning plane with firefighting equipment. AFP reports Komar wore his uniform to court to hear his two-year prison sentence announced Monday, despite being forced from his job about a year ago. He still blames defective flaps for the crash. Investigators say they were working fine. The ugly safety record of Indonesian carriers prompted the US Embassy in Jakarta to warn US citizens to avoid flying the nations airlines during stays in the country. In June 2007, flights by Indonesian carriers were banned from airspace controlled by the European Union. FMI: www.garuda-indonesia.com/, www.dephub.go.id/knkt/ntsc_home/ntsc.htm aero-news.net *************** Fokker F-27 Struck Hanger on Landing (Indoneasia) Status: Preliminary Date: 06 APR 2009 Time: 12:30 Type: Fokker F-27 Friendship 400M Operator: Tentara Nasional Indonesia-AU (Air Force) Registration: A-2703 C/n / msn: 10538 First flight: 1976-08-31 (32 years 8 months) Crew: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Passengers: Fatalities: 18 / Occupants: 18 Total: Fatalities: 24 / Occupants: 24 Airplane damage: Written off Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Bandung-Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO) (Indonesia) Phase: Landing (LDG) Nature: Military Departure airport: ? Destination airport: Bandung-Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO/WICC), Indonesia Narrative: The Indonesian Air Force Fokker F-27 was returning to Bandung (BDO) from a parachuting exercise. Six crew, an instructor and 17 special forces trainees were onboard the aircraft. On landing the airplane contacted a hangar near the runway 29 threshold. Sources in Indonesia reported to Kompas.com that there was a 20-knot crosswind at the time of the accident. (aviation-safety.net) **************** Fla.-bound jet returns to Long Island airport RONKONKOMA, N.Y.(AP) -- A Florida-bound Southwest Airlines jetliner has returned to New York's Long Island MacArthur Airport after experiencing engine trouble. It landed safely, with no injuries. Flight 195 to Fort Myers, Fla., took off at 9:50 a.m. Monday with 127 passengers aboard. Airline spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger (EYE'-kin-jer) says the Boeing 737 returned to the airport about a half-hour later, after experiencing undisclosed engine trouble. Passengers tell Newsday they heard loud noises and felt the plane shaking. Airline mechanics are examining the plane. The passengers were placed on another jet. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/986823.html ***************** US provides over $1b for RI airline upgrades THE JAKARTA POST , JAKARTA - The United States Export-Import Bank approved more than US$1 billion in financing for Indonesian airlines to improve passenger fleets, generate business and create jobs in Indonesia and throughout the region. In a press statement in Jakarta on Monday, the US Embassy said the financing was made possible after the ratification and implementation of the Cape Town Treaty, which allows Indonesian airlines to save millions of dollars in financing costs. "This financing allows Indonesian-registered companies to gain very competitive rates and favorable credit similar to the most advanced countries in the world," said US Ambassador Cameron R. Hume. "This action by the US is a vote of confidence for the improvement of aviation regulation and the general business environment in Indonesia," said Henry Bakti, the Indonesian Transportation Ministry's director general for air transportation. The financing will allow Lion Air to access $238 million to purchase new Boeing 737-900ER planes and provide preliminary authorization for another $841 million, for a total of 30 new passenger jets. Last month, national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia announced the bank's authorized joint financing of $346 million for increasing its' fleet. "We are delighted to offer Lion Air the reduced exposure fee available under this treaty, which reduces the legal risks associated with cross-border, asset-backed aircraft financing and leases," said Robert Morin, Export-Import Bank vice president of transportation. The loan facility is expected to boost not only aviation safety but also the country's image, which has been marred by several air transportation accidents. Since 2007, the European Commission has banned all Indonesian airliners from flying to EC territory in response to the country's poor safety record. The government has since tried to improve the airline regulatory system and safety in the hope the EC will revoke the ban. EC representatives have promised to lift the ban, acknowledging the progress Indonesia has made. However, Indonesia will still need to comply with the remaining 10 of 60 flight safety requirements set out by the EC before the ban can be lifted. At least six incidents of aircrafts skidding off the runaway occurred during the first quarter of this year. While there were no fatalities, these accidents could signal the government's sluggish effort to revise safety standards despite EC inspections to ensure the ban could be lifted. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/07/us-provides-over-1b-ri-airline -upgrades.html ************** Nigeria: De-Politicizing Aviation Appointments Lagos - In aviation, as in other critical sectors of the nation's economy, safety of lives, careful handling of equipment and prudent management of resources are paramount imperatives for continuous growth. Although successive administrations in the country have always made an issue of their avowed commitment to safety as the number one priority in the aviation sector, recent reality in the sector, especially the series of air disasters witnessed between 2005 and 2007, appears to have rubbished whatever efforts governments have made to realize that objective. One of the reasons for this apparent disconnect between fine policy initiatives and implementation is our consistent policy of discontinuity, the penchant for so-called "reforms", which include the sacking of skilled and experienced professionals from the public service, whenever there is any change in government. This, to me, is a serious strategic blunder that has often resulted in incalculable losses in human lives and resources to the country. In the aviation industry especially, this policy discontinuity and undue politicization of professional appointments are causing grievous damages. The continuous sacking of some experienced personnel on flimsy excuses whenever there are changes of leadership at the ministerial level is potentially inconsistent with the recommendation by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pursuant to the Chicago Convention. In order to improve aviation safety, ICAO has often emphasized the importance of systematic organic growth of manpower to provide for experience and ensure continuity. To ensure the uninhibited flow of safety management, other similar bodies prevent the use of political reasons for other forms of punishment unless there was an intentional or reckless breach of trust or serious professional misconduct by the affected officers on the country. Similarly, other aviation bodies have continued to promote the culture of continuity in the management of their manpower. It is important to note therefore, that while other countries continue to refine and promote their own, Nigeria is being diminished or limited in her capacity to ensure a well articulated culture that promotes a smooth succession order within the industry. For sometime now, this has been a consistent trend in the aviation industry and it has continued to haunt the government, the nation and its hapless citizens. Not too long ago, Mr. Sam Gaiya, the erstwhile Director of Legal Affairs of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) who was recently sacked in the massive purge that rocked the industry has been hired by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC). Gaiya was a key part of the industry-wide effort that led to the enactment of the 2006 Civil Aviation Act. It was reported that AFCAC, the continental body, had sought Gaiya's services while he was still at NCAA but some forces at the ministry of Aviation in Abuja were reluctant to release him then. These same forces, who thought Gaiya was so indispensable to the sector, are now being fingered in his premature retirement. Gaiya's case is not unique. It typifies a familiar trend, where seasoned professionals, who after billions of dollars of tax payers money have been expended on their training, are booted out of the system after many years of extensive skill development, are eagerly snatched by global aviation organisations. In many instances, many of those who left have found their way back home, making huge contributions to the development of the sector. The current Director of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren is an instance that readily comes to mind. He was among the distinguished group of professionals eased out in the infamous 1995 purge of the defunct Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA). Apart from setting up an airline, Demuren did some work for the US-based Flight Safety Foundation. In 2005, ten years later, he was appointed the D-G, NCAA. In fact, the departure of Demuren and others at the time is believed to have precipitated a manpower-shortage crisis that many people partly blamed for the crashes of 2005 with attendant loss of lives. Another example is Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo who was similarly removed as the managing director of Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) in 2003. He was promptly offered a job by ICAO and posted to the organisation's Dakar regional office. When government needed an experienced and trusted hand to revamp the nation's airspace, it went to Auyo who has now returned as NAMA boss in February 2009. Widely known as "the Iron Lady" of Nigerian civil aviation, Engr. Folashade Odutola was unceremoniously relieved of her position as the Director of Airworthiness of the NCAA by the then Minister of Aviation Dr (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe. ICAO wasted no time in giving the no-nonsense air safety expert a job. It was from ICAO that she was named the Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), the nation's premier aviation training institution in Zaria. After her tour of duty at NCAT about three years ago, she returned to ICAO as the Director of Air Transport. Following the unfortunate crashes in the last quarter of 2005, Engr. Fidelis Onyeriri lost his job as the DG of NCAA. He is now at AFCAC. A significant number of the core professionals at NCAA today are sacked staff who have been rehired and placed on contract appointment. The government must ensure that future processes for enhancements, improvement and programmes of any reforms framework planned for the industry must always take cognizance of supporting a skilled and capable manpower development that would drive the industry to greater heights. These groups of professionals that were sacked at one time or the other have now turned out to be messiahs for the country at critical times. Who knows what these people would have done if they had remained on their duty posts. >From the foregoing, it is clear that the last has not been heard of the story of Nigerian aviation professionals who were cast aside by their own country only to be found useful elsewhere. And when it is necessary, as it often is, Nigeria would start begging them to come back. Can Nigeria afford such needless losses? Should our air transport sector limp along on self-inflicted injuries while other developing and less endowed countries forge ahead? Surely, it is time for government to rethink its (mal)treatment of professionals. http://allafrica.com/stories/200904070012.html ***************** Allegiant Air MD83 aircraft bound for LVIA strikes eagle in Florida . Allegiant Air flight 745 bound for Lehigh Valley International Airport struck and killed a bird -- believed to be an eagle -- while taking off from Sanford Orlando International Airport shortly after five o'clock this afternoon. The flight carrying 133 passengers and five crew members returned to Orlando airport as a precaution to assess the damage, Allegiant Air spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said. "Everyone arrived safely," she said, adding that no paramedics were called to assist passengers or crew. The bird struck the body of the MD83 aircraft, not an engine, Squyres said, and damage appeared minimal. Allegiant chartered a second aircraft to depart for Lehigh Valley International later tonight. http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/northampton-county/index.ssf/2009/04/allegia nt_air_md83_aircraft_bo.html ***************** FAA Requests Comments On Standards For Airport Sign Systems FAA has requested comments on draft Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-18F. The AC provides standards for the siting and installation of signs on runways and taxiways. These changes are in coordination with revisions to AC 150/5300-13, Airport Design, altering the Precision Object Free Area (POFA) to the Precision Obstacle Free Zone (POFZ) and also incorporate new separation standards for taxiways that parallel runways used for certain low visibility operations. This AC incorporates mandatory hold signs that reflect changed standards for the POFZ and Category (CAT II/III) operations. FAA also has revised low visibility operation procedures; and Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) standards for the separation distance between a runway equipped for CAT II/III operations and the parallel taxiway that requires aircraft to hold in certain circumstances, at a location other than the runway holding position. In addition, FAA also has developed sign standards to assist airport operators in designating (1) the POFZ holding position in those instances where a taxiway, holding apron, or other movement area would result in an aircraft fuselage or tail penetrating, and (2) the alternative holding position on a taxiway during CAT II/III operations necessary to maintain adequate aircraft separation. AAAE will be collecting comments to deliver to FAA on behalf of airports. Submit comments by May 20, 2009, to Leslie Riegle at leslie.riegle@aaae.org. FAA is asking for justification for all comments regarding oppositions and recommended modifications. http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=166023 **************** Senior exec Borghetti leaving Qantas More management changes are taking place at Qantas Airways with the departure of one of the Australian carrier's most senior executives, John Borghetti. The Oneworld alliance carrier says in a statement that Borghetti, currently group executive - Qantas Airlines, will leave the company with effect from 4 May. Borghetti has been with Qantas for 36 years and he had been seen as one of the contenders for the job of CEO following long-serving Geoff Dixon's retirement late last year. The top executive job ultimately went to Alan Joyce and since he became CEO in November several senior executives have departed including former chief financial officer Peter Gregg. Joyce says in a statement today that Borghetti's departure will result in more changes to senior executive responsibilities. Rob Gurney, who became group general manager sales and distribution in October 2003, is being appointed to the executive committee in the role of group executive - Qantas Airlines, commercial. At the same time group general manager customer, product and service Lesley Grant will become executive manager - customer and marketing. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news *************** FAA proposes rulemaking to prevent wear on portions of CRJ flaps FAA has issued a proposed rule to mandate fixes to prevent excessive wear on flaps components of 50-seat Bombardier CRJs. Specifically the agency is concerned about unsafe condition identified by Canadian authorities through an airworthiness directive issued by Transport Canada in January. During the acceptance test procedure of returned inboard flap actuators an excessive wear condition was identified in the endplay between the flap actuator and the ball screw. "Excessive wear of the screw and ball nut could potentially lead to a flap system jam," says FAA. Temporary revisions have been issued to the Bombardier maintenance manual to ensure that unacceptable wear on the nut and ball screw is detected and corrected. FAA estimates 668 aircraft operated by US carriers could be affected by the proposed rulemaking, which would require manual revisions within 30 days of a final rule being issued. Compliance time of the new tasks added to the manuals would be within 500 flight hours of a final rulemaking. The total cost to US operators is $160,320 or $240 per aircraft. Both Canadian and US authorities have wrestled with fixes for persistent CRJ flap failures, particularly in cold weather operations. Bombardier in the past has proposed multiple flap actuator fixes, with the most recent being new seals to keep moisture out and grease in. New York-based Cox and Company is developing its own low-cost fix. The company believes moisture may not be the culprit. Its proposed solution is use of a clamp-on low power resistive heater on the actuator to reduce torque for new and used actuators at low temperatures. Wiring for the system runs through the wing, connecting all units to a single control box, and to a cockpit-mounted display allowing pilots to monitor operation of the system. Transport Canada expects certification for the Cox system in July. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news **************** AirTran Boeing 717 in repair after engine emergency An AirTran Boeing 717 will be back in service by tonight after an in-flight engine emergency on Sunday during flight from Baltimore to Atlanta. Flight 428 with 117 passengers and five crew members had just departed the Baltimore-Washington International airport around 1500h on Sunday when the crew declared an emergency and shut down the aircraft's right-side Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofan engine for unknown reasons. Air traffic controllers cleared the aircraft back to Baltimore, where it landed safely at 1515. AirTran says mechanics will remove the failed engine and send it to Rolls-Royce in Montreal for an overhaul. The aircraft is expected to be placed back into service Monday night with a replacement engine. The airline says declaring of an emergency is standard operating procedure for engine problems. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news **************** EU-African pact aims to improve air transport safety European and African aviation representatives have agreed to establish a common strategic framework containing a number of initiatives for co-operation over air transport safety. It follows a European Union-Africa aviation conference in the Namibian capital Windhoek last week. The framework will lead to a "permanent strategic dialogue" covering safety and security, training, and liberalisation of the African air transport sector. It will also look at air traffic management, including optimisation of air routes and extension of the satellite-based European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) to the African continent. EGNOS - of which the European Commission has just taken formal ownership - is a network of elements across Europe which amends satellite positioning signals to improve their accuracy for navigation. European transport commissioner Antonio Tajani says: "Improved safety standards and more choice are at the basis of our new dialogue. There are a number of actions which can easily contribute to change the picture of air transport in Africa." During the conference the European Union and the eight-state West African Economic and Monetary Union also made a declaration on a horizontal agreement between the two sides which will lead to opening of all routes between the two regions to carriers from these areas. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ***************** Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC