Flight Safety Information June 26, 2014 - No. 129 In This Issue Missing Malaysia jet was on autopilot before crash Asiana pilots failed to monitor airspeed and altitude, NTSB says Search operation: Over 200 arrested following attack on PIA aircraft Pilots: Comment on draft airman standards Nepal placed 37th among Asian nations in air safety PRISM TO HELP PREPARE FOR E-IOSA Balloon space flight company completes small-scale test flight Bombardier Receives FAA Certification for the Challenger 350 Aircraft Upcoming Events Missing Malaysia jet was on autopilot before crash MH370 was on autopilot before crash: investigators In this map details are presented in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the southern Indian Ocean, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. (Joint Agency Coordination Centre) SYDNEY, Australia -- Investigators looking into the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines plane are confident it was on autopilot when it crashed in a remote stretch of the Indian Ocean, Australian officials said Thursday as they announced the latest shift in the search for the jet. After analyzing data exchanged between the plane and a satellite, officials believe Flight 370 was on autopilot the entire time it was flying across a vast expanse of the southern Indian Ocean, based on the straight path it took, Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Martin Dolan said. "Certainly for its path across the Indian Ocean, we are confident that the aircraft was operating on autopilot until it ran out of fuel," Dolan told reporters in Canberra, the nation's capital. Asked whether the autopilot would have to be manually switched on, or whether it could have been activated automatically under a default setting, Dolan replied, "The basic assumption would be that if the autopilot is operational it's because it's been switched on." But exactly why the autopilot would have been set on a flight path so far off course from the jet's destination of Beijing, and exactly when it was switched on remains unknown. "We couldn't accurately, nor have we attempted to, fix the moment when it was put on autopilot," Transport Minister Warren Truss said. "It will be a matter for the Malaysian- based investigation to look at precisely when it may have been put on autopilot." The latest nugget of information from the investigation into Flight 370 came as officials announced yet another change in the search area for the plane that vanished on March 8 after taking off from Kuala Lumpur with 239 passengers and crew on board. The new search area is several hundred kilometres (miles) southwest of the most recent suspected crash site, about 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) off Australia's west coast, Dolan said. Powerful sonar equipment will scour the seabed for wreckage in the new search zone, which officials calculated by reanalyzing the existing satellite data. The shift was expected, with Dolan saying last week the new zone would be south of an area where a remote-controlled underwater drone spent weeks fruitlessly combing 850 square kilometres (330 square miles) of seabed. That search area was determined by a series of underwater sounds initially thought to have come from the plane's black boxes. But those signals are now widely believed to have come from some other source. The new 60,000-square kilometre (23,000-square mile) search area falls within a vast expanse of ocean that air crews have already scoured for floating debris, to no avail. Officials have since called off the air search, since any debris would likely have sunk long ago. The hunt is now focused underwater. Beginning in August, private contractors will use powerful side-scan sonar equipment capable of probing ocean depths of 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) to comb the ocean floor in the new search zone. The job is expected to take 12 months to complete. Two survey ships are mapping uncharted expanses of seabed in the search zone before the sonar scanning starts. Dolan said it was possible the mapping equipment could detect wreckage that may be lying on the seafloor, but that it was highly unlikely. The search area has changed multiple times in the months since Flight 370 vanished, as officials struggled to make sense of the limited data the flight left in its wake after it dropped off radar. The plane's communications systems were disabled, giving investigators little to work with beyond data gleaned from hourly transmissions, or "handshakes," between the plane and a satellite. University of New South Wales aviation expert Peter Marosszeky said if the autopilot was still working when the plane crashed, it suggests the aircraft's communications systems were switched off rather than disabled by a major malfunction or catastrophe. "It would appear very unlikely that power was removed from most of the essential systems, because you can't connect your autopilot if your flight management computers aren't operating," he said. "It would appear that it lost all communication and identification with air traffic control because those systems were turned off. You can't connect the autopilot if you've got systems that have been put out of action." Truss said he was optimistic that the latest search zone is the most likely crash site. But he warned that finding the plane remains a huge task. "The search will still be painstaking," he said. "Of course, we could be fortunate and find it in the first hour or the first day -- but it could take another 12 months." http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/missing-malaysia-jet-was-on-autopilot-before-crash- 1.1886971#ixzz35kEMOMG6 Back to Top Asiana pilots failed to monitor airspeed and altitude, NTSB says Heading into the airport "there are cascading errors. Some were corrected," said Roger Cox, the NTSB's senior air safety investigator. "But as the approach proceeded, the errors compounded." Above, the Boeing 777 airplane lies burned on the runway July 6, 2013, after it crash-landed. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images) Complexity of the Boeing's computerized flight systems may have been factor in Asiana crash, NTSB says Pilot fatigue may have been factor in fatal Asiana crash in San Francisco, NTSB says Asiana Airlines Flight 214 swooped over San Francisco Bay that summer day, its instruments indicating it was too high to start a safe landing. The pilots adjusted the altitude but inadvertently shut off the automatic throttle. That caused the Boeing 777 to gradually slip below the required speed and altitude for a proper approach. By the time the crew noticed, it was too late. A stall warning went off, and within seconds the wide-body jet carrying more than 300 passengers and crew had slammed into a sea wall bordering San Francisco International Airport. The plane cartwheeled down the runway before bursting into flames. The recommendations made by the agency can help ensure such an incident does not happen again. - Asiana Airlines officials On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board delivered its final report on the litany of blunders that left three dead and 187 injured, some of them Chinese high school students headed for a Christian summer camp. It was the first major commercial aircraft accident in the United States in five years. Federal experts concluded that the pilots mismanaged the landing and over-relied on an automatic throttle, the use of which they did not completely understand. Had it been operated properly, the device might have prevented the accident, investigators said. The four-member NTSB panel, which met in Washington, also blamed the pilots' failure to monitor airspeed and altitude, and said they waited too long to abort the landing for another try. In addition to the main causes of the July 6 crash, the NTSB concluded that a number of factors contributed to it, including the complexity of the Boeing's computerized flight systems and fatigue that probably degraded the performance of the pilots during the long flight from South Korea to the U.S. The panel also stated that the captain at the controls lacked the training to fly the jet manually and his instructor, who had 3,200 hours in Boeing 777s, failed to supervise him properly or intervene at crucial times. Heading into the airport "there are cascading errors. Some were corrected," said Roger Cox, the NTSB's senior air safety investigator. "But as the approach proceeded, the errors compounded." Attorneys for Los Angeles firm Kreindler & Kreindler, which represents crash victims and relatives of the dead , said the findings could help resolve pending lawsuit claims. "The conclusions contribute to our view that crew mismanagement on approach was initially caused by their confusion over Boeing's automatic throttles," Kreindler attorney Brian Alexander said. During the hearing, the NTSB weighed the skill and training of Asiana's pilots, the effect of computerized flight systems on their awareness and the response by San Francisco's emergency personnel. Much of the discussion focused on the design of the Boeing 777's throttle system that automatically adjusts airspeed if it drops off sharply. Asiana officials have contended that the design is flawed and that the device is confusing to use. Investigators found that the pilots inadvertently deactivated the device when they did not completely turn off the plane's automated flight systems during the approach. Consequently, the automatic throttle went into "hold mode" and could no longer adjust airspeed if it dropped. Although automatic throttles have been used on Boeing 777s for 18 years, NTSB officials were concerned that Boeing's and Asiana's manuals do not fully explain how the system works. Board member Robert Sumwalt, a former airline pilot, noted that some other pilots have been confused by the throttle and he questioned whether training was lacking on the limitations of the device. William Bramble, another NTSB investigator, said the Asiana pilots did not follow standard airline procedures during the landing, such as calling out changes in control settings, airspeed and altitude. He added that the inconsistent adherence to operating procedures in a complex working environment is an indication that they were tired. Asiana officials said Tuesday they agreed with the conclusions, stating that the NTSB "properly recognized the multiple factors that contributed to the accident, including the complexities of the autothrottle and autopilot systems, which the agency found were inadequately described by Boeing in its training and operational manuals." During the hearing, the NTSB praised the emergency response at the airport and noted that public safety agencies were so well staffed that they were able to free five passengers trapped in the burning wreckage. They noted that there were 23 airport firefighters, far more than the minimum requirement of three. Board members said, however, that improvements could be made in communications, the training of commanders for aircraft accidents and the use of firefighting vehicles with booms that can penetrate fuselages and extinguish interior fires. They added that procedures should be developed to prevent emergency vehicles from hitting crash victims, which happened to one 16-year-old passenger who had been thrown from the wreckage, apparently already dead. Overall, the NTSB made 27 recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration, Asiana Airlines, Boeing Co. and public safety agencies in San Francisco. They call for a variety of improvements in training, emergency communications and testing of aircraft evacuation devices, such as inflatable slides. Two opened inside Flight 214 after the crash. Key among the recommendations is enhanced training for using Boeing's automatic throttles and reviews to help the company refine the devices. The NTSB also called for a working group to come up with a better landing alert system for pilots that considers a number of parameters such as altitude, airspeed and the capabilities of jet engines. Asiana officials say they are already overhauling the airline's safety procedures and improving training to sharpen flying skills, such as increasing the hours of flight simulator training for landings without relying on automated systems. The carrier has vowed to add safety specialists, improve maintenance and hire consultants to evaluate its procedures. Meanwhile, the South Korean government is considering an increase in training requirements and tougher penalties for airlines when accidents result in casualties. "We again express our great sorrow for the accident, the loss of life and the injuries sustained by the passengers and crew," Asiana officials said. "The recommendations made by the agency can help ensure such an incident does not happen again." http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-asiana-crash-hearing-20140625-story.html Back to Top Search operation: Over 200 arrested following attack on PIA aircraft PESHAWAR: More than 220 people were arrested in a search operation jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army and local police in Suleman Khel, Masho Khel, Sheikh Muhammadi and adjacent villages after PIA flight PK-756 was attacked late Tuesday night. Unidentified militants started firing at the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft coming from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia when it was about to land at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA). While the pilot managed to land the plane safely, a steward and two passengers were injured and taken to Combined Military Hospital where one of the passengers, Mrs Maknon, succumbed to her injuries. Talking to The Express Tribune, a Badhaber police official said the airliner was attacked with an AK-47 rifle, adding the attackers used incendiary bullets. "Around 3am on Wednesday morning, police and army troops cordoned off the area and started a door-to-door search operation which ended at 9am," said the official, adding 227 suspects were arrested from these villages. Those arrested have been shifted to Government Girls High School, Badhaber for interrogation due to the non-availability of another building large enough to accommodate them. "People saw the airliner being fired upon and we suspect involvement of local militant groups," said the police official. The residents, however, were not happy about a search operation conducted without women police constables. They maintained that this was against local traditions and could provoke people to extend support to militants rather than cooperate with law enforcement agencies. "Militants cross the Khyber Agency border at night, and after roaming around in the area for several hours, they go back to Akka Khel. The police should be blocking entry points along the border instead of going for such operations," said an elder of Masho Khel requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, police said they had received a written complaint from PIA's security in charge Atlas Khan, but the FIR was yet to be registered at either Badhaber or Pishtakhara police stations. Security at the airport has been increased with the deployment of extra troops while flights resumed in the morning after 11 hours. An official of PIA said the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 700-750 feet at the time of the attack and was in a landing position. The plane was hit from the back of the airframe near Naway Kalay where its lower altitude provided an opportunity for the attackers. http://tribune.com.pk/story/727024/search-operation-over-200-arrested-following- attack-on-pia-aircraft/ Back to Top Pilots: Comment on draft airman standards An AOPA-led industry group has made new draft airman certification standards available for public comment as part of a joint FAA-industry effort to improve general aviation safety by creating more relevant and meaningful written and practical testing experiences. The draft standards apply to the commercial pilot certificate and authorized instructor certificates, including ground instructors and certificated flight instructors. AOPA, which has helped lead every stage of the industry-driven move to improve airman testing, is encouraging members to review the draft standards and submit their comments and suggestions for improvement. "This is a critically important effort because the standards, once complete, will be the single integrated source for written and practical testing," said David Oord, AOPA manager of regulatory affairs. "By linking the tests to a single set of standards, future pilots will not only clearly understand what they need to know to get their certificate, but also why they need to know it, and how it will make them safer." In the past, written testing standards were set out in a wide range of handbooks, regulations, advisory circulars, and other documents. The new airman certification standards will integrate standards for knowledge, skill, and risk management into a single document, making it easier for students and their instructors to determine what information is relevant to the written and practical tests for each certificate or rating. The standards build on existing practical test standards, adding specific elements for knowledge and risk management. Comments on the draft standards will be used by the Airman Certification System Working Group, chaired by AOPA, to further refine the proposed standards before submitting them to the FAA for implementation. The working group previously published draft standards for the private pilot certificate and instrument rating. The draft standards are available online. Comments must be filed by July 25 and should reference Docket No. FAA-2013-0316. Along with the draft standards, the docket also includes a list of frequently asked questions that further explain the airman certification system concept. Oord and other members of the working group will provide a briefing on the new standards on Aug. 1 in the forums area at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/June/25/Members-urged-to- comment-on-draft-airman-standards.aspx Back to Top Nepal placed 37th among Asian nations in air safety KATHMANDU, JUN 25 - Nepal has performed poorly in effectively implementing air safety oversight systems, appearing way down in the 37th position out of 46 Asian countries, according to the latest safety audit report published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao). South Korea and Singapore led Asian countries in effectively implementing safety oversight systems, said the report. South Korea and Singapore scored the highest 98.6 percent and 98.5 percent respectively ensuring a higher degree of safety compared to other Asian nations. The average effective implementation in percentage of safety oversight systems is 70 percent for Asian countries. ICAO grades its member states using an effective implementation ranking. Countries with a higher percentage of effectively implementing safety oversight systems in particular ensure better safety capability. The audit report shows that Nepal has received a rating of 55.1 percent, way below the Asian average. Among South Asian countries, Nepal is ahead of the Maldives (54.7 percent), Bangladesh (50.5 percent) and Bhutan (38.3 percent). However, Nepal trails behind Sri Lanka (87.3 percent), Pakistan (84.6 percent) and India (79.1 percent). Icao monitors Nepal's aviation safety oversight capabilities through the ICAO Coordinated Validation Missions (ICVM). A mission had arrived in Nepal in July last year to validate the corrective measures taken by Nepal to address and resolve the deficiencies pointed out by the global aviation watchdog in 2009. It carried out an on-site audit from July 10-16, 2013. On Dec 5, 2013, the European Commission banned all Nepal-based airlines from flying into the European Union, terming them unsafe. Nepal's aviation safety record has taken a severe blow with seven fatal crashes since 2010. "A number of things need to be done to resolve the deficiencies pointed out by Icao," said Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane, chief of the air safety division at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. "We are moving accordingly to address the deficiencies." One of the major steps was the implementation of the new Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident) Investigation Regulation 2014, which gives legal authority to an independent body to probe aviation accidents and incidents, he said. The new regulation, which has been prepared in line with the requirement of Icao's Annex 13 Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and is compatible with modern aviation, aims to ensure high-level of efficiency and quality in civil aviation safety investigations. The regulation was published in the Nepal Gazette on May 26 and went into immediate effect. It replaced the nearly five-decade old Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accident) Rules 1967. As findings have shown pilot error to be the primary cause of accidents in Nepal, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has been working to make improvements in personnel licensing, training manuals and other aspects, said Lamichanne. http://www.ekantipur.com/2014/06/25/business/nepal-placed-37th-among-asian- nations--in-air-safety/391298.html Back to Top Back to Top Balloon space flight company completes small-scale test flight (Reuters) - An Arizona start-up company says it has successfully completed its first small-scale test flight of a stratospheric balloon and capsule being developed to show tourists a space-like view of the Earth from 19 miles (30 km) above ground. Privately owned World View, an offshoot of Paragon Space Development Corp, aims to start taking passengers to "the edge of space" in the Voyager vehicle by 2016, according a company statement. "We couldn't be any more excited about the results from this test flight," said Jane Poynter, chief executive officer of World View. "It represents a foundational achievement that moves us one step closer to offering a life-changing experience to our Voyagers." The company was able to get its first demonstration vehicle, a scale vehicle known as the Tycho, about one-tenth the planned size of the Voyager, off the ground for more than five hours during its maiden voyage June 18, the statement said. The craft launched from the Roswell International Air Center in Roswell, New Mexico, at 7:45 a.m. ( and rose 120,000 feet, or more than 22 miles (35 km), into the sky, the statement said. The company claims the flight broke the world record for the highest parafoil flight when it used its parafoil, an inflatable wing-shaped parachute, at about 50,000 feet (15 km) during the craft's landing. The test flight focused on four components of the commercial spaceflight system: launch and ground operations, a redundant landing system, parafoil aerodynamics and precision guided landing. The Voyager vehicle is still being developed and must adhere to the same Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements as a manned spacecraft orbiting Earth. It will be propelled by a 40 million cubic-foot (1.1 million cubic-meter) helium balloon and a steerable parafoil. At $75,000 per ticket, the craft is expected initially to carry six passengers and two pilots on what the company describes as a peaceful, sailing-like experience lasting about two hours and offering views of the Earth's curvature against space. The Voyager will go twice as high as commercial jets. The company is making its Tycho vehicle available immediately for commercial research use by private companies, educational institutions and government entities. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/26/us-space-ballooning-idUSKBN0F01MK20140626 Back to Top Bombardier Receives FAA Certification for the Challenger 350 Aircraft The Challenger 350 aircraft was granted full type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration on June 25, 2014 MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Jun 25, 2014 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Bombardier Aerospace, the world's leading business aircraft manufacturer, announced today that it has received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Challenger 350 business aircraft. Transport Canada certification was granted on June 12, 2014. "FAA certification for the Challenger 350 aircraft is another key step on the path to entry-into- service," said Stephane Leblanc, Vice President and General Manager, Challenger Programs, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "Designed with the feedback from existing Challenger aircraft owners and operators, this new aircraft will meet their ever-growing needs. We are looking forward to delivering this segment leading aircraft and are confident that our customers will love it," he added. Performance and Efficiency Building upon the legendary segment defining Challenger 300 jet, the Challenger 350 aircraft offers increased performance from the new twin Honeywell HTF7350 engines, each producing 7,323 lb (33 kN) of thrust and reduced emissions(i) and increased aerodynamic efficiency with its new canted winglets. This increased power will allow faster time to climb, coupled with increased efficiency, ultimately placing more destinations within reach. The Challenger 350 jet boasts class-defining performance, a true seats full, tanks full, 3,200 nm (5,926 km) range and will connect Paris with Dubai(i). Comfort The Challenger 350 aircraft has redefined the cabin experience with ground-breaking aesthetics and ergonomic advances to create the ultimate in-flight experience. With a flat floor and the widest purpose-built super-midsize cabin, the Challenger 350 jet features an entirely new interior, that lets even more natural light into the cabin with larger windows, resulting in state- of-the-art cabin comfort, technology and productivity. Featuring Lufthansa Technik's next generation nice HD cabin management system, the cabin includes a complete redesign of the way passengers control the cabin environment, complemented by contemporary seat design, a new modular galley and the industry's most advanced side ledge giving you control at your fingertips, a first in business aviation cabin interior design. Avionics The Challenger 350 aircraft's cockpit will be equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced avionics system. Features of the new avionics include, among others, synthetic vision, dual inertial reference systems, a paperless capable cockpit and MultiScan Weather Radar. The forward-thinking avionics are designed to shift the workload away from busy pilots, allowing for increased situational awareness. Customer Support Network Challenger 350 aircraft customers will be able to count on a full range of 24/7 support around the world. In preparation for a smooth entry-into-service, Bombardier Aerospace is currently reconfiguring a flight training device and Level D full-flight simulator at its aircraft training centre in Dallas, Texas. Customer Services staff deployed throughout its worldwide network of Service Centres, Parts Depots and Regional Support Offices will also be ready to support upcoming entry-into-service activities including spare parts deployments, as well as updated information on the Customer Information Centre (CIC) website and the SmartFix Plus online troubleshooting tool. About Bombardier Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation. Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bombardier-receives-faa-certification-for-the-challenger- 350-aircraft-2014-06-25-131731519 Back to Top Upcoming Events: 21st Century Pilot Reliability Certification Workshop June 30th and July 1st, 2014 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07605 Please contact Kacy Schwartz kacy@convergentperformance.com 719-481-0530 International System Safety Society Annual Symposium 04-08AUG2014 - St. Louis, MO http://issc2014.system-safety.org Curt Lewis