Flight Safety Information April 10, 2012 - No. 072 In This Issue Air Tanzania DHC-8 Takeoff Accident Gulfstream Names Thomas Huff to the Newly Created Position of Aviation Safety Officer United jet blows 2 tires while landing in DC Air Canada warns union president over safety remarks PRISM ANNUAL SMS AUDIT RESULTS Flight recorder found in Navy jet crash Nigeria: African Airliners Top List of Aircraft Banned From EU Flights Rerouted To Avoid North Korean Rocket AF accepting test pilot school applications Air Tanzania DHC-8 Takeoff Accident Status: Preliminary Date: 09 APR 2012 Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-8-311Q Operator: Air Tanzania Registration: 5H-MWG C/n / msn: 462 First flight: 1997-05-09 (14 years 11 months) Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123 Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 35 Airplane damage: Written off Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Kigoma Airport (TKQ) (Tanzania) Phase: Takeoff (TOF) Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Kigoma Airport (TKQ) (TKQ/HTKA), Tanzania Destination airport: Dar Es Salaam International Airport (DAR) (DAR/HTDA), Tanzania Narrative: A de Havilland Canada DHC-8-311Q passenger plane, 5H-MWG, suffered substantial damage in a takeoff accident at Kigoma Airport (TKQ), Tanzania. There were not fatalities. The right hand wing separated inboard of the nr.2 engine. The engine then twisted upside down and to the side, causing the front of the engine to penetrate the fuselage at the underwing emergency exit. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top Gulfstream Names Thomas Huff to the Newly Created Position of Aviation Safety Officer In his new role, Huff oversees a comprehensive aviation safety program for all Gulfstream flight operations, including experimental test, production test, demonstration and corporate flights. SAVANNAH, Ga., April 9, 2012 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently named Thomas "Tom" Huff, a retired U.S. Navy test pilot with more than 25 years of experience, to serve in the newly created position of aviation safety officer. Huff reports to Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. In his new role, Huff oversees a comprehensive aviation safety program for all Gulfstream flight operations, including experimental test, production test, demonstration and corporate flights. He provides independent safety oversight and promotes aviation safety and awareness throughout the company. "This position reinforces our focus on aviation safety as an integral part of the Gulfstream culture," Flynn said. "Tom Huff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this new post." Huff comes to Gulfstream from Naval Test Wing, Atlantic, in Patuxent River, Md., where he served as the commander. A chief test pilot, he tested and evaluated Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and weapons systems while supervising a team of military, government civilian and contractor personnel conducting maintenance, modification and flight-test operations for 150 aircraft of 54 different types. Prior to that, Huff served as the chief of staff for the program executive officer for unmanned aircraft systems and weapons at Patuxent River. He has also served as the commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River and the Strike Fighter Squadron 87 in Virginia Beach, Va. Huff was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1984 and retired in 2012. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He also has a Master of Science degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and another in foreign affairs and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/10690338/gulfstream-names-thomas-huff-to-the-newly-created-position-of- aviation-safety-officer Back to Top United jet blows 2 tires while landing in DC WASHINGTON (AP) -- United Airlines says no one was injured when a jet blew two rear tires upon landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Boeing 737-700 was towed to the terminal after the landing around 11:15 a.m. Monday outside the nation's capital. United Flight 1075 originated in Houston. There were 122 passengers and five crew members on board. Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/09/4401035/united-jet-blows-2-tires-while.html#storylink=cpy Back to Top Air Canada warns union president over safety remarks 'Breach of his duties' The country's largest carrier is demanding Capt. Paul Strachan, Air Canada Pilots Association president, retract his statements and have the interview he conducted on the CBC's Lang and O'Leary Exchange March 20, 2012, removed from the broadcaster's website. Air Canada is threatening to fire the president of its pilots' union after the carrier alleges he publicly questioned the safety of the airline while in uniform in a televised interview. The country's largest carrier is demanding Captain Paul Strachan, president of the Air Canada Pilots Association, retract his statements and have the interview he conducted on the CBC's Lang & O'Leary Exchange March 20, 2012, removed from the broadcaster's website. Air Canada alleges his comments constituted a "breach of his duties" as an employee. "Your failure to abide by the above or any repetition of any similar occurrence will result in Air Canada taking further action, up to and including discharge," Capt. Rick Allen, Air Canada senior director of flight operations, warned in a tersely worded letter to Capt. Strachan obtained by the Financial Post. In the interview, which still appears on the CBC website, Capt. Strachan said the loyalty of Air Canada's customers is based on one overarching consideration: safety. He said that is what his members deliver, and what the 2,600 workers who recently lost their job at Aveos, the former maintenance unit of Air Canada, provided. Asked if he thought the airline would still be safe, Capt. Strachan replied, "I'm saying certainly it's a consideration for you as a traveller going forward if we are now going to, for instance in the case of Aveos, offshore depot-level maintenance activities to third parties in other jurisdiction who may or may not be held to the same standards that our people are." He then pointed to the example of Aeroman, the El Savador-based subsidiary of Aveos, where he alleges the typical maintenance engineer makes roughly "$15,000 or $16,000 a year." "My question to you is: Is this the man you want maintaining the aircraft that you fly on so frequently? I suspect not," he added. Capt. Strachan denied Monday he had questioned the safety of the airline. He said he hadn't asked the CBC to remove the video and the matter is now being looked at by his lawyer. "Is the airline safe? Of course it's safe," he said. "I didn't make any reference to Air Canada in particular, so I don't see why the clip can't live. But that will be between the lawyer and Air Canada." But Air Canada said in the letter his comments were "unacceptable and cannot be permitted to stand," alleging they were potentially damaging to the company's brand. "You are well aware of the primordial role that the safety of our operations plays in the reputation and brand image that Air Canada works so hard to establish and maintain," Capt. Allen said. "Publicly questioning the safety of Air Canada's maintenance is nothing short of reckless." Capt. Allen also noted Air Canada has "publicly and repeatedly" stated that it has not sent any aircraft to the Aeroman facility he mentions "and has no plans to do so." Air Canada said the questions about its safety were "wholly without merit and are completely false." The airline also took issue with Capt. Strachan wearing his uniform during the interview. It also took issue with use of an Air Canada pilot cap in a series of newspaper ads taken out by ACPA on March 31 calling attention to a $5-million retention bonus paid to the company's chief executive, Calin Rovinescu, at the end of last month. "Further use of the uniform or any of its parts will not be tolerated," Capt. Allen said in the letter. Air Canada said it had no further comment on the matter. The letter is just the latest in an increasingly acrimonious relationship between Air Canada and its pilots union. Their ongoing labour dispute is heading toward final offer arbitration. Both sides in the dispute are expected to submit a short list of names for potential arbitrators by Tuesday. Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt will then select one of the names, kicking off the arbitration process, which is expected to be completed within 90 days. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/fp/Canada+warns+union+president+over+safety+remarks/6433610/story.html Back to Top Back to Top Flight recorder found in Navy jet crash VIRGINIA BEACH- Navy investigators on Monday said they have recovered the flight incident recorder of the doomed F/A-18D that crashed into a city apartment complex Friday. The recorder has been sent to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland for analysis. Meanwhile, the Navy continued to sift through the wreckage at the Mayfair Mews apartment complex where five buildings were damaged or destroyed. No one was killed or seriously injured in the crash, as the pilots aimed the plane for an open courtyard and several residents were away at the time. The aircraft's wing section and parts of the fuselage were moved Monday. The engines will remain at the site for further study before being moved. Pieces of the aircraft are being moved to a hangar at Naval Air Station Oceana for examination by experts. The Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorder on the fighter jet is similar to a flight data recorder on a commercial airliner. It records flight cautions, advisories and other data. However, it does not include cockpit voice communications. Adm. Ted Branch commands Naval Air Force Atlantic and his investigators will oversee the probe. Speaking to reporters Saturday, he said he was optimistic about recovering the recorder. "If we do, we'll undoubtedly learn the configuration of the airplane, the operation in its final seconds of flight, so that will help us out considerably," Branch said. The Navy said it expects to finish removing most of the aircraft debris by the end of the week. A technical expert from Boeing, which manufactures the aircraft, is on site to assist. Meanwhile, the Navy's investigation will proceed on two fronts. An Aviation Mishap Board will search for causes of the accident and look for previously undetected hazards. When the Navy suspects mechanical problems, as is the case here, an engineering investigation is typically part of the work. The board's senior member is a naval aviator or flight officer. Other members include an aviation safety officer, a flight surgeon and an officer qualified in aircraft maintenance. The findings are summarized in a report that includes accident facts, opinions and recommendations to prevent future accidents. The report, which can take months to finalize, is considered privileged and not for public release. However, a parallel investigation is generally releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, the Navy said. A Manual of the Judge Advocate General, or JAGMAN investigation, will determine cause and responsibility for the mishap, the nature and extent of any injuries and a description of all property damage. Although a JAGMAN investigation is normally concluded in 30 days, one involving an aircraft crash that requires detailed analysis will require more time. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/dp-nws-virginia-beach-jet-recorder-20120409,0,7748188.story Back to Top Nigeria: African Airliners Top List of Aircraft Banned From EU Afriqiyah Airways, based in Tripoli, Libya. The European Commission has adopted the 19th update of the European safety list of air carriers subject to operating bans and other operational restrictions within the EU, better known as "the EU Air Safety List". The updated list includes all carriers certified in 21 countries, accounting for 279 known air carriers, whose operations are fully banned in the European Union. The new list replaces the previous one established in November 2011. As usual, aircraft registered in some African countries are the most affected in the EU list. They include all aircraft registered in Angola, Benin Republic, Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon (with the exception of three carriers which operate under restrictions and conditions). Others include Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. The commission said serious concerns were identified regarding the safety oversight of air carriers licenced in Libya. As a result, the Libyan civil aviation authority has adopted restrictions applicable to all air carriers licenced in Libya, which exclude them from flying into the EU with immediate effect and until at least 22 November 2012. Other countries included in the EU list are Indonesia (with the exception of six carriers), Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier which operates under restrictions and conditions), Kyrgyzstan, Philippines among others. The Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for transport, Siim Kallas, said: "Where we have evidence inside or outside the European Union that air carriers are not performing safe operations, we must act to guarantee to exclude any risks to safety." Finally, the Commission recognises the efforts of the safety oversight authorities of Albania, Aruba, Indonesia, Libya, Pakistan and Russia to reform the civil aviation system and notably to improve safety to guarantee that international safety standards are effectively and consistently applied. http://allafrica.com/stories/201204100280.html Back to Top Flights Rerouted To Avoid North Korean Rocket TOKYO (AFP) - Asian airlines said they will divert planes from the intended flight path of North Korea's rocket, as shipping in the area was warned Tuesday to beware of falling debris. Japan's two largest carriers, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said they will alter the route of flights between Tokyo and Southeast Asian cities including Manila, Jakarta and Singapore during the planned rocket-launch window. Philippine Airlines said it "plans to reroute some of its flights in view of the possible effects on a portion of Philippine territory of the satellite launch of North Korea within the month." The moves came as Filipino air control authorities declared a no-fly zone in airspace where North Korea's rocket was projected to pass, a Japanese transport ministry official said. "The Japanese side are also preparing to issue a 'notice to airmen' that warns them not to enter a no-fly zone set by the Philippine authorities," he said. "These no-fly zone-related notices should apply to all international carriers." The rerouting comes as North Korea ramps up its preparations for what it says is a peaceful satellite launch but what Japan and its Western allies claim is a disguised missile test. Pyongyang insists that the launch, which is planned for some time between April 12 and April 16 to mark the centenary of the birth of late founding president Kim Il Sung, is its right. But countries around the globe have condemned the plan, which they say will contravene UN resolutions. South Korea has vowed to shoot down the rocket if it strays into its territory, and Japan has said it may do likewise. The South's military also plans to deploy destroyers armed with missiles to the Yellow Sea to track the rocket. The transport ministry in Seoul said it would provide up-to-date information to shipping on the rocket launch. All 15 maritime traffic control centers will be placed on alert from Wednesday, issuing navigation warnings every two hours to protect vessels operating in the Yellow Sea, it said. The first stage of the rocket is expected to fall in waters 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Gunsan, in the southwest of South Korea, it said. Japan's coast guard began issuing warnings to ships in the area Tuesday to be on the lookout for falling debris from the rocket. "We are announcing by radio the expected time and places where falling objects could appear," coast guard spokesman Yoshiyuki Terakado said. Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/flights-rerouted-to-avoid-north-korean-rocket-ncxdc- 041012#ixzz1reA7yAuO Back to Top AF accepting test pilot school applications by Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs 4/9/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Eligible pilots, combat systems officers and engineers have an opportunity to join the ranks of airpower pioneers like Jimmy Doolittle and Chuck Yeager, but they have to apply for U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School to do so. The 2012 U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School selection board will convene in July to fill openings for July 2013 and January 2014 class start dates. All officer and civilian applications are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by June 1, said Howard Peterson, Air Force Personnel Center pipeline and trainer assignments branch. The TPS trains pilots, combat systems officers and engineers to develop, test and evaluate the newest aircraft and weapons systems in the fighter, multi-engine, helicopter and remotely piloted aircraft categories, Peterson said. The 48-week course consists of four closely related curricula: experimental test pilot, experimental test combat systems officer, experimental test remotely piloted aircraft pilot and experimental flight test engineer. "Competition is always stiff for a test pilot school position," Peterson said. "TPS graduates are future senior leaders who will be in high demand in an era of increasing combat technological advancements on the battlefield." Minimum eligibility requirements include a flying physical -- class II for pilots and CSOs (including weapon systems officers, rated navigators and electronic warfare officers), and class III for flight test engineers -- certified by the Air Force Materiel Command Surgeon General Aerospace Medicine. According to Peterson, applicants who do not have a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, mathematics, physics or a comparable science may apply if they have a master's degree in engineering, and all applicants must have a secret security clearance. Additional criteria are explained in the personnel systems delivery memorandum (PSDM 12-28) on the Air Force Personnel Services website. "Program requirements change slightly every year, so members who currently have an application on file must submit new applications and waivers, if applicable," Peterson said. For more information about test pilot school opportunities and other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil. Back to Top Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC