Flight Safety Information September 7, 2012 - No. 182 In This Issue US aviation regulator expresses concern over safety scenario in India... Jet returns to Philadelphia over hoax phone call Russia: Fighter Jet Crashes, Killing Pilot Charges brought against former airline executive in Lokomotiv crash GACA warns off sub-standard Haj flights (Saudi Arabia) Dana crash: Families of foreign, Nigerian victims sue airline PRISM Certification Support Air India receives the first of 27 Boeing Dreamliner at Charleston Singapore Airlines launches $50 million in-flight connectivity program US aviation regulator expresses concern over safety scenario in India New Delhi: US aviation regulator FAA has ruled out holding an immediate safety evaluation of its Indian counterpart DGCA, but has expressed concern over reports about the aviation safety scenario in the country. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had expressed "their concern based on media reports in India on the current civil aviation scenario and raised doubts on the effectiveness of DGCA's oversight of the Indian aviation industry," an official statement said here. The FAA's Flight Standard Office had last month written to the Director General of Civil Aviation on their concerns and "indicated that if it is established that DGCA oversight has been compromised, then the necessary consultation process has to start in the direction of conducting an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) of the DGCA by the FAA." The IASA is carried out to assess the capabilities of an aviation regulator. If found lacking, then the status of a regulator like DGCA could be downgraded and measures like halting all flights by Indian carriers, could be taken by FAA. India, at present, is placed in Category-I or the safest aviation safety category. Following the FAA notice, DGCA sent a team in August last week to hold meetings with FAA officials in Washington and presented facts to allay their apprehensions. The DGCA, which gave a detailed response based on the facts and figures and forwarded its Annual Surveillance Programme (ASP), "allayed the doubts", the statement said. Under the ASP, DGCA carries out inspections and audit of all airlines in the country on various aspects, primarily concerning aviation safety. Subsequent to the discussions, FAA was convinced that "there has been no compromise on DGCA's function of continuous oversight of the industry. FAA was fully satisfied with the DGCA's functioning in various regulatory areas relating to safety," the statement said. "It has been categorically stated by FAA that there is no requirement, as of now, to start any consultation process in the direction of conducting a fresh IASA of the DGCA by the FAA. They have also reiterated that India would continue to enjoy the privileges of Category-I country," it said. http://profit.ndtv.com/news/economy/article-us-aviation-regulator-expresses-concern- over-safety-scenario-in-india-310477 Back to Top Jet returns to Philadelphia over hoax phone call PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An airborne flight was brought back to Philadelphia, the jet was searched and a passenger was taken off for questioning because of an apparent hoax tip called into airport police, authorities said Thursday. The passenger removed from the Dallas-bound US Airways flight did nothing wrong and was the victim of "a pretty nasty trick," Philadelphia police Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan said. Sullivan said police at Philadelphia International Airport received a call around 7:30 a.m. that named a passenger who was on his way to Texas and carrying a dangerous substance. That name matched a passenger on board Flight 1267 to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, prompting the FBI, police and the airline to decide to turn the aircraft around after it had already flown a third of the way across Pennsylvania. After landing, the airplane taxied to a remote section of the airport, where a slew of law enforcement vehicles surrounded it. Law enforcement officials escorted the passenger from the airplane and put him in the back of a police car. Sullivan said the passenger, who was not identified by authorities, was very surprised to be approached by officers. "He was obviously very alarmed, as I would be if heavily armed police officers entered a plane to take me off," Sullivan said. "And he was certainly stunned. And that's why this is no joke, this is no laughing matter." Bomb technicians and specially trained dogs searched the plane but found nothing illegal or hazardous, Sullivan said. Sullivan stressed that the passenger is not a suspect and did nothing wrong. Police are treating the hoax seriously because it had resulted in a heavy police response and a significant hassle for all those on board, he said. "It's just an incredibly foolish and irresponsible thing to do and, bottom line, it's criminal," Sullivan said. Earlier, an FBI spokesman said the flight was diverted because of a call reporting liquid explosives were on board. Sullivan declined to discuss the content of the call. The airplane had 69 passengers and five crew members on board, airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica said. Sullivan said the investigation into the phone call had been turned over to the FBI. FBI Special Agent Richard Quinn said it was too early to speculate about what sort of charges could be filed against the caller, but they could be severe. Back to Top Russia: Fighter Jet Crashes, Killing Pilot (NYT) A Russian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet crashed Thursday afternoon near Chita, a city in Eastern Siberia, slamming into a hill close to a local airport and killing the pilot. Flights of MiG-29 fighters have been grounded pending further investigation, a Defense Ministry spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, told the RIA Novosti news agency. The pilot's body was found by a search party, and there were no weapons on board, Mr. Konashenkov said. The Interfax news service reported that a second fighter plane crashed Thursday near the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, this one a Sukhoi Su-27. ************* Date: 06-SEP-2012 Time: 23:20 LT Type: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum Operator: Russian Air Force Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Domna, near Chita - Russia Phase: Take off Nature: Military Departure airport: Domna Air Base (UIAD) Destination airport: Domna Air Base (UIAD) Narrative: A Russian Air Force MiG-29 fighter crashed on Thursday near Chita, in Siberia, the Defense Ministry said. "The plane crashed near Domna airport, 27 kilometers from Chita," ministry spokesman Col. Igor Konashenkov said. According to first reports, the plane crashed into a hill and the pilot's body was found by a rescue team. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top Charges brought against former airline executive in Lokomotiv crash Friday will mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic Russian plane crash that killed 44 people, including the entire Lokomotiv hockey team. On Thursday came news that Vadim Timofeev, the former vice president of Yak Service Airlines, the airline that supplied the downed plane, was charged in connection with the crash. Timofeev is charged with allowing the crew to operate the Yak-42 illegally. From Russia Today: According to the investigators, the official was in charge of flight operations at Yak Service, with control of the pilots' qualification being his direct responsibility. "By putting the crew in the air Timofeev broke the rules of air transport operations. At the moment of the disaster, that crew wasn't entitled to fly," [Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir] Markin stressed. "Timofeev had allowed the captain to fly based on falsified documents, and the co-pilot hadn't finished his training on the Yak-42 plane and had no right to be in air." From Sov Sport: Investigators are certain that the catastrophe could have been avoided if it wasn't for a number of violations committed by Timofeev, who was responsible for company's flight organization work. According to an Markin [Prosecutor's Office representative], on the day of the crash the flight crew was supposed to attend re-education sessions for the permit to fly Yak-42 [aircraft], and not to fly. The official report on the crash deemed it was a result of "pilot error," stating that the plane's break was applied during takeoff and also a banned medication was found in the blood of one of the pilots. Yak Service went out of business soon after the crash after the company had its license revoked. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/charges-brought-against-former-airline- executive-lokomotiv-crash-153418534--nhl.html Back to Top GACA warns off sub-standard Haj flights (Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia's aviation regulator GACA has clamped down on sub-standard airlines and on illegal retail operations as part of its goal to improve safety and service for pilgrims on the Haj. A number of airlines have been banned from transporting pilgrims during the forthcoming season. These include airlines on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) banned list and those classified as "second category" by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US . In a statement, GACA said these companies would be allowed to carry pilgrims only after rectifying the shortcomings listed by the US and European regulators. According to the Al-Watan Arabic daily, a GACA source said that the authority had sent circulars to all aviation companies warning them against penal action in case of failing to transport pilgrims and their baggage on schedule. "Punitive measures include fines amounting to SR10,000 and SR15,000 respectively for delays in arrival and departure of Haj flights. If any flight arrives in the Kingdom after the scheduled date of arrival, a fine of SR1,000 will be levied per pilgrim," the source told the newspaper. All airlines taking part in the Haj operation are required to deposit a bank guarantee of SR100,000 to SR200,000 with the authority as part of measures to ensure compliance with the guidelines for transporting pilgrims. "If any airline fails to undertake their scheduled trips on time, the deposits will be used to meet the accommodation and food expenses of affected pilgrims," the source told Al- Watan GACA has urged all airlines to publish details of their Haj schedule, including dates of arrival and departur, number of pilgrims and the number of seats. The aviation companies have also been instructed to display boards with details about their obligations in case of delays. These boards in relevant languages should be displayed at conspicuous places, the circular said. GACA also warned operators of pilgrim flights against shipping in consumer goods and foodstuffs for sale at the airport lounges. "Airlines that help people to convert King Abdulaziz Airport into a bazaar will face heavy fines," the GACA source warned. http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/gaca-warns-off-sub-standard-haj- flights.html?utm_source=googleNews&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=news_feed Back to Top Dana crash: Families of foreign, Nigerian victims sue airline Court admits Dana Air affidavit seeking to stop coroner's proceedings INDICATIONS have emerged that families of foreigners and Nigerians involved in the Dana Air crash of June 3, at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos may have sued the airline in their various home countries for negligence. The development came even as it has been discovered that none of the 153 passengers who died in the crash had a written will. The airline is expected to, at least, pay the sum of $350 million as compensation to the families. The Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, and the Deputy Commissioner, Technical, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Ibrahim Hassan, dropped this hint at a briefing on Thursday._-- According to Demuren, some of the foreigners, including some Nigerians had gone to court to press charges against the airline, stressing that until that was settled, the families could not be compensated even as he could not comment on what the outcome of the litigation would be. Demuren who on the occasion insisted that the aircraft was adequately insured as of the time of the crash, added that there was enough funds on the ground to pay the families, even as he decried that money could not assuage the feelings of those who lost their loved ones in the crash. He explained that only 62 families had been paid so far due t the stringent measures involved in assessing the funds, just as he said that there were multiple claims from some family members. He said: "The aircraft was adequately covered by insurance and I can tell you that the whole money for the settlement of the families according to the law is on the ground, but we have to say it here that money cannot replace lives because so many people have lost their loved ones. Money is the smallest thing and the law is very clear on compensation. "We had to do a lot of DNA tests to know who to pay to in case of multiple claims. It is very important for us to move forward. That was why we called Dana management, NAICOM and representatives of Lloyds Insurance Company." "The compensations of those people who lost their lives and properties on grounding have not even commenced. We should not sensationalise the issue, but be responsible. However, I can assure you that all the issues would be settled." Meanwhile, Justice Abang Okon of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, admitted an affidavit by Dana Air in support of the request by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Civil Aviation Round Table Initiative, to stop the proceedings of a Lagos State coroner court over the crash of one its planes in the state on June 3, 2012. The judge, while admitting the affidavit, overruled the claim by the state's counsel, Akinjide Bakare, that the rules of the court only permitted a defendant to file a counter- affidavit to a plaintiff's motion on notice and not an affidavit in support like the one filed by Dana Air. The judge, in his ruling on the issue, said the point raised was a novel one and that the rules did not contemplate a situation where parties joined as defendants have divergent interests. According to Justice Abang, "though no provisions in the rules permit a defendant to file an affidavit in support of a plaintiff's motion, but if relying on it will do justice in the matter, I don't think it is wrong." The judge noted that the issue to consider is if the interest of the first to fourth defendants will be prejudiced, saying they are at liberty to file their objection to the affidavit. Bakare had initially raised an objection to the affidavit on the grounds that it was filed out of time based on the provisions of Order 25 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules. However, counsel for Dana Air, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde(SAN), was of the opinion that the provisions of the rules referred to by Bakare only applied to a counter-affidavit. He said his filing was not strange, adding that the purport of this affidavit was to support the necessity for an interlocutory injunction pending the hearing of the substantive originating summons. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), also supported Dana Air's position. http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/47235-dana-crash-families-of-foreign-nigerian- victims-sue-airline-court-admits-dana-air-affidavit-seeking-to-stop-coroners-proceedings Back to Top Back to Top Air India receives the first of 27 Boeing Dreamliner at Charleston Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar (C) poses in front of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. MUMBAI: National carrier Air India received first of its 27 Boeing 787 aircraft at US manufacturer Boeing's Charleston facility after a long wait of over four years as production delays sent delivery schedules hay wire. Air India will be the fourth carrier in the world to have got this aircraft after Japanese and Ethiopian airlines got the first ever aircraft made of composite material. The 256 seater aircraft, the only mid-size long haul aircraft on offer currently is an important part of the turnaround plan of the cash strapped Air India. Air India would first fly this aircraft on domestic routes like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Bangalore. African airline Ethiopian already flew a revenue flight of this aircraft type to Mumbai becoming the first to operate this aircraft to India. "Boeing 787 Dreamliner will touch down at Delhi's IGI Airport, Terminal-3 on September 8, 2012," Air India said in a late release on Thursday. "Dreamliner- the next generation flying machine is the ultimate in terms of passenger comfort- offering an unparalleled feeling of spaciousness inside the aircraft with roomier cabins and higher head clearance. This state-of-the-art aircraft is configured to accommodate 256 seats, - 18 full flat Business Class seats, with flat-bed recline and 238 Economy Class seats," Air India said. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/- aviation/first-dreamliner-for-air-india-to-land-on-saturday/articleshow/16278759.cms Back to Top Singapore Airlines launches $50 million in-flight connectivity program NEW YORK, N.Y. - Singapore Airlines is today formally launching In-Flight Connectivity as part of a $50 million program to bring Internet and mobile data services to customers, even when flying at 35,000ft. Following a recent soft launch on a limited number of aircraft, In-Flight Connectivity is today available on 14 aircraft in the fleet, including all five Airbus A340-500s which are deployed on the world's longest non-stop flights, between Singapore and both Newark and Los Angeles. Services have also been extended to more markets such as Australia, for which regulatory approvals had not previously been obtained. Travelers can surf the Internet, send and receive emails on smartphones and other electronic devices, and send and receive SMS text messages[1] with GSM-compatible mobile phones. Through a partnership with leading connectivity provider OnAir, the technology will be progressively rolled out across all of SIA's long-haul Airbus A380-800, A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft over the next two years. Services are offered on routes on which equipped aircraft are deployed, subject to regulatory approvals from individual countries. A map highlighting availability when flying over specific countries is published in the Airline's KrisWorld in-flight entertainment magazine. Promotional price plans are also being introduced from today for wireless Internet access. The promotional prices, which will last until November 30, 2012, are $25 for 30 megabytes of data and $10 for 10 megabytes of data. The previous plans cost $29.95 for 26 megabytes and $11.95 for 10 megabytes. A joint promotion with SingTel also enables SingTel Mobile subscribers to enjoy discounted roaming rates of up to 40% for in-flight text messaging and GPRS data services, as well as up to 20% for incoming and outgoing voice calls. The discounted roaming rates are displayed on SingTel's corporate website and the joint promotion will last until March 31, 2013. "As our customers' preferences towards entertainment and connectivity options change over time, so must we. Mobile and Internet connectivity capabilities are just the start, enabling our customers to stay connected even when flying at 35,000ft. There will be much more investment in the months and years ahead to keep our customers both connected and entertained," said SIA's Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr. Tan Pee Teck. "We have always been a leader in embracing technology and are confident that these initiatives will both meet and exceed our customers' high expectations, keeping us at the forefront of airline product innovation." In addition to the $50 million investment in In-Flight Connectivity services, work is underway to bring the next generation of in-flight entertainment offerings to our customers. This will include the latest hardware systems with new screen and handset technology, in addition to much more video and audio content. Details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. http://www.eturbonews.com/31043/ Curt Lewis