Home » ASN News
Final report cites inadequate CRM in Boeing 737-800 hitting approach lights on landing at Katowice, Poland
23 December 2017
FAA issues safety alert: High Collision Risk During Runway Crossing
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO), to warn pilots of high-risk category runway incursions and potential collisions in the first two-thirds (2/3) of an active runway.
The FAA states a high percentage of Category A or B runway incursions, and the highest risk of collisions, occur in the first two-thirds of a runway.
A Category A runway incursion is a serious incident in which a collision is narrowly avoided. A Category B runway incursion is an incident in which separation decreases and there is a significant potential for collision, which may result in a time-critical corrective/evasive response to avoid a collision.
The SAFO contains several recommended actions for pilots, vehicle/tug drivers, and operators.
Search for MH370 to resume as Malaysia strikes deal with Ocean Infinity
The Australian Transport minister confirmed that the Malaysian Government is entering into an agreement with Ocean Infinity, to search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
The Malaysian Government has accepted an offer from Ocean Infinity to search for the missing plane, entering into a ‘no find no fee’ arrangement. Ocean Infinity will focus on searching the seafloor in an area that has previously been identified by experts as the next most likely location to find MH370. Australia, at Malaysia’s request, will provide technical assistance to the Malaysian Government and Ocean Infinity.
The search for MH370, missing since March 8, 2014, was suspended on 17 January 2017.
More information:
ICAO Council urges compliance from North Korea on aerial testing
The ICAO Council expressed its strong condemnation of the continued launching of ballistic missiles by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over or near international air routes, which seriously threatens the safety of international civil aviation.
It was noted that the North Korean missile launches had occurred over international air routes and without prior notice being given, causing significant concerns to the safety of international civil aviation in the region. In response to these incidents, the President of the Council had sent several letters to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to urge the country to comply with established international provisions.
As an ICAO Member State, North Korea is expected to notify adjacent countries of any activity or incident arising from its territory which may pose risks to nearby civil aviation routes or operations. This would include matters such as volcanic ash clouds from local eruptions, or aerial testing which may affect civil aviation.
EASA updates Conflict Zone Information Bulletin regarding North Korean airspace
EASA revised their Conflict Zone Information Bulletin regarding North Korean airspace.
Referring to French, German, U.K. and U.S. aeronautical publications, EASA recommends operators that they should “take this information and any other relevant information into account in their own risk assessments, alongside any available guidance or directions from their national authority as appropriate.”
As a result of unannounced testing of missiles, all countries warn for a risk to aviation in the Pyongyang FIR. The U.K. is the only country that also includes the Sea of Japan as a possible risk to aviation.
The CZIB is valid until 19 March 2018.
Source:
Nepal working on independent aircraft accident investigation body
A committee formed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Nepal recently submitted a report suggesting appropriate organizational, financial and administrative modalities, necessary for setting up an independent aircraft accident investigation organisation.
Currently, investigations into aircraft accidents in Nepal are carried out as per the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accident) Regulation 2014. The usual practice is to form an ad hoc investigation committee. ICAO Annex 13 however requires states to establish an independent organization to conduct investigations into aircraft accidents and incidents.
After a 2016 audit under ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), it was established that Nepal’s level of Effective Implementation of ICAO’s accident investigation related Standards and Recommended Practices, associated procedures, guidance material, and best safety practices was 20,4%.
FAA extends conflict zone Notam on South Sudan airspace by a year
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration extended the Conflict Zone Notam on South Sudanese airspace by a year. U.S. pilots should exercise caution flying into, out of, within or over the territory and airspace of South Sudan at altitudes below FL260 due to the hazardous situation created by the ongoing fighting and instability in South Sudan.
More information
UAE issues interim statement on Emirates flight 521 accident investigation
The UAE GCAA published the first interim statement on their progress of the investigation of the Emirates Boeing 777 accident last year.
On August 3, 2016, Emirates Airlines flight EK521, a Boeing 777-300, impacted the runway during an attempted go-around at Dubai Airport, United Arab Emirates. All 300 on board survived the accident. One fire fighter was killed during the ARFF operations.
The investigators published a preliminary report after 35 days and now issued a short statement on the progress of the investigation. Regarding the operation of the flight the investigation is working to determine and analyze the human performance factors that influenced flight crew actions during the landing and attempted go-around.
In addition, the investigation has reviewed and has identified safety enhancements related to the validity of weather information that was passed to the flight crew, and communication between air traffic control and the flight crew.
A detailed examination was performed of the aircraft evacuation systems, including the operation of emergency escape slides in a non-normal aircraft resting position, and the effects of wind on the escape slides.
A large number of aircraft systems were tested with the assistance of the manufacturers and analysis of the data downloaded indicates that there were no aircraft systems or engine abnormalities up to the time of the accident.
More information: