28 MAY 2009 _______________________________________ * Chuck Adams, Grand Forks, letter: A key vote for aviation safety, modernization * AAIB: final report on Boeing 737-300 stall during a go-around * CAA UK publishes Safety Plan 2009/11 * Updated (Brazil): Airplane crash brings heavy death toll to family. * CAST Catches Collier Trophy * African aviation safety press release; Source: African aviation safety 28/05/2009 * FAA imposes temporary curbs on private pilots in L.A. area * Options mulled for Santa Monica Airport jet ban *********************************** Chuck Adams, Grand Forks, letter: A key vote for aviation safety, modernization GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks air traffic controllers thank Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., for his support of the House Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill (H.R. 915), which was passed May 21. This important legislation not only paves the way for the safe implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, but also addresses key issues regarding the stability of the air traffic controller workforce, the inclusion of controllers as key stakeholders in the system, the realignment of FAA facilities and controller staffing levels. This bill is another sign of great progress as we try to modernize the system in a safe, smart, transparent and collaborative manner. The legislation also institutes a new and long overdue level of reform and accountability of the actions of the FAA in how it treats its responsibility to its employees, the National Airspace System and the safety of the flying public, the agency’s true customers. With President Barack Obama, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and new FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, we now have the strong leadership in place to bring about the change we need at the FAA and improve the safety and efficiency of air travel. Air traffic controllers want to be fully involved in this process. As subject matter experts on the front lines of the air traffic system, we stand ready to help and will continue to serve air travelers by ensuring their safety. Adams is a member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Union and a controller at the Grand Forks Air Traffic Control Tower. http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/120462/ *********************************** AAIB: final report on Boeing 737-300 stall during a go-around [to table of contents] The U.K. AAIB released the final report of their investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 737-300 in September 2007. The Boeing 737-300 was on approach to Bournemouth Airport following a routine passenger flight from Faro, Portugal. Early in the ILS approach the auto-throttle disengaged with the thrust levers in the idle thrust position. The disengagement was neither commanded nor recognised by the crew and the thrust levers remained at idle throughout the approach. Because the aircraft was fully configured for landing, the air speed decayed rapidly to a value below that appropriate for the approach. The commander took control and initiated a go-around. During the go-around the aircraft pitched up excessively; flight crew attempts to reduce the aircraft’s pitch were largely ineffective. The aircraft reached a maximum pitch of 44º nose-up and the indicated airspeed reduced to 82 kt. The flight crew, however, were able to recover control of the aircraft and complete a subsequent approach and landing at Bournemouth without further incident. Although the commander reported the event to the operator the following morning, his initial Air Safety Report (ASR) contained limited information and the seriousness of the event was not appreciated until the Quick Access Recorder (QAR) data was inspected on 4 October 2007. G-THOF was not subjected to an engineering examination to ensure its continued airworthiness and remained in service throughout this period. (AAIB) AAIB Report 3/2009 http://aviation-safety.net/news/news.php?var=200905%25#2155 *********************************** CAA UK publishes Safety Plan 2009/11 The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published a Safety Plan. It presents CAA's strategies and actions to be taken to achieve a continuous improvement in safety over the next two years. (CAA) CAA Safety Plan 2009/11 http://aviation-safety.net/news/news.php?var=200905%25#2152 *********************************** Updated: Airplane crash brings heavy death toll to family. Submitted by Fernando Montalvo Fourteen people are dead after a Beechcraft Super King Air 350 (registration PR-MOZ) crashed in northeastern Brazil while attempting to land at a luxury resort’s private airstrip. The accident occurred at 9:13 PM local time at Condominio Terra Vista luxury resort in Trancoso (Porto Seguro in Bahia, Brazil). The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) have been found and were sent in for analysis. Witnesses say the plane fell into a steep hillside and exploded soon after. The wreckage is about 500 feet from the runway threshold. The flight had departed Congonhas-Sao Paulo Airport (SBSP) on its way to the private airstrip. Initial reports point to the possibility of rain at the time of the landing. The passengers in the plane were identified as follows: Authorities say the crash site is difficult to access because the airplane lies in a woody and steep section of hillside. Due to the rain, the area is muddy. Location of crash site. Image by Velozia Air using Google Earth imagery. Coincidentally, Roger Wright’s first wife, Barbara Cecilia Luchsinger Wright (Lucilia Lins was his current wife), also died in a plane crash when TAM Airlines Flight 402, a Fokker 100, crashed after takeoff from SBSP killing 99 people. That accident was due to a problem with one of the plane’s thrust reversers. Wright was one of the directors at TAM Airlines. http://www.velozia.com/?p=1693 *********************************** CAST Catches Collier Trophy The Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) is the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. The CAST was created by the Air Transport Association and Aerospace Industies Association to reduce the number of airline accidents. Stated ATA/AIA: “We recognized that the goal established in 1997 to reduce accident risk by 80 percent was ambitious, however, it was imperative to set a high bar as part of the responsibility of government and industry to ensure the safety of the flying public. The individual members of CAST have worked together tirelessly since 1997 and are very appreciative of this recognition. CAST looks forward to continuing its work to make aviation even safer for people in the United States and around the globe.” AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said “AIA is a founding member of CAST and is proud of being part of an organization that is advancing aviation safety not just in the United States, but worldwide. The flying public owes a real debt of gratitude is to the many individual members of CAST from government and industry whose countless hours of service have resulted in dramatically reducing the risk of fatal airline accidents in the United States.” The National Aeronautic Association’s annual Collier Dinner will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington on the evening of May 28. The CAST Team will be awarded the 2008 Collier Trophy for “achieving an unprecedented safety level in U.S. commercial airline operations.” The Collier Trophy is awarded annually for “achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles in actual use." The Thursday, May 28 black-tie event opens with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. http://www.aviationtoday.com/asw/topstories/CAST-Catches-Collier-Trophy_3243 0.html *********************************** African aviation safety press release; Source: African aviation safety 28/05/2009 The Delegation of the European Commission (EC) in Zambia has contracted the AviAssist Foundation to kick-start EC support to aviation safety improvements in Zambia. The program will be funded under the European Development Fund (EDF). The EDF is the main instrument providing European Union aid for development cooperation with amongst others African countries. It finances programs contributing to the economic development of the recipient countries. This EDF funding comes from the EDF focal sector of regional integration & transport Infrastructure. The contract will lead to the definition of the key questions to be inquired from sector stakeholders during a full identification study, ensuring a focus on priority issues. “The Foundation is pleased to work hand in hand with the Delegation of the European Commission in Zambia to improve aviation safety. As a result of the non-profit status of the Foundation, it can perform contracts like this under most international tendering thresholds. This makes it possible for the European Commission to act swiftly because a direct contract is then possible” explained AviAssist Director Tom Kok. “This contract underlines a constructive approach by the European Union (EU) to complement the signal function of the EU blacklisting. Safety is a critical factor to let aviation play its role as a crucial contributor to the development of Zambia. The AviAssist Foundation looks forward to working with other EC delegations in Africa within the EDF framework. It is a valuable instrument to facilitate safety improvements needed to harvest bigger benefits from tourism and business that rely on aviation. For Zambia, the objective is to build capacity on regulatory and operational issues in the specific areas of air safety, security and traffic management. The EC and the Foundation are keen to try and ensure that the capacity building happens in close co-ordination with the national industry. Other initiatives around the world have proved that such a balanced approach of industry and government interests is central to the success of institutional safety improvements”. http://www.airtransportnews.aero/article.pl?id=17545 ********************************** FAA imposes temporary curbs on private pilots in L.A. area Only airlines, law enforcement aircraft and air ambulances will be allowed to fly within a 12-mile radius of Santa Monica Airport between 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and 7:40 a.m. Thursday. By Associated Press The Federal Aviation Administration announced that temporary flight restrictions on private pilots will be in effect in the Los Angeles area between early Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. The restrictions coincide with a visit to Los Angeles by President Obama. An FAA statement said only airlines, law enforcement aircraft and air ambulances will be allowed within a 12-mile radius of Santa Monica Airport between 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and 7:40 a.m. Thursday. "During this time, private pilots will not be able to fly into or out of Los Angeles International Airport, Santa Monica Airport, Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Van Nuys Airport and Burbank Airport," the statement said. Private pilots may fly in and out of airports 12 to 30 miles from Santa Monica Airport. Details are on the FAA website. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-flight-restrict27-2009may27,0,250664 6.story ********************************** Options mulled for Santa Monica Airport jet ban Daily News Wire Services SANTA MONICA - City officials are mulling over their diminishing options this morning after losing a crucial round in their bid to ban fast- landing private jets from Santa Monica Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration found in a decision released Thursday that the ordinance banning private jets with fast landing speeds violates the city's legal obligations. The decision was based on evidence presented during a four-day hearing in March. Anthony N. Palladino, a senior FAA attorney and hearing officer, concluded that the ban violates the terms of $9.7 million in federal grants received by the airport and a 1984 agreement between the city and the federal government to give final authority over safety issues to the FAA, the Los Angeles Times reported. Palladino also decided that the restriction does not comply with the federal Surplus Property Act, which provided for the airport's return to the city under certain conditions after it was leased by the government during World War II, according to The Times. Approved by the Santa Monica City Council in late 2007, the ban prohibits private and corporate jets with landing speeds of 139 mph to 191 mph from using the airport. Though there has never been a crash, city officials argue the planes could run off the runway. The ordinance has never gone into effect, however, because of a cease- and-desist order issued by the FAA and a preliminary injunction upheld earlier this week by a federal appeals court. Palladino's decision can be appealed to an FAA associate administrator for policy, who would have to decide the matter by July 8, The Times reported. The ruling would constitute the FAA's final decision, which could then be appealed in federal court. http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_12377639?source=rss ********************************** Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC