Flight Safety Information November 6, 2013 - No. 229 In This Issue Buffalo crash leads FAA to overhaul pilot training U.S. Airways jet makes emergency landing in N.C. Passengers Flee Jumbo Jet After Runway Fire AI's Dreamliner woes continue, braking system culprit this time (India) PIA aircraft fails to land in Delhi, returns to Lahore Private aircraft on training exercises veers off runway at TCRA PRESCOTT AIRPORT HONORED WITH AIRPORT SAFETY AWARD (Arizona) Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Filed In Santa Monica Plane Crash Think ARGUS PROS SwRI scientist honored for lifetime achievement in jet fuel research Air Safety Institute offers downloadable presentations NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager Program Accredited SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance SA : SGS Acquires Hart Aviation, Australia Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar (APASS 2014) Buffalo crash leads FAA to overhaul pilot training Prodded by the families of people killed in a regional airline crash, federal officials issued an extensive overhaul of training requirements for pilots Tuesday. By JOAN LOWY Associated Press WASHINGTON - Prodded by the families of people killed in a regional airline crash, federal officials issued an extensive overhaul of training requirements for pilots Tuesday. One of the most important changes requires airlines to provide better training on how to prevent and recover from an aerodynamic stall, in which a plane slows to the point that it loses lift. That was what happened to Continental Express Flight 3407, which crashed on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport in western New York on Feb. 12, 2009, killing all 49 people aboard and a man on the ground. The crash victims' families have campaigned relentlessly for nearly five years for changes in federal regulations to address safety issues raised by the accident, including better pilot training. The families won a major victory in 2010 when they persuaded Congress to pass a sweeping aviation safety law. Since then, they've kept pressure on the Federal Aviation Administration to follow through on key safety provisions. They've made dozens of lobbying visits to Washington to meet with members of Congress and administration officials, and have attended aviation hearings and held news conferences. Under the new requirements -- the most substantial in two decades -- airlines will have to provide flight simulator training for pilots on how to deal with a stall. The captain and first officer of Flight 3407, which was operated for Continental Airlines by now-defunct Colgan Air, failed to notice that the speed of the twin-engine turboprop had dropped dangerously low, an investigation of the crash revealed. The captain, Marvin Renslow, was startled when a stall warning system called a stick-shaker, which violently shakes the pilot's control yoke, suddenly went off. The appropriate response to such an event would be to push forward on the yoke to lower the nose of the plane in order to pick up speed, while increasing engine power. But Renslow pulled back hard on the yoke, sending the plane into a stall. At that point a second safety system called a stick pusher tried to point the plane's nose down, but Renslow again pulled back hard on the yoke. There was little chance of recovery after that, and the plane fell from the sky. Renslow had not received any hands-on training in how to recover from a stall in the Bombardier Dash 8- Q400 he was flying, only classroom lessons, and so was likely experiencing the aircraft's stick-shaker and stick-pusher for the first time, investigators said. Until that crash, the emphasis in the airline industry had been on training pilots how to avoid getting into situations where a plane might stall, with far less attention on how to recover from one. FAA officials began working on new pilot training requirements as far back as 1999, but made extensive revisions in their work to take into account the safety issues raised by Flight 3407. "This rule will give our pilots the most advanced training available to handle emergencies they may encounter," FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at a news conference. The new requirements are focused on preventing events that "while rare, can be catastrophic," he said. The crash of Flight 3407 was the result of "an archaic approach to pilot training at some small regional carriers like Colgan that was significantly substandard to the best practice training methods employed by our country's mainline carriers," a group representing family members said in a statement. "Today we have taken a significant step to address the first issue, and in doing so have positioned ourselves to take pilot training into the twenty-first century after nearly fifteen years of fits and starts. " But family members also complained that FAA officials are giving airlines five years before they have to implement the new requirements. "It is hard to see any sense of urgency to significantly reduce aviation accidents," said Karen Eckert, who lost her sister, 9/11 widow Beverly Eckert, in the crash. "That will be a full 10 years since the needless loss of our loved ones in a completely preventable crash and a full 20 years since this training rule-making project was initiated." Other changes required by the new rule: -- Pilots' performance will be tracked and airlines must create a remedial training program for pilots who repeatedly demonstrate deficiencies in skills tests. Renslow had failed several such tests, but was allowed to retake them. -- Expanded training for pilots on how, when they are sitting in the second cockpit seat, they should monitor the performance of the other pilot who is flying the plane. -- Expanded training on how to handle crosswinds and wind gusts. A Continental Airlines jet hit by powerful crosswinds at Denver International Airport in December 2008 while attempting to take off ran off the runway, rumbled over frozen fields and crashed into a ditch, where the plane broke apart and burst into flames. No one was killed, but there were many injuries. "The training mandated by these rules has very accurately addressed factors that have been identified in a number of accidents," said Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association International, the world's largest pilots union. Airlines have previously expressed concern that the new training requirements will increase their costs. The FAA estimated the cost to the industry of the new rule at $274.1 million to $353.7 million over 10 years. ___ Follow Joan Lowy on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy http://seattletimes.com/html/boeingaerospace/2022195139_apxairlinepilotstraining.html Back to Top U.S. Airways jet makes emergency landing in N.C. A US Airways jet en route from Lynchburg, Va. to Charlotte, N.C. had a "maintenance" issue and was diverted to Greensboro, N.C., where it made an emergency landing Wednesday morning, reports CBS Greensboro affiliate WFMY-TV. The carrier told CBS News the issue with Flight 3727 was a "faulty gear indication." None of the 45 passengers and or 5 crew was hurt, US Airways said. Passengers were to continue from Piedmont Triad International Airport by bus or on another plane, the airline said. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57611025/u.s-airways-jet-makes-emergency-landing-in-n.c/ Back to Top Passengers Flee Jumbo Jet After Runway Fire (MONTREAL) -- A fire broke out on a Moroccan airliner that had just landed in Montreal on Monday evening, forcing an emergency evacuation and causing a number of injuries, authorities said. The fire broke out on the Royal Air Maroc plane while the crew was unloading the Boeing 767 after it had arrived from Casablanca, said Montreal Trudeau Airport spokesperson Stephanie Lepage. A conveyor belt overheated and ignited after the bags were pulled from the cargo hold shortly after arrival at 5 p.m., she said. Video Some of the 250 passengers and eight crew members were treated for smoke inhalation while others were injured as they jumped from the emergency slides used to evacuate the plane, authorities said. Two of the passengers were treated for injuries on the scene while five others were taken to the hospital in varying conditions, officials said. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will investigate the incident. http://www.kmbz.com/Passengers-Flee-Jumbo-Jet-After-Runway-Fire/17695073 Back to Top AI's Dreamliner woes continue, braking system culprit this time (India) After Melbourne glitch, another Air India Dreamliner flight makes priority landing at Delhi's IGI Airport National carrier Air India's woes with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's operations continued after a flight with 184 passengers and crew onboard, operating on the London-Delhi route, made a priority landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport early on Tuesday. "The flight AI 116 sought priority landing yesterday around 2.30 AM after pilots found some warning lights blipping as they were approaching New Delhi," Air India officials said. The lights were indicating a problem with the braking system which prompted the pilots to seek a "priority" landing. The aircraft, however, landed safely. This was the second incident which raised concerns about the safe operations of the Dreamliner aircraft. On Monday, Air India's Dreamliner developed cracks while landing at the Melbourne Airport. The cracked windshield has been replaced by a new one and is being sent back. The windshield of AI-311 operating on the Delhi-Melbourne-Sydney route with 80 passengers and 12 crew members onboard cracked as the plane landed at Melbourne on Monday. Air India's Dreamliners have had a string of operating snags of late and recently a body panel fell off the aircraft while approaching Bangalore for landing. In January, the entire Dreamliner fleet was grounded after the US Federal Aviation Administration found problems with the aircraft's battery systems. Since, then the problem had been fixed by the manufacturer Boeing and returned to airlines across the world. Last week, Boeing said that the aircraft was safe for passengers but admitted that it was concerned with the recurring problems in its operations. "We are concerned about the problems with the Dreamliners. It's a machine, we did our best to design it but things happen sometimes," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president (sales, Asia-Pacific and India) at Boeing. "But it is a safe airplane, it has never caused issues with the safety of passengers." Air India has continued with the deliveries of the Dreamliner despite the technical snags. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/AI-s-Dreamliner-woes-continue--braking-system-culprit-this- time/1191206 Back to Top PIA aircraft fails to land in Delhi, returns to Lahore New Delhi: A Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore, with around 80 passengers and crew onboard, returned to base after its pilots failed to land at the IGI airport here due to navigational problems. The PIA flight (PK-270) was scheduled to land at 2.40 pm but while making an approach to touch down, the pilots could not align the Boeing 737 plane with the instrument landing system (ILS) which guides aircraft to land safely, airport sources said. Navigational problems. Reuters The Pakistan airlines was not available for comments. Failing to establish connection with the ILS, the air traffic control officer (ATCO) gave the headings (direction) of the airport to the pilot but he once again failed. "The ATCO then tried to assist the pilot to land with the help of surveillance radar, giving him the direction of the runway, but the pilot could not sight the runway despite the fact the runway visibility was quite good at 1,800 feet," the sources said. The pilot then went for "go-around", but failed to land once again. With so many failed attempts, the pilot then decided to return to Lahore, the sources said, adding it seemed there was navigational problem with the aircraft. The sources said no flight plan has been filed by the airline for now, which means the flight is unlikely to come back today. http://www.firstpost.com/india/pia-aircraft-fails-to-land-in-delhi-returns-to-lahore- 1214683.html?utm_source=ref_article Back to Top Private aircraft on training exercises veers off runway at TCRA A Beechcraft Baron aircraft with two people aboard went off Runway 527 at Tri-Cities Regional Airport in Blountville during a training exercise Tuesday. BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. - No one was injured when a small plane registered to a West Virginia company veered off a runway at Tri Cities Regional Airport during a training exercise Tuesday, an airport official said. The pilot of a 1976 Beechcraft Baron, five-passenger plane with two passengers aboard was simulating an engine failure scenario during a practice run around noon, when it went off a runway and hit a glide slope antenna array, a piece of equipment used to help incoming and outgoing planes with navigational issues, TCRA Marketing Director Melissa Thomas said. The airport's runway was not damaged, but the plane suffered damage to both propellers and cosmetic damage to the left wing, nose area and landing gear. The aircraft's owner is listed as Tug Aviation Inc. of Williamson, W.Va., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Emergency workers with the Sullivan County Fire Department and Emergency Management assisted airport police, Thomas said. The runway was temporarily closed for nearly two hours as crews removed the aircraft, but only a few flights were impacted. Air traffic control tower officials diverted incoming and outgoing traffic to another runway, according to Thomas. The incident will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Officials with Tug Aviation could not be reached for comment. http://www.tricities.com/news/local/article_bc1b10ce-4650-11e3-865a-001a4bcf6878.html Back to Top PRESCOTT AIRPORT HONORED WITH AIRPORT SAFETY AWARD (Arizona) This award is given to an airport that has made considerable strides in enhancing safety. PRESCOTT, AZ (November 5, 2013) -On Saturday November 2, 2013, the Prescott Municipal Airport/Ernest A. Love Field was presented with the prestigious 2013 Airport Safety Award at the 41st Annual Safety Awards Banquet. This award, given to an airport that has made considerable strides in enhancing safety and efficiency, was presented to the City of Prescott on behalf of the Aviation Safety Advisory Group of Arizona and theFederal Aviation Administration(FAA) Safety Team. "It is an honor for the City of Prescott to be recognized for our efforts to enhance the safety of the airport and its facilities," said Jeff Tripp, Airport Manager. In order to receive the award, an airport must be a public use airport facility in Arizona and be judged on its specific contributions, whether they be procedural or physical improvements to increase aviation and aircraft safety. The major airport safety accomplishment during the past year has been the completion of the $11.3 million project to improve the runway safety area for the airport's primary runway. This project shifted the primary runway400 feet to the northeast to achieve compliance with the FAA's 1,000-foot Extended Runway Safety Area requirement. The project also shifted portions of the parallel taxiways; installed an underground storm drain system paralleling the main runway; installed new LED taxiway lights along taxiway D; re-graded the safety areas between Runway 3R/21L and parallel taxiways C & D; and installed a replacement Instrument Landing System. "This award is ultimately the result of close coordination and teamwork between airport staff, the FAA air traffic control tower, airport users, construction personnel and project engineering personnel," said Tripp. "This award is also a reflection of the commitment to the culture of safety that occurred throughout the construction phase of the project, which included both daytime and nighttime work." Ernest A. Love Field is owned and operated by the City of Prescott. The Airport supports an estimated 700 jobs and generates $69 million to the local economy each year. In 2012, the Airport experienced 252,000 take-offs and landings, making it the 37th busiest airport in the country and the third busiest in the state. In 2012, over 5,000 passengers used the airport to connect to flights in Los Angeles and Denver through Great Lakes Airline. A large percentage of this activity is generated by flight training conducted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Guidance Aviation, North-Aire, and Universal Helicopters. Other activities include recreational aviation, scheduled airline service, corporate aviation, business aviation, and military operations. The community benefits of these activities include medical flights, search & rescue flights, law enforcement, and U.S. Forest Service aerial firefighting operations during the summer months. http://www.prescottenews.com/index.php/news/current-news/item/22532-fwd-prescott-airport-honored- with-airport-safety-award Back to Top Wrongful-Death Lawsuit Filed In Santa Monica Plane Crash LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) - Three sons who lost their mother in a plane crash at Santa Monica Airport filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Tuesday against the estate of the aircraft's pilot, alleging negligence. Kyla Dupont, 53, was killed aboard a twin-engine Cessna Citation aircraft that went off the runway Sept. 29 before colliding with a runway sign and crashing into a hangar. The hangar collapsed on the plane, which then caught on fire. Authorities said the blaze, which spread to two nearby hangars, burned at unusually high temperatures due to jet fuel. Kyla Dupont's sons Charles Dupont, Elliot Dupont and Jackson Dupont brought the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging the pilot failed to maintain proper control over the plane, did not undertake the necessary actions to achieve a safe flight, acted unreasonably in the landing of the plane and failed to maintain the aircraft with proper repairs. Mark Benjamin, the 63-year-old president of Santa Monica-based construction company Morley Builders, was believed to be at the controls at the time of the crash. The passengers were returning from a trip to Hailey, Idaho. Benjamin's 28-year-old son Lucas and 28-year-old Lauren Winkler, Lucas' girlfriend, were also killed in the crash. The suit seeks unspecified damages from the estate of Mark Benjamin and Malibu-based MML Investments LLC, a real estate and aircraft management company. A representative for the Benjamin estate could not be reached for comment. The cause of the crash remains unclear. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation found no debris on the runway at the time of the crash and said all four of the aircraft's tires were inflated upon landing. At the time of the crash, NTSB officials said the pilot never contacted authorities stating there was a problem. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/11/05/sons-of-santa-monica-plane-crash-victim-file-wrongful-death-suit- against-pilot/ Back to Top Back to Top SwRI scientist honored for lifetime achievement in jet fuel research The International Association for Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels Inc. presented George R. Wilson with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work in jet fuel testing research. A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) scientist has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association for Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels Inc. for his work testing the thermal stability of liquid fuels. George R. Wilson is a principal scientist in the TARDEC Fuels and Lubricants Research Facility in the Fuels and Lubricants Research Division at SwRI. Wilson received the award for "his technical achievements in the area of jet fuel specification testing and test method development for over three decades," the IASH said in its nomination. "This is a well-deserved recognition of the outstanding research George Wilson has contributed to the field of thermal stability of liquid aviation fuels over many years," said Steve Marty, vice president of SwRI's Fuels and Lubricants Research Division. "That includes, not only his contributions to the IASH, but to the Coordinating Research Council, ASTM International and the Aviation Fuel Conference. George has helped make flying safer through better quality fuels." He received the award at the 13th IASH International Symposium held in Rhodes, Greece, Oct. 6-10. He is the third Institute staff member to receive the award. Steven Westbrook, staff scientist in the Fuels and Lubricants Research Division, received the award in 2003, and retiree Clifford A. Moses, received the award in 2007. San Antonio-based SwRI is an independent research and development organization. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/morning-edition/2013/11/swri-scientist-honored-for- lifetime.html Back to Top Air Safety Institute offers downloadable presentations Chances are, you've participated in one of the Air Safety Institute's free safety education programs-either online or at an in-person seminar. With more than 1 million contacts into the pilot community each year, the Air Safety Institute has tremendous reach. Now, the institute has launched a new way to bring its free safety education content to anyone interested in sharing general aviation safety information at local community events. Just visit the newly launched Web page to select the program or programs you want, download them, and you're all set for your next flying club or fly-in safety meeting, or ground school event at your FBO and flight school. All we ask is that you let us know, after your meeting, how many people were in attendance. These programs are among those available: "What Went Wrong" seminar: This PowerPoint presentation was a popular nationwide Air Safety Institute seminar series. Starting at the scene of the accident and working backward from there, the audience participates by acting as the accident investigator to determine what went wrong and why. No Greater Burden video: In this documentary-style video, Russ Jeter shares the story of his personal tragedy. Find out what led to his aircraft accident that claimed the life of his son, and learn what every pilots needs to know to avoid a similar situation. Accident Case Studies examine general aviation accidents by re-creating them using actual ATC-pilot communication, radar weather images, and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Lessons learned are outlined and serve as a great conversation starter at your safety meeting or ground school. From VFR into IMC to weather datalink delays, case studies offer in-depth analysis of accidents and their causes. Real Pilot Stories are the tales of incidents and accidents, told in the pilot's own voice in the hopes that other pilots will learn from their experiences. From an underwater escape to a VFR-only pilot trapped on top of a cloud layer, these stories are sure to open dialogue and encourage participants to share their own personal stories. Ask ATC videos: In collaboration with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), this series of videos is an opportunity to listen to frequently asked questions answered by actual air traffic controllers. New content will be added quarterly, so if you don't see the program you want, be sure to check back often. Many Air Safety Institute products are eligible for FAA Wings credit and AOPA Accident Forgiveness. In addition, you may download certificates of completion from your Air Safety Institute Transcript. The Air Safety Institute is a division of the nonprofit AOPA Foundation. Funding for Air Safety Institute safety programs comes from the generosity of pilots like you. http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/October/17/ASI-downloadable-safety- presentations.aspx Back to Top NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager Program Accredited After completing a two-year application process, NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program received accreditation last week from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an independent body that developed the standards for professional credentialing programs. NCCA has accredited some 300 programs, including the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) designations. According to the association, the NCCA accreditation demonstrates that the CAM credential, which was launched in 2001, provides a "valid measure of readiness" for a person to be an aviation manager. "Through certification, these individuals demonstrate their level of expertise and commitment to the aviation industry, and are tested in five subject areas: leadership, human resources, operations, technical and facilities services, and business management," NBAA said. The CAM governing board had to create more than 700 pages of documentation on meeting 21 NCCA standards to complete the accrediting application process. NCCA accredited the CAM program for a five-year period through Oct. 31, 2018. "We commend the work of the CAM governing board in reaching this major milestone for the program," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "NBAA and the business aviation community acknowledge CAMs as professionals who have demonstrated an exemplary level of industry knowledge and management skills, and this accreditation serves to underscore their outstanding achievements and leadership potential." http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainalerts/2013-11-05/nbaas-certified-aviation-manager-program- accredited Back to Top SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance SA : SGS Acquires Hart Aviation, Australia SGS is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hart Aviation based in Melbourne, Australia. Hart Aviation is a global leader in aviation safety, conducting more than 700 auditing and advisory projects annually in over 60 countries. Founded in 1995 and privately owned, Hart Aviation has 38 full time employees and consultants providing specialist aviation audit and advisory services to specifically mitigate aviation risks. Hart Aviation's clientele includes companies involved in many different industries and sectors such as mining, oil, gas, energy, utilities, government, forestry, agriculture, engineering as well as aircraft owners and operators. The Group reported revenues in excess of A$7 million for the latest fiscal year. "I am very pleased with this acquisition which is the first one for our Systems and Services Certification business in many years. Our global network will provide Hart Aviation with exciting new opportunities to promote and expand its services. Many of SGS' customers will be very interested in the unique services provided by the Hart Aviation team to manage and minimize risks to their employees and cargo", said Chris Kirk, CEO of SGS. For further information, please contact: Jean-Luc de Buman Corporate Development, Communications & IR SGS SA 1 place des Alpes CH - 1211 Geneva 1 t: +41-22 739 91 11 f: +41-22 739 92 00 www.sgs.com About SGS SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 75,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,500 offices and laboratories around the world. http://www.4-traders.com/SGS-SOCIETE-GENERALE-DE-S-2956065/news/SGS-Societe-Generale-de- Surveillance-SA--SGS-Acquires-Hart-Aviation-Australia-17433837/ Back to Top Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar (APASS 2014) 21-22 May 2014, Bangkok, Thailand As part of our ongoing efforts to establish continuous enhancement in aviation safety in the Asia Pacific region, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) plans to hold the next Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar (APASS) on 21-22 May 2014 in Bangkok. The seminar, hosted by THAI Airways International, is organised by the AAPA Flight Operations & Safety Working Group. This seminar is designed to create a common meeting place for all airlines from the Asia Pacific region, airports, aircraft manufacturers, regolators, insurers, ground handlers, MROs, service providers and suppliers to discuss and to be updated on the latest developments in aviation safety. This seminar will provide excellent networking opportunities for all safety stakeholders to exchange ideas on the important fundamentals and applications of aviation safety best practices, in-service experience and lessons-learned with like-minded aviation safety experts from within and outside the region. As in past seminars, topic-specific workshops will be organised to create a more focused environment for participants to exchange views and debate on the practical approaches in managing some of the leading safety issues facing the region. Registration will be opening very soon so mark this key regional event on your calendar! APASS 2014 will focus on solutions to safety challenges that will have a positive impact on aviation operations. Interested parties can submit their papers via the call for papers form below. Abstracts selected will be for individual presentation or for participation in panel discussions. Papers are encouraged to have regional applicability and address current industry and regulatory issues. On behalf of THAI Airways International, the AAPA would like to offer sponsorship opportunities to interested organisations enabling sponsors to present their corporate messages and showcase their company brands to some of the leading airlines in the world based in Asia Pacific. To submit a paper or for sponsorship opportunities, please visit http://www.aapairlines.org For further enquiries, kindly contact CV Thian at cvthian@aapa.org.my or tel: +603 2162 1888 Curt Lewis