News
02 JUL 2003
A Qantas Boeing 747-400 (Flight QF6 FRA-SIN-SYD) was evacuated after arrival when a ground engineer noticed smoke coming from one of the aircraft`s 16 brakes. Five of the 347 passengers were injured. The chutes are under scrutiny after two deflated, dropping some passengers to the ground. Qantas has conceded at least two of the six chutes may have malfunctioned or been punctured by a high-heeled shoe. (News.com.au)
07 JUL 2003
Airline passengers are being warned to buckle-up and keep their seatbelts fastened or risk serious injury. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority says it is concerned about passengers not wearing seatbelts at all stages of flight. This includes during aircraft taxiing before take-off and after landing. (CASA)
media release
The government is taking steps to improve air safety after a report revealed that standards had slipped in recent years. The transport ministry has appointed a security expert to assist in drawing up a national aviation safety policy. A.o. the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) is expected to separate its safety monitoring activities from its other operations, and to increase surveillance of Skyguide, Switzerland`s air traffic control agency. (NZZ)
NZZ article
08 JUL 2003 The families of three people among 18 killed in a Gulfstream jet crash in Aspen, CO, accepted $11.7 million in a last-minute settlement with the plane`s operators. The judge announced the end of the lawsuit as a jury was about to begin the punitive phase of a trial in which the panel had already awarded the families $10.2 million in compensatory damages. (AP)
accident description
11 JUL 2003 `The US FAA does not adequately oversee the growing number of outside contractors repairing airplanes, the Office of Inspector General said in a report. At 18 of 21 repair stations checked, contract mechanics used incorrect aircraft parts and improperly calibrated tools, and hadoutdated manuals.` (AP, DoT- Office of Inspector General)
Review of Air Carriers` Use of Aircraft Repair Stations
15 JUL 2003 Cell phone use aboard commercial planes in flight could be approved in about three years if a new study authorized by the FAA shows that their transmissions don`t threaten safety. The study by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, a non-profit advisory panel to the FAA, should be completed by October 2005. The RTCA panel includes representatives from airlines, airplane makers and the electronics industry. (USA Today)
RTCA Special Committee 202
16 JUL 2003 Airbus and Boeing are preparing to test technology to reduce the risk of fuel tank explosions, seven years after a TWA Boeing 747 blew up over the Atlantic. They plan in the coming weeks to conduct the first flight tests of on-board systems designed to mitigate the threat of combustion by replacing oxygen in an empty or emptying fuel tank with nitrogen-enriched air in a process called inerting. (Reuters) 16 JUL 2003
Suspected pro-Saddam Hussein insurgents fired a surface-to-air missile at a U.S. military C-130 transport plane as it landed at Baghdad International Airport, but missed the target, a coalition military spokesman said. The attack occurred at 8:45 a.m. (AP) 17 JUL 2003
A ComAir flight attendant was arrested on charges he started an airplane lavatory fire that forced an emergency landing May 8. ComAir Airlines Flight 5491 from Atlanta to Huntsville landed at the Rome airport after someone reported smoke coming from the lavatory. No one was injured. Investigators found partly burned newspaper in the restroom. (CNN) 18 JUL 2003
The federal government is to take a very close look at the list of prohibited items on flights, which may spell the end of metal cutlery on all airlines in Australia. Transport minister John Anderson said yesterday he was a little concerned at the potential for knives and forks to inflict harm. (Travelbiz.com) 19 JUL 2003
The Spanish safety board CIAIAC released their final report regarding the July 1998 Metro III landing accident at Barcelona. The aircraft stalled and lost control on finals after the right engine was stopped during a simulated missed approach. Both crewmembers were killed. (CIAIAC)
ASN accident description
26 JUL 2003 `The FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center will conduct a drop test of a 32-passenger ATR 42-300 aircraft on Wednesday, July 30. The test will assess how the fuselage of a large, high-wing regional transport aircraft would respond if it were involved in a severe but survivable crash. The research will support studies leading to the eventual incorporation of dynamically-tested seats into commuter aircraft.` (FAA) 27 JUL 2003
A Thomas Cook Boeing 757, reportedly D-ABNS, carried out an emergency landing at Frankfurt (FRA) after reporting smoke in the cockpit. The plane, operating flight DE7983 from Las Palmas to Leipzig, was evacuated on the runway. (N-tv) 28 JUL 2003
The ATSB issued a discussion paper, exploring the reported incidence of runway incursions in Australia between 1997 and 2001. (ATSB)
discussion paper
31 JUL 2003 The FAA published the final rule regarding Improved Flammability Standards for Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials Used in Transport Category Airplanes. (FAA)
Federal Register (PDF, 1,5MB)
