Flight Safety Information December 16, 2011 - No. 254 In This Issue Pilots urged to be aware of data errors FAA To Issue More Guidance on Public-use Aircraft 4 survive plane crash into chilly waters...Kenai Peninsula Vietnam Airlines passenger to be fined for harassing flight attendant Gulfstream International Airlines Rebrands as Silver Airways Tea Party big Mark Meckler pinched for gun possession at LaGuardia Airport Boeing to Work Past Christmas Amid ANA 787 Delay, 'Minor Issues' Pilots urged to be aware of data errors (AAP) Pilots across the world will be urged to be more aware of the potentially serious consequences from entering incorrect takeoff data in flight computers. An Australian investigation prompted by an incident in Melbourne in 2009, when a plane's tail hit the ground on takeoff, found there had been at least 31 similar events across the world in the past decade. In 2004 all seven crew of a freight plane in Canada were killed in a crash caused by a similar problem. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report, released on Friday, found that in the Melbourne event, the crew on an Emirates Airbus A340 accidentally entered the plane's weight wrongly into a flight computer. The plane was carrying 258 passengers and 18 crew. The wrong weight, lower by 100 tonnes, meant the computer calculated a speed that was too low for take off. When the pilots tried to raise the nose of the plane, it was not travelling fast enough to lift off the ground and the tail hit the runway. The initial data entry mistake was not detected during several cross-checks due to further human error and distractions in the cockpit. ATSB chief commissioner Martin Dolan said the issue of data entry errors was an uncommon but ongoing and potentially significant problem. "The key thing ... is not that there was a one-off problem of error," he told reporters in Canberra. "There's a potential hazard with the entry of takeoff weights into aircraft and inadequate takeoff performance on aircraft." The ATSB found that while the plane accelerated down the runway, the pilots got little information to indicate there was a problem with the speed. This was normal for larger types of aircraft. One of the bureau's recommendations is that technology be developed to give this kind of feedback. "At the moment there is only one set of defences against mis-entry of data and the potential consequences ... which is various cross checks of the information on the way through," Mr Dolan said. There was no automated capacity to check the reasonableness of entered numbers. "There is no visual or other information to tell a flight crew whether or not the aircraft's acceleration is adequate for it to take off." But Mr Dolan said aircraft manufacturers already had made significant advances to develop such technology. Mr Dolan said the Australian study had been a catalyst for this work. Until the new technology is available, the ATSB has urged all airlines to be alert to the potential risk and review checking procedures with their pilots and flight crews. The bureau also issued a safety recommendation along these lines to aviation regulators around the world. Mr Dolan said the flight crew on the Emirates plane had done everything they could to deal with the situation once they realised their plane was not going fast enough to take off properly. Back to Top FAA To Issue More Guidance on Public-use Aircraft The FAA is writing a new Advisory Circular (AC) on public-use aircraft and a draft will be released for comment next year, according to John Allen, FAA director of flight standards, who spoke before a two-day NTSB meeting on the topic last month. Meanwhile, the Helicopter Association International (HAI) is putting together a working group on the topic with all affected stakeholders to make recommendations to the FAA. HAI president Matt Zuccaro told AIN that the working group's first meeting will be held in February at Heli-Expo 2012. The NTSB has been trying to remove the regulatory fog surrounding public-use aircraft in the wake of the fatal crash of a Carson Helicopters S-61 under lease to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in 2008. The accident investigation uncovered numerous problems with the aircraft's paperwork. The NTSB maintained that these discrepancies should have been uncovered by a supervising agency. The USFS contract mandated that Carson abide by Part 135 standards. However, because the aircraft was considered "public use," the local FAA FSDO maintained it was the responsibility of the USFS to assure flight safety. At the NTSB's public hearing on the crash in 2010, Board members were clearly frustrated with these muddled lines of responsibility. In its final report on the accident, the NTSB recommended that the FAA "develop and implement a surveillance program specifically for 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 operators with aircraft that can operate both as public aircraft and as civil aircraft to maintain continual oversight ensuring compliance with" Part 135 requirements (A-10-149); and "take appropriate actions to clarify" FAA authority "over public aircraft, as well as identify and document where such oversight responsibilities reside in the absence of FAA authority (A-10-150)." Guidance Needs Frequent Revision FAA's Allen acknowledged that there is still confusion on the issue. "This is a subject I've been beating my brains out on for the last six or seven years," he said, while seeming to caution that the already overtaxed FAA would be hard-pressed to assume oversight of public-use aircraft and missions. "It is outside how we are trained, budgeted and staffed," he said. Allen said previous FAA attempts to provide clarity on the issue had created "confusion and obfuscation" and that he hoped the new AC would cover roughly 80 percent of all public-use missions. "Will it cover everything? No," he said. "It is a complex issue. The statute is hard to understand." Allen said it is important for government agencies operating public-use aircraft, either directly with their own aircraft or by contracting private aircraft, "to understand that they have a responsibility for safety assurance. There is no free lunch." Adding to the miasma of confusion surrounding the issue, Allen cautioned private operators, "A contract with a government entity does not entitle that aircraft to public status. That has to be actively declared" to the local FSDO. Allen said the new AC "would provide more guidance on that" and he anticipated the AC would be a "living document" with frequent revisions. "There are many nuances to this whole thing. There are aircraft that operate civil one day and public the next then back to civil. We understand that," he said. In those cases, he added, "We have agreed to leave them on the ops spec [operations specification] of the civil certificate, so they don't have to come on and off and create too much of a workload." But Allen said that some operations could require a case-by-case analysis. "They might have a camera mount on an airplane and they take it off-it's a bolt-on thing and it's nothing. For others a conformity inspection might be required." Stakeholder Input Needed Allen encouraged operators who are confused or have specific concerns to contact the FAA. "If you have a question, pick up the phone and call us. A big frustration is not getting people to talk about this, ask questions and find a way forward." HAI's Zuccaro thinks the issue is less complicated than most believe and could be resolved by a working group of stakeholders. "You have to analyze the real situation that you have" he said. "I've been really frustrated listening to the perception of what is going on with public aircraft. The majority of government aircraft that are out there meet FAR Part 91. The pilots are certified and qualified, and the aircraft has an airworthiness certificate and is being maintained in an approved program. The commercial operators are already under [FAA] surveillance, so what is the big issue here? "If you assume that the majority of the fleet on both sides of this fence [public and private] are already in compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations, it is not much of a stretch to assume that the FAA should have oversight under the FARs," Zuccaro continued. "The majority of the missions being flown by government aircraft and private owner contractors are being flown civil under Parts 91, 135, and all the other civil regulations." There are probably not many missions "that are tripping everybody up," Zuccaro said, later citing repelling, co-mingling passengers and hazmats on fire-fighting missions, hoisting people from point-to-point and aerial application of fire retardant near congested areas as examples of things that typically fall outside the FARs, "but are being done safely by the tens of thousands right now." He suggests getting "everybody in the same room and identifying those missions. And the mandate is that the FAA is going to take oversight of these operations and we all are going to operate under the FARs. The world will be a better place. You will have commonality, a standard and a focus. At least, you will have a base certification for all of these missions. I believe that every one of them can be done under the FARs right now. "This is a problem that can be solved," Zuccaro said. "In my mind there is no doubt about it." http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/2011-12-15/faa-issue-more-guidance- public-use-aircraft Back to Top 4 survive plane crash into chilly waters Kenai Peninsula -- Four people in a small plane that went down Thursday in water offshore from the village of Nanwalek survived after swimming or wading to reach land, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator said. According to early reports, the Cessna 206 took off from the village, which sits at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, and landed in English Bay sometime after 3 p.m., said NTSB investigator Chris Shaver. The plane was operated by Homer-based Smoky Bay Air, which reported the crash, Shaver said. The plane's pilot and three passengers made it back to land from about 100 feet offshore, Shaver said. Medics later reported no injuries among the plane's occupants, the investigator said. The cause of the crash is unknown and the NTSB will continue to investigate, Shaver said. Shaver said he was awaiting an interview with the pilot and more information from the company late Thursday. Smokey Bay Air provides charter and flight-seeing flights, among other services, according to its website. Read more: http://www.adn.com/2011/12/15/2220345/4-survive-plane-crash-into- chilly.html#ixzz1ghQdEgBW ********* Date: 15-DEC-2011 Time: ~03:00pm LT Type: Cessna U206G Stationair II Operator: Smokey Bay Air Inc. Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Unknown Location: English Bay, near Nanwalek, AK - United States of America Phase: Initial climb Nature: Passenger Departure airport: Nanwalek Airport - PKEB Destination airport: Narrative: A Cessna U206G Stationair II went down into water of English Bay, about 100 metres offshore near the village of Nanwalek, AK. The Cessna crashed shortly after takeoff from Nanwalek Airport ( formerly English Bay Airport) - PKEB. All four occupants survived after swimming or wading to reach land. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top Vietnam Airlines passenger to be fined for harassing flight attendant A Vietnam Airlines passenger is facing a fine after harassing a flight attendant under the influence of alcohol, online newspaper VnExpress reported. Quach Thang, who boarded the flight from Hai Phong to Ho Chi Minh City last Sunday, December 11, reportedly harassed the stewardess after he was drunk. The crew immediately made a report about Thang's misconduct under the witness of another passenger. The case has been handed over to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV). Thang's act attracts a fine between VND1 million and VND3 million (US$47-142), according to a CAAV's regulation. http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20111215-passenger-to-be-fined-for- harassing-flight-attendant.aspx Back to Top Gulfstream International Airlines Rebrands as Silver Airways New brand embodies dynamic growth, professionalism and commitment to customer satisfaction FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines ("Gulfstream") announced today its adoption of a new name and brand: Silver Airways. The name, along with its crisp and distinctive logotype, exemplify the airline's dynamic growth potential, as well as its unwavering commitment to providing highly professional, safe and efficient operations. VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines was founded in May 2011 when Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm, acquired select assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2010. Silver Airways continues the evolution of the carrier under Victory Park. "Starting in May, we hit the ground running with a mandate to transform this airline from top to bottom," said Darrell Richardson, CEO of Silver Airways. "Our goal: to create the dream airline -- one that's financially sound, safe and professional, but also fun to fly and a great place to work. Adopting the Silver Airways brand is the latest step." The new Silver Airways logotype is derived from the spinning propeller blades of a turboprop engine like those found on the Saab 340Bplus and Beechcraft 1900D aircraft that comprise the Silver Airways fleet. The use of metallic silver and dark grey evokes grace and professionalism, while the deep fuchsia speaks to the brand's vibrancy and dynamic growth potential. The new name and brand will officially become effective December 15, 2011 when Silver Airways welcomes the first of six recently purchased Saab 340Bplus' to its fleet. The aircraft, which will be deployed along the carrier's Florida-Bahamas routes, will feature the new Silver Airways logo and a completely re-designed livery. About Silver Airways Silver Airways Corp. (iata:3M) is a U.S. airline operating 100+ daily scheduled flights to/from 29 gateways in Florida, The Bahamas, Montana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The company is owned by Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm that initially launched the airline as VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines in May 2011 following the acquisition of select assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2010. Silver Airways is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL and operates under a principal code share and alliance agreement with United Airlines and Copa Airlines. The Silver Airways fleet is comprised of 21 Beechcraft 1900D aircraft (maximum seating capacity:19 passengers), each powered by reliable, fuel-efficient jet-turbine engines. Six additional Saab 340Bplus aircraft, with seating for 34, will be added to the Silver Airways fleet between December 2011 and July 2012. SOURCE: Silver Airways Back to Top Tea Party big Mark Meckler pinched for gun possession at LaGuardia Airport Thursday A co-founder of an influential Tea Party group was arrested at LaGuardia Airport Thursday for illegally trying to bring a pistol and ammunition aboard a plane, authorities said. Mark Meckler of the Tea Party Patriots had a Glock 27 pistol and 19 bullets in a locked gun box - but he didn't have a New York State permit for the firepower, which he told authorities he needs because he gets threats. Meckler, 49, handed the gun box to a Delta Airlines ticket agent around 5 a.m. Thursday, Queens prosecutors said. It was discovered during a pre-flight check. Meckler, of Grass Valley, Calif., faces up to 15 years in prison on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a Class C felony. He was released following arraignment. "Before leaving home, passengers should acquaint themselves with the weapon laws of the jurisdiction that they are visiting and comply with any and all legal requirements if they choose to travel with a weapon," said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. "Otherwise, they may find themselves being arrested and charged with a felony - as is what occurred in this case." Meckler had been in New York since Dec. 11. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/tea-party-big-mark- meckler-pinched-gun-possession-laguardia-airport-thursday-article- 1.992252#ixzz1ghNY9eG1 Back to Top Boeing to Work Past Christmas Amid ANA 787 Delay, 'Minor Issues' Boeing Co. (BA) said some employees will work through their Christmas break to reach a 787 Dreamliner delivery goal, as All Nippon Airways Co. (9202)'s third jet was held back by production delays while mechanics fix "minor issues." The company is "working hard" to meet its goal of delivering at least five Dreamliners this year, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Jim Albaugh said in an interview yesterday at a Wings Club event in New York. The third delivery to ANA, the only operator so far of the new, composite-plastic jet, will take place later this month rather than in November, Megumi Tezuka, a spokeswoman for the Tokyo-based carrier, said yesterday. The holdup has caused the airline to delay the start of 787 services to Beijing by a month and disrupted the plane's introduction on flights to Frankfurt. Boeing has revised delivery dates as it incorporates changes to the jets that were already built when the 787 was certified in August, according to Jennifer Cram, a company spokeswoman. ANA received its first Dreamliner in September, 3 1/2 years behind schedule because of delays caused by Boeing's use of new technologies, materials and production techniques. The Chicago-based planemaker lowered its delivery forecast in October, saying it would hand over 15 to 20 of its two new models through December, with two-thirds of those being 747-8 jumbo jets and one-third 787s. It had delivered seven 747-8s through last week. Boeing shuts down the week between Christmas and New Year's, leaving only one week of regular work left this year. Workers in production for the 787 program and some others "will be working to some degree" during the break, said Mark Hooper, a spokesman in Seattle, home to Boeing's commercial-jet hub. Continued Problems The 787 team has had to deal with continued problems even after the jet was certified for passenger use and deliveries began. Wiring "issues" were found in three planes during a standard Federal Aviation Administration walkthrough, Cram said. They were minor but needed to be rectified, she said, declining to give further details. The faults aren't recurring and weren't widespread, and Boeing is giving mechanics and inspectors further training, she said. Three auxiliary power units on Dreamliners also failed to start and had to be replaced, she said, confirming a Seattle Times report. The company is working closely with Hamilton Sundstrand, which builds the units, to analyze the problem and has installed fully functioning APUs on all of the jets scheduled for near-term delivery. Wiring Problems "Both of these are well understood and are already being addressed by our team," Cram said. "These aren't what Boeing is asserting as factors for driving our schedule." She declined to give specifics on what had held up the third ANA jet or to say whether the wiring and APU problems had slowed deliveries. ANA was unchanged at 225 yen at the 11:30 a.m. trading break in Tokyo today, after gaining as much as 1.33 percent earlier. The shares have slid 26 percent this year, compared with an 18 percent drop in the Nikkei 225 Stock Average. Boeing gained 1 percent to $70.61 in New York yesterday. Boeing is boosting output of the 787 following the plane's entrance into commercial service. Workers at the plant north of Seattle that builds wide-body planes were on course to raise their 787 production rate to 3.5 a month by early spring, from 2.5 now, Albaugh said in an interview last month. The tally will reach five a month next fall as the company works toward a target of 10 a month by the end of 2013, from factories near Seattle and Charleston, South Carolina. ANA, which placed orders for 55 Dreamliners, is expanding its overseas network following the opening of a new terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport. The carrier expects to increase international flights 16 percent in the year ending March 31 and has said it expects to receive 12 Dreamliners by then. Boeing is working closely with ANA "to minimize the impact and expect to deliver this airplane as quickly as possible," Cram said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-15/all-nippon-airways-says-delivery-of-third- boeing-787-is-delayed.html Back to Top Curt Lewis