Flight Safety Information April 6, 2017 - No. 070 Incident: Nordica CRJ9 at Tallinn on Apr 5th 2017, lavatory smoke Incident: United B772 at Tokyo on Apr 4th 2017, smoke in cabin F-16 Accident (Maryland) Navy grounds all T-45 training jets after instructors refuse to fly CASA warning to drone operators (Australia) Jakarta warns Lion Air to shape up or face sanctions Buckle up! Climate change to increase severe aircraft turbulence Quest Aircraft's Kodiak 100 Receives EASA Certification A first in Germany as aircraft lands using only satellite navigation Centennial aircraft startup gets patent for vertical take-off airplane NTSB Modernizes Stakeholder Engagement Platform, Suspends Listserve Service SAFE Encourages Pilot Input on GA Runway Incursions (Survey) Research Survey Incident: Nordica CRJ9 at Tallinn on Apr 5th 2017, lavatory smoke A Nordica Canadair CRJ-900 on behalf of LOT Polish Airlines, registration ES-ACG performing flight LO-8119 from Tallinn (Estonia) to Stockholm (Sweden), was climbing out of Tallinn when the crew reported smoke in the lavatories, stopped the climb at about 5000 feet and decided to return to Tallinn. While positioning for the approach the crew reported the visible smoke had dissipated, only the smell remained. The aircraft landed safely back on runway 26 about 13 minutes after departure. The airline reported the aft lavatory smoke detector had activated. The smoke detector reacted to a different detergent than usual used for the engines during the previous night. The occurrence aircraft was able to depart again after about 100 minutes on the ground and reached Stockholm with a delay of 2 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a738d4e&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: United B772 at Tokyo on Apr 4th 2017, smoke in cabin A United Boeing 777-200, registration N783UA performing flight UA-804 from Tokyo Narita (Japan) to Washington Dulles,DC (USA), was in the initial climb out of Tokyo's runway 16R when the crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet reporting smoke in the cabin. The aircraft returned to Tokyo's Narita Airport for a safe landing on runway 16R about 20 minutes after departure. The flight was cancelled. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Tokyo about 37 hours after landing back. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a738b40&opt=0 Back to Top F-16 Accident (Maryland) Date: 05-APR-2017 Time: 09:31 Type: General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Owner/operator: U.S. Air National Guard, 113th Wing Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Prince George's County, Clinton, MD - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: Joint Base Andrews (KADW) Destination airport: Joint Base Andrews (KADW) Narrative: The fighter aircraft crashed in Prince George's County 6 miles southwest of Joint Base Andrews in a wooded area after a reported technical malfunction. The pilot ejected, receiving minor injuries. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=194570 Back to Top Navy grounds all T-45 training jets after instructors refuse to fly The Navy has grounded all its T-45 training jets for two days in the wake of a report that instructor pilots in the Navy's training squadrons are refusing to fly the jet because of a dangerous rise in problems with the cockpit oxygen system. Dozens of instructor pilots have refused to fly the T-45 in recent days because of a spike in dangerous physical symptoms suffered by pilots flying the aircraft triggered by a lack of oxygen or contaminants in the oxygen system, according to a Fox News report Tuesday. A spokesperson for Naval Air Forces confirmed the grounding and that about 40 percent of the T-45 training flights were canceled due to pilot concerns. "We take the concerns of our aircrew seriously and have directed a two-day safety pause for the T-45 community to allow time for Naval Aviation leadership to engage with the pilots, hear their concerns and discuss the risk mitigations as well as the efforts that are ongoing to correct this issue," said Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld in an email. Groeneveld said the jets were not "grounded" in the traditional sense of the word, but that they were not flying the jets while leadership meets with the pilots and conduct a safety stand-down. AIRFOR expects the jets to be flying again on Monday, she said. The Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Dell Bull dispatched a crew of engineers to the Navy's pilot training base in Meridian, Miss. to brief the pilots and address the problem, Groeneveld said. Pilots who spoke to Fox News complained about Bull's handling of their grievances. "He is telling us to just 'shut up and color,'" an unnamed pilot told Fox. Officials who spoke to Fox acknowledged the communication problems on the issue up and down the chain of command. Naval Aviation has struggled mightily to solve nagging O2 problems in the T-45 and in the F/A- 18 Hornets, but answers have been elusive. Fixing the issue is top aviator Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker's top safety priority, Groeneveld said, adding that he has sent out three directives since October 2015 that dealt with the problem. "I am committed to removing this risk to our aircrews and have prioritized [naval aviation enterprise] efforts toward that goal," the October message said. "Our research and commitment to eliminate this risk will continue. Our aviators must be able to operate with confidence in our platforms and in their ability to safely execute their mission. To help ensure we eliminate this risk, collection and reporting of event data and your continued leadership is critical." Shoemaker has committed to putting any and all resources necessary toward fixing the problem, Groeneveld said. https://www.navytimes.com/articles/navy-grounds-all-t-45-training-jets-after-instructors- refuse-to-fly Back to Top CASA warning to drone operators (Australia) The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued a strong warning to drone operators in flood-affected areas of Queensland and NSW that they need to fly well clear of emergency air services. According to CASA drones had been spotted flying close to airports being used by emergency services, putting aircraft and crews at risk. "While a number of airports in the cyclone Debbie and flood affected areas are closed to normal traffic, they are being heavily used by rescue, medical and emergency service aircraft," CASA's warning said. Told to stay clear of floods "A drone was seen flying only a short distance from the end of Rockhampton Airport while emergency flights were under way." It said that flying a drone in a way that caused a hazard to an aircraft or was on airport approach or departure paths was an offence under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. Commercial drones must not be flown within 5.5 kilometres of a controlled airport without permission. "Both recreational and commercial drone operators should not fly in an area where emergency services are at work and must not put public safety at risk," CASA said. The Authority said that fines for breaching these rules could range from $900 to $9,000. http://www.psnews.com.au/aps/545/news/casa-warning-to-drone-operators Back to Top Jakarta warns Lion Air to shape up or face sanctions Indonesian budget airline Lion Air has been given two months to shape up by the Transportation Ministry or face possible sanctions. The warning comes on the heels of a series of service and safety lapses. Fuel leaked out from a Lion Air aircraft onto the tarmac at Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday. On March 29, a flight from Jakarta was diverted from Singapore to Johor Baru, after the airline reportedly failed to secure landing rights. The aircraft was to have been flown back from Singapore to Jakarta that same evening, leading to passengers on the second flight needing to be bussed to Senai Airport from Changi Airport. Lion Air senior management were summoned by Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Monday to explain the airline's recent failings, which he said included the incident on March 29 as well as the oil spill in Surabaya. "We are summoning Lion Air as the regulator and [industry] watchdog. We want to question them... and will find ways to solve the problems they are facing," he said. "I don't want these kinds of things to keep happening." Agus Santoso, a Transport Ministry director in charge of overseeing Indonesia's airport, told reporters after the meeting that the ministry will closely monitor Lion Air's safety and service performance. "They will receive sanctions if they do not do well," he added. Lion Air is committed to improving customer service and will conduct an internal investigation into incidents related to flight safety and security, said its managing director Daniel Putut. The airline had previously confirmed the Surabaya fuel leak after photos posted on social media went viral. A spokesman said a few litres were spilled. Lion Air did not respond to queries from The Straits Times yesterday about the March 29 flight that was diverted to Johor Baru. According to some passengers The Straits Times spoke to, Lion Air had announced at the boarding gate in Jakarta that it had failed to secure landing rights to touch down at Changi and would be diverting the flight to Senai. The announcement led to ugly scenes at the gate, with many taking to social media to air their anger at the budget airline. Mr Paulus Sutrisno and his friends were among the passengers affected. The group had secured tickets to see British band Coldplay at the Kallang Sports Hub on April 1. Mr Paulus told The Straits Times that he understood that Lion Air was not able to secure a landing spot at Changi for the rescheduled arrival time after the flight was delayed. He booked a direct flight to Singapore the next morning, but others either opted for a refund or went ahead with the flight to Johor Baru. "We paid for a direct Jakarta-Singapore flight, not a transit in Johor Baru then a bus ride to Singapore," Mr Paulus said. Lion Air began operations in 2000, expanding its routes and fleet of aircraft very quickly. The airline is no stranger to service and safety lapses. Last May, one of its pilots wrongly disembarked passengers on JT 161 from Singapore - an international flight - at the domestic terminal of Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta airport. http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/jakarta-warns-lion-air-to-shape-up-or-face-sanctions Back to Top Buckle up! Climate change to increase severe aircraft turbulence Scientists find climate change influences air turbulence INSTITUTE OF ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Turbulence strong enough to catapult unbuckled passengers and crew around the aircraft cabin could become twice or even three times as common because of climate change, according to a new study from the University of Reading published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. The study is the first ever to examine the future of severe turbulence, which causes planes to undergo random up-and-down motions that are stronger than gravity. Passengers are forced violently against their seat belts, any unsecured objects are tossed about, and food service and walking are impossible. The study examines several different turbulence strength levels, to investigate how they will each change in future. The results show that the average amount of light turbulence in the atmosphere will increase by 59%, with light-to-moderate turbulence increasing by 75%, moderate by 94%, moderate-to-severe by 127%, and severe by 149%. The reason for the increases is that climate change is generating stronger wind shears within the jet stream. The wind shears can become unstable and are a major cause of turbulence. Dr Paul Williams, who conducted the research, said: "Our new study paints the most detailed picture yet of how aircraft turbulence will respond to climate change. "For most passengers, light turbulence is nothing more than an annoying inconvenience that reduces their comfort levels, but for nervous fliers even light turbulence can be distressing. "However, even the most seasoned frequent fliers may be alarmed at the prospect of a 149% increase in severe turbulence, which frequently hospitalises air travellers and flight attendants around the world." The new study uses supercomputer simulations of the atmosphere to calculate how wintertime transatlantic clear-air turbulence will change at an altitude of around 12 km (39,000 feet) when there is twice as much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - which is widely expected to occur later this century. Dr Williams added: "My top priority for the future is to investigate other flight routes around the world. We also need to investigate the altitude and seasonal dependence of the changes, and to analyze different climate models and warming scenarios to quantify the uncertainties." Advances in Atmospheric Sciences is an international journal on the dynamics, physics, and chemistry of the atmosphere and oceans. It is published by Springer and co-sponsored by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. http://www.springer.com/376 https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-04/ioap-bu032617.php Back to Top Quest Aircraft's Kodiak 100 Receives EASA Certification Quest Aircraft announced that it has received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Kodiak 100, pushing the total number of countries that the Kodiak is certified in to over 50. "This is a significant milestone for the Kodiak 100 program. With its STOL capabilities the Kodiak will allow European operators with large payloads to access many more airstrips and locations that would previously have proven difficult," said Rob Wells, CEO of Quest Aircraft. "We anticipate that Europe will play an important role in the continued growth of our company, even more so now with the recent and very welcome regulation changes in regards to single-engine turboprop commercial operations." The Quest Kodiak will be sold and supported throughout Europe by appointed Quest Dealer Rheinland Air Service GmbH (RAS), headquartered at Mönchengladbach Airport near Düsseldorf, Germany. RAS is a recognized leader in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), as well as aircraft sales, support, and fueling. With over 40 years of technical expertise, including both EASA, FAA Part 145 and many more certifications, RAS employs 250 people across Europe and Africa. "With its outstanding versatility and performance, the now EASA certified Kodiak is already of great interest to many of our customers since we started promoting the aircraft in 2015," said RAS CEO Johannes Graf von Schaesberg. "Single-engine commercial IFR operations in Europe, which only were approved a few weeks ago, will add enormous benefit to our customers and open up potential which has been untapped before." The Kodiak's rugged aluminum construction combines superior STOL performance and high useful load. It offers proven turbine reliability with the Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine, has the ability to land and take off from unimproved surfaces and is capable of working off floats without structural upgrades. The Kodiak can take off in under 1,000 feet at full gross takeoff weight of 7,255 lbs and climb at over 1,300 feet per minute. Three interior packages are available along with a wide range of factory-installed options. http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/north-america/quest-aircrafts-kodiak-100-receives-easa- certification/ Back to Top A first in Germany as aircraft lands using only satellite navigation Bremen Airport, in the north of Germany, was the setting for a German first as plane lands using only sat nav. It was the first time that a passenger aircraft landed in Germany using a new satellite-based precision approach procedure without the aid of the conventional ground-based navigation infrastructure. This was made possible by EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service), a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that supplements GPS and other satellite navigation systems. It improves the position accuracy of GPS from 10-20 metres to 1-3 meters. Bremen is the first airport in Germany to have implemented a precision approach procedure using SBAS. SBAS provides an innovative alternative to the conventional instrument landing system (ILS) and can also be used in poor weather conditions. DFS has thus provided airspace users in Bremen with a workable alternative to the old system. This is not the first time that Bremen Airport was on the cutting edge of air navigation technology. In 2012, the world's first approach using a ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) for satellite navigation was employed. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) approved the satellite-based SBAS precision approach procedure, giving it the name "LPV 200". The procedure can be implemented in poor visibility for category I (CAT I) weather conditions, one of three levels of all-weather operations. The pilot is guided down to a height of 200 feet above ground, that is about 60 metres, using satellite-based technology that guides the aeroplane horizontally and vertically. When the pilot has the runway in sight, it is safe to land. Up until now, it has only been possible to guide aircraft to what is known as the "decision height" by means of ground-based systems such as ILS or systems such as GBAS, which supplement the satellite guidance with a ground-based station. The new SBAS technology offers clear advantages compared to conventional approach procedures. In addition to being an extremely precise alternative to ILS, SBAS does not require ground infrastructure that is expensive to operate and requires a lot of maintenance. EGNOS geostationary satellites supplement GPS signals to achieve the high degree of precision for the SBAS procedure. Together, they fulfil the requirements needed for precision approach procedures and comply with ICAO standards. "In the medium- and long term, DFS is planning on making more use of satellite-based navigation for approaches and thus create an alternative to the traditional ILS category I," explained Andre Biestmann, Director of Airspace and ANS Support at DFS. Aircraft cockpits have to be equipped with EGNOS receivers to be able to receive the satellite signals. A majority of the NetJets company's aircraft in Europe are already equipped with this new technology and it was a NetJets aircraft that conducted this first SBAS approach in Bremen. The modern fleet of NetJets makes the company an important contributor to aviation innovation. In autumn 2016, NetJets and DFS tested the latest approach procedures with GBAS. This project was awarded an innovation prize by the European Commission in early March 2017 as part of the Augmented Approaches to Land project. Not all aircraft manufacturers equip their aeroplanes with EGNOS receivers. DFS believes that incentives will have to be created so that aircraft can be equipped with this technology in the long term. *GBAS - another satellite-based approach procedure in Bremen: DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung has operated a ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) at Bremen Airport since February 2012. This type of approach procedure also uses the satellite signals of the US global positioning system (GPS). The ground-based antennas provide data that improve the precision of the satellite data and then send this information to the approaching aircraft. The SBAS procedure does not use this type of ground-based facility. https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/33861/first-germany-aircraft-satellite- navigation/ Back to Top Centennial aircraft startup gets patent for vertical take-off airplane Helicopter-like airplane designed to fly at 300 mph for more than 1,000 miles Artist rendering of XTI Aircraft's TriFan 600, an airplane that takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter. The company, based at the Centennial Airport, has received a utility and design patent on the technology. A prototype could be built by 2019. XTI Aircraft CompanyArtist rendering of XTI Aircraft's TriFan 600, an airplane that takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter. The company, based at the Centennial Airport, has received a utility and design patent on the technology. A prototype could be built by 2019. The creator of a commercial jet that needs no runway said Monday that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a utility patent for its TriFan 600 vertical take-off airplane. XTI Aircraft Co., based at the Centennial Airport, said a prototype of its six-seat airplane that takes off and lands like a helicopter is on track for its first flight in two years. Getting a patent helps protect its investment in the TriFan 600, which has been in development for four years, said David Brody, XTI's founder. The aircraft, aimed at business travelers, eliminates travel time to get to and from an airport, and it can fly faster and for longer distances than a helicopter, Brody said. "If you own a business jet and you're in downtown Denver, it can take an hour to get to Centennial Airport to get to your jet," Brody said. "If there's a helipad downtown, it would save you hours (annually) to get to and from airports, even regional airports." The TriFan 600 uses three ducted fans to lift off vertically and then two wing fans to rotate forward to get to cruising speed. It has been designed to reach an altitude of 35,000 feet in 10 minutes and travel at more than 300 mph for up to 1,200 miles. XTI received a "Notice of Allowance" from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that a utility patent will be issued by the agency. The company received a design patent in October 2015. There's been more movement in Europe than in the U.S., Farnsworth said, as governments have supported research for short-take-off and more environment-friendly technology. "There is a push in terms of commercial aviation with the encroachment of cities near airports and noise ordinances associated with urban life" for short-take-off capabilities, he said. "...But the concern I would have is the same things that have plagued existing VTOL aircraft in defense fleets, which is maintenance." Maintaining non-standard engines requires specific skills and costs, Farnsworth said. Brody said the XTI uses modern technology to keep costs down. "There are three major technology advances that have enabled the TriFan 600 to become viable: lightweight materials, like carbon fiber; secondly, jet engines, the turbine engines have advanced significantly since the '60s when the U.S. Army built and flew the ducted fan airplanes," he said. "And third, computers. One of the aircraft (in the '60s), they had a computer the size of three to four refrigerators. now your cellphone has more power than that." In a proposal aimed at attracting investors, XTI said that market experts believe the company can sell 40 to 100 TriFan 600 airplanes a year at $6 million to $8 million each. The company, which has about 15 employees and contractors, needs to raise $15 million to build its first prototype. It recently hired Robert LaBelle, former CEO of helicopter firm AgustaWestland North America, as its CEO. Charlie Johnson, a former president of Cessna, sits on the board. XTI also recently partnered with Bye Aerospace, another aircraft company headquartered at the Centennial Airport. Bye is working on a solar-powered aircraft. http://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/04/centennial-startup-patent-vertical-take-off-airplane/ Back to Top NTSB Modernizes Stakeholder Engagement Platform, Suspends Listserve Service Dear Subscriber, The National Transportation Safety Board is modernizing its stakeholder communications and is ending its use of the agency's listserve. To serve you better the NTSB will expand its use of Constant Contact, a service that has proven reliable for the agency and will provide greater flexibility in the way we provide you with information you want and need. You received this notice because we need you to confirm your wish to continue to receive updates from the NTSB and to register for those updates from our Constant Contact service. Please visit https://goo.gl/Akwt0t and subscribe to the list(s) that meet your interests. Know that your information is not shared with any other Constant Contact client or any other third party. Please register for the Constant Contact service by April 10 as we plan to make the transition from the listserve to Constant Contact on that date. Our listserve will cease operations April 10 and will no longer accept new subscribers and all stakeholder updates will be managed via our Constant Contact service. In addition to the Constant Contact updates, you can also keep up with us on: * Twitter by following @NTSB_Newsroom and @NTSB, * Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NTSBgov/, * LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/35048/. * YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/NTSBgov, * Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ntsbgov/ and on * Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntsb. * The NTSB website www.ntsb.gov. * The NTSB blog 'Safety Compass' at http://safetycompass.wordpress.com/ * The NTSB Advocacy Spotlight newsletter at https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/Pages/spotlight.aspx Be sure to visit our 50th Anniversary timeline at NTSB.gov/ntsb50 for an interactive look at our history -- a timeline that we will update throughout the commemorative year. We regret any inconvenience our transition in services may cause you and we deeply appreciate your continued interest in the National Transportation Safety Board. Back to Top SAFE Encourages Pilot Input on GA Runway Incursions (Survey) Active general aviation (GA) pilots are being asked to help an ongoing study of GA runway incursions by completing a new online questionnaire. The FAA has said that runway incursions - a vehicle or aircraft on the ground endangering aircraft landing or taking off - average three per day and are a "serious safety concern." GA pilots are involved in about 80 percent of runway incursions. "The question is, what are GA pilots doing, or not doing, that results in so many runway incursions?" said Professor Donna F. Wilt of the Florida Institute of Technology College of Aeronautics. "By analyzing such occurrences we can help mitigate those dangerous situations." The study is being conducted by the FIT College of Aeronautics, Hampton University Department of Aviation and Purdue University Department of Aviation Technology. It is funded through the Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability (PEGASAS), and the FAA Center of Excellence for GA. SAFE is a partner of PEGASAS. The questionnaire will be available from April 1 through April 30, 2017. To take the new questionnaire, click here or click on or copy and past the URL below. The questionnaire is also available on the SAFE web site at www.SAFEPilots.org and will be available at the SAFE booth at Sun 'n Fun. SAFE is encouraging its members to participate in the project. Direct Link URL: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiJFFh52kh_afnEN7qoBRoliQvqLSUhksMQAGDGbO- EcDweg/viewform?usp=sf_link For more information, contact the project's Principal Investigator, Dr. Scott Winter. SAFE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting aviation education at all levels of learning. SAFE is a recognized leader in pilot training reform, safety education, and the mentoring of aviation educators. For information on free resource materials and membership, go to www.safepilots.org. Scott Winter Assistant Professor of Aviation Science College of Aeronautics, Florida Institute of Technology 321-674-7639 (Office) 218-269-9376 (Cell) Back to Top Research Survey Dear Aviation Colleague, my name is Arjun Rao. I am research associate at the Center for Aviation Studies at the Ohio State University. My colleagues and I would greatly appreciate your response to a short survey to better understand pilots's use of weather information products during flight. Participation in this survey is voluntary. All answers reported in the analysis will not bear any connection to you or any response that you might provide. Thank you very much in advance for your participation on this survey. Your responses are greatly appreciated and will help our efforts to improve GA safety. The link to the survey is : https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yJ3oNLMYh4lO17 Please let me know if you have any questions/would like me to provide additional information. Once again, we appreciate your help. Regards, Arjun ************************************************** Arjun H. Rao, Ph.D. Research Specialist The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies Room 125, 140 West 19th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 614-688-2634 rao.119@osu.edu https://aviation.osu.edu/ Curt Lewis