05 APR - ANA warned for allowing unlicensed mechanics to make aircraft checks
11 APR - NTSB issues safety recommendations on controller fatigue
17 APR - FAA lowers safety rating for Indonesia
18 APR - BEA releases preliminary factual report on Fokker 100 accident
19 APR - AAIB issues Special Bulletin on Boeing 777 electrical fire incident
20 APR - ATSB action against Transair for failing to report safety incidents
23 APR - Mexico suspends AOC of Republicair
28 APR - FAA issues NPRM on ice protection systems
30 APR - Ten Nigerian airlines meet re-capitalisation deadline
30 APR - Nigerian recapitalisation: licenses of seven airlines revoked
04 APR 2007 ATSB releases final report into Metro 23 Lockhart River CFIT accident [to table of contents]
The Australian ATSB has released a final report into the May 2005 Lockhart River accident. A Metro 23 aircraft operated by Transair was unintentionally flown into a ridge in poor weather during a satellite-based instrument approach, probably because the crew lost situational awareness in low cloud. The experienced 40-year old pilot in command was very likely flying the aircraft but was reliant on the 21-year old copilot to assist with the high cockpit workload. He knew the copilot was not trained for this type of complex instrument approach. Despite the weather and copilot inexperience, the pilot in command also used approach and descent speeds and a rate of descent greater than specified in the Transair Operations Manual, and exceeded the recommended criteria for a stabilised approach. The pilot in command had a history of such flying.
The investigation found significant limitations with Transair`s pilot training and checking, including superficial training before pilot endorsements and no ‘crew resource management`. Deficiencies also existed in the supervision of flight operations and standard operating procedures for pilots. There were also significant limitations in the way Transair managed safety, Transair`s management processes and because the chief pilot was over-committed with additional roles as CEO, the primary check and training pilot, and working regularly in Papua New Guinea.
The regulatory oversight was also not as good as it could have been, especially when Transair moved from a charter to a regular passenger transport operator and was growing rapidly in Australia. In addition to the serious pilot and company contributory factors, if CASA`s guidance to inspectors on management systems and its risk assessment processes had been more thorough, the accident may not have occurred.
The ATSB investigation also identified a range of other safety issues which could not be as clearly linked to the accident because of limited evidence. These included shortcomings in the design of the navigation chart used and the possibility of poor crew communication in the cockpit. (ATSB)
ATSB Occurrence 200501977
The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued a warning against All Nippon Airways for allowing 11 unlicensed mechanics to make final aircraft checks between January 2006 and March 2007. The ministry requested ANA to conduct an investigation and file a report of its measures. A total of 63 aircraft were checked by unlicensed staff. Sixty of the total involve checks of cargo planes done by mechanics who have in-house licenses only for passenger planes of the same type. There were three other cases involving checks by personnel who received training to do so but have yet to receive the formal in-house license. (Kyodo) 11 APR 2007 NTSB issues safety recommendations on controller fatigue [to table of contents]
NTSB investigations into four incidents and one accident provide clear and compelling evidence that controllers are sometimes operating in a state of fatigue because of their work schedules and poorly managed utilization of rest periods between shifts and that fatigue has contributed to controller errors. This has prompted the NTSB to review the issue of controller fatigue and to recommend changes to controller work-scheduling policies and training requirements. Two are addressed to the FAA, one to NATCA. (NTSB)
NTSB Safety Recommendations A07-30/32
17 APR 2007 FAA lowers safety rating for Indonesia [to table of contents] The U.S. FAA announced that Indonesia does not comply with international safety standards set by the ICAO, following a consultation with the Indonesian civil aviation authority on March 6, 2007. The FAA had previously assessed Indonesia`s civil aviation authority in September, 1997, and found it in compliance with ICAO standards. However, after the latest consultation, the agency determined that Indonesia was no longer overseeing the safety of its airlines in accordance with international standards. Indonesia`s safety rating was lowered from Category 1 to Category 2. A Category 1 rating means the country`s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures. (FAA)
press release
18 APR 2007 BEA releases preliminary factual report on Fokker 100 accident [to table of contents] The French BEA published their preliminary findings regarding the January accident of a Fokker 100 at Pau, France. The airplane banked left and right immediately after takeoff, forcing the crew to abort the takeoff. The F100 hit a truck and ended up in a field. It was first suggested by the DGAC that the plane had hit birds, but no traces of birds were found in the engines. Both engines functioned properly. (BEA)
BEA Rapport préliminaire f-070125p
19 APR 2007 AAIB issues Special Bulletin on Boeing 777 electrical fire incident [to table of contents] The UK AAIB issued a Special Bulletin on a recent Boeing 777 electrical fire incident on the ground at London-Heathrow (LHR). After pushback and after starting the engines, smoke was detected in the Main Equipment Centre (MEC). Evidence of fire and electrical arcing damage was present within the P200 electrical power panel, and to the Right Generator Circuit Breaker and the Right Bus Tie Breaker in particular. It was also apparent that fire had been associated with the thermal/acoustic insulation blankets behind and beneath the P200 panel. The manufacturer has investigated 11 in-service reports of similar power panel events on B777 aircraft, and has published details of preventative action that operators may take. The AAIB will conduct an investigation into the circumstances of this accident. (AAIB)
AAIB Special Bulletin S2/2007
20 APR 2007 ATSB action against Transair for failing to report safety incidents [to table of contents] The Austrlian ATSB is reviewing scope for possible action against Transair. ATSB uncovered that Transair failed to report 7 immediately reportable matters (IRMs) as well as more routine matters. They include a gear failure on departure from Bamaga, a burning smell near Inverell, and a problem with flaps leading to a flapless takeoff and flight issues from Gunnedah to Sydney. According to the TSI Act, failure to make a written report of IRMs by a company (ie Lessbrook Pty Ltd trading as Transair) within 72 hours carries a maximum penalty of up to 300 penalty units or AU$33,000. The ATSB action is unrelated to the Transair accident in 2005. (ATSB)
media release
23 APR 2007 Mexico suspends AOC of Republicair [to table of contents] The Mexican Ministry of Transport suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of charter airliner Republicair. The decision was made after an inspection between April 9 and 19. Numerous anomalies were detected, mainly in training, operations and maintenance. Additionally, deficiencies were noted the application of airworthiness directives, and service bulletins. The airline owns two Boeing 737-200, one of which was airworthy. The airlinehas 60 days to comply with regulations. (SCT) 28 APR 2007 FAA issues NPRM on ice protection systems [to table of contents]
The U.S. FAA proposes to amend the airworthiness standards applicable to transport category airplanes certificated for flight in icing conditions. The proposed standards would require a means to ensure timely activation of the airframe ice protection system. This proposed regulation is the result of information gathered from a review of icing accidents and incidents, and is intended to improve the level of safety for new airplane designs for operations in icing conditions. (FAA)
NPRM
30 APR 2007 Ten Nigerian airlines meet re-capitalisation deadline [to table of contents] Ten Nigerian airlines may have successfully met the recapitalisation deadline which deadline expires April 30. The airlines that succeeded were Chanchangi, Aero Contractors, Arik, Bellview, Virgin Nigeria, Overland, Associated Airlines, Capital and three others. A.o. Sosoliso and Aviation Development Company (ADC) did not make it. Both were grounded since October 2006 following their inability to pay stipulated compensation to the families of passengers who died in accidents involving their airlines. (Nigerian Tribune) 30 APR 2007 Nigerian recapitalisation: licenses of seven airlines revoked [to table of contents]
The Nigerian Federal Government announced the withdrawal of operating licences (AOC`s) of seven airlines that failed to meet the requirements and re-certified 13 others. The banned airlines were Aviation Development Company (ADC), Sosoliso Airlines, Fresh Airlines, Albarka Airlines, Chrome Airlines, Dasab Airlines and Space World Airlines. The recapitalised airlines include Aero Contractors Airlines, Afrijet Airlines, Allied Airlines, Associated Airlines, Bellview Airlines, Chanchangi Airlines, Dornier Aviation Nigeria Limited, NICON Airways, IRS Airlines, Overland Airways, Air Midwest, Arik Airlines and Virgin Nigeria. The threshold of the capitalisation which was set at N500 million for flight operations within Nigeria; N1 billion for flight operations within the African continent as well as Mecca and Jerusalem and; N2 billion for airlines with international operations. (This Day)
