Aviation Safety Postings

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24 DEC 2003 The FAA is further delaying the effective date of a final rule that amends the Service Difficulty (SDR) reporting requirements for air carriers and repair station operators to January 2006. This action is prompted by the FAA's decision to address industry concerns about the final rule. Delaying the effective date of the final rule will allow the agency time for consideration of industry concerns. (Dept. of Transportation)
Document FAA-2000-7952-61

17 DEC 2003 Acording to N.Z. investigators, the March 2003 Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 tailstrike at Auckland occurred because the rotation speed was 33 knots less than the 163 knots required. The rotation speed had been mistakenly calculated for an aeroplane weighing 100 tonnes less than the actual weight. The system defences did not ensure the errors were detected, and the aeroplane flight management system itself did not provide a final defence against mismatched information being programmed into it. (TAIC)
Occurrence Report 03-003

22 NOV 2003 A DHL Airbus A.300 cargo plane was reportedly struck by a SAM-7 missile shortly after taking off from Baghdad Airport, Iraq. A safe emergency landing was carried out with the left wing on fire. (ASN)
accident description

19 NOV 2003 The NTSB issued three safety recommendations, stating the need for flight data recorders that are capable of recording values that meet the accuracy requirements through the full dynamic range of each parameter at a frequency sufficient to determine a complete, accurate, and unambiguous time history of parameter activity, with emphasis on capturing each parameter's dynamic motion at the maximum rate possible, including reversals of direction at the maximum rate expected. (NTSB)
NTSB safety recommendations A03-48/-50

18 NOV 2003 Over 50 researchers from four countries are carrying out a major study of winter storms and their effect on air traffic in the Ottawa/Montreal area this winter. The $3 million study will focus on freezing rain and other severe weather. (Environment Canada)
Alliance Icing Research Study website

13 NOV 2003 An air safety expert is warning of a serious flaw in the risk analysis undertaken before rules were changed to halve the vertical separation minima over Europe. In particular, he points to the unpredictability of the response by pilots to warnings from the airborne collision avoidance systems. (New Scientist)
The Pre-Implementation Safety Case for RVSM in European Airspace is Flawed / Peter Ladkin

09 NOV 2003 The AAIB issued two safety recommendations following the Jan. 30 incident in which an Embraer 135 aquaplaned and overran the slush covered runway at Norwich, UK. It is recommended that the CAA encourage research that could lead to the production of equipment that can accurately measure the braking action of runways under all conditions of surface contamination. Additionaly, City Airline should review its Embraer 135 landing configuration policy. (AAIB) AAIB Bulletin No: 11/200

29 OCT 2003 Results of a study show that requiring Child-Restraint Systems on airplanes would prevent few airplane crash deaths and might cause an increase in motor vehicle deaths if many families switched to travel by car rather than paying additional fares for their young children. Irrespective of that possibility, the cost of the regulation per death prevented would be high–about $1.3 billion. (Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Vol. 157 No. 10, October 2003)
abstract

28 OCT 2003 The Aviation Safety Council issued a factual report on the December 21, 2002 accident of a TransAsia ATR-72. The aircraft crashed after encountering icing conditions en route to Macau, which were not forecast by the Taipei Aeronautical Meteorological Center. (ASC)
press release

10 OCT 2003 In the light of a recent fatal Beech 1900 accident, the FAA issued an AD, requiring Beech 1900 operators to make a correction to the elevator trim system maintenance procedures, incorporate a temporary revision to the applicable maintenance manual, and incorporate procedures that will enhance the existing elevator trim operational check every time maintenance has been done on the elevator trim system. (FAA)
AD 2003-20-10

06 OCT 2003 The Taiwanese government would pay for the investigation and salvage expenses of aircraft accidents involving commercial airlines, public aircraft and ultralights under a new law the Cabinet will consider this week. The aviation accident investigation law would also impose fines on those refusing or failing to cooperate in the government's efforts to investigate aircraft accidents. (The Taipei Times)
news article

01 OCT 2003 New Zealand's CAA is concerned aircraft could fly overloaded, because its standard measurement of passengers' weight is set too low. The last survey in 1999 found the average weight of New Zealanders was 85 kilograms, yet the standard used when measuring aircraft weight has remained at 77 kilograms. It says it believes the average weight has risen since its last survey, and a new survey is required. (CAA News)
CAA News Sept/Oct. 2003, p.6

29 SEP 2003 The International Air Transport Association began rolling out a new safety program this week that puts in place the first global audit process for airlines. For the first time, the IATA Operational Safety Audit program (IOSA) will enable airlines to review their safety processes using a world-wide standard. Qatar Airways is the first airline audited under the new program. (IATA)
press release

19 SEP 2003 A jet-fuel nozzle may have put too much pressure on the fueling port of a Boeing 777 before breaking away, spewing fuel and killing a worker at Denver International Airport two years ago. A report recently issued by the NTSB offers fresh details on the accident, which has led airlines to alter fueling procedures. (Denver Post)

17 SEP 2003 The FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, requiring inspection of Canadair Regional Jet series 700, 701 and 900 to prevent failure of the lower panel of the main landing gear door. An incident happened on Sept. 12 when an American Eagle Airlines CRJ700 lost an MLG door panel on approach to Oklahoma City. That panel damaged the trailing edge flap and punctured the fuselage below the engine pylon. (FAA)
Emergency AD 2003-19-51

10 SEP 2003 The FAA announced that Bulgaria does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), thus giving the country a Category 2 rating following a reassessment of its civil aviation authority. (FAA)
Press release

10 SEP 2003 The FAA announced that Poland does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), thus giving the country a Category 2 rating following a reassessment of its civil aviation authority. (FAA)
Press release

09 SEP 2003 A new international air treaty affording accident victims potentially unlimited compensation will enter into force on 4 November, replacing a 75-year-old system limiting liability to a few thousand dollars per passenger, following its ratification by the United States. (UN)
UN News Centre article

06 SEP 2003 An Iranian Kish Air Tupolev 154 with 40 passengers and crew on board descended too low in fog and hit trees before landing in Minsk. The airplane was on a flight from Tehran to Copenhagen when the incident occurred. (Reuters)

05 SEP 2003 The NTSB issued 4 safety recommendations regarding maintenance manual inspection criteria for severe turbulence and extreme in-flight maneuvers to ensure that loads resulting from positive and negative vertical accelerations, as well as lateral accelerations, are adequately addressed. (NTSB)
Safety Recommendation A-03-41/-44

05 SEP 2003 `The Canadian Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident in which an Air Canada Airbus 319 and a Cessna 152-II almost collided during final approach to the Vernon airport on August 30. The board believes that smoke from the B.C. fires may have caused the Airbus pilot to loose visibility and direction and head for Vernon rather than Kelowna airport, where he was supposed to land.` (CBC)

02 SEP 2003 An American Airlines MD-80 (Flight 1048 DFW-EWR) diverted to New York-JFK for an emergency landing because the nose gear could not be lowered and locked. The MD-80 landed on runway 4L; there were no injuries reported and the 128 passengers and five crew members evactuated on the runway. (Newsday)

23 AUG 2003 A Lufthansa Avro RJ.85 (D-AVRB) on it`s way fom München to Milan-Malpensa diverted to Innsbrück, Austria. Reportedly smoke or fire in an overhead locker was put out using a fire extinguisher. None of the 84 passengers and 4 crew memebers were injured. (DPA)

13 AUG 2003 All 222 Learjet 45 business jets have been grounded by the FAA over concerns a part in the tail section could fail. Owners of the jets have until Saturday to fly to repair stations to get the horizontal stabilizer actuator assembly replaced. (FAA)
AD 2003-16-19

11 AUG 2003 A Garuda Fokker F-28-3000 (PK-GFT) suffered a left main gear collapse at Jakarta after a flight from Surabaya (GA073). None of the 24 passengers were injured. (The Jakarta Post)

05 AUG 2003 The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the crash of an Emery Worldwide DC-8 near Sacramento, CA, was `a loss of pitch control resulting from the disconnection of the right elevator control tab.` The disconnection was `caused by a failure to properly secure and inspect` the bolt attaching the right elevator control tab crank fitting to the pushrod. (NTSB)
Accident Synopsis

03 AUG 2003 Israel is to ban foreign airliners without bulletproof cockpit doors from flying over the country or landing at its airports effective Oct. 31. (AP)

26 JUL 2003 The FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center will conduct a drop test of a 32-passenger ATR 42-300 aircraft on Wednesday, July 30. The test will assess how the fuselage of a large, high-wing regional transport aircraft would respond if it were involved in a severe but survivable crash. The research will support studies leading to the eventual incorporation of dynamically-tested seats into commuter aircraft. (FAA)

16 JUL 2003 Airbus and Boeing are preparing to test technology to reduce the risk of fuel tank explosions, seven years after a TWA Boeing 747 blew up over the Atlantic. They plan in the coming weeks to conduct the first flight tests of on-board systems designed to mitigate the threat of combustion by replacing oxygen in an empty or emptying fuel tank with nitrogen-enriched air in a process called inerting. (Reuters)

15 JUL 2003 Cell phone use aboard commercial planes in flight could be approved in about three years if a new study authorized by the FAA shows that their transmissions don\'t threaten safety. The study by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, a non-profit advisory panel to the FAA, should be completed by October 2005. The RTCA panel includes representatives from airlines, airplane makers and the electronics industry. (USA Today) RTCA Special Committee 202

11 JUL 2003 The US FAA does not adequately oversee the growing number of outside contractors repairing airplanes, the Office of Inspector General said in a report. At 18 of 21 repair stations checked, contract mechanics used incorrect aircraft parts and improperly calibrated tools, and had outdated manuals. (AP, DoT- Office of Inspector General) Review of Air Carriers` Use of Aircraft Repair Stations

08 JUL 2003 The government is taking steps to improve air safety after a report revealed that standards had slipped in recent years. The transport ministry has appointed a security expert to assist in drawing up a national aviation safety policy. A.o. the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) is expected to separate its safety monitoring activities from its other operations, and to increase surveillance of Skyguide, Switzerland’s air traffic control agency. (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) NZZ article

08 JUL 2003 The families of three people among 18 killed in a Gulfstream jet crash in Aspen, CO, accepted $11.7 million in a last-minute settlement with the plane's operators. The judge announced the end of the lawsuit as a jury was about to begin the punitive phase of a trial in which the panel had already awarded the families $10.2 million in compensatory damages. (AP)

07 JUL 2003 Airline passengers are being warned to buckle-up and keep their seatbelts fastened or risk serious injury. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority says it is concerned about passengers not wearing seatbelts at all stages of flight. This includes during aircraft taxiing before take-off and after landing. (CASA) media release

02 JUL 2003 A Qantas Boeing 747-400 (Flight QF6 FRA-SIN-SYD) was evacuated after arrival when a ground engineer noticed smoke coming from one of the aircraft\'s 16 brakes. Five of the 347 passengers were injured. The chutes are under scrutiny after two deflated, dropping some passengers to the ground. Qantas has conceded at least two of the six chutes may have malfunctioned or been punctured by a high-heeled shoe. (News.com.au)

30 MAY 2003 Four years before the tail fell off an American Airlines Airbus A.300 in New York, causing a crash that killed 265 people, a jet of the same model experienced similar tail problems. Airbus officials, said they did know until last year that pressures on the earlier flight were strong enough to have broken off the plane\'s tail. (AP)

27 MAY 2003 The Flight Safety Foundation published an Ultra-long-range (ULR) Crew Alertness Steering Committee report, detailing operational guidelines and regulatory requirements. The recommendations will help ensure that pilots maintain the required alertness and performance while on duty during ULR operations. (FSF) news release 03-19

27 MAY 2003 Federal aviation regulations prohibit airline pilots from flying beyond the age of 60 years. However, the relation between pilot age and flight safety has not been rigorously assessed using empirical data. Crash risk remained fairly stable as the pilots aged from their late forties to their late fifties. Flight experience, as measured by total flight time at baseline, showed a significant protective effect against the risk of crash involvement. (American Journal of Epidemiology) abstract

22 MAY 2003 In line with a 2002 UK AAIB recommendation, the NTSB issued two safety recommendations Require that all Embraer 135/145, Canadair RJ/Challenger, and Fairchild Dornier 328-300 airplanes be modified with a digital flight data recorder system that meets the FAR 121 sampling rate, range, and accuracy requirements. (NTSB) safety recommendations

22 MAY 2003 A Pakistan Air force board of inquiry concluded that the February 20 Fokker F-27 accident was caused by the pilot's premature descent. As a consequence, the aircraft hit a cloud covered ridge at 3,000 feet above sea level. (AFP)

21 MAY 2003 The FAA is investigating the takeoff of a Federal Express Airbus A.310F cargo jet from a darkened, closed runway at the Newark airport that brought the plane near workers on the ground. The incident happened on May 10th. (AP)

21 MAY 2003 Following the July 2002 collision over Germany and another incident near Denver in April 2000, the NTSB recommended the FAA to modify air traffic control radar data processing backup systems to provide ()

18 MAY 2003 Continuing research by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has proved that mobile telephone transmissions made by airline passengers can interfere with aircraft equipment. The tests support the existing CAA ban on the use of mobile telephones on board aircraft when the engines have started. (CAA) news release

17 MAY 2003 A federal judge in San Francisco ruled that families of those killed in the January 2000 crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 cannot seek punitive damages from Boeing. (Seattle Times) Seattle Times article

15 MAY 2003 The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a 2-day en banc public hearing as part of its ongoing investigation into the fatal crash of Air Midwest flight 5481 at Charlotte, NC. The hearing will convene on May 20th. (NTSB) press release

12 MAY 2003 The FAA increased its estimates of how much passengers and their luggage weigh, prompted by January's crash that killed all 21 people aboard a Beech 1900. It is adding 10 pounds to its estimate for passengers and five pounds to luggage. (AP)

09 MAY 2003 An aircraft carrying a government delegation was hit by gunfire on as it approached Bunia airstrip. The stricken aircraft diverted to the Ugandan city of Entebbe, a 25-minute flight away, where it made an emergency landing. Two shells hit the plane, damaging the right engine. (allafrica.com)

08 MAY 2003 The UK AAIB issued six airworthiness directives regarding the operation of air bridges following an incident in June 2002 when the pressure hull skin of a Boeing 747 was punctured at London-Heathrow by an air bridge. Issued addressed include the famailiarity with specific types of air bridges and training of air bridge operators. (AAIB) Bulletin May 2003 (p.22)

06 MAY 2003 Police will send papers to prosecutors about a pilot and two air traffic controllers suspected of professional negligence resulting in injuries to 100 people in a near-miss incident involving two Japan Air Lines planes in January 2001. (Kyodo)

06 MAY 2003 The NTSB issued 2 recommendations to the FAA regarding airport runway safety area improvements and the installation of engineered materials arresting systems to meet the minimum standards established by Advisory Circular 150/5300-13. (NTSB) Safety recommendation A03-11-12 (PDF)

01 MAY 2003 The FAA may add 10 pounds to its estimates of how much air travelers weigh, following a survey showing that passengers and their bags generally are heavier than the estimates now used. Regional carriers say they might have to eliminate seats to comply. A US Airways Express Beech 1900 that crashed at Charlotte, NC, on Jan. 8, was estimated to be within 100 pounds of maximum takeoff weight. After the crash, the FAA ordered 15 airlines to survey passenger weights. (AP)

26 APR 2003 The U.K. AAIB released their investigation report regarding the February 27, 2001 accident involving a Loganair Shorts 360 near Edinburgh. The aircraft ditched when both engines flamed out on climbout because of air flow disturbance due to the presence of snow, ice or slush in the intake systems. (AAIB)

26 APR 2003 The French BEA released their investigation report regarding the May 2, 2000 accident involving Learjet 35A G-MURI at Lyon. The aircraft lost control and crashed after power was added during an unstabilized single engine approach. (BEA)

24 APR 2003 The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a 2-day en banc public hearing, in which all five Board Members will participate, as part of its ongoing investigation into the fatal crash of Air Midwest flight 5481 at Charlotte-Douglas. The hearing will convene on May 20th and is expected to last 2 days but may continue into a third day. (NTSB) press release

17 APR 2003 The first class of commercial airline pilots who volunteered to carry handguns in the cockpit is being trained this week in a class run by the Transportation Security Administration. The inaugural group of Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) candidates will spend the week learning how to use a handgun and apply defensive tactics in an effort to stop a terrorist or anyone else attempting to hijack an airplane in flight. (TSA) press release

10 APR 2003 The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority is asking air operators and maintenance organisations for their views on the Service Difficulty Report system. CASA needs to understand why the number of total number of fault reports is falling to be able to take action to address the situation. (CASA) media release

09 APR 2003 Preliminary results of the investigation into the May 25, 2002 accident of a China Airlines Boeing 747 of Taiwan led the NTSB to issue four safety recommendations with regards to possible improper repairs to the airplane pressure vessel which may be hiding damage, allowing the development of multiple-site fatigue damage and fatigue fracturing that could lead to structural failure. (NTSB) Safety Recommendation A-03-07/-10

08 APR 2003 Air Canada has completed the installation of enhanced cockpit doors on all of its over 200 aircraft in service. With the installation of the new reinforced cockpit doors and security devices on Airbus A.321 C-GKOJ, Air Canada mechanics have completed the flight deck security enhancement program in compliance with Transport Canada and FAA requirements. (Air Canada)

06 APR 2003 Israel Aircraft Industries has developed an anti-missile system designed to deflect missiles fired at civilian planes. The system, which has been used in military planes for over a decade, must first pass Israeli Aviation Authority standards before it can be installed on Israeli civilian airplanes, but should be operational by the end of the year. (AP)

06 APR 2003 Every large commercial plane flying in the United States will have bulletproof cockpit doors by next week. Boeing has delivered 4,300 kits that include the new doors, which airlines' regular maintenance crews can install, while Airbus has delivered 557 kits to U.S. operators and about 1,800 worldwide. (AP)

03 APR 2003 An audit by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General found an 11 percent reduction in the number of operational errors and 17 percent fewer runway incursions in FY 2002 than FY 2001. Nonetheless, FAA still needs to take additional actions to further reduce the number of incidents and safety risks they pose. (DOT, OIG) Audit # AV-2003-040

28 MAR 2003 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the United Arab Emirates complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and issued the country a Category 1 rating. (FAA) press release

27 MAR 2003 The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its final report on the investigation of Swissair Flight 111, which crashed off the Peggy's Cove, on 2 September 1998 ,killing all 229 people on board . The report identifies the causes and contributing factors that played a major role in the occurrence, reviews the 14 Aviation Safety Recommendations that have already emerged from the TSB investigation and the impact those recommendations have already had on aviation safety, and makes nine additional Aviation Safety Recommendations. (TSB) TSB Report Number A98H0003

26 MAR 2003 A Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 which hit its tail on the runway as it took off from Auckland two weeks ago will require 16 days' repair work, the company said. (AFX)

21 MAR 2003 A Transasia Airways Airbus A.321 (B-22603) with 170 passengers squashed a utility vehicle on runway 36R as it landed at Tainan Airport in southern Taiwan, injuring two construction workers. The aircraft fuselage sustained severe damage. (Aviation Safety Council of Taiwan)

19 MAR 2003 A Cuban Aerotaxi Douglas DC-3 was hijacked by six men. The aircraft, carrying three crew and 26 passengers, was commandeered to Key West, FL. All hijackers surrendered after landing. (ASN)

19 MAR 2003 The NTSB released another update of their investigations regarding the November 12, 2001, crash of American Airlines flight 587. A.o. the NTSB is working with the NASA and Airbus to arrange a static attachment lug test to be conducted in Hamburg. (NTSB) press release

19 MAR 2003 The French BEA released the report of their investigation into the November 5, 2000 accident involving a Cameroon Airlines Boeing 747 at Paris-CDG. The aircraft left the runway on landing due to the incomplete activation of the nr.1 engine thrust reverser, causing the engine to remain on full power. (BEA) Report tj-b001105

18 MAR 2003 The NTSB released preliminary U.S. aviation accident statistics for 2002 showing no fatal accidents involving airlines or commuters. Thirty-four accidents were recorded for scheduled airlines in 2002, all non-fatal. Additionally, there were no fatalities to persons on the ground during the year. (NTSB) press release

12 MAR 2003 Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-412 9V-SMT suffered substantial damage when the tail struck the runway on takeoff from Auckland. (ASN)

10 MAR 2003 The Australian ATSB released a preliminary investigation report regarding the January 31 accident of an Ilyushin 76TD cargo plane near Baucau, East Timor. Preliminary recommendations to the Government of Timor include: The development of instrument approach and aerodrome charts for Baucau; and that the government review the provision of air traffic services and facilities to aircraft operations into Baucau. (ATSB)

08 MAR 2003 Mountain Air Cargo Fokker F-27-500 N712FE suffered a right hand main gear collapse on landing at Kinston, N.C. The aircraft slid off the side of runway 05. (FAA)

04 MAR 2003 As a result of a September 2001 incident in which a Boeing 757 departed from a closed runway at Denver, the NTSB issued two safety recommendations. (NTSB) Safety recommendations A-03-06/-06

01 MAR 2003 A flight data processing problem in Tokyo Area Control Center ATC computers grounded almost all domestic fights for close to an hour until the problem was solved around at 08.30h. (Mainichi Shimbun)

28 FEB 2003 The NTSB issued a safety recommendation to the FAA for issueing an airworthiness directive to require operators of Boeing 747-100, -200, -300, and -SP airplanes to implement Goodrich Service Bulletin 25-241 if they have not already done so. This, to prevent underinflation of slide/rafts during an emergency evacuation. (NTSB) safety recommendation A-03-04

27 FEB 2003 An Air France Concorde (Flight AF002) landed safely at New York-JFK after losing a piece of its tail rudder during its flight from Paris. (AP)

26 FEB 2003 Virgin Blue has been accused of cutting corners and compromising safety by allowing pilots to do inspections on its newest planes. The issue will be discussed as a matter of urgency today by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association executive, which has also complained to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. (The Australian)

20 FEB 2003 All flights at Aomori Airport, Japan were cancelled after a Japan Air System Airbus A.300B4-600 overran the runway by 30m. The runway had just been cleared of snow. (Mainichi Shimbun)

18 FEB 2003 The wreckage of a SAETA Vickers Viscount has been found on the 20,700-foot Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador. The plane went missing while on a flight from Quito to Cuenca on August 15, 1976. (ASN)

14 FEB 2003 The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) said it can no longer certify the safety of the Il-86 passenger jet in the light of the July 2002 accident at Moscow. The Russian State Civil Aviation Service however decided not to ban Il-86 flights. The Il-86 remains the most reliable passenger plane in Russia, and there are no grounds for suspending its flights, the State Civil Aviation Service said. (Moscow Times)

13 FEB 2003 Legislation which would allow U.S. cargo pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit to combat terrorist attacks was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today by the Republican leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. (U.S. House of Representatives) press release

09 FEB 2003 Thousands of floating Chinese lanterns launched in celebration lit up the night sky and caused 12 aircraft approaching the Penang international airport in Malaysia to be diverted. The bamboo and oilpaper lanterns, fuelled by kerosene, were released to mark the eighth day of the Chinese New Year and several fell on the airport runway, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) said. (The Australian)

06 FEB 2003 The FAA issued an airworthiness directive requiring Boeing 747 operators to find and fix possible fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin concealed under certain repair doublers, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane. These cracks are though to have played a major role in the May 2002 China Airlines Boeing 747 accident. (FAA) AD 2003-03-19

29 JAN 2003 The NTSB released an investigation update regarding the Jan. 8 crash of a Beech 1900 at Charlotte. It appears that the turnbuckles used to set the tension of the elevator control cables were to misaligned by about 1.8 inches. Also, FDR data indicates that after maintenance to the aircraft on Jan. 6 the pitch control position sensor recorded a 10-degree down shift for all nine flights. (NTSB)

28 JAN 2003 The NTSB has determined that the October 10, 2001 Cessna 208 accident near Dillingham, AK was caused by an in-flight loss of control resulting from upper surface ice contamination that the pilot-in-command failed to detect during his preflight inspection of the airplane. (NTSB)

26 JAN 2003 VASP Boeing 737 PP-SPJ overran the runway by 80m at Rio Branco, Brazil. None of the 87 pax and 6 crew were injured. The aircraft reportedly suffered damage because of the collapse of a main landing gear leg.

24 JAN 2003 ATSB preliminary investigation results indicate the December 2002 Air New Zealand Boeing 767 engine failure was caused by a fatigue crack, causing a failure of the first-stage high-pressure turbine disk. (ATSB)

24 JAN 2003 The Norwegian AAIB issued their final investigation report regarding the Jan.22, 2002 incident of an Icelandair Boeing 757. During the go-around following an unstabilized approach to Oslo the aircraft entered an extreme manoeuvre with high positive and negative pitch attitudes, and the aircraft exceeded maximum negative and positive g-values. (AAIB-N)

23 JAN 2003 Iran's civil aviation authority announced that a pilot's failure to correctly use a cockpit global positioning system (GPS) was behind last month's crash of a Ukranian Antonov 140 in central Iran. (AFP)

21 JAN 2003 The January 8 crash of a Beech 1900 at Charlotte, NC has focused attention on how the industry calculates the weight of its passengers and cargo. And it has raised questions about whether that method is realistic. (AP)

19 JAN 2003 A Northwest Airlines Airbus A.319 was being moved from a parking area to a gate at New York-LGA when it hit a jetway, causing the plane's landing gear to collapse. A customer service agent on the jetway, three ground employees guiding the aircraft and two mechanics suffered minor injuries; a second Northwest airplane, a Boeing 757, also was damaged in the collision. (USA Today)

17 JAN 2003 A Denim Air Fokker 50 PH-FZE, operating for Air Nostrum, overran the Melilla runway on landing, sustaining substantial damage. (ASN)

16 JAN 2003 International air travel between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia could stop at the end of January unless PNG's civil aviation authority conforms to international air safety standards. PNG's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been warned by Australian authorities to produce a safety audit of its fleet traveling to Australia or it could face blanket restrictions on air traffic (ABC)

15 JAN 2003 Top U.S. federal officials are developing plans to thwart shoulder-fired missile attacks on civial aircraft with measures that range from sophisticated anti-missile technology to simple changes in takeoff schedules. An interagency task force that reports to the National Security Council is also coordinating emergency inspections of every large U.S. airport to determine their vulnerability to the small, portable missiles. (Washington Post)

13 JAN 2003 The FAA has changed procedures at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) to prevent more planes from flying low over Honolulu. This action followed the January 4 incident in which a China Airlines Boeing 747 allegedly flew extremely close past the Century Center. (ASN)

09 JAN 2003 The NTSB issued 15 safety recommendations after completing the investigation into the Alaska Airlines MD-81 accident. Topics addressed include a.o. maintenance tasks intervals, end play measurement on jackscrews (NTSB) safety recommendations (PDF)

09 JAN 2003 The FAA announced that El Salvador complies with international safety standards set by the ICAO and has given the country a Category 1 rating following a reassessment of its civil aviation authority. El Salvador was previously rated Category 2. (FAA)

08 JAN 2003 A Horizon Air DHC-8 (N409QX) with 29 passengers and three crew members aboard, was descending to land in Medford at the end of a flight from Seattle when it collided with at least one bird. The windwhield shattered, causing head and facial injuries to the pilot-in-command. (Mail Tribune; FAA)

07 JAN 2003 Continental Express Flight 2051 (an Embraer RJ-145LR, N16571) skidded off the runway when landing in heavy snow at Cleveland, OH. The jet hit a localizer antenna and the nose gear collapsed. None of the 47 passengers and three crew members was hurt. (FAA)

06 JAN 2003 A Widerøe DHC-8-100 ran off the wet (snow) runway at Vadsø at 14.10. The aircraft was on flight WF 932 from Båtsfjord and came to rest on an embankment. None of the passengers were injured. (NRK)

06 JAN 2003 The C-130 firefighting tanker plane that crashed in California last June once flew airborne reconnaissance missions for the CIA. A federal safety investigator says some records on the plane are missing, hindering the investigation of the crash. (AP)

04 JAN 2003 A China Airlines Boeing 747 (Flight CI 018 TPE-NRT-HNL) flew dangerously close to the side of the 41-story Century Center building while on final approach to Honolulu. The aircraft is said to have passed the 350-feet high building at 10 feet, shortly before 7am. (CNN)

03 JAN 2003 The Aviation Safety Network today released the 2002 airliner accident statistics showing that, from a passenger's perspective, 2002 was the safest year for civil aviation since 1946. The number of fatal passenger flight accidents (20) was never so low. Africa was relatively the most unsafe continent. (ASN) 2002 safety roundup

18 DEC 2002 Thirteen people were taken to hospital after a China Eastern Airlines MD-82 plane lost cabin pressure and made a forced landing at Nanchan-Changbei Airport. Flight MU5406 which had left Kunming on a flight for Shanghai lost pressure at a height of 8,100 meters over Nanchang. (People's Daily)

17 DEC 2002 A Philippine Air Force GAF Nomad plunged into the sea 300m offshore from Zamboanga City, but all the 13 passengers including the pilot survived the crash. The aircraft was approaching Andrews AFB after a flight from Tawi Tawi. (Journal Online)

13 DEC 2002 An Arrow Air DC-8 cargo plane (N1804) overran Singapore-Changi Runway 01 following a flight from Yokota. The nose gear collapsed and the plane came to rest 300m past the end of the runway. The runway had to be closed for 18 hours. (The Straits Times)

13 DEC 2002 US Airways Express DHC-8-201 N991HA collided with a deer after landing at Charlotte, NC. Minot damage to aircraft and no injuries to 40 occupants. (FAA)

13 DEC 2002 An Islands Aviation BN-2 Islander (reportedly P2-CBB) plane making an inaugural flight from the newly constructed Gohu Airstrip in the rugged Finisterre Mountains, Papua New Guinea slammed into a cliff minutes after takeoff, killing all eight on board. (The National; Post-Courier)

12 DEC 2002 The FAA unveiled plans for adding an onboard system to make commercial airliners\' fuel tanks safer and reduce the chance of catastrophic explosions like the one that downed a TWA Boeing 747 in 1996. Inexpensive and lightweight, the onboard inerting system works by pumping nitrogen-enriched air into fuel tanks, thereby reducing the oxygen in fuel vapors and reducing flammability. (AP)

12 DEC 2002 Some 20-25 minutes after departing Belfast, a Flybe BAe-146-200 experienced severe pitch oscillations. Five crew and 36 passengers were on board the flight to Birmingham; four people were injured in the event - among those a flight attendant who suffered a broken leg. The plane returned to Belfast. (BBC)

12 DEC 2002 A Garuda Boeing 737 (flight GA833 to Jakarta) collided with a jeep while taxiing to the runway at Singapore-Changi. The incident happened at 20.50h. (The Straits Times)

10 DEC 2002 The NTSB considered the final report of its investigation into the January 31, 2000 Alaska Airlines accident near Port Hueneme, CA and concluded the accident was failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly's acme nut threads due to excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airlines' insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly. Contributing to this was the FAA's approval of Alaska Airlines' extended lubrication interval and extended end play check interval. (NTSB) synopsis final report

06 DEC 2002 The Blue Ribbon Panel on Aerial Firefighting, chartered to identify key information for planning the safe and effective future of aerial firefighting, revealed eight findings. Meanwhile the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management will no longer contract for the C-130A or PB4-Y aircraft as airtankers and the Forest Service is suspending fire missions of 19 P-58 Barons and 4 Shorts 330 aircraft pending evaluations of the issues identified in the Blue Ribbon panel’s report. (National Interagency Fire Center) Federal Aerial Firefighting: Assessing Safety and Effectiveness

06 DEC 2002 Taking a critical step to ensure that aging aircraft remain just as safe as the day they were first certificated, the FAA has mandated age-related inspections and records reviews for most aircraft that have been in scheduled commercial service for 14 years or more. (FAA) press release

04 DEC 2002 Continuous vibration were felt by the crew of a British Airways Concorde as they decelerated from supersonic speed on its approach into New York. After a normal landing they found that part of the lower rudder on the tail fin was missing. None of the 96 passengers or nine crew on board were injured in the incident. (BBC) Previous Concorde rudder incidents

03 DEC 2002 Ukrainian prosecutors investigating the downing of a Sibir Airlines Tupolev 154 by a Ukrainian missile said they need to retrieve the plane's wreckage to complete their inquiry and start court hearings. () accident descriprion

03 DEC 2002 A Learjet 36 corporate jet (N546PA) struck an elk while trying to take off from Astoria Airport, OR (AST) runway 8. Takeoff was aborted but the aircraft overran the runway, coming to rest in a marshy patch. The airplane caught fire, destroying the entire fuselage. (The Daily Astorian)

02 DEC 2002 The FAA has proposed to impose a $363,000 civil penalty against American Eagle Airlines for alleged violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleged the airline operated a Saab 340B in 88 revenue flights with an inoperative windshield defogger system in the cockpit in violation of the airline's approved Maintenance Manual. (FAA) press release

02 DEC 2002 The FAA has proposed to assess an $805,000 civil penalty against United Airlines for allegedly violating FAA regulations by operating three Boeing 757s on 193 flights when they were not in compliance with regulations. (FAA) press release

28 NOV 2002 Reportedly two missiles were fired at an Arkia Boeing 757-300 (4X-BAW) shortly after take off from Mombasa, Kenya. The pilot reported seeing a flash of light on the left side of the plane. The aircraft, with 261 passengers and 10 crew on board, continued it\'s flight (IZ582) to Tel Aviv. (AP)

27 NOV 2002 An Alitalia MD-80 was hijacked by mentally ill man claiming to be a member of the al-Qaeda network and threatening to blow up the plane. Flight AZ364 was en route from Bologna to Paris-CDG carrying 57 passengers and 7 crew. The aircraft diverted to Lyon where the hijacker surrendered. (BBC)

25 NOV 2002 Lack of pilot experience in landing in bad weather conditions and operational negligence were the factors in April's Air China Boeing 767 crash near Pusan, according to interim inspection results. The inspection team will issue a final report by the end of June 2003. (AsiaPulse)

23 NOV 2002 The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive requiring flightcrew of Boeing 737-600, -700, -800, and -900, 747 series; and 757 to maintain certain minimum fuel levels in the center fuel tanks, and to prohibit the use of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank (for B747-400) and certain center auxiliary fuel tanks (B747). The AD was issued because reports indicated that two fuel tank pumps showed evidence of extreme localized overheating of parts in the priming and vapor pump section of the fuel pump. (FAA) AD

21 NOV 2002 Indonesian authorities are preparing to ban kite-flying by villagers living close to Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after 20 airlines complained to the airport about the kite-flying. (Jakarta Post)

21 NOV 2002 Indonesian authorities are preparing to ban kite-flying by villagers living close to Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after 20 airlines complained to the airport about the kite-flying. (Jakarta Post)

21 NOV 2002 An American Airlines Airbus A.300 (Flight 1700, San José-Miami) suffered a complete hydraulics failure, forcing the crew to divert to Panama City where a safe landing was made. (EFE)

20 NOV 2002 A Twin Otter plane crash in Norway 20 years ago was ordered investigated again after witnesses claimed to have seen a pair of British Harrier jet fighters on a Cold War mission in the same area. A retired Norwegian air traffic controller said one of the Harrier pilots requested an immediate landing because of technical problems after the Twin Otter crashed. (AP)

19 NOV 2002 The Austrlian Federal Government has moved to retake direct control over air safety by scrapping the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and bringing the organisation under more direct ministerial control. The move also means CASA will be forced to obtain Federal Court approval of any decision to ground an aircraft operator within five days of making any such determination. (Sydney Morning Herald)

02 NOV 2002 An Euro Celtic passenger plane (probably Fokker F-27) overshot the Sligo (Ireland) runway on landing and ended up with its nose in the sea. No injuries among 36 passengers on board. (RTE)

01 NOV 2002 Allied Pilots Association calls for updated wake turbulence studies and reiterated its concerns regarding the rudder design of the Airbus A300 during the NTSB hearing regarding the accident involving American Airlines Flight 587 one year ago. (APA) press release

30 OCT 2002 A Thai Airways International Boeing 737-400 plane damaged a wing during a hard landing at Trang airport. The flight, TG251 from Bangkok, landed in think fog while the airport's Instrument Landing System was inoperative. (Bangkok Post)

29 OCT 2002 The National Transportation Safety Board convened its public investigative hearing on the crash of American Airlines flight 587 today. The hearing is expected to last four or five days. (NTSB) hearing information

29 OCT 2002 The French BEA released their findings regarding the August 24, 1997 incident involving an Air France Airbus A.320 near Lorient. A fuel leak caused a fuel imbalance between the two wings. Fuel was crossfed but the aircraft kept losing fuel near the nr.1 engine. On approach to Lorient the nr.1 engine failed and the crew carried out a single engine landing. (BEA) final report f-qh970824

24 OCT 2002 Transport Minister David Collenette signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in technical cooperation with the Minister of Transport of Colombia to enhance transportation safety in Colombia, with particular emphasis on civil aviation. (Transport Canada)

24 OCT 2002 A Lufthansa Boeing 747-400 reportedly missed a Mexicana Airbus A.320 by some 30m while on approach to Mexico City Airport, October 7. The Lufthansa pilot ignored contrary orders from air traffic control and followed his TCAS RA to climb. (AFX)

23 OCT 2002 The United States warned it would turn away foreign civilian planes after next April unless they are equipped with reinforced cockpit doors to deter hijackers. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta also pushed for the use of fingerprints on all entry and exit travel documents as part of a bold US package of anti-terror measures. (AFP)

23 OCT 2002 A Tretyakovo Air Transport Company Ilyushin 62M (RA-86452) overran the runway on landing at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and caught fire. All 9 crew members survived the accident.

19 OCT 2002 A United Airlines Boeing 767 (N607UA) struck several birds after departing Boston-Logan Airport Runway 22R. The no.2 engine suffered an uncontained failure. The aircraft circled around to land safely on runway 33L, 17 minutes later. (FAA)

16 OCT 2002 An Asian Spirit NAMC YS-11 plane hit powerlines while on final approach to Catarman, Philippines. The aircraft, carrying 33 people, landed safely but two poles collapsed injuring two villagers. (AP)

15 OCT 2002 Saudi Arabian Airlines says a passenger on a flight from Khartoum, Sudan to Jeddah used a pistol to try to take over the plane 22 minutes into the flight - but he was overpowered by security staff. (BBC)

14 OCT 2002 The German BFU released their investigation report brief regarding the April 27, 2002 Airbus A.340 tailstrike incident. The mishap occurred during a crosswind takeoff at Frankfurt with slats at 20deg and flaps at 18deg. (BFU) accident report (PDF - 2,8 Mb)

07 OCT 2002 The FAA published a final rule requiring Boeing 737 operators to install a newly designed rudder control system, and to make other changes to the aircraft to accommodate the new system. (FAA) press release

01 OCT 2002 Two Ilyushin Il-38 "May" from India, crashed each other on a flypast. The planes felt over populated areas, killing at least one person in ground. Their crew of twelve people (6 each) died on both planes. These aircrafts were celebrating their 25th Anniversary. (The Indian Express, AP)

27 SEP 2002 The ATSB issued two safety recommendations airside vehicle operation with a view to establishing national operating standards and procedures following a June 2001 incident at Perth. A sweeper vehicle was still on the runway when a Boeing 737-476 was taking off. The vehicle vacated the runway when the driver saw the aircraft approaching in the rear view mirror. (ATSB) occurrence report 200102695

26 SEP 2002 The Federal Aviation Administration ordered wing inspections on all C-130A air tankers after NTSB investigators determined that cracks in the wings caused the crash of a C-130A fighting a wildfire in California in June. (FAA) AD-2002-19-14

25 SEP 2002 The Association of European Airlines released the 16th edition of its Recommendations for De-Icing /Anti-Icing of Aircraft on the Ground. (AEA) recommendations (PDF)

24 SEP 2002 Based on petitions filed for reconsideration of the probable cause of the October 31, 1994 American Eagle ATR-72 crash near Roselawn, the NTSB has updated it's findings. Also, part of the petitions were denied. (NTSB) report AAR-96-01

20 SEP 2002 The ATSB released their investigation report regarding the windshear encounter of an Qantas Boeing 737-476 on final approach to Brisbane, 18 January 2001. Twenty recommendations were issued to CASA, Airservices Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology. (ATSB) Final report 200100213

19 SEP 2002 The National Transportation Safety Board will convene its public investigative hearing on the crash of American Airlines flight 587 on October 29, 2002. The hearing is expected to last four or five days. (NTSB) press release

19 SEP 2002 The Irish AAIU released the report of their investigation into the 10 November 2001 incident in the Shanwick Oceanic Airspace involving an Air France B747-400 and an Airtours Int'l A.330. The problems began when the A.330 crew requested a clearance which was incorrect by one hour. This was noted about one hour later when a traffic conflict at FL370 was observed. The A.330 crew were told to descend to FL350. (AAIU) Report No.: 2002/009

18 SEP 2002 Following two Airbus A.300 incidents in which crew members were forcibly ejected when opening the aircraft doors, the NTSB issued another 7 safety recommendations to the FAA a.o. with regards to A.300 cabin altimeter gauges and ionization-type smoke detectors. (NTSB) safety recommendations A02-26/32 (PDF)

17 SEP 2002 The Finnish Accident Investigation Board released their report on their investigation into the 21 July 2001 incident, when a SAS MD-81 was damaged in severe hail and turbulence while descending in a cumulonimbus cloud near Helsinki. It was recommended that SAS should take appropriate actions to ensure that the pilots pay sufficient attention to weather conditions during flight preparation and in flight, and make efficient use of airborne weather radar. Also, the Finnish Meteorological Institute should consider creating a system to facilitate the monitoring of rapidly developing weather phenomena and preparation of warning messages on significant weather. (Accident Investigation Board (AIB)) report B 5/2001 L

14 SEP 2002 The FAA ordered inspections of the all Boeing 737-600/700/800/900 series airplanes, having line numbers 1136 through 1230 to see if any have potentially defective flight control modules that could make the planes hard to control. (FAA ) emergency AD

11 SEP 2002 A British man has been jailed for four months, for refusing to switch off his cell phone during a flight from Egypt to Manchester last year, and compromising aircraft safety. He was advised to switch off his Ericsson T28 cell phone by stewards when they noticed him playing a game that was built into the phone. Later he was seen again playing games on the phone and following three warnings which he ignored he was finally arrested when the plane arrived in Manchester. (cellular-news)

09 SEP 2002 An Indian man was overpowered by a flight attendant when he attempted to hijack an Air Seychelles plane shortly before the Boeing 737 was to make a stopover at Male, Maldives. (AP)

06 SEP 2002 CAA New Zealand released their report regarding the July 2000 incident of Air New Zealand Flight NZ60, Boeing 767, near Apia, Samoa in which the crew detected an erroneous glideslope capture during an autocoupled ILS approach in time to perform a go around. It was later established that the ILS glideslope transmitter had inadvertently been left in control (monitor) bypass mode, with the unserviceable transmitter selected. (CAA NZ) Investigation report

04 SEP 2002 An Asian Spirit DHC-7-102 Dash 7 Reg.RP-C2788 plane carried out an emergency landing with one gear retracted at Manila. The aircraft had returned for an emergency landing when the right landing gear failed to deploy while on approach to destination Caticlan. There were no injuries among the 4 crew and 45 pax, but the plane sustained substantial damage. (AFX-Asia)

30 AUG 2002 The FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive requiring operators of All Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, –800, and -900; 747; and 757 series airplanes to revise the AFM to include certain operating limitations to prevent fuel vapors from coming into contact with an ignition source in the center wing fuel tank, which could result in fire/explosion in the center fuel tank. (FAA) AD 2002-18-52

30 AUG 2002 TAM Fokker 100 PT-MRL carried out an emergency belly landing at São Paulo-Viracopos following landing gear problems. The aircraft operated flight 3499 Salvador - São Paulo-Guarulhos. (ASN) incident description

30 AUG 2002 TAM Fokker 100 PT-MQH carried out a forced landing in a field near Birigui as a result of fuel exhaustion. The aircraft, flight 3804 São Paulo-Guarulhos - Campo Grande, sustained substantial damage. (ASN) incident description

30 AUG 2002 Canadian investigators have sent out a draft report on the 1998 Swissair MD-11 crash off Nova Scotia, completing their probe almost four years after the accident that killed all 229 people on board. The final report is expected to be made public early next year. (Canada.com)

29 AUG 2002 The Nigerian Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau concluded that the May 2002 Sky Executive Aviation Services Let 410 was caused by premature descent of the airplane. Just prior to that the pilot reported electrical problems. Also many maintenance shortcomings were discovered on the recently imported plane. (ASN) accident description

29 AUG 2002 The NTSB has determined that inadequate fuel supply caused the crash of a BAe Jetstream 31 in Bear Creek Township, PA in May 2000. The plane crashed while on approach to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, killing all 19 persons aboard. (NTSB) NTSB/AAB-02/05

29 AUG 2002 A Buffalo Airlines DC-4 struck approach lights of the Diavik diamond mine air-strip in Canada, causing the plane to crash-land on the runway. Reportedly a wing separated on impact. One of the two crew members sustained minor injuries. (Edmonton Sun)

28 AUG 2002 After landing on Phoenix, AZ runway 8 an America West Airbus A.320 (N635AW) was unable to maintain directional control. The aircraft, flight 794 from Houston, exited the runway into dirt, causing the nose gear to collapse. No serious injuries among 5 crew and 150 passengers. (FAA)

27 AUG 2002 The Peruvian government suspended the AOC of LAN Peru for 90 days and fined the airline USD 250,000. The airline is said to have operated an airplane that had cracks in its fuselage. (ASN)

13 AUG 2002 Sri Lankan Airbus A340-311 (4R-ALA) aborted takeoff and wheels caught fire. Flight UL546 from Male to Colombo. (IASA/ASN)

26 AUG 2002 The German BFU released another update on their investigation into the July 1 Tu-154/B757 collision near Überlingen. The report gives a clearer description of the probable collision/impact sequence. (BFU) Status Report AX001-1-2/02 (PDF, 2714 KB)

20 AUG 2002 Following two Airbus A.300 incidents in which crew members were forcibly ejected when opening the aircraft doors, the NTSB issued 3 safety recommendations to the FAA. It was a.o. recommended that all newly certificated transport-category airplanes have a system for each emergency exit door to relieve pressure so that they can only be opened on the ground after a safe differential pressure level is attained. (NTSB) http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/2002/A02_20_23.pdf

16 AUG 2002 Antonov 12 4R-AIA, charted by Air Lanka, landed with it's nosegear retracted at Karachi, Pakistan at 14.36 UTC. (ASN)

16 AUG 2002 A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 777, on flight 635 from Riyadh to Amman, made an emergency landing at Qassim, in an attempt to save the life of an ailing passenger who was travelling to Jordan for medical treatment. The passenger died before the plane landed. (ArabNews)

16 AUG 2002 A China Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 ran off the runway in Lijiang Airport. Flight 4451 was originated in Kunming. The incident delayed most of the scheduled flights. (Xinhua News)

15 AUG 2002 An Air Canada Jazz Dash-8 made an emergency landing in Labrador, when flying from Deer Lake. The aircraft reported hydraulics lost. No one was injured. (CNews)