Flight Safety Information February 1, 2011 - No. 023 In This Issue NTSB to arrive at chopper crash scene Tuesday (Arizona) Airlines ground planes as monster snow storm approaches British Airways flight returns to Logan after smell of smoke Bristol Helicopter to host international aviation safety conference (Nigeria) Reforms at KCAA to enhance air safety in Kenya ANZ to begin replacing 737s with new A320s Crandall joins Southern Air board Airlines to be allowed to insure against ash risk NTSB to arrive at chopper crash scene Tuesday (Arizona) PIMA COUNTY - The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to be on the scene of Monday's deadly helicopter crash early Tuesday morning. The Pima County Sheriff's Office has two deputies on the scene to keep watch overnight until investigators arrive. The crash killed pilot Loren Leonberger and injured three other people who are at UMC recovering. Right now, we don't know what caused the chopper to go down West of Avra Valley Monday morning. The original 911 call came from one of the victims inside the helicopter. Shortly after realizing the magnitude of the crash and the obstacles rescue crews would be up against, different crews from across the area mobilized. Adam Goldberg from NW Fire District said, "The crews quickly surveyed the area than went to work both on the ground and in the air." Deputy Jason Ogan from the Pima County Sheriff's Office said, "Davis-Monthan provided helicopters. They used a basket to lower down, they extricated them out, then brought them down to wait in the ambulances and the other choppers to take them to the hospital." But the victims weren't the only ones at risk. Crews say the helicopter was teetering on the edge of the mountain and the rough terrain and heavy winds only made it worse. Dave Arneson with Northwest Fire Technical Rescue Team went up on the mountain as part of the rescue effort. He said, "If ever I've seen where you felt like you were in danger, this was it. I can't speak to the scene but it was very hairy. At one point we just kept looking at each other to make sure we were safe." But even with the treacherous and dangerous conditions on the ground he said the real credit should go to those in the air. Once back down the mountain, thats when the crews say it all started to hit them. They had just lost one of their own. Arneson said, "It really hits home when you settle down and you see the badge and the uniform. Here in Tucson it's been a rough month." http://www.kvoa.com/news/ntsb-to-arrive-at-chopper-crash-scene-tuesday/ Back to Top Airlines ground planes as monster snow storm approaches Snowfall, primarily on Tuesday, could be over 12 inches in parts of Missouri and Illinois Meteorologist: Travelers should brace for a "three, three-and-a-half day event" Airlines are already allowing passengers to change plans as the storm approaches (CNN) -- Airlines canceled flights by the hundreds for Tuesday as a massive snow storm of historic proportions began to coat the nation's heartland with a thick blanket of snow. The storm will affect about three-quarters of the United States, from New England to New Mexico, said CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano. Travelers should brace for a "three, three-and-a-half day event," he warned. "Travel will likely be difficult to impossible in many areas," the National Weather Service said. Southwest Airlines canceled 337 flights for Tuesday, said spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger on Monday night -- adding that the situation will be assessed throughout the day. Passengers with reservations for travel through Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit and other cities are eligible to reschedule their flights. AirTran Airways scrubbed 140 flights for Tuesday and has canceled another 38 flights on Wednesday, spokesman Christopher White said. AirTran passengers traveling through two dozen cities in the region -- including Chicago, St. Louis and Boston -- can change their reservation without penalty. Delta Air Lines canceled "many" flights, according to spokeswoman Heather Faulkner, who said the situation will be updated Tuesday morning. Ahead of the storm, Delta issued a winter weather advisory for the northern United States. Passengers traveling to airports in 20 states through Friday can reschedule their itineraries without a fee or get a refund if their flights are canceled or significantly delayed. Continental Airlines will allow changes for travel to, through and from nearly three dozen airports, including the airline's hubs in Newark, New Jersey, and Cleveland, Ohio, for travelers scheduled to fly between through Thursday. US Airways has also relaxed its change-fee policies passengers scheduled to fly through Thursday to or from 27 cities from Portland, Maine, to Akron, Ohio. Travelers on JetBlue flights to and from six cities and metropolitan areas in the Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday will also be able to change their plans with no fees. United Airlines has issued travel waivers for passengers traveling to, from or through Chicago and 17 states in the Midwest and Northeast as well as five Canadian cities. Travelers will be able to alter their plans without fees or get a full refund if their flight is canceled. American Airlines is allowing travelers who are scheduled to fly on Monday through Thursday from more than 30 airports in the Midwest -- including those in Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- to change their plans without penalty. Snowfall, primarily on Tuesday, could be more than 12 inches in parts of Missouri and Illinois. Chicago-area airports are monitoring the forecasts and preparing accordingly, officials said. "We certainly are concerned any time there are inclement weather conditions," said Karen Pride, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Aviation. "We add additional staff as the conditions warrant." O'Hare International and Midway International are also ready to implement a passenger assistance program in the event the storm leaves travelers stuck at the airports. Hundreds of cots will be available and some concessions will remain open to accommodate any stranded passengers, Pride said. Nearly all flights from Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport have been canceled for Tuesday morning, airport spokeswoman Karen Carney said. No arrivals are expected before 10:30 a.m., Carney said. Back to Top British Airways flight returns to Logan after smell of smoke A British Airways flight from Boston to London was forced to return to Logan International Airport this morning after crew members reported smelling smoke in the cabin. Phil Orlandella, spokesman for Logan Airport, said Flight 9608 was carrying 13 crew members and no passengers. The flight landed on Runway 33L at 8:16 a.m. Boston emergency medical workers responded to the scene, and determined all of the crew members were unharmed. Orlandella said that oil had apparently leaked from the auxiliary power unit into an air conditioning unit, causing it to smoke. "We checked it out and everything was fine," Orlandella said. http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/01/british_airways_2.html Back to Top Bristol Helicopter to host international aviation safety conference (Nigeria) Lagos (WorldStage Newsonline)-- Bristol Helicopter Nigeria Limited said it will host an international conference on the behavioural aspect of safety in aviation industry between 8th and 9th February. The forum with a theme "Fostering a safety Culture" is expected to bring stakeholders from aviation, oil and gas industry and government circles to discuss the latest trends in aviation safety. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the the airline office in Lagos, the Managing Director, Capt Akin Oni, said the conference would address the issue of safety in the aviation industry in a different perspective that would harp on the behavioural aspect of safety. The MD who said some personalities had been secured to speak on safety issues in the industry, said the they would not look only look at safety in workplace but deal with the concept in a way to bring the consciousness of participants to the fact the culture of safety should be imbibed in all their daily interactions. The event, according to Oni would create opportunity for delegates and guests with like minds on safety to interact and network among themselves on safety consciousness. Prominent international key note speakers already secured for the seminar include: Dr. Harold Demuren , Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Samuel Oduselu, Commissioner Accident Investigations Bureau, David Hutzinger, Vice President, Fleet Safety Eurocopter, Dave Eherts, Vice President and Chief Safety Officer Sikorsky, Mark Steven, Director air Safety and Global Projects , Shell Aircraft International and Patrick Hudson Safety Expert, Leiden University. http://www.worldstagegroup.com/worldstage/index.php?&id=1855&active=news Back to Top Reforms at KCAA to enhance air safety in Kenya Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) will be restructured to boost its ability to ensure air safety. The reform process would involve modernising radar facilities to enhance air traffic management and surveillance of Kenyan airspace. Transport Minister Amos Kimunya said the Government also intends to improve airports and associated facilities for safer and high quality service delivery. He said restructuring of KCAA is a critical part of the mechanism also meant to ensure improved aviation safety by attracting and retaining competent and well-trained personnel. He cautioned that without competent staff, safety programmes and management systems or any other such plans would not bare fruits. Kimunya made the remarks while opening a Civil Aviation State Safety Programme/Safety Management System (SSP/SMS) training forum in Nairobi yesterday. He appealed to all stakeholders in the sector to support efforts to promote safety, saying though rivals in business, they must view each other as allies when it comes to management of safety. Working together "One inefficient and risky operator in the midst of several efficient and safety compliant operators could jeopardise all our operations," he said. The five-day meeting comes at a time when statistics gathered by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and other aviation organisations, says Africa's current aircraft accident rate is nearly 10 times more than the world average. Kenya had its fair share of accidents too, with a number of them involving light aircrafts flying either from or to Wilson Airport. A notable incident occurred in Rift Valley, when former Roads Minister, Kipkalya Kones was killed along with Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso in a plane crash on June 10, 2008. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000027986&cid=14&j=&m=&d = Back to Top ANZ to begin replacing 737s with new A320s Air New Zealand (ANZ) will receive the first of an order of 14 Airbus A320s today, as it begins replacing its Boeing 737-300s with the new narrowbodies. The first A320, registration ZK-OAB and painted in a special all-black livery, will touch down at Auckland Airport this afternoon, says the Star Alliance carrier. Configured with 171 seats, the A320s will increase ANZ's domestic capacity by almost 30%. Its 737s have 133 seats each. "The first four will be delivered this year and the remaining ten progressively through until 2016, coinciding with the expiry of our current 737-300 aircraft leases," says ANZ's general manager Scott Carr. ANZ already operates 12 A320s, according to Flightglobal's ACAS database. The aircraft it will receive today will arrive in Auckland after a three-day journey from Airbus' manufacturing facilities in Toulouse via Gander, Denver, Los Angeles and Samoa. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news Back to Top Crandall joins Southern Air board Former American Airlines chairman and CEO Robert Crandall has been appointed to the board of directors at US cargo carrier Southern Air Holdings. Crandall is an airline industry veteran, working for American for 25 years, including a long stint as chairman and CEO from 1985 to 1998. "Bob is renowned in the industry and his decision to join our board is an important endorsement of what we are accomplishing at Southern Air," says Southern Air CEO Daniel McHugh. "His deep knowledge of the aviation industry and proven track record of leadership will be invaluable as we seek to position the company to be the world's leading ACMI operator by continuing to expand our customer offerings while maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability and customer service." Southern currently operates a fleet 14 Boeing 747 and two Boeing 777 freighters for wet-lease customers. "Southern Air is one of the most experienced and fastest growing air cargo carriers in the world," Crandall says. "The company has an exceptional record of performance and great potential in its markets. I look forward to working closely with CEO Dan McHugh, his management team and the board to support Southern Air's continued expansion and long-term success." Source: Air Transport Intelligence news Back to Top Airlines to be allowed to insure against ash risk Loss of business caused by natural phenomena such as volcanic ash clouds will become insurable for the first time, aviation insurer Swiss Re has announced. It is launching a product that will cover "non-damage business interruption" losses. The insurable causes of disruption can include atmospheric ash, the results of seismic activity such as earthquakes, and meteorological phenomena such as floods, storms and snow, Swiss Re director Oliver Dlugosch told delegates at the 27 January JLT Aviation Insurance Conference in Dubai. Dlugosch emphasised that the cover will only be for the business losses caused by the phenomena, not any physical damage that may be caused, and that cover is not being offered for business losses caused by war, pandemics or GPS failure. The cost of cover will depend on how much risk the customer airline is prepared to take on itself. For example, it would be cheaper if the airline were to agree to be covered only for losses resulting from a disruption that continued beyond six days, or for the losses owing to flight cancellations beyond an agreed threshold. Dlugosch says he is not sure what level of interest this offer will generate, because he believes many airlines may continue to self-insure. He adds that it would be important to spread the risk geographically because too big a take-up in a single geographical area such as Europe for ash cloud disruption, for example, would expose the insurance industry to an unsustainably high risk. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC