Flight Safety Information January 16, 2014 - No. 014 In This Issue 'Good Samaritan' rescues Navy pilot after jet crashes off Va. coast 2 pilots killed as PAF fighter jet crashes India Fears FAA Safety Rating Downgrade Deaths from Airplane Crashes Are Lower Than They've Ever Been Police find $7.2 million cash stashed in suitcases at airport in Panama 2 rhino horns seized at Prague airport Industry Coalition Urges OMB to Approve Rule Enhancing Safe Air Transport of Lithium Batteries Think ARGUS PROS Announcing...The Annual "Moral Courage Safety Awards" Embraer says it met all regional jet delivery targets New Saudi airline in $2 billion deal for Bombardier planes China is a Hot Destination for South American Pilots RAA Promotes Stacey Bechdolt to Senior Director-Safety & Technical Affairs and Regulatory Counsel 'Good Samaritan' rescues Navy pilot after jet crashes off Va. coast An F/A-18E Super Hornet, like these seen flying above the USS Enterprise in 2012, went down on Wednesday, January 15, off the coast of Virginia. A Navy pilot ejected safely Wednesday before his fighter jet crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the Virginia coast, the Navy said. The pilot, who wasn't identified, was conscious when he was rescued from the water by a "good Samaritan" in a passing fishing boat about 45 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, the Navy said in a statement. The pilot was being treated at Norfolk General Hospital. The jet, an F/A-18E Super Hornet single-seater fighter assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 143 at Naval Air Station Oceana, was on a routine training run when it went down about 2:30 p.m. ET. No further details were immediately available. The crash happened exactly a week after another Navy aircraft, an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, crashed about 20 miles off the Virginia coast, killing three crew members. It also was on a training mission. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/15/22317313-good-samaritan-rescues- navy-pilot-after-jet-crashes-off-va-coast ****************** Date: 15-JAN-2014 Time: 02:30 p.m. McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet Owner/operator: United States Navy Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: 72 km off the coast of Virginia Beach - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: Oceana Naval Air Station Destination airport: Oceana Naval Air Station Narrative: The plane crashed 72 km off the coast of Virginia Beach, obviously due to a technical malfunction. The pilot ejected safely, but was severely injured. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top 2 pilots killed as PAF fighter jet crashes A Pakistan Air Force fighter jet crashed in the most populous province of Punjab on Thursday, killing both pilots. The PAF plane crashed in fields in Mandi Bahauddin district, 200 km from provincial capital Lahore, police officer Hanif Butt said. He said both pilots, including a Wing Commander, were killed instantly. The jet had taken off from Sargodha airbase for a routine training flight. The cause of the crash could not immediately be ascertained. A PAF team reached the crash site and launched an investigation. http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/2-pilots-killed-as-paf-fighter- jet-crashes/article5582388.ece *************** Date: 16-JAN-2014 Time: c 12:15 Type: Dassault Mirage 5 Owner/operator: Pakistan Air Force Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Near Mandi Bahauddin - Pakistan Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: PAF Base Mushaf Destination airport: Narrative: Two PAF pilots died in an accident during a routine training flight. The airplane was reported to be a Mirage. PAF operates both Mirage III as Mirage 5 aircraft. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top India Fears FAA Safety Rating Downgrade India fears that U.S. aviation regulators may downgrade the country's air safety rating, amid the brewing diplomatic dispute between the two countries over the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York in December. An official of the ministry of civil aviation in New Delhi says the FAA could possibly downgrade India's safety rating to category II from category I, after submission of a report about the second round of a safety audit of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). DGCA is implementing the observations and suggestions made by FAA during the latter's December audit, but may take some time to fully comply with all the recommendations, the official says. A three-member technical team from the FAA carried out the second round of audit of the DGCA to determine whether corrective steps have been taken to resolve 33 deficiencies highlighted during the first round of the audit in September. Of the 33 deficiencies, corrective measures were taken on 26, which were deemed as closed. "We are working on the remaining issues," the official says. The DGCA is also in the process of hiring flight operations inspectors (FOI) on a contractual basis after the FAA expressed severe concern over the lack of full-time FOIs. According to the FAA, a category II safety rating means the air carriers from the state in question cannot initiate new airline service and are restricted to current levels of any existing service to the U.S. while corrective actions are underway. FAA does not support reciprocal code-share arrangements between air carriers for the assessed state and U.S. carriers when that state's civil aviation authority has been rated Category II. Under the International Convention on Civil Aviation, each country is responsible for the safety oversight of its own air carriers. Other countries can only conduct specific surveillance activities, principally involving inspection of required documents and the physical condition of aircraft. FAA conducts the International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA), assessing the civil aviation authority (CAA) of each country that has carriers operating to the U.S. Because of the provisions of the Chicago Convention and national sovereignty, the FAA can't evaluate a foreign carrier within its own sovereign state. A downgrade could affect national carrier Air India and leading private airline Jet Airways, as they would not be able to increase flights to the U.S. Observers say an FAA decision to downgrade India's rating may also impede Singapore Airlines and AirAsia, which have proposed joint ventures with Tata Sons Ltd for starting flights to the U.S. However, India may flex its muscles by imposing a ban on the delivery of new Boeing 787 aircraft to Air India. The carrier now has 10 787s out of a total of 27 for which it has placed orders. The national carrier, which has been experiencing trouble with its newly-acquired Boeing 787s almost since it began putting them into service late last year, wants to use the new-generation aircraft fleet as the mainstay for rapid expansion of its global network. India is expected to be the third-largest aviation market by 2020, handling 336 million domestic and 85 million international passengers. According to the civil aviation ministry official, the government has so far cleared only 14 of the 27 aircraft for service with Air India as part of a turnaround plan for the airline. The government will decide soon on introducing the remaining 13 aircraft. Boeing declined comment. The FAA has, over the years, downgraded the safety ratings of several nations, including Mexico, Venezuela and the Philippines, and a close U.S. ally, Israel. Since last month, the world's two largest democracies have seen an escalation of their worst diplomatic dispute in years, following the arrest, handcuffing and alleged strip- search of India's deputy consul in New York, Devyani Khobragade, who is accused of paying her maid less than the U.S. federal minimum wage and of lying in her visa application. The month-long tiff has soured the broader U.S.-India relationship, which involves bilateral trade of $100 billion a year, leading to sanctions against American diplomats in New Delhi and the postponement of visits to India by senior U.S. officials and another by a U.S. business delegation. http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_01_12_2014_p0- 653617.xml Back to Top Deaths from Airplane Crashes Are Lower Than They've Ever Been Nervous flyers will be relieved to learn that last year was the safest ever in terms of airliner crash fatalities, with only 265 casualties out of roughly 31 million flights throughout the world, compared to a ten-year average of 720 annually. That's the fewest number of fatalities on record. It was also the second-safest year in terms of deadly plane crashes, 29 in 2013, compared to 32 on average. The Aviation Safety Network (ASN) reported their findings on flights carrying at least 14 passengers. ASN President Harro Ranter contends that last year was so safe because of stricter industry policies, saying: "Since 1997 the average number of airliner accidents has shown a steady and persistent decline, probably for a great deal thanks to the continuing safety-driven efforts by international aviation organizations." According to ASN, Africa is the least safe place to fly from - airlines from the continent are responsible for around twenty percent of crashes, despite being the departure site of just three percent of flights. But Russia's Tatarstan Airlines was responsible for the worst crash of 2013, when a Boeing 737 crashed into Kazan, Russia, killing 50 people on impact. If you want to feel extra safe while air traveling, and you happen to live in the Southern Hemisphere, you could book a flight with on of AirlineRatings.com top safest airlines: The number-one spot goes to Australia's Qantas. The Australian company is followed by Air New Zealand, Emirates, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, EVA Air, All Nippon Airways and Royal Jordanian. The worst airlines, on the other hand, are Afghanistan's Kam Air, Kazakhstan's Scat, and Suriname's Bluewing Airlines. Still most airlines, the ratings group reports, are in the safe range: AirlineRatings.com's rating system takes into account a number of different factors related to audits from aviation's governing bodies and lead associations as well as government audits and the airline's fatality record. Of the 448 airlines surveyed 137 have the top seven-star safety ranking, but almost 50 have just three stars or less. The news is welcome after a spate of freak air travel disaster stories This month, a small plane made an emergency-landing on a New York City highway and just last night a Southwest pilot landed at a completely wrong airport. However, even bad things do happen, the results are often not as bad as they could be or would have been just a few years ago. Last summer's most talked about air accident was a Asiana Airlines flight that crash-landed in San Francisco. Three people died and 180 more were injured, but most people were amazed that the crash was not much worse. There were more than 300 people on board. We're also glad we can stick to air travel over boat, following the worst year ever for cruises. http://www.thewire.com/national/2014/01/flight-safety-2013/356948/ Back to Top Police find $7.2 million cash stashed in suitcases at airport in Panama (CNN) -- It started when police found nearly $7.2 million stuffed in eight suitcases at a Panama airport. Investigators say they suspect the cash, which had been concealed in hidden compartments in luggage on a flight from Honduras, was being moved for a powerful cartel, but they haven't said which one. The money was mostly in U.S. $100 bills, authorities said. In a case that highlights the regional impacts of the drug trade, now Honduran investigators are trying to figure out how the suitcases slipped by airport authorities, drug police and special investigators at the Toncontin airport in Tegucigalpa. Authorities have suspended dozens of officers as they investigate, Honduran police told CNN affiliate Televicentro. Panamanian police, who described the suitcase stash as their largest seizure in years, arrested three Honduran nationals at Tocumen International Airport. http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/world/americas/panama-airport-suitcases-cash/ Back to Top 2 rhino horns seized at Prague airport PRAGUE (AP) -- Czech officials say airport customs authorities have seized two horns of endangered rhinoceroses believed to be destined for the black market in southeast Asia. Customs official Sarka Miskovska says the horns, weighing 6.77 kilograms (15 pounds), were hidden in a parcel with electrical materials. Miskovska said Thursday its true content was revealed by an X-ray scanner at Prague's Vaclav Havel Airport. Simona Cigankova of the Czech Environmental Inspectorate says the horns belonged to the southern white rhino and their black market value is estimated at $360,000. Demand for rhino horns has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to increased prices on the black market. Despite no evidence, there's a belief in Asia that taking ground-up horn cures diseases. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/01/16/3874294/2-rhino-horns-seized-at- prague.html#storylink=cpy Back to Top Industry Coalition Urges OMB to Approve Rule Enhancing Safe Air Transport of Lithium Batteries PR NEWSWIRE SOURCE: PR NEWSWIRE PHMSA Rule Would Align U.S. Rules with Stricter International Safety Regulations WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PRBA-The Rechargeable Battery Association, with other trade groups, manufacturers and transportation companies, has urged the Office of Management and Budget to "act promptly" and finish its review of U.S. Department of Transportation regulations that would advance safety goals by harmonizing U.S. requirements for the air transport of lithium batteries with tougher international rules. In a January 10 letter to the director of OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), 24 coalition members noted that DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) safety regulation was initiated four years ago, in January 2010. PHMSA's proposal proved controversial and was followed by new and improved regulatory efforts in April 2012 and January 2013. "It is now time for this proceeding to be completed," the letter stated. PHMSA's final rule is expected to harmonize U.S. hazardous materials regulations addressing the air transport of lithium batteries with the 2013-2014 rules established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the letter said. "We strongly believe that this would enhance safety by avoiding the burdens of complying with multiple and inconsistent safety requirements," the letter added. As a result, the PHMSA regulation is "both sound policy" and meets the requirements of the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act, including PHMSA's continued prohibition on the transport of lithium metal batteries on passenger aircraft, the letter emphasized. "We see no reason why OIRA should delay its promulgation and publication in the Federal Register," the letter added, if PHMSA's final rule harmonizes U.S. regulations with international air transport regulation and the agency, as expected, adopts several changes advocated by the industry coalition. About PRBA PRBA members power the consumer electronics revolution. We deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for portable electronic equipment such as notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, and MP3 players, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles and containerized lithium ion battery stationary systems. PRBA members produce approximately 70 percent of the world's lithium ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales. With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation's authoritative source for information on rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org. SOURCE PRBA - The Rechargeable Battery Association http://www.aviationpros.com/news/11292985/phmsa-rule-would-align-us-rules-with- stricter-international-safety-regulations Back to Top Back to Top Announcing The Annual "Moral Courage Safety Awards" Presented at Heli-Expo 2014 Presented by the US DOT - Transportation Safety Institute Call For Nominations The purpose of the award is to promote and foster positive safety culture in the rotorcraft industry by recognizing those individuals and organizations that make sometimes difficult operational decisions based on continued safe operations. Example of a deserving individual and organization - I learned of a HEMS pilot who aborted a critical neonatal transport because of unforecast bad weather. It was a tough call and one that haunted him, but he knew it was the right decision to ensure a safe outcome. His organization supported the decision and went so far as to recognize him for making the tough call. In this case both the individual and the organization should be recognized. Let's face it; it's always easy after the accident to second guess the decisions that put a crew in trouble. What our industry needs is to reward those who make the tough decisions that keep them out of trouble. That's walking the talk of positive safety culture! Sometimes choosing the safest course of action can be difficult, especially if it means modifying the mission. Bottom line, it takes moral courage to do the right thing. You can help - nominate someone today! Who is eligible? Any Crew, Crew Member, Maintainer, Supervisor, Manager, employee and or their organization who demonstrates commitment to a positive safety culture. Email Mr. D Smith for a nomination form. D.smith@dot.gov Or call (US) 405.694.1644 Back to Top Embraer says it met all regional jet delivery targets SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer S.A. met all its delivery targets for commercial and executive jets as the year 2013 drew to a close, the company said. The Brazilian conglomerate, which began as a modest aviation factory in Sao Jose dos Campos when its first turboprop transport rolled out in 1969, is a growing contender for global pre-eminence as it takes on major rivals in North America, Europe, Asia and Russia. Embraer is the world's largest regional aircraft manufacturer and has plans to compete with U.S. and European rivals in tactical military transport, attack aircraft and other airborne refueling systems. The company says its focus remains on selected aviation segments with high growth potential. Embraer delivered 90 commercial planes and 119 executive jets in 2013 against targeted deliveries of 80 to 90 light executive jets and 25 to 30 large executive jets, indicating the planemaker stands tall among Brazilian exporters that suffered last year due to the dual effects of a trade slowdown and discouraging overvaluation of the national currency real. Based on December data, Embraer expects to earn more than $18.2 billion from firm orders above the revenue forecasts of about $17.8 billion revealed around September. Among contracts secured by Embraer recently is an American Airlines Group Inc. order for as many as 150 aircraft, an indication of how the plane maker's competitive pricing is reflected in Western Hemisphere demand and supply of fuel-efficient and economical aircraft. Embraer said the American Airlines order was the "main highlight of the quarter." The order covers a firm contract for 60 E175 jets with options for the purchase of an additional 90 jets of the same model. The narrow-body medium-range twin-engine jet airliner was launched at the Paris Air Show in 1999. Embraer customers now include several other regional airlines in Canada and the United States plus numerous other operators in Europe, Africa and Asia. On the military front, Embraer's EMB 314 Super Tucano turboprop light attack aircraft is set to make inroads into the European market as part of an overall deal with Sweden's Saab for the delivery of next generation fighters for the Brazilian air force. Saab is likely to supply Brazil with as many as 36 of its Gripen NG fighters in a multibillion-dollar deal that includes several technology transfer arrangements. As part of that overall deal, Sweden is considering the purchase of Super Tucanos as its main training aircraft over Saab's own 106 Trainer aircraft. Embraer hopes to extend the market for its Super Tucano and other light military aircraft to Britain. http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/01/15/Embraer-says-it- met-all-regional-jet-delivery-targets/UPI-35261389823890/#ixzz2qZDFLB9S Back to Top New Saudi airline in $2 billion deal for Bombardier planes Bombardier's CSeries aircraft lands after its first test flight in Mirabel, Quebec MANAMA (Reuters) - Saudi Gulf Airlines, a new carrier born of the deregulation of Saudi Arabia's aviation market, has signed a $2 billion deal with Canada's Bombardier Inc to buy 16 CSeries jets with options for 10 more, the airline's owner said on Thursday. The deal is a boost for Bombardier, which has so far seen slow orders for the CSeries after several months of development delays, with potential customers waiting for flight test data to confirm fuel and cost saving claims. Delivery of the CS300 jets, which seat between 130 and 160 passengers, is expected between the end of 2015 and the start of 2016, said Samer al-Magali, president of the Abdel Hadi al-Qahtani group. Dammam-based Saudi Gulf is expected to start operating later this year or next year, Magali told reporters at the Bahrain International Airshow, saying the $2 billion referred to the list price for the planes and options. The group is ready to buy or lease around six other planes until the CSeries jets are delivered, he added. "Saudi Gulf will be launched once we have the technical licence from the civil aviation authority," said Magali, a former chief executive of Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air . Saudi Arabia started opening up its aviation market in 2012 by awarding additional carrier licences. Population growth and rapidly rising incomes mean there is considerable room for expansion, analysts believe. Currently, only national carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines and budget airline National Air Services serve a domestic market of about 27 million people. Foreign carriers can only fly in and out of Saudi Arabia, not within the country. The Bombardier order will initially be funded by the al-Qahtani group but the main funding will come from lenders, Magali said without elaborating. The planes will be used within Saudi Arabia and the region. The CSeries is a narrow-body jetliner aimed at competing with the smaller planes built by aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus . Bombardier has said it expects to have 300 firm orders by the time the CSeries boards its first commercial passenger, currently slated for next autumn. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-saudi-bombardier-planes- 20140116,0,4620990.story Back to Top China is a Hot Destination for South American Pilots Zhejiang Loong Airlines interviewed several pilots from South America leading to its launch of operations in December with Airbus A320s. The Chinese airline industry is attracting scores of South American pilots who see far better opportunity for career advancement with fast growing and startup airlines in the People's Republic than in their home countries. The pilots-largely from Brazil, Bolivia and Venezuela-have answered calls to help alleviate a pilot shortage in China from the likes of Zhejiang Loong Airlines (ZLA), which started operations in December. Based in Hangzhou, Zheijiang province, ZLA became the first new private airline to launch commercial flights in China since 2007. Next, Urumqi Airlines, a joint venture between Hainan Airlines and Urumqi Urban Construction Investment, plans to start operations by the second quarter. Others, namely Ruili Airlines, based in Kunming, and Qingdao Airlines, in Shandong, have also recently received their air operating certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing. According to a senior official at the CAAC's Flight Standard Department, Li Narou, poor economic conditions in certain parts of South America have prompted experienced pilots to secure jobs with airlines in China and in other countries. "These pilots have also been attracted by the remuneration package offered by Chinese carriers and they see good development opportunities for them in the long term," Li said. Currently, Chinese airlines, including Air China, employ more than 800 foreign pilots from Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Russia, Georgia, Norway and Bulgaria. Li said airlines consider foreign pilots an asset for several reasons, not least because they help their Chinese colleagues improve their spoken English. In 2001 the CAAC made it mandatory for those seeking admission to flying schools in China to first undergo a six-month English language course. "It is not a smooth process for foreign pilots to secure employment in China as they have to go through several levels of assessment on flying and have to pass the CAAC Aviation Law examination," Li stressed. Other Chinese carriers that have hired foreign pilots include Sichuan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Hainan Airlines and Okay Airways. Shenzen Airlines last hired South American pilots in 2004. Sichuan Airlines became the first to hire foreign pilots in 2002, before which time authorities considered it taboo for any Chinese airline to hire non-Chinese flight crew. A total of 18,200 pilots fly with Chinese airlines currently. Li said Chinese airlines will require between 1,400 and 1,700 new pilots every year to meet fleet and network expansion needs. He added that the Civil Aviation Flight University of China, the country's major flying school for commercial airline pilots, trains some 790 pilots a year while another 600 graduate from private flying schools. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-01-15/china-hot-destination-south- american-pilots Back to Top RAA Promotes Stacey Bechdolt to Senior Director-Safety & Technical Affairs and Regulatory Counsel Bechdolt joined RAA in May 2012 as Director-Safety & Technical Affairs bringing her broad regulatory and legal skills to head up the association's safety and technical issues, including leading the RAA Safety Council. Washington, DC-January 15, 2014-The Regional Airline Association (RAA) announced the promotion of Stacey Bechdolt to Senior Director-Safety & Technical Affairs and Regulatory Counsel, effective immediately. Bechdolt joined RAA in May 2012 as Director-Safety & Technical Affairs bringing her broad regulatory and legal skills to head up the association's safety and technical issues, including leading the RAA Safety Council in its efforts to share best practices among its members and coordinating the association's rulemaking activities. Prior to joining RAA, Bechdolt served as Manager-Training Compliance and AQP Coordinator for Comair. She has years of experience in the airline industry and is an aviation attorney specializing in aviation regulations, operations and safety. A member of various FAA rulemaking committees, Bechdolt also holds a number of NTSB certificates in related aspects of accident investigations. A graduate of the Indiana University School of Law with a master's degree from the University of Pacific, Bechdolt is also a certified private pilot. "Advancing safety was why RAA was founded in 1975 and it remains our primary mission. Stacey's drive and passion to focus on aviation safety issues since her arrival at RAA has served our association and airline members well," said RAA President Roger Cohen. "This well-earned promotion recognizes both the valuable contributions she's made over a short time, as well as the diverse and skilled talents that will benefit the RAA team - -particularly the safety and professionalism of our industry -- for years to come." Founded in 1975, Washington, D.C.-based RAA provides a wide array of technical, government relations and public relations services for regional airlines. With safety as its highest priority, the association's 29 member airlines and nearly 200 associate members represent the key decision makers of this vital sector of the commercial aviation industry. With more than 13,000 regional airline flights every day, regional airlines operate half of the nation's scheduled flights with 70 percent of U.S. airports relying on regional airlines exclusively. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/11294538/raa-promotes-stacey-bechdolt- to-senior-director-safety-technical-affairs-and-regulatory-counsel Curt Lewis