Flight Safety Information February 16, 2012 - No. 034 In This Issue Airbus Told to Swap Aluminum Rivets for Titanium on A380 Jumbo PIA flight full, so two get seats in loo instead Airplane Passenger Next To Crying Child Opens Emergency Exit Pilot Falls Ill and Dies as Plane Lands Wyoming helicopter crash kills rescuer trying to aid snowmobiler ARGUS PROS Global Auditing U.S. Pilot Risk-Based Screening to Expand, Airlines Say Rapper arrested for allegedly having gun at airport (Atlanta) Lion Air Orders Put Spotlight on Indonesia Calls for Application for...The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship The San Francisco ISASI Chapter Welcomes Mark Roekind, NTSB Board Member Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Training at ERAU CASE Airbus Told to Swap Aluminum Rivets for Titanium on A380 Jumbo (Bloomberg) Airbus (EAD) SAS was told by European air safety authorities to swap some aluminum rivets on its A380 flagship for stronger titanium fasteners, less than a month after the company was forced to fix cracks on the jet's wings. According to a so-called airworthiness directive by the European Aviation Safety Agency today, six aluminum rivets used to join fuselage stringers, or stiff pieces of metal to which the aircraft is fastened, weren't in compliance with certification requirements. The rivets were discovered in an engineering review, said EASA, which made no connection between the rivets and the hairline cracks found in the A380's wings. While the rivets would survive so-called limit load, which takes into account the maximum stresses likely to be experienced during flight, fatigue analysis showed the fasteners didn't support the ultimate load standard that goes beyond what would be encountered in real life conditions. "This condition, if not corrected, could lead to in-flight loss of the radome in case of rapid decompression, and could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane," EASA said the directive. Airlines must replace the rivets within eight months, EASA said. EASA spokesman Dominique Fouda didn't immediately return calls seeking comment. Airbus didn't immediately have a comment. The A380 is operated by Emirates, Singapore Airways Ltd., Qantas (QAN), Air France KLM Group (AF), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA), Korean Air Lines Co. (003490) and China Southern Co. (1055) The aircraft has two levels and typically seats about 550 passengers. Back to Top PIA flight full, so two get seats in loo instead Islamabad,(IANS) The plane was full but the toilet wasn't. So, throwing all rules and caution to the wind, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) captain blithely decided to accommodate two passengers in the toilet of the Lahore-Karachi flight instead. The incident took place on a flight from Lahore to Karachi due to non-availability of seats, Geo News said Wednesday, adding tongue in cheek that the national carrier was introducing "its amazing new service for its valued passengers". The captain of flight PK 303 accommodated two passengers in the aircraft toilet, as all the seats in the plane were occupied. In December last year, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had rejected a business plan submitted by the management of the country's floundering national carrier. Gilani said that being a commercial entity, an organisation like PIA had to work out a strategy to overcome its difficulties, make up for the losses and provide satisfactory service to its passengers. The proposed restructuring plan includes corporate governance, financial restructuring, operational restructuring and marketing. The prime minister had issued a stern warning to the PIA in November. He had said: "Business as usual is unacceptable." http://news.hamaraphotos.com/ians/pia-flight-full-so-two-get-seats-in-loo-instead.html Back to Top Airplane Passenger Next To Crying Child Opens Emergency Exit HANOI, Vietnam -- A mom with a screaming child wanted a quick getaway from a plane on the tarmac in Vietnam and asked for help. The man next to her obliged by opening the emergency exit and triggering the escape slide. But that's as far as they got. A state media report on Tuesday's incident at Ho Chi Minh City airport says nobody used the slide. It wasn't clear if they got second thoughts or if the cabin crew intervened. The man, identified as 29-year-old Le Van Thuan, told authorities the child's mother asked him to open the door so she and the child could exit faster. An airport official says the man will be fined up to $950, and it will cost $10,000 to refit the slide. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/vietnam-man-next-to- cryin_0_n_1281330.html Back to Top Pilot Falls Ill and Dies as Plane Lands A Czech CSA jetliner carrying 46 passengers from Polish capital of Warsaw landed safely in Prague Ruzyne Airport shortly after midday on Wednesday after the flight's captain fell ill as the plane was landing and was declared dead soon afterwards. The plane was on approach to the Prague airport when an emergency was reported and the first officer took control of the turbo propeller plane, an ATR-42-500, after the captain "who was 55 years old, was incapacitated due to health problems," according to Peter Zmolnik, the president of the Czech Association of CSA Transport pilots. "The captain had almost two decades of service with CSA and was based in Prague," he added. Czech CSA spokeswoman Hana Hejskova added, "The safety of the passengers on board of the plane was not threatened because the airline's pilots are trained to deal with such incidents." The flight, OK-777, touched down at 12:02 p.m., a bit later than scheduled. Doctors in Prague could not help the captain after the plane landed and he was declared dead half an hour later, Hejskova said, adding that the pilot's family had been notified. She declined to give the cause of the pilot's illness or the cause of his death. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/02/pilot-falls-ill-and-dies-as-plane-lands/ Back to Top Wyoming helicopter crash kills rescuer trying to aid snowmobiler, who also has died JACKSON, Wyo.(AP) - A helicopter crash in remote northwest Wyoming has killed one of the three people aboard who were trying to help a snowmobiler, and sheriff's officials say the snowmobiler also has died. The snowmobiler's party had called for help Wednesday. Teton County sheriff's officials say the helicopter had reached them but was leaving to get more help when it crashed on Togwotee (TOH-gut-ee) Pass. They say 63-year-old rescuer Ray Shriver was killed, and the pilot and another rescuer were taken to a hospital. Sheriff's officials say deputies reached the snowmobilers after tending to the helicopter victims, but 53-year-old Steven Anderson of Morris, Minn., also has died. Details of what led his party to call for help weren't immediately available. Sheriff's officials say the rear rotor on the helicopter may have failed. Back to Top Back to Top U.S. Pilot Risk-Based Screening to Expand, Airlines Say Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- A program that gets U.S. pilots through security faster by relying on already-completed criminal background checks will expand beyond seven airports this year, an airline industry group said. Airlines for America, representing such companies as Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines Co. and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines Inc., will hire Arinc Inc., a unit of the Washington- based Carlyle Group, to provide technology and software as the Known Crewmember program expands, said Tom Hendricks, the group's senior vice president for security, safety and operations. Arinc, based in Annapolis, Maryland, has been operating a rival pilot-screening program, known as Crewpass, at three U.S. airports since 2008. "The expansion of risk-based programs like Known Crewmember is making travel easier for our passengers and employees," Nicholas Calio, president and chief executive officer of Washington-based Airlines for America, said in a statement. About 340,000 pilots have been cleared for flights through a Known Crewmember test at airports including Boston Logan International and Chicago's O'Hare International, the trade group and the Air Line Pilots Association said in a statement. "This system will ensure a safe and secure work environment for all professional airline pilots, recognizing their backgrounds and qualifications," said Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association International, a labor union representing 53,000 pilots at 37 U.S. and Canadian airlines. TSA Request Known Crewmember began operating last August at O'Hare, the second-busiest U.S. airport by passenger traffic. The expanded program will be managed by Airlines for America and marketed to member and non-member airlines, Hendricks said. "I would expect all large airports in the U.S. to be included in this program," Hendricks said in an interview. Airlines for America has asked the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to include flight attendants in the program, according to the statement. TSA supports the industry's efforts to implement a new screening system that will connect employee databases and enable agency personnel to verify pilots' identities, Greg Soule, an agency spokesman, said in an e-mail. "This new system is a key component as we continue to explore more risk-based, intelligence-driven security solutions," Soule said. Back to Top Rapper arrested for allegedly having gun at airport (Atlanta) One of the three rappers in the Atlanta-based group Travis Porter was arrested Wednesday for having a loaded gun in his bag at a security checkpoint at Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport, police said. Clayton County Sheriff's Office, Clayton County Sheriff's Office Harold Demetrius Duncan Jr., who goes by the name Strap, was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly having a loaded gun in his carry-on bag at the Atlanta airport. Harold Demetrius Duncan Jr., who goes by the name Strap, was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly having this loaded gun in his carry-on bag at the Atlanta airport. The man was stopped at the checkpoint after a screener spotted a loaded .45-caliber Glock inside a carry-on bag, said Jonathan Allen with the Transportation Security Administration. Atlanta police identified the man as Harold Demetrius Duncan Jr., who goes by the name Strap. The TSA contacted airport police, who arrested Duncan, 21, shortly after 8 a.m., Allen said. Duncan, of Atlanta, was charged with carrying a weapon in an unauthorized location and booked into the Clayton County Jail, according to booking records. Duncan allegedly also had ammunition in the bag, the TSA said. The gun was the 10th seized at Hartsfield-Jackson this year, according to the TSA. Duncan is expected to make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, a spokesman for the Clayton County Sheriff's Office told the AJC. Although firearms are prohibited in carry-on bags, they can be transported unloaded in checked bags if they are reported to the airlines, Allen said. http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/rapper-arrested-for-allegedly-1350433.html Back to Top Lion Air Orders Put Spotlight on Indonesia (WSJ) Indonesia's Lion Air is among the least-known major airlines in the world. But recent moves to expand its fleet are putting the company on the map-and drawing attention to the country's potential as a top growth market for aviation. That expansion could expose the airline to the same heated competition that is pinching other carriers in the region, however. All eyes are on Indonesia's aviation market, as demand for new aircraft has shifted from China to Indonesia. The WSJ's Deborah Kan speaks to Sam Holmes. Lion Air on Wednesday said it would order 27 ATR aircraft to give the airline more flexibility to reach the smaller airports among Indonesia's far-flung islands. ATR is a joint venture of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. and Finmeccanica SpA's Alenia Aermacchi SpA unit. The announcement of the ATR order, at the Singapore Airshow, came a day after the budget carrier said it had completed purchase plans unveiled last year to buy 201 of the 737 Max jetliners that Boeing Co. is developing and 29 of its current-generation 737- 900ERs, in a deal valued at $22.4 billion at catalog prices. The package is the Chicago- based plane maker's largest commercial-aircraft deal. Lion Air will use the aircraft to transport more of Indonesia's rapidly expanding middle class to new destinations across the archipelago and to other parts of Asia, said Director Edward Sirait. "Indonesia's big domestic market will be our first priority," he said in an interview. But "in addition to the domestic market, we plan to expand to medium routes in Asia, focusing on Asia's southern markets." Lion Air also plans to offer full-service flights. Bombardier Inc. said Wednesday that Lion's main competitor, Indonesian flagship carrier PT Garuda Indonesia, would buy six of the Canadian aircraft maker's CRJ1000 jets, valued at $300 million in total, and has options to buy another 18. Despite its recent shopping spree, Lion Air is little-known outside Indonesia. It has focused primarily on the domestic market rather than international and longer-distance routes, as Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd. and other large Asian carriers have done. While that has kept the Indonesian carrier's flying-lion logo out of the eye of many regional travelers, it has so far helped keep the airline out of the bruising competition that has squeezed profits on some regional routes. AirAsia X, AirAsia's long-distance associate, recently said it would cancel flights to parts of India and elsewhere because of high fuel prices and weakening demand. One question is whether Indonesia's market is large enough to drive most of Lion Air's growth, or whether the carrier will need to expand overseas more aggressively than planned. That would throw yet another carrier into the mix as other Asian budget carriers add or expand long-distance operations. With the world's fourth-largest population-behind China, India and the U.S.-Indonesia is seen by many analysts as one of the world's last big growth markets for airlines. Only a small percentage of its population has ever flown, even though a lack of roads, trains and ferries makes air travel the only means to reach many parts of the 17,000- island country. As Indonesian incomes have risen, the number of air passengers in the country has jumped close to 50% in the last two years to around 65 million last year, according to Indonesia's National Statistics Board. Meanwhile, business travel has jumped as domestic and international companies have flown to the far corners of the country in search of its rich natural resources, including coal, tin and palm oil. Indonesia last year drew a record $20 billion in foreign direct investment and tallied the country's highest economic expansion, 6.5% growth in gross domestic product, in 15 years. But Lion Air also has competition from Garuda and its growing low-cost carrier Citilink, as well as from AirAsia's Indonesian operations and smaller domestic airlines, such as Batavia Air and PT Sriwijaya Air. In recent years, many smaller airlines have attempted to conquer the Indonesian market and disappeared because of safety problems or heavy debt. Started with one plane in 2000, Lion Air has succeeded by sticking to offering no-frills, low-fare flights for underserved and remote destinations. In recent years it has emerged as Indonesia's largest private carrier, with flights to more than 36 cities in Indonesia and a few overseas destinations, including Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. Speculation has been rising about Lion Air's plans, largely because of its aircraft orders and because the carrier had indicated it would sell 30% of the company in the first half of this year to raise $1 billion. Founder and President Director Rusdi Kirana this week said Lion Air would defer an initial public offering for one to two years. While it will be five years before the first of Lion Air's latest orders are delivered, the carrier will have to start developing new local and international routes if it wants to fill the new aircraft, analysts said. "If they really take all of the aircraft, they will definitely be a threat," said John Rachmat, an analyst at Royal Bank of Scotland Asia Securities in Singapore. "It is not something to sneeze at." The airline had looked at the possibility of expanding through joint ventures in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia, but decided to abandon those plans. Mr. Sirait, the Lion director, said Wednesday that the company has no plans to form joint ventures, the method AirAsia has used to expand in Asia. "We are successfully recognized as a low-cost carrier and plan to step up into the full- service carrier business as well," he said. "We are looking at all potential markets with a focus on domestic and medium-range routes." One factor that could hold Lion back is lingering concern over Indonesia's safety record. The country long has had one of the worst accident rates in Asia, though its record has improved somewhat in recent years. In 2007, the U.S. downgraded the safety status of Indonesia's civil-aviation directorate, and the European Union put all the country's carriers on a list of banned airlines. The EU in 2009 removed Garuda and some others from the list after they persuaded regulators that the airlines' safety procedures were sufficient. Safety officials in Brussels and elsewhere remain concerned, however, that while some Indonesian airlines run tight operations, the government's safety officials aren't sufficiently rigorous. A Lion Air plane crash-landed in 2004, killing 25 people, and the airline has had a number of other safety incidents, including hard landings and overshot runways. Over the last several months, three of Lion Air's pilots have been arrested after testing positive for illegal drugs. The carrier is adjusting how it monitors its pilots' behavior to stop similar incidents, Mr. Sirait said. Back to Top Calls for Application for The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship DEADLINE for filling application 15 April, 2012 The 2012 ISASI Seminar will be held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Aug 28-30, 2012 INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AIR SAFETY INVESTIGATORS 2012 The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship (In memorial to all ISASI members who have died) Purpose: To encourage and assist college-level students interested in the field of aviation safety and aircraft occurrence investigation. Funding: The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship fund will be established through donations and will provide an annual allocation of funds for the scholarship if funds are available. Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled as full time students in a recognized (note ISASI recognized) education program, which includes courses in aircraft engineering and/or operations, aviation psychology, aviation safety and/or aircraft occurrence investigation, etc., with major or minor subjects that focus on aviation safety/investigation are eligible for the scholarship. A student who has received the annual ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship will not be eligible to apply for it again. Administration of the Fund: The President of ISASI will appoint a two person committee to be executors and administrators of the fund. The ISASI Treasurer will oversee all expenditures. The Scholarship Fund Committee will check that the education program is at a recognized school and applicable to the aims of the Society, assess the applications and determine the most suitable candidate. Donors and recipients will be advised if donations are made in honor of a particular individual. Annual Scholarship: Funded attendance at ISASI Annual Seminar An award of $2000 will be made to each student who wins the competitive writing requirement, meets the application requirements and will register for the ISASI annual seminar. The award will be used to cover costs for the seminar registration fees, travel, and lodging/meals expenses. Any expenses above and beyond the amount of the award will be borne by the recipient. ISASI will assist with coordination and control the expenditure of funds. In addition, the following are offered to the winner(s) of the scholarship. 1. A one year membership to ISASI 2. The Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI) offers tuition-free attendance to ANY regularly scheduled SCSI course to the winner of the ISASI Scholarship. This includes the two-week Aircraft Accident Investigator course or any other investigation courses. Travel to/from the course and accommodations are not included. More information at http://www.scsi-inc.com/ 3. The Transportation Safety Institute offers a tuition free course for the winner of the Scholarship. Travel to/from the course and accommodations are not included. More information is available at http://www.tsi.dot.gov/ 4. The Cranfield University Safety and Accident Investigation Centre offers tuition-free attendance at its 5-day Accident Investigation course which runs as part of its Masters Degree program at the Cranfield campus, 50 miles north of London, UK. Travel to/from the course and accommodation are not included. Further information is available from www.csaic.net/ Application requirements: 1.A full time student who meets the Eligibility requirement stated above and has been enrolled for a duration of one year 2. The student is to submit a 1000 (+/- 10%) word paper in English addressing "the challenges for air safety investigators" 3. The paper is to be the students own work and must be countersigned by the student's tutor/academic supervisor as authentic, original work 4. The papers will be judged on their content, original thinking, logic and clarity of expression 5. The student must complete the application form with their paper by April 15, 2012 and submit it to ISASI by mail, fax, oremail to isasi@erols.com. ISASI contact information - Ann Schull, International Office Manager 107 E. Holly Avenue, Suite #11 Sterling, VA 20164 703 430 9668 (Main) 703 430-4970 (FAX) Some advice to those applying: 1. Late submissions are not advisable 2. Handwritten applications are not advisable 3. Make sure to include your email address as indicated in 5/ above 4. For email submissions the essay should be in MS Word format; however, the application form may be in pdf, in order to facilitate scanning the completed and signed application. ************** Application Form 2012 INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AIR SAFETY INVESTIGATORS The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship (In memorial to all ISASI members who have died) Name: Date: Address: Course enrolled for: Year /Subjects Studied: Academic Institute: Address: Email: Telephone number: Student Signature:_____________________________________________________________ Tutor/Academic Supervisor title and signature:________________________________________ 1000 Word Paper ""the challenges for air safety investigators" NOTE: Students who wish to apply for the scholarship should visit www.isasi.org or send email to isasi@erols.com. The ISASI office telephone number is 1-703-430-9668. Back to Top The San Francisco Chapter International Society of Air Safety Investigators welcomes Honorable Mark R. Rosekind, Board Member - NTSB Enhancing Aviation Safety NTSB Investigations and Recommendations Where: Oakland Aviation Museum, Oakland Airport When: Friday, February 24h, 2012 from 1400-1500 Recommended Donation: $5 (to offset the museum entrance fee) An NTSB Board member since 2010, Dr. Rosekind is also an internationally-recognized fatigue expert who has conducted research and implemented programs in diverse settings, including all modes of transportation. He has published 150 scientific, technical, and industry papers and provided hundreds of presentations to operational, general, and scientific audiences. His contributions have been acknowledged through numerous honors and awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, six other NASA Group/Team Awards, and two Flight Safety Foundation honors (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Safety Leadership, Business Aviation Meritorious Award. Important Notes: * Program begins at 1400, but you are free to visit the museum before or after the program. * Attendance is NOT limited to ISASI members. You are encouraged to bring friends and colleagues. * No need for donation from students and OAM members * Reduced tie-down fee if arriving by private aircraft. Please RSVP by email Susan.Rivers@RTIforensics.com or (510) 921 5357 Oakland Aviation Museum 8252 Earhart Road - Bldg. L-621 Historic North Field Oakland Intl. Airport (510) 638-7100 www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org Back to Top Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Training At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Training Overview: This 5-day course is designed for aviation professionals to be introduced to advanced aircraft accident investigation procedures involving design, materials and aircraft performance. Participants will analyze various mechanical and structural factors and loads on an airplane, as well as be introduced to advanced fire investigation. Extensive use will be made of the Prescott Campus - Robertson Crash Laboratory, one of the most complete facilities of its kind in the U.S.A. Participants will experience accident investigation simulated scenario exercises and learn how to identify, collect and analyze data in the process of determining probable cause/s. Training Outcomes: ? Appraise various mechanical and structural factors, which produce accidents including design, manufacturing and maintenance. ? Analyze typical air loads on an airplane to calculate external design loads. ? Analyze a particular in-flight break up to determine sequence of failure, primary, and secondary structural failure. ? Explain new structural concepts and materials ? Describe events and forces associated with an aircraft accident. ? Identify the crashworthiness and survivability factors of an aircraft accident ? Explain the basis of airworthiness and crashworthiness from both an investigation and a design standpoint. ? Complete a fire investigation and fire survival analysis. ? Describe the fundamentals of crash fire rescue techniques and apply those techniques to an aircraft crash scenario. Who should attend:This course is valuable for anyone who is responsible for mishap/accident investigation within his or her company. This includes accident investigators, management, pilots, safety directors, mechanics, and insurance representatives. Date & Time: May 7-11, 2012: 8am-5pm (1 hour lunch break) Location: Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus, Arizona Registration Information: www.erau.edu/case Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC