Flight Safety Information May 23, 2012 - No. 103 In This Issue Air jet diverts after passenger claims to have 'device' Russian military Airplane crashes in Czech Republic Safety improvements eyed for Reno air races NTSB STUDY FINDS MORE THAN 10 PERCENT OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON FIRST FLIGHT OF EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT Airlines for America (A4A) Calls on Congress to Improve TSA Efficiency PRISM CERTIFICATION CONSULTANTS GULF FLIGHT SAFETY COMMITTEE AGM - DUBAI 6 JUNE 2012-05-21 ISASI regional meeting in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi) India's Jet likely to order 100 planes Female pilot tosses passenger for sexist remarks Virgin America Opens New Flight Simulator Pilot Training Center Air jet diverts after passenger claims to have 'device' WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A passenger who claimed to have a surgically implanted device prompted a US Airways jetliner to divert to Maine on Tuesday in a security scare that followed a recently foiled bomb plot targeting U.S.-bound aircraft, government officials said. Flight 787, from Paris to Charlotte, North Carolina, with 188 people aboard, landed safely around noon local time (1600 GMT) in Bangor trailed by two F-15 fighter escorts that scrambled to intercept the Boeing 767 as it approached the coast, authorities said. The passenger jet's crew reported that the cockpit was secure before landing in light rain and taxiing to an isolated area away from the airport terminal, according to a recording of air traffic control communication with the plane. The woman passenger, described as a French citizen born in Cameroon, was removed from the aircraft and was questioned by Customs and Border Protection and taken into custody by the FBI, officials said. There were no indications that the incident was connected to terrorism. The Transportation Security Administration TSA.L said in a statement the plane was diverted out of "an abundance of caution" where it was met by law enforcement. Passengers also were interviewed and authorities believed they were never in any danger, an FBI official in Boston said. The flight resumed to Charlotte later in the afternoon without further incident, the airline said. The diversion was alarming because of a recent disclosure of a foiled plot by al Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate to bomb a U.S.-bound plane, and apparent U.S. security directives about continued extremist interest in targeting aviation and the ways in which they are trying to circumvent airport security with exotic weapons. "We have seen intelligence identifying surgically implanted bombs as a threat to air travel," said U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the senior Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, who spoke with TSA Administrator John Pistole and confirmed key details of Tuesday's incident. Collins and House Homeland Security Chairman Peter King, a Republican, said in separate statements that the passenger, whose name was not released, handed a note to a flight attendant saying she was carrying a surgically implanted device. The device was not identified but two doctors on the flight examined the woman and did not find any sign of recent scars, King and Collins said. King added that the woman was travelling alone without any checked baggage and was due to visit the United States for 10 days. In another incident, the crew on a US Airways commuter flight operated by the carrier's Piedmont subsidiary, reported a "possible flare" when the plane was approaching the Philadelphia airport, the airline said. US Airways (LCC.N) Express Flight 4321 from Elmira, New York, with 34 passengers and three crew on board, landed without incident, the airline said. The crew said it appeared that a flare entrail was "more than 50 feet off our right wing," according to air traffic controller recordings released by LiveATC.net. The airport runway was briefly shut down, the FAA said. Authorities later described the incident as a possible flare near the airport, but they were not certain where it came from or where it landed. The area around the airport is heavily developed and close to a major highway. Back to Top Russian military Airplane crashes in Czech Republic during mission; nearly 2 dozen people injured MOSCOW (AP) - A Russian military airplane has malfunctioned while landing in the Czech Republic, injuring nearly two dozen people as it rolled off the runway. The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday confirmed the crash of the An-30, but was unable to provide further details. Czech television reported that 19 of the 23 Russians and Czechs onboard were injured. Reports said the jet rolled because of a chassis problem and then caught fire. The plane was on a mission sanctioned by the Open Sky treaty, envisaging surveillance flights over the territory of its participants, including NATO members, Russia and others. ***** Date: 23-MAY-2012 Time: 11:50 LT Type: Antonov An-30B Operator: Russian Air Force Registration: 04 Black C/n / msn: 0704 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 23 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: ?áslav Airport - LKCV - Czech Republic Phase: Landing Nature: Military Departure airport: LKCV Destination airport: LKCV Narrative: When landing at ?áslav Airport - LKCV, the cre of a Russian Air Force Antonov An-30B lost control of the aircraft, which skidded off the paved surface, where it broke in two pieces and caught fire. At the moment there are 19people on board injured, mostly fire injuries. The aircraft was returning from a military training "Open skies", on board were 14 russians and 9 czechs. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top Safety improvements eyed for Reno air races Los Angeles -- A year after a crash killed 11 and injured more than 70, the Reno Air Racing Association is planning to modify its race course to keep its fastest planes away from spectators, officials said Tuesday. Association Director Mike Houghton said the group will ask federal regulators for permission to shift the largest course away from the crowd and to soften some of the curves. Houghton made his announcement as a panel appointed by the group released its list of safety recommendations. The association will hold its 49th annual National Championship Air Race beginning Sept. 12 at Reno Stead Airport in Reno, Nev. During last year's race, Jimmy Leeward, 74, crashed his World War II-era P-51 Mustang into the box seats in front of a grandstand. Leeward and 10 spectators were killed and more than 70 people were injured in the Sept. 16 accident. The crash was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, which found that the plane, named the "Galloping Ghost," had been modified to increase its speed. The board issued seven safety recommendations, focusing on race course design and layout, pre-race technical inspections, aircraft modifications and airworthiness. In January, the Reno racing group appointed a panel of its own; that panel's formal recommendations were released Tuesday. Four or five of the recommendations follow the NTSB preliminary recommendations, officials told The Associated Press. The panel asked that plane inspection procedures be formalized and suggested more study on establishing age limits for pilots. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi- bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/22/BAVG1OLVBT.DTL#ixzz1vhShKDJc Back to Top NTSB STUDY FINDS MORE THAN 10 PERCENT OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON FIRST FLIGHT OF EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT; IMPROVED TRAINING AND BETTER DOCUMENTATION RECOMMENDED WASHINGTON, DC - A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study found that in 2011, 10 of 102 experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft built by their owner crashed on their first flight. And 14 of 125 aircraft that had been bought used crashed on the new owner's first flight. The study, which was launched last year, evaluated all E-AB accidents that occurred in 2011. The data show that powerplant failures and loss of control in flight are the most common accident occurrences by a large margin, highlighting the importance of pilots having the information and training necessary to safely operate their aircraft. As a result of the study, the NTSB made a total of 16 safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). "One of the most important findings of this study is the number of seasoned and experienced pilots getting into accidents so early in the life of structurally sound airplanes," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "The recommendations we issue today can improve safety while encouraging the continued growth of this innovative and vibrant segment of the aviation community." The study drew on analysis of accident and activity data over the last decade, in-depth investigations of all 224 E-AB aircraft accidents during 2011 (54 of which were fatal), data from a broad EAA survey of more than 5000 E-AB aircraft owners and builders, and discussions with representatives from the EAA, FAA, E-AB aircraft builders and owners, kit manufacturers, and representatives of E-AB aircraft type clubs. E-AB aircraft represent a growing segment of the United States' general aviation fleet that is managed according to a different regulatory framework due to their experimental nature. The study identified a robust community of E-AB builders and owners, as well as industry associations, builder groups, aircraft type clubs, kit manufacturers and FAA guidance, which provide a wealth of training and guidance materials that promote thorough flight testing and encourage pilots to seek transition training. Accident case studies indicate that not all builders of E-AB aircraft perform a thorough flight test program or create a detailed flight manual during Phase I testing. The study found that risks to E-AB aircraft could be reduced by verifying that all E-AB aircraft are adequately tested according to a flight test plan, and that the resulting test data are used to create an accurate and complete aircraft flight manual. Further, a functional test of the aircraft fuel system could identify design deficiencies, leaks and malfunctions prior to flight. From 2001-2011, the accident rate of E-AB aircraft was more than twice as high as comparable GA aircraft in similar flight operations. During that period, the fatal accident rate was more than three times that of comparable GA aircraft. The NTSB undertook the study to identify opportunities for improvements to the E-AB safety record. Study findings also included the following: * In comparison with similar non-E-AB aircraft, a much higher proportion of accidents involving E-AB aircraft occur early in the operational life of the aircraft. * E-AB aircraft account for a disproportionate number of total accidents and an even more disproportionate share of fatal accidents when compared with similar non-E-AB aircraft conducting similar flight operations. * Accident analyses indicate that powerplant failures and loss of control in flight are the most common E-AB aircraft accident occurrences by a large margin and that accident occurrences are similar for both new and used aircraft. * Structural failures have not been a common occurrence among E-AB aircraft. * The majority of E-AB aircraft are now built from commercial kits, rather than from purchased plans or original designs. * The E-AB aircraft safety record could be improved by providing pilots with additional resources to safely perform Phase I test pilot functions. The 16 safety recommendations to the FAA and EAA include the following: require that applicants for an E-AB airworthiness certificate submit for acceptance a detailed flight test plan to the FAA and develop an aircraft flight manual with emergency procedures; develop and offer incentives to encourage E-AB owners, builders and pilots to complete flight test training and transition training; develop and publish guidance for the issuance of a Letter of Deviation Authority to conduct flight instruction in experimental aircraft; provide guidance for the use of recorded flight test data for the purposes of flight testing and for the development of an aircraft flight manual; and complete development of E-AB transition training resources. An executive summary of the study, along with the findings, conclusions and safety recommendations are available at http://go.usa.gov/pQt. The complete study will be available on ntsb.gov in several weeks. www.ntsb.gov Back to Top Airlines for America (A4A) Calls on Congress to Improve TSA Efficiency, Not Add Taxes WASHINGTON, May 22, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, again urged Congress to improve efficiency within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), not pile more taxes on already burdened airline passengers, as approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee. "It's a simple equation: When you add taxes, demand for air travel is dampened, resulting in lost jobs and lost air service," said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. "Our customers today pay 20 percent - $60 on an average $300 domestic roundtrip ticket - of their ticket prices in taxes, on par with taxes for alcohol and tobacco, products taxed to discourage their use." Under the proposal approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, security taxes would double from $2.50 to $5, which would cost airline passengers more than $700 million annually and could impact 76,000 good-paying jobs. A4A said programs that take a risk-based approach to security, including TSA PreCheck and Known Crewmember, and enable TSA to focus its resources on greater threats are a more appropriate way to improve efficiency within the TSA. ABOUT A4A Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesdotorg. SOURCE Airlines for America Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/22/4509100/airlines-for-america- a4a-calls.html#storylink=cpy Back to Top Back to Top GULF FLIGHT SAFETY COMMITTEE AGM - DUBAI 6 JUNE 2012-05-21 The Gulf Flight Safety Committee, the regional aviation safety forum for the Gulf, will hold its annual general meeting at the Emirates Training Centre in Dubai from 0830 to 1630 on 6 June 2012. In addition to the annual appointment of the executive committee and other GFSC business, there will be the usual mix of incident reviews and industry debate, followed by some informative safety presentations. All existing members are urged to attend and take part in shaping the next steps for the GFSC, and others with an interest in regional safety matters and perhaps thinking of joining are welcome to attend on this occasion. Further information is available on the website www.gfsc.aero and queries should be directed to chair@gfsc.aero or to the current chairman Jo Gillespie jgillespie@gatesaviation.com . Sponsored by NEXUS Flight Operations Services in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Back to Top Back to Top India's Jet likely to order 100 planes for $3.75 billion: CAPA NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Jet Airways (JET.NS) is expected to order more than 100 narrow-body aircraft for up to $3.75 billion in 2012/13 as the largest Indian carrier grabs market share from its troubled rivals, a leading consultancy said. The airline is understood to be actively evaluating Airbus's (EAD.PA) narrow-body A320 aircraft, and is likely to lease up to 10 A330s to support expansion of its European network, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said in a report. "In my estimate, at the current price and without taking into account the list price, the actual price for the order could be $3.5 billion to $3.75 billion," Kapil Kaul, regional head of CAPA, told Reuters. A Jet spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment. India's aviation sector has been beset by high costs of fuel and airport charges and heavy debt, with all carriers except unlisted Indigo Airlines posting losses in the fiscal year that ended in March. With two debt-ridden carriers, Kingfisher Airlines (KING.NS) and Air India AIN.UL, curtailing most of their flights Jet stands to benefit the most, CAPA said. Kingfisher, owned by flamboyant liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has been struggling to pay off $1.3 billion loan and has slashed the number of its daily flights. State-owned Air India AIN.UL, which survives on government bailout, has cancelled most of its international flights because of an ongoing strike by its pilots. "Kingfisher's dramatic contraction from 66 to 16 operational aircraft, of which half are regional ATR aircraft, has left the domestic business market open for Jet Airways," CAPA said. ATR, which makes small haul planes, is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica (SIFI.MI) company, and EADS (EAD.PA). The disruption at Air India's longhaul routes has driven North American and UK traffic to Jet, it said. Jet and other private carriers such as SpiceJet (SPJT.BO) and unlisted Go Air and Indigo are likely to post a combined profit of $200 million in the fiscal year ending next March, the consultancy said. However, losses at Kingfisher and Air India will keep the industry in the red to the tune of $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion in 2012/13, compared with a total industry loss of $2 billion in the previous year, CAPA said. Back to Top Female pilot tosses passenger for sexist remarks SAO PAULO (AP) -- A Brazilian airline says one of its female pilots tossed a passenger off a flight because he was making sexist comments about women flying planes. Trip Airlines says in a Tuesday statement the pilot ejected the man before takeoff as he made loud, sexist comments upon learning the pilot was a woman. The jet continued on to the state of Goias after a one-hour delay. The passenger involved in Friday's incident has not been identified. He was met by police at the plane and escorted out of the Belo Horizonte airport. Police at the airport have not responded to calls and it isn't known if the man has been charged with anything. Trip says it won't tolerate disparaging remarks made about any of the 1,400 women working for the airline. Back to Top Virgin America Opens New Flight Simulator Pilot Training Center - The First of its Kind in Northern California Local Leaders and Teammates Celebrate the Opening of the New Facility - a Growth Milestone for the Only California-based Airline SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the only major domestic airline headquartered in California, today marked the opening of a new flight training facility with a state-of-the-art Required Navigational Performance (RNP)-certified CAE Airbus A320 full-flight simulator- the first such pilot training facility of its kind in Northern California. Located in Burlingame, California near the airline's corporate headquarters and its San Francisco International Airport (SFO) base of operations, the new Virgin America Flight Training Center represents an $11.7 million investment. As one of the few expanding U.S. airlines, the new facility will allow Virgin America to continue to grow and train its pilots using the most advanced technology available. The CAE simulator is able to accurately reproduce in great detail, the tactile, visual and operational environment that pilots experience in the airline's actual Airbus A320 Family aircraft. Many of the airline's teammates joined Virgin America President and CEO David Cush, U.S. Representative Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) and other community officials and business partners, to mark the opening of the new facility at a ribbon cutting and open house today. "Virgin America has been one of the few growing airlines in the current economic climate, and to date we've created 2600 jobs, expanded to 18 destinations and welcomed more than 17 million guests," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "Despite our rapid growth, our teammates continue to build a different kind of airline and deliver a product that sweeps the awards every year. In the very best sense, this airline represents the innovative spirit of the Bay Area - and we're pleased to invest in a next generation training facility that positions us for the next five years of growth and beyond." Guests at the opening event today had the opportunity to "test fly" the new electric motion-based simulator that replicates the full flight experience for pilot training. The simulator offers a training capacity of more than 6000 hours per year and allows the airline to provide its pilots with a seamless training experience in the Bay Area. Previously, the airline trained its flight crew at simulator facilities in Texas and Florida. The carrier began training flight crew at the new Burlingame facility earlier this spring. "I congratulate Virgin America for reaching this important milestone," said Congresswoman Jackie Speier. "By bringing all of their flight training to the Bay Area, Virgin America is once again providing fuel to our local economy. The airline continues to create jobs, stimulate travel and drive economic development for our region - and this next step allows them to not only continue to grow, but to do so responsibly - with an eye toward sustainable best practices." As an RNP-certified simulator, the new facility will allow the airline to grow using the most advanced technology. Signed into law earlier this year, the FAA Reauthorization Bill established a timeline for phased implementation of RNP at major airports. RNP represents the next step in aircraft navigation offering greater flexibility in route design through the ability to conduct continuous descent and curved approaches via GPS inputs. Virgin America estimates that utilizing RNP to its full capability could reduce fuel usage by as much as 400 pounds per flight. At airports like SFO, RNP will also allow for more efficient runway use during low visibility conditions. RNP certification requires that all pilots undergo training using an RNP-ready simulator. The opening of the new facility paves the way for Virgin America to move to RNP approaches over the next 12 to 18 months. Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has made environmentally sustainable practices part of its training and operations. The carrier operates a new Airbus A320 Family fleet that is up to 25 percent more CO2 efficient than the average U.S. fleet. In 2011, the airline grew into its new home as the anchor tenant at SFO's Terminal 2 (T2) - the first major LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the U.S. Virgin America is making additional investments within its T2 spaces to ultimately achieve LEED® Platinum- certification. The airline's Burlingame headquarters is LEED® Silver-certified. In 2011, the airline announced a major fleet order as the launch customer for the new fuel- efficient Airbus A320neo aircraft and GE/CFM LEAP engine. CAE, a global leader in modeling, simulation and training for civil aviation and defense, developed Virgin America's new simulator and provides regulatory support as well as on- site maintenance needs. The new facility is part of the Airbus-CAE Training Cooperation, a joint global network of training centers for Airbus aircraft types. "Since its launch five years ago, Virgin America has experienced record-setting growth and continues to expand," said Jeff Roberts, CAE Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services. "The CAE facilities and engineering teams have done an excellent job in developing systems that serve the current and future training needs of Virgin America and other Airbus operators." At a time when most airlines have been contracting or shedding jobs, Virgin America has proven to be one of the fastest growing U.S. airlines in history - with plans to add 200- 500 new jobs on an annual basis over the next several years. The airline's decision to locate its headquarters in the Bay Area has created thousands of local jobs, lowered fares through competition and helped make SFO one of the nation's few expanding airports. The airline has a fleet of 52 A320 Family Airbus aircraft - with 60 additional aircraft slated for delivery from 2013-2019. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. (Dulles), Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland (as of June 5, 2012) and Washington Reagan National (as of later this summer). To view photos of the new Virgin America Flight Training Center and simulator, visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/photos About Virgin America: Headquartered in California, Virgin America is a new domestic airline that offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. As the only airline headquartered in the Bay Area, Virgin America's principle base of operations is SFO's sleek and sustainable new T2. Known for beautifully-designed planes with WiFi, power outlets and touch-screen entertainment at every seat, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best U.S. Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards. For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com SOURCE Virgin America Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC