AIR SAFETY WEEK :: APRIL 28, 2008

Sumwalt Questions Regional's Safety Margins
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vice Chairman Robert Sumwalt used a recent Board hearing on a Shuttle America runway overrun to raise questions regarding the regional airline industry's overall commitment to air safety. The Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the Feb. 18, 2007...

ALPA Agrees with NTSB on Fatigue Issue
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) says the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) findings in the Shuttle America landing accident in Cleveland, OH makes it clear that pilot fatigue persists as a significant aviation safety risk. The Safety Board determined that the probable cause of a Shuttle...

NTSB Safety Forum on UAVs
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a three-day forum on the safety of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) April 29-30 in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, DC. The forum will provide an opportunity for the Safety Board and interested parties to understand the safety...

Improvements to FAA Air Safety Ordered
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a series of measures to improve the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) safety inspection program and tasked a newly created independent review team with crafting recommendations to improve the air safety system. The FAA will implement a new...

ACI-NA Opposes Slot Auctions At LaGuardia
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) maintains that capacity expansion, both at the airport and in the national airspace system, is the most effective means of reducing congestion. "However, in those instances where such measures are infeasible or not available in the short-term...

Biometric Airport and Seaport Exit Procedures Opposed
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would establish biometric exit procedures at all U.S airports and seaports of departure. The majority of non-U.S. citizens are already required to submit digital fingerprints and a digital photograph for admission...

Alaska Governor OKs Loans for NextGen Aircraft Safety Equipment
A bill offering a low-interest loan program to aircraft owners who install new data link technology in their aircraft was signed by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on April 9 in Juneau. Senate Bill 249, which Palin sponsored and introduced Jan. 25, provides Alaskan general aviation aircraft owners the opportunity to...

Lucky Student Pilot Survives Archer Accident in Montana
Andrew Scheffer, a Rocky Mountain College student, recently survived the crash of his Piper PA-28-181 Archer near Bridger, MT through a combination of good equipment and good luck. Scheffer took off from Billings, MT the evening of March 25 bound for Powell, Wyoming. He was conducting a solo, night...

B-2s Ready to Fly and Fight
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers made a successful return to flight April 15 after a 53-day safety pause for the aircraft following the first-ever crash of a stealth bomber Feb. 23 in Guam. While an accident investigation board is still ongoing, Air Force maintenance and safety experts gave 509th Bomb Wing...

Smart Wings Developed
Researchers have developed an aircraft wing that immediately detects any material damage. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability recently demonstrated a structural health monitoring system based on the use of piezoelectric materials. "We have...

Pearl-like Coating Could Protect Aircraft
Scientists from the University of Dayton Research Institute have manipulated the process of shell and pearl formation in oysters to demonstrate a method for depositing pearl- like coatings onto various metal surfaces. This biomimetic research could lead to new lightweight, durable coatings able to protect...

Improving African Air Safety
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently announced further measures to improve aviation safety in Africa. "African safety has improved, but the accident rate is still nearly six times the global average. This must change. IATA is serious about delivering results that will raise the...

Security Shortlines
Boys in the Hood When first responders came to the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, heading their list was an emergency escape hood weighing under a pound, folding to the dimensions of a DVD case, and able to be put on in ten seconds. Furthermore, the hood needed to be maintenance-free, filter nerve...

Safety Rules and Regs
Advisory Circular: Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications This Advisory Circular (AC) provides guidance to assist airport operators in preparing for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) communications. This AC cancels AC 150/5210-7C, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications, dated July...

Accidents and Incidents
Date Aircraft Type Narrative Death/Injury Remarks April 01, 2008 El Cajon, CA Cessna 152 N64938 Experienced a hard landing at Gillespie Field. No injuries The student pilot was not injured. The a/c sustained substantial damage during a post crash fire. April 04, 2008 Tuscaloosa, AL Raytheon Aircraft B300...