Flight Safety Information July 10, 2012 - No. 139 In This Issue LOT Boeing 767 involved in gear-up landing will not be repaired JTSB investigates serious runway incursion incident at Okinawa Man refuses to check loaded gun in luggage, instead tries to hide weapon in airport planter California Officer Hit by Helicopter Rotor Blades GCAA holds Safety Workshop with Emirates (UAE) ARGUS PROS Aviation Auditing Gulfstream Operators Embrace Forms Program to Enhance Safety of Flight China flight crew gets rewards totaling millions of dollars for foiling hijack attempt Russian Jet Maker Says Crash Hasn't Hurt Orders Wichita jet company sold to Chinese company LOT Boeing 767 involved in gear-up landing will not be repaired Polish airline LOT decided not to repair the Boeing 767-300 airplane that was damaged in a gear-up landing at Warsaw in November of 2011. The aircraft with the registration number SP-LPC, will not return to service and will be sold. The Boeing 767-300 was operated by LOT Polish Airlines on the basis of a lease agreement with the American company Air Castle. After the emergency landing without the use of landing gear on 1 November 2011 and the completion of the investigation by the State Commission of the Investigation of Aircraft Accidents, a lengthy discussion and negotiations began between the Lufthansa Group insurance company, the owners of the aircraft, Air Castle, and LOT Polish Airlines. During the negotiations it was established that the restoration of the aircraft to an operable state was not feasible. Ultimately, the parties came to an agreement in which LOT Polish Airlines took the aircraft over as its own property, after which an auction was announced for the sale of the aircraft in its current state. The bidding process permits the separate sale of the fuselage and the engines. Bidding will end in July 2012. http://news.aviation-safety.net/2012/07/09/lot-boeing-767-involved-in-gear-up-landing- will-not-be-repaired/ Back to Top JTSB investigates serious runway incursion incident at Okinawa The Japan Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) has openened in investigation into a serious runway incursion incident at Okinawa, Japan. On July 5, 2012, about 13:24, an Air Asia Japan flight had been cleared to land on the active runway at Okinawa-Naha Airport (OKA). At the same time, China Eastern Airlines flight MU2046 had been instructed to hold short in prepration for takeoff on a scheduled passenger flight to Shanghai-Pudong Airport, China. Flight MU2046, operated by an Airbus A319, registered B-2332, taxied onto the active runway instead of holding short. The Airbus A320, of Air Asia, registered JA01AJ, was 5,6 km out and was instructed by ATC to go around. The Asia Airways Airbus A320 was on a test flight of a new route between Tokyo-Narita and Okinawa-Naha to be opened in August 2012, which was why Japanese officials were among the 38 passengers onboard. http://news.aviation-safety.net/2012/07/08/jtsb-investigates-serious-runway-incursion- incident-at-okinawa/ Back to Top Man refuses to check loaded gun in luggage, instead tries to hide weapon in airport planter PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon man has been arrested after airport authorities saw him trying to hide his gun in a planter box so he could retrieve it upon his return. The Oregonian reports that 69-year-old Soren Muir Johnson of Eagle Point was arrested for investigation of reckless endangering. Transportation Security Administration employees say he was told he couldn't carry his loaded weapon through a security checkpoint and that he should put it in his luggage instead. They say that they watched as he disregarded that advice and instead dropped the .22- caliber pistol in an airport planter box on June 24. Port of Portland spokesman Steve Johnson says police recovered the gun. Police say the man told them he hid the gun so he could retrieve it when he returned from his trip. Back to Top California Officer Hit by Helicopter Rotor Blades SAN FRANCISCO July 10, 2012 (AP) - The rotor blades of a helicopter landing on rugged, remote terrain struck a California Highway Patrol officer and severely injured him as he helped rescue an injured hiker, officials said Monday. Officer Tony Stanley was one of two officers called out to pick up a hiker who had broken a leg and dislocated an ankle during a hike Thursday through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California, said CHP Lt. Scott Fredrick. After the helicopter landed on what Fredrick described as a granite rock next to a steep embankment, Stanley was hit by the aircraft's rotor blades as he started to climb up the embankment to get to the hiker. "It was a very remote area with basically sheer cliffs, granite and treacherous terrain," Fredrick said. Because of privacy rules, the CHP is not revealing the exact nature of Stanley's injuries, or releasing his condition, but officials had initially described his injuries as "critical" and "life-threatening." Stanley, 40, a 10-year-veteran of the agency, and trained as a flight officer/paramedic, remained hospitalized. "He lives for this kind of stuff. He's a very tenacious and spirited officer, who has done this (performed rescues) many times," Fredrick said. "This is what he loves to do." The accident is the latest of several involving rescues in mountainous areas in the West. On Sunday, a memorial service was held for Utah Highway Patrol officer who died during a June 30 search and rescue accident. Utah authorities say Officer Aaron R. Beesley, 34, lost his footing and fell from a 90-foot cliff to his death during the aerial rescue of two teenager hikers. In Washington state, Mount Rainier climbing ranger Nick Hall, 33, died in a 2,400 fall last month after helping rescue four climbers from Waco, Texas. California Highway Patrol officials said Monday that Stanley was lucky to be alive. As for the injured hiker, the CHP has identified him as Jeremy Kilburn, a doctor who is a major with the U.S. Air Force, and has served as a trauma surgeon in Afghanistan. Kilburn had suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle during a fall as he hiked with a friend, Dan Grasso, of Sunnyvale, Calif., through the forest near Big Bear Lake, the CHP said. Since Kilburn was unable to walk, Grasso and a group of hikers from a Santa Cruz youth group who had come upon the scene helped Kilburn down the embankment, so he could provide medical aid to the injured CHP officer. The team of unlikely heroes, including the injured Kilburn, his hiking friend Grasso, the two hikers who had just arrived, identified by the CHP as Elizabeth Fitch and Bryce Harbert, both of Santa Cruz, Calif., and the CHP pilot, Officer Brian Henderson, loaded the critically injured Stanley onto the helicopter. As the single-engine helicopter made the 41-mile flight to a Redding hospital, Fitch held IV bags and applied pressure to slow the injured officer's bleeding, while Kilburn directed, Fredrick said. "We credit Dr. Kilborn and Fitch with saving the officer's life," Fredrick said. "These hikers were critical is saving his life, especially Kilborn and Fitch." Kilburn, who serves as a critical care pulmonologist with the Air Force and is assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, outside of Las Vegas, Nev., was not available for comment Monday night, said Benjamin Newell, a civilian public affairs specialist at the base. Back to Top GCAA holds Safety Workshop with Emirates (UAE) Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM) Dubai, July 9th, 2012 /WAM/ -- In line with the General Civil Aviation Authority s /GCAA/ State Safety Program, GCAA and Emirates Airline Safety Workshop was held at Emirates Headquarter recently. The workshop, which was well attended by members from both sides, is a part of GCAA s safety initiative in support of State Safety Programme /SSP/ implementation. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, mentioned that the UAE is among the leading states internationally in the active participation and implementation of State Safety Program. He added that UAE was appointed by the International Civil Aviation Organization /ICAO/ to be part of an international group to promote the implementation of SSP. Ismaeil Mohammed Al Balooshi, Executive Director, Aviation Safety Affairs Sector, in his opening address underlined the importance of SSP as an umbrella for managing aviation safety within UAE. He assured the audience that GCAA is fully committed to development of safety management system /SMS/ across the industry. He stressed the need for frequent engagement with industry which is essential for ensuring effective implementation of Safety Management System. He also emphasized that success of SSP will depend on the quality of SMS data integration with the stake holders. The audience was briefed on the achievements made so far in the development of SSP as well as the importance of identifying hazards and reporting of hazards by the airline operators to the regulator. Emirates Airlines Safety Group also presented their roles and tasks followed by their current practices with respect to procedures for identifying safety objectives. Back to Top Back to Top Gulfstream Operators Embrace Forms Program to Enhance Safety of Flight SAVANNAH, Ga., July 9 -- Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has enrolled more than 140 aircraft in its Flight Operations Risk Management Service (FORMS) program, providing operators unique access to data that has been proven to reduce hazards in airline operations and is now migrating to business aviation. FORMS, Gulfstream's Flight Operations Quality Assurance/ Flight Data Management (FOQA/FDM) program, is modeled after airline programs that have become widely used to analyze operational data and improve flight training. Among its benefits, FORMS data can be used to analyze airport-specific approach procedures that can challenge pilots. The larger the FORMS database becomes, the better Gulfstream is able to identify trends and implement corrective measures through education and training. Gulfstream's FORMS database includes operational details on more than 25,000 flights, 15,000 of which were conducted in 2011 alone. "Many airlines use quality assurance technology to improve consistency and safety in operations, and Gulfstream is at the forefront of bringing this discipline to business aviation," said Randy Gaston, vice president, Flight Operations, Gulfstream. According to Gulfstream's recent analysis of its FORMS database, the most frequently used airports by Gulfstream operators are Teterboro, N.J., Dulles International outside of Washington, D.C., and Westchester County in White Plains, N.Y. These airports, and others in congested airspace, can provide unique challenges due to air traffic control (ATC) handling, including ATC-requested speeds, altitudes and spacing on instrument approaches. FORMS data can identify arrival procedures most likely to contribute to delays in configuring and slowing an aircraft for final approach. FORMS collects data from a Quick Access Recorder (QAR) and compares the data to defined parameters for takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach and landing. FORMS identifies when certain criteria have been exceeded. Operators receive reports on specific events that exceed parameters, as well as quarterly reports reflecting their specific operations. These reports identify key parameters for flight department review. Gulfstream also receives consolidated fleet data, which is used to enhance pilot training. Over time, FOQA systems have become accepted in the airline community and increasingly in business aviation as an important safety tool and means of continuous improvement, rather than a means of monitoring individual pilot performance. FlightSafety International, a leading provider of flight training for Gulfstream operators, uses FORMS data to refine its programs. "FlightSafety and Gulfstream continue to work closely together to maximize the benefits and effectiveness of the FORMS program," said David Davenport, center manager, FlightSafety International, Savannah. "The program was designed to increase operational safety by measuring exposure to known risks, such as unstabilized approaches, system operating limits and adverse runway operations. The data collected has enabled us to further tailor our training programs to the specific needs of Gulfstream aircraft operators and has helped to increase safety among those who have taken advantage of the program." Every operator in the Gulfstream fleet has access to the annual fleet report, which consolidates all the results from FORMS-enrolled aircraft. This data can be used to modify techniques, procedures and training as necessary, even for operators not enrolled in the FORMS program. FORMS is available for the Gulfstream G550, G450, G350, G400, G300, G200, G150, GV, GIV-SP and GIV. Gulfstream aircraft constitute the largest base of business aircraft participating in any FOQA/FDM program. The 2011 FORMS annual report is available for all Gulfstream operators to download via MyGulfstream.com, the password-protected Gulfstream operator portal in the Waypoints area under all aircraft/safety. http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=349650&type=newswires Back to Top China flight crew gets rewards totaling millions of dollars for foiling hijack attempt BEIJING (AP) - A Chinese airline awarded cash and apartments worth millions of dollars to a nine-member crew that foiled a hijack attempt last month, state media reported Monday. Six Uighur men were arrested for the alleged attempt in China's far west region of Xinjiang on June 29. Two later died from injuries sustained while fighting the crew and passengers. An overseas rights group says the incident was a brawl over a seat dispute, not a hijacking attempt. Xinjiang is home to a large population of minority Uighurs (pronounced WEE'-gurs), but is ruled by China's ethnic majority Hans. Clashes are common between authorities and Uighurs resentful of government controls over their religion and culture. The official Xinhua News Agency reported late Monday that Hainan Airlines, the parent company of the flight operator, awarded the chief flight attendant and two security guards 1 million yuan ($159,000) in cash, an apartment worth 3 million yuan ($477,000) and a car. The other six members each received 500,000 yuan ($79,500) in cash, a 2 million yuan ($318,000) apartment and a car, Xinhua reported. All 22 passengers on the flight will receive free lifetime airfare from the airline, Xinhua said. Earlier this month, the Civil Aviation Administration of China awarded 1 million yuan ($159,000) to the entire crew. Xinjiang's regional government awarded 500,000 yuan ($79,500) to be divided among the whole crew, and 100,000 yuan ($15,900) each for 10 crew members and passengers. The government of south China's Hainan province - where the airline is headquartered - awarded 500,000 yuan ($79,500) to be split among the crew, and 100,000 yuan ($15,900) each to the two security guards, Chinese media reported. Back to Top Russian Jet Maker Says Crash Hasn't Hurt Orders FARNBOROUGH, England - The Russian plane maker Sukhoi expects to complete orders for as many as 40 of its Superjet 100 passenger aircraft from Asian airlines before the end of this year, which the head of Sukhoi's parent company said Monday was proof that the fatal crash of a demonstration plane two months ago had done little to deter customers or partners. "We are confident in the success of the program, not only from the standpoint of our customers - existing and potential - but also from that of our supplier team," said Mikhail Pogosyan, the chief executive of Sukhoi's parent, United Aircraft. The orders are from three Southeast Asian carriers that Mr. Pogosyan would not identify. Last month, Sukhoi received a firm order for six Superjet 100s, with a list price of more than $212 million, from Transaero, Russia's second-largest airline after Aeroflot. Sukhoi says it has orders and commitments for more than 200 of the planes. A Superjet 100 crashed into a mountainside during a promotional flight in Indonesia on May 9, killing all 45 people on board. The fate of the jetliner - the first new model to be produced in Russia since the end of the Soviet Union - was a crushing blow to a national aerospace industry eager for revival. Mr. Pogosyan said preliminary analysis of the plane's flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders did not reveal any serious technical fault with the aircraft. Indonesian authorities were expected to publish their findings later this year. "We have been in close contact with the investigation board," Mr. Pogosyan said. "Based on the data we have seen, there are no questions as to the technical status of the aircraft." Aviation safety experts have speculated that the cause of the crash was human error - either by the plane's Russian pilots, who might have been unfamiliar with the rugged terrain of West Java, or by air traffic controllers. The Superjet 100, which seats about 75 to 100 passengers, entered commercial service last year and is now operated by two carriers: Aeroflot, which has eight of the planes, and the Armenian airline Armavia, which has one. Aeroflot's ninth Superjet was on display at the Farnborough International Airshow, but it was not scheduled for any demonstration flights during the show, which ends Friday. The show, the world's largest aerospace trade show, was off to a subdued start Monday, with relatively few commercial announcements, reflecting widespread uncertainty about the near-term future of the global economy and the demand for air travel. Boeing said that it had a firm order for 75 of its 737 single-aisle jets from Air Lease, with options to buy 25 more. The order, worth more than $7 billion at list prices, is the first from a leasing company. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/business/global/sukhoi-says-demand-for-superjet- is-strong-despite-crash.html Back to Top Wichita jet company sold to Chinese company WICHITA (AP) -- Hawker Beechcraft said it has reached a $1.79 billion agreement with a Chinese firm for the sale of the struggling Wichita-based business jet maker. The deal does not include Hawker Beechcraft Defense Co., which would remain a separate entity. Hawker Beechcraft said in a news release Monday that under terms of the agreement, Beijing-based aerospace manufacturer Superior Aviation Beijing Co. will make payments over the next six weeks to support ongoing operations at Hawker Beechcraft. The company said Superior would keep Hawker Beechcraft's existing operations, saving thousands of jobs in Wichita and Little Rock, Ark. Its exclusivity agreement gives the businesses 45 days to negotiate a definitive agreement. If the deal collapses, Hawker Beechcraft said it would proceed with its bankruptcy reorganization plan that contemplates emerging as a stand-alone entity. Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/09/3698152/wichita-jet- company-sold-to-chinese.html#storylink=cpy Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC