Helicopter and Plane Crash Lawyer
Aviation News
Fragments of Oxygen Tank Found in Qantas Investigation
Category: Aviation News
The theory that an oxygen tank meant to supply passengers and crew with oxygen in the case of an emergency may have exploded, tearing a hole the size of a car in the side of a Qantas jet on Friday has gained some credence since the investigation found a valve and a handle fragment in the passenger compartment close to where the missing tank was stored, reported a senior investigator from the Australian Transport and Safety Board. The investigator stated it is possible the valve was blown up into the passenger cabin while the body of the cylinder out the fuselage hole.
Flight QF 30 was en route to London from Melbourne with 365 passengers and crew aboard when they reported hearing a loud "bang", then the plane decompressed, and an eight inch hole in the floor send things flying around the compartment. After an emergency landing in Manila, emergency crews immediately saw the extent of the problem - a gaping hole at the point the front of the right wing attaches to the fuselage - and very close to where the oxygen cylinders are kept inside the cargo department. Luggage was exposed, but held in by the webbing that keeps it from shifting during the flight - obviously very strong webbing and attachment to the inside of the plane. The airlines continues to interview passengers, has received the flight data recorder, and has ordered all oxygen tanks on its 747-400 fleet to be inspected.
Earlier, the U.S. FAA had warned airlines to inspect oxygen systems on their planes, but Qantas head of engineering this directive applies to a different type of oxygen system from the one being investigated in this incident. Three other aircrafts were affected by the directive and all had been inspected by January 2007. Geoff Dixon said whatever caused the "very, very bad accident, was likely beyond the airline's control.
"We don't know and we can't speculate on what happened to this aircraft," Dixon told a news conference. "Obviously there is every chance it is something to do with the aircraft, and it is something that may have well been out of our control. More than likely it was."
Australian Transport Safety Bureau along with Boeing and the U.S. NTSB are inspecting the aircraft in Manila.
Plane Blows Four Tires On Landing
Category: Aviation News
Frieda just reported a jetliner had to abort its take-off because it blew four tires going down the runway - now we hear of a jetliner blowing all four as it landed. What's going on with airline tires? One comment on an AP blog site asked, "Are they Firestone?" Frieda doesn't know the where airlines purchase their tires or who makes them, but it sure is odd this happened twice within a week and to blow all four at one time - that would seem peculiar within itself. The airlines is investigating the incident and no cause has been given at this time.
A Continental Airlines' jet flight 205, traveling from Oklahoma City and carrying 133 passengers and 5 crew members, blew four tires as it landed in Houston. The passengers had to be taken by bus to the gates and no injuries were reported. One passenger reported an uneventful flight until landing when there was a "bang" and the plane started drifting and shaking badly. According to a news report this lasted about a minute. Due to a fire neat the engines, there was foam all around the plane when the passengers deplaned.
What did the passengers received for their experience?
A ticket for a free drink - a $5 value.
Flight School Relinquishes License
Amid lots of controversy and accusations, Kemper Aviation has voluntarily surrendered its certificate to teach students. The company has had three fatal crashes in less than six months, the latest one being earlier this month when a plane piloted by the Aviation school's co-owner, stalled and crashed killing all on board including two students and one university researcher. A preliminary report stated the plane was overweight by a considerable amount and was flying too low and too slow.
Florida has 66 flight schools and Kemper has the worst safety record of them all since 2003. This makes one wonder why - if the students checked out Kemper and found this to be true - they would continue to use this flying school and why the owners did nothing to change their standing. Flying a plane (Cessna 172S) which is overloaded by 300 pounds is an accident waiting to happen - and it did - killing four people.
Delta Flights Makes Emergency Landings
Category: Aviation News
A Delta Boeing 767 flight carrying 259 passengers en route from Raleigh, N.C. to Atlanta, GA., had to make an emergency landing at the Greenville-Spartanburg (in S.C.) airport Wednesday afternoon. The pilot smelled smoke in the cockpit and made the landing to have the plane checked out - and landed without incident.
The problem seems to be a malfunction of the air conditioning, but Delta is giving the plane a full inspection and isn't sure when it will be flying again. Only one woman complained of minor burns, with conflicting reports that she was treated at the scene and that she refused treatment There was no report on how the woman received her burns.
On March 11, 2008, another Delta Airlines jet - Boeing 737 - flying from Cincinnati, Ohio to Seattle, WA., had to make an emergency landing in Bozeman, MT. due to fuel leaking from an engine. There were 133 passengers on board and all were able to continue on to their destination on another jet. No one was reported injured and no reason for the fuel leak has been reported.
Young Record-Setting Pilot is Dead at 26
Category: Aviation News
Frieda is saddened to report the little girl who made history and headlines in 1990s for being not only the first girl to fly across the U.S. in 1993 at 11 years old, she was the youngest girl to fly trans-Atlantic in 1994 when she was 12 - is dead at the age of 26. What makes this story even sadder is that she died from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound - a suicide. Her name was Vicki Van Meter.
What happens to a young girl who once was quoted as saying, "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything" and who wanted to become an astronaut?
She went on to earn a degree in criminal justice, spent 2 years in the Peace Corps, and was applying to grad schools to study psychology.
Icy Antarctic Runway Completed
Category: Aviation News
For anyone who would like to spend time on Antarctica, the worlds first commercial flight service is now available from Tasmania. This is not, however, the first runway on Antarctica. For years the U.S. Air Force has used McMurdo Base sea-ice runway and when that melts or is too thin to handle the big jets, scientists and staff fly C-130s to the Pegasus land-ice runway and hour away from McMurdo base by SnoCats.
Frieda doubts the weekly flights will draw much of the tourist trade, but these flights will have a tremendous effect on the scientists who are on Antarctica to study the effects of climate change on the continent - the main purpose of this service being to transport scientists and other staff and equipment to this area. The Airbus 319-115LR (LR stands for long range) is capable of flying the 7,500 mile, 9 hour round trip from Hobart, Tasmania without having to refuel. It can carry up 40 passengers and 6.5 tons of cargo.
The new runway, Wilkins Runway, is named after Sir George Hubert Wilkins, an Australian polar explorer, pilot, and geographer. It's 2.5 miles x 330 feet, was cut from glacial ice and laser technology was used for leveling, the "pavement" is snow. Without snow being used as "pavement", the blue ice would absorb heat from the sun, warm up, causing melting and pitting -an unsafe surface for the planes to take off and to land, possibly causing them to slide across the runway. Therefore, the white snow was bonded to the blue ice of the glacier to deflect the sun's rays.
The runway which was started in 2005, cost $42.2 million and three summers to build - the warmest part of the year. Well, guess that's all relative - temperatures went as low and -32F and winds were sometimes the strength of a class 3 hurricane at 155 mph - Frieda doesn't even want to know what the coldest part of the year brings! With these temperatures, no wonder the Upper Peterson Glacier where the runway was built is 2,300 feet thick!
In January, the Governor-General of Australia, Michael Jeffery, described the Wilkins Runway as a remarkable feat of ice engineering. "It is fitting that it is named after Sir George Hubert Wilkins, one of the great pioneers of polar exploration and aviation. He encountered many of the same perils that face our Antarctic aviators today -- ferocious wind, ice and snow blizzards and absolute isolation," Jeffrey said.
F-15Cs Cleared To Fly Again
Category: Aviation News
On November 2, 2007, a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C split behind the cockpit and broke apart during a combat training maneuver. The pilot survived the incident. A fatigue crack in the longeron - part of the structure running from front to rear of the fuselage has been cited as the cause of the structural failure - Air have no idea how long it was there. According to Air Force Col. William Wignall, accident investigation board president, the upper right side longeron was poorly manufactured by McDonnell Douglas in the 1970s - McDonnell Douglas was later acquired by Boeing which continues to sell and to support the aircraft.
In January the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command cleared most of the F-15s (A-D models) to return to flying status. The order applies only to the aircraft that have cleared all inspections and have met longeron manufacturing specifications. With about 90 per cent of the inspections completed, nine other aircraft have been found to have longeron fatigue cracks and about 40 per cent of the aircraft have been found to have at least one longeron that does not meet specifications.
The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather tactical fighter that is extremely maneuverable and designed to have air superiority in aerial combat. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight current enemy aircraft as well as projected future enemy aircraft. Having made it's first flight in 1972, it has evolved to become one of the most successful aircraft development programs in Air Force history.
Engine Falls Off Boeing 737
It's a site one neither expects to see nor wants to see when seated by the window of your airplane and looking out at the wondrous view as your plane climbs to the sky - you see the engine falling off your plane. Well, that's exactly what happened to a businesswoman seated on a domestic airline in South Africa bound for Johannesburg. She heard a loud bang and the passenger seated next to her told her, "That's our engine that's just fallen off". The passenger said the passengers and crew remained calm even though the plane started to shake a little bit and she was further calmed when her seat mate explained the plane could fly with one engine - and that's exactly what it did as the it flew around to dump fuel before making a smooth landing.
When the plane landed safely, the pilot walked into the cabin and all 100+ passengers on board cheered. There were no injuries.
Airfares Hike Again!
The seventh airfare hike since Labor Day - and the largest - is upon us. American lead the way with a $20 for U. S round-trip tickets, Delta followed, others such as United is considering a hike but has not yet decided on a increase. "The last two months have been unprecedented, and a lot of it has to do with the unprecedented price of fuel," said Rick Seaney, chief executive of an airline price tracking website.
"Soaring fuel prices, among other pressures, leave little room for error in maintaining today's modest profit margins," said ATA Chief Economist John Heimlich.
Now, Frieda firmly believes the airlines could have a better business plan and work more efficiently - however, she is sensitivity to the cost of fuel - one of the industry's biggest costs. Cost of fuel is hurting us all - driving our cars, heating/cooling our homes, all products we purchase - yet we all seem to take it in stride - except for a few moans as we fill up our gas tanks - BUT we still fill up our cars and accept the rising prices! We have become a nation so dependent on others for almost everything - especially oil - we have no control. Instead of complaining to the airlines and our travel agents about the rising cost of the airline tickets, Frieda thinks it's time "we the people" start talking to our representatives who are supposed to be looking after our interests, our well being, our security as Americans. The problem is not with the airlines, my friends, it is with Washington.
US Airways Cuts Flights In Pittsburgh-Gates Will Close
Category: Airline Travel
US Airways, long dominant in Pittsburgh, will cut 40 flights and drop 28 gates in January - all part of a dramatic cutback starting after 9/11. These latest cuts will leave only 1,800 workers in Pittsburgh and 68 daily flights - a large difference from the once high of 542 flights and 12,000 workers.
Part of the attempt to offset the cutbacks, Pittsburgh International Airport will close 27 gates and raise fees to airlines. The overall cost to all airlines operating from this airport will increase 11%. The report stated, "There's a direct correlation between the per-passenger cost and volume--the more travelers airlines bring through the terminal, the lower the per/passenger cost". Well, of course, duh! Cost per unit volume has always been determined by volume - Frieda wonders when this "direct correlation" will "directly" cost these passengers to whom they refer - uh, you and me!
Why does it always cost the air traveler when an airline cuts something to save money? Could we be talking this "direct correlation" again?
Flight Cuts for JFK Not Well Received As Solution To Severe Traffic Congestion
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is one of the busiest and most congested airport in the nation handling 100+ flights per hour during peak travel periods. The U. S. Department of Transportation has determined the airport could reliably handle 80 or 81 flights per hour and has asked the airlines to voluntarily cut back flights next summer or face a mandatory order to cutback. This is being done as an attempt to clear some of the congestion which would mean fewer flight delays, less chance of runway mishaps, and opposition from both airline and civilian business communities.
Continue reading "Flight Cuts for JFK Not Well Received As Solution To Severe Traffic Congestion"
Nepal Airlines Appease Sky God
Category: Aviation News
Nepal, sitting between China and India, is home to 8 of the world's 10 highest mountains, including Mt. Everest. It has one state-run airline, Nepal Airlines, that runs international flight to five cities in Asia with its two Boeing aircraft. Earlier this week, the airlines had technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 and sacrificed two goats in front of the troubled aircraft to appease the Hindu sky god, Akash Bhairab.
It is common to sacrifice animals to appease different Hindu deities.
Nepal is famous, as the world's only Hindu Kingdom. However, it is an intricate and beautiful tapestry formed by the interweaving of Hinduism, Buddhism and other beliefs. Religious tolerance and harmony such as is found in Nepal, is perhaps a unique example to the world.A senior official did not explain the cause of the problem, but stated it has been fixed. Local media blamed the situation on an electrical fault.
Runway Incursions Continue - Shocker?
On August 16, 2007, the wingtip of Northwest Airlines A320 missed colliding with the nose of a West Jet B737 by 37 feet at LAX. Although this incursion was definitely a close call, no one was injured.
The investigation by the NTSB noted the Airport Movement Area Safety System (AMASS-a ground radar system which can detect and alert controllers to potential runway conflicts) at the airport was operational at the time of the incursion, but it is unknown whether or not it activated - exactly what does this mean? Is there an investigation into the level of functionality of the AMASS at LAX? We have lives at stake here!
EAA's 55th Celebration Begins
Category: Aviation News
It's that time again - EAA AirVenture is here and the world once again is reminded there is a town in Wisconsin named Oshkosh. Even the Early Show on CBS will be broadcasting from there one day this week. Named "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" began today, July 23, and will run through July 29. For this week in July, Wittman Field in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is known as the "world's busiest airport" with planes of all types flying in from all over the world.
Airliner Accident Involves Landing Gear
A Jazz CRJ-100 regional jet with 37 passengers and three crew members on board landed safely in Toronto on Sunday and was moving from the active runway onto a taxiway when the main landing gear buckled and collapsed. Although no one seemed to be injured, medical examinations were given to everyone at the airport and they were released.
Air Canada regional took to the skies in 2001 as a combination of four regional airline brands. Once the consolidation of the four companies was completed in 2002, the name was changed to Air Canada Jazz. Jazz, a subsidiary of ACE aviation, is headquartered in Halifax. Nova Scotia with several regional offices and operational bases across Canada. Since 2002, the airlines has become one of the largest regional airlines in the world - serving the United States as well as Canada.
The landing gear incident is under investigation. Spokeswoman Manon Stuart stated this was the first time an incident like this has occurred involving this aircraft.
Will Senators' Legislation Put A Stop To Stranding Passengers
Frieda doesn't think so.
The U.S. government must prevent long airline runway delays like those that stranded travelers for more than nine hours earlier this year, two U.S. senators said.
In 2001, American Airlines, United, and other major airlines successfully blocked a passenger bill of rights by promising to improve service to their passengers. According to the Detroit News, one senator accused the airlines of failing to live up to their promises to improve services thus concluding the government must "fix this". This senator introduced legislation on Feb. 17 of this year addressing this problem. Another senator accused the Transportation Department of failing to enforce rules to improve airline service, saying the airlines have no accountability. A third senator introduced legislation on March 1 which also addressed this problem. (2 different senators introduce 2 different legislations on the same issue - Hummm). According to one passenger who spent nine hours "herded" on an airplane, "the industry puts passenger welfare last and is much more concerned with their own bottom line".
Continue reading "Will Senators' Legislation Put A Stop To Stranding Passengers"
Does Airlines' New Spending Make Us Safer?
Frieda thinks not. An article written for the Wall Street Journal and published in the NW Florida Daily News, on May 8, 2007, states the following:
After years of airline cutbacks, some fliers may have become resigned to dingy seats, costly snacks and surly service. But, now somewhat more flush with cash, carriers are planning a host of upgrades.
Continue reading "Does Airlines' New Spending Make Us Safer?"
NTSB Celebrates 40 Years
Category: Aviation News
On April 3, 1967, an airplane with eight passengers and one pilot took off from Lexington, Ky. Shortly after, something went very wrong - the aircraft crashed, killing all aboard. A "go-team" from the 2 day old NTSB was sent to the scene to launch an investigation. Since that date, the NTSB has sent it's "go-teams" (a small unit of specialists) to investigate over 130,000 aviation accidents and thousands of ground accidents in it's 40 year history. On April 1, 2007, it will be 40 years since the NTSB split from the Civil Aeronautics Board.
Airline Travelers Safer In The Air Than On The Runway
After examining five years of FAA data involving 452 airports, Forbes.com editors compiled a list of
America's most dangerous airports and concluded airline travelers' face the biggest risk of death or injury while still on the ground. While it is reported serious runway incidents involve less than 1% of the total flights and since 2001, 108 travelers have died in ground collisions compared to the millions of travelers who have taken off and landed safely, I am sure this is of little comfort to the families and loved ones of those who have perished especially when we examine "why".
Continue reading "Airline Travelers Safer In The Air Than On The Runway"
US Airways To Stop Serving Alcohol Following Crash
US Airways has been ordered by the state of New Mexico to stop serving alcohol on flights coming into or leaving the state after learning the airlines doesn't have a state liquor license. The superintendent of the state Regulation and Licensing Department said US Airways should not serve alcohol while in New Mexico airspace - stating the airline is "effectively bootlegging" without a license. The airline will comply.
This is not the whole story - there is a much more serious element we should all take to heart.
Continue reading "US Airways To Stop Serving Alcohol Following Crash"
V-22 Osprey Helicopter's Safety Still Being Question
Category: Helicopter News
As written in an earlier article on the site, "Since the 1990s, the United States Marine Corps has been developing a revolutionary new aircraft designed to take off and land like a helicopter, then tilt it's wings to fly like an airplane, supposedly to fly faster and farther than the conventional helicopter. Sounds great if it weren't for one problem - it kept crashing and killing people and was grounded in 2000."
Continue reading "V-22 Osprey Helicopter's Safety Still Being Question"
Runway Incursion Only A Cartoon To The FAA?
After writing about what the NTSB calls the FAA's "Unacceptable" response to one of its Most Wanted Safety Improvements - runway incursions, I thought I'd be fair and see what the FAA has on it's very own website about this problem.
All I found was an insulting cartoon and a definition for runway incursions. (See UPDATE at the end of this article.) I was shocked - as would be the 583 people who lost their lives in the Canary Islands, the 34 who died at LAX, and the passengers who almost perished recently aboard a United 737 at O'Hare. Oh, there were numbers to call for the employee locator and for the hearing impaired and a physical address for the office of Runway Safety - absolutely nothing concerning this very dangerous problem.
The obvious omission is how they are addressing the issue of runway incursions - perhaps because they aren't actively addressing it? This really is an outrage - this has been on the Most Wanted list for 16 years - the incidents have increased over last year - and we still have the December holiday season of air travel ahead of us!
This issue is a concern for all of us who fly - our safety is not being taken seriously. Please let the FAA know this is not acceptable!
UPDATE: Since this article was written, the FAA has changed the picture on the linked site to an much more appropriate one.
"Very Light Jets" Newest Market in Aviation
Business jets have been used for quite some time by the rich and the powerful who don't want to be bothered by the hassles of commercial flights - leaving those "pleasures" to the rest of us mere mortals. That may change now with the arrival on the aviation scene of the VLJ (short for very light jets) by making private air travel available to travelers who are not quite as rich and powerful.
VLJs can cut the cost of the business jet by more than half - costing between $1.5 and $3 million, although they are somewhat slower and shorter on distance. They weigh less than 10,000 pounds, can carry seven people and can fly over 1,000 miles with a speed of about 460 mph. The hopefuls see VLJ as being able to fit into the industry very well while critics aren't quite as optimistic, citing there could be financial shambles when makers look forward to the market growing at 1,000 VLJs a year when others feel the market capacity is about one-fourth of that.
Only two companies have received FAA certification and are ready to begin deliveries - Eclipse Aviation (plans to deliver 515 Eclipse 500s next year at a cost of $1.5 million - they have received a total 2,500) and Cessna Aircraft Co.(has orders for 250 for its Citation Mustang with the price tag of $2.6 million). However, with other companies seeking certification from the FAA and planning on deliveries in the next few years, the concern is the industry will become too crowded.
The controversy goes on - time will tell if VLJ are bound for stardom or failure or somewhere in between.
Holiday Travel and Your Luggage
The Department of Transportation is telling us the number of lost luggage is still rising - "skyrocketing" is the correct term. In September of this year the complaints rose 30% compared to September of 2005. United Airlines had three times more (37,000) complaints than last year, American Eagle almost doubled their number of complaints (26,000), and NWA had 20,000 cpmplaints compared to 14,000 last year.
Lost luggage, however, ranked only second in the complaint department. Flight problems (cancellations, delays, missed connections) was #1, lost luggage was #2, and bad customer service was #3.
Memorial for Plane Crash Victims
Frieda just realized she has never fully understood the significance of memorials to civilians who lost their lives in tragedy - they weren't heroes, who knowing risked their lives for the greater good of man - they were victims of an unexpected event. Not fully understood, that is until now.
Normally when we lose a loved one, in some cases we have time to "prepare" for the loss (if one can ever prepare for such and event), and once the death occurs, we can see and be with that person at the funeral visitation and lastly at the funeral. Then when all that is over, there is a final resting place - be it in a cemetery or in an urn. All these events are designed to help us accept the unimaginable and when we need to "be" with that person , we know where he/she is - we have a place to mourn, to talk with them, or simply just to be with them. Families of plane crash victims don't have any of these "rituals" to help them cope with their loss. Now the families of the passengers of the ill-fated American Airlines Flight 587, have a long awaited place to mourn.
Five years after AA Flight 587 crashed into a Queens neighborhood, killing 260 people on board and 5 on the ground, a memorial - a curved wall with all the 265 names on it - will be dedicated today. The memorial wall has windows and a doorway so one can view the Atlantic Ocean - there are also benches, trees and flowers. The wall also bears a quote from poet Pedro Mir: "Despues no quiero mas que paz/Afterwards I want only peace"
Now the families do have a place to mourn and hopefully they will find peace at last.
Are We Safer Now Than Before 9/11?
Category: Airline Travel
According to the book, Unsafe at Any Altitude, by Joseph and Susan Trento - we are not.
Frieda doesn't agree with this 100% - some measures are in place that do make us a little safer. Due to the installation of the bullet-proofed doors leading to the cockpit, I doubt we have too many more planes hijacked and flown into buildings where thousands of people work. Reportedly, there are more air marshals on board and screening can detect explosives in passenger luggage - these are good, but not enough.
The Trentos call our long lines at security points, taking off our shoes, and scrutiny of our carryon luggage "pure theater" to "make the traveling public feel good". Don't know that I totally agree with this either, but certainly it is not perfect - or maybe not even very good - it is reported the TSA catches only 50% of contraband and we know from various news reports over the past months, weapons can still be carried on board. Trenton reports TSA sent five inspectors through security at Logan International and they were able to get knives, a bomb, and guns aboard. A pocket knife concealed behind the zipper in one agent's pants set off the alarm, but the screeners believed the zipper had set off the alarm and he was allowed through. Now, Frieda has a question - out of all the men who have gone through security, how many of their zippers have set off the alarm? This has never happened to Frieda when she has been in line - no man's zipper has ever set off an alarm!
Why wasn't this questioned?
Besides the problem with screening at the airports, we still have no (or improper) screening of airport workers - on the ramp, the caterers, cleaning crews - and cargo loaded onto our planes. Planes may be safe from flying into buildings, but they can still be blown up from within the cabin or cargo compartment and not necessarily by passengers - where most of the screening occurs.
Frieda still doesn't understand why millions have been put into this Homeland Security and we have so little results with gaping holes in our security. We need a good business person to oversee the TSA and Homeland Security to see that it is a fuctional business and not just another government agency that answers to no one.
Lufthansa Airlines Has Mishap at Newark
Category: Aviation News
Frieda knows there are things she will never understand and that accidents do happen - but I just don't "get" how two great big planes taxing on a runway can't see each other well enough to avoid what is known in automobile terms as a "bump up". My big car running over my much smaller weed-eater in the driveway is one thing - I "get" that, but two huge planes?
At the Newark, N. J. airport on Halloween, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 was taxing away from the terminal when it clipped wings with a Continental Boeing 757 being towed away for maintenance - well. I guess now they will both be towed for maintenance!
The good news is none of the 308 people - including passengers and crew - were injured. One passenger was quoted as saying when the accident happened it felt like the plane had just run over a suitcase.
(He didn't say if he feared it may have been his own luggage.)
The plane was able to return to the gate where airline personnel were booking passengers on another flight to Frankfurt, Germany.
JetBlue Tests, A Threat To Aviation Safety?
OK - Frieda is wondering what else we DON'T know! As a passenger, I board an airplane thinking - within mere mortal control - all that is possible has been done to secure my safety - now I read flying JetBlue could have made me a "lab rat"!
Continue reading "JetBlue Tests, A Threat To Aviation Safety?"
Disaster Training for Plane and Helicopter Crashes
Frieda could not resist reading about the "crisis management course " in Mr. Crouse's article dated 10/17/06. It makes so much sense and would appear to be invaluable.
The program seems to fall in line with "make plans before a disaster occurs" so that when chaos prevails, we can remain relatively calm and go with our plan of action. This is similar to what we are told by the fire department to protect ourselves in our homes - plan your escape routes/strategies before the fire happens. It's very difficult to think calmly in the middle of a disaster - know your plan beforehand and your "trained mind" will take over.
How many times have we been in a shocking situation - perhaps an unexpected death of a loved one - and had someone beside us helping to guide us through?
Well, this is what HAI (Helicopter Association International) is doing with "Coping with Crisis 101- Managing an Aviation Disaster Course".
Continue reading "Disaster Training for Plane and Helicopter Crashes"
Aircraft Crash? Crisis Management Course Could Help
Helicopter Association International (HAI) will present Coping with Crisis 101 - Managing an Aviation Disaster as a part of its Professional Education Series on November 9, 2006 at the Prince Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. HAI says this has been one of the most popular programs in HAI's traveling series of educational programs.
See the course description,
See more on HAI's website.
"No Fly List" An Embarrassment?
Frieda watched last night as 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft posed questions about the "No Fly List" - intelligent, normal, sensible questions any American would want answered. I was sickened and saddened by the way this is being handled - - incompetently, inaccurately, and inefficiently.
Combat Helicopter Pilots Association Creates New Job Board
The Combat Helicopter Pilots Association (CHPA) issued a release announcing the launch of its new interactive job board. The CHPA Career Connector is designed to help employers attract qualified candidates for job vacancies, and to enable smooth career transitions for pilots seeking industry jobs. The CHPA Career Connector is a free service for job seekers and offers employers a highly targeted resource for online employment connections.
Case Marketing in the Aftermath of the Comair Plane Crash Flight 5191--Truth or Fiction?
The national attorneys jockeying for cases follow the marketing precedents and even come up with new gimics to try to get cases--such as filing within a week when very little has been factually determined, holding press conferences, and seeking, with great public fanfare, restraining orders of dubious value.
Causes of the Comair Crash in Kentucky, Further Thoughts
Category: Airline Travel
As we suspected from the beginning, the air traffic contoller, or the lack of an air traffic controller--the FAA now admits [three days after the crash] that it violated its own policy by not assigning a second controller in the tower--was a causal factor in the crash. We also now learn--again, three days after the crash--that the one air traffic controller that was on duty turned his back to engage in undefined "administrative duities" after he cleared the aircraft for takeoff. Of course, the FAA says his responsibility ended once he gave the clearance. Wonder if that's what the contoller is thinking today?
Continue reading "Causes of the Comair Crash in Kentucky, Further Thoughts"
Controller Missing from Tower in Comair Kentucky Crash
Just as we suspected from the beginning, the FAA and its controller have some fault in causing the crash of the Comair Regional Jet last Sunday. After being mum and avoiding the issue for three days, now the FAA admits that it violated its own policy when it assigned only one controller to the Lexington, Kentucky airport at the time of the crash. Moreover, that controller, after clearing the Comair jet for takeoff, turned his back to do some "administrative duties." As one would expect, the FAA would not clarify exactly what those administrative duties were.
Continue reading "Controller Missing from Tower in Comair Kentucky Crash"
Unclear Information Contribute to Cause of Comair RJ Crash?
We are told the pilots of Comair Flight 5191 were advised of runway light outages at the Lexington, Kentucky airport. But there is a question as to exactly what they were told. If the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), Delta/Comair or airport information was not clear and complete, it could have caused confusion that led the crew down the wrong runway.
Continue reading "Unclear Information Contribute to Cause of Comair RJ Crash?"
FAA At Fault in Comair Plane Crash?
Category: Airline Travel
We know that the pilots of Comair flight 5191 took off on the wrong (not assigned and too short) runway. We also know that there had been traffic pattern changes to the taxi instructions at the Lexington airport, that there had been maintenance to the runway systems, and that the lights on the primary runway were not working. But why did the tower not notice that the aircraft had taken the wrong runway--and if it did notice, why not a call to the aircraft to stop?
Comair Flight 5191--Possible Causes of the Crash
The questions are already being asked--by the media, the investigators and most importantly, the families of the victims--What caused the crash of the Comair Regional Jet yesterday? Airplane crashes such as this evoke questions, and sooner or later blame and finger-pointing. Meanwhile, the families of the victims of airplane crashes suffer--and wonder why. I cannot answer the greater question--why these people, why now, etc., but I can offer an objective look at how this might have happened.
Continue reading "Comair Flight 5191--Possible Causes of the Crash"
NBAA Fires at Larry King
Category: Airline Travel
In the category of "If you criticize my outfit you must be biased," NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) President Ed Bolen Reporter called Christiane Amanpour's report on general avaition security on CNN's Larry King Live show "irresponsible in its lack of balance." He then asked for an opportunity to present "a full picture of GA security." Let's see, think that will be a fair and unslanted look at the security issues surrounding general avaition--especially the business aspect of it?
FAA Gives Advice on Charter Flights
In light of today's security hassles at major airports, more people are looking to fly charter operators--which comes with its own set of problems. Some aviation peole beliefe that travelers looking for charter flights will encounter shady operators. "There's going to be a lot more guys out there calling themselves John Doe's Charter," Miami attorney Stuart Grossman told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Grossman was involved in litigation after the fatal charter crash that killed R&B singer Aaliyah and eight others in the Bahamas five years ago.
Digital Radar Could Reduce Plane Crashes In Mountains
A digital airport surveillance radar, known as ASR-11, is thought to be able to reduce plane crashes in the mountains of Utah. The problem occurs when planes are under 8,000 feet in Utah Valley and enter into what is called the "radar shadow" making it impossible for the air traffic controllers to see them.
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Airline Safety Threat:Lithium-Ion Batteries?
With the recall of millions of lithium-ion batteries for Dell laptop computers, it is worth looking at the danger they pose when aboard the very same airliner you and I might be flying. It seems everyone before me and behind me in the security check point lines has a laptop computer. No, I don't own one - thought I wanted one - but now, don't think so. With the concern of hijacking in the air, carjacking on earth, my neighbor's dog biting me too many times in my backyard - now I'm supposed to come into my safe home and hope my laptop doesn't burn me up? Nope, Frieda doesn't think so - Santa, you can forget the laptop computer. Okay, so having made my own personal decision - let's get back to the aircraft you and I will board one day - the one that will hopefully not crash because of a battery.
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Eurocopter Loses Choice of Law Fight in Arizona Case
Eurocopter SAS, a French company, lost in its attempt to have french law apply an insurance subrogation case brought against it in Arizona by United States Aviation Underwriters. USAU had paid Wyoming-based Roberts Aircraft Co. more than $1.5 for the loss of the helicopter.
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Combat Helicopter Pilots Association Membership Grows
Category: Helicopter News
The Combat Helicopter Pilots Association (CHPA) enrolled 65 new members in July, bringing its new member count for 2006 to 132 and propelling the organization to nearly 300 total members, according to the Aero-News Network.
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EAA Will Review Safety Procedures After Fatal Air Crashes
Category: Aviation News
The EAA will await the NTSB investigation results before considering changes in safety procedures. EAA President Tom Poberezny stated. The EAA says regardless of the occurrence of an accident, it constantly revisits safety. "Safety is our number-one priority," he said.
According to Poberezny, meetings are held year-round to establish safety procedures, and every suggestion and comment is looked at and taken very seriously. "Whenever there's an accident, the question of safety comes up," he said. Further, Poberezny claims that changes are, in fact made on an annual basis becuse the situation is a dynamic one. But any proposed changes must be carefully evaluated to ensure they would in fact enhance safety, he said, since changes do not always beget safety.
Newest UH-60 Helicopter Delivered to US Army
Sikorsky Aircraft opened a new era in late July with the delivery of the U.S. Army's first production UH-60M "Blackhawk" helo.With a new airframe, avionics and propulsion system, the UH-60M is the latest and most modern in a series of BLACK HAWK variants that Sikorsky has been delivering to the army since 1978.
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Very Light Jet Controls Misrigged Causing Jet Crash
Category: Plane Crashes
The NTSB reports that the controls of a Very Light Jet, a Spectrum 33 prototype that crashed on July 25 in Spanish Fork, Utah, were misrigged. "Specifically, the linkage was connected such that left roll input from the side sticks would have deflected the ailerons to produce right roll of the airplane," the report says. The jet entered a right roll almost immediately after takeoff. The roll went to about 90 degrees right wing-down at the time of the wing's impact with the ground. Both crewmen died.
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Passenger Death in Oshkosh Airplane Taxi Accident
Category: Aviation Safety
Sadly, a passenger in an RV-6 homebuilt was killed when a WWII Grumman TBM Avenger overtook the RV-6 from behind while taxiing at the Oshkosh airport. The Avenger--a taildragger --was in queue for departure when its prop sliced into the RV . The victim, Gary Palmer, 63, of Nepean, Ontario, was president of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 245 in Ottawa.
A Flying Honda?
Category: Aviation News
No, it's not a funny looking motorcycle with wings - nor is it a car able to become airborne by shifting into a new gear. Honda is seriously entering the aviation arena.
EADS North America To Supply UH-145 To Army
Category: Aviation News
In our May 5, 2006 article, we reported the UH-145 was featured at the Army Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) annual convention - and being offered to the Army as its LUH (Light Utility Helicopter). It's many impressive features were not lost on the Army.
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