AIR SAFETY WEEK :: JUNE 9, 2008

Safety Board Mystified by Fatal 2007 Lancair Accident
Almost one year after the loss of a Shepard Lancair IV Propjet in Portland, OR, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says investigators may never know why the aircraft crashed in IFR conditions. The aircraft (N42EX) departed Portland-Hillsboro Airport the morning of June 15, 2007 bound for Twin...

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Michigan Medevac Helo Mishap
An emergency medical service (EMS) helicopter practicing approaches to a rooftop helipad in Grand Rapids, MI crashed on the hospital's roof May 29, with the two people onboard narrowly escaping a post-impact fire. No patients were aboard the chopper at the time. The Sikorsky S-76A (N176SH) Aero Med Spectrum...

Three Killed, Three Injured in California Chopper Crash
A tour helicopter crashed in rainy weather on an island off the Southern California coast on May 24, killing three people and injuring three others. The Aerospatiale AS-350D (N67GE) went down on the west end of Santa Catalina Island near Two Harbors, Avalon, causing a small fire that was quickly doused. The...

One Dies When MD-500E Crashes into Missouri Lake
A passenger was killed and a McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. MD-500E (N686F) was destroyed while attempting to land at a private helipad at Lake of the Ozarks, Sunrise Beach, MO on May 25. Three others suffered minor injuries, including the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of...

Safety Board Issues Report on Fatal Montana Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issues its preliminary findings on the fatal mail flight crash in Billiings, Montana, but it sheds little light on the cause of the fatal accident. A Beech 1900C (N195GA) carrying mail crashed into a Billings, Montana building May 23 in a fiery explosion...

C-MANPADS Report Due
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has wrapped up its Counter-MANPADS (C-MANPADS) program designed to gage the suitability of military infrared aircraft missile defense systems for protecting U.S. commercial transports against shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, but flight trials continue into...

Animal Ambush: The Challenge of Managing Wildlife Hazards at GA Airports
The following are excerpts from a technical paper on wildlife problems at airports that was presented at the 53rd Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar. It was authored by Dr. Richard A. Dolbeer, National Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Airport Wildlife Hazards Program, Michael J. Begier...

Safety and Technology Trends
Berlin Air Show Highlights Air Safety Issues A chronic shortage of skilled engineers, safety regulators and experienced Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel threatens to constrain the growth of the international aerospace industry, according to experts in attendance at this year's ILA Airshow, held at...

Security Shortlines
DHS Moves to Ease Travel to USA The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued the Interim Final Rule for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system, a new online process that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Once ESTA is mandatory, all nationals or citizens of VWP...

Safety Rules & Regs
Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 500 Series Turbofan Engines Final Rule; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for RR RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61 turbofan engines...

Accidents & Incidents
Date Aircraft Type Narrative Death/Injury Remarks May 01, 2008 Prescott, AZ Robinson R22 Beta II, 331MD Owned by Guidance Helicopters. CFI sustained serious injuries. Student pilot sustained minor injuries. A/c sustained substantial damage by post crash fire. CFI stated during hover, a/c exhibited pendulum...