Flight Safety Information December 17, 2012 - No. 251 In This Issue Nigeria Governor, 5 Others Die in Helicopter Crash FAA Orders High-Priority Checks of Gulfstream Jets FAA Acts On ELT Straps Rockets Fired on Pakistan Airport PROS IOSA Audit Experts European Flight Data Monitoring Conference on the 23rd of January International Accident Investigation Forum...Singapore, 23 - 25 April 2013 ERAU Professional Programs Course Schedule Nigeria Governor, 5 Others Die in Helicopter Crash (LAGOS, Nigeria) (AP) - A navy helicopter (Agusta A109E) Saturday in the country's oil- rich southern delta, killing a state governor and five other people, in the latest air disaster to hit Africa's most populous nation, officials said. Nigeria's ruling party said in a statement that the governor of the central Nigerian state of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, died in the helicopter crash in Bayelsa state in the Niger Delta. The People's Democratic Party's statement described Yakowa's death as a "colossal loss." The statement said the former national security adviser, General Andrew Azazi, also died in the crash. Azazi was fired in June amid growing sectarian violence in Nigeria, but maintained close ties with the government. Yushau Shuaib, a spokesman for Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency, said four other bodies had been found, but he could not immediately give their identities. The crash occurred at about 3:30 p.m. after the navy helicopter took off from the village of Okoroba in Bayelsa state where officials had gathered to attend the burial of the father of a presidential aide, said Commodore Kabir Aliyu. He said that the helicopter was headed for Nigeria's oil capital of Port Harcourt when it crashed in the Nembe area of Bayelsa state. Aviation disasters remain common in Nigeria, despite efforts in recent years to improve air safety. In October, a plane made a crash landing in central Nigeria. A state governor and five others sustained injuries but survived. In June, a Dana Air MD-83 passenger plane crashed into a neighborhood in the commercial capital of Lagos, killing 153 people onboard and at least 10 people on the ground. It was Nigeria's worst air crash in nearly two decades. In March, a police helicopter carrying a high-ranking police official crashed in the central Nigerian city of Jos, killing four people. http://world.time.com/2012/12/15/nigeria-governor-5-others-die-in-helicopter- crash/#ixzz2FIUkWkrm ************** Date: 15-DEC-2012 Time: 1500 Type: Agusta A109E Operator: Nigerian Navy Fatalities: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: near Okoroba community, Bayelsa State - Nigeria Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: Bayelsa Destination airport: Port Harcourt Narrative: A Nigerian Navy helicopter on a VIP mission crashed in a swampy area in Bayelsa State of Nigeria. The governor of Nigeria's Kaduna state, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, was killed in the accident. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top FAA Orders High-Priority Checks of Gulfstream Jets By ANDY PASZTOR (WSJ) Federal regulators ordered high-priority inspections and possible fixes of flight- control systems on 200 Gulfstream business jets, a move they said was necessary to avoid grounding two popular versions of the luxury aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration safety directive released Friday mandates a three- day deadline to ensure that pilots, when they power up Gulfstream 350 and 450 models, are alerted about potential problems controlling certain movable panels on the tails of the aircraft. The order becomes effective Monday, and then operators will have three days to comply. The FAA said a software glitch can mislead cockpit crews by hiding latent defects and possibly causing uncontrolled movements of such panels, called horizontal stabilizers. According to the agency, that can potentially result in pilots losing control of up and down movements of the noses of the planes while airborne. The FAA's move is unusual because such directives-even when they are issued as emergency orders-hardly ever indicate fixes are required to ensure safety "while avoiding the need to ground the fleet." In this case, the FAA didn't formally issue an emergency airworthiness directive. Nevertheless, it wants inspections to be completed by the middle of next week, any repairs prompted by the order are supposed to be finished prior to the planes resuming operation. The FAA move applies directly to only 200 U.S. registered planes. But Gulfstream said it already has taken steps to make sure all of the 265 affected planes world-wide will be checked. The agency took action based on multiple reports about the software problem, and also ordered operators to revise some startup procedures and preflight checklists. A spokeswoman for Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics Corp. said the manufacturer recently informed operators about using "alternate power-up procedures," by issuing bulletins and holding online conferences. The FAA's directive indicates flight manual revisions were distributed earlier this month. Gulfstream is working on improved software to eliminate the safety hazard, which isn't believed to have caused any accidents. Problems such as those identified by the FAA have long been recognized as serious safety threats. Last year, European aviation regulators and France's Dassault Aviation agreed to temporarily ground the company's fleet of more than 100 long-range, top-of- the-line Falcon 7X business jets due to potential problems controlling the movement of horizontal stabilizers. The models were barred from carrying passengers for nearly a month, until fixes developed by Dassault engineers were approved by officials of the European Aviation Safety Agency. The FAA's directive Friday indicated that suspect software on the Gulfstream models also can result in uncontrolled movement of aircraft flaps, or movable panels located at the rear edge of the wings, that are used to provide extra lift during takeoff. Corrections & Amplifications A spokeswoman for Gulfstream said the manufacturer recently informed operators about using "alternate power-up procedures," by issuing bulletins and holding online conferences. An earlier version of this story incorrectly said it was a spokesman. Back to Top FAA Acts On ELT Straps The FAA has banned the use of Velcro-type straps to secure emergency locator transmitters designed and built after Nov. 26 of this year. The new rule came two years after a high-profile crash that killed Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and four others. The ELT aboard the Otter they were on came loose on impact and detached from the antenna. Rescuers found it on the floor in the back of plane, activated but unable to transmit because it wasn't connected to the antenna. "In this case, the airplane was equipped with a functioning 406 megahertz ELT, which can be a tremendous aid to search and rescue operations," NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman said following the board's preliminary investigation. "But this vital life-saving technology won't do anyone any good if it doesn't stay connected to the antenna." The NTSB recommended the FAA review the safety standards for ELT straps and this TSO may have been the result. ELTs approved before the new TSO can continue to be manufactured with Velcro and the FAA is not requiring aircraft owners to retrofit their ELTs, but the CEO of at least one ELT manufacturer says that given the FAA's position it's something that might be a future option. Mike Akatiff of ACK Avionics said in a podcast interview he's hoping an inexpensive retrofit can be designed and approved. The new FAA rules also require 406 MHz ELTs to have a 121.5 MHz homing signal built in to further aid searchers. He said the 406 signal received by search and rescue satellites directs searchers to the immediate vicinity of the crash site and the homing signal can lead them right to the precise location. Akatiff said he also hopes the fresh look at ELTs by the FAA will revive the discussion on mandatory equipage with 406 devices, something AOPA has successfully managed to prevent so far. He said there is no question among search and rescue, military and first responders that 406 is a vastly superior technology to 121.5, and the cost of the ELTs has dropped to less than $1,000 for most new models. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA_Acts_On_ELT_Straps_207853-1.html Back to Top Rockets Fired on Pakistan Airport ISLAMABAD - At least four people died and dozens more were injured in a rocket attack on Pakistan's Peshawar airport northwest of the capital, Islamabad, in a brazen assault Saturday night. Suspected militants attacked the airport in northwest Pakistan with rockets and a suicide bomber, leaving a trail of dead and injured. Local television showed what appeared to be the rockets landing near the airport, sending up plumes of fire into the night sky. The area was immediately put under high alert. Military forces surrounded and closed down the airport which services international as well as domestic flights. The provincial capital of Peshawar borders Pakistan's tribal areas where both Taliban and al-Qaida militants operate. Local media, citing a Pakistan Air Force official, said terrorists had attacked the airport, but had been prevented from entering the complex. The provincial minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, said four militants, including one suicide bomber, were involved in a failed ground attack that followed the rocket fire. Sultan Hassan, a spokesman for Pakistan's national airlines, PIA, said the airport was closed and all outgoing flights had been canceled. He said incoming flights from different Pakistan cities bypassed Peshawar and went directly to their final destination. "PIA flights have been canceled," Hassan said. "There were some international flights from Islamabad via Peshawar and Sialkot via Peshawar, they have now gone directly to the Middle East." Retired Brigadier Mahmood Shah, who spoke to VOA from the scene, said the area had been secured. He said two rockets landed inside the airport, causing no damage, and three landed in a residential area near the airport. Shah said it appeared to be a daring attack by either Taliban or Lashkar-e-Islam militants who are bent on challenging the government's control of the region. "Overall I think there is a stepping up of these attacks, overall in Peshawar and surrounding, this is because from 2009 onwards there have been no serious [military] operations and if you leave these people to their own ways of doing things, they are likely to carry out more attacks, so I think there is a requirement to keep these people on the run, otherwise they will not let you rest," he said. The military carried out a large operation in the region in 2009, pushing Taliban militants into the more remote areas of Pakistan's northwest. One resident said in an interview with VOA that in her area of the city known as University Town, some four kilometers away from the airport, the blasts shattered the windows of her house and of houses nearby. Shah said the type of rockets used in Saturday's attack have a range of some eight kilometers, but tend to be inaccurate. http://www.voanews.com/content/rockets-fired-on-pakistan-airport/1565816.html Back to Top Back to Top European Flight Data Monitoring Conference on the 23rd of January The European Operators Flight Data Monitoring forum (EOFDM) supported by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is organizing a FDM/FOQA Conference in Cologne - Germany on the 23rd of January 2013. This conference is primarily dedicated for professionals involved with FDM/FOQA programs. Presentations require at least basic knowledge of FDM to be followed. This second edition of the EOFDM conference will contain technical presentations on the implementation of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programmes, advanced FDM techniques and FDM-related initiatives and developments. The agenda can be consulted at http://www.easa.europa.eu/events/docs/2013/01/23/EOFDM_Conference2_ProvisionalAgenda_Website.pdf For registration information please consult http://www.easa.europa.eu/events/events.php?startdate=23-01- 2013&page=2nd_Conference_of_the_European_Operators_Flight_Data_Monitoring_forum_%28EOFDM%29. Registration will be closed on 04 January 2013. The EOFDM works under the aegis of ECAST (European Commercial Aviation Safety Team). Its objective is to facilitate the implementation of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) tools and programmes by operators and to help operators in drawing the maximum safety benefits from an FDM programme. For more information on EOFDM, consult http://easa.europa.eu/essi/ecast/main-page-2/eofdm/ . Back to Top International Accident Investigation Forum Singapore, 23 - 25 April 2013 The Air Accident Investigation Bureau of Singapore (AAIB) will be hosting the Second International Accident Investigation (IAI) Forum at the Singapore Aviation Academy on 23 - 25 April 2013. The IAI Forum aimed to bring together the world's top government investigation officials and experts to discuss issues relating to the organisation, infrastructure and management of accident investigation. It is open to investigation officials responsible for discharging their country's obligation under Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, regulatory officials and aviation safety professionals from the private sector. The Inaugural IAI Forum was held on 21 - 23 April 2010, with the strong support of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). It was attended by 149 government investigation officials and aviation safety professionals from 29 countries. The IAI Forum served as a platform for ICAO to inform, explain to and discuss with the safety investigation community regarding the developments and issues being pursued by ICAO. Encouraged by the success of the Inaugural IAI Forum, the AAIB has decided to make the IAI Forum a triennial event. Ms Nancy Graham, Director of ICAO Air Navigation Bureau, has very kindly consented to attend the Second IAI Forum to deliver a keynote speech. The Second IAI Forum will cover the following important topics, among others: * Development of a new ICAO Annex 19 on Safety Management * Outcome of the ICAO Safety Information Protection Task Force * Conclusions of the AIG Roundtable held in Singapore on 16 - 17 October 2012 and chaired by Mr Marcus Costa, Chief of the ICAO Accident Investigation Section For more information on the Second IAI Forum, please contact Mr Steven Teo (Fax: (65) 6542-2394 or Email: steven_teo@mot.gov.sg). Back to Top Course Dates Location Cost OSHA/Aviation Ground Safety* Apr.15-19, 2013 Daytona Beach Campus, Florida $2,000 This course gives the participant working knowledge of OSHA's General Industry Safety and Health standards. In addition, participants will gain a fundamental working knowledge of an aviation ground safety program. Participants will also receive the OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Card. Aviation Safety Program Management* Apr.22-26, 2013 Daytona Beach Campus, Florida $2,000 This course gives the participant working knowledge of the development and management of an effective safety program. Course topics include: Safety Culture, Economics of Safety, Risk Management, Internal Reporting Systems, Human Error and Human Performance, Introduction to Safety Management Systems (SMS). Aircraft Accident Investigation and Management* Apr.29-May3,2013 Daytona Beach Campus, Florida $2,000 This course is designed to teach the participant the fundamentals required to conduct or manage an aircraft mishap/accident investigation. The participant will review the investigation sequence from the preplanning stage through the general survey and specific analysis of a mishap/accident, culminating with the determination of contributing factors and probable cause/s. Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation and Management May 6-10, 2013 Prescott Campus, Arizona $2,000 This course introduces the participant to advanced accident investigation procedures involving design, materials, and aircraft performance. Participants will analyze various mechanical and structural factors and loads on an airplane, as well as be introduced to advanced fire investigation and avionics. Extensive use will be made of crash laboratory simulated accident scenario exercises, and case examples will help participants identify, collect, and analyze data in the process of determining probable cause/s. Discount: Individuals who complete all three courses are eligible for the Certificate of Management in Aviation Safety and will receive a discounted price of $1,000 at the time of registration for their third course; thus reducing the total cost to $5,000 for all three courses. Professional Programs offers courses in the Fall and Spring terms; participants may take one or a selection of courses per term. Website & Registration Information: http://www.erau.edu/case Email: case@erau.edu Phone: (386) 226-6928 Director: Sarah Ochs Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH REQUEST Study Participant Recruitment Solicitation People who have skills in project management and project cost analysis are needed to be a part of a research study that will be conducted at Northcentral University. In addition, these people need to be familiar with aviation safety management programs. . If you know of anyone with these skills, please contact ninaduncan@ymail.com or call 832-215-7037. . Curt Lewis