Flight Safety Information May 29, 2012 - No. 107 In This Issue Expert: Air Safety Has Improved Dramatically Since Flight 191 Crash Aviation accidents more often than believed: Australian agency Temporary ban on Bhoja Airlines over lack of airplanes (Pakistan) PRISM CERTIFICATION CONSULTANTS GULF FLIGHT SAFETY COMMITTEE AGM - DUBAI 6 JUNE 2012-05-21 ISASI regional meeting in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi) 2012 US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference...June 12-14, 2012 ISASI - 2012, August 27-30 Expert: Air Safety Has Improved Dramatically Since Flight 191 Crash American Airlines Flight 191 just before it crashed on May 25, 1979. CHICAGO (CBS) - Friday marks the anniversary of the deadliest commercial aircraft accident in the U.S. - the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 near O'Hare International Airport. As WBBM Newsradio's Steve Grzanich reports, 33 years later, air safety has improved dramatically, according to CBS News Aviation analyst and former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark Rosenker. "We are really looking at the equipment, the training, the oversight, the regulatory activity-all of those things coming together to produce one of the safest periods of aviation in the entire time of commercial aviation," Rosenker said. On May 25, 1979, 271 people died when the McDonnell Douglas DC 10 lost control and crashed. During takeoff, the left engine and pylon assembly and about 3 feet of the left wing separated from the plane and came crashing down to the runway. The plane kept rolling to the left until it was flying sideways and the wings were vertically oriented, and the nose was pointed toward the ground, according to the official accident report. Improper maintenance led to the loss of the engine. The plane crashed into an open field off Touhy Avenue in Elk Grove Township, and wr "This was a tragic accident that really never needed to happen. This came as the result of a maintenance flaw where shortcuts were being taken by the maintenance crews," Rosenker said. He offered this to air travelers this Memorial Day weekend. "In the equipment aspect of it, in the talent that is flying these airplanes, the air traffic controllers that are controlling those aircraft in the air - all of those come together to make it an extremely safe form of transportation," Rosenker said. "The most dangerous aspect of your flight will be the drive to the airport," he said. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/25/expert-air-safety-has-improved-dramatically- since-flight-191-crash/ Back to Top Aviation accidents more often than believed: Australian agency SYDNEY, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said on Tuesday that aviation occurrence statistics showed plane accidents happening more often than many people thought. According to ATSB's statistical report released on Tuesday, there were 130 accidents, 121 serious incidents and 6,823 incidents in 2011 involving Australian-registered aircraft. These accidents included a freight flight that disappeared while trying to land in the Torres Strait Islands, a Boeing 777 that flew just 1,000 feet above suburban Melbourne and a helicopter from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation tragically lost on a flight over Lake Eyre in South Australia. "Aviation occurrence statistics provide a reminder to everyone involved in the operation of aircraft that accidents, incidents, and injuries happen more often than is widely believed," the ATSB said. "Some of the most frequent accident types are preventable, particularly in general aviation." The ATSB found that general aviation operations continued to have an accident rate higher than commercial air transport operations, about four times higher for accidents and nine times higher for fatal accidents in 2011. Most commercial air transport accidents and serious incidents were related to reduced aircraft separation, and engine issues. The ATSB found charter operations accounted for most of the accidents, including two fatal accidents in 2011. Air transport incidents were more likely to involve birdstrikes or a failure to comply with air traffic control instructions. Back to Top Temporary ban on Bhoja Airlines over lack of airplanes (Pakistan) ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Defense has slapped a temporary ban on flight operations by Bhoja Airlines, forcing the Airline to stop its any flight operations. Media reports said that according to Civil Aviation Association (CAA) regulations, all airlines must have at least four airplanes to commence flight operations, while Bhoja Airlines was left with two airplanes. Meanwhile, the Bhoja Airlines' sources have said that it would soon acquire one airplane, and would immediately apply to defense ministry for commencing their flight operations. http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?newsid=194039 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 2012 US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference June 12-14, 2012 Cleveland, Ohio USA Time is short but it is not too late to register for the 2012 US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference scheduled June 12-14, 2012 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are joining forces for the advancement of aviation safety through global leadership. In keeping with the conference theme, "Maintaining the Course for International Collaborative Success", FAA and EASA are teaming with colleagues from civil aviation authorities around the world as well as international companies whose products and services contribute to the safety of air travel. Continuing the tradition of previous years, this conference will provide a forum for aviation safety leaders to share ideas and initiatives on international cooperation, harmonization, and emerging safety challenges. The conference will be of interest to government aviation standards, certification, operations, and maintenance personnel as well as representatives from both domestic and international aviation industries and associations. Deadline for registration is June 1, 2012. For more information on site and agenda, call or email Diane Migliori (202 385-8948; diane.migliori@faa.gov) or visit the conference website at: http://www.faa.gov/news/conferences_events/2012_us_eu. ********** 2012 US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference June 12-14, 2012 Cleveland, Ohio USA Maintaining the Course for International Collaborative Success The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are again joining forces to advance aviation safety through global leadership at this year's International Aviation Safety Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, June 12-14, 2012. FAA and EASA look forward to teaming with colleagues from civil aviation authorities around the world and international companies whose products and services contribute to the safety of air travel. Continuing the tradition of previous years, this conference will provide a forum for aviation safety leaders to share ideas and initiatives on international cooperation, harmonization, and emerging safety challenges. Bill Ayer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Airlines, has accepted our invitation to deliver the Keynote Address on the second day of the conference. Who Should Attend: * Government aviation standards, certification, operations, and maintenance personnel * Representatives from both domestic and international aviation industries and associations Conference Sessions Contact For more information, contact: Diane Migliori (202) 385-8948 diane.migliori@faa.gov Registration Hotel Cleveland Agenda Back to Top International Society of Air Safety Investigators presents ISASI 2012 "Evolution of Aviation Safety - From Reactive to Predictive" 43rd Annual Seminar Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel August 27-30, 2012 Welcome to the World's Leading Aviation Safety Investigation and Accident Prevention Seminar Please join us in Baltimore where you will learn about the latest trends and practices in accident investigation and prevention. You will also have an opportunity to network with safety professionals from all walks of the international aviation community. For access to the seminar website and all up to date information please go to www.isasi.org. For Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities please contact Ron Schleede at ronschleede@cox.net or Barbara Dunn at avsafe@shaw.ca Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC