Flight Safety Information August 1, 2012 - No. 156 In This Issue Bird strike leaves big gash in United Airlines 737, all safe Another needle found in an airline meal, this time in Canada Huerta gains Senate backing for role as FAA chief Camera In Air Sickness Bag Causes Airplane Scare SA authority warns of increasing laser threat to aircraft safety Va. Beach man pleads guilty to shining laser at jet PRISM Certification Support ID-card may reveal mystery of crashed AN-12 aircraft Boeing Next-Generation 737 Performance Improvement Package Delivers on Promise to Cut Fuel Burn Lufthansa brings first-ever Airbus A380 to Texas ASRS reports sought for safety studies Man Kicked Off Spirit Airlines Flight For Wearing Saggy Pants, Becoming 'Verbally Abusive' Bird strike leaves big gash in United Airlines 737, all safe A United Airlines Boeing 737 landed safely in Denver despite a bird strike that left the jet with a large gash on its nose, reports KUSA Channel 9 News of Denver. United Flight 1475 originated at Dallas/Fort Worth and struck the bird as it was descending in preparation to land at Denver around 9 a.m. MT Tuesday morning. None of the 151 passengers or crew were injured, United spokeswoman Christen David says to ABC 7 News of Denver. ABC 7 says the National Transportation and Safety Board will investigate the incident, a development it says is "typical in bird-strike cases." Steve Cowell, described by ABC 7 as "an aviation expert and pilot, tells the station that despite the gash shown in the photos, the nose is among the least-risky spots for a bird strike. "It didn't affect the engines. It didn't affect the landing gear from coming down at all," Cowell tells ABC 7. "Passengers probably wouldn't have felt anything, but the pilot certainly would have heard the smack of the bird on the nose." http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/08/united-airlines-bird-strike/816045/1 Back to Top Another needle found in an airline meal, this time in Canada Another sewing needle has turned up in a passenger's airline meal, this time on a Monday night Air Canada flight from Victoria, British Columbia, to Toronto. "Safety is always our top priority so we are taking this matter very seriously," Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick says in to the Toronto Star. "As soon as we were made aware, we immediately contacted the caterers that provision our flights, and a full investigation is under way," Fitzpatrick adds to The Globe and Mail of Toronto. "We are working closely with our caterers to ensure heightened security measures have been put in place." The airline has not received any additional reports of needles in its meals, The Air Canada incident, of course, comes about two weeks after sewing needles were found in six sandwiches on U.S.-bound Delta Air Lines flights out of Amsterdam. Despite the similarities of the cases, Dutch investigators tell The Associated Press it's unclear if the incidents are related. Another possibility is that the needle found on the Air Canada flight could be the work of a copycat criminal, though police say that -- as of yet -- though have no information to link the cases. As for the incident on the Delta flights, AP writes that "Dutch police officer Robert van Kapel said Dutch investigators have been interrogating witnesses in the chain of people who had access to the Delta sandwiches, and were examining the actual sandwiches Wednesday." http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/08/air-canada-sewing-needle-in-flight- meal/816029/1?csp=34news Back to Top Huerta gains Senate backing for role as FAA chief A Senate panel voted Tuesday to support Michael Huerta as head of the Federal Aviation Administration. The Transportation Committee voted without debate to support Huerta, whose nomination now moves to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. Huerta became deputy administrator in June 2010 and has been acting administration since Randy Babbitt quit in December, after being charged with drunken driving. The charges were later dismissed at trial. "Mr. Huerta has had first-hand experience with the challenges confronting the FAA - and there are many," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. "I think we can all agree that it's vitally important for us to maintain the highest level of safety in the aviation industry, and I hope we can move quickly to fill this post." Huerta is well respected among industry groups after heading for a few years FAA's massive program to update air-traffic control systems, which is nicknamed NextGen. NextGen promises to save airlines fuel and money, and reduce emissions, by flying planes along more precise routes guided by satellites rather than ground-based radar. Pieces of it such as smoother landing approaches are being tested in cities such as Seattle, Houston and Charlotte. "What we do over the next several years is going to determine the course of aviation in this country for decades to come," Huerta said at his confirmation hearing June 21. But the Government Accountability Office reported that multi-year costs of NextGen are running $4.2 billion more than estimated and that half of the acquisition programs have suffered delays. Numerous issues face the agency chief. The Office of Special Counsel, which reviews whistle-blower complaints, urged stronger oversight in May after finding FAA dragged its feet or didn't resolve problems such as sleeping air-traffic controllers. Safety advocates also worry about the pace and scope of FAA actions. The FAA left cargo pilots out of a rule finalized in December requiring passenger pilots to get more rest between shifts. An FAA proposal in February would require more pilot training, in response to a Colgan Air crash in 2009 that killed 50 people. But the rule isn't expected to be finalized until October 2013. "I was distressed to learn of the time involved in moving this rule forward and I've made it a very high personal priority to do all we can to expedite the development of this rule," Huerta said at his confirmation hearing. Another priority for the agency is that FAA must develop rules for flying unmanned aircraft in the same space as planes by the end of 2015, under a policy signed into law in February. Drones raise privacy concerns because of mounted cameras and safety concerns because they occasionally crash and it's not clear yet how to signal their presence to other aircraft. http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/07/heurta-gains-senate-backing-for-role- as-faa-chief/815802/1 Back to Top Camera In Air Sickness Bag Causes Airplane Scare Last night, a United Airlines flight from Newark, headed to Geneva Switzerland, was diverted to Boston's Logan Airport when a suspicious item was found in a seat back pocket. Fighter jets were summoned to help escort the plane to Logan-but it turned out that the suspicious item, inside an air sickness bag, was a... camera. So, is this better or worse than a flight being diverted due to a cellphone charging in a bathroom? Or a game of backgammon? The camera was found in an unbooked seat, and the flight was diverted "out of an abundance of caution," according to the TSA. NORAD confirmed that "two F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the flight at about 9:00 p.m. Eastern, shortly after it departed from Newark," saying, "The fighters were scrambled, then intercepted and shadowed the aircraft." Flight 956 landed at Logan at 9:15 p.m., and the 157 passengers and 11 crew members were evacuated. Massachusetts State Police examined the item via X-ray and determined it to be safe. Passengers were given hotel rooms and they'll travel onto Geneva today. And the camera was described as a "small, personal use" camera. http://gothamist.com/2012/08/01/camera_in_air_sickness_bag_causes_a.php Back to Top SA authority warns of increasing laser threat to aircraft safety A laser light is seen among Zamalek fans during the team's Egypt Cup final soccer match against Enppi's at Cairo Stadium October 11, 2011. The number of incidents of laser lights being used against aircraft is increasing, and causing a threat to safety, the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) said on Wednesday. There had already been 170 incidents of a laser being pointed at an aircraft or at an air traffic control tower this year, said SACAA director Zakhele Thwala at a media briefing in Midrand. At this rate, there would be more incidents than last year when there were 175, he said. "There's a huge concern from the airline industry... on the huge increase of their use," Thwala said. The laser lights were a distraction to both aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers. They were usually laser pointers, easily available in electronics stores for as little as R150. Air Line Pilots' Association SA representative Capt Margaret Viljoen said the laser light incidents were often at lower altitudes, such as take-off and landing, which were critical times for flights. They were particularly dangerous when it was dark, because the flashing light was even more distracting then. "Laser illuminations can interfere with pilot vision, potentially impacting the safety of a flight," Viljoen said. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research national laser centre manager Dr Ndumiso Cingo said that while there had not been an accident on record as caused by lasers, this might change in the future. "These lasers are becoming more powerful and readily available, the chances of the lasers causing an incident are increasing," Cingo said. Thwala said there was also the threat that the lights could cause permanent damage to the vision of pilots, affecting their ability to earn a livelihood. Thwala believed that the people flashing lasers at planes were not trying to cause accidents. "It may not be malicious but it is dangerous," he said. While the act of using a laser against aircraft might just be a prank, he said perpetrators could face serious consequences if they were caught. The penalties included a fine or up to 10 years' imprisonment. However, few people had been caught in the act of using a laser against aircraft so far. Thwala said only three people had been caught, one each in Durban, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. He said the person in Bloemfontein was caught because of the presence of the SA Air Force in the area. The person caught was a minor and eventually the charges were dropped. The other cases in Durban and Johannesburg had dragged on in the courts and the SACAA had lost track of them, Thwala said. Viljoen said some people could be flashing lasers at aircraft because they had seen on television fictional scenarios where an aircraft was brought down by them. Others were just bored and entertaining themselves. "There's my opinion that it's one individual: he's got his beer and his laser pointer and that's his evening fun," Viljoen said. The bulk of the laser incidents had occurred at Cape Town airport, but almost all airports in the country had been affected. Thwala warned that the lasers were not only a threat to the aircraft, but to the communities around an airport where a crash could take place. He said the SACAA would launch a public information campaign to educate the public on the hazards of flashing laser pointers at aircraft. http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/08/01/sa-authority-warns-of-increasing-laser- threat-to-aircraft-safety Back to Top Va. Beach man pleads guilty to shining laser at jet In the cockpit of his F/A-18 Super Hornet in April, Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Furco switched on a device mounted on his helmet and zeroed in on a man pointing a potentially deadly weapon into the sky, court documents said. His target wasn't an insurgent in Afghanistan with a rocket launcher, though. It was a heavy-equipment mechanic in Virginia Beach with a laser pointer. Under a plea agreement, Robert Bruce, 56, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of interfering with the operation of an aircraft. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced on Oct. 19 in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. "Laser harassment of aircraft not only places pilots and passengers at risk, but also endangers those on the ground. Those who choose to place our military personnel in peril should be on notice that their conduct is against the law and will not be tolerated," U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride said in a statement. Through his attorney, Bruce declined to comment. Laser harassment, commonly referred to as "laser dazzling," is a growing problem for military and civilian aviators. Pilots explained that a laser beam can light up the inside of a cockpit, making it hard to read the plane's instruments and potentially injuring their eyes. "It caught me right in the eye. It was painful," recalled Lt. Cmdr. Laurie Coffey, one of Bruce's targets. She said the laser distracted her during a critical period of flight - the landing - and gave her a headache. "Lasers are dangerous. There is no doubt about it," said Cmdr. Brian Becker, another of Bruce's targets. A spokeswoman for Oceana Naval Air Station said jet pilots have reported 18 laser incidents in Virginia Beach since December, up from 12 in all of 2011. Kelley Stirling attributed 12 of those 18 incidents to Bruce. Nationwide, there were 3,592 laser reports to the Federal Aviation Administration in 2011, up from 2,836 in 2010 and 1,527 in 2009. The statistics are apparently missing some incidents, given that the FAA counts only 10 laser incidents in Virginia Beach in 2011 and none in the first six months of 2012. Federal agents tracked down Bruce with the help of Furco's targeting skills, the observations of several other pilots, and a series of calls placed from Bruce's cellphone. According to court documents, at least 10 Navy pilots reported seeing lasers emanating from the area of Bruce's home in the Princess Anne Plaza neighborhood between Dec. 29 and June 5. In addition to using the laser, Bruce repeatedly called Oceana's Flight Operations and Noise Concerns line to complain about the jets. In some of the 21 calls he made between March 1 and May 15, he mentioned violence. "One day, someone's gonna blow your ass up, start taking potshots at your (expletive) precious jets," Bruce said in one message, court documents said. On June 5, Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents staked out Bruce's home. Before serving a search warrant there, they watched as Bruce walked outside and trained a laser at a passing jet. Stirling, the Oceana spokeswoman, said incidents with lasers are usually credited to tourists who buy them in Oceanfront stores. Pilots regularly report seeing laser beams emanating from Virginia Beach hotel balconies. To get a handle on the problem, Stirling has contacted the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and said she plans to address the Virginia Beach Hotel-Motel Association on Sept. 4 during its next meeting. Oceana also is looking at producing a public service announcement video and printing fliers to go into hotel rooms. "I don't think they realize what they are doing," Coffey said of tourists. She and other pilots argue that with education, fewer tourists would aim their laser pointers at passing jets. In exchange for Bruce's guilty plea, prosecutors dropped five related charges. Before he is sentenced, Bruce said he plans to distance himself from the jet noise of Virginia Beach. His attorney confirmed that he is moving to Chesapeake. http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/va-beach-man-pleads-guilty-shining-laser-jet Back to Top Back to Top ID-card may reveal mystery of crashed AN-12 aircraft Manali (Himachal Pradesh), Aug 1 - A frayed identity card bearing the name Arjun Singh of Pune may reveal the 45-year-old mystery crash of an AN-12 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the snow-capped mountain of Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh. A group of trekkers, from local mountaineering institute NALS Outdoor India Private Ltd., has found the identity card of Arjun Singh, aircraft wreckage, shoes and clothes spread over a glaciated area at an altitude of over 17,500 feet near the Chandrabhaga peak. Trekker and expedition leader Dinanath Thakur told IANS Wednesday that during descent of the majestic CB-13 peak (Chandrabhaga peak 13), located at an altitude of 6,164 metres or 20,624 ft, they found the debris of an aircraft scattered over Dakka Glacier July 15. "We have handed over the identity card to sub-divisional magistrate on return to Manali," he added. The other two members of the expedition were Kamlesh Kumar and Kuber Kumar. The AN-12 aircraft of the IAF had taken off from Chandigarh Feb 7, 1968, on a routine logistics sortie with 102 people on board to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The aircraft, according to the IAF, was not able to negotiate the bad weather en-route and hit the Chandrabhaga peak. There were no survivors of the crash. It was only in July 2003 that an expedition from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali discovered the wreckage site. The team also found the mortal remains and documents of Pioneer Beli Ram. His remains were moved to his native village in Akhnoor and cremated with full military honours. Subsequently, the Indian Army has launched expeditions every summer to recover bodies of the lost soldiers. Code named Operation Punaruthan-III, an expedition of the army retrieved three bodies Aug 9, 2007, near the Chandrabhaga peak. The cause of the crash is still a mystery as the black box (flight data recorder) has not been recovered. Thakur, who is currently on another mountaineering expedition in Leh and is to return to Manali Aug 8, said: "There are chances that aircraft's major portion could be located in the glacier's southern portion where the debris was spotted." "It seemed that the glacier mass was thinned more this season compared to the previous years. This might help the subsequent search parties of the army to recover more human remains and other vital aircraft parts," he added. Manali sub-divisional magistrate Balbir Thakur, who was given the identity card by the trekkers, Wednesday handed it over to Col. Arun Kainthla, Administrative Commandant posted at army transit camp at Palchan, some nine km from here. Read more: http://india.nydailynews.com/politicsarticle/1bd2a62ae9f87bc246d79dd60da9b929/id- card-may-reveal-mystery-of-crashed-an-12-aircraft#ixzz22IcM37Fn Back to Top Boeing Next-Generation 737 Performance Improvement Package Delivers on Promise to Cut Fuel Burn Customers validate improvements on package's first anniversary RENTON, Wash., July 31, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Customers of Boeing's [NYSE: BA] Next-Generation 737 are validating the benefits of the industry-leading Performance Improvement Package (PIP), one year after the first airplane PIP airplane was delivered. PIP combines aerodynamic and engine performance improvements to reduce fuel burn by up to 2 percent and is part of the continuous innovation on the world's best-selling airplane. More than 420 Next-Generation 737s have now been delivered with PIP. "The Performance Improvement Package has contributed to a remarkable fuel mileage improvement compared to the non-PIP airplanes," said Takeshi Katsurada, vice president of flight operations engineering for Japan Airlines. "We can validate its improvement through each delivery flight performance monitoring and also daily flight operations monitoring to the extent of more than 2 percent fuel mileage improvement." Elements of the performance improvement package, provided at no charge to customers, have been gradually introduced on the 737 over the past year. They include aerodynamic-shaped anti-collision lights, streamlined slat and spoiler trailing edges, ski- jump wheel well fairings re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear, and enhancements to the CFM engine. A re-contoured plug and cutback nozzle completed the propulsion portion of the performance improvement package. The final element of the package, a redesigned environmental control system exhaust vent, is scheduled for mid-2013. "These improvements are important for our airline customers," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The improved fuel savings are part of our commitment to deliver market-leading value to Next-Generation 737 customers. Improving fuel efficiency by 2 percent saves more than $120,000 annually on each airplane and reduces the carbon footprint." Boeing began performance improvement testing in November 2010 with the goal of reducing fuel consumption by up to 2 percent. "Our latest tests have shown that aircraft, which incorporate the Performance Improvement Package, provide flydubai with up to 1.6 percent reduced fuel burn over non-PIP aircraft," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai. "With a growing fleet, any savings we can make towards our fuel costs are positive from both a financial and environmental perspective. We look forward to Boeing introducing the final part of the package, which will provide us with even greater fuel savings." Contact: Linda Lee 737 Program Communications Boeing Commercial Airplanes +1 206-766-2905 linda.a.lee@boeing.com SOURCE Boeing Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/31/4678113/boeing-next-generation- 737-performance.html#storylink=cpy Back to Top Lufthansa brings first-ever Airbus A380 to Texas Mayor Parker, airport and airline officials to welcome inaugural flight to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Daily A380 service between Houston and Frankfurt begins today - Upgrades to airport's runway and terminal accommodate world's largest passenger aircraft Today, Lufthansa will be the first airline to introduce the Airbus A380, the world's most technologically-advanced and largest passenger aircraft, to the Lone Star State. To commemorate this historic occasion, Mayor Annise Parker has declared August 1, 2012, Lufthansa Airlines Day in Houston. Inaugural flight LH440 departed Frankfurt at 10:10 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport at 1:50 p.m. In addition to regularly scheduled passengers, flying on this inaugural flight is a delegation of esteemed customers and Houston-area media. Upon landing, the aircraft will be greeted by a celebratory water arch and after disembarking via the airport's newly constructed double-decker jet bridge, passengers will be welcomed by Mayor Parker; Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System (HAS); and Juergen Siebenrock, Vice President of the Americas at Lufthansa. The return flight, LH441, is scheduled to depart Houston this evening at 6:20 p.m., arriving in Frankfurt at 11:05 a.m. the following day. Beyond the August 1 inaugural flight, LH441 will normally depart Houston at 4:20 p.m. and arrive in Frankfurt at 9:05 a.m. the following day. Lufthansa's flagship aircraft will provide daily service between Houston and Frankfurt and will increase capacity on this route by approximately 53 percent. Flights are available for booking on www.lufthansa.com . "We are extremely excited to introduce our flagship A380 aircraft as the very first in the Houston market," said Juergen Siebenrock, Vice President, The Americas for Lufthansa. "I applaud the airport's management team for their determination to become A380- ready. It demonstrates our shared commitment to serving the global travel needs of the area's active business community and discerning leisure traveler, while also embracing the environmental advancements of the A380." Among the improvements made by HAS to accommodate the world's largest passenger aircraft are a new elevated walkway and passenger loading bridge, including foundations and structure support, electrical updates and the addition of two jet fuel double hydrants in the apron. "This A380 flight is a symbol of Houston's thriving economy, our commitment to global enterprise, and our investment in infrastructure," said Mayor Annise Parker. "We worked as a team with our stakeholders to ensure all preparations were completed in Terminal D for today's historic flight by the world's largest passenger jet. This is another indication of the ongoing strength of Bush Intercontinental Airport." Lufthansa, which flies to more than 35 other oil and energy destinations worldwide, has provided service to Houston since 1985. Lufthansa's oil&energyclub offers employees from related industry businesses an assortment of perks such as instant frequent flier status, priority check-in, access to Lufthansa Business Class Lounges, waiting-list priority, greater free baggage allowances and exclusive offers and discounts from selected partners. "We are thrilled to welcome the A380 to Houston since it offers our customers a heightened flying experience that they will find at no other airport in Texas," said Mario C. Diaz, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System. "Our international traffic continues to grow as a result of the strong business relationships between Houston and Germany and we're delighted to offer a newly renovated area in Terminal D so all who fly on the A380 will enjoy 'opening day fresh' gates, waiting areas and other amenities." Most fuel-efficient aircraft The Airbus A380 is the world's most fuel-efficient aircraft, burning about 12 percent less fuel than other wide-body jets, and is approximately 30 percent quieter than the current generation of wide-body aircraft. The airline has ordered a total of 17 A380 aircraft, all scheduled for delivery by 2015. This will make Lufthansa the largest A380 operator in Europe. Lufthansa's A380 is configured with 526 seats, which results in a 53 percent capacity increase on this route, and features the airline's new First Class product. Located on the upper deck, this space is the quietest cabin in commercial aviation and boasts an air humidification system - the first of its kind to be installed on a commercial aircraft - that improves air humidity to help fight off jet lag. Two large, luxurious bathrooms with separate changing and lavatory areas offer enhanced personal space and storage. The cabin's eight generously proportioned, ergonomic seats measure 6'9" feet in length and 2'7" feet in width and provide the ultimate in comfort and innovation for an exceptional travel experience. Also located on the upper deck is the world's largest Business Class cabin with 98 seats, featuring improved functionality, including more storage and a power supply that works with all worldwide connections. The main deck is home to an impressively spacious Economy Class cabin. Each of the 420 seats features an in-seat video screen, an optimized ergonomic design and a slimmer seat back that adds two inches of personal space per passenger. The Houston Airport System served 49.9 million passengers in 2011. Houston's three airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) contribute over $27 billion to the regional economy. Visit fly2houston.com and follow us @HobbyAirport and @IAH. Watch video of the A380 on http://www.youtube.com/houstonairports SOURCE Houston Airport System Back to Top ASRS reports sought for safety studies NASA has asked general aviation pilots to participate in two special studies it is conducting with the FAA based on data collected through the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). The study, "Aviation Weather in the Cockpit and Aeronautical Information Services via Data Link," seeks information from pilots about incidents that occurred while they were using weather or AIS information in the cockpit. "The information may be textual and/or graphical, obtained via data link or other sources to include ACARS [aircraft communications addressing and reporting system] and cell phones, on the ground or in the air," said NASA in a news release. Factors to be analyzed in the study include the type of weather data received, its accuracy and timeliness, the cockpit display used, software or applications used to receive meteorological information, and end user graphical interface ratings, NASA said. The study began in March 2011 and will continue through 2012. Since March 2007, ASRS also has been the source of data for examining wake vortex encounter events. The study, which will continue at least through 2012, has reviewed wake vortex encounters occurring in all flight regimes, and is analyzing "magnitude of wake encounter, aircraft spacing, aircraft type, runway configuration, and consequences from the encounter in addition to others." Pilots who wish to participate in either study can do so by filing an ASRS report or, in some cases, by filing a report with the FAA's Aviation Safety Action Program. To acquire greater detail of reported incidents, ASRS staff will contact pilots who submit reports "and request their voluntary participation in completing a Web-based supplemental question set," NASA said. Pilots know ASRS as the venue for reporting safety-related accidents or incidents, with the goal of lessening the likelihood of such events occurring in the future. Information gathered from ASRS reports is forwarded to the FAA only after information identifying the reporting party is removed. Pilots who can show that they filed a report within the allotted time may receive immunity from disciplinary action in any enforcement case arising from the incident-provided, among other conditions, that the violation was inadvertent and not deliberate. In soliciting ASRS reports for the two special studies, NAS reiterated that all identifying information will be removed before any ASRS research data is provided to the FAA. ASRS "strongly encourages pilots to participate in the studies and provide a user perspective to support these projects," it said. http://www.aopa.org/training/articles/2012/120731asrs-reports-sought-for-safety- studies.html Back to Top Man Kicked Off Spirit Airlines Flight For Wearing Saggy Pants, Becoming 'Verbally Abusive' A man was kicked off of a Spirit Airlines plane at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago after getting into an altercation over his wardrobe with a flight attendant. CBS Chicago reports that the man and a female companion were boarding a flight from O'Hare to Orlando, Fla., over the weekend when an attendant asked him to pull up his saggy pants. According to a Spirit Airlines spokeswoman, the man became "verbally abusive" and threatened physical harm after he was told that his pants were "excessively low" as they were hanging below his buttocks. The airline requires passengers to wear "adequate" clothing in its code. "It was to the point where his entire bottom was hanging out. And that's not appropriate," the Spirit Airlines spokeswoman told CBS. The pair was escorted off the plane. They were booked on the airline's next Orlando- bound flight available. Airline passengers being kicked off of planes for wearing so-called "saggy pants" is not too uncommon an occurrence. Last year, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong was asked to deplane from a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to Burbank, Calif. over his saggy pants. DeShon Marman, a University of New Mexico football player, was arrested at San Francisco Internatonal Airport after he refused an employee's request that he pull up his pants because his boxers were showing. Marman was arrested on suspicion of trespassing, battery of a police officer and obstruction of a police investigation, allegations that prompted a protest led by a local chapter of the NAACP. Prosecutors ultimately dropped the charges. Saggy pants have long been a point of contention in Chicago. Earlier this year, a group of City Council members called on Chicago Public Schools to mandate uniforms in an effort to stop students from wearing their pants slung low, below their waists. The resolution was titled "No Dragging and Sagging: Pull Up Your Pants." Late last year, a group of community activists sought the institution of a fine for pedestrians caught wearing pants with waistbands sitting more than four inches below their hips. The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized such proposed laws as inviting racial profiling and violating free speech. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/man-kicked-off-spirit- air_n_1724075.html?utm_hp_ref=chicago Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC (Targeting Safety & Risk Management) curt@curt-lewis.com www.curt-lewis.com www.fsinfo.org PH: 817-303-9096 Cell: 817-845-3983 Fax: 682-292-0835 Curt Lewis & Associates, LLC is an international, multi-discipline technical and scientific consulting firm specializing in aviation and industrial safety. Our specialties are aviation litigation support, aviation/airport safety programs, accident investigation, safety & quality assessments/audits, system safety (PRA), human factors, Safety Management Systems (SMS) assessment/implementation & training, safety/quality training & risk management, IS-BAO Auditing, airfield/heliport lighting products and Technical Support. 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