Flight Safety Information February 18, 2015 - No. 033 In This Issue Sukhoi-30 aircraft crash: Russia blames human factor; IAF denies Japanese company buys northern Idaho aircraft builder Lawmakers urge continued support of air safety, high standards NTSB report: No clear cause of Sauk Rapids plane crash Gulfstream business jet sets 'around the world' records PROS 2015 TRAINING IS-BAH's 'FIRST CERTIFICATION' AWARDED TO INDIA'S PREMIERE GROUND HANDLING SERVICE Announcing the EAAP Courses in Human Factors for 2015 2015 Southeast Regional Chapter of ISASI's annual meeting Embry-Riddle Professional Programs Offers Certificate of Management in Aviation Safety Upcoming Events Sukhoi-30 aircraft crash: Russia blames human factor; IAF denies Bengaluru: Russia on Thursday blamed "human factor" for the crash of a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft in October last year that led to the grounding of the entire fleet of India's frontline fighter plane for a month, a charge denied by the Indian Air Force. "Our stand is human factor," said Vitaly Borodich, Vice Presdient (Military Sales) of Irkut Corporation. Irkut is the subsidiary of Russia's state-run United Aircraft Corporation which is the umbrella organisation of that country's aerospace industry. Borodich claimed that the IAF has also accepted that it is human factor. Noting that the incident relates to "inadvertent firing" of ejection seat of the plane, Air Force Chief Arup Raha said India has had similar incidents or accidents in the past. "In this case, we have done a thorough investigation but it is not yet complete. A final report is yet to come. But, we did not really find anything wrong with the system. "And it does not, of course, indicate that there is a human error or a pilot error," he said. Raha underlined that there had been instances when such inadvertent firing had taken place. "That goes to show there is something wrong since we did not find anything wrong in system per se, mechanical part, servicing part as well as electrical part of the ejection system. "The CoI is yet to find an exact reason. We are yet to decide how to pinpoint exactly," he said. Asked if the IAF has ruled out deliberate ejection, he said it has. "We have not been able to find any fault with the system as of now. But this thing has happened. We have historical evidence of the seat having malfunctioned in the past. "So that is a good ground to say that there has been something wrong," he said. Russian experts, including Borodich, had flown down to India to assist in the inquiry. Borodich said the Russian stand has come after a thorough study of all record and technical inspection. The IAF had claimed that the crash happened due to the "automatic ejection" of the pilot seat while landing near Pune in October. Following the crash, the entire SU-30 fleet was grounded for a month before being allowed to fly again in November. It was the longest period for which the fleet was grounded since 2009 when its operation was suspended for nearly three weeks following an accident. The aircraft was being flown by two officers -- Wing Commander Sidharth Vishwas Munje and Flying Officer Anup Singh -- when the crash took place last year. Wing Commander Munje, who was the senior pilot on the aircraft, had been involved in the first-ever crash of a Sukhoi 30 fighter plane in 2009 when his co-pilot was killed. The Court of Inquiry into the crash had found that the officer had mistakenly switched off the fly-by-wire systems of the warplane, causing the crash. While a design change was made by putting a sheath on the fly-by-wire switch to prevent any such incident, it was found that the co-pilot died as an ejection seat harness broke due to excessive exposure to the Sun. India has a total of 272 SU 30 MKI planes on order, making it the largest operator of the fighter aircraft type in the world. The plane is also the IAF's most modern fighter jet tasked with frontline duties. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sukhoi30-aircraft-crash-russia-blames-human-factor-iaf- denies/529411-3.html Back to Top Japanese company buys northern Idaho aircraft builder SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) - A Japanese company bought a northern Idaho company that builds a rugged backcountry aircraft. The Spokesman-Review reported (http://bit.ly/19wF4K2) in a story on Tuesday that Setouchi Holdings Inc. has acquired Sandpoint-based Quest Aircraft Company and plans to increase production and hire more workers. "We are looking forward to significant growth for Quest in the years ahead," Quest CEO Sam Hill said. Setouchi Holdings officials said the aircraft company with 184 employees will remain in Sandpoint. Quest Aircraft each year builds about 30 of the $2 million KODIAK single-engine turboprop airplanes. The 10-seat aircraft is used for mission work, tourism, and skydiving. It is also used for government and corporate trips. Setouchi Holdings is a member of Tsuneishi Group, a global entity involved in shipbuilding, transportation and related businesses. "Quest has positioned itself to be attractive to outside investors to help us grow the company, and we feel we have the perfect fit with Tsuneishi Group," Hill said in a statement. "They have extensive experience in manufacturing along with other global capabilities which will benefit us greatly. In addition, their corporate philosophy is similar to ours in how they treat their customers and employees and in how they view their place in the world." Quest Aircraft started in 1998 when founders Tom Hamilton and Dave Voetmann saw a void that could be filled with the KODIAK. They designed the aircraft and sought funding. The first KODIAK took flight in 2003. The airplanes are built in an assembly plant near the Sandpoint Municipal Airport. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/18/japanese-company-buys-northern- idaho-aircraft-buil/#ixzz3SC4C5xg1 Back to Top Lawmakers urge continued support of air safety, high standards Local lawmakers acknowledged the sixth anniversary of the crash of Flight 3407 on Thursday by calling on Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration to preserve and expand the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. The legislation was championed by family members of the crash victims and Western New York's congressional delegation, demanding higher standards for pilot safety training and more thorough record keeping. During the Erie County Legislature's session on Feb. 12, a resolution was passed stating that the Airline Safety/ FAA Extension Act had yielded significant improvements to air safety. The resolution also said families of the victims are concerned about possible future rollbacks or even a full repeal of the law. Legislator Ed Rath called on his peers in the governing body to reflect on the progress the families have made thus far and decry any effort to dilute the legislation. "On this date we not only honor the victims, but we reflect on the accomplishments of the families and supporters who pushed for improved airline safety to better protect any one of us who boards an airplane," Rath said in a press release following the session. "Just recently, I attended an event to remember the victims and hear an update on what was being accomplished in Washington," he said. "It has been a challenging fight for advocates, and I want to commend their strength. The Erie County Legislature supports their efforts and has approved several resolutions over the years calling for improved safety. "Today, we are once again passing an item that requests the process move forward and that past accomplishments not be undone. Aviation safety is too important and must be ensured at the highest level." That sentiment was echoed Feb. 2 when "Miracle on the Hudson" pilot Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger joined the families in Clarence Town Hall to announce his support for a full retention of the legislation. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Reps. Chris Collins, Brian Higgins and Louise Slaughter sent a bipartisan letter signed by 21 members of Congress, urging Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster and ranking member Rep. Peter DeFazio to retain the safety standards put in place after the Clarence Center crash, which claimed the lives of 50 people. "Six years later, the crash of Flight 3407 still weighs heavy on our community," Rep. Collins said in a press release. "Through the tireless advocacy of the families of Flight 3407, significant reforms have been made to achieve one level of aviation safety for consumers. However, the fight is not over. It is vital we maintain the hard-fought improvements in airline safety standards that we have won, while fighting for implementation of a pilots record database and other safety items." The letter sent to Shuster and DeFazio supported the implementation of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 and urged both men to resist pressure to undermine the enacted provisions as the committee considers reauthorization of the FAA. Additionally, the letter asks that one of the remaining provisions from the 2010 law, the pilot records database, be established without further delay. http://www.lancasterbee.com/news/2015-02- 19/Local_News/Lawmakers_urge_continued_support_of_air_safety_hig.html Back to Top NTSB report: No clear cause of Sauk Rapids plane crash An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board couldn't determine why a small plane crashed into a Sauk Rapids house June 20, killing the pilot and a German foreign exchange student who was a passenger. The eight-page report provides the known details of the flight by St. Cloud commercial pilot Scott A. Olson, 60, and passenger Alexander Voigt, a 16-year-old Technical High School student. Both were killed when the plane crashed into a home at 731 Garden Place. Olson was flying Voigt over the St. Cloud area so the foreign exchange student, who was staying with St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, could take some pictures before the end of his stay in the United States. A man who was in the house at 731 Garden Place escaped by jumping from a second- floor window and was unharmed. Olson's daughter was friends with Voigt, and Olson had agreed to give Voigt an aerial tour of the St. Cloud area a week before Voigt was to fly home to Germany. The NTSB report discusses the possibility that the cockpit's canopy opened during flight, causing Olson's plane to "wobble back and forth" before beginning a nose dive that ended with the crash. The report indicates the plane was too badly damaged by the crash and resulting fire to do testing on the canopy and its latching mechanisms. The NTSB report cites an entry in the plane's logbook that said the canopy had come open during a descent in August 2013 at St. Cloud Regional Airport. The report also states the effects of wake turbulence from an Allegiant flight that was in the area at the time of the crash "could not be determined" because there wasn't data to tell where those planes were in relation to each other right before the crash. Witnesses reported seeing the Allegiant flight in the same area as Olson's plane before the crash. The NTSB report indicates that Olson and the pilot of the Allegiant flight were communicating before the crash and both were aware of the other's position. Five minutes before the crash, the pilot of the Allegiant flight "transmitted that it had the airplane on its traffic collision avoidance system" and was about 1,300 feet above Olson's plane and descending," according to the NTSB report. Olson transmitted that the Allegiant flight had "plenty of room to maneuver there," according to the report. Four minutes before the crash, Olson transmitted that he had "a camera out we're gonna take a picture of ya." The Allegiant pilot replied "we have you in sight as well." That was the last transmission from Olson's plane. A witness on the ground saw Olson's plane shake and wobble before the nose went down, according to the NTSB report. That witness reported seeing a dark and a light colored object come from Olson's plane as it was descending. Investigators believe those objects were an aviation headset belonging to Olson that was found on a property near the crash site and a piece of PVC pipe that has been used on similar planes for wheel chocks or control locks, according to the report. The NTSB report references a report that addressed safety issues of cockpit canopies of the type on Olson's plane. An unlatched or loose canopy during flight can alter the air flow over the plane's tail and stabilizers, causing significant aircraft stability and control issues, according to the report. A loose canopy can alter the pilot's visual references relating to altitude, and an open cockpit during flight can create a chaotic environment for a pilot trying to deal with severe wind, noise and debris flying around as the pilot tries to control altitude, the report said. http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2015/02/18/ntsb-report-clear-cause-sauk- rapids-plane-crash/23622689/ Back to Top Gulfstream business jet sets 'around the world' records A Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. business jet recently set two city-pair records while flying around the world in one stop. The G650ER took off from White Plains, N.Y., with three passengers and four crew members on board. It flew 12,851 kilometers eastbound to Beijing at an average speed of Mach 0.87 for a total flight time of 13 hours and 20 minutes. The aircraft then flew eastbound 12,171 kilometers to Savannah, accomplishing the mission at an average speed of Mach 0.89 for a total flight time of 12 hours. The aircraft landed both times with fuel in excess of National Business Aviation Association instrument flight rule reserves. "There isn't another business jet capable of this mission," Scott Neal, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, Gulfstream, said in a statement. "This flight proves just how powerful a machine the G650ER is. We promised customers an aircraft that could take them farther faster than any other; we delivered on that promise. The G650ER provides a combination of speed and range that is creating history and setting records." Pending approval by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association, the city-pair records will be sent to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as world records. In addition to the two pending records, the G650ER set two speed records during flight testing in 2014. The aircraft flew from Los Angeles to Melbourne, Australia, in 14 hours and 58 minutes. The G650ER then flew from Hong Kong to Teterboro, N.J., in 14 hours and 7 minutes. The G650ER can travel 13,890 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and 11,853 kilometers at Mach 0.90. It has a maximum speed of Mach 0.925. Gulfstream has a service center and aircraft assembly facility at Outagamie County Regional Airport in Greenville. The company employs more than 15,000 people at 12 locations. http://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/2015/02/18/gulfstream-business-jet-sets- around-world-records/23620991/ Back to Top Back to Top IS-BAH's 'FIRST CERTIFICATION' AWARDED TO INDIA'S PREMIERE GROUND HANDLING SERVICE SRC Aviation (P) LTD, Hq. - New Delhi, (IGI Airport) India, has just been granted IBAC's - FIRST- prestigious IS-BAH Aviation Ground Handling Certification - the new 'International Standard' for Business Aviation Handlers which was presented in Bangalore at the first 'Bizav India Conference' held this week by IBAC's Director General - Kurt Edwards and certified by Terry Yeomans - IS-BAH's Program Director. The IS-BAH program launched late 2014 to provide a compatible level of world-wide safety standards commensurate to IS-BAO's expanding fleet of internationally certified aircraft now established as the 'global standard.' Note: SRC's audit was performed for IBAC in India by Ken Qualls, President - Flight Management Solutions, Ltd. (ken.qualls@gmail.com) 561-750-9921 who spent considerable time in India insuring this 'very first' IS-BAH audit met and exceeded the stringent requirements of this first certification of an Aviation Service Provider. IS-BAH is the Ground Handling 'equivalent' of the internationally recognized IS-BAO Aircraft Certification standard. Of note, SRC's HS800XP charter aircraft has obtained the IS-BAO aircraft certification (performed by Ken Qualls as well) assuring SRC Aviation's clients flying India 'domestically' the same level of international flying standards compatibility that many of SRC's clients already have - adhering to NATA's safety and ICAO's SMS requirements. SRC Aviation, with it's multiple FltOps strategically located throughout India has been providing extraordinary Ground Handling Services for the prestigious Fortune 500 fleet for over three decades. All the more remarkable, SRC Aviation has been providing the 'near equivalent' of FBO services and full FltOps Dispatch Coordination Services for Business and Private Aviation in a country that has yet to produce a true FBO as we know it. SRC's long term aviation 'clients' include leading Prime Service Providers as well as many elite private and and governmental aircraft operations world-wide relying upon SRC's renown services while transiting India and South-Central Asia. The addition of the new IS-BAH 'certification' re-enforces and confirms the high safety standards already inherent within SRC's Ground Handling and Charter FltOps. For more information contact: www.SRCAVIATION.com or: Bill Hele - SRC Aviation N/A 561 826 7905 helehw@aol.com Back to Top Announcing the EAAP Courses in Human Factors for 2015 The European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) training courses in "Human Factors in Flight Safety: Safety Management Systems (SMS), Risk Management and Safety Investigation" will be conducted in Dubai and Barcelona, in May 2015. In addition to these courses, a new Advanced Course "Human Factors in Aviation Safety: an Integrated Approach to Safety Management" will also be conducted in Barcelona, in May 2015. Registrations are now open for these popular and internationally respected courses, to be held from: 10 - 14 May 2015, in Dubai, hosted by Emirates, and, 18 - 22 May 2015, in Barcelona, hosted by Vueling. 26 - 30 May 2015, in Barcelona, the new Advanced Course, hosted by Vueling. Full details on the 2015 EAAP courses are included in the Registration Brochures for both the Dubai and Barcelona courses, which are now available for download from the EAAP website at: http://www.eaap.net/courses.html The experienced team of Dr Rob Lee, Kristina Pollack and Brent Hayward will again be conducting the 2015 courses on behalf of EAAP. The first of these courses was conducted at Ispra, Italy in 1999. Since then, the course has been continually updated in asccordance with ongoing changes in the aviation industry, and held regularly, in locations including Luxembourg, Stockholm, Madrid, Lisbon, Interlaken, Dublin and Dubai, with a total of more than 350 participants from civil and military aviation attending, as well as personnel from other high technology industries. In 2015, a new Advanced Course will be introduced. It will be a leading edge course based on current and future developments in human factors in safety management in civil and military aviation. The Advanced Course will cover some topics from Human Factors in Flight Safety, SMS, Risk Management and Safety Investigation in greater depth, as well as including new material not in the present course The courses are recognised by EAAP as contributing towards certification requirements for those wishing to become an EAAP-certified Aviation Psychologist or Human Factors Specialist. As detailed in the Registration Brochure, EAAP members are offered reduced registration fees for the course, and there is also a significant additional "Early Bird" discount for those who register early. Course participant numbers are limited, so those wishing to attend are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure a place. Those with any questions about the courses, please email Brent Hayward: bhayward@dedale.net Back to Top 2015 Southeast Regional Chapter of ISASI's annual meeting Back to Top Embry-Riddle Professional Programs Offers Certificate of Management in Aviation Safety for Spring 2015 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of Embry- Riddle's commitment to continuing professional education and lifelong learning, the university is hosting a variety of aviation-focused short courses and seminars at the Daytona Beach and Prescott Campuses. These industry-focused courses are designed for aviation professionals involved in the operation, management and supervision of aerospace organizations. Certificate of Management in Aviation Safety Short-Courses The certificate requires completion of three five-day courses in Occupational Safety & Health and Aviation Ground Safety, Aviation Safety Program Management & Aircraft Accident Investigation and Management (Basic or Advanced). This series of courses can be completed independently or as part of the Certificate of Management in Aviation Safety; discounts are available for multiple course selection. April 13-17 OSHA & Aviation Ground Safety, Daytona Beach, Fla. This course gives the participant working knowledge of OSHA's General Industry Safety and Health standards. Participants will also receive the OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety & Health Card. April 20-24 Aviation Safety Program Management, Daytona Beach, Fla. Participants will gain working knowledge of the development and management of an effective safety program, including economics of safety; risk management; regulatory safety and health programs; safety analysis techniques; and safety management systems. April 27 to May 1 Aircraft Accident Investigation and Management, Daytona Beach, Fla. This course will teach the fundamentals required to conduct or manage an aircraft mishap/accident investigation. Participants will review the investigation sequence from the preplanning stage through the general survey and specific analysis of a mishap/accident, culminating with the determination of contributing factors and probable cause/s. May 4-8 Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation, Prescott, Ariz. This course is designed to introduce the participant to advanced accident investigation procedures involving design, materials and aircraft performance. This comprehensive course is a follow-on course for the aircraft accident investigation course or for an individual who has experience in accident investigation. Extensive use will be made of the Robertson Crash Lab, one of the most complete facilities of its kind in the United States. For detailed course descriptions, fees and dates, and to register online, contact Sarah Ochs, Director of Professional Programs, at (386) 226-6928 or case@erau.edu. About Professional and Corporate Education at Embry-Riddle Facilitated by industry leaders from around the globe, the curriculum at Embry-Riddle covers the operation, engineering, research, manufacturing, marketing and management of modern aircraft and the systems that support them. SOURCE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University RELATED LINKS http://www.erau.edu Back to Top Upcoming Events: Fundamentals of IS-BAO March 5, 2015 HAI Heli-Expo - Orlando, FL USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1628315 IS-BAO Auditing March 6, 2015 HAI Heli-Expo - Orlando, FL USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1628316 Fundamentals of IS-BAO March 31, 2015 Houston, TX USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1657515 IS-BAO Auditing April 1, 2015 Houston, TX USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1657517 Fundamentals of IS-BAO April 15, 2015 Toluca, Mexico https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1657510 IS-BAO Auditing April 16, 2015 Toluca, Mexico https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1657512 Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA March 10-11, 2015 www.acsf.aero/symposium ERAU NextGen 101 Seminar April 21-22, 2015. Washington D.C. http://proed.erau.edu/programs/specialized-industry-training/nextgen-101- seminar/index.html FAA Helicopter Safety Effort three-day safety forum April 21-23, 2015 Hurst, Texas eugene.trainor@faa.gov www.faahelisafety.org ERAU OSHA & Aviation Ground Safety Seminar Daytona Beach, FL Apr.13-17, 2015 www.erau.edu/cmas ERAU Aviation Safety Program Management Seminar Daytona Beach, FL Apr.20-24, 2015 www.erau.edu/cmas ERAU Aircraft Accident Investigation Seminar Daytona Beach, FL Apr. 27-May 1, 2015 www.erau.edu/cmas ERAU Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Seminar Prescott Campus, AZ May 4-8, 2015 www.erau.edu/cmas ERAU Aviation SMS Seminar Daytona Beach, FL May 12-14, 2015 www.erau.edu/sms Curt Lewis