Pilotbug

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Posts Tagged Airlines

NTSB Investigating Near Mid-Air Collision Over San Francisco Between 777 and Aeronca

Mar 30

Posted by PilotBug in Airlines | 1 Comment

The NTSB has launched an investigation to determine why a commercial jetliner and a small light airplane came within an estimated 300 feet of colliding over San Francisco on Saturday.

Aeronca N9270E Suspected Near Mid-Air

At about 11:15 a.m. PDT on March 27, the crew of United Airlines Flight 889, a B777-222 (N216UA) destined for Beijing, China, carrying 251 passengers and a crew of 17, was cleared to takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on runway 28L and climb to an initial altitude of 3,000 feet.

The first officer, who was flying the aircraft, reported that after the landing gear was retracted and the jet was at an altitude of about 1,100 feet, the tower controller reported traffic at his 1 o’clock position. Immediately following the controller’s advisory, the airplane’s traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) issued an audible alert of “TRAFFIC TRAFFIC.”

The pilots saw a light high wing airplane, an Aeronca 11AC (N9270E), in a hard left turn traveling from their 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock position. The first officer pushed the control column forward to level the airplane. Both crew members reported seeing only the underside of the Aeronca as it passed to within an estimated 200-300 feet of the 777.

TCAS then issued an “ADJUST VERTICAL SPEED” alert, followed by a “DESCEND, DESCEND” alert. The first officer complied and the flight continued to Beijing without further incident.

NTSB investigator Scott Dunham is traveling to San Francisco to begin the investigation.

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NTSB Media Contact: Peter Knudson
(202) 314-6100
peter.knudson@ntsb.gov

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NTSB asks to monitor pilots’ talk in cockpits

Feb 24

Posted by PilotBug in Airlines | Comments off

Government investigators are making an unprecedented push to use “black box” voice recordings to routinely monitor pilots’ conversations and make sure cockpit crews are focusing on their jobs.

The move represents the first time that workplace monitoring could extend into the nation’s cockpits and has drawn intense fire from pilots’ unions who say that the plan is intrusive.

Read the rest of the story here

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Senate panel increases pressure on FAA’s fatigue solution

Dec 10

Posted by PilotBug in Airlines | Comments off

Randy Babbitt FAA

Randy Babbitt FAA

WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a letter to FAA Administrator Randolph (Randy) Babbitt, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Byron Dorgan (D-ND), and Ranking Member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined together along with Senators Snowe, Kerry, Klobuchar, Lautenberg, Thune, Begich, and Johanns and wrote that the issue of pilot fatigue must be addressed.
Today, FAA Administrator Babbitt testified before the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee today at a hearing on Aviation Safety: Oversight of FAA Safety Initiatives.
The letter sent reads:
Dear Administrator Babbitt,
Aviation safety is the top priority for the Aviation Subcommittee, and we know this view is shared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  We look forward to your upcoming testimony at our hearing on FAA’s safety initiatives.
One of the topics we plan to address at the hearing is pilot fatigue.  The subcommittee recently held a hearing to examine this issue, which has been on the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Most Wanted List for 19 years.  The current FAA guidelines on flight time and duty limitations were set back in the 1940s.  It is critical that the FAA revise these rules as quickly as possible.

Although we appreciate the commitment you made in August to update these regulations, it was troubling to learn from the FAA at the hearing last week that the time frame for completing this process has already been delayed.  We expect the FAA to consider this issue a priority and to keep on a timeline that will update the regulations without more delay.

We look forward to discussing this and other important safety concerns at the hearing.

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NTSB investigating Atlanta taxiway landing

Oct 21

Posted by PilotBug in Airlines | Comments off

Delta 767

Delta 767

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the landing of a Delta B-767 on an active taxiway at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL).

According to preliminary information received from several sources, on Monday, October 19, 2009, at 6:05 a.m. EDT, a Boeing B767-332ER (N185DN) operating as Delta Air Lines flight 60 from Rio de Janeiro to Atlanta landed on taxiway M at ATL after being cleared to land on runway 27R. No injuries to any of the 182 passengers or 11 crewmembers were reported.

A check airman was on the flight deck along with the captain and first officer. During cruise flight, the check airman became ill and was relocated to the cabin for the remainder of the flight. A medical emergency was declared and the company was notified by the crew. A determination was made to land at the scheduled destination of ATL.

The flight was cleared to land on runway 27R but instead landed on taxiway M, which is situated immediately to the north and parallel to runway 27R. The runway lights for 27R were illuminated; the localizer and approach lights for 27R were not turned on. Taxiway M was active but was clear of aircraft and ground vehicles at the time the aircraft landed. The wind was calm with 10 miles visibility.

Night/dark conditions prevailed; twilight conditions began at about 7:20 a.m. EDT and the official sunrise was at 7:46 a.m. EDT.

A team of four from the NTSB, led by David Helson, is investigating the incident.

The issue of runway safety has been on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements since its inception in 1990. Information on the NTSB’s work on runway safety is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/mostwanted/runways.htm


NTSB Media Contact: Peter Knudson

peter.knudson@ntsb.gov

(202) 314-6100

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North Carolina extends sales tax exemption to include US Airways and HondaJet

Aug 15

Posted by PilotBug in Airlines, General Aviation | Comments off

HondaJet

HondaJet

The North Carolina Senate voted at the end of its session to expand the sales tax exemption to flight simulators, aircraft lubricants, aircraft repair parts, and aircraft accessories.  The Senate ratified the bill just before its summer recess with a 42-1 vote intended to favor Charlotte hub operator US Airways and Greensboro based Honda Aircraft, manufacturer of the soon to be in service HondaJet. 

One of the newer entries into the Very Light Jet (VLJ) catagory is slated to enter service in late 2011. The aircraft features unique over the wing engine pods that Honda believes will increase cabin room and achieve greater aerodynamic efficiency in aircraft wing design.

The Senate bill 1057 must still pass in the N.C. House of Representatives to become law.  The House will adjourn on Tuesday ending its session for the summer.  Based on the equipment involved, the estimate is the tax break to be valued at $2M for the companies involved.

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