Flight Safety Information March 15, 2017 - No. 054 Incident: Egypt Cargo A30B at Cairo on Mar 12th 2017, smoke in cockpit Incident: Germania B737 enroute on Mar 14th 2017, hydraulic failure MD-369FF Helicopter Fatal Accident (Indiana) Airline passenger's headphones catch fire midflight Investigation into 2012 Nigeria plane crash faults pilots IAF helicopter topples over while landing, pilots safe Reports: Sikorsky helicopter in deadly crash off Ireland Air Force plane with 3 onboard crashes near Clovis airport American Airlines flight diverted to Jacksonville after soda spill Singapore beats Hong Kong to claim title of 'World's Best Airport' UTAS pursues nanotubes for aircraft ice protection Kansas State Polytechnic plans aviation safety stand down HELICOPTER SAFETY NEWS China's First Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet Enters Service With the PLAAF Embraer projects business jet sales growth in China Grant Opportunity for Aviation Students to Attend CHC Safety & Quality Summit Position: Loss Control Consultant IATA - Flight and Safety Conference, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 24-26APR. Incident: Egypt Cargo A30B at Cairo on Mar 12th 2017, smoke in cockpit An Egypt Air Cargo Airbus A300B4, registration SU-GAC performing flight MS-521 from Ostend (Belgium) to Cairo (Egypt), landed on Cairo's runway 23C when the crew reported smoke in the cockpit originating from one of the panels in the cockpit. Emergency services responded and identified a faulty control panel as source of the smoke. The aircraft returned to service the following day after about 17.5 hours on the ground. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a634d8a&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Germania B737 enroute on Mar 14th 2017, hydraulic failure A Germania Boeing 737-700, registration D-ABLA performing flight ST-8536 from Dresden (Germany) to Hurghada (Egypt), was enroute at FL370 about 15nm north of Kavala (Greece) when the crew decided to return to Dresden due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft climbed to FL380 for the way back, performed an alternate gear extension at Dresden and landed safely back on Dresden's runway 22 at a normal speed about 4 hours after departure. A replacement A319-100 registration D-ASTT departed Dresden with a delay of 12.5 hours and is currently enroute to Hurghada. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground about 10 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a6342ba&opt=0 Back to Top MD-369FF Helicopter Fatal Accident (Indiana) Date: 14-MAR-2017 Time: 15:50 LT Type: McDonnell Douglas 369FF Owner/operator: Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: White County, SE of Chalmers, IN - United States of America Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) Nature: - Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: The fatal accident occurred while slinging power cables. The helicopter company was a subcontractor working for EC Source of Mesa, AZ which was the company stringing the power lines. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=194201 Back to Top Airline passenger's headphones catch fire midflight The unnamed woman said she heard an explosion, then felt her face burning Australian authorities said it was likely the batteries which caught fire (CNN)Australian authorities will investigate why a pair of battery-powered headphones caught fire two hours into a flight between Beijing and Melbourne, blackening and blistering a female passenger's face and hands. The women was sleeping and listening to music about two hours into the trip when she heard an explosion. "As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face," she told the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which issued a statement Wednesday as a warning to other passengers. A passenger on an international flight, pictured, said her headphones caught on fire midflight. "I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck," she said. The woman, who was not identified, said she tore off the headphones and threw them to the floor, where she saw they were shooting off sparks and small flames. "As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them. They put them into the bucket at the rear of the plane," she said. They couldn't remove all of the headphones however -- both the battery and cover had melted into the aircraft floor. The woman threw the headphones off and they melted into the aircraft floor. "People were coughing and choking the entire way home," the passenger told the ATSB, adding the cabin reeked of melted plastic and burned hair. Peter Gibson, communications manager for Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority, told CNN they would be investigating the incident. "If it seems the device was damaged, then that will explain it ... but you know if it was a genuine battery and hadn't been abused then we will go to the manufacturer and see what's going on," he said. Batteries known to cause plane fires In a statement, the ATSB said it was likely the batteries inside the headphones had caught fire, rather than the headphones themselves. However, a spokesman wouldn't reveal what type of batteries or headphones were involved. He said the incident had occurred on February 19. Only a day before the incident, an Airbus A320 that took off from China reportedly had to make an emergency landing in Nagoya, Japan, after a portable power pack started a fire inside an overhead locker. Gibson said lithium batteries were often the cause of fires on board planes. He advised travelers to carry any spare batteries in a separate plastic bag within carry-on luggage. "You must carry it in the cabin because downstairs, if it shorts out, it will smolder away ... by the time it's detected by the fire alarms it's a big problem. Upstairs, as soon as it starts smoking, the cabin crew can react quickly," he said. Last year, US authorities banned Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from all US flights after its lithium battery was found to spontaneously ignite. The ban extended to shipping the phones as air cargo. Samsung blamed faulty lithium-ion batteries, which it was said were overheating and causing the device to catch fire. Attempts to fix the problem failed and it later permanently halted production. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has seen a sharp rise in incidents around electronic devices in recent years, from only three in 2011 to 106 in 2015, according to Flight Safety Australia. http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/14/asia/australia-headphone-explosion-flight/ Back to Top Investigation into 2012 Nigeria plane crash faults pilots Investigation into 2012 Nigeria plane crash faults pilots FILE - In this Monday, June. 4, 2012 file photo, rescue workers gather at the site of a plane crash in Lagos, Nigeria. An investigation into a June 2012 plane crash in Nigeria that killed some 153 people onboard and others on the ground has faulted the aircraft's pilot and raised long-standing questions over aviation safety in Africa's most populous nation. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The pilots of a Nigerian airliner failed to follow emergency procedures and didn't land after one of the plane's two engines lost power only minutes into the flight, according to a government investigation into the June 2012 crash that killed 153 on board and others on the ground. A 210-page report by Nigeria's Accident Investigation Bureau into the crash of the Dana Air MD-83 renews long-standing questions over aviation safety in Africa's most populous nation. The pilots, apparently fearing government oversight, pressed on with the flight from Abuja, the capital, to Lagos after losing power to the first engine 17 minutes into the hourlong flight. On the plane's approach to Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the plane lost power to the second engine. A cause for the engine failures wasn't specified in the report, though it mentioned another incident in which a Dana Air MD-83 lost engine power over improperly positioned fuel lines. "If the crew had maintained high altitude as suggested by the co-pilot, they would have had height advantage over Lagos for better speed and maneuvering to enhance their chances of survival during the emergency landing," the report said. The plane, loaded with 18,000 pounds of fuel, crashed in Lagos' Iju-Ishaga neighborhood. A massive fire engulfed the aircraft. Several passengers died of carbon monoxide poisoning, suggesting "that the victims were alive for some time in the fire that probably followed the crash," the report said. Six others on the ground died in the crash, the report said, contradicting previous reports that 10 had been killed. Emergency responders and journalists at the scene found chaos, as firefighters didn't have water to put out the blaze for hours. The report released Monday refers to "massive looting" that took place as well. The report quotes former pilots for Dana Air as saying the airline had "the habit of not entering defects in the technical log book." In a statement to The Associated Press, Dana Air said it immediately implemented all safety instructions offered by Nigerian authorities. It said it couldn't have known about fuel line problems on its MD-83s as "there is no way Dana engineers can inspect the fuel lines once the engine has been coupled together and assembled." The airline did not answer questions on allegations it had lax safety standards ahead of the crash. It said it has "invested heavily in training and retraining crew and ground staff." The crash was the worst airline disaster in Nigeria since Sept. 27, 1992, when a military transport plane crashed into a swamp shortly after takeoff from Lagos and killed all 163 people on board. The worst air disaster in Nigeria happened in 1973, when a Jordanian Boeing 707 crashed at Kano's international airport and killed 176 people. Air travel represents the quickest way for those who can afford it to travel across Nigeria, a nation twice the size of California with decrepit and dangerous roads. However, experts say Nigerian aviation authorities remain overworked and safety regulations are laxly enforced in a nation where bribery is endemic. Infrastructure also suffers. The international airport at Abuja is closed for six weeks for repairs to the runway, which experts say has been in shocking disrepair. Online: Nigeria's report: http://www.aib.gov.ng/files/Dana-Airlines-MD83-5N-RAM.pdf http://www.dailyprogress.com/investigation-into-nigeria-plane-crash-faults-pilots/article_5efe180c-1418- 5bbb-9b76-a253541ecbae.html Back to Top IAF helicopter topples over while landing, pilots safe A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.. ANI New Delhi, March 15 An Indian Air Force helicopter on Wednesday toppled over when the pilots attempted an emergency landing following a technical snag. The copter, a Chetak, was on routine training sortie from Bamrauli, Allahabad, when it developed a technical failure. "The copter toppled over while pilots tried to land in an uneven field," the IAF spokesperson said. Both pilots are safe. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. The Chetak is based on the 1950s' design French helicopter. The IAF needs new helicopters. In February, Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had put the need of the three services at some 800 copters over the next decade. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/iaf-helicopter-topples-over-while-landing-pilots- safe/377368.html Back to Top Reports: Sikorsky helicopter in deadly crash off Ireland An undated photo of a training exercise involving a Sikorsky Aircraft S-92 maritime rescue helicopter in the United Kingdom. On March 14, 2017, the Irish Coast Guard confirmed the crash of an S-92 on a mission to assist a fishing vessel in distress, with Irish publications reporting the death of the pilot in the accident. (PRNewsFoto/Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.) Photo: / PR NEWSWIRE / SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP. Photo: / PR NEWSWIRE A Sikorsky S-92 helicopter crashed during an overnight rescue mission by the Irish Coast Guard to assist a fishing vessel in distress, killing the pilot and the search continuing for three more crew members. Sikorsky Aircraft is based in Stratford as a subsidiary of Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin, and is the largest corporate employer in southwestern Connecticut. The Irish Coast Guard did not immediately publish details of the accident that occurred at 1 a.m. local time Tuesday under rainy conditions, with the Irish Times and other publications reporting the death of flight Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, 45, after she was pulled from the sea. CHC Helicopter manages the search-and-rescue helicopter fleet of the Irish Coast Guard, according to the Irish Times. In Ireland and the United States, S-92 helicopters have been subjected to intensified inspections, following multiple incidents of pilots reporting loss of control of tail rotors. The Irish Times reported an Irish Coast Guard official telling reporters that the S-92 has "an excellent safety record" in service there, with the Irish Coast Guard performing more than 1,000 search-and-rescue missions in 2015 alone using the helicopter. http://www.ctpost.com/business/article/Reports-Sikorsky-helicopter-in-deadly-crash-off-11001573.php Back to Top Air Force plane with 3 onboard crashes near Clovis airport Three people were onboard a U.S. Air Force single-engine plane that crashed during training Tuesday evening near Clovis, New Mexico. A Pilatus PC-12 - described by the Air Force as a U-28A - crashed about 6:44 p.m. MDT about three- quarters of mile short of Runway 30 at Clovis Municipal Airport, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis released a brief statement through Twitter Tuesday evening. "A Cannon Air Force Base-assigned U-28A with three persons on board crashed during training," the statement reads, adding that base officials will release more information as it becomes available. The U.S. military will be in charge of the investigation, according to the FAA. It was not immediately clear what prompted the crash, and the FAA referred A-J Media to the U.S. Air Force for information on the condition of occupants. http://lubbockonline.com/news/2017-03-14/air-force-plane-3-onboard-crashes-near-clovis-airport Back to Top American Airlines flight diverted to Jacksonville after soda spill An American Airlines flight from Miami to Chicago was diverted Monday afternoon to Jacksonville International Airport due to a soda mishap. Roughly 150 people were aboard the Boeing 737 when the plane landed safely in Jacksonville about 4:45 p.m., a Jacksonville Aviation Authority spokeswoman told The Times-Union. The flight crew decided to make an emergency landing in Jacksonville after a soft drink splashed on an electronic device in the main cabin, according to Matt Miller, spokesman for American Airlines. Miller said the plane is undergoing inspection to see if it will be able to continue or if another aircraft is needed. The incident, which is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, left passengers stranded at the airport until their journey was expected to resume about 10 p.m. The airline and at least one passenger are split about who's to blame for the blunder. Miller attributed the spill to a passenger, but Preston Wake doesn't remember it happening that way. Wake, 43, said he was seated in row 7 on the flight taking him home to Chicago when a flight attendant fumbled a soft drink and inadvertently drenched him. "I can't really tell you how far it went, but I was soaked," said Wake. "I had to change my clothes and everything." The next thing he knew, Wake said the crew was preparing to land in Jacksonville. "The reaction time was very good - we had to go where we had to go," he said. Despite the inconvenience, Wake praised airport staff for accommodating passengers. They were treated to snacks while they waited, including Quiznos sandwiches. "They've been taking care of everybody and I'm very pleased with that," Wake said. Tom Francis, spokesman for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, said the department had units on standby after receiving an alert about the unexpected stop but the plane landed without incident. http://jacksonville.com/news/public-safety/metro/2017-03-14/american-airlines-flight-diverted- jacksonville-after-soda-spill Back to Top Singapore beats Hong Kong to claim title of 'World's Best Airport' The entrance to the departure hall for Terminal 2 of Changi International Airport in Singapore. Fyrol Mohd | AFP | Getty Images Research firm SkyTrax has named Singapore Airport "World's Best Airport" for a fifth consecutive year over regional rival Hong Kong. "Winning the Skytrax World's Best Airport Award for the fifth consecutive year is immense encouragement to our 50,000-strong airport community at Changi Airport," said Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group. Hong Kong was ranked in fifth position this year, falling behind Munich Airport in Germany, Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Tokyo International Airport in Japan. While Hong Kong has been named "World's Best Airport" in the past, Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said Singapore was a clear leader. "To be voted the world's Best Airport for the fifth consecutive year is a remarkable achievement for Changi Airport, and underlines the airport's popularity with international air travelers," he said in a statement. "Changi Airport continues to innovate product and service facilities for customers, and is making the travel experience at the airport enjoyable and relaxing. This award is very much a collective recognition for all staff at the airport who contribute to the success of Changi Airport operations." The SkyTrax World Airport Survey describes itself as a quality benchmark for the world airport industry. It is independent of any airport control or input and undertakes a private survey assessing customer service and facilities across 550 airports. The award is based on 13.82 million airport survey questionnaires conducted between July 2016 and February 2017. The firm said it evaluates a range of benchmarks from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through to departure at the gate. Changi Airport was also recognized as having the world's best airport leisure amenities, a title it has held since 2009. It was also awarded the title of "Best Airport in Asia." "While we expand our facilities to serve more passengers in the coming years, we will continue to work closely with all our airport partners to further enhance the Changi Experience," added Mr Lee Seow Hiang. Hamad International Airport in Doha ranked sixth in the world, while Chubu Centrair in Japan was ranked seventh, Zurich Airport in Switzerland at eighth, Heathrow Airport in London at ninth and Frankfurt Airport in Germany rounded out the top ten. The top 10 rankings for the World's Best Airport Award in 2017: 1 Changi Airport Singapore 2 Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) 3 Incheon International Airport 4 Munich Airport 5 Hong Kong International Airport 6 Hamad International Airport 7 Central Japan International Airport 8 Zurich Airport 9 London Heathrow Airport 10 Frankfurt Airport http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/14/singapore-beats-hong-kong-to-claim-title-of-worlds-best-airport.html Back to Top UTAS pursues nanotubes for aircraft ice protection UTC Aerospace Systems has licensed a carbon nanotube-based heater technology that it believes could be ready as an electrothermal ice protection system for aircraft within three or four years, the company says. UTAS licensed the technology from Metis Design Corp, which developed the CNT-based heater with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's department of aeronautics and astronautics. In a field with several existing technologies, including "weeping wing" freezing point depressors and hot gases or compressed air extracted from engines, CNT-based heaters hold the promise to more efficiently prevent ice formation and shed ice across a broad range of applications, including wing leading edges, stabilisers, engine lips and vanes and nose cones, UTAS tells FlightGlobal. "The technology will be a strategic enabler as aircraft transition to more electric designs," UTAS says. Countering ice build-up on aircraft structures has grown in complexity as aircraft designers pursue ever- thinner wings optimised for laminar flow. In the past, Mike Bair, Boeing's original 787 programme manager, has said the Dreamliner's composite wing produced a leading edge too thin to accommodate a traditional pneumatic de-icing system, forcing the company to switch to an electrothermal technology. Moreover, Honda Aircraft certificated the HondaJet in December 2015, but needed an extra 11 months to certificate a de-icing system for the aircraft natural laminar flow wings. With the license in hand, UTAS will now work with manufacturers and regulators to develop the carbon nanotube-based technology into a commercial product suitable for unmanned air vehicles, business jets, rotorcraft and commercial airlines, the company says. By design, CNTs can be integrated into any material - composite or metallic - used to form structures, such as the wing leading edge or the rotor blades of a helicopter, UTAS says. Unlike technologies available today, these vertically embedded CNT heater arrays can vary temperatures as necessary over specific regions of the structure. "The CNT material has low thermal inertial and excellent heat distribution allowing tailoring of specific heating zones," UTAS says. "This flexibility allows us to design the heating layers to deliver heat where it is most needed and to optimise for the energy capabilities of the aircraft." UTAS plans to develop initial versions of the ice protection systems with carbon nanotube heater arrays for a series of demonstrations over the next two years. Certification and introduction into service could follow within one or two years later, UTAS says. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/utas-pursues-nanotubes-for-aircraft-ice-protection-435164/ Back to Top Kansas State Polytechnic plans aviation safety stand down A Cessna 172 sporting Kansas State University colors and logo as part of Textron Aviation's Top Hawk program in 2015. Textron Aviation Courtesy photo Aviation safety practices will be the focus of an event at Kansas State University Polytechnic in Salina later this month. The Wildcat Safety Stand Down will be held from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on March 31 at the school's College Center Conference Room and is open to all pilots. The stand down, the first of its kind at Kansas State Polytechnic, was created by the school's student flight team as a way to increase its outreach efforts. The inaugural event will feature presentations from four experts: Tom Turner, executive director of the Air Safety Foundation at the American Bonanza Society; Seth Short, a Navy pilot and 2005 alumnus of the school's professional pilot program; John "Dusty" Dowd, owner of Syracuse Flying Service and an air race pilot; and Troy Brockway, pilot and professor of aviation at Kansas State Polytechnic. Turner will speak on how pilots can master their aircraft, while Short will discuss the military's safety culture. Dowd will present on safety in agricultural aviation and in air racing, and Brockaway's presentation will focus on upset recovery as well as implementation of a safety management system in a collegiate or training program. Credit for the Federal Aviation Administration's WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program is available. The stand down costs $50 and includes dinner. Some of the proceeds will support the flight team when it travels to Ohio in May to compete at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's SAFECON competition. For more information, see polytechnic.k-state.edu/profed/safety. Jerry Siebenmark: 316-268-6576, @jsiebenmark http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article138403733.html#storylink=cpy Back to Top HELICOPTER SAFETY NEWS Helicopter Accidents Decrease in Key Regions Around the World Fatal Accidents Also Down The International Helicopter Safety Team (www.IHST.org) has gathered accident information from countries across the globe and is seeing an encouraging trend of safer civil helicopter operations. Preliminary 2016 data from 50 countries show that most have decreasing totals for both fatal and non-fatal accidents. Looking forward, the teams will focus on more reductions in fatal accidents. North America - United States North America - Canada 2016: 106 accidents, 17 fatal accidents 2016: 27 accidents, 2 fatal accidents 2015: 121 accidents, 17 fatal accidents 2015: 31 accidents, 3 fatal accidents 2014: 138 accidents, 21 fatal accidents 2014: 34 accidents, 0 fatal accidents 2013: 146 accidents, 30 fatal accidents 2013: 27 accidents, 6 fatal accidents Europe (32 countries) ** North America - Mexico 2016: 52 accidents, 12 fatal accidents 2016: 5 accidents, 1 fatal accident 2015: 84 accidents, 17 fatal accidents 2015: 6 accidents, 2 fatal accidents 2014: 98 accidents, 15 fatal accidents 2014: 7 accidents, NA fatal accidents 2013: 103 accidents, 25 fatal accidents 2013: 10 accidents, NA fatal accidents Brazil New Zealand 2016: 19 accidents, 5 fatal accidents 2016: 12 accidents, 2 fatal accidents 2015: 17 accidents, 6 fatal accidents 2015: 17 accidents, 3 fatal accidents 2014: 20 accidents, 6 fatal accidents 2014: 14 accidents, 5 fatal accidents 2013: 25 accidents, 4 fatal accidents 2013: 21 accidents, 3 fatal accidents Japan CIS/Russia (11 countries) ** 2016: 2 accident, 0 fatal accidents 2016 30 accidents, 12 fatal accidents 2015: 4 accidents, 2 fatal accidents 2015 22 accidents, 10 fatal accidents 2014: 1 accident, 0 fatal accidents 2014 23 accidents, 12 fatal accidents 2013: 3 accidents, 0 fatal accidents 2013 19 accidents, 7 fatal accidents India 2016: 1 accident, 1 fatal accident 2015: 4 accidents, 3 fatal accidents 2014: 0 accidents, 0 fatal accidents 2013: 5 accidents, NA fatal accidents Total from 50 countries 2016: 254 accidents, 52 fatal accidents 2015: 306 accidents, 63 fatal accidents 2014: 335 accidents, 59 fatal accidents *** 2013: 359 accidents, 75 fatal accidents *** Using combined data from these 50 countries, total civil helicopter accidents in 2016 were down 17 percent compared to the prior year and fatal accidents also were reduced by 17 percent year-over- year. Comparing 2016 to 2013, total accidents decreased by 29 percent and fatal accidents were cut by 31 percent. The positive trends can be attributed to a globally expanding culture of safety and to increased cooperation on safety issues between government and the industry and within the helicopter community. Looking forward to 2017, the IHST and its worldwide regional teams will continue to focus on two central objectives: * Reduce risk and improve safety through widespread and persistent distribution of relevant educational materials. * Move the industry (manufacturers, operators, pilots and mechanics) to adopt safety practices or equipment that will reduce the number of accidents. The IHST was formed in 2005 to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to promote helicopter safety and work to reduce accidents and fatalities. More information about the IHST, its reports, safety tools, Reel Safety audio/video presentations and YouTube safety videos can be obtained at its web site at www.IHST.org and on the IHST Facebook page. (**) Reporting countries in Europe include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom) (**) Reporting countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) include: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Russia. (*** Not Available) 2013 and 2014 fatal accident total does not include data from Mexico. 2013 fatal accident total does not include data from India. Back to Top China's First Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet Enters Service With the PLAAF China's answer to the American F-22 Raptor has purportedly entered operational service with the Chinese Air Force. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has reportedly inducted an unknown number of Chengdu J- 20 stealth fighter aircraft, according to the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) on March 9. The March 9 CCTV video footage showed a number of J-20 fighter jets flying alongside H-6K long-range bombers, a derivative of the Soviet-era Tupolov Tu-16 twin-engine jet strategic bomber, and Xian Y-20 large military transport aircraft. The television report said that J-20 aircraft participated in exercises with other service branches of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The twin-engine fighter, built by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, is a single seat stealth fighter likely designed to attack American support aircraft including tankers with Beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) launched from the aircraft's internal weapons bay in the event of war. It is unknown how many J-20 fighter jets have entered service with the PLAAF to date. Estimates vary from six to 12 aircraft. (Other sources indicate eight prototypes and five low rate initial production fighters.) One of the major limitations remains the lack of an advanced Chinese-made jet engine for the fifth-generation warplane. "There are still a series of technical problems that need to be tackled [on the J-20], including the reliability of its WS-15 engines, [and the plane's] control system, stealth coat and hull materials and infrared sensor," a Chinese military source told the South China Morning Post (SCMP). The domestically developed WS-15 turbofan engine, a thrust engine under development since the 1990s, has not entered serial production. It is assumed that the first patch of J-20s is equipped with an unknown variant of the Saturn AL-31, an older Russian-made jet engine. According to some sources, the J-20 is still purportedly incapable of super cruising - sustained supersonic flight. A Chinese aviation engineer told China Military Online on March 13 that he remains optimistic that the new engine for the fifth-generation fighter aircraft will be ready soon."The engine's development is proceeding well. We also have begun to design a next-generation aviation engine with a thrust-to-weight ratio that is much higher than that of current types," he said. Yet, he also admitted to difficulties. "For instance, we are able to develop the two most important components in an advanced engine - the single crystal superalloy turbine blades and powder metallurgy superalloy turbine disks - but in mass production, the products' quality is not very satisfactory," he said. "The road to success is filled with setbacks and failures. Each of the world's engine powers has walked this road." It is also unclear whether the J-20 can match the radar-evading capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter aircraft or the F-35 Lightning II fighter. Given that the aircraft apparently lacks thrust vectoring, it is likely less maneuverable than American-made fifth-generation warplanes. http://thediplomat.com/2017/03/chinas-first-fifth-generation-fighter-jet-enters-service-with-the-plaaf/ Back to Top Embraer projects business jet sales growth in China Why China's business jet lull could be good news for Wichita Brazil-based Embraer says it anticipates an improving market for business jets in China, a forecast that is no doubt welcome news to its Wichita-based competitors. According to a report from the Bangkok Post, Embraer says China will need 570 new executive jets over the next decade at a value of $22 billion. An upbeat outlook on China by Embraer could signal increased deliveries in the country by local competitors like Textron Aviation. That represents well over half of its expected total during that time for the Asia-Pacific region and a growing portion of the global demand of 8,400 new jets it projects through 2026. Wichita-based Textron Aviation division of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) and its line of Cessna Citation business jets will be competing for its own share of that market, as well as the Learjet model built locally by Bombardier Inc. The North American market with remain the dominant region according to Embraer's forecast, accounting for 4,700 aircraft worth $128 billion over the next 10 years. http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2017/03/14/embraer-projects-business-jet-sales-growth- in.html Back to Top Grant Opportunity for Aviation Students to Attend CHC Safety & Quality Summit Dr. Peter Gardiner Grant Provides Financial Support Opportunity for Industry-Leading Safety Event Dallas, TX - March 13, 2017 - For the seventh year in a row, the CHC Safety & Quality Summit, in collaboration with Dr. Scott Shappell and Dr. Doug Wiegmann, developers of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), is providing aviation students from around the world with the opportunity to apply to attend the CHC Safety & Quality Summit at no charge. Students interested in pursuing this opportunity can submit an application along with a 500-word essay related to the theme: "Can we truly manage all the risk? What if the barriers aren't as robust as they seem?" The application and detailed information can be found by visiting the event's website at www.chcsafetyqualitysummit.com. Applications are due by April 28, 2017. Dr. Gardiner was instrumental in helping shape the CHC Safety & Quality Summit through his contributions as a speaker and session leader. The grant carrying his name offers students pursuing studying for careers in aviation the opportunity to access sessions and courses led by industry experts while also building their professional network across the industry. The 2017 CHC Safety & Quality Summit will take place September 27-29 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center in Grapevine, TX, near CHC's global headquarters. For additional information on the Summit and the Peter Gardiner grant, please visit www.chcsafetyqualitysummit.com. About CHC CHC Helicopter, celebrating 70 years of safety, innovation and service, is a global leader in enabling customers to go further, do more and come home safely, including oil and gas companies, government search-and-rescue agencies and organizations requiring helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Learn more at www.chcheli.com. Contact Information SUMMIT Irina Sakgaev Safety & Quality Applications Specialist +1.604.232.7302 summit@chcheli.com MEDIA Cameron Meyer Communications Specialist +1.214.262.7391 Cameron.Meyer@chcheli.com Back to Top Function: Loss Control Unit: Starr Aviation Location: Can work remote Title: Loss Control Consultant Job Description: * Perform detailed Safety & Loss Control surveys at aviation, airport and manufacturing operations. Must be able to identify and evaluate work methods and conditions * Recommend corrective actions for deficiencies found during surveys * Provide methods to detect occupational health hazards and liability exposures * Assist in developing and implementing corporate, flight, aircraft maintenance and employee safety training programs * Assist in developing proper accident investigation procedures that will allow removal of casual factors and prevent recurrence Position Requirements: * Certified Safety Professional preferred * Able to speak Spanish is a plus * Safety Management systems training/experience preferred * Private Pilot's certificate desirable * In depth knowledge of FAA and OSHA requirements is a plus * Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills * Must have excellent interpersonal skills * Experience with MS Word and Excel * Ability to draft detailed reports in a timely manner * Must be highly motivated and able to work with minimum supervision * Must be willing to travel 50-60% of the time. Some International travel might be necessary. * Ability to work remotely Experience Required: * Aviation safety experience. Military experience is a plus. * Loss Control experience Education Required: * Bachelor's degree required. Aviation discipline preferred. Curt Lewis