A summary of this weeks activity and downloadable files of new reports published by the self-proclaimed, “world’s premier independent agency for accident investigation.”
TOTAL PRESS RELEASES ISSUED THIS WEEK – 1
TOTAL AVIATION SAFETY RECOMMENDATION LETTERS ISSUED THIS WEEK – 0
TOTAL AVIATION MISHAP REPORTS ISSUED THIS WEEK – 19
- New reports released this week – 18
- Revised reports released this week – 1
AVIATION PRELIMINARY REPORTS RELEASED THIS WEEK – 7 – AVERAGE LATENCY 52 DAYS
AVIATION FACTUAL REPORTS RELEASED THIS WEEK – 11
- Field Investigations (NTSB) – 2 (18%) – AVERAGE LATENCY 402 DAYS AFTER EVENT
- Limited Investigations (delegated to FAA) – 2 (18%) – AVERAGE LATENCY 144 DAYS AFTER EVENT
- Data collection reports (CA) – 4 (36%) – AVERAGE LATENCY 40 DAYS AFTER EVENT
- Incident report (IA) – 2 (18%)
- Other (public use, foreign, etc.) – 1 (9%)
- Number of factual reports more than one year old issued this week – 1
REPORTS OF PROBABLE CAUSE RELEASED THIS WEEK – 1 NEW, 0 REVISED
- 0 Field (NTSB) Investigations – AVERAGE LATENCY NA DAYS AFTER EVENT
- 0 Limited (FAA) Investigations – AVERAGE LATENCY NA DAYS AFTER EVENT
- 1 Data Collection Investigations – AVERAGE LATENCY 97 DAYS AFTER EVENT
- 0 Other Investigation Types
SUMMARIES OF NEW REPORTS:
- List of Newly Released Reports
- Air Carrier, Turbine Powered & Large Aircraft Reports
- General Aviation Reports
- Homebuilt, Experimental, or Light Sport Aircraft
REPORTS OF THE WEEK (See the above links for more details)
WPR12LA096 – Main rotor mast fractured – that’s never a good thing
On January 20, 2012, about 1900 Pacific standard time, an Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc., OH-58C helicopter, N902SF, sustained substantial damage during takeoff when its main rotor mast fractured near Brawley, California. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Farm Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. No flight plan had been filed. The helicopter was attempting a departure when the event occurred.
DCA12FA024 – All right – Air America lives
At 10:45 AM Local, Helmund Province, Afghanistan, a Bell 214ST, N5748M (serial # 28102), on a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 flight and operated by AAR Airlift Corp. under contract to the Air Mobility Command of the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), crashed 7 miles south of Camp Bastion. The helicopter was substantially damaged by impact and post crash fire. The three crewmembers on board, all U.S. citizens, were fatally injured in the accident.
The NTSB accepted full delegation of the accident investigation from the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan consistent with the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.
ENG12IA010 – Business is a little slow at the safety board
On February 8, 2012, about 1100 est, a Boeing 767-300ER, N360AA, operated by American Airlines as Flight 837, had a fire in the right engine, a General Electric CF6-80C2B6, shortly after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Jamaica, New York. The pilots reported that as the airplane was climbing through 9,000 feet, there was a right engine fire warning in the cockpit. The pilots shutdown the engine and discharged two fire bottles into the engine nacelle. The pilots declared an emergency and the airplane returned to JFK to land without further incident. The airplane was operating as a regularly scheduled international flight in accordance with the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121 from JFK to Port au Prince, Haiti. There were no reported injuries to the 198 passengers and 9 flight attendants, and 3 pilots on board.
ERA12WA183 – Really, really slow
On February 3, 2012, about 2333 universal coordinated time, an Embraer EMB-500 airplane, Brazilian registration PR-PHE, experienced an anti-skid brake failure during landing roll at the Campo Grande International Airport (SBCG), Campo Grande, Brazil, which resulted in the right tire being ruptured, no other damage was reported. The flight originated at the Campo dos Amarais Airport (SDAM), Campinas, Brazil. The pilot and two passengers were not injured.
CEN11FA346 – First flight of the airplane and last flight of the pilot
On May 22, 2011, approximately 1050 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Cassutt III M airplane, N420FH, impacted terrain while maneuvering after takeoff near Erie, Colorado. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage and a post-crash fire ensued. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a flight test. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was being operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The accident flight was the airplane’s first flight or maiden flight. A witness observed the airplane takeoff from the airport, climb to about 300 feet, and enter a sudden left turn. The airplane was then observed to descend towards the ground and impact terrain.
CEN11LA527 – Another first flight of the airplane – didn’t lift off on the prior attempt, either. If at first you don’t succeed, try again and prove that you’re an idiot.
On July 22, 2011, about 0830 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Snow Quickie 2, N240JS, impacted terrain during an aborted takeoff at Ashtabula County Airport (HZY), Ashtabula, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the canard, both wings, and empennage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a test flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot was performing a takeoff as part of a phase 1 test flight after having attempted a previous takeoff that resulted in the airplane not being able to lift off.
