Flight Safety Information June 7, 2012 - No. 117 In This Issue Air France Flight 447 Investigation: Pilots Not Properly Trained to Fly the Airbus A330? U.S. Forest Service Chief outlines tanker crash probe PIA parleys with EASA, TSA bodies remain successful (Pakistan) PRISM Certification Consultants Bombardier's Q400 Airliner Awarded Type Approval for Operation in Russia and the CIS Chinese airlines seek foreign cabin crew Happy 70th birthday to Army Aviation! Florida Tech Adds Master's Degree in Aviation Safety through Online Learning Air France Flight 447 Investigation: Pilots Not Properly Trained to Fly the Airbus A330? (ABC News) The Airbus A330 has one of the most sophisticated automated piloting systems in the airline industry, but the 2009 crash of Air France Flight 447 has some experts saying that the pilots weren't adequately trained to handle the plane in an emergency situation, and that the plane's stall alarm system may have added to the crew's confusion and contributed to the disaster. The crash, which killed all 228 passengers and crew on board, is considered one of the worst -- and most mysterious -- aviation disasters in modern history. One theory for what caused that Airbus A330 to go down is that the two co-pilots, led by 58-year-old Captain Marc Dubois, were not properly trained and depended too heavily on the plane's autopilot system. That system disconnected at high-altitude when a speed sensor, called a pitot tube, froze over, sending inconsistent readings to the plane's computers. Air France declined ABC News' request for an interview, pending the July release of the final report from France's investigation. But according to Bill Voss, the president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, Air France was so confident in the design of the Airbus A330, the airline had not trained nor prepared its pilots for the situation the crew of Flight 447 encountered the night of the crash. "No one was trained for high-altitude stall recovery in the cockpit," said Voss. "It's not part of the normal training curriculum...this is something that really has to be reformed globally. This is a really big deal." Air France Flight 447 was en route from Rio de Janiero to Paris on May 31, 2009, for an overnight trip, when it vanished. The plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in the early morning hours of June 1, 2009 -- nearly four hours after take-off. Black box tapes were recovered from the wreckage two years later in April 2011 and, amazingly, still worked. The tapes revealed that almost four hours into the flight, the plane was 800 miles off the coast of Brazil, and Captain Dubois left the cockpit for a scheduled nap. At the time, the plane was about to fly into a thunderstorm, one that other flights that night had steered around. Once in the storm, the plane's pitot tube, a critical piece of equipment that tells the pilot the aircraft's air speed, failed, likely from ice crystals forming on it, according to BEA officials who inspected the wreckage. When the pitot tube fails, the Airbus's automatic pilot system disengages, shifting control back to the pilot. According to the tapes, First Officer Cedric Bonin, a 32-year-old pilot who had fewer than 5,000 flight hours under his belt, was at the controls but had never been in this situation before at high-altitude. Bonin made the fatal mistake of pulling the plane's nose up, which caused it to go into a deep stall. "It seems that the pilots did not understand the situation and they were not aware that they had stalled," said Jean-Paul Troadec, the director of BEA, the French authority conducting the investigation into the Flight 447 crash. When the Airbus A330 goes into a stall as severe as what happened to Flight 447, Voss said the plane's computer rejects the data it's receiving, thinking the plane couldn't possibly be flying in such a radical condition, and then shuts off the stall alarm. "The computer is thinking 'this doesn't make any sense, we must be on the ground. We must be parked at the gate or we would be dead,'" Voss said. Airbus claims the stall alarm on Flight 447 "was performing as designed," and said there is rationale behind its design. "If you get as low as 60 knots, the stall warning will cut out by design, and we do that because on landings and take-offs at a low air speed, when the angle of attack is erratic and it may not be reliable, we cut that out so it would not distract pilots during take-offs and landings," said Bill Bozin, the vice president of safety and technical affairs at Airbus. As co-pilot Cedric Bonin pulled continuously up on the controls, the stall alarm sounded for 54 seconds straight. But as Flight 447 went deeper into its catastrophic stall, the alarm cut in and out intermittently, the black box tapes revealed. The stall warning was working as designed, but critics charge the pilots would have been confused by the mixed signals. The co-pilots called frantically for help from the captain, the black box tapes showed, but it took Dubois more than one minute to return to the cockpit. "What's happening?" Dubois is heard asking when he re-enters the cockpit. "I don't know what's happening," one co-pilot responded. It was not until the final three seconds before the plane hit the Atlantic that the pilots even realized they were going to crash, the black box tapes revealed. Co-pilot David Robert is heard on the tape recording saying, "Oh my God, we're going to crash. I can't believe it." The last words on the recording are Bonin saying, "But what's happening?" Back to Top U.S. Forest Service Chief outlines tanker crash probe SALT LAKE CITY - Federal investigators said Tuesday mechanical failure forced an air tanker fighting a Nevada wildfire to make a crash landing, but they were still trying to determine what brought down another tanker of the same vintage in southern Utah, killing two pilots. Both accidents happened Sunday, and a National Transportation Safety Board investigator was at the scene of the remote Utah crash Tuesday, trying to determine what went wrong. The company that owns the Lockheed P2V said it believes a cockpit voice recorder survived the wreck and could yield clues to the plane's emergency before it went down. Investigators also will interview the pilot of the tanker's "spotter" plane, the smaller aircraft assigned to guide the tanker as it dropped retardant, U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Tidwell said. The P2V was once a Cold War-era submarine attack plane but for years has been a mainstay of the nation's aerial firefighting arsenal. At a news conference Tuesday in Albuquerque, N.M., Tidwell acknowledged the need to modernize the country's firefighting fleet and said the Forest Service was asking contractors to upgrade to a more modern plane. He added officials will "have to wait and see" what comes out of the investigation. But for now, "we wouldn't be flying these aircraft if we didn't think they were safe," Tidwell said. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, countered that the agency needs to act - and fast. "These incidents indicate the need to swiftly replace the aging air fleet and begin contracting new planes for the Forest Service fleet," Tester wrote Tidwell in a letter released Tuesday. "Unfortunately, the Forest Service has yet to provide a long-term pathway for aircraft replacement." Two pilots were killed in the Utah crash - Todd Neal Tompkins and Ronnie Edwin Chambless, both of Boise, Idaho - but no one was hurt when the other P2V was forced to make a crash landing at Nevada's Minden-Tahoe Airport. Video of the crash landing shows the plane dropping to its belly and sliding across a runway. NTSB investigator Kurt Anderson said bay doors for the aircraft's left-side landing gear failed to open. "The gear tried to extend, but the doors wouldn't let it," Anderson told The Associated Press. Tidwell said Tuesday the company that owned the plane that crashed in Utah has a "stellar track record." Montana-based Neptune Aviation says its fleet flew 2,600 hours last year without an accident. The tanker that crashed was built in 1962, according to federal aviation records, but had been modified to fight fires and was among only a handful of air tankers available nationwide. The other P2V was owned by Minden Air Corp. in Minden, Nev. Neptune insisted the P2V is a safe plane, despite its age. The company has gathered the plane's maintenance records for an NTSB investigation; however, it refused to make those records public Tuesday. Tuesday morning, a NTSB investigator arrived at the scene of the Utah crash and began scouring the 600-yard debris field for clues about why the plane went down. The tanker crashed while battling a lightning-caused wildfire that jumped the Nevada border about 150 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower says it appeared a wing tip hit the ground in a rocky canyon. The plane practically disintegrated, killing both pilots aboard. Firefighters said they didn't expect full containment of the blaze burning over roughly 5,500 acres of rolling hills of pine, juniper and cheat grass until Sunday. Also Tuesday, Tidwell surveyed the burn scar being left by a massive blaze in southwestern New Mexico that has developed into the largest wildfire in the country. He took an aerial tour of the fire, which has scorched more than 404 square miles since being sparked by lightning about three weeks ago. Firefighters were building fire lines and conducting more burnout operations to keep the giant Whitewater-Baldy fire from making any aggressive runs along its boundaries. "We still have active fire within the perimeter, but they're a little more comfortable that they've got a handle on it," fire information officer Gerry Perry said. "That doesn't mean the fire is over, but things are looking better." The blaze became the largest in recorded New Mexico history after making daily runs across tens of thousands of acres in strong winds. In Colorado, authorities said Tuesday that lightning started a 227-acre wildfire that has damaged two outbuildings northwest of Fort Collins. Sheriff's officials say residents of 13 homes that were evacuated after the fire started Monday were being allowed to return Tuesday evening but should be ready to leave again if needed. The blaze was 45 percent contained. http://www.thespectrum.com/viewart/20120606/NEWS01/120606002/U-S-Forest- Service-Chief-outlines-tanker-crash-probe- ?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Cedar%20City%20Daily%20News Back to Top PIA parleys with EASA, TSA bodies remain successful (Pakistan) KARACHI - PIA MD Rao Qamar Suleman is formulating a comprehensive strategy on emergency basis for restoration of EASA 145 (European Aviation Safety Agency) approval for PIA Engineering and PIA flights to USA without enroute secondary security checks at Manchester, PIA spokesman said here on Monday. He returned after visit to the EASA Offices in Colonge, Germany on May 15, 2012. This was the highest level meeting between EASA and PIA to date. He was invited by the EASA Board to discuss possible ways for the restoration of PIA's EASA 145 approval. Spokesman said that EASA authorities agreed with the steps suggested by PIA. The EASA officials welcomed nomination of new MD and hoped to work with him to resolve issues. PIA team presented a road map on restoration of EASA 145 approval for PIA Engineering. PIA MD also met with top officials of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) along with Homeland Security officials and discussed various options available to both sides to create a framework that would allow PIA to fly to the USA without en route secondary security checks. He was welcomed by the TSA officials. During the meeting security concerns were discussed. MD assured that all issues shall be addressed by PIA on an urgent basis. TSA team was satisfied by steps suggested by PIA. Both meetings were successful as MD PIA was able to convince EASA and TSA to allow PIA time to resolve the issues raised by both the agencies. The matter is most critical for the airline as a possible sanction by either of the agency can result in suspension of the PIA flights to EU and the USA. Managing Director is putting together a comprehensive strategy to tackle the matter on emergency basis, PIA spokesman concluded. http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/business/22- May-2012/pia-parleys-with-easa-tsa-bodies-remain-successful Back to Top Back to Top Bombardier's Q400 Airliner Awarded Type Approval for Operation in Russia and the CIS - Q400 airliner becomes largest Western-manufactured turboprop aircraft to obtain approval to operate in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) TORONTO, ONTARIO - Bombardier Aerospace confirmed today that the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) - commonly known by its Russian acronym, MAK - has awarded aircraft type approval to Bombardier's Q400 turboprop for operation in Russia and the CIS. "As part of Bombardier's global expansion strategy, Russia and the CIS are key international growth markets. The type approval of the Q400 aircraft by the IAC is therefore a significant milestone in our growing presence in the region," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The Q400 aircraft will deliver great performance and flexibility for operators seeking to meet the unique environmental challenges and longer distances in Russia and the CIS." The Type Certificate was presented to Bombardier today in a ceremony at IAC headquarters in Moscow. The ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Tatiana Anodina, Chairperson of the IAC; the Honourable Ed Fast, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, who was in Moscow leading a Canadian Trade Mission to Russia; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada in the Russian Federation, Mr. John Sloan and Bombardier executives. "Today's announcement is good news for both Canada and Russia as we work to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for hard-working people in both our countries," said Minister Fast. "It is also an example of how world-class Canadian companies are succeeding in Russia and other dynamic and fast-growing markets around the world." "Russian carriers have been using Bombardier regional aircraft since 2003," said Steven Aliment, Vice President Sales, Europe, Russia and CIS, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Currently, more than 80 Bombardier Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets are in service in Russia and the CIS and we're pleased that the Q400 turboprops will soon be joining the local fleet, and deepening our commitment to the Russia and CIS markets." Type approval from the IAC for the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ100/200 aircraft was obtained in 2006. Since then, there has been a significant increase in the number of Dash 8/Q-Series and CRJ100/200 aircraft operated by Russian and CIS airlines located in Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Kazakhstan. Starting from a base of approximately 800 commercial aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat category that are currently operating in the region, Bombardier's 20-year commercial aviation market forecast projects deliveries of 460 units in this market segment to Russia and the CIS through to 2030. These projected deliveries amount to one-fifth of the total demand for Europe according to the forecast. Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 airliners. The delivered aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers and have logged more than 3.2 million flight hours and over 3.5 million take-offs and landings. Bombardier Inc. Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation. Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47718963 Back to Top Chinese airlines seek foreign cabin crew China's major airlines are looking for foreign cabin crew in a bid to become more international as they expand flights across the globe. China Eastern is among the Chinese airlines who want to recruit more foreign cabin crew Carriers in China are enjoying healthy growth, unlike major Western counterparts which are struggling with reduced passenger numbers and rising fuel bills. With more foreigners now working, living and travelling in the Middle Kingdom, its airlines want to boost their foreign flight attendants. The main reason for this, they say, is that international passengers prefer being served by cabin crew from their own country. Major carriers Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines have all said they plan to ramp up their hiring of foreign flight crew. Shen Xiaosheng, China Eastern's deputy director of publicity, confirmed that "many more foreign staff will be joining" the airline. Industry figures show that Chinese airlines are flying more foreign passengers as they expand their international reach. According to Air China's annual report, it carried more than seven million international passengers last year. It also added eight new international and regional routes. This week China Southern Airlines flew its maiden voyage from the city of Guangzhou in south China to London. The airline is targeting passengers wanting to travel between Europe and Australasia. There will be three flights on the new route a week, with the flights also expected to benefit Asian passengers heading to the Olympic Games this summer. Li Xiaojin, a professor of civil aviation at the University of China, said: "Employing more foreign flight attendants can actually save costs for Chinese airlines. Although foreign flight attendants' salaries can be a little higher than their Chinese counterparts, the turnover of foreign flight attendants is lower, meaning a saving in recruitment and training costs for airlines." China has two airlines among the world's top 10 largest carriers based on passenger numbers. Southern Airlines comes in at number six with 80.6 million customers last year, while Eastern Airlines is the ninth largest with 68.7 million. Ryan Cornish, a British expat who regularly flies between Europe and China, said: "While I don't mind Chinese-speaking attendants, if there's ever a problem on board it helps to have a native English speaker. For foreign cabin crew, working for a Chinese airline is likely to provide very valuable experience." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/offshorefinance/9316320/Chinese- airlines-seek-foreign-cabin-crew.html Back to Top Happy 70th birthday to Army Aviation! A UH-60 Black Hawk, front, and a UH-1 Huey land at Redstone Army Airfield. Today is the birthday of Army Aviation, much of which is today managed on the arsenal HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- D-Day obervances rightly overshadow another reason June 6 is important to much of the Army, and especially to many organizations and commands at Redstone Arsenal. June 6, 1942, is the birthday of Army Aviation. According to the Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker, Ala., it was on this date that aircraft supporting artillery and ground troops became an "organic" part of the service, rather than a piece of the Air Corps and later Army Air Force missions, which often focused on strategic operations such as bombing targets behind enemy lines. "Partly because Air Corps fire support aircraft were not always available, the chief of field artillery and other artillery officers became interested in using light aircraft organic to the artillery units," according to a history on the museum's web site. "Following a final series of experiments with organic Army spotter aircraft conducted in 1942, the secretary of War ordered the establishment of organic air observation for field artillery -- hence the birth of modern Army Aviation -- on 6 June 1942. It was this new World War II-era phenomenon with its few small single- engine spotter planes, organic Army Aviation, that eventually evolved into today's Army Aviation Branch. On the other hand, the organization that had been the Army Air Service and the Army Air Corps continued through World War II as the Army Air Forces and finally became the U.S. Air Force in 1947." Today, that Army Aviation branch includes everything from helicopters to fixed-wing surveillance airplanes and a variety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. They are essential to soldiers and operations around the world -- particularly in regions like Afghanistan with formidable terrain -- and are managed by the Aviation and Missile Command, the Program Executive Office for Aviation and other organizations based on Redstone Arsenal. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/06/army_aviation_birthday_june_6.html Back to Top Florida Tech Adds Master's Degree in Aviation Safety through Online Learning 05/31/2012 MELBOURNE, FLA.-A major government and private sector need for professionals trained in aviation safety has prompted a new degree at Florida Institute of Technology: the Master of Science in Aviation Safety, which is taught 100 percent through online learning. The degree, offered by the Florida Tech College of Aeronautics, is a companion degree to its Master of Science in Human Factors in Aeronautics which is also available on line. Participants will become expert in safety management systems (SMS); aviation safety analysis, complex aviation systems, accident prevention, human factors and decision- making. Program benefits include: Online convenience Experienced, professional faculty Research opportunities Theory combined with application A 30-credit, non-thesis program The goal of the program is to prepare individuals for advanced leadership positions in the public, private, and military aviation sectors through specific skill and competency training in aviation safety. Class sizes are limited to 15 students. Admission requirements and curriculum information available at: http://www.fit.edu/programs/grad/ms_aviationaviation_safety_online/ For more information, contact Steve Cusick, associate professor, at (321) 674-7470 or at scusick@fit.edu Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC