Helicopter and Plane Crash Lawyer
Aviation Safety
Boeing 737 and Small Plane Have Near Miss
Category: Aviation Safety
A westbound Delta Boeing 737 was on approach to LAX at 11,900 feet when a single engine plane heading for Arizona at 11,500 feet passed within seven-tenths of a mile in the skies near Ontario, California. "Way too close" stated an FAA spokesman, who called this a very serious situation.
The small plane is owned by Tavelogic Enterprises, LLC, based in Henderson, Nevada although no telephone listing could be found for this company. Its pilot did acknowledge he made a wrong turn!
It sounds so simply - a wrong turn - we've all done it in our cars and gone "oops" and continued on. This "Oops" could have caused devastatingly deadly results.
FAA Implementing Runway Safety Measures - FINALLY!
Category: Aviation Safety
A plea to improve runway safety has been on the NTSB's Most Wanted List since it's inception in 1990. On November 6, 2007, at a public meeting, the agency declared there had been "no discernable progress" in this area. In December, congressional investigators warned us that we - the airline passengers - are at high risk of being involved in a catastrophic collision on the runways because of "faltering federal leadership, malfunctioning technology, and overworked air traffic controllers".
On Monday, the FAA announced they were finally taking steps to improve runway safety - including installing lights that signal when a runway is safe to enter. These lights will be installed at 21 major airports during the next 3 years. According to the description posted on the FAA's website, these lights change color to signal a runway is safe to enter or to cross. What about less major airports? These lights would have probably saved the lives of 49 people on August 27, 2006, in Lexington, Ky. when the Comair Jet entered the wrong runway for take off and crashed because the runway was too short for takeoff. Frieda is thrilled something is being done and realizes this program has to start somewhere - the busiest airports would probably the most likely places - lets hope this spreads quickly throughout all our airports. We have lives at stake here - yours & mine!
The FAA announced "measures" (plural) to improve runway safety and mentioned making changes both on the runway and in the cockpit that are to make a significant difference. On behalf of the airline passengers who are at "high risk", Frieda wants to know all the measures - not just the one about the lights - the FAA is taking and what exactly they mean by "significant".
TSA Looking For "Talker"
Category: Aviation Safety
Just how many air marshals are protecting our flights? Do we (and the terrorists) really need to know - or do we trust the agency in charge of this security to do the right thing and to protect the airline passengers? Well. . .
In March of this year, CNN reported that less than 1% of daily flights had armed federal air marshals on board. In preparation for the report, CNN contacted over a dozen current and former air marshals, pilots, and federal law enforcement officials and was told over and over that as few as 280 of an estimated 28,000 flights were protected by air marshals. As a result of this report, Congress held hearings and was told by the head of TSA that 1% is absolutely wrong.
So Congress held hearings. Now TSA has launched an investigation - oh no, not to revisit number of air marshals needed on flights to keep us safe (as one would think after such a report). They are investigating who among them sent a e-mail! Are we to infer the government/TSA cares less about efficiency and safety than it does someone ratting on them?
Twice In One Week?
Category: Aviation Safety
Once again two jet liners came dangerously close to each other at JFK airport on Friday, July 11. According to FAA spokeswoman, Laura Brown, a Delta Boeing 757 was arriving at the airport when it executed a "go-around" - normally a routine procedure which is often used during times of heavy congestion around an airport. This time, however, this procedure caused the Delta plane to cut across the flight path of a Comair Bombardier CRJ9 regional jet - - not good.
What is good, however, is the quick reaction by the FAA to order new procedures to avoid this from happening again. . .or something much worse. Of course Frieda is wondering why it took the second incident to cause a change in procedure - wasn't the first near death experience enough? Brown is quoted as stating: We've had two events recently and I think we want to make sure the appropriate safety margins are in place." The term "near death" is Frieda's, not the FAA's. In fact, the FAA is not classifying either incident as a "near collision" because there was no violation standards for how far apart planes can fly - again, according to Brown. Well, Ms. Brown, we aren't talking about planes flying a certain distance apart as in parallel flight, we're talking about one plane crossing the flight path of another, a circumstance that has the word "danger" written all over it!
Dean Iacopelli, a representative for the New York National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said the FAA has "terminated that perpendicular simultaneous approach procedure."
To Frieda this sounds like a "well, DUH!" and questions why it existed in the first place.
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.
Pilot Suspended After Gunshot in Cockpit
Category: Aviation Safety
The first incident in the history of the Federal Flight Deck Officer program which has trained thousands of pilots to carry weapons as an increase in aviation safety has suspended a US Airways pilot. On Saturday a handgun discharged in the cockpit when the plane was approaching Charlotte, N. C. at about 8,000 feet on a flight that originated in Denver - no one was injured in the incident. The bullet from the H&K USP .40 caliber gun luckily avoided crucial wiring and instruments when it lodged in the left side of the fuselage.
The TSA would not give details on how the incident happened and is investigating if the pilot was handling the gun according to policy. The FFDO program is overseen by the Federal Air Marshal Service which stated through spokesman, Greg Alter, that studies have made it clear that damage from the gun's rounds "would in no way threaten the integrity of the aircraft." US Airways stated the pilot is "offline" pending the results of the investigation.
The question to be answered is what is the possibility of an incident such as this seriously "threatening the integrity of the aircraft". Would increasing air marshals be a safer way to travel? (see previous article in this column)
Fewer Air Marshals On Flights?
Category: Aviation Safety
According to a CNN report less than 1% of our U.S. commercial flights are protected by armed federal air marshals - that's about 280 flights out of 28,000 per day. Now, Frieda has several questions. This action seemed necessary after 9/11 and perhaps it's been successful - so why stop now - why let down our guard - and why on earth are we letting this information out so our enemies know we have become ineffective or worse - complacent? At least the news didn't report which flights were guarded, so there may still be some element of surprise.
TSA's New Blog Site Not Getting Enthusiastic Responses
Category: Aviation Safety
According to Kip Hawley, the TSA's blog site is to "ask for your opinion about some issues we have now in discussion " and promises to "continue to go where you take us with the issues you raise". On the site, Mr. Hawley explains that since the TSA started from scratch, it relied on "standard operating procedures" to get it on it's feet and working. Since that time, SOP has created an environment where the operators had to do things just because it was SOP - whether or not it made sense thus lessening the credibility of the TSA and causing the TSOs to seem less than intelligent. In his opening article, Mr. Hawley appears very sincere in this effort for us to help the TSA help us by listening - he asks us to work with them and not to ignore the responses found on the blog. Frieda thinks we should give them the benefit of doubt and do our part to help the organization improve. Yelling at the screeners at the airport is certainly not the answer - they are busy and don't have time to give your complaint/suggestion their full attention plus they have probably dealt with several disgruntled passengers before you.
However, there are some not quite as optimistic as Frieda. The president of the Air Travelers Association suggests "this will just make it easier for them to receive complaints for them to ignore them in the name of national security." Others state it will do little to improve process or perception. An airline expert in Minneapolis applauded the idea but is concerned it will become an "online vacuum" where a small group of complainers will force the TSA to respond to them while other self-appointed so called experts will pontificate the right ways to do everything - or some travelers will be afraid to comment fearing retribution from the government.
All this could be true, but let's give the TSA a chance. It seems in this country, people are so quick to jump on the "what can go wrong" or "what's wrong with this idea" bandwagon instead of thinking "this could work, let's give it a try" - a great example is our two national political parties.
Check out the TSA's blog site and let them know what you think. You could make a difference.
Will the Air Traffic Control Crisis Jeopardize Safety?
Category: Aviation Safety
Just how safe will air travel be in the upcoming years? Will the shortage of fully qualified controllers put the whole industry in jeopardy?
NATCA, the U.S. controllers' union, is telling us the system is now in crisis because there are not enough experienced controllers to handle traffic safety in four of the busiest areas of the U.S. - Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Southern California. According to NATCA this is a result of higher than expected retirements and insufficient hiring of replacements by the FAA leaving us with the lowest number of certified controllers since 1992.
"They are being asked to handle so much volume with so little rest and with fewer eyes and ears that they are fatigued, and when you are fatigued you make mistakes," said the union leader.
Hank Krakowski, chief operating officer with the FAA, does admit staffing is "tight" at "a few facilities" but they do not believe they are running an unsafe system - their data does not show an increase in errors "tight" staffing and fatigue have been cited. Frieda thinks this sentence should end in the word "yet". As so often is the case, until something major, disastrous, or tragic happens, the strategy seems to want to prove one's position with data, instead of heeding the warnings of those with "hands on" experience. Hours on end sitting looking at that screen with perhaps too little breaks and too little time between shifts can cause burn out, exhaustion, and mistakes. The 2006 contract imposed by the FAA is cited by NATCA as a major cause of early retirement due to pay cuts, freezes, imposed work rules, and no benefits to trainees - even those with military controller experience.
What ever the reason (s) for this crisis, the FAA and the NATCA need to come together to find a solution for the good of the industry and for the safety of those of us who are the consumers of what the industry has to offer. Lives are a stake!
Will Obama's Runway Incident Bring Needed Attention?
Category: Aviation Safety
It was about 2:30 a.m. on 01/12/08, when a Gulfstream II carrying Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama landed at Chicago's Midway Airport from campaign appearances in Las Vegas. As it taxied to the parking area, the left wing of the senator's plane hit the right wing of a parked empty Cessna 208 Caravan. Although there were no injuries - if fact, probably nothing would have been reported about this if it were not for the well known passenger onboard - this is just another of the increasing number of runway incursions happening all over our country's airports and in the wake of numerous concerns about close calls with aircraft in Chicago. The plane was no longer under the direction of the air traffic controllers when the incident occurred, but was being guided by the pilot.
The NTSB is investigating the incident which in a report created by the FAA on 1/23/2008, still lists the plane as having an unknown registration number and lists a crew of two and a passenger list of 10.
Union leaders declared a state of emergency at O'Hare International Airport as well as others contending the loss of veteran controllers due to job dissatisfaction is contributing to the rising incursions and dangerous incidents in the air. Of course, the FAA says this is exaggerated, but the U.S. DOT is sending its inspector general to audit air-traffic operations at O'Hare and two other facilities in the area because of recent errors.
Hopefully this incident involving a presidential candidate will bring serious attention to a situation long overdue for consideration and action.
Does Money Speak Louder Than Safety In Minnesota?
Category: Aviation Safety
We all remember the deadly August collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis - a result of needed repairs being put off year after year.
Does money speak louder than safety in Minnesota? According to Mike Louis, MnDOT's airport zoning administrator, who sent a memo stating "People don't become less important as land increases in value" - perhaps it does. This controversy is caused because in April 2004, MnDOT Commissioner Carol Molnau opened up the airport's safety zones - overruling the recommendations of the agency's own experts who warned of the dangers of doing so. This decision opened the area to more than $1 billion worth of new commercial development in the airport's previous safety zone. In fact when planes take off over this area they cross over the Water Park of America - which is only one foot below the height limit allowed for structures being built beside an airport!
Continue reading "Does Money Speak Louder Than Safety In Minnesota?"
TSA Is Aware Rules Are Frustrating - Yet Necessary
Category: Airline Travel
"Predictably unpredictable" is what travel writer, Harriet Baskas, calls TSA's security. She is referring to why your snacks, body piercing, or knee replacement may make it through one airport security checkpoint and not another. According to a TSA spokesman, they are not interested in our snacks nor our body armor - inside or outside - and they certainly don't want to embarrass or aggravate airline travelers.
The TSA must try to keep us safe and with 2 million people flying each day along with 3.5 million bags, it's not an easy process. They are looking for liquid explosives and state " if you can pour it , pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it, spray it, or spill it, it could be considered a liquid or gel". Well, Frieda thinks that just about covers everything - so it's no wonder we are stopped in one airport and not another - it's up to the TSA workers on duty to use their own discretion. This discretion also extends to body piercing, replaced body parts, hair decorations, and other jewelry. Let them do their job - they are professionally trained, but they are also human beings who have feelings just like us. If you do have a bad experience you feel is unethical or inappropriate, you can report it to 1-866-289-9673 or email to TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.
TSA officers are following the rules - they didn't make them - and Frieda, for one, doesn't mind a little frustration at the airport - sure beats another 9/11! Just think about it, if everything were standard at every airport, the terrorists would know exactly what to expect and you can bet they would figure a way around the "standard". They don't come with a sign around their necks nor are they wearing a tee-shirt identifying who they are. So it's up to the TSA officer to do the best job he/she was trained to do.
As the holiday rush continues to build to a frenzied pace, allow yourself a little more time at the airport and remember to be pleasant to the security screeners - they are there for our security.
Are U.S. Airports Ready for Airbus A380?
Frieda questioned this when she learned a major airline is looking to purchase the A380 and a plane was on ground at one of it's hubs for officials to inspect. With our runways and airports in such a mess now, just how would this jumbo liner impact an already mega stressed out system.
As one would expect there are arguments on both sides of this issue. As we all know the A380 is the largest passenger airliner in the world with an enlarged version - the A380-900 - already planned with possibly delivery in 2015. With runway incursions at an all time high and increasing, what added threat will this airliner - with a wingspan 50 feet wider than the Boeing 747 - have on our runways, taxiways, and thus to the lives of airline passengers? Based on it's wingspan, the FAA classifies the A380 as a Design Group VI and originally required a width of 200 feet for runways and 100 feet for taxiways compared to 150 feet and 75 feet, respectively, for the 747. It also considered limiting the taxi speed to 15 mph when operating on a Group V infrastructure - the ones used by the Boeing 747. However, in July, the FAA and the EASA agreed to allow the A380 to operate on the smaller runways without restrictions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is disputing this issue.
Airport Conveyor Belt Heats Up Baggage Claim Area
One air traveler is going to have to replace all her toiletries when she reaches her destination due to a fire on the conveyor belt. Her backpack caught fire Tuesday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when it became jammed between two larger pieces of luggage. A U.S. Airways baggage handler noticed the bag was hot and set it aside - the fire department was called when the bag began to smoke - the hazardous materials team was called "just in case" - the bomb squad was called and found everything in the bag had melted
The backpack contained only legal materials - hairspray and other toiletries - but caused quite a stir when the gate area was evacuated, the plane was taken to another gate, passengers were delayed an hour before being allowed back on the plane, and the bag's owner was questioned by police before being allowed back on the plane.
The authorities theorize the impact of being jammed between the two larger pieces of luggage caused the contents of the backpack to leak, and the combination of the alcohol in the toiletries, the heat from the conveyor belt, and the friction of the belt's track rubbing against the backpack caused it to catch fire.
Granted this was a not - so - common occurrence, but Frieda might suggest precautions be taken in the future to load the belt differently and not to put the more fragile items in a position to be crushed causing perhaps a more serious incident one day.
Runway Incursions, Again!
Category: Aviation Safety
Frieda has been writing about runway incursions for well over year - it seems everybody talks about the problem but nobody takes action. Let's say this one more time - lives are at stake!
As global air traffic expands at record rates, experts warn that near misses on the ground at overcrowded airports are becoming "one of the most serious safety concerns in civil aviation".
This is not news to the NTSB who has had this situation listed on their "10 Most Wanted List" since 1991 - the status still stands as "action needed by the FAA/unacceptable response". Now we have the spokesman for the International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association stating "Runway incursions are right at the top of our agenda". Although most incursions pass without incident, but when collisions do occur, they can be deadly - in 1977, two Boeing 747s collided on the ground killing 583 people - and there have been more disasters since then. According to Eurocontrol, an average of two incursions happen each day at Europe's 600 civil airports and in the U. S. - using different reporting standards - we had 182 incidents so far in 2007, an increase over 158 for all of last year and we still have the busy holiday travel season ahead of us.
The danger of incursions grows when airports add runways in an attempt to ease bottlenecking of aircraft. This in turn leads to more taxiways having to cross runways used by jets to take off and land and of course incursions are happening more and more often as air traffic increases and older airport designs are not able to cope. The potential for more near missed - therefore more fatal collisions - will only increase since the volume of traffic is projected to double in the nest 10-15 years.
A well designed airport is one of the answers to this problem - Washington Dulles is one, reporting only 3 incursions from 1997 to 2000, while LAX reported 29 for the same time period. Red lights embedded in the tarmac as a warning, standardized use of the English language and instructions to help foreign pilots using our airports, flashing labels on radar screens coupled with audio signals, using real time depiction of movements on airport maps, and advanced runway incursion alert systems are all part of the solution. Alert systems are great, but they must be functional at all times. Chicago's O'Hare has an alert system in place but it wasn't working when two planes - a 747 and a 737 - missed each other by only 35 feet. As stated in our blog 11/27/06: "To add insult to injury, the ground alert system at O'Hare - as inadequate as it may be - was OUT OF SERVICE on July 23, 2006".
It's time we get these systems up and running - and working - to save lives. In the 16 years since the NTSB report, officials, planners, and executives have been researching, studying, and making this problem a "top priority" - - it's time for action. Perhaps if those of us who are in those planes taxing on the runways used out voices to insist on safety, we would be heard and the job would get done.
Survive A Plane Crash - Sit In The Safest Seat
There has been a long time myth that it doesn't matter where you sit on a airplane - Boeing states "one seat is as safe as the other", FAA states "there's just no way to say", and Airsafe's comment is "there is no safest seat". According to Popular Mechanics, these "expert" opinions are not based on hard data.
P.M. has investigated this question and says, "We're safest in the back of the plane." After nearly 200 passengers died in a Brazilian incident, PM studied 36 years of NTSB findings and seating charts and tells us to move to the back, in fact, the further back we sit, the better our chances - about 40% better. Now, that's an inconvenient concept for travelers who want to be as close to the front as possible - it's quieter, it feels less cramped, and we're off the planes faster if we have to make a connecting flight.
Continue reading "Survive A Plane Crash - Sit In The Safest Seat"
TSA Foils Its Own Undercover Check
Category: Aviation Safety
What good is an undercover security check when the airport screeners across the country are notified in advance - including details of the undercover agents? The government routinely runs covert tests to make sure the security measures put in place are adequate to stop a terrorist from carrying something harmful onto the an airplane. Of course, alerting screeners as to who, what, when, and where would certainly compromise any such security test.
The TSA's inspector general is investigating just such an incident on April 28, 2006. In an e-mail to a dozen or more people, including airport security staff, a TSA official warned "several airport authorities and airport police departments have recently received informal notice" of security testing being carried out by the Department of Transportation and the FAA. Worst yet, the e-mail was from the assistant administrator of the TSA's Office of Security Operations and included descriptions of the couple who would be doing the testing and exactly what to look for on their IDs and their behavior.
TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said, "We are confident in the overall integrity of the program. Tip-offs are not a systemic problem because we do so much testing."
Since this is an ongoing investigation, the TSA inspector general would not discuss details of the case at this time.
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"
Another Incursion At LAX
Category: Aviation Safety
A departing Alaska Boeing 737 with 117 passengers on board caused damage to another parked Alaska Boeing 737 while backing away from the gate. The winglet - that small vertical fin at the outer tip of the wings - "made contact" with the other jet. No one was injured and all passengers were taken off the Washington-bound plane and rebooked on other flights. Repairs to the planes will take a couple of days and, of course, the FAA will investigate.
What on earth is going on with the safety - or should Frieda say the "un-safety" - of our airports? Perhaps this was just a minor mishap, but mishaps - from minor to near disaster - are happening way to often and as asked in an earlier article on this site - what is it going to have to happen before this matter is taken seriously?
After every incident it is stated " the FAA will investigate". This they need to do - after the investigation, then what? The NTSB has called for runway safety to be addressed for years with an unsatisfactory response from the FAA.
This is the FAA's definition of their agency:
The FAA is primarily responsible for the advancement, safety and regulation of civil aviation, as well as overseeing the development of the air traffic control system and commercial space travel.
With the air traffic control system in this country so far behind and our runways such a hazard to air travelers' safety, Frieda's not sure they are fulfilling responsibility.
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!
Emergency Landing For NWA
Category: Aviation Safety
Now there are just some things Frieda doesn't need to read about just days before she is to fly on NWA. On Friday, May 18, a Northwest Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing at Buffalo Niagara International Airport - why? It seems there was a 12 inch hole in the plane's fuselage!
During the flight between Syracuse and Detroit, the flight had a loss of cabin pressure and smoke fill the cockpit. After alerting the airport of the problem, the plane landed safely and none of the 95 passengers on board were injured. It wasn't until after landing that the hole in the hull was discovered. Another plane was brought in from Detroit to complete the flight into Detroit. Northwest did indeed apologize for the inconvenience to its passengers and is conducting an internal review as to the cause.
Just to make this clear to any of you who may have doubt as to what a fuselage is, this is Wikipedia's description:
The fuselage (from the French fuselé "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo.
Not if it has a hole in it! Well there just isn't enough room on a plane - no matter how huge the aircraft - for a hole in the fuselage and Frieda! In fact, Frieda doesn't want any hole - even a pin hole - in any part of the big silver flying machine she's in! Even with security the way it is now days, Frieda's now going to have to figure out a way to get on the tarmac for a thorough inspection before boarding her flight. Hmmm. . . . . .
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?"
Pilot Killed When Home-built Plane Crashes
The body of a man, presumably the pilot, was found Thursday, April 12, in the woods of northwest North Carolina. The plane, an expermential home-built plane, traveling from Carolina Beach to Danville, Virginia crashed just 12 miles from its destination.
Frieda had just reported in an article dated April 11, that small planes have the highest rate of fatalities - of those, we are curious as to what precentage of these small planes are home-built. While on one hand Frieda can understand the puritan avaitor wanting to build his own aircraft and then to fly his creation - on the other hand, well, we know the risk. One of the problems home-built aricraft may face was found in 1991, when the NTSB issued a concern about a combination of propeller blade & engine causing fatigue cracks which led to fatal crashes. In June 2003, a pilot was killed when his home-built airplane crashed - a result of the pilot's cognitive and motor skills due to his carbon monixide intake. Carbon monoxide detectors are being put into an increasing number of general aviation aircraft - hopefully all small aircraft will soon be fitted with this low cost life saving device.
Pilot's Rage More Disturbing Than Language
As we are well aware by now, a Northwest flight from Las Vegas to Detroit was cancelled because of the pilot's language during a heated cell phone conversation as passengers were boarding. An apology has been issued by the airlines and meals and hotel rooms were given to passengers who were delayed in Las Vegas. However, some did still miss sharing Easter Sunday with their family and friends. The FAA plans to follow up on the incident, Northwest removed the pilot from the plane and returned him to Detroit, his home base, while the airline determines what to do about the situation. The reports have been about the language he used on the phone and to some of the passengers - totally inappropriate by anyone in any situation, pilot or not. It seems all proper steps have been taken following the incident.
Frieda is in total agreement with all these steps, but she has her own "take" on this incident, as you might have guessed. This incident should have never happened. We talk about "road rage" - well, this takes it to another whole level! A pilot who has the lives of passengers and crew in his hands should have never been involved in a heated conversation which evoked such rage just before having control over a commercial aircraft. His total lack of good sense and judgment put his whole aircraft in jeopardy - Frieda would not want him at the controls of her flight! His foul language was offensive to all who heard him, and in no way showed respect to his passengers and crew nor the company he represents - it was the right thing to do to remove him from the flight.
Frieda's concern goes beyond the language. Should someone with such poor judgment be piloting our commercial aircraft and having the responsibility for caring for the lives of all aboard his aircraft? I think not. Being a veteran pilot makes his actions even more disturbing. Whether it was flight fatigue or personal problems that contributed to this incident, I know of no other job where such rage and language would be tolerated. The pilot's career should be terminated. Lives are at stake.
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"
Comair Crash Investigation Leads NTSB To Recommend FAA Be More Aggressive
On August 27, 2006, Comair flight 5191 crashed after attempting to take off from the wrong runway - resulting in serious injuries to 1 and killing 49 passengers and crew. Could this had been avoided if the FAA had not only provided advice to operators to avoid this kind of disaster, but been more aggressive in seeing change actually took place? That is exactly what the NTSB is recommending the FAA do - stop merely being suggestive - be proactive, be effective.
Frieda was not aware "wrong runway takeoff incidents" occur as often as they do. Frieda does wonder if the FAA will follow the NTSB's recommendations - of this I am somewhat doubtful judging from past experience of the FAA reaction to the Safety Board's Most Wanted.
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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.
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.
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"!
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FAA "CARES"
Category: Aviation Safety
"CARES" is a new type of child safety device for securing children on commercial flights that has been approved by the FAA. AmSafe Aviation CARES has an additional belt and shoulder harness that goes around the seat back and attaches to the passenger lap belt and is designed to provide restraint for the upper body in children weighing 22 - 44 pounds - offering a smaller and lighter alternative to the standard child safety seats.
CARES is designed for use only in airplanes and is NOT approved for motor vehicles. The FAA has allowed airlines to provide this type of additional safety, but no US airlines offers them at this time. The safest place for a child on a airline flight is in an approved child safety, but the airlines has not insisted on the use of the child safety devices because they fear the families will choose to drive to their destination rather than purchase another airline ticket. According to the FAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the risk to families is significantly greater on the highways than in the air.
The FAA is hoping child seat manufacturers will design this new type of safety for children that will meet FAA standards thus allowing another safety option for families traveling with children.
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".
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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.
Airport Security: Florida Mails - Georgia Sells
Last month's ban on carrying liquids and gels onto aircraft forced many passengers to discard everything from toothpaste to their favorite expensive colognes. This was short notice for some travelers who had no choice - no time or perhaps room to pack these items in their checked in luggage. If this happened to you, hopefully you were flying out of Florida's Daytona Beach International Airport - there, you didn't have to toss them forever, you could ship your items home - FREE!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?