Flight Safety Information January 13, 2012 - No. 009 In This Issue Horrific crash that forever changed air transit marks 30th anniv Woman who claimed husband had bomb at LA airport pleads guilty to making phony threat CASA issues directive on light planes (Australia) NTSB: Planes at Chicago's Midway came within 300 feet of each other Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Prevention UAE establishes voluntary air safety reporting scheme Aeroflot signs lease for 50 737-800s and -900ERs Mike Sammartino, Former FAA Director of System Operations, Joins Metron Aviation AViCON 2012: Aviation Disaster Conference Horrific crash that forever changed air transit marks 30th anniv. Ultimately, pilot error and improper de-icing of the jet's wings were pegged as the causes of the Air Florida Flight 90 crash into the 14th Street Bridge. (Photo courtesy nsf.gov) WASHINGTON - For longtime Washingtonians, it may be hard to believe that a generation has passed since the disaster that shocked the nation and led to much- needed changes to safety in the air. On Jan. 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and plunged into the icy Potomac River shortly after takeoff from National Airport. Seventy-four of the 79 passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 737 perished in the crash, along with four more people on the ground. "I remember that day so vividly," says WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Dave McConnell, who had been covering a congressional event at the National Press Club when he was told to head to the disaster. "I was absolutely shocked to see the bodies that had been taken from the icy waters... I think that was the most disturbing scene that I had ever witnessed," McConnell says. The crash revived longstanding concerns about National Airport's close proximity to the nation's capital, and its potentially risky flight paths over the Potomac River. A massive snowstorm had shut down the airport for hours before Flight 90 was given a brief window to takeoff. Ultimately, pilot error and improper de-icing of the jet's wings were pegged as the causes of the disaster. That finding, and the attention that the crash received for having occurred in the nation's capital, led to changes in safety for commercial flight. "The whole issue of safety was revisited, and a lot of good came out of a horrible, horrible day," McConnell says. Yet despite that renewed focus on safety, McConnell says he still gets an apprehensive feeling when he reflects upon the events of 30 years ago. "What happened to those people, what happened out on the banks of the Potomac, that happened here in Washington, it's something that I don't think I'll ever forget," McConnell says. The Air Florida crash overshadowed another deadly accident on the same day. Three people died after an Orange Line train derailed between the Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations. It was the worst accident in Metro history, until the Red Line crash near the Takoma station that left nine dead in June 2009. http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2705033 Back to Top Woman who claimed husband had bomb at LA airport pleads guilty to making phony threat LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Southern California woman who called in a bomb threat to keep her husband from boarding a plane at Los Angeles International Airport has pleaded guilty to a federal crime. City News Service says 50-year-old Johnna Woolfolk of Lynwood entered the plea Thursday to a felony charge of conveying false and misleading information. She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she's sentenced in April. Woolfolk admitted to the FBI that she phoned AirTran Airways last November and said her husband was carrying a bomb to an Atlanta-bound flight. The FBI questioned him and he missed the flight. Woolfolk said she made the call because the couple had fought and she thought her husband was going to see another woman. Back to Top CASA issues directive on light planes (Australia) (AAP) THE aviation watchdog has effectively grounded hundreds of light planes over concerns about their safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an airworthiness directive late today requiring the mandatory inspection of flight control cables on the Beechcraft Debonair and Bonanza aircraft. CASA has ordered owners and operators of the planes to replace any damaged forward elevator control cables before any more flights are taken. If the cables are older than 15 years, they must be replaced regardless of whether or not they are damaged. All work must be done within 60 days. The only exception is for a pilot to fly the plane to a place where the inspection can take place. "CASA decided to issue this directive after damaged and frayed flight control cables were recently discovered on two aircraft," the safety authority said in a statement. CASA says there are hundreds of Beechcraft Debonair and Bonanza planes in Australia. The directive relates to Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza), Beechcraft 33 and 35-33 (Debonair/Bonanza), Beechcraft 36 (Bonanza), and Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) aeroplanes. The single and twin-engine planes can carry up to five passengers and a pilot. Back to Top NTSB: Planes at Chicago's Midway came within 300 feet of each other (CNN) A Learjet departing Chicago's Midway airport last month came within about two plane-lengths of striking a taxiing Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 that had been cleared to cross the same runway, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board. The airborne Learjet passed 62 feet above -- and within 287 feet laterally -- of the Southwest passenger plane, according to the NTSB, which is investigating the incident. According to the NTSB, the co-pilot of the taxiing Southwest jet saw the Learjet and shouted "Stop" to the plane's captain, who brought the plane to a halt near the edge of the runway. Air traffic control audio tapes, released by LiveATC.net, a website for aviation enthusiasts, captured conversations between the Southwest crew and controllers in the minutes immediately afterward. "OK... You just cleared us onto a runway (where) there was a plane taking off," one of the pilots said to controllers. "What technology clears us on the runway when a plane was taking off?" a pilot added, sounding exasperated. The Southwest crew then radioed another controller. "We had to hit our brakes and the thing went right over our head," the crew said. According to the NTSB's preliminary report, the incident occurred about 9 a.m. CT on December 1, when a Learjet 45 was instructed to line up and wait on runway 31 right. Southwest Flight 844 had landed on a parallel runway -- 31 center. As the Southwest plane was decelerating on the center runway, the Learjet was cleared for takeoff on the right. When an air traffic controller gave the Southwest plane clearance to turn right on a taxiway that crossed the right runway, the two planes came into potential conflict. Kevin Hiatt, a former 737 pilot now with the non-profit Flight Safety Foundation, said it is still unclear what caused the mishap, but credited the Southwest co-pilot for averting potential disaster. "Fortunately, the first officer was 'heads up' in that cockpit and basically saw the Learjet coming, and told the captain to stop, which he did just prior to entering into the active runway," Hiatt said. "If that Learjet had had any kind of a problem and not lifted off when it did -- they prevented a very serious accident," Hiatt said. Hiatt said Midway airport is one of 35 airports equipped with an surface movement detection system known as ASDE-X to detect potential runway conflicts. "The investigation will probably look into whether ASDE-X was in operation at the time or (whether) the controllers using it or not using it," he said. The NTSB said the report is preliminary, and no blame has been assigned in the matter. No one was injured in the event. Back to Top Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Prevention Program reduces wildlife-aircraft strike hazard A pair of cranes find no prey near the fabric-formed concrete stormwater ditch liner on the airfield. The liner controls vegetation that attracts rodents and snakes that, in turn, attract birds. USDA Wildlife Biologist Kevin McGrath fires a 15mm Bird Banger pyrotechnic launcher to deter birds from landing close to stormwater ditches near the NAS Jax runways. Bird and other wildlife strikes represent an unexpected threat to flight safety for every type of aircraft in every airfield environment - witness the US Airways Flight 1549 crash landing on New York City's Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009. "Up until the early 1990s, bird strikes were increasing exponentially at military airfields, so the Department of Defense sought to improve aviation safety through a number of initiatives - the most visible being the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) prevention program," said Winston Rogers, NAS Jax airfield facilities deputy manager, in a recent interview. As a result, the Navy entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to partner with Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) shore aviation commands and airfield managers to safeguard air operations assets. For NAS Jax, Naval Station Mayport and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Whitehouse, that includes the addition of USDA Wildlife Biologist Kevin McGrath and USDA Wildlife Technician Mike Trowell to the northeast Florida BASH team in the first quarter of 2011. Rogers said, "Our long-term goal is to do more than just scare birds away from the airfield. USDA wildlife experts are here to make the airfield as unattractive as possible to birds and other wildlife. We do that by understanding the habitat and feeding preferences of each species - as well as modifying or reducing the environmental factors that attract the birds." McGrath added, "Developing an integrated BASH program at military airfields requires cooperation and communication, because permanently eliminating birds from the airfield environment is impossible. Active communication between all players involved in daily airfield activities is vital to providing up-to-the-minute safety advisories to pilots." NAS Jax Natural Resources Manager Christine Bauer agreed. "As part of this cooperation, NAS Jax personnel must adhere to station regulations that prohibit the feeding of birds and other wildlife. Equally important is practicing good sanitation such as closing dumpster lids and properly disposing of food waste. Managing the natural environment around the airfield to reduce aircraft strike hazards is already challenging. Artificial attractants and poor sanitation make the job even more difficult." In addition to air traffic controllers, other important players on the BASH team are the flight safety officers at each aircraft squadron. "Safety officers are charged with maintaining awareness of the BASH program, in addition to securing any remains from a bird strike and getting them to responsible agencies for identification," said Rogers. When a bird strike occurs, the squadron safety team completes a BASH kit that includes basic data such as when and where the incident took place, weather conditions - and most important - any of the bird remains (termed snarge) collected from the airplane. The snarge is sent to the Smithsonian Institution Feather Identification and DNA Lab. After identification is confirmed, the BASH data is entered into WESS (Web Enabled Safety System) - the Naval Safety Center's online reporting and data retrieval system. "It's important to know what kind of bird struck the aircraft because it helps direct our mitigation effort," McGrath explained. "It determines whether the bird is migratory or part of the year-round avian population in northeast Florida." He said if it's a migratory bird, they can look up its habits and patterns - to help aviators avoid the location, altitude and time of day when the birds are most active. If the birds are non-migratory, the BASH team can study the airfield environment to note what is attracting the birds. In many cases, they can take the attraction away and encourage the birds to feed or nest elsewhere. McGrath explained that each Navy airfield in northeast Florida is unique according to its geography and natural resources. "Obviously, the ocean and the Mayport jetties attract large marine species such as gulls, terns and pelicans. The NAS Jax shoreline with the St. Johns River attracts more inland species such as osprey, vultures and blackbirds. And OLF Whitehouse presents a southeastern pinewood habitat that attracts blue jays, woodpeckers, hawks, cranes, turkeys and other species." "Right now, we're more than halfway through our 12-month wildlife hazard assessment. We do both day and night surveys to determine what bird, mammal and reptile species are living or visiting inside the fence. The final survey will be presented to command leadership detailing how specific species and habitats can affect flight safety at NAS Jax, NS Mayport and OLF Whitehouse." McGrath added that the wildlife hazard assessment is an important database when it comes to securing funds for management or mitigation projects on the airfield. It also helps plan active and passive deterrents for specific birds and four-legged wildlife. The NAS Jax Environmental Department is another player on the BASH team. "We always bounce ideas back and forth with Christine Bauer because her group has lots of knowledge and experience when it comes to properly managing natural resources," said Rogers. "We also interact with NAS Jax Game Warden Lt. Ostell Hargrove, who is responsible for enforcing state hunting and fishing regulations on base. He also provides a daily game warden report that documents wildlife movement inside the fence, including proximity to the airfield." Bauer noted, "Vegetation management is very critical in efforts to discourage birds from nesting and foraging in clear zones adjacent to the runway. NAS Jax recently implemented a treatment program of growth retardant herbicide to the airfield primary clear zone. This cost-effective control slows the growth of grass seed heads that attract many species of seed-eating birds, while reducing the frequency of mowing, which is an attractant for insect-eating birds." Rogers said, "The real beauty of the BASH program is the passive deterrents that make the airfield less attractive to wildlife. Better management of stormwater, grass and other habitat lessens the need for active harassment." Assistant Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Robert Strange said, "The BASH program is discussed quarterly at the NAS Jax Aviation Safety Council meetings. This is where all of our aviation tenant commands get together to work on FOD, airfield maintenance and BASH/wildlife issues. On a daily basis, air traffic controllers in our tower may see a flock of birds approaching. When this occurs, they report that information to any aircraft within the five-mile pattern around NAS Jax." Strange added, "CNIC and the Naval Safety Center are very serious about the BASH program -as evidenced by the funding for USDA wildlife biologists to help reduce mishap rates. According to Rogers, "Right now, the primary aircraft homeported at NAS Jax are the turboprop P-3C Orion and the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which are less susceptible to a fatal BASH strike. But in the near future, we'll be transitioning to the jet turbofan P-8A Poseidon that could suffer serious damage when an engine ingests one or more birds." BASH Role Players -Teamwork Is Crucial The Navy's driving force behind the program is the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) BASH Manual published in 2010. Installation Commanding Officer * Accountable for BASH program and local instruction. Air Ops executes. * Integrates with squadrons and other aviation tenants for training, reporting and collection. USDA Wildlife Services Biologists * Lethal control of hazardous wildlife. * Non-lethal dispersal of hazardous wildlife. * Capture and relocate wildlife from airport boundaries. * Ensure protected species are handled according to federal and state laws. Installation Environmental Department * Modification of habitats to discourage wildlife attractants. * Integrate BASH requirements into the Natural Resources Plan. NAVFAC/Public Works Department * Grass cutting, tree removal and brush control. * Land use agreements with surrounding land owners. Smithsonian Feather Identification and DNA Lab * Provides species identification for installation management. Naval Safety Center * Provides data collection and analysis. * Provides program assessment. * Integrates with other federal agencies for BASH program. Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/military/jax-air-news/2012-01- 11/story/bird-aircraft-strike-hazard-prevention#ixzz1jLwrnRP1 Back to Top UAE establishes voluntary air safety reporting scheme United Arab Emirates regulators have initiated a voluntary occurrence reporting system, as part of the General Civil Aviation Authority's efforts to keep tight control over air safety. The GCAA said the initiative is designed to collect data on actual, or potential, safety deficiencies which might not be captured by its mandatory reporting system. It will be managed independently, by the air accident investigation division, and used to achieve a "more pro-active and, in some cases, predictive approach to safety", said the authority. The GCAA said the intention is to deliver information to decision-makers "without compromising the identity" of those volunteering the data. "It is not the purpose of the reporting system to attribute blame or liability," the GCAA added. GCAA director general Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi said: "Air safety begins on the ground, and it's a shared responsibility among passengers, airport staff and the GCAA - and that's where [the system] comes in as handy tool which facilitates reporting safety incidents. "Everybody involved in the aviation sector may report what is believed to be a safety hazard. There is no need for any kind of registration and the system is freely accessible to everyone who would like to contribute." Source: Air Transport Intelligence news Back to Top Aeroflot signs lease for 50 737-800s and -900ERs Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot has signed a new leasing agreement with state corporation Rostekhnologii covering the acquisition of 50 Boeing 737-800s and -900ERs. Rostekhnologii's original 50-jet deal with Boeing had featured 737-700s in the mix, but Aeroflot has only identified the larger variants as being part of the lease. "The number of each variant will be determined closer to the time of delivery to Aeroflot," said the airline. Delivery is set to take place between September 2013 and 2017, the carrier said, adding that the pact centred on a 144-month lease period. It will take the jets through Rostekhnologii subsidiary Aviakapital-Servis. Aeroflot said the lease is linked to its expansion through the acquisition of several regional carriers which were previously assets under Rostekhnologii. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news Back to Top Mike Sammartino, Former FAA Director of System Operations, Joins Metron Aviation Metron Aviation, an Airbus Americas subsidiary, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Sammartino as Vice President of Government Affairs. Mr. Sammartino possesses 30 years of aviation experience in development, implementation and oversight of policies addressing Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), airport scheduling limits and air traffic procedures. Mr. Sammartino joins Metron Aviation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where he was the Director of Systems Operations. He was responsible for the tactical operation of the National Airspace System (NAS) and developed international alliances with numerous Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) and stakeholders, increasing operational efficiencies around the world. He provided leadership and support of the Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) process and directed the development of the Airspace Flow Program (AFP) capability, marking a significant milestone in en route traffic management. Mike Sammartino is a well-respected and recognized individual in the aviation industry and Metron Aviation is privileged to have him, said Jack Kies, Executive Vice President and Chief Advisory Officer of Industry Advisory Services. His expertise in Air Traffic Management adds immensely to our leading subject matter experts and facilitates insight into not only the FAA, but in all aspects of modernizing global airspace operations, which can only help us better serve our customers. Additionally, Mr. Sammartino held a variety of positions at the FAA including Acting Vice President of System Operations Services and Acting Vice President of Terminal Services. He was responsible for developing, implementing and compliance of national policy and procedures for the System Operations and Terminal Lines-of-Businesses and coordinated policy and procedural changes with senior leadership within the FAA, Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and Department of Transportation (DOT). With my tenure at the FAA and unwavering support for furthering NextGen, I couldnt be more pleased to join the ranks of the Metron Aviation team, said Mr. Sammartino. Metron Aviation has always led the industry in innovation and results. They have unmatched research capabilities, subject matter expertise and proven engineering processes that will be integral in the successful deployment of NextGen and concepts that will harmonize the global airspace. Source: METRON AVIATION Back to Top AViCON 2012: Aviation Disaster Conference Held At The Intrepid Air, Sea & Space Museum Wednesday, April 25, 2012 The Intrepid Air, Sea & Space Museum Pier 86, W 46th St and 12th Ave New York, NY 10036-4103 Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities: Early bird registration closes January 31, 2012 Click here to register Student, Government and Military registration discounts Click here Sponsorship opportunities Click here Investigating the Causes, Resolving the Claims CLE ACCREDITATIONS APPLIED FOR. AViCON is set to return to New York April 25 of 2012. This highly successful case study format is gathering reputation and recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. "I found the material presented very interesting and realistic, the location very appropriate, the speakers very engaging and professional, andthe entire experience very much worth my time. I look forward to seeing you at another AViCON and /or industry event." -- Lorenzo Berenguer, VP Global Claims Management, XL Services Switzerland AG AViCON will be of interest to anyone involved in aviation insurance - underwriters, claims managers, lawyers, risk managers, insurance brokers, airline flight safety directors, airline board members with flight safety responsibility, claims investigators, and aircraft product manufacturers. Taking just one day, the 2012 conference is based on a reconstruction of a fictional air disaster when a passenger aircraft crashes off the runway in bad weather. Causation is far from clear, and a number of parties may have contributed to the accident. The conference will show how such a disaster may be investigated and managed; it then goes on to illustrate the complex legal issues involved and the strategies that may be employed in settling the claims. Previous AViCON events have attracted well respected speakers and delegates from the legal profession and insurance market. Speakers have included aviation professionals, law partners, and associates from: Alimonti Law Offices Barlow Lyde & Gilbert Blank Rome Bryan Cave Clyde & Co. Condon Forsyth Cozen O'Connor Cranfield University DLA Piper Gates & Partners Ince & Co Kenyon International Emergency Services Podhurst Orseck Xchanging AViCON 2012 will follow the same configuration, whereby the speakers and delegates move along the timeline of an accident investigation, to legal discovery, multi-party litigation, and resolution. Previous AViCON events have addressed scenarios for a new entrant airline, and buying a new technology airframe that suffers a survivable failure to an engine. This year's scenario revolves around a failure that subsequently results in multiple fatalities due to a range of issues, including: * Organizational Failures * Crew Competence * Possible Bogus Parts * Defective Warning Systems All are set within an environment that includes many possible choices of forum and law. The 2012 accident scenario will be presented with state-of-the-art animation prepared by RTI's Magic Motion Studios, and will highlight a fresh set of complex issues of current concern and debate within the aviation market. This event presents a unique opportunity for all those concerned with safety in aviation to gain a fuller understanding of the entire range of complexities involved in an aviation accident, in a concise and effective format. After viewing the state-of-the-art animation, experts in disaster management and accident investigation will lead the audience through the technical aspects of crisis management and the process and protocols of a formal investigation. The circumstances shown in the video lead to potential liability for a number of parties, including the airline, the aircraft manufacturer, and the maintenance contractor. A group of leading lawyers will debate the issues that arise, including: forum selection, punitive damages, fee considerations, evaluating claims, negligent entrustment, discovery, spoliation, dispute resolution, quantum of damages, and relationship with insurers. If you or your firm has an interest in becoming an event sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship page for more information. For more information about RTI: www.rtiforensics.com For more information about AViCON 2012: www.rtiavicon.com Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC