Flight Safety Information June 5, 2014 - No. 114 In This Issue Pilots on Katz Plane Mentioned Control Issue Before Crash Military Aircraft Crashes In Imperial Valley, California Residential Area Pilot Ejects as Navy Jet Crashes Into Sea Night vision risk for rescue pilots CASA faces change as it loses trust (Australia) PRISM SMS Airbus wins 306 aircraft orders in January-May Flight Safety Foundation BARS program recognised with mining safety award Florida Tech Launches New Graduate Aviation Degree ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems Short Course, Seattle Campus Upcoming Events Pilots on Katz Plane Mentioned Control Issue Before Crash By Alan Levin Pilots on the Gulfstream IV jet carrying sports-franchise mogul Lewis Katz discussed a control issue with the aircraft just before their fatal attempt to take off from a Massachusetts runway last week, investigators said. The twin-engine jet didn't lift off even though it reached a speed of 190 miles (306 kilometers) an hour and one of the pilots made the routine call to pull up the plane's nose, Luke Schiada, a senior air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a briefing yesterday. The plane instead went off the runway, skidded across a paved safety zone and slid about 2,000 feet (610 meters) through a field before coming to rest in a river bed. The cockpit voice recorder recovered from the wreckage "captured comments concerning aircraft control," said Schiada, who declined to elaborate, as the investigation continues. Much of the plane, made by a unit of General Dynamics Corp. (GD), was destroyed by burning fuel. All seven people aboard died. The speed the plane reached explains why it traveled so far off the runway, said John Cox, chief executive officer of industry consultant Safety Operating Systems. The speed was reported by Schiada in aeronautical terminology at 165 knots. "At 165 knots, that airplane will fly," Cox said in an interview. "Something's wrong there." Investigators will want to determine whether there were mechanical problems with the plane's control surfaces and that the pilots' pre- takeoff preparations were correct, he said. Seasoned Pilots The Gulfstream IV attempted to depart from Hanscom Field on May 31 at 9:40 p.m. for Atlantic City, New Jersey. The weather was clear and winds were calm at the time of the accident, according to a weather station at the airport. The business jet was being flown by Captain James McDowell, 51, of Georgetown, Delaware, and co-pilot Michael De Vries, 45, of Marlton, New Jersey, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's office. Both pilots had more than 10,000 hours of flight experience, Schiada said June 2. That is the equivalent of a veteran airline crew member. The plane had two recorders, one capturing cockpit sounds and another storing information about the flight and mechanical systems. Forty- nine seconds transpired from when the plane began moving down the runway to when the cockpit recorder failed, Schiada said yesterday. Both the brakes and the thrust reversers, which use engine power to slow down, were activated, the data recorder showed. Runway tire marks also suggest the plane was trying to stop. Safety Record The Gulfstream IV, which went out of production in 2002, is part of the most popular family of large business jets, according to JetNet LLC, a Utica, New York-based aviation research company. The plane has a cabin capable of holding as many as 16 passengers and can fly non- stop across the country, according to Gulfstream's website. There are 827 G-IVs and similar models in service, according to JetNet. The family of aircraft had only three fatal accidents prior to the latest crash, according to Robert Breiling, a consultant who tracks corporate-jet safety. The accident rate, including fatal and less serious crashes, was 1.7 per million flight hours from 2009 through 2013, less than half the total for all corporate aircraft, Breiling said. Katz had flown to Bedford to attend an event at the Concord, Massachusetts, home of Richard Goodwin and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Katz, a lawyer and businessman who through the years owned the New Jersey Nets basketball team, New Jersey Devils hockey team and ran a billboard company and parking-lot operator, won control of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper and its sister publication at a court-ordered auction four days before the crash. He was 72. The other passengers were Susan Asbell, 67, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Marcella Dalsey, 59, of Williamstown, New Jersey, and Anne Leeds of Longport, New Jersey. A flight attendant, Teresa Ann Benhoff, 48, of Easton, Maryland, was also aboard, according to the district attorney's office. To contact the reporter on this story: Alan Levin in Washington at alevin24@bloomberg.net http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-03/pilots-on-katz-plane-mentioned-control-issue-before-crash.html Back to Top Military Aircraft Crashes In Imperial Valley, California Residential Area A military aircraft crashed into civilian structures in Imperial Valley in Southern California on Wednesday evening according to media reports. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar confirmed the crash, saying the pilot of the Harrier fighter jet had ejected. The pilot was taken to the hospital for evaluation according to MCAS Miramar's statement. Officials said that no civilians on the ground were injured, but two homes had caught fire following the the crash. IMPERIAL, Calif. (AP) - A military jet slammed into a Southern California neighborhood dense with homes and exploded in flames, but the pilot and everyone on the ground emerged unscathed, officials said. Moments after the pilot ejected to safety Wednesday afternoon, the Harrier jet went down in a residential area of Imperial and destroyed two homes and heavily damaged a third. Eleven-year-old Christopher Garcia was watching TV with his father and brother when he heard a frightening boom. Outside, he said he saw a pilot in a parachute falling from the sky, and what looked like a mushroom cloud of dark smoke two blocks away. He ran to the crash scene to find one house with a collapsed roof, the neighboring house on fire, and a crying woman shouting, "That's my house!" The boy and other witnesses said panicked neighbors were running in every direction. Debris from the Harrier jet hit the roof of one of the houses, which was destroyed, Marine Lt Col John Ferguson said. The subsequent explosion and fire destroyed another house and badly damaged one more. The pilot, the only one aboard the aircraft, landed in a nearby field. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation and released, Ferguson said. Jose Santos had seen the jet go down and was driving to the crash scene when he saw the pilot "rolling from side to side," but looking unhurt. Leonardo Olmeda, 25, was racing remote-controlled cars in a street with many children playing when they saw the pilot eject and the nearby explosion. "It was a big flash, a bunch of black smoke, like a mushroom effect," Olmeda said. The Harrier AV-8B had taken off from Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma and was almost at his destination at Naval Air Facility El Centro when he ejected and the jet crashed for reasons not immediately clear, Ferguson said. It came down in the yard on a street lined with small homes on one side with a large park on the other in Imperial, a city of about 15,000 near the U.S.-Mexico border about 90 miles east of San Diego. Residents of eight more homes had to evacuate for the investigation and cleanup but later returned, officials said. This was the second crash in a month of a Harrier jet from the Yuma air base. On May 9, a pilot was able to eject safely before his jet crashed in a remote desert area near the Gila River Indian Community, south of Phoenix. No one was injured. And in July, 2012 another AV-8B Harrier crashed in an unpopulated area 15 miles from the air base, which is among the busiest in the world for the Marine Corps, and is used it to train military aviators from around the nation. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/04/aircraft-crashes-imperial-valley-_n_5448865.html Back to Top Pilot Ejects as Navy Jet Crashes Into Sea SAN DIEGO June 5, 2014 (AP) - A Navy jet crashed into the sea as it prepared to make a late-night landing on an aircraft carrier, but the pilot ejected and was listed in stable condition, officials said. The F/A-18E Super Hornet was making its approach to the USS Carl Vinson off the southern California coast about 10 p.m. Wednesday when it went down, Navy spokeswoman Lt. Reagan B. Lauritzen said. "The pilot ejected from the aircraft, was recovered safely and is currently aboard Carl Vinson in stable condition," she said. Lauritzen said she didn't have any more information on the pilot's condition. Other aircraft from the vessel still in the air were safely diverted to the naval airstrip at the Coronado section of San Diego. Lauritzen said the cause of the crash will be investigated. The Hornet has not been recovered from the sea. It was the second military aircraft crash in the California area Wednesday. In the afternoon, a Marine Harrier jet crashed in flames in a residential area of Imperial but no one was hurt. The pilot safely ejected and no one on the ground was injured. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/pilot-ejects-navy-jet-crashes-sea-24003993 Back to Top Night vision risk for rescue pilots Need for public awareness SIGHT HAZARD: Helicopter rescue pilot Shaun Clark wears the super-sensitive night vision goggles which can be disabled by even a brief flash of light, leaving the pilot temporarily blinded. Clark is warning of the dangers of people even briefly flashing lights at night-flying helicopters, which in the Southern region are guaranteed sure to be on emergency rescue missions or critical medivac flights. Southern night flying rescue helicopter heroes are calling for greater public awareness of the night vision technology that enables them to save lives in pitch darkness, after two recent "flashing" episodes. A medical evacuation flight returning from Dunedin Hospital and piloted by Shaun Clark was briefly flashed with a powerful spotlight early last week. The incident happened about 11pm in an area between Alexandra and Bannockburn. Even very brief exposure to light can "blow out" the extremely sensitive night vision system in the goggles pilots must use for night flying. Heliworks general manager Richard Mills said he doubted the flashing episode was malicious, but it did raise the need for the general public to be aware of actions when they heard or saw helicopters flying at night. "These guys were probably spotlighting for rabbits or possums, heard the chopper, and might have just briefly flashed their light up to see if they could see it," he said. "But night vision goggles are so sensitive that we were recently able to use them to spot a lost hunter from two kilometres away by getting him to hold up his phone and light up the screen - and that was through thick bush. "Having such sensitive gear for locating people in emergencies is great, but people need to be aware that it is really dangerous to shine a light at the same technology that could save their lives if they get into trouble." Clark said pilots could find themselves in real trouble in such circumstances. "Night vision goggles are designed to automatically dim in bright high light conditions, but when faced with with intense light such as from a spotlight, they will shut down to protect themselves from damage, leaving the pilot blind. "One sweep of a spotlight can destroy a pilot's night vision. This can quickly lead to disorientation and a very dangerous situation in the air." Pilot's flying at night had ample challenges with the mountainous terrain, changeable weather and pressure of rescuing people as it was, and what might seem like a relatively harmless action, had the potential to cause disaster for pilots, rescue crews and those they were trying to rescue, Clark said. Queenstown's senior sergeant John Fookes said anyone flashing a helicopter or plane was committing a serious offence, and wanted to underline the fact that any helicopter flying at night in the Southern region would be on an emergency medivac or search and rescue mission. http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/10118501/Night-vision-risk-for-rescue-pilots Back to Top CASA faces change as it loses trust (Australia) THE nation's air safety regulator is set for the biggest overhaul in decades after a government review found that relations between it and the airlines had soured to the point that safety improvements were being stifled. The Aviation Safety Regulation Review, conducted by aviation veteran David Forsyth, has called for sweeping reforms of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, claiming the regulator's "hard-line approach" to enforcement was inappropriate and had led to a lack of trust between it and operators. Federal Transport Minister Warren Truss said government would now review the 37 recommendations of the report, which would probably see a large-scale overhaul in aviation safety. "It looks like this will be a pretty fundamental restructuring of the safety regulations and if these 37 regulations are accepted then clearly it will be the biggest shake-up in decades," Mr Truss told The Australian yesterday. "We are looking for a quick resolution to these issues so that we can start rebuilding trust and confidence in the aviation sector." Key among the recommendations was providing operators with "plain English" regulations, that CASA's board exercise "full governance control" and the regulator change its organisational structure to a "client-oriented output model". The review, commissioned by the federal government last November, found the relationship between CASA and the industry had failed to a level which was "cause for concern". "In recent years the regulator has adopted an across-the-board hard-line philosophy, which in the panel's view, is not appropriate for an advanced aviation nation such as Australia," the review said. It said the present "adversarial relationship" between regulators CASA and the Air Transport Safety Bureau, and industry, meant the "fundamental principle" of sharing safety data openly was not occurring. Mr Truss said the replacement of current CASA head John McCormick - who will not be seeking to renew his contract which expires in coming weeks - and the creation of two new board positions would herald a "new start" for CASA. "We will deal with the recommendations in the context of the personnel who will be taking up positions over the next few months." CASA declined to comment on the report. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/casa-faces-change-as-it-loses-trust/story-e6frg95x-1226942130820# Back to Top Back to Top Airbus wins 306 aircraft orders in January-May PARIS: European planemaker Airbus sold 70 of its A320 family of narrow-body aircraft in May, taking gross orders for the first five months of the year to 306 planes. Taking into account 103 cancellations during the five-month period, net orders totalled 203 jets, Airbus said on Thursday. The company said it delivered 248 aircraft between January and May, including 10 of its A380 superjumbos. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/36107485.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst Back to Top Flight Safety Foundation BARS program recognised with mining safety award The Flight Safety Foundation's BARS Program has been recognised by the mining industry to improving the safety of resource charter flight operations. (Martin Eadie) The AusIMM - The Minerals Institute has recognised the Flight Safety Foundation's Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) Program for improving the safety of chartered resource support charter flight operations. The Australian-led initiative was awarded the Jim Torlach Health and Safety Award in recognition of the BARS program which evaluates contracted aircraft operations used extensively for carrying mining company personnel, and which has raised the level of minimum standards for charter aircraft operations worldwide. "We're really proud to accept this award from the mining industry and are encouraged in knowing that the program is internationally respected and is helping to improve aviation safety," BARS Program managing director Greg Marshall said in a statement. "Under our program aviation suppliers work to comply with one standard - not with the multiple and varying safety standards and protocols that existed previously. Mining companies can be assured their aviation suppliers meet the exacting standards required of the BARS Program." The BARS Program was developed by the FSF in conjunction with the resources sector and is a consensus-based industry standard consisting of four components: A risk-based international aviation standard; an auditing program, tailored to the standard; a range of aviation safety training programs; and a global safety data analysis program. http://australianaviation.com.au/2014/06/flight-safety-foundation-bars-program-recognised-with-mining-safety-award/ Back to Top Florida Tech Launches New Graduate Aviation Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AVIATION MANAGEMENT F.I.T. Aviation's training aircraft sit near the university's Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research. (Florida Tech image) BREVARD COUNTY * MELBOURNE - Florida Institute of Technology is launching a new online graduate degree program in Fall 2014 that is designed for adult working professionals in public, private or military aviation-related professions where advanced, graduate-level knowledge of aviation management concepts is a key to success. The Aviation Management degree prepares individuals for advanced leadership positions in the public, private, or military aviation sectors through specific skills and competencies training in aviation management. (Florida Tech image) The new degree, Master of Science in Aviation - Aviation Management, is offered by Florida Tech's College of Aeronautics and is a companion degree to the college's Master's in Aviation Safety and Master's in Human Factors in Aeronautics degrees, which are also available online. The Aviation Management degree prepares individuals for advanced leadership positions in the public, private, or military aviation sectors through specific skills and competencies training in aviation management. People interested in a wide range of aviation management applications, including airport managers, airport operations officers, and those in corporate investigative positions in government or private organizations, would find this degree meaningful. The program benefits of this 30-credit, non-thesis program include its online convenience and access to experienced, professional faculty, said Korhan Oyman, dean of the College of Aeronautics. "This online master's degree provides an outstanding opportunity for aviation professionals worldwide to benefit from Florida Tech's superior online delivery expertise and unsurpassed aviation management curricula," Oyman said. For information on admission requirements and curriculum information, please visit fit.edu/programs and click on "Aviation-Aviation Management Online." For information about graduation admissions, please contact the Florida Tech Graduate Admissions Office of Online Learning at gradadm- olocp@fit.edu or by calling 321-674-8271. For academic program information, please visit the College of Aeronautics at coa.fit.edu or call 321-674-8120. http://spacecoastdaily.com/2014/06/florida-tech-launches-new-graduate-aviation-degree/ Back to Top View this email in a web page TWO-DAY CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT (CEU) COURSE UAS Applications, Operations and Support: Key Topics of Industry This two-day, continuing education unit (CEU) course is specifically designed for professionals and specialists seeking to expand their understanding of the application, operation and support of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Discussions will focus on the considerations, regulations, policies, business opportunities and challenges of the industry. This course is developed and taught by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide faculty with UAS operations and research experience. Who Should Attend: ? Business Developers ? Executive Leadership ? Small Business Owner/Entrepreneur ? Engineers (including aerospace, communications, electrical, GNC, hardware, logistics, software, systems, quality assurance and test) ? UAS Operators, Pilots, Sensor Operators ? Analysts (system, data management, manufacturing, operations, procurement, research and quality) ? Managers (account, contracts, program, project and operations) ? Training Developers/Coordinators ? Administrators (government, contracts, IT and property) ? Planners (mission, facilities, schedule and strategic) ? Technicians (avionics, electronics, manufacturing and radio frequency) ? Writers (technical, grant and proposal) Key Topics: ? Introduction and Impact of UAS ? UAS Designs ? Legislation, Certification and Regulation ? Industry Concerns ? Applications ? Operational Profiles ? Business Opportunities ? Future of UAS When: Where: Course Fee: Thursday, June 5 to Friday, June 6 Embry-Riddle Worldwide Seattle Campus 1000 Oakesdale Avenue SW Suite 110 Renton, WA 98057 USD $700 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour lunch For more information: Al Astbury, Office of Professional Programs Tel: (866) 574-9125 * email: training@erau.edu CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 600 S Clyde Morris Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114 USA If you wish to be removed from this group's mailing list, click here Upcoming Events: Gulf Flight Safety Council Doha, Qatar 22nd of June 2014 membership@gfsc.aero 6th Annual Aviation Human Factors & SMS Seminar June 24th & 25th 2014 Dallas, TX www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1384474 21st Century Pilot Reliability Certification Workshop June 30th and July 1st, 2014 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07605 Please contact Kacy Schwartz kacy@convergentperformance.com 719-481-0530 International System Safety Society Annual Symposium 04-08AUG2014 - St. Louis, MO http://issc2014.system-safety.org Curt Lewis