Flight Safety Information August 19, 2013 - No. 170 In This Issue Investigators Focus on Pilot Procedures in UPS Jet Crash Automatic System Warned Pilots Before Alabama Crash Last seconds before UPS crash in Birmingham point to tricky airport approach SF Fire Chief Bans Helmet Cams Following Asiana Jet Crash Jet Blue flight diverts to Philly after smoke scare Virgin Airlines jet makes emergency landing in Gander Think ARGUS PROS ILFC sends 2nd warning to India to return KFA aircraft Former Cirrus Aircraft Executive Joins CAPACG Leadership Team GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Investigators Focus on Pilot Procedures in UPS Jet Crash By ANDY PASZTOR Federal investigators indicated they increasingly were looking into pilot training and landing procedures, rather than airplane malfunctions, to unravel last week's crash of a United Parcel Service Inc. cargo jet. In the last on-site press briefing from the Birmingham, Ala., accident scene, the National Transportation Safety Board gave its strongest signal yet that experts hadn't discovered problems with the Airbus A300's engines, automated flight-controls or other onboard systems. Airbus is a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. In coming weeks, investigators will conduct a flight test to learn more about UPS pilot procedures during landing approaches, safety-board member Robert Sumwalt told reporters Saturday. "This is just the very beginning of the investigation" and no conclusions have been reached yet about the probable cause, he said. He nevertheless indicated that the focus of the probe was on why the pilots failed to realize that they were descending too quickly in the predawn darkness as they tried to land at the Birmingham airport. The twin-engine jet hit power lines and trees before slamming into a hill and breaking apart in a field less than a mile short of the landing strip. The two pilots on board, both of whom died in the crash, were the only people on the plane. With the plane's engines and flight-control system seemingly operating normally, Mr. Sumwalt said, the cockpit crew kept the autopilot and automated thrust-control system, called autothrust, engaged through the final phase of the approach. Mr. Sumwalt suggested, however, that the autopilot might have been disconnected several seconds before impact but he didn't elaborate. Pilots frequently keep autopilots and autothrottles engaged throughout landing approaches, Mr. Sumwalt said. Investigators made a preliminary determination that the plane's speed and the position of movable surfaces on the wings and tail were consistent with a normal landing approach, he said. But the jet's trajectory was off, its altitude was too low at the end of the descent and an onboard warning sounded twice. Investigators previously said that about seven seconds before initial impact, the pilots received the first automated alert from an onboard collision-avoidance system, warning them that the plane was descending dangerously quickly. It wasn't clear whether the autopilot was turned off before the second warning. Investigators want "to understand what the crew was doing and what they knew" during the final few seconds of the flight, Mr. Sumwalt said. He said the emphasis of the coming flight test will be to understand how UPS safety officials recommend or train pilots to fly the type of approach that was used in Birmingham during Wednesday's accident. The UPS freighter was following a so-called nonprecision approach because the runway it was using didn't have a glide-slope indicator. Such equipment, commonly used at most commercial airports, helps provide pilots with a detailed visual image of an aircraft's trajectory, particularly its descent rate and altitude in relation to potentially hazardous obstacles. The plane was using a strip without a full-blown instrument-landing system because a longer strip that had such navigation aids was closed for maintenance. The NTSB had said that the cockpit-voice recorder revealed that one of the pilots said the runway was "in sight," barely four seconds before the first sounds of impact. Since early July, three jetliners have been involved in high-profile accidents in the U.S. at the end of visual or nonprecision approaches to runways. Mr. Sumwalt said that after collecting the facts of the Birmingham crash, NTSB experts will "look to see if there are wider systems issues that need to be addressed." Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com Back to Top Automatic System Warned Pilots Before Alabama Crash By MATTHEW L. WALD WASHINGTON - Sixteen seconds before a U.P.S. cargo plane crashed on approach to the airport in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday morning, an automated system in the cockpit warned that the aircraft, an Airbus A300, was descending too fast, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday. The warning was captured on the cockpit voice recorder, which was recovered from the wreckage on Thursday. Three seconds after the warning - in the form of a mechanical voice saying, "Sink rate, sink rate" - one of the two pilots told the other that the runway was in sight, according to the safety board member, Robert Sumwalt, who was at the crash site. Then, nine seconds before the end of the recording, there are "sounds that are consistent with impact,'' Mr. Sumwalt said. The plane came down outside the fence at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, hitting the trees and then the ground north of the airfield. Both pilots were killed. Investigators have also recovered the flight data recorder, he said, but he did not discuss its contents. Mr. Sumwalt's remarks were the investigators' first substantive comments on the crash. The captain of the U.P.S. plane had worked for the company since 1990 and had extensive experience - 8,600 hours of flight time, including 3,200 hours in the A300, Mr. Sumwalt said. The first officer had worked for U.P.S. since 2006. She had 6,500 hours of experience, including 400 in the A300, he said. The plane was on a flight from the U.P.S. hub in Louisville, Ky. The crew members had started their shift at 9:30 p.m. the day before, flying to Louisville from Rockford, Ill. The Birmingham control tower is equipped with a minimum safe altitude warning system, but it did not go off, according to the controller in the tower. Investigators are looking into whether it should have. The controller said he saw the plane on approach and saw a spark shortly before the crash. Investigators said the plane appeared to have taken down a power line before the crash. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/us/alabama-automatic-system-warned-pilots- before-ups-crash.html?_r=0 Back to Top Last seconds before UPS crash in Birmingham point to tricky airport approach The UPS flight that crashed in Birmingham had to make a visual approach over hills to the airport's shorter runway because the much longer, more familiar runway was closed for maintenance. Although it will be months before official reports are made, new clues are emerging about the cause of the crash of a UPS cargo plane short of the runway at the airport in Birmingham, Ala., early Wednesday morning. So far, it appears to be a combination of weather (low clouds and raining), time of day (before dawn), and a tricky visual approach over hills to the airport's shorter runway because the much longer, more familiar runway - the one that provided glide slope as well as direction information to approaching pilots - was closed for maintenance. Initial evidence and eye-witness reports indicate that the Airbus A300 clipped power lines and trees, possibly ingesting debris into the engines, before crashing seconds later. Investigators have recovered the flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the A300 aircraft flown by two pilots, both of whom were killed in the mishap. So far, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials reported Friday, there is no indication of any mechanical malfunction or systems problem that might have caused the crash. The pilots had not radioed any distress warning. National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt told reporters during a briefing Friday that a recorder captured the first of two audible warnings in the cockpit 16 seconds before the sound of an impact, either with trees or the ground. The warnings indicated the twin-engine jet cargo plane was descending at a rate outside normal parameters given its altitude, Mr. Sumwalt said, meaning its sink rate was excessive. At this early point in the investigation, officials haven't made any determination on the actual cause of the crash into an Alabama hillside. "We haven't ruled anything in, haven't ruled anything out," he said. Still, the main focus now is on the UPS aircraft's approach to that shorter runway - Runway 18 - and the hill pilots must clear just before landing there. "When I heard they were using Runway 18 it caught my attention because of that hill," said Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines captain who is now chief executive of Aero Consulting Experts in Los Angeles. "It's sad, but it didn't surprise me." "It is definitely legal, but it I had a choice I'd use another runway first," Mr. Aimer said. The preferred runway is 12,000 feet long - Runway 18 is just 7,000 feet - and it is oriented east-west so that pilots do not have to descend over the Appalachian foothills at the north end of the shorter runway. According to the NTSB, the aircraft crashed into the bottom of a hill less than a quarter mile after hitting the trees. UPS has identified the pilots as Capt. Cerea Beal, Jr. and First Officer Shanda Fanning. The NTSB's Sumwalt said the plane was being flown by Capt. Beal - who had 8,600 hours of flight experience, including 3,200 hours in the A300 - but investigators don't know whether Beal or Fanning had ever before landed on Runway 18. "We're going to do our best to find out," Sumwalt said. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/0817/Last-seconds-before-UPS-crash-in- Birmingham-point-to-tricky-airport-approach-video Back to Top SF Fire Chief Bans Helmet Cams Following Asiana Jet Crash SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) - San Francisco's fire chief says helmet-mounted cameras no longer will be allowed after images from July's airliner crash became public. Chief Joanne Hayes-White told the San Francisco Chronicle she is concerned about the privacy of victims and firefighters. The decision comes after images at the scene of the Asiana Airlines crash from Battalion Chief Mark Johnson's helmet camera were published in the San Francisco Chronicle. That led to questions about whether the department is liable in the death of a 16-year- old who survived the crash but was run over by a fire truck. She was covered with fire- retardant foam. Police, the coroner and the National Transportation Safety Board are reviewing the footage. Hayes-White said her 2009 ban on video cameras in facilities was meant to include fire scenes. Back to Top Jet Blue flight diverts to Philly after smoke scare Flight bound to Baltimore from Boston was forced to divert to Philadelphia Sunday evening, when smoke was found inside the cabin. A JetBlue flight bound for Baltimore from Boston was forced to divert to Philadelphia on Sunday evening when the odor of smoke was detected inside the cabin, leading the flight crew to take cautious measures. JetBlue Flight 827 was carrying 95 passengers and crew when it made its emergency stop in Philadelphia just before 6:00 PM, writes the Associated Press, noting that the decision was made out of "an abundance of caution." Nobody was injured in the incident, and the passengers were soon diverted to a later flight, writes the Boston Globe. Mechanics are currently evaluating the plane to detect the source of the smoke smell. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/130818/jet- blue-flight-diverts-philly-after-smoke-scare Back to Top Virgin Airlines jet makes emergency landing in Gander A Virgin Airlines flight made an unexpected stop at Gander International Airport Saturday. A Virgin Airlines flight made an unexpected stop at Gander International Airport Saturday. (Lisa Gushue) More than 250 passengers on a Virgin Airlines flight had an unexpected sleepover in a Central Newfoundland airport terminal on Saturday night. The flight was en route from London to New York on Saturday when the plane developed a fuel leak. The leak forced pilots to land at Gander International Airport. A spokesperson at the airport's fire services division said there were no major problems with the landing and all passengers were OK. Another plane is expected to arrive Sunday afternoon to get the passengers on their way, while the original plane is being repaired. The passengers had to bunk down at the terminal because there was no room at any of the hotels in town. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2013/08/18/nl-flight- landing-gander-818.html?cmp=rss Back to Top Back to Top ILFC sends 2nd warning to India to return KFA aircraft Earlier, ILFC had warned that India's failure to return leased planes to their owners when the airline (Kingfisher Air) cannot pay dues could put the country's aviation growth at risk. US-based aircraft lessor International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC) has sent second warning to India seeking return of six planes it had leased to Kingfisher Airlines . Earlier, ILFC had warned that India's failure to return leased planes to their owners when the airline cannot pay dues could put the country's aviation growth at risk. Meanwhile. these six aircraft are sitting idle at various airports after they were impounded by service tax department when the airline could not pay pending dues. For the purpose, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) can release the deregistered leased aircraft of the grounded Kingfisher Airlines for the lessors to fly them back only after required permission from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) is expected to send its opinion on the issue this week. However, India, being a signatory to Cape Town convention, has to comply with the treaty which states, in case of a default, lessors will have the first right to claim back the plane. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/ilfc-sends-2nd-warning-to-india-to- return-kfa-aircraft_937740.html Back to Top FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Scott D. Meacham, President and Co-Founder, CAPACG, LLC Email: smeacham@capacg.com Phone: 859-992-7268 Former Cirrus Aircraft Executive Joins CAPACG Leadership Team August 19, 2013 - CAPACG, LLC, DAYTONA BEACH, FL - CAPACG, provider of aviation Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) solutions, ISBAO Auditing, and Safety Management Systems consulting announce the addition of John Gauch, Director of Business Development and Sales, to their leadership team. John's experience in general aviation spans over 25 years and he is uniquely suited to take the helm in this newly created leadership position. John will be tasked with expanding market share for the CAPACG product line, including the newly deployed FlyteAnalytics™ cloud based FDM analysis solution. Previously, for Cirrus Aircraft, John was Fleet Sales Director and he served as Vice President Domestic Aircraft Sales. Additionally, John was with Sporty's Pilot Shop for 15 years, spending the last four years as President. He was also Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Diamond Aircraft Industries, Inc. "John's expertise with aviation business development, fleet sales and large fleet operations were a natural fit for the CAPACG team," said Larry McCarroll, CAPACG CEO. "CAPACG is excited to bring John's years of experience, organizational and motivational skills to the table that are needed to lead us into the future." CAPACG is an industry leader in bringing comprehensive FDM systems and analysis solutions to General Aviation. CAPACG's signature products include FlyteAnalytics™ and FDM...The Silent Mentor®. Each provide operators with low cost flight data monitoring solutions that utilize data from an integrated flight deck or light weight recorder equipped aircraft. CAPACG specializes in creating and deploying FDM programs for operators such as; general aviation flight training fleets, small regional airlines and helicopter emergency services. To learn more about CAPACG, visit: www.capacg.com. http://www.capacg.com/wpcore/2013/08/former-cirrus-aircraft-executive-joins-capacg- leadership-team/ Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Commercial Airline Pilot Informal Learning Survey-Request for Participant's, Recent aviation accidents have highlighted the need to understand all aspects of commercial airline pilot training and learning. The Federal Aviation Administration's 2010 Call to Action recognized that current pilot training practices may need to be modified or changed. The one-size fits all approach to pilot training may no longer be sufficient in today's aviation environment. While there have been numerous studies on commercial airline pilots' formal learning, little is known about pilots informal learning activities, perceptions of informal learning, and opinions on how airlines should support informal learning. This study intends to answer those questions. If you are currently US part 121 commercial airline pilot, please take a few minutes to let us know how you learn outside of the training center. The survey is anonymous and should take approximately 10 - 15 minutes to complete. Click here to access the survey, or you can paste the link into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FMDFJRM Please note that the results of the study will be aggregated and will be available upon request at the conclusion of the study. For more information, or to receive a paper copy of the survey, please contact the researcher below. Thank you for your time. Kevin Corns Principle Investigator Capella University kcorns2@capellauniversity.edu Curt Lewis